Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (62 page)

Again she laughed. “Yes, and you know what smells even better than their sweet fur?”

The boy shook his head.

“Puppy breath!” Hannah stuck the puppy in Steven’s face and reached out to tickle the little boy at the same time. All the pent-up anger melted away as Daniel watched her play with the child.

Now that he could see she was safe and happy, how could he be angry with her? Relief washed over him. Yes, he intended to speak with her about her behavior today, just not right now.

Chapter Twenty-Three

H
annah watched Daniel out of the corner of her eye. She sensed the moment he was no longer angry with her and inwardly sighed. She handed the puppy back to the little boy. “Would you mind holding on to Fred until my business in town is done? Then I’ll come back and take him home with me.”

Steven grinned. “All right.” He cuddled the tiny dog close.

She walked over to Daniel. “I’m glad you decided to come to town.” Hannah hooked her arm in his. “After I got here, I realized what Opal was trying to tell me. I’d decided to return to the ranch when Steven asked me if I’d like a puppy.”

Daniel turned to face her. He plucked the straw from her hair. For the first time since she’d met him, he seemed speechless.

To fill the silence, Hannah continued, “I really hope I didn’t worry you too much.”

He wiped at something on her cheek with his thumb. She realized she must look a mess.

“Hannah, from now on promise me you will not come to town without me or one of the other men. Mother doesn’t even come to town alone.” Daniel untied the horses, gathered their reins and began walking back toward Main Street.

“I promise.” She tucked her arm in his once more.

Once she’d arrived in town, Hannah had seen the wisdom in Opal’s advice to wait for one of the men. She’d been surprised to find the town full of cowboys who were either drunk or on their way there. When she’d come with Daniel the last time, she hadn’t even noticed them. She knew she owed Opal an apology, and planned to give it as soon as she was on Westland soil again.

“What do you need to do before we head back?” he asked.

She matched him step for step. “I have to go to the general store. Opal needs cinnamon and I need sugar. After that, I’d like to return the books I borrowed from Mr. Richards.”

Daniel nodded. “Do you have any idea where the schoolteacher lives?”

Hannah shook her head. “I thought I’d ask Carolyn at the store, but I never got that far.”

“We could just leave the books at the store for him to pick up,” Daniel suggested.

Regret filled her voice. “I suppose so, but I wanted to borrow a couple more from him. He has a wonderful collection.”

“Doesn’t the store sell books?” Daniel asked as he tied the horses to the hitching post in front.

Hannah laughed and pulled down the bag of books she’d borrowed from Jonah. “Yes.”

Daniel captured her hand in his and tucked it again into the crook of his arm. “Then while we’re at the store, you can pick out new books to read. You don’t have to borrow them from the schoolteacher.”

As much as she wanted to do that, Hannah didn’t want to spend any more of his money than she had to. “That’s really nice of you, Daniel, but books are expensive,” she protested.

He stepped up on the sidewalk. “Many things are expensive, but if what you are buying is something you will use or love, then it’s worth the money.” Daniel smiled and then leaned down and whispered in her ear, “You are going to be my bride, Hannah. Think of everything that you buy as a wedding present from me.”

Hannah enjoyed the feel of his warm breath against her neck. She flushed when he pulled away. Daniel opened the door for her and escorted her inside.

“I see you found Miss Young,” Wilson called from the counter.

Carolyn knelt beside a shelf with a stack of books and a large wooden crate beside her. “Hello, Hannah. I was just unloading a crate of books. Come see.” She straightened her spine and groaned.

“Go on. Buy whatever you want.” Daniel gave her a gentle push toward the shopkeeper.

Hannah set Jonah’s bag of books on the floor beside Carolyn. “Would you like some help unloading them? I could unpack and hand them up to you.”

Carolyn pushed herself up from the floor. “That would be great, Hannah. I’m not that big, but my back hurts almost all the time now. I do better standing.” She rubbed the small of her back before moving aside.

