Hannah: A Bride For Cowboy Warren (Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers Book 1)

by Jenny Creek Tanner

  “I don’t know.” She looked away and tried to hide her embarrassment. “I’ve tried to do everything right and to be a good wife but…I hardly know you and I don’t even know if you want me to be your wife and—”

  Her words were interrupted as his lips met hers, and he pulled her close. His lips were soft and he drew her close with a hand at the back of her waist. She felt safe and secure there in his arms, protected from everything. In his arms she felt wanted and loved.

  Chapter 6

  Warren drew back from their kiss and his eyes searched hers. He wanted her to understand how he felt. He knew he wasn’t good with words and that actions sometimes spoke louder anyway. He hoped she knew how he felt now, but he wouldn’t assume that anymore.

  He kept his arms around her and leaned back only far enough to look into her eyes. He relished her closeness and the sweet scent of lavender that always seemed to swirl around her. It was clear to him that his feelings had grown deeper toward her, and he regretted every moment he’d let pass by to tell her.

  “Hannah, I’m not very good with words.” He frowned and looked over her head at the mountains in the distance. “I’ve spent a long time on my own and I’ll be honest and say I hadn’t planned on getting married.”

  He hated that he saw sadness in her eyes at that truth, but he needed her to see the whole story so she could understand.

  “I’ll also admit that I wasn’t sure how you’d adjust to life on the ranch.” He reached up and tucked another stray hair behind her ear. “But you've done better than I ever could have imagined. And through this whole time you’ve been nothing but brave and a hard worker. I don’t deserve a woman like you as my wife.”

  “That’s not true.” She rested one hand against his chest by his heart and cupped her other hand against his stubbed cheek. “You’re a good man, Warren Doyle. You take on the responsibility of an entire ranch and you love your family well, better than any man I could have wished for. I only hope that we continue to get to know one another better, and I can help you with some of that burden.”

  “You already have, Hannah.” He bent down and kissed her again. When he pulled back he met her gaze. “I want you to know that no matter what happens, I will be here for you.”

  “And I will be here for you, Warren.”

  She wrapped her arms around him and lay her head on his chest as he held her close. The beat of his heart turned into the sound of a fast approaching horse and he broke their embrace. In the distance they saw Lewis riding toward them at full gallop.

  “I don’t like the look of this.” Warren felt a wave of uneasiness wash over him at the approach of his brother. His mind instantly went to his father and he gripped Hannah’s hand more tightly.

  Lewis’s horse skidded to a stop and he clung to his hat to keep it from flying off. “We’ve got trouble, Warren.”

  Warren stepped forward and Hannah moved with him. “What is it? Is it Pa?”

  “No, he’s as grouchy as ever,” Lewis wiped his arm across his brow. “It’s the cattle. The herd we just moved. There’s something wrong.”

  A sense of dread dropped full-force on Warren. He’d heard of ranchers dealing with cattle disease but he never had that misfortune…yet. He looked down at Hannah and was sad that their time at the river would needed to be cut short.

  Before he could say anything, she said, “Let’s go. This is important.”

  Warren felt a love for her now. He knew that’s what it was and the feeling was overwhelming. It wasn’t just this one instance, but everything of who Hannah was. Without hesitation or thought to his brother standing there he bent down and kissed her again.

  “Oh come on you two,” Lewis said, laughing. “There’ll be time for that later.”

  They broke apart and Warren smiled at the deep red hue on his wife’s face. Yes, there would be plenty of time to get to know one another better. They had a lifetime ahead of them.

  Hannah kept the coffee on late into the night, anxiously waiting for the brothers to return. She was on her second cup when the door burst open with a rush of cold air. The three brothers stomped their feet to get warmth back into them and peeled off their coats.

  Warren came straight to her while the others went upstairs to bed. He took her hands gently in his cold ones. “I'm sorry we were gone so long.”

  “It’s fine.” She tried to convey the truth with her eyes. She really did understand. She tried to rub some warmth into her husband’s hands. “How are the cattle?”

  “It’s not looking good.” He frowned and looked out the window. “We have several herds spread out over our land, and each has over a hundred head. One of our hired hands found a few dead cattle from the herd we just moved. They had been on the neighbor’s land where the fence was broken and one of the dead cows had his brand on it. We think it brought Texas Fever into our herd.”

  “What does that mean?” She wasn’t an expert in cattle diseases, but any kind of fever didn’t sound good.

  He sighed and ran a hand through his matted hair. “I means we’ll need to quarantine that herd and pray that the winter eradicates the disease. If not, we could lose a quarter of our stock—maybe more.”

  “I’m so sorry, Warren.” She saw the fatigue on his features and lifted her hand to cup his still-cold face. “We’ll face this together.”

  He pulled her close, the scent of leather and beeswax encircling her as his arms did.

  “We will,” he said, kissing her on the forehead. “I don’t know how I could do this without you by my side. Just a few short weeks ago I was fine on my own, but now I can’t imagine my life without you.” It was in that moment she knew.

