Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (61 page)

She smiled. “I love caves. When I was a little girl I would go exploring around our farm. There was one spot that had a few caves and I’d play that I lived in one.” Her eyes took on a faraway look and sorrow briefly touched her. She shook her head and stood. “Anyway, we should bring a picnic here someday.”

He grinned. “Yes, we should.” Would she be open to camping here after they married? Daniel thought about asking her, but then wisdom kicked in and he knew if he did, they’d be talking about falling in love and all that stuff. He shook his head. Nope, he was not going to open that can of worms.

His gaze moved down the rest of the canyon. He knew it went back about a mile and opened into a large horseshoe-shaped area at the end. It wasn’t as pretty as here and he didn’t see the point in taking Hannah to see it. “Are you ready to head home?”

She nodded and walked back to Brownie. The saddle creaked as she climbed aboard. “Thank you for bringing me here, Daniel.”

Daniel saw a purple flower with big petals growing a few feet away. Impulsively, he walked over and picked it. He carried it to Hannah and held it up to her. “Here’s a souvenir of our first visit to the canyon. I hope we have many more.”

Her eyes and voice softened. “Me, too.”

He walked back to Tornado as fast as his boots would take him. The impulse to pull her off Brownie and kiss her senseless had almost overtaken him.
I have got to stop kissing and thinking about kissing her,
he silently told himself.

But when he glanced over and saw her smelling the flower, looking all soft and sweet, Daniel knew he’d kiss her again and soon.

Chapter Twenty-Two

O
n Saturday morning, Hannah gently pressed the flower Daniel had given her between the pages of one of her favorite books, the dictionary. She would always treasure the blossom and the wonderful afternoon it represented with Daniel.

She picked up her brush and pulled her hair into a ponytail. Then she slipped into her new robin’s-egg-blue blouse and dark navy riding skirt. Next, Hannah pulled on her freshly cleaned boots. A little thrill of excitement went through her as she thought about the trip to town she was about to embark on. She gathered up the books she’d borrowed from Jonah Richards, the schoolteacher in town, and put them in a burlap sack.

Brownie greeted her with a soft nicker. “Ready to go to town?” she asked the little mare as she laid a saddle blanket over her back. “We’re going to go see Mr. Richards. I’m looking forward to telling him how the children are doing and—this is the best part of all—borrowing new books from him.” Hannah tossed the saddle over the mare’s back.

Soon the horse was ready. Hannah wrapped the book bag around the saddle horn and turned Brownie toward the big ranch house. It didn’t take long to get there, and she slid off Brownie and tied her up at the back porch.

Opal stood at the stove. A large pot of stew simmered on the back burner, filling the house with a wonderful smell. Hannah breathed in appreciatively. “I’m heading to town, Opal. Is there anything you need?”

The older woman looked at her. “I could use some more cinnamon. Who is going with you?” she asked, putting a lid on the pot.

“I’m going alone.”

The older woman turned and looked at her with a frown. “Alone? Does Daniel know you are going to town?”

Hannah shrugged. “I don’t think so. I didn’t tell him I was, if that’s what you are getting at.”

“You can’t go to town alone, Hannah.” Opal poured herself a cup of tea.

“Why not?”

The housekeeper sat down at the table. “It isn’t proper, that’s why not. And with all the shenanigans going on around here, with the fences and cattle, I don’t believe it’s safe, either.”

Confusion and anger warred in Hannah’s chest. “I’ve gone to town alone many times in the past. Never have I been told it isn’t proper.” She waved her hand. “I’ll be back before dark, so I won’t be out when the rustlers come a-callin’.”

“Hannah, Daniel isn’t going to like this,” Opal called after her.

She stopped. “Opal, I’m not going to do anything wrong. I’m going to the general store, and to the school to return Mr. Richards’s books. There is nothing improper about either of those actions.” Hannah opened the door and marched down the steps. She didn’t like the idea of anyone telling her when and where she could go.

Opal followed. She stood at the door. “Hannah, please listen to me.”

Hannah untied Brownie and then pulled herself up into the saddle. She looked to Opal. “I’m listening.”

“I’m not sure what it was like where you came from, but Granite can be a rough town, especially on a Saturday morning. I’d feel better if you’d wait for one of the men to escort you.” Opal’s eyes pleaded with her to wait.

