* * *
Daniel pushed his chair back to follow Hannah.
“Let her be,” Bonnie ordered from her end of the table.
He looked at his mother. “But she’s upset.”
“Yes, she is.” Bonnie sighed. “But if you follow her now, it will only upset her more.”
Daniel eased back into his chair. He was tired and frustrated. Rustlers were stealing him blind, Hannah wanted more from him than what he felt he could give and he was still letting his mother boss him around.
Levi spoke. “Why can’t she help out?”
“In case you haven’t noticed, little brother, Hannah has a limp. I’m sure she gets tired when she’s on that ankle too long.” Frustration filled his voice.
“I’ve noticed, but I also noticed that since she’s been here she has learned how to ride again, she’s cooked and cleaned, not to mention handled all the chores she’s been doing outside in the mornings. And believe it or not, Daniel, she did it all with a limp.” Levi pushed his plate back. “I don’t think you give her enough credit.”
Bonnie looked at her youngest son. “Levi, there are times when we have to listen to Daniel and follow his lead.”
Levi stood. “I do, Ma, but this time he’s wrong. Hannah isn’t Gracie Joy. She’s a grown woman, not a ten-year-old little girl.”
With that, he walked out the front door.
Daniel looked to his mother. Tears were in her eyes; Levi’s words had cut deep. His ma was exhausted from being in the saddle all night, and her age showed. There was a time when Bonnie Westland could have ridden the range all night, done her household chores and rode all the next night before exhaustion claimed her.
She pushed back from the table. “I’m heading to bed.” Bonnie turned away, but he’d seen the lone tear ease down her cheek.
Like him, his ma still mourned the death of Gracie Joy, and like him, she felt responsible. Life on a ranch was hard.
Bitterness ate at him as he thought that maybe he should allow Hannah to help out. She would learn what it was really like to work a ranch, and then she’d be happy to stay home and play school.
Daniel got up from the table in turn and headed to his own house. He didn’t want to worry about rustlers, his mother or Hannah at the moment. Cole, Levi, his mother and himself had been replaced by Tucker, Sam, Miguel and Rowdy along the fence lines. Adam and Jeb could take care of anything else that might crop up. Right now, all Daniel cared about was getting some sleep.
When he got to his house, he rode Tornado to the corral, took off his saddle and released him. The stallion went straight to the water while Daniel filled his trough with grain and oats. He leaned against the fence as the horse pranced around the enclosure.
He couldn’t help but think about Hannah. Daniel had seen the hurt in her eyes when she’d realized why he didn’t want her out riding the fence lines at night. Her limp was only a part of his reasoning; the other part was that he didn’t want her to get hurt. In the dark a horse could step into a gopher hole and break its leg while throwing its rider to the ground. Men had been crushed under their mounts because of a wrong step, or had their necks broken in the fall.
Hannah had pointed out that Bonnie rode the range, and she was right. His mother had been ranching since the day they moved out here, and he’d never worried about her falling from her horse. Was it because she’d always ridden the range?
Still, it scared him to think of Hannah lying hurt and alone. He shook his head and walked back to the house. He needed sleep. When he entered the house, Daniel found himself heading into the dining room. His gaze moved to the big window that Hannah had seemed so happy over.
She’d kissed him in this room. He closed his eyes and wished she was there to do so again. A smile touched his lips. When Hannah kissed him, Daniel felt warmth and happiness. It was as if she was a part of him. She belonged in his arms.
He jerked his eyes wide-open at the thought, then turned and went to his room. As he got ready for bed, he prayed.
Lord, I can’t be falling in love with her. I’m just overly tired. Please, let her fall in love with me so that I can have the ranch, but Father, I ask that You harden my heart so that I won’t be hurt. I know I sound selfish, and I don’t mean to, but I’m scared. Loving someone is too painful when they are gone.
He slipped between the cool covers and sighed. Would God harden his heart against Hannah? He had hardened Pharaoh’s heart in Exodus.