After they’d changed places, Hannah grinned up at her. “I’m happy to help.” She unwrapped each book from its brown paper, admired the cover and then passed it up to Carolyn, who placed it on the shelf.

From the corner of her eye she watched Daniel talk to Carolyn’s husband. She couldn’t make out what they were saying but saw Daniel point to something in a case.

“I heard that you and Daniel are getting married. Have you set the date yet?” Carolyn moved a few books around on the shelf to make room for the one Hannah had just handed up.

“No, but I’m thinking a Thanksgiving wedding might be nice.” Hannah clamped her lips closed. Why had she told Carolyn that? She’d thought about it, but hadn’t verbalized the idea to anyone, not even Daniel.

“Oh, that would be lovely. Wilson and I married a few days before Christmas.” Carolyn smiled down on her. “I wish you had been here. It turned out so beautiful. I decided to have an outdoor wedding and it decided to snow.”

Hannah shivered. “Wasn’t that a bit cold?”

Carolyn looked at her husband and smiled. “Not when you are in love.” She giggled. “I forgot all about the snow as we said our vows.”

What would it be like to be so in love with a man that you didn’t notice how cold you were? Hannah wanted that kind of love. She looked at Daniel again. He was a good man. She enjoyed spending time with him. His kisses were sweet. But was she in love with him?

He chose that moment to glance in her direction and smile. She felt the warmth of color enter her face at being caught gazing in his direction, and knew she had to be honest with herself. Maybe she loved Daniel a little, but not enough to forget that she needed him to love her, too.

She didn’t want just a little piece of his heart. Hannah knew she wanted it all. She wanted—no, needed—to know that he would love her forever and never leave her, or force her to leave him. Regardless of what may or may not happen in their future, they would stick together. That was the kind of love she wanted.

Hannah handed Carolyn the last book and stood. She decided to change the subject, and hopefully take her own mind off love and marriage. “When is your baby due?”

Carolyn slipped the book into its slot. “Doc says he will be born in late August or the first of September.” She patted her rounded stomach.

A smile pulled at Hannah’s lips. “I take it you want a boy?”

“We both do,” Carolyn answered as her cheeks turned a soft pink. She began gathering the paper and stuffing it back inside the wooden box.

Hannah helped her and then picked up the bag of books she’d laid down earlier. A part of her still wanted to go find the schoolteacher. “Does Mr. Richards come in very often?” she asked.

Carolyn picked up the box and started toward the counter. “About once a week. Why?”

Hannah followed, realizing she’d have to leave the bag with Carolyn. “I borrowed some books from him last time I was in town and need to return them. Only it’s Saturday and he’s not at the school. Would you mind giving them to him next time he drops in?” Hannah placed the bag on the counter.

Daniel came to stand beside her.

“No problem. I’ll just put them with his mail.” Carolyn took the books out of the sack and then handed the bag back to Hannah. “Speaking of mail, Daniel, I have a couple of letters for you.” She turned around and pulled two envelopes from a slot on the wall behind her.

He took the letters from her hands and read the addresses. His gaze met Hannah’s before he tucked them away. She couldn’t help but wonder who they were from. Was he still getting letters from his mail-order bride ad? The one she’d answered?

“I’ll be right back. There are a couple of books I want to get before we leave.” Hannah walked over to the shelf.

“Take your time,” Daniel said. He leaned a hip against the counter, pulled one of the envelopes out of his pocket and opened what looked like a letter.

Hannah didn’t pay much attention to which books she chose; her mind was too occupied with the letter Daniel was reading. It really was none of her business, but she wanted to know if it was from another woman.

She felt a twinge of jealousy grip her and struggled to squash it. If the women writing the letters were more appealing to Daniel than she was, then so be it.

* * *

A month had passed since their trip into town. Daniel didn’t know what to think of Hannah. She’d been quiet on their return to the ranch. Once they were home, she had gone about her business. He often found her riding on the range and would accompany her home. Gone was the woman who seemed to talk nonstop. In her place was a woman who waited for him to talk.