  “And I’m happy to be here with you. New York City broke me down, but it’s here on Ruby River Ranch that I have found my new life.”

  “Life…and love.” His words were a gentle whisper against her lips.

  His kiss carried with it the confidence of his love. The storms of life would come, but she knew they would weather them all together.

  Thank You!

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  Other Books By Jenny Creek Tanner

  “Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers Box Set”

  Read the entire “Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers” Four-Book Series for one low price!

  In this endearing Christian Western Romance series, four courageous and God-fearing women overcome their desperate circumstances and risk everything to find true love with the three rugged Doyle brothers, who call the Ruby River Ranch in Montana Territory their home.

  Hannah: A Bride For Cowboy Warren

  It's May 1880, and Hannah has risked every penny she has to be the mail-order bride of a man she's never met. . .

  Lolly: A Bride For Cowboy Benjamin

  It's February 1881 and the letter Lolly Wallace has been expecting from Benjamin Doyle never arrives. . .

  Amy: A Bride For Cowboy Lewis

  After Benjamin and Lolly’s wedding, young Amy Schaffer finds herself without a prospective husband and without a sure future. . .

  Rosie: A Bride For Cowboy Percy

  With her best friend about to marry Lewis Doyle, Rosie Wallace is busy making Amy's wedding dress. And with every stitch she wonders if there is a man out there for her. . .

  Click below to get your box set of this heartwarming series today!!

 
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B015AB8V5E

  “Homestead HEART: Winnie’s Story”

  Excerpt from A Dakota Mail Order Brides Romance - Book 1

  Chapter 1

  Yankton, South Dakota | June 1862

  Russell Hanson walked down the dusty street of Yankton, South Dakota and scuffed his boots against the dry ground. He'd been in town for almost a fortnight and he needed to make a decision. The options were simple: wait at year to turn twenty-one, or get married. The thought of marriage sunk into his gut like a lead weight.

  He was only twenty years old, and all he wanted was to claim his land, set up a homestead, and work the land. That had been the plan until he found out that for him, he needed to either be twenty-one years old, or the head of a household to take advantage of the Homestead Act. He groaned at the predicament he’d gotten himself into.

  He forced out a loud breath and stepped up on the wooden boardwalk. His boots thumped against the planks as he made his way to the general store in search of his friend Gus.

  The door creaked and the scent of grains and spices met him. "Gus?" he called out.

  "Back here," his friend answered.

  "You ready to head to the claim office?" Russell scratched his stubbled chin and stifled a yawn. Sleeping in a small camp on the outskirts of town was fine for a while, but he was ready to settle down. Now he wasn't sure what that would look like, given that his plan had been put on hold.

  "Yeah, just about." Gus ambled out from the store room with a cane at his right side. He seemed to be more stiff than usual.

  “Is the leg hurting you worse today?”

  Gus grunted his agreement and left it at that. Russell knew better than to push the issue and kept his mouth closed.

  The two men made their way out into the warm sunshine and Russell squinted against the brightness. He’d gotten used to the layout of Yankton and already felt more at home here than he had in the last five towns he’d lived in. Though ‘lived in’ was a generous term for what he’d done. Being a cowboy for hire, he’d traveled far to find work. It wasn’t satisfying anymore, though. He wanted to own a piece land. His own home. A place he could put down roots.

  They made their way down Main Street to the Claims Office. Russell slowed to match his friend’s slow, stiff pace. As they stepped into the dark, stuffy interior, Russell felt the sting of disappointment again. It was so frustrating to be helpless against making something happen, especially something that had promised to change his life for the better.

  "Morning gentleman," the claims agent said. His slithery smile grated on Russell's nerves. "What can I do you for?"

  Gus stepped forward and cleared his throat. "I'd like to stake a claim under the Homestead Act.”

  "Then you've come to right place," he said. "And what about you young man? Haven’t I seen you in here before?"

  "Yes, sir," Russell stepped forward. "I'm not of age yet, unfortunately."

  “Ah, yes. Now I remember. Almost a year short of twenty-one.” The agent rubbed his hands together. “Well, there might be something we could do about that."

  Russel felt a flicker of hope at the man’s words. "Really?"

  “’Course," he grinned." There isn't much a little incentive can't fix.”

  A sickening feeling settled in the pit of Russell's stomach. It would be so easy to hand over some cash and achieve his goal, but his conscience pricked at the thought. It wasn’t honest.

  "Sorry sir, but I can't do that."

  "Is that so?” The agent looked surprised but shrugged his shoulders turning to Gus. "I assume you’re of age then."

  "Yes," Gus said.

  Russell stepped back and shoved his hands into his dusty trousers as Gus signed the papers and received his land deed. Before long they were back out in the warm breeze, and the hustle and bustle of the town surrounded them.

  "So that's that," Russell said.

  "Yup," Gus said, surveying the street in front of them. “What are you going to do?"

  "About?"