Daniel’s final thought was, Yeah, and look where that got Pharaoh.
Chapter Twenty
Hannah couldn’t hide the fact that her feelings had been hurt, and she didn’t try. The next morning, Daniel sent Adam to escort her to the barn, with the explanation that he was busy watching for rustlers. She wasn’t surprised when the young man continued to come each morning. Hannah told herself she didn’t mind. Adam was quiet and she found herself becoming quiet, also.
So much for making a new life and becoming a more outgoing person. Her limp defined who people thought she was. Hannah couldn’t change that.
For the next week, she helped Opal in the mornings, grabbed a biscuit with bacon or sausage and then headed home. Opal had taken to packing her a light lunch, and she continued teaching classes.
The old thrill of watching youngsters learn filled her each day. She enjoyed spending time with each child and learning about them and their families. She’d also learned that everyone loved Daniel and his family.
Hannah decided that she’d give Daniel his 6 months, but if he didn’t court her and fall in love, well, she’d be leaving during Christmas break. By then, Levi’s Emily would be there and she could continue teaching the children.
The thought that she should pray about the situation filled her every waking hour, but Hannah stubbornly pushed the thought away. God knew the circumstances, and if He wanted to act on them, well, so be it. But for now Hannah was making plans of her own.
It was a nice afternoon; she picked up the seed packets and headed to the little garden spot that had been plowed beside her house. Daniel had been thoughtful in making sure the plot was there. She missed him, but refused to go in search of him.
The warm soil felt good in her hands as she worked, planting the seeds. Today she’d needed a quick refresher course on how to start a garden, and had turned it into a lesson for the older children. She’d been happy with their answers and the fact that they didn’t realize they were teaching her.
“It’s nice to see you smile again.”
Hannah sat back on her heels and looked up at Daniel. He was seated atop Tornado, looking comfortable and lazy as he leaned on the saddle horn. His hat was pushed back and his green eyes seemed to be drinking in her appearance. She tried to ignore the way her pulse picked up a beat. “Good afternoon, Daniel.” Hannah went back to planting seeds.
Leather creaked as he got off the stallion. He came and knelt beside her in the dirt. “I’ve missed you.”
She titled her head sideways. “Really?”
Daniel tried to capture one of her hands.
She pulled it away and continued working. Her heart might be happy to see him, but her head said to be careful. Hearts could be broken and Hannah feared she was losing hers to him.
“Yes, really. I’m sorry I haven’t been around to see you. I’ve been busy.” He took his hat off and rested it on one knee.
Hannah scooted farther from him and continued to poke holes in the dirt, drop a seed inside and cover it. “So I’ve heard,” she answered.
“You’re still angry about the other morning, aren’t you?” The tone of his voice said he couldn’t believe she’d still be upset that he thought her weak and unsuitable for ranch work.
Hannah sat back on her heels once more. “I am. You basically said I’m not rancher’s wife material. And you did it in front of your mother and brother.” She couldn’t keep the hurt from sounding in her voice.
“That’s not what I meant, Hannah.” He stood, towering over her.
> She pushed up from the ground and dusted off her hands. He was still a head taller than her, but at least by standing she felt as if they were on even ground. “No? Then what did you mean?” Hannah crossed her arms and waited.
“I was tired, and what I said didn’t come out right. I simply meant I don’t want you to get hurt. There are too many things that can happen to a woman on a ranch. Especially at night. Horses step in gopher holes and spook when they hear odd noises. I want to know you are home, safe.” His eyes pleaded with her to understand.
“I appreciate what you are saying, Daniel, but if we get married, I want to be a helpmate to you in every way. That includes working on the ranch.”
He took the same stance she had, crossing his arms, as well. “If we get married, Hannah, I will expect you to do as I ask.” His green eyes studied her.
