Taming the Texas Rancher

“Uh, good morning.” For the life of her, she couldn’t figure out what they were building. It was too large for a wood box and too small for an extended room to the building.

“I see that we woke you. Sorry about that.” Daniel was looking at the ground in front of her. A frown replaced the smile that had seemed so warm.

Hannah looked down, too, and realized her bare feet were showing. The scars on her right foot were pale but visible. She felt heat flood her face. “I’ll be right back.” As quick as her feet would carry her, she hurried inside.

The horror that he and his hired man had seen the scars filled her with a sense of illness. No one had seen them since she was a child. Hannah had always been careful to keep them covered. She even had special socks she wore at all time, except when she was sleeping.

Now that he’d seen the scars, what must Daniel think of her? She hurried to her suitcase and pulled out a pair of stockings, then proceeded to put on her shoes.

The sound of hammering resumed.

Taking a steadying breath, Hannah decided he’d have had to seen them sooner or later. She would have preferred later, but the damage was done and she’d have to deal with whatever results it brought.

She sank down on the edge of the bed. The thought had come to her in the middle of the night that she would need supplies if she was going to live in the schoolhouse. And as soon as she could get up her courage, she’d go back outside and ask if Daniel would escort her to town. She wondered again what they were making as she combed her hair and pulled it into a braid.

The hammering stopped, and Hannah stood up. She inhaled deeply to soothe her nerves. Be brave, Hannah Young, she silently told herself as she walked to the door once more. He’s just a man and you need him to take you to town. You can do this.

Even if he is as handsome as sin and has now seen your worst flaw.

* * *

Daniel turned toward the sound of the door opening. He saw that Hannah had donned shoes and fixed her hair. Color still rode high on her cheeks, but her blue eyes held his. “I thought you might need a storage shed.”

Hannah smiled. Even white teeth flashed in the morning sun. “So that’s what you are making. I wondered.”

“Ma sent over a washtub and a small armoire. I thought you might like to have a place to store the tub and any supplies.” He took his hat off and wiped sweat from his forehead. Hannah looked as pretty as the flowers Levi had given her the day before.

“That was very considerate of both you and your mother.” She played with a ribbon on her dress. “Speaking of supplies, do you think we could go back into town today so I can pick a few things up?”

Daniel thought of all the jobs he still had to do. They needed to finish the shed, a stall in the barn needed to be mended and he wanted to check his fence line in the north pasture. The thought came to him that he could send one of his men. He turned to Cole.

The man was grinning at Hannah as if she was a slice of his favorite pie. He tipped his hat to her and said in a husky voice, “Good morning, ma’am.”

No, sending her with one of the ranch hands was out of the question.

“Sure. Let me talk to Cole here and then we’ll be on our way.” He enjoyed the sweetness of her smile, which brightened her eyes and face. Strands of black hair had escaped the braid and curled about her rosy cheeks. She almost looked like a porcelain doll he’d once seen in a city shop.

“Thank you. I’ll go start a list.” Her skirt swished as she turned and reentered the school.

Daniel glanced back at Cole, who had picked up another board and was about to resume working. “I need you to take care of a few things while I’m in town.”

“Sure, boss, you name it,” he said, hammering the board into place.

He was a great worker, but at some point Daniel knew he’d have to talk to him about Hannah. She was going to be Daniel’s wife, so Cole was going to have to stop looking at her like a lovesick schoolboy.

“Go to the house and get Levi to finish this shed. Tell Tucker and Sam to check the fence on the north pasture. Miguel and Rowdy can do the feeding today. Once you get all the men working, come back here and help Levi.” Daniel put his hat back on his head and tried to decide if there was anything else that needed doing.

Cole laid his hammer down. “Sure, boss. You’d mentioned earlier that you might set up a spot for Hannah to have a garden. Would you still like us to start her a plot?”

Daniel didn’t like him using Hannah’s name as if he had a right to do so. “That’s Miss Young to you, Cole. And while we’re on the subject, I suggest that any interest you have in her, you put to rest.”

The ranch hand coughed. “Uh, sorry. I don’t really have an interest in her, but she reminds me of someone. I’ll try to control my reactions when I’m around Miss Young.”

Daniel walked over and clapped him on the shoulder. “That’s all I’m asking.” Cole was a hard worker and probably his best friend; Daniel didn’t want Hannah to come between them.

He looked about the backyard. “How about we put the garden over there?” He pointed at a spot off to the right of the door, between the stream and the schoolhouse.

“How close do you want the garden to the tree?” Cole asked, surveying the land.

