Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for ChristmasThe Secret PrincessTaming the Texas RancherAn Unlikely Union

by Winnie Griggs

  Levi laughed. “Beth’s a little older than you’d think.”

  “Single?”

  “Widowed.” He blew on his coffee.

  Daniel did the same. “Interested?”

  “Nope, just a friend.”

  “You make friends fast. I don’t recall her living here.” Daniel sipped at the hot, strong brew.

  Levi set his cup down. “You didn’t come to town to talk about Beth Winters. What are you here for, Daniel?”

  The moment he’d been dreading had arrived. “I came to apologize and ask you to return to the ranch.” He swallowed hard. “I need you.”

  A smile brightened Levi’s face. “Yes, you do.”

  “This is serious, Levi. After you left, Cole found a butchered calf in the west pasture. And every day more and more of our cattle are disappearing.” Frustrated, Daniel ran his hand over his neck. “Also, someone broke into the schoolhouse and put the chickens inside. Hannah wasn’t there, but she could have been.”

  Levi sobered. “That is serious. I’ve been asking around and we seem to be the only ranch getting hit. Why do you think that is?” He raised an eyebrow, as if to tell Daniel he must have made an enemy.

  An older couple entered the restaurant and took a seat several tables over from them. Beth returned with their food and silverware. After serving them she headed to the new customers’ table.

  Daniel said a quick prayer over their food before answering. “It would appear to be an inside job. The bandits seem to know where we are at all times.” He picked up his fork and started to eat.

  Levi dipped his fork into his mashed potatoes. “That’s what I thought, too. As soon as I hit town Monday morning, I put the word out that I was through with the Westland Ranch. I’ve been doing odd jobs about town and listening to the men, but haven’t heard anything that will help us.”

  Daniel studied his brother as they ate. “So that’s why you left? Not because I made you mad.”

  “No, you made me mad, but on the ride to town I got to thinking about the poachers and the rustlers. I’m sure the two are connected, but like I said, if anyone knows anything about it they aren’t talking.”

  They continued their meal in silence. Beth brought them each a slice of apple pie and fresh coffee.

  Daniel took a generous bite of his pie and sighed. “The food here really is good. I think this is going to be my new favorite place to eat.”

  Levi laughed and finished his dessert. “I’m glad you like it. When you’re done, we’ll go upstairs and I’ll show you my room. You might want to stay here sometime, too.”

  Daniel finished his pie and coffee and then nodded at Levi. “Ready.” He looked about for a place to pay for the meal.

  “Don’t worry about the bill. I’ll cover it.” Levi pushed away from the table and led the way up three flights of stairs.

  “They rent out the attic here?” Daniel asked, stepping over the threshold of Levi’s room. He shut the door behind them. When he turned around, he realized it was more of a suite than just a bedroom.

  Levi grinned over his shoulder. “Nope, these are my private quarters. I own the boardinghouse and restaurant.”

  An hour later, Daniel was heading back to the ranch. He was impressed that Levi had bought a couple houses in town and turned them into businesses. Over the past few months, while Daniel had been worrying about the ranch, his brother had been starting businesses in town.

  According to Levi, he owned Beth’s Boarding House and Restaurant and Bob’s Mercantile. Daniel’s little brother didn’t want anyone to know that he was the owner, so he had helped a few people down on their luck make it look as if they owned the property. He paid them a salary and gave them room and board. Only the bank, himself and now Daniel knew what Levi had been up to.

  For a brief moment, Daniel had thought his little brother had given up the notion of owning the ranch. But as Levi said, that wouldn’t matter to their mother. Another reason he hadn’t advertised that he’d been buying property in town was because she would have a fit if she knew. Bonnie Westland might get so angry she’d sell the ranch. Neither of them wanted that.

  Levi assured Daniel that when his mail-order bride arrived, he’d be getting married. But for the life of him, Daniel couldn’t understand why. Levi seemed content in town. Was his brother really going to marry just to inherit the ranch?

  Daniel frowned as he mentally went over their discussion. Levi had assured him that if he won, Daniel would always have a home on the Westland Ranch.

