Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (68 page)

“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.

Hannah was shocked when Ben’s men joined in the laughter. Some slapped their knees and others simply hee-hawed.

Rage boiled in Ben, and he howled. He tossed Hannah to the side as if she were a wet rag and spun around, aiming his gun at the men. “Keep laughing and I’ll put a hole in all of you, even if I have to hunt you down to do it.”

It wasn’t an idle threat. They’d already seen him gun down one of their own. They all became as still as tombstones, even those who were half-drunk.

She couldn’t believe Daniel would continue to taunt Ben, but he did. All humor had left his face. Now only anger showed there. “Aw, what’s the matter, Ben? Did I hit a nerve?”

The rustler turned toward him again, much like an angered bear. He pulled back the hammer on his gun and grinned evilly. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, Westland.”

“You’re nothing but a thieving coward, Ben,” Daniel taunted in a quiet voice. “Without that gun in your hand, you’d be just another man. And not much of one at that.”

Hannah knew he was trying to buy them time, but did he have to get himself killed in the process? The look in Ben’s cold eyes said he’d shoot him in a heartbeat. She scrambled to her feet. “Daniel, don’t do this.”

He ignored her. Hannah decided to try to scare Ben into leaving. She hurried to his side. “Ben, stop this while you still can. There’s a posse on its way. Run before they get here,” she pleaded.

He, too, ignored her. “Cade! Come take this gun. I’m going to kill me a Westland with my own bare hands.” Ben kept his gaze locked with Daniel’s.

Daniel began rolling up his sleeves. He looked calm and in control. Hannah shook with fear for him. Even if he beat Ben, what was to stop one of the other men from killing him? Several had their guns drawn and pointed at him.

One of the bandits moved from the crowd and walked over to stand beside Ben, reaching out his hand to take the gun. As Ben handed it over, he ordered, “Cade, if anyone tries to interfere, shoot him—” he glanced in Hannah’s direction “—or her.”

“All right, boss.” Cade took the weapon, stepped back to where he could see all the men and trained his gun on Hannah.

“Please, stop.” Hannah grabbed Ben’s arm.

A chilling shriek of rage erupted from the rustler just before he backhanded her hard across the face. Blood spewed from her nose. She stumbled backward, arms flailing, and then fell.

Daniel bellowed like a mother bear out to protect her cub and lunged for Ben. Both men went down with the impact and rolled on the ground, Ben fueled by whiskey and rage, Daniel by anger, sheer desperation and the will to survive.

“Daniel, no!” Hannah screamed. She clutched the bridge of her nose to stop the flow of blood.
Dear Lord, please send help. I know he loves me and I can’t lose him. Not now.

The sound of men and horses echoed in the canyon and the rustlers scattered, running for their own mounts. But the battle between Daniel and Ben intensified, growing fiercer with every blow and every grunt of pain.

Hannah heard shouts in the gathering darkness and gunshots all around them, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the two men fighting in front of her.

They rolled close to the fire, then away, and suddenly Daniel was on top of Ben. His fist continued to pound into the rustler until the man stopped moving. Only then did Daniel seem to realize the fight was over.

He looked up and saw Hannah, then stood and stumbled toward her. He wrenched her into his arms, crushing her against his chest, and she wanted to melt into him. Then the sobs began.

Hannah clutched Daniel’s shirt and felt him press her head into his shoulder, all the while murmuring soft words of love to her. If they weren’t in such an ugly place she would have assured him again of her love for him also, but all she could do was cry. Tears and blood soaked into his shirt, but neither seemed to notice.

The posse, led by Levi, poured into the camp. Hannah wasn’t ready to face anyone else at this time. She buried her face deeper into Daniel’s shoulder.

Levi jumped from his horse and walked slowly toward them. “Are either of you hurt?” The concern in his voice touched Hannah’s heart.

Daniel answered, “No, we’re going to be fine now. I’m glad you showed up when you did.” He hugged Hannah tighter, if that was possible.