Hannah shook her head. It was broad daylight. What could possibly happen to her in town? “I’ll be fine. I can take care of myself. I promise I’ll be back soon, and I’ll bring you your cinnamon.” She turned Brownie toward town and hurried away before Opal could persuade her to wait.

The wind felt good on her warm cheeks as she rode off the Westland Ranch. Opal’s concerns troubled her. Why did everyone think she needed a keeper? Did they really think that because she had a limp she couldn’t take care of herself? It was the only explanation that she could latch on to, because she knew they didn’t think her a child. At least she hoped they didn’t. No, it was the limp. Hannah felt sure of it.

“Well, they are wrong. I can take care of myself.” Hannah nudged Brownie in the ribs. Soon she and the brown mare were galloping into town.

* * *

Daniel stomped the mud from his boots before entering his mother’s house. His stomach growled loudly. The rich smells of stew and fresh-baked bread tugged him into the dining room.

Opal came through the door carrying a pan of golden biscuits. A large pot sat in the center of the table.

He looked about for his mother. “Am I the first one here?” Daniel moved to his place at the table.

Opal set the pan of biscuits down and twisted her hands in her apron. A worried expression marred her normally smiling face. Something was wrong. “Something bothering you, Opal?”

For a brief moment, she looked as if she wasn’t going to answer him. She twisted the apron even tighter before blurting out, “It’s Hannah.”

His heart picked up a beat. She’d missed breakfast this morning, but Opal had said she’d told Hannah she didn’t need to collect the eggs on Saturday mornings. They’d all assumed she’d slept in. “What about Hannah?”

Opal looked down at her shoes. “Honestly, Daniel, I don’t know if I should say anything. It really is none of my business, but I’m worried.”

Bonnie entered the room, followed by Levi. “Something wrong with Hannah?” she asked, sliding into her chair.

“She’s gone to town,” Opal answered, still studying her shoes.

Daniel’s gaze darted to his mother and Levi. “Who went with her?” he asked, reaching for a biscuit.

“She went alone.”

He shot out of his chair. “Alone? Why?”

Opal’s soulful brown eyes met his gaze. “She said she was going to the general store and to see the schoolteacher.”

Daniel was almost to the door before he realized he’d moved. He turned and asked, “How long has she been gone?”

“About an hour.”

Levi stood. “Want me to come with you?”

Why had she run off to town alone? Had she decided to leave Daniel for the schoolteacher? Anger radiated through him. “No. I’ll go get her.”

As he rode to town, Daniel fumed. Didn’t the woman know the kinds of danger a single woman could run into in Granite? Especially on a Saturday morning, after all the cowboys from the surrounding ranches had been corralling all night?

Probably not. As far as he knew, no one had told her. He should have mentioned it. Why hadn’t Opal? It wasn’t safe for a single woman to be on the streets of Granite on a Saturday morning.

A chill slithered down his spine. He pushed Tornado to get to town faster. His thoughts were focused on what could be happening even as he raced to find Hannah.

Then again, maybe she was leaving. Opal had said she was going to the general store, but what if she was really going to buy a ticket on the stagecoach out of town? Had she given up on him falling in love with her?

Daniel shook his head to rid himself of the thought. He didn’t believe Hannah would just up and leave. She’d told him she’d wait six months to give them a chance. He believed she’d stay true to her word.

He entered town at a fast clip and had to slow Tornado down. Main Street was full of men coming and going. A few families were in town, probably doing their weekly shopping. Daniel didn’t pay attention to any of them. His focus was on finding Hannah.

Opal had said she was going to the general store. Daniel hurried there and tied the black stallion to the hitching post in front. He looked about for Brownie but didn’t see the little mare.

Wilson Moore stood behind the counter. He looked up and smiled a greeting. “Howdy, Daniel. What brings you into town today?”

Daniel walked around several women until he reached the counter. “I’m looking for Miss Young. Have you seen her this morning?”

“Can’t say that I have. Want me to ask Carolyn if she came in earlier?”

He nodded. “If you don’t mind, I’d sure appreciate it.”

“Not at all. Be right back.” Wilson climbed the stairs to the living quarters above the store.

Daniel paced while he waited. A blue brooch caught his eye and he stared through the glass at it. If he wasn’t so angry with Hannah right now, he’d buy it for her. Hadn’t Jeb said the way to get a woman to fall in love with you was to buy her presents? The sound of feet on the stairs drew his gaze away from the jewelry.

“She’s not been here this morning, Daniel,” the shopkeeper said when he got within hearing distance.