  He didn’t want just a home. Daniel wanted ownership of the ranch, and he wanted to marry Hannah.

  Chapter Thirty

  Hannah tossed the dishwater out the back door and sighed. Two weeks had passed since Daniel had apologized. He’d made a point of spending each evening with her, and Hannah knew she’d fallen deeply in love with him. The truth was she’d loved him for a long time, but was just now accepting the truth of it herself.

  Over the past two weeks she’d prayed and reasoned with the Lord to not let it be true. But when it came down to it, Hannah realized that whether Daniel ever loved her or not, she’d always have the Lord’s love.

  Daniel was handsome, good with children, a hard worker and a good kisser. What more could she ask for? She knew he’d be a kind husband and father.

  Yes, if he showed up tonight, Hannah planned on telling him of her love and asking if he would mind having a Thanksgiving wedding. She smiled at the thought.

  She’d started to turn from the open doorway when she saw Daniel and Tornado burst through the tree line on the other side of the stream. The stallion continued across it at a fast pace. Daniel’s face was set with determination.

  He slid to a halt by her back door. “Hannah, I need you to go to the house and see if Levi is still here. If he is, tell him to gather up the boys and meet me at the canyon on the back side of the ranch.”

  “The one you took me to a while ago?” she asked, reaching to grab her shawl off the nail beside the door.

  Tornado stomped his hooves and Daniel tightened his grip on the reins. “Yes. Tell him I think I’ve found where the rustlers have the cattle corralled. I can’t take them on by myself—there are too many of them. I’m going back to watch them. If they leave I want to see which direction they go.”

  Dread entered her heart that he’d found them and now planned to spy on them on his own. “I’ll go, but why don’t you wait for Levi and the other men?”

  “I don’t have time to wait. They could be rounding the cattle up now, about to leave. Just hurry. I don’t want to lose those cows or the men who stole them.” With that, Daniel spun Tornado around and splashed across the stream once more.

  Hannah prayed that Levi and the men hadn’t already headed to town. She knew Friday nights were when they all went and spent their hard-earned money. If worse came to worst, she and Bonnie could back Daniel up. They might not be men, but both of them were good with a gun.

  Deciding she didn’t have time to saddle Brownie, Hannah took off at a run through the wooded area. Halfway there, she was wishing she had taken the time to get her horse. When she got within sight of the house, she ran toward the barn and yelled, “Jeb!”

  The old man came to the door. He didn’t look well. His face was pale and he coughed hard. “What’s wrong?” He wiped his hand across his mouth.

  “Have you seen Levi?” She stopped and held her aching side.

  Jeb nodded. “Yep, he and Mrs. Westland headed to town about two hours ago.”

  Hannah groaned. Just as she’d feared. “What about the rest of the men?”

  “Gone, too. What’s got you all riled up?” Jeb began coughing again and couldn’t seem to stop.

  Hannah knew he’d be no help to Daniel. With all the coughing he was doing, the rustlers would know they were being spied on in no time. It was up to her. She’d send him for Levi and then go help Daniel. “Jeb, do you feel up to going after Levi and the men?”

  “I ain’t goin’ no place t
ill you tell me what’s goin’ on around here.” Jeb coughed again.

  “Daniel has the rustlers spotted down in the canyon. He needs Levi and the men to come help him bring them in. I need you to go get them. Please.”

  He jerked his hat off and slapped it against his leg. “Why didn’t you just say so, instead of hem hawin’ around? I’ll go get Bessie and get down there and help him.” Jeb rushed back inside the barn.

  Hannah ran after him. “No! You’ll give him away with all that coughing you’re doing. He’s not going to do anything but watch them until you and the ranch hands get back. Please, go get them.”

  Jeb continued saddling his horse. “And if I go get the men, what are you gonna do?” He cinched the strap and then looked at her suspiciously.

  She didn’t dare tell him that she intended to help Daniel. The old man would fuss and waste more time. “Pray. So please hurry.” Hannah planned on praying a lot.

  He walked the horse out to the yard and then mounted. “We’ll be back as quick as we can. You stay here.” Jeb didn’t hang around to see if she’d follow his orders.