Daniel grinned. He could see Hannah sitting in the shade of the tree on a swing, sipping tea and enjoying the breeze. When he realized where his thoughts were headed, he squashed them. Yes, he wanted her happy, but he didn’t want to be thinking of her in a warm way. He didn’t want any feelings of love to cloud his better judgment. Daniel reminded himself that when he loved, others got hurt. They depended on him too much, and he couldn’t allow either to happen again. “I’ll leave that up to you.”

“Would it be all right with you if young Adam had a look? He’s good at planting things. He’ll know better than I do where it should go.” Cole piled the wood, hammers and nails together.

“I’d forgotten Adam. Yes, give him that job. I’ll leave what you do up to you. I know you’ll take care of whatever else needs to be done.” Daniel wanted Cole to know he bore no hard feelings over Hannah.

Cole acknowledged the praise with a nod. “I’ll get started, then.” He walked to his horse and mounted. As he came even with Daniel, he stopped, leaned on his saddle horn and advised, “Daniel, enjoy your day in town today. You work too hard and don’t play enough.” He didn’t give him a chance to respond, simply turned his horse and sent her into a gallop toward the ranch house.

Maybe Cole was right. He should try to enjoy the day. It wasn’t like they were getting married while in town. Besides, the sooner he convinced Hannah she was in love with him, the sooner they’d get married, have a baby and he’d inherit the ranch. Winning the ranch was the true goal, and he’d have to wed to get it. With that thought in mind, Daniel squared his shoulders in anticipation of making Hannah fall in love with him without losing his heart to her.

Chapter Seven

Hannah held tightly to her list. She didn’t know what to think of Daniel’s easy, laid-back behavior today. He’d helped her into the wagon and then began telling her about the ranch he loved so much.

She learned that it was over one hundred acres of the best cattle land in the state of Texas, with three large ponds, and a spring-fed river running through it. The Larsons were on the west, the Montoyas’ spread lay to the south, the Crawfords’ land lay to the east and the Johnsons were on the north.

Daniel seemed to love every inch of the property, from the grazing pastures to the small patches of wood that surrounded the bodies of water. He talked about the wildlife and warned of rattlesnakes.

The thought of snakes sent a shiver down her spine. To take her mind off the reptiles, Hannah focused on Daniel. She watched his lips as he spoke.

“I am looking forward to the day I can take you down to the canyons. They are on the west corner of the ranch and are beautiful during the summer. The sunsets are perfect there. Would you like to go with me to see them? We could have an evening picnic.” His lips parted in a smile.

Hannah would love to accompany him, but wanted to make sure he understood it would have to be a proper outing. “I’d love to, after we are married.”

A grin tilted his mouth. “I’m sure the preacher would have no trouble hitching us today, if you’d like.” The teasing glint in his eyes told her he wasn’t really proposing they marry today.

“It’s a mighty tempting offer, Mr. Westland, but I think I’ll wait until your heart aligns up with your words before I say I do.” She smiled back.

He winked at her and then turned his attention back to driving the team. “Fair enough.” Daniel slapped the reins over the mares’ backs and sent them trotting into town.

Since it was Saturday, the main road was busy with families in buckboards and lone riders on horseback traveling from business to business. Dust kicked up from all the traffic. Hannah covered her mouth with her handkerchief and glanced about.

Yesterday she hadn’t taken the time to really look at the place.

Granite seemed to be a working town, with no frills that she could see. Each store looked the same: raw wood fronts, no paint, no trees and no flowers. A few of the rustic buildings, such as the general store, had benches sitting on the boardwalk beside their windows. Water troughs were lined up on the dirt street in front of the mercantile, the hotel, the bank and what looked like a saloon toward the end of town.

Hannah jerked her gaze away from the saloon. It wasn’t a bad town; it just wasn’t as pretty as Cottonwood Springs, at least not in her eyes.

Up the hillside sat the church, which also served as the school. It was the only building in town that sported paint. Unlike her school, this one had no trees to offer shade to the children.

She missed the new trees that had recently been planted and the freshly painted flower boxes that stood in front of most Cottonwood Springs businesses. Hannah wondered if there was a ladies group she could join. Perhaps they could work together to beautify the town a little.

Daniel stopped in front of the general store. “It’s not much to look at, is it?” he asked, setting the break. Hannah smiled at him.

“Not now, but it could be.” She watched as he leaped from the wagon and came to her side to help her down.

“Miss Young, I don’t believe I like that glint in your eyes,” he teased, as her feet touched the hard ground. “Makes me think you might be up to something.”

She held on to his arms. “Who, me? I just arrived, Mr. Westland. What could I possibly be up to?”

Daniel laughed down at her. His green eyes sparkled. The richness of his laughter quickened the beat of her heart and tickled her funny bone, causing her to giggle.