She seemed to be getting along well with his mother and Opal. Both women spoke highly of her when she wasn’t around, but they, too, had noticed she’d become more reserved since she’d ridden to town alone and he’d gone to get her.

His thoughts went to the letter he’d gotten that day from the man he’d hired to find Hannah’s father, Jacob Young. He’d written to inform him that Jacob had died of a fever several years earlier and asked if he wanted him to contact another member of the family. He’d written back, “Not at this time.”

Daniel had also answered the lady who’d inquired about his mail-order bride ad. He told her he’d found a wife and thanked her for taking the time to write to him.

He didn’t know how to break the news to Hannah, but figured someday an opportunity would present itself. Until then, Daniel planned on keeping the information to himself. What good would it do to tell her the man she called Father was dead?

Daniel prayed the Fourth of July celebrations would bring back the woman he’d begun to like and understand. He pulled the buckboard up in front of the house.

Opal, her two granddaughters, his mother and Hannah came out to meet him. All three women had their arms full. Opal had a basket of preserves she planned on entering into the canned-goods contest. His mother carried her newest prized quilt. And Hannah followed with three pie boxes. She had a book tucked under her arm.

The little girls scrambled up into the back of the wagon. Mary carried her favorite rag doll. Daisy held in her hands a few sheets of paper and what looked to be an oversize piece of charcoal.

Daniel focused on Hannah. She’d pulled her hair up and small strands escaped about her face. Her cheeks had a soft pink in them as if she was blushing, or had rushed to get ready. The dark blue dress with little white flowers she wore matched the color of her eyes. She smiled at him and then ducked her head.

His mother caught his attention. “Here, Daniel. Would you hold this while I climb up?”

He took the quilt and helped her onto the wagon bench. When she was seated he gave her back the quilt. Opal was next. She put her basket of preserves in the wagon and then he assisted her up, as well.

Hannah had already moved to the back and set her pies down there. The smell of cinnamon and freshly baked apples oozed from the boxes. Daniel saw Levi hurry to assist her into the bed of the wagon. His brother lifted her easily and sat her down so that her legs dangled over the edge.

“Hannah, are those pies for eating or judging?” Levi handed her the book she’d carried out.

She smiled at him. “Both.”

“Then I’ll have to make note of which ones are yours,” Levi teased, before stepping away.

“Levi, would you mind driving this morning? I’d like to sit back here with my fiancée.” Daniel didn’t know where the word
fiancée
came from; he wanted to take it back as soon as it was out of his mouth.

Cole arrived at about the same time and grinned. He led both Tornado and Levi’s horse.

Levi shook his head. “Sorry, Daniel, but I can’t. I’m entering Snow in the races.”

“You can tie him up beside Tornado,” Daniel argued.

His brother grinned. “Yeah, I could, but I don’t want to.”

Cole shook his head at them. “I’ll drive,” he volunteered. “There is no way my horse could beat either of yours, so I’m leaving him at home.” Cole handed each of them the reins to their horses and climbed up beside Bonnie.

Hannah seemed to be ignoring them all. She opened the book Levi had just returned to her and focused on its pages while Daniel tied Tornado to the wagon. He hopped up beside her and grinned. “What are you reading?” The light scents of honeysuckle and apple pie teased his nose.

Hannah’s quiet voice floated to him like fall leaves on a breezy day.
“Sixteen Months at the Gold Diggings.”

He leaned closer to look at the pages. “It’s about finding gold in California?”

“Yes. So far I’ve found it very interesting.” She swiped at a wayward strand of hair on her cheek.

Levi rode up beside the wagon. “Daniel, what do you think your chances are of winning a race against Snow?”

He laughed. “If history repeats itself, I’d say pretty good.”

“Last year doesn’t count. Snow wasn’t feeling too good. Were you, ole boy?” Levi patted his horse’s neck.

Daniel turned to Hannah. “I wish you could have seen that race. Tornado took it by a full length. Poor ole Snow had to eat dust for a week.”

“She’ll be there to see Tornado eat dust this year, won’t you, Hannah?” Levi grinned across at her.