  Hannah waited until he was out of sight, and then ran back to the schoolhouse. A stitch in her side pulled as she rounded the corner and entered the lean-to, where Brownie was stabled. Hannah hadn’t lied to Jeb. She prayed for Daniel’s safety while she saddled the mare. She led her to the back door, tied her reins to the porch and hurried inside.

  She jerked on a dark blue top and a matching riding skirt. Hannah took a deep breath and then purposely made her way to the suitcase under her bed. She pulled out the gun she’d never told anyone on the Westland Ranch about.

  Her father had given it to her years ago and taught her how to fire it, if need be. Hannah prayed she wouldn’t need to use it. She tucked the gun into the waistband of her skirt and then went back to Brownie.

  It took another thirty minutes for her to get to the base of the canyon. Hannah’s heart pounded in her ears as she worried that Daniel might have already been discovered. She nudged Brownie up the steep incline, praying she wasn’t making too much noise and that any guards wouldn’t hear her.

  Twilight was gathering when she reached the rim of the canyon. Unsure where Daniel might be, she scanned the area. Hannah spotted Tornado and dismounted, leaving Brownie tied to a tree. Gravel scraped Hannah’s palms as she crawled to the edge and looked down on the campsite.

  They were camped beside the stream that she and Daniel had visited not so very long ago. She counted nineteen men in various stages of drunkenness, but thankfully, she didn’t see Daniel in their midst. Hannah wondered where the guards were posted. So far she hadn’t seen any, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. Her gaze scanned the other ridge and the caves it concealed. Nothing. Where were they?

  * * *

  Daniel crept up behind Hannah. He quickly reached over and pressed a hand across her mouth, preventing her from crying out. She struggled for a moment until her eyes grew wide with recognition.

  “Take it easy, Hannah,” he whispered. “If we are discovered now, we’re as good as dead.”

  Hannah nodded. Her whole body seemed to shake, but he didn’t have time to comfort her right now. Daniel released her and returned his focus to the men below. Until she’d shown up, he’d been keeping his gaze on Ben Wilder. He spotted Ben standing beside the fire now.

  “Where are the guards?” Hannah hissed.

  Daniel frowned at her. “Below us.”

  She seemed unaware of the danger they were in. Didn’t the woman know there was a time to talk and a time to be silent? He wanted to wring her neck for showing up here, and without the other men.

  He placed a finger over his mouth to indicate silence. Daniel had questions of his own, but now wasn’t the time to ask them. Such as where were the ranch hands? What did she think she was doing here? And was the woman crazy?

  He shifted his focus back to the group below. Ben still stood by the fire. Then he did the unexpected: he turned slowly and stared in their direction. Ben couldn’t possibly have seen or heard them, but he seemed to know they were there, just the same. “Get down,” Daniel rasped.

  Instead of doing as she was told, Hannah raised her head and whispered, “Uh-oh, I think he saw us. I can pretend I’m alone. I’ll go down there and you go get help.”

  “Oh, no, you won’t.” Daniel pushed her head down and returned his attention to Ben. The rustler sniffed the air like a wolf after prey before taking a step in their direction.

  Hannah scrambled to her feet before Daniel could drag her down. When he made to grab her, she jerked her leg from his grasp, kicking him upside the head while doing so.

  Blackness pooled around his brain and enveloped him in inky darkness. His last thoughts were, When I get my hands on that woman, I’m going to kill her, if Ben Wilder doesn’t do it first.

  A few seconds, possibly minutes later, he awoke and raised his aching head. Hannah was almost to the bottom of the hill. Her boots slipped and slid, announcing to the world she was there.

  Daniel struggled to focus his eyes and gather his wits. When he did, he realized that she’d left a gun lying on the ground beside him. She was headed into the lion’s den unarmed.

  Did she think he needed the added gun to protect himself? Hadn’t she noticed he had a rifle? A rifle that wouldn’t help either of them at this distance.