“Me, too. We got twenty-one of them. They hardly put up a fight. Truth be told, I think most of them are too drunk to know they’ve been captured.” Levi’s gaze landed on Ben. “Is he dead?”

Daniel wiped blood off Hannah’s lip. “No, but he will wish he was tomorrow.” Daniel stroked her hair and then kissed the top of her head. “I need to get you home.”

Levi nodded, just as Jeb stepped out of the darkness. “Boss, a bunch of us figure on taking the prisoners to town, where they can spend the night in jail,” the old man said. “That all right with you?” A cough racked his body.

“I’d appreciate it if you’d see Hannah and me home, just in case someone got away and plans on jumping us from behind.” Hannah knew Daniel wanted Jeb with them only because the old man was sick. If he followed them back to the ranch, he’d be in bed before the posse even made it to town. She looked up at Daniel and touched his cheek. His heart was in his eyes when he looked back at her.

Jeb puffed his chest out a little. “Be my pleasure to be yer rear guard, son.”

The two men shared what looked to Hannah like a nod of respect. She laid her head back on Daniel’s shoulder. Weariness enveloped her.

Someone had rounded up Brownie and Tornado and led them into camp. Daniel hoisted her into the stallion’s saddle before climbing up behind her. He reached around her and took the reins. Adam, one of the ranch hands, took charge of the little mare.

Hannah relaxed and leaned her head against Daniel’s shoulder. His strong arms about her, and the gentle rocking of the horse, seemed to wrap her in peace. This was where she always wanted to be.

“Daniel, I’d like to have a Thanksgiving wedding. Would that be all right with you?” she murmured.

He kissed the top of her head. “No. I love you more than I can say, and I would like to get married tomorrow morning.”

Hannah sat up a little straighter in his arms. “Tomorrow is too soon. I don’t have time to—”

His laughter cut off any further words she was about to utter. “I was teasing, Hannah. I do love you more than anything in the world, including this ranch. So if you want a Thanksgiving wedding, that is fine with me.”

“Daniel, before we can get married, I have to ask you something.” She didn’t want to, but Hannah knew she had to ask him this.

“Sure, honey. What would you like to know?”

Hannah snuggled into him, praying she’d be able to continue to do so after he answered her question. “Do you remember what we talked about at the July Fourth fair?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Do you still feel the same way?”

The soft sound of the horse’s hooves hitting the hard soil filled the silence between them. She felt Daniel’s arms tighten around her. “No. A wise woman once told me that ‘God is God.’”

Hannah looked to the heavens and enjoyed the sight of the stars as they twinkled above. She thought she knew where Daniel was going, but didn’t say anything, she simply listened as he continued.

“It took me a while to understand what she meant, but I’ve been in constant prayer about it and believe she was saying that I have to give everything to Him. I can’t control what happens to people, but I can trust God to do what is right.” Daniel kissed the top of her head again.

Hannah smiled. He had found his way back to trusting the Lord. “I’m glad.”

He hugged her and nuzzled the side of her neck. “So am I.”

After several quiet moments he asked, “What about you?”

“What about me?” Hannah yawned.

“Are you really ready to get married? Or are you postponing until Thanksgiving just to make sure I really love you?” Weariness echoed in his soft questions.

Hannah sat up and leaned back enough to look him in the eyes. “I’ve never told you why I wanted you to hear you say the words that you love me, and that was wrong.” She swallowed and then continued. “Daniel, when I was about sixteen a man named Thomas asked me to marry him. I assumed he loved me and I thought I loved him, too, but then on the day of our wedding, in front of all our friends and his family, he told me he couldn’t go through with the wedding and that it was because he knew deep down he didn’t love me.” She paused.

Daniel opened his mouth to say something, but Hannah stopped him by resting her fingers across his lips. “I know now that I didn’t love him. Tonight when I saw you fighting with Ben, I realized what true love is. It’s not wanting the one you love to get hurt. It’s putting your life before theirs. Tonight when you came into camp, you didn’t have to say you loved me. I saw it in your eyes and it was as if I was looking into your soul. You love me. I know it and you know it. That’s all I’ve ever wanted.” She continued to search his eyes, and when he didn’t say anything, Hannah pressed on. “I love you, Daniel. I have for a long time, and if you really want to get married tomorrow, I’m willing.”

