Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (52 page)

Chapter Nine

D
aniel led Mabel to the water’s edge and let her drink her fill. The little mare bumped him gently as if to say thank you. He rubbed her ears as he tried to think how to begin the conversation with Hannah.

She sat on a log not far from where he stood. Her hands were clasped in her lap once more and worry filled her eyes. It hadn’t been his intention to worry her. He led the horse to a nice lush spot to graze and then walked back to Hannah.

He knelt down in front of her. “I’ve been thinking about us and what the town is going to think when they find out you are my mail-order bride.” Daniel searched her eyes for a reaction.

“Why do they need to find out?” She twisted her hands in the material of her dress.

He offered what he hoped was a gentle smile. “Hannah, the town is small and people talk. As soon as the ranch hands get off on Friday afternoon, they will head straight to the saloon, and soon everyone will know our business.” Daniel stood and took his hat off. He rubbed one hand over the back of his neck, trying to ease the ever-tightening muscles. He hadn’t liked the look of confusion and alarm that had flitted through the pretty blue depths of her eyes.

She cleared her throat. He heard the concern when she said, “I see. What do you suggest we do about it?”

Daniel turned to face her. “I know you don’t want to wed me right now, but I think we need to make it clear that we are planning on getting married in the future.”

Hannah looked down at her hands. “I see.”

Nothing in her tone told him what she was thinking. “Please stop saying ‘I see’ and talk to me.” Daniel hadn’t meant to growl at her, but he wanted to know how she was feeling.

Seeing Hannah with the schoolteacher and hearing that the doctor had seemed interested in her made him feel possessive.

He inhaled deeply, taking in the soothing smells of the earth and the calming sound of the running water behind him. Daniel realized he wanted other men to know that Hannah was spoken for, though he couldn’t exactly come out and say that to her. He needed to explain his feelings, but how could he explain them to her when he really didn’t understand them himself?

Hannah tilted her chin upward, a movement he was beginning to recognize as stubbornness. “I’m not sure what you want me to say, Mr. Westland.”

Daniel knelt in front of her again and took her hands. “For starters, my name is Daniel. You don’t need to be so formal. Second, you can tell me if you want to become engaged.” He rubbed the back of her hands with his thumb, enjoying the softness of her skin.

She lowered her chin and spoke in a soft tone. “I don’t know. Engagement is the promise to get married. We aren’t sure love is in our future, and without love we have no future.” Her eyes searched his. “I’m really not trying to be difficult, Daniel. I just want to be certain that when we get married, we love one another, and no matter what may happen to either of us, we still will.”

He nodded. “Do you believe that to fall in love we have to be totally honest with each other?”

Hannah pulled her hands from his. “I do.”

“That sounds fair. Can you explain to me why you feel so strongly about this?” He missed the warmth of her touch.

She took a deep breath. “Well, I’m not sure I will ever feel totally loved, but I’m trying.”

Daniel watched tears form in her eyes. Someone had hurt Hannah really badly. He could only assume it was someone she loved very much. Now he realized there was a ghost in her past standing between them, much like the one in his own past. Would they ever be able to overcome their fears and hurts?

It was hard for him to imagine getting over the death of his sister and his own role in it, of not being there when she needed him. He had sent off for Hannah only because of his mother’s contest. “I think I can understand, but what I don’t understand is why you answered my advertisement for a wife.”

She pushed a stray hair from her face. “I want to be loved and have children someday, Daniel. A friend of mine, Rebecca, came to Cottonwood Springs as a mail-order bride. That didn’t work out, but she did find love with the man who is now her husband, so I hoped I could find the same happiness as her. That’s why I sent the letter, explaining that I wanted to be courted. Seth ended up courting Rebecca and they found true love. When I see them together, I know Seth will love Rebecca forever, no matter what might happen to her.” Hannah ducked her head and studied the pattern on her dress. Her breathing was rapid, as if she’d run a mile.

Daniel stood. “How did Seth court Rebecca?” he asked.

A sweet smile graced Hannah’s lips. “Well, he didn’t really court her in the normal way. Seth is a U.S. Marshal and he needed a housekeeper, so he hired Rebecca to clean and cook for him. They spent time together and fell in love.” Hannah’s eyes gleamed with hope.

“And what did he do when other single men started coming around?” Had Daniel asked that question aloud? He felt his cheeks heat as he realized he’d just asked what he’d been thinking.

She giggled. “The other men were smart enough not to mess with Rebecca. Once Seth took her under his wing, they knew to leave her be.”

Daniel pushed back the embarrassment and pressed his point home. “So, it was kind of like they got engaged. And that gave Seth the time he needed to fall in love?”

Hannah’s forehead wrinkled in thought. “When you put it that way, I suppose.” She grinned. “I can see where you are going with this, Daniel.”

He grinned back at her. “Good. I was beginning to think I was never going to get through to you.”

She stood and wiped the dusk off her skirt. “All right. We can announce that we are engaged, but I hope I’ve made it clear that I can’t marry you until we are both sure it is love. Not just any ole love. I want the deep kind that will last forever.”

Could he promise her that kind of love? Maybe someday, but how far in their future was that? If it ever happened. He needed to get married fast and have a grandchild before Levi.

* * *

Hannah watched his serious expression. He was a thoughtful man. Was it fair of her to ask him to wait until she was sure of his love? What if he never fell in love with her, or she with him? Then what? How long would he wait?

When she’d thought he’d received her letter and agreed to her terms, Hannah had felt it was a fair understanding. Now she wasn’t so sure. A bird overhead sang sweetly, reminding her that God was in all things.
Lord, please let him be patient with me. And if this isn’t Your will, please let us both know now.