“Thanks, Wilson. If she comes in, please tell her I’m looking for her, and to stay here until I come back.” Daniel was already on his way out the door.

“Sure will. I hope you find her soon.” Wilson went back to his work.

Daniel looked up and down Main Street. There was no sign of Brownie, and he was pretty sure Hannah would keep the little mare close. He decided to try the schoolhouse next.

Tornado snorted at the rough way Daniel turned him toward the school. “Sorry, ole boy.”

His heart sank when he got to the school and didn’t see Brownie. Where could she be? He realized the schoolmaster wouldn’t be there on Saturday, either. The next question that slammed through his brain was where did the man live?

Daniel turned back toward the general store. Wilson could probably direct him to the schoolteacher’s home. Daniel prayed she wasn’t there. How would that look? His fiancée visiting with another man in his home? It wouldn’t look good at all.

“Hey, boss,” Tucker said, riding up to him on a brown gelding with a white strip down its nose.

“Tucker.” Daniel nodded a greeting. He continued to scan Main Street for any sign of Hannah. “Have you seen Miss Young in town today?”

“I thought she might be the reason you’re in town.” Tucker’s grin grew wider. “I told Sam and Miguel, ‘There’s the boss, and I bet you anything he’s lookin’ for Miss Young.’” He twisted in his saddle and nodded at the men standing a few feet away. “I was right, boys!” he called over his shoulder.

Daniel didn’t have time for Tucker’s silliness. “Tucker! Have you seen her or haven’t you?”

“Oh, sorry, boss. Yeah, me and the boys saw her a little while ago.” He continued grinning as if he were at the state fair and waiting for a prize.

Daniel wanted to knock the young man off his feet. Instead, he silently prayed for patience, then said, “Can you tell me where she went?”

“Sure can. She and a little boy went down that street right there, about twenty minutes ago.” Tucker pointed down a side street between the hotel and the doctor’s office.

“What little boy? Why did she go with him?” Daniel asked.

“Don’t rightly know. I just saw the boy run up to her and say something. He pointed off that way and Hannah, I mean Miss Young, followed him.” Tucker pushed his hat farther back on his head. “That’s all I know.”

“Thanks.” Daniel nodded and turned Tornado down the side street.

“I have business to take care of, so I’ll see you at the ranch, boss.”

Daniel ignored Tucker and continued on. Why had Hannah gone off with a little boy? Was he one of the children she taught? Daniel doubted that, since all the kids who went to her school lived on the ranch.

He didn’t know where the boy could have taken her, and prayed she hadn’t fallen victim to some man’s sinister scheme. Daniel wished now more than ever that someone had warned Hannah of the dangers of going to town alone.

His gaze searched each house and building he passed. Just when the street ran out and he was about to turn around, he heard her sweet laughter.

He released the pent-up air he’d been holding in his lungs. If she was laughing, Daniel felt sure she was all right. He followed the sound and soon spotted Brownie tied to a tree beside a small shed. The house beside it had seen better days and Daniel wondered who lived there. He halted the stallion and slid from his back.

He cautiously approached the shed. The little boy’s back was to the door and Daniel couldn’t see Hannah. She giggled again and he squinted to find her in the shadows.

“Do you know which one you want, miss?” the boy asked.

Based on the sound of his voice and the build of his body, Daniel thought the boy was close to ten years old. He walked up to the door to get a better look.

“I think I’ll take this one.” Hannah stood, and he could see she held a squirming puppy in her hands.

“He’s my favorite, too. I wish Ma would let me keep them, but she says she has enough mouths to feed without adding puppy mouths.” The little boy bowed his head.

Daniel cleared his throat and both the boy and Hannah turned to face him. She had straw in her hair and a smudge of dirt on her cheek. What had the woman been doing? Rolling around in the hay?

“Look, Daniel, Steven gave me a puppy.” Hannah held the little black-and-white dog up for his inspection. “Isn’t she just the cutest thing you’ve ever seen? I think I’ll call her Buttons.”

Daniel couldn’t decide if he wanted to strangle Hannah or hug her. She didn’t seem to be aware of his emotions at all as she rubbed her nose in the soft fur of the little animal and laughed. “I just love the smell of puppies.”

Did Hannah realize that when she liked something, she rubbed her nose against it? Daniel frowned at the thought. She’d done the same thing to Brownie that she was doing to the puppy now.

Steven wrinkled his own nose. “Really?”