He removed her fingers from his lips and shook his head. “No. I believe you. I want you to have the perfect wedding, Hannah. It will be the one I want you to remember and I want it to be the last one you’ll ever have. I love you enough to wait for when you’re ready.” Daniel leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Hannah raised her head so that their lips connected. Her mouth was sore from the slap Ben had administrated, but she relished the feel of Daniel’s lips on hers. At last she knew that she’d found the love she’d been searching for so long.

Epilogue

H
annah tossed the bouquet over her shoulder with laughter. The sounds of squeals had her turning around to see who had captured it. Her eyes locked with JoAnna’s as the young woman clung to the flowers. Hannah smiled.

Everyone knew JoAnna and James McDougal were planning a spring wedding. Once she’d learned that James had been in love with her since they were children, she’d quickly lost interest in Daniel and fallen for him. For that blessing, Hannah was thankful.

She turned her eyes back to her groom. Daniel was the handsomest man there. He wore black trousers, a green shirt and black boots. The green in the shirt brought out the color of his eyes—eyes that seemed focused only on her this day. Her day. Her wedding day.

The minister announced, “You may now kiss your bride.”

Daniel reached out and snagged her around the waist. He whispered in her ear, “Congratulations. You are now Mrs. Daniel Westland.”

Hannah giggled and nuzzled his face with hers. “Those are the most beautiful words I think I’ve ever heard,” she whispered back.

His deep green eyes gazed into hers before he claimed her lips. She accepted the soft kiss and felt her heart leap at the knowledge that this man truly loved her. To Hannah’s way of thinking, the kiss didn’t last long enough.

The guests all shouted with joy as they parted. Friends and family rushed forward to congratulate the happy couple. Hannah looked at Daniel, who still seemed to only have eyes for her.

After everyone had eaten and the wedding gifts were opened, they said their goodbyes and headed to the wagon that awaited their departure. After all these months, Hannah was headed to her new home.

Daniel gently helped her up onto the seat and then hurried to the other side to climb aboard.

Levi handed Hannah’s bag to Daniel and shook his hand. Since the brothers seemed at a loss for words, Hannah leaned in front of Daniel and kissed Levi on the cheek. “Thank you for remembering my bags.” She smiled at him.

Levi dipped his head forward and grinned before stepping away from the wagon. Daniel nodded at his brother and then clicked his tongue and the horses moved forward.

Hannah scooted closer to him and leaned her head on his shoulder. One strong arm snaked about her waist and pulled her close.

“I never thought this day would arrive after our run-in with Ben and his gang. I’m so glad it is over and you are now Mrs. Daniel Westland.” Daniel gave her waist a gentle squeeze. “I love you, Hannah.”

At home in his arms, Hannah lifted her face close to his for a kiss. A mischievous twinkle entered his eyes and he grinned. Daniel leaned down and rubbed his nose against hers. She giggled and said, “And I love you.”

* * * * *

Keep reading for an excerpt from AN UNLIKELY UNION by Shannon Farrington.

Dear Reader,

Hello, and thank you for picking up Hannah and Daniel’s story. I’ve never lived on a ranch, but have lived on a small farm. I love horses, cows and chickens. If you haven’t guessed, I’m a country girl at heart, much like Hannah. Today I prefer reading about life on the farm, rather than living it. Getting up before dawn to feed livestock, having to help the animals get out of the mud and grunge, isn’t something I enjoy as much anymore. But I do admire our hardworking men and women who live on ranches and farms. So whether you are a country girl/boy or not, I hope you enjoyed reading how Hannah and Daniel overcame their fears as they lived their lives on the ranch.

Feel free to visit me on my website and blog,
www.rhondagibson.net
. My email address is
[email protected]
. I’d love to hear your thoughts on Hannah and Daniel’s story.

Warmly,

Rhonda Gibson