  "Your land," he said it as if it were a matter of fact.

  "What can I do? I don't feel right about paying my way through a bribe, but..."

  “Get married."

  Russell blinked at Gus's bluntness. "You think I should?"

  "Why wouldn't you?"

  "I don't know." Russell lifted his hat and ran a hand through his hair, mussing it even more. "Hadn't rightly thought about settling down for a few years."

  "But that's just what you'll be doing if you get land. You'll be setting up your homestead and I'm sure it'd be nice to have someone to run the land with you."

  Russell stared at Gus like he'd sprouted alfalfa out of his ears. "Are you going to get married then?"

  "Nah," Gus said looking down at the top of his boots. "I likely won't ever get married, I’m not the type, but you're the kind of guy who could."

  Russell let Gus's words sink in. Could he really get married? Would he even be a good husband? If he were honest, he didn't know the first thing about marriage. He'd grown up in an orphanage without a mother or father and the only example of parents he'd had were the pastor and his wife who had come into the orphanage once a week.

  "I don't know..."

  "What are you waiting for? Put out an advertisement, get a wife, and get a piece of land next to me." Gus broke into a rare smile and punched Russell on the arm.

  Russell felt the weight of truth settle into his stomach and he knew what to do.

  "I suppose you're right." He looked down the street toward the post office and let out a sigh of frustration.

  “Until then, you can stay with me.” Gus said, shoving him in the direction. "Go on.”

  Russell nodded once and set off down the street. The dread he felt sank into the pit of his stomach. He was really doing this, he was going to put out an advertisement for a wife and, with any luck, he'd be married within the next few months.

  But marriage wasn't the end goal. He wanted his one hundred and sixty acres next to Gus to settle down on. He wanted his own place. A real home. And if that meant getting a wife, then so be it.

  New York | July 1862

  Winnie Cummins ripped open the letter. Her fingers trembled at what she would find inside.

  "What are you doing?"

  Winnie sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm reading a letter Essie."

  "Oh! Is it from Russell?"

  "Yes," Winnie dragged out the word. She knew any minute her sister would demand to hear what the letter said.

  "How exciting!" She giggled then called out, "Bettie, Callie, there's been another letter! Come quick!"

  Winnie did the best to keep her reaction to herself but she couldn't help the frustrated sigh that escaped her lips.

  "I'm excited to hear what he's said," Essie said. She beamed as she looked up at Winnie.

  Winnie had thought the same thing until her sister had invited the whole family to read it with her. Was there no privacy? She had first responded to Russell's interest in a young lady to correspond with him and perhaps be considered for a mail order bride. She knew she was ready to be out on her own, to live her own life. She loved her sisters, but sometimes living with them was overwhelming.

  "What is it? Another letter? He sure writes a lot," Bettie said with a gentle smile on her lips.

  Winnie was about to defend Russell’s frequent letters, but she was cut off by her sister Callie's sarcasm, "Of course he does, he's like a love sick puppy with eyes for our little Winnie."

  Winnie hated when her older sister treated her like a child. She opened her mouth to protest but then closed it again. It wasn't worth the argument she knew would ensue. The presence of the railroad in Yankton had allowed them more frequent correspondence. If they had to rely on the Pony Express, this letter would likely have been his first response.

  "Well, go on," Essie said with an expectant look on her face.

  "I would if you would all be quiet." Callie gave Winnie a disapproving look but she ignored i
t. She cleared her throat and read the first line of the letter, “To my dear Winnie.”

  “That’s a good beginning,” Bettie said with a twinkle in her eye.

  Winnie sighed, “I’ll never get through this letter if you all aren’t quiet.”

  “Sorry.” Bettie bit her lip with a sheepish look on her face.

  “My dear Winnie,” she began again, “

  My dear Winnie:

  I received your last letter, and I would like to answer your questions to the best of my ability. I found it harder than I expected to put into words why I love living here. I love the freedom to be and do whatever I want with my life. I have made good, honest friends here and we help each other to survive here on the edge of the new Dakota territories.

  Now I find that you are in my thoughts daily, and I am honored and glad that you have expressed an interest in writing me. It is my sincere hope that I am in your thoughts as well, and that my letter finds you well.

  I know that we’ve only been writing for six weeks, but I’ve enjoyed your letters and feel as if I’ve known you for six years. This may be forward of me, but I must ask a question for your consideration. Will you marry me?

  “What!” Callie exclaimed. Her eyes were as wide as saucers and her checks held a rosy glow. “That’s preposterous! You’ve known the lad for little more than a month.”

  “I aim to accept his proposal.” The words were out of her mouth before Winnie had a chance to think or consider their ramifications.

  “You’ll do no such thing,” Callie said. She balled her hands into fists and rested them on her hips in defiance of Winnie’s words.

  “But why not?” Essie asked. “He seems really nice.”

  “We don’t know anything about him,” Bettie said. She tried to smooth things over as she always did. “It wouldn’t be wise.”