Hannah shook her head. Anger began to boil in her stomach. She used a technique she had perfected working with children and changed her tone slightly. “Marriage isn’t about you telling me what to do and me doing it, or me telling you what to do and you doing it. It’s about 2 people coming together and becoming one. That means we work together.”
“I’m not a child, Hannah, so don’t use that tone with me,” Daniel replied.
“If you don’t want me to use this tone, then stop acting like a child.”
He raked his hand through his hair and then ran it across his neck. “Look, this isn’t getting us anywhere.”
“I agree.” She turned to kneel in the garden and go back to work. Daniel was just being stubborn.
He caught her by the arm and swung her around. His lips captured hers and he held her tight. Hannah wanted to push away, but at the same time she wanted to stay where she was. Her arms snaked around his neck and she kissed him back.
If anyone had seen them, they might have thought her crazy. All she knew was that she’d missed Daniel and dreamed of his kisses.
His lips gentled and he relaxed his grip. After several long seconds, Hannah pulled away, but stayed within his arms. “That was nice, though I’m not sure it settled anything,” she told him.
Daniel sighed and released her. “Me, either.”
She missed his arms around her. “Daniel, I wish I knew why you are so cautious with me. Is it because of my limp?” Hurt filled her voice.
He looked deep into her eyes. “Hannah, I had a sister, Gracie Joy. She was born with a limp, similar to yours. Because of my bad judgment, she died. I don’t want that to happen to you.” The sincerity in his voice told her he meant every word.
Hannah wanted to reach out and hug him. She saw the sorrow in his eyes and heard the pain in his voice. “I’m sorry, Daniel.”
He shook his head. “You didn’t know.”
She didn’t want to cause him more pain, but had a question that needed answering. “Daniel, how old was your sister?”
“Ten.” He picked up Tornado’s reins.
“She was a child.” Hannah thought about Bonnie and the pain she, too, must feel from losing a child. “How long has she been gone?”
Daniel mounted. “5 years.”
Hannah walked over to him and placed her hand on his thigh. “I really am sorry and I do understand better what you are feeling. But Daniel, I’m not a child. Let me make my choices, and know that I will never hold you accountable for them.”
He placed his hand over hers. “I wish it were that easy.”
Daniel removed her hand from his leg and slowly backed Tornado away from her.
Hannah stepped back. She watched as Daniel and Tornado raced around the schoolhouse and out of sight. Had she just made things worse?
Hannah didn’t know. Daniel was hurting, and for the life of her, she had no idea how to help him.
* * *
Daniel let Tornado have his head. The stallion flew across the pasture and through the woods. He leaped logs, ran through a stream and kicked his heels, happy to have his freedom. After a while, the big black slowed down to a walk.
Daniel patted the horse’s neck. “Feel better?”
Tornado snorted and bobbed his head. Daniel wished he could run like the wind and feel better. He turned the stallion toward home.
He hadn’t handled his visit with Hannah well at all. First he’d kissed her, to prove he wasn’t a child but a man. Then, when she’d asked the hard questions, he should have been able to tell her the whole story, but couldn’t. It was one thing to relive it in your head and another to verbalize what had happened.
Hannah said she understood, but he suspected she didn’t. How could she? As far as he knew, she’d never lost a sibling to death. And even if she had, Daniel felt sure it wasn’t because of the decisions she’d made. No, Hannah didn’t understand and probably never would.
The words I’m not a child echoed in his thoughts. She was right about that. Hannah wasn’t a child; she was a grown woman. He’d enjoyed kissing her and could even see her being his wife and coming home to this house.
He knew that each time he kissed Hannah and spent time with her she was working her way into his heart. Daniel worried he’d do as she desired and fall in love with her. He couldn’t let that happen. He couldn’t care that much for another person. He had to guard his heart.
Chapter Twenty-One
Normally after breakfast, Hannah returned to the schoolhouse and spent the next 2 hours preparing for the children to arrive. Not today. Today she was going to ride Clover around the ranch. She wanted to check the fence lines and see for herself what the excitement was about.