Daniel interrupted the silent prayer. “Hannah, these things take time, and our time depends on Levi and what he does. If he finds a wife before we fall in love, I’m afraid I’ll have to break our engagement.”

Hannah swallowed the lump in her throat. “I understand.”

Daniel rubbed his neck again. “I would rather marry you now, and with time I’m sure we will grow into a comfortable relationship.” His eyes pleaded with her to give up this fantasy of falling in love, and just get married and continue on with life.

But Hannah couldn’t do it. “I’m sorry. I can’t.” She wanted to know that if she got sick, or couldn’t walk someday, or talk, that he’d love her enough to stand by her and give her love and support. Was that really too much to ask?

Daniel replaced his hat and grinned at her. “Then I suppose you and I have work to do.” He tucked her hand in his arm and then walked toward the horse. “So tell me, Hannah Young, what does a man have to do or say to make you fall head over heels in love with him?”

Hannah laughed. “I could ask you the same thing.”

He helped her up on the wagon. “I’m not sure I can answer that. Most people don’t go into a relationship thinking
I want to be deeply in love with this person.
It’s all new to me.”

She waited until he walked around the wagon, and when he was seated, said, “Then I guess we should just be ourselves and see where the Lord leads us.”

Daniel flicked the reins over the little mare’s back and guided her toward the road. “That sounds good to me.”

The rest of the ride was completed in comfortable silence. Daniel drove around the back of the schoolhouse and unloaded her boxes.

Hannah took in the small shed with a woodpile beside it. She also noticed that someone had turned the earth to start a garden.

When Daniel helped her down from the wagon, his hands lingered on her waist for a moment longer than she had expected them to. She stepped back. “Thank you for the shed and garden spot.”

He walked to the back of the wagon and pulled out a box. “It was my pleasure.”

Hannah grabbed the smaller of the remaining two boxes and followed him inside her room. His blue eyes took in the changes she’d made the night before.

Hannah followed his gaze. Everything was in its place, but soon she’d be out of space. She smiled when he turned to face her.

He took his hat off and held it in his hands. “Tomorrow I’d like to come by and show you something. Would that be all right with you?”

“I would like that very much.” She felt a blush warm her cheeks.

“Good.” Silence filled the space between them. “I’ll go get that last box.”

Hannah grinned. “Thank you.”

He returned within seconds carrying the last box, which he set beside the door with a frown. “Looks like you could use a table.”

“I’ll manage,” Hannah answered, not wanting to be a bother.

“If you are all set here...” He paused, waiting for her nod. “Then I’ll see you tomorrow.” Daniel walked out the door and mounted the wagon.

Hannah sighed as he drove away. Would he ever love her the way she wanted him to? Would he ever love her at all?

She pushed the thoughts from her mind and began unloading the boxes. When she’d finished, she looked about the silent room. On a whim, she scooped up a book from the pile on the table and grabbed a blanket off the shelf.

A cool afternoon breeze greeted her as she headed down to the stream behind the school. Hannah spread the blanket out under a tree, and then sat down to enjoy her book. She’d just started it when the sound of a horse whinnying pulled her from the story.

Levi sat on his stallion a few feet from her. “I thought I’d drop by and see if you needed anything.” He leaned against the saddle horn and grinned down at her.

Hannah stood hurriedly and moved away from the large animal. For a brief moment she allowed fear to grip her. Not fear of the horse, but of his hooves, which looked very large.

“I—I don’t think so.”

Her visitor’s eyes narrowed. “Are you feeling all right?”

She smoothed her skirt before answering. “Yes, you just startled me.”

“Beg your pardon. I guess I did sort of sneak up on you. But you really can’t blame me—your nose was buried in that book.” Levi swung his leg over the saddle and slid to the ground.

Hannah looked at the book lying on her blanket. “I suppose you are right.”

He picked up the volume, glanced at the front and read aloud, “
The Vanished Diamond,
by Jules Verne
.” He handed it to her. “Is it any good?”

“I think so. I’d just started reading it when you rode up.” She ran her hand over the cover. “Mr. Richards loaned it to me.” Her gaze moved to Levi’s, which seemed focused on the book. “Do you enjoy reading, Mr. Westland?”

He laughed. “Yes, I do, but if you are going to be my sister-in-law, I think we should put aside the formalities and you call me Levi.” Once more his eyes strayed to the book in her hand.

Hannah could see the reasoning in his suggestion. If she was going to be a part of his family, they would use each other’s first names. She smiled. “All right. Levi it is.”

He nodded. “Well, if you don’t need anything, I’ll be going. Enjoy your reading.”

“Levi, I was wondering if you’d like to borrow a book from me. I brought several with me. I’ll be happy to loan one to you.” She didn’t know why she’d offered, other than he seemed interested in the book she held in her hands.

Hannah knew what it was like to want something new to read. After all, part of the reason she’d gone to visit the schoolteacher had been to see his collection of books. She hadn’t been disappointed. Mr. Richards had a nice library of the latest fiction and nonfiction books and was generous in loaning them out.

“That’s very kind of you, Hannah. I’ve been meaning to pick up a new book in town, I just haven’t made the time to do so.” Levi followed her back toward the school.

She laughed. “I’m not sure my collection will have something new, but you are welcome to browse through it.”

He tied the horse’s reins to the porch railing. “I haven’t had much time for reading lately. The ranch has kept both Daniel and me pretty busy.” Levi followed her inside.

“I am hoping to help Daniel with some of the ranch work once we are married, so that should take a bit of the burden off the two of you.” She walked to the bookshelf and indicated the books he could choose from.

Levi snorted. “I doubt Daniel will let you do ranch work. He’s a firm believer that women should stay in the house.” Unaware of her frown, he continued. “He doesn’t even like Ma helping out, and she owns the place.”