His hands felt warm against the fabric at her waist. Hannah thought she could get used to being around Daniel when he was in this mood. Maybe her first impression of him, that he wanted her around only for business reasons, had been wrong. Dare she hope?

* * *

Daniel released Hannah and tucked her small hand into his. He enjoyed the sound of her sweet laughter and the feel of her soft palm. “Get whatever you need at the general store and have it put on my personal account.”

A frown creased her forehead. “I don’t know.”

He stopped her by shaking his head. “You are going to be my wife, so you should go ahead and start getting things you think we will need. No one will question that.” He opened the door and allowed her to enter first.

Hannah whispered, “But it might get too expensive. I’d prefer you look at my list and then decide what I should and shouldn’t buy today.” She held it out to him.

Daniel glanced toward the back of the store, where two gentlemen were playing checkers by the window. He nodded as he recognized the town doctor and Mr. Carlson. Daniel returned his attention to Hannah, not bothering to read her list. “Get everything.”

She murmured for his ears only, “But you didn’t even look at the list. It’s going to be expensive.” Her blue eyes echoed the concern in her voice.

Daniel grinned. She really didn’t know that if she married him, she’d be wedding a wealthy man. He turned her toward him, leaned forward until their cheeks were almost touching and whispered, “I can afford whatever you want or need. I’m not a poor man, Hannah.”

Her eyes widened as understanding dawned. “Oh, I see. I should have realized. Well, thank you.”

Daniel enjoyed the way color filled her face, the soft smile she offered and the way her eyes turned into a river of deep blue. It was no wonder Cole couldn’t seem to tear his gaze from her. Hannah Young was a beautiful woman.

“I, uh, need to go to the livery and see a man. I’ll be back in a little while.” Daniel dropped her hand and spun on his heels, not liking the path his thoughts had taken.

* * *

Hannah watched as his long legs carried him from the store in a rush. The bell jingled as the door closed behind him. Why had he left so quickly? Was it something she’d said? Or had he embarrassed himself by confessing his wealth?

“Is there something I can help you find?” The soft voice came from behind her.

Hannah turned to discover a tall woman with blond hair and clear blue eyes studying her with interest. A dimple graced her cheek. She wore a simple dress with a large apron over her swollen stomach, and a pencil was stuck in the hair over her left ear.

Hannah returned her smile. “I hope so, as my list is rather long.” Once more her gaze moved to the woman’s swollen stomach and she felt bad that she had bags of sugar, flour, beans and rice to buy.

The woman took the list. “I’m Carolyn Moore. My husband and I own the store. I’ll be happy to help you find everything you require.” She chuckled as she looked over the paper. “At least I hope we have everything on here.”

“Thank you, Mrs. Moore.” Hannah wanted to introduce herself, but didn’t really know how. If she followed Carolyn’s example, she’d have to say something like, “I’m Hannah Young, Daniel Westland’s mail-order bride.” She really didn’t want people referring to her that way.

“I see you have five slates on your list. Are you a teacher?” Mrs. Moore asked.

Hannah almost sighed. There was her answer. “Yes, I’m Hannah Young. I’ll be starting classes out on the Westland Ranch for the children who live too far from town to attend here.”

“That is wonderful. Those kids really do need an education. I was just telling Wilson—that’s my husband—the other day that I wish there was someone who could teach those young’uns.” She walked over to a shelf and pulled out the slates. “When will you be starting classes?”

Hannah followed her and said, “I’m thinking next week. We’ll have classes during the middle of the day, when it’s the hottest. That way the children can do their chores and still get an education. During harvest season we’ll take a break and then start up winter sessions at the beginning of the year.”

Hannah ran her hand over the books on display. Would her budget allow her to splurge and buy a couple? She missed the books she’d had to leave behind. Hopefully, Cottonwood Springs’s new schoolteacher would find some use for them.

“That sounds like a great schedule to me. You’ve considered the children, the parents and the best way to get their education in.” Carolyn Moore moved to the counter and laid down the requested slates.

Hannah continued to study the books. “Thank you.” She didn’t recognize several of the titles. Were they new, or just new to her?

The shopkeeper continued to gather items on the list and place them on the counter. “Mr. Richards, the schoolmaster here in town, has almost every book on that shelf. He’s always ordering something new. I try to order two copies. That way I have an extra for our customers.” She reached behind her for a tin of mint tea.

What was Mr. Richards like? Was he older? Younger? Hannah wondered if she should introduce herself to him.

“It’s going to take me a little while to get everything on your list boxed up if you’d like to walk over to the school and meet him,” Carolyn offered with a knowing look.