Not that there would be any excitement, she thought as she mounted Clover. The little mare blew air through her nostrils and seemed to grunt. Hannah wondered if the small animal was getting too old for this type of activity.
Since no one else was about, Hannah decided to see what other horses might be available. She dismounted and walked Clover back inside the barn, returning her to her own stall.
Hannah’s eyes adjusted to the dimness and she began to walk toward the back. A brown head hung over the back stall and she frowned. She’d never noticed the horse before and made her way to that stall.
The pretty brown mare had no markings on her face, but her big brown eyes stared at Hannah. She patted her nose before leaning over the stall and looking at the rest of the horse, which nickered and swung her head, bumping Hannah on the shoulder. She laughed and nuzzled her face against the brown mare’s nose. “How would you like to go for a little ride this morning?”
Another soft nicker was her only answer. Hannah smiled and returned to Clover. She took off the bridle and saddle and headed back to the brown mare. Would Daniel be upset with her for taking this horse instead? She didn’t think so. At least she hoped not.
As she worked, getting the saddle on, Hannah told the mare what a beautiful horse she was. She ran her hands over her legs and belly, mindful of where her own feet were at all times.
The horse quivered and her ears twitched as she listened to Hannah’s soft voice. Once saddled and ready to go, she led the mare out of the barn.
Hannah rubbed her nose once again. “Since I don’t know your name, I think I’ll call you Brownie.” She eased to the side of the horse and got on as quickly as possible.
Brownie sidestepped a couple times and shook her head. Hannah patted her neck and murmured words of comfort. She walked her about the yard for several minutes, letting the horse get used to her weight and voice. Then Hannah did something she’d wanted to do for a long time.
She started the mare off with a gallop and then let Brownie have her head. With the wind whipping through her hair, they raced across the pasture and into the woods.
Hannah’s youthful days of riding came back to her. She felt free again and happy. Memories of racing her horse through the woods and jumping logs and streams came flooding back to her.
With her knees, she directed the mare, riding low in the saddle. The thrill and feelings of freedom rushed up in her stomach and placed a big smile on her face. This was
the life she loved; this was the life Hannah wanted.
They shot out of the wooded area and into another pasture. Birds flew for cover and Hannah laughed. She reached forward and patted Brownie’s neck again. They made a good team.
The yell came from her left. “Woo! Woo!”
Hannah turned her head and saw the black stallion bearing down on them. She gently began pulling back on Brownie’s reins. As the horse slowed, she sat up straighter in the saddle.
“What do you think you are doing?” Daniel demanded, coming alongside her.
“Riding.” Hannah beamed at him.
“On this horse?” he exclaimed.
Hannah patted Brownie’s shoulder. “What’s wrong with this horse?” she asked.
Daniel frowned. “Well, up until today no one could ride her.” His voice took on a note of awe. “What did you do to her?”
“I talked to her, stroked her and asked nicely if she’d like to go for a ride.” Hannah laughed at the expression on his face. “Seriously, I didn’t do anything unusual, but I do like her. What’s her name?”
He pushed his hat back and stared at the horse. “She doesn’t have one. I was planning on selling her.”
Hannah’s heart sank. She liked this horse. They seemed to have connected. “Oh. I didn’t know.” Brownie stomped and pawed at the ground.
Daniel shook his head. “You like her, don’t you?”
She nodded. “Do you already have a buyer for her?” Hannah picked up the brown strands of mane and ran them through her fingers.
He turned Tornado around. “Yes, but I don’t think I’ll sell her, after all. It seems she has found someone who can ride her.”
Daniel looked over his shoulder at her. His smile melted a small place in Hannah’s heart.
“You mean I can keep her?” she asked, turning Brownie around to ride beside Daniel.
He nodded. “I think I’ll ask Levi to build a lean-to behind the schoolhouse. If you want her, she will be your responsibility from now on.”
Taming The Texas Rancher Page 14