  He watched, helpless, as Ben walked forward to meet her. She held up her hands. Every instinct Daniel possessed urged him to go after her, but he didn’t dare move. He had no alternative at the moment but to trust Hannah with his life and her own. Whatever her plan, it was inadequate, but he didn’t have a better one at the moment.

  Daniel couldn’t read Ben’s expression from this distance, but could tell by the way he held himself that he didn’t believe whatever she was telling him. Hannah talked fast, and Daniel would have given the Westland Ranch to know what she was saying, but all he could make out was the nervous tone of her voice. Her actual words were just beyond the bounds of his hearing.

  He watched like a man trapped in a bad dream as Hannah allowed herself to be ushered into the den of thieves. She didn’t as much as glance in his direction. Hannah was acting as if she were alone, to save his sorry hide.

  Careful not to move too quickly and risk drawing attention to his hiding place, Daniel wiped the blood from the side of his head, trying to think what to do next. He couldn’t leave her there alone, as she’d suggested he do. Daniel continued to watch the scene below, praying he’d think of a way to get her out of there.

  One of the rustlers rose shakily to his feet, approached Hannah and spoke to her. Ben’s pistol flew into his hand as if it had wings. He shot the man, then waved the gun around and looked at the other rustlers. It seemed as if he was daring one of them to do the same as their companion. Daniel wished he could understand what Ben was saying to the men around him, but his voice was too low.

  No one moved, including Hannah. She stood bravely, watching the scene about her. The woman had spunk, and when this was all over, Daniel planned on revealing to her all that was in his heart.

  But for now, he did what he could, and that was pray for Hannah’s safety, that they’d get out of this alive. If they did, he’d tell her that he loved her, and ask her to forgive him for not confessing his love sooner.

  Lord, please keep Hannah safe. I love her so much, and now know that I can’t protect her myself. But I trust that You can.

  Metal scraped against metal as a gun cocked behind him, putting an end to the silent prayer. Before he could draw his weapon, roll over and fire, Daniel felt the cold barrel press against the nape of his neck.

  The bandit snarled, “So the little lady didn’t ride into the canyon alone, after all. You think the boss will be angry with her for lying to him, or happy that she brought a Westland with her?”

  * * *

  Hannah watched in horror as Daniel stumbled into camp. A trickle of blood ran from his temple and down the side of his face.
The guard behind him grinned over his captive’s shoulder. She ignored the bandit. “You’re hurt,” she said, and took a step toward Daniel.

  Ben caught her around the waist and jerked her back against his dirty chest. The smell of sweat and other body odors gagged her. “Hold up there, little lady.” His whiskey-tainted breath turned her stomach.

  Daniel actually smiled like a crazy man touched in the head. What was wrong with him? Didn’t he know they might both be dead by morning if they didn’t think of something quick? “Tell me, Ben, when did you start taking women prisoners?”

  The rustler tightened his grip on Hannah. “When they started walking into my camp. This one’s mighty pretty, don’t ya think?”

  She watched the green in Daniel’s eyes turn into a blazing fire. His jaw tightened, but he held his smile. “Yep, you’re holding the woman I love just a little too close, Ben. I suggest you let her go now.”

  The rustler tossed his head back and laughed. The sound was cold and malicious in Hannah’s ears. “Aw, now, ain’t that just about the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard, boys? He loves her.”

  Everyone laughed except Hannah and Daniel. Hearing him say he loved her was the sweetest thing Hannah had ever experienced. She just prayed he’d be able to say it to her again. “I love you, too, Daniel. I have for a long time.”

  Ben jerked hard on her midsection, cutting off her air. “Naw, I’m keepin’ this one for myself.”

  Daniel growled deep in his throat. His fist knotted and he took a step forward. “Tell me, Ben, when did you first come up with the plan to become a rustler? Was it before or after I hired you as a horse trainer?”

  The outlaw pointed his gun at Daniel’s gut and snarled. “Do you really think yours was the first ranch I stole cattle from? Don’t flatter yourself, Westland. I’ve been rustling cattle since I was a pup.”

  “You still look like a pup to me, Ben. Only now you smell like a wet dog who’s been fed too many bones from its master’s table.” Daniel laughed as if he’d just told the funniest joke.