Hannah nodded. “I would like to introduce myself to him. He will probably know where the ranch children are in their studies.” She glanced about the store. It would be nice to just browse, but that could wait for another day. “Would you let Mr. Westland know I’ve walked up to the schoolhouse?”

“I will. You might beat him back. The men at the livery love to talk.”

A man at the back of the room made a huffing noise. “And you womenfolk don’t.”

Hannah peered at the gentleman who had spoken. A twinkle lit his grayish-blue eyes. He appeared to be in his late sixties or early seventies.

“Now, Pa...” A stern warning sounded in Carolyn’s voice. “You best pay attention to your checker game or Doc Bryant is going to beat you again.”

The man opposite her father laughed. He was younger, probably in his thirties, and as handsome as sin. His brown hair was a little wild and his brown eyes were as soft as a doe’s. “Ole Phil here has already lost.” He removed his opponent’s last checker.

“Well, it’s those womenfolks’ fault. They were talkin’ too loud,” Phil answered as he frowned down at the board.

Dr. Bryant stood and clapped a hand on his shoulder. “Thanks for the game, Phil. I need to be heading out to the Larson place. Jack Larson has a nasty cut on his leg that needs tending.”

“Thanks for letting Mr. Westland know where I’ll be, Mrs. Moore,” Hannah said, turning to leave.

The doctor beat her to the door and held it open. As they stepped out onto the boardwalk he asked, “Mind if I walk with you for a bit?”

“You are free to walk wherever you please, Mr. Bryant,” Hannah answered kindly. She wondered why the doctor wanted to walk with her.

“The Larsons live just over the hill from the schoolhouse. We’re going in the same direction,” he said as he slowed his steps to match hers.

Had he read her unspoken question on her face? She looked down and noticed his empty hands. “Won’t you need your bag?”

“Not for this visit. I’m basically going to check the wound and make sure it’s clear of infection. Whatever I might need, Mrs. Larson will have on hand.” He grinned across at her.

The doctor was handsome, but Hannah couldn’t help but compare him to Daniel. Her future husband had a rugged quality about him that she discovered she appreciated more than the doctor’s clean-cut look and soft brown eyes. Hannah looked to the schoolhouse that now stood a few feet away.

“Thank you for accompanying me to the schoolhouse, Doctor.” Hannah hurried her footsteps. When she had climbed the steps, she turned back to him.

He grinned and bowed at the waist. “The pleasure was all mine.” Then the doctor put his hands in his pockets, whistled a merry tone and walked away.

She watched him go. Yes, if she’d had to choose between the two men, Daniel Westland would have been her first choice. The doctor reminded her too much of Thomas and the scar he’d left upon her heart.

Chapter Eight

Daniel sat across the table from the minister. They’d met by the livery and then walked over to The Eating House. Sitting at the table, he held his coffee and blew into it. “I thought I’d be a married man by today, but Hannah wants love before marriage.” He sipped the bitter brew. “And Ma seems to have lost her mind. She insisted I get a bride, but when I brought one home she wouldn’t even let her stay in the same house.”

Reverend Robert Lincoln shook his head and laughed. “I imagine your mother thought that if Hannah didn’t have a place to live, she’d marry you, and the two of you would move into that big house you had built. You did ask Hannah to marry you again, didn’t you?”

Daniel lowered his cup. “You mean after Ma kicked her out?”

“That would have been a good time to do so, don’t you think?” The minister’s twinkling blue eyes revealed he’d already guessed Daniel hadn’t thought of that.

Why hadn’t he? Had he subconsciously avoided marrying Hannah? The impulse to smack himself on the forehead overwhelmed him, and he did just that. “No, I took her to the new schoolhouse.”

The preacher chuckled. “Where is she now?”

Daniel groaned. “Over at the general store buying supplies.” He picked up his cup again and cradled it in his hands. “I don’t know the first thing about making a woman fall in love with me.” He stared into the dark liquid.

A serious tone entered the preacher’s voice. “Be yourself, Daniel. A woman wants to know the real man, not someone made up to please her.”

He looked into the minister’s eyes. “You don’t understand. If Levi’s mail-order bride shows up and he marries her and they have a baby first, then my brother inherits the ranch. Not just a corner of it—the whole thing.” Daniel heard the desperation in his voice and avoided the other man’s gaze by looking out the window.

Gentleness entered the preacher’s voice. “I know the terms of your mother’s demands, but I also know a woman’s heart.”

Whose heart did the reverend think he knew? His mother’s? Or Hannah’s? Had his mother been trying to push them into marriage? Daniel hadn’t really spoken to her about what had happened the day before.

And then there was Hannah. She’d seemed to enjoy the ride into town and had even teased him. If Daniel continued to be open with her and tell her about his life, maybe she’d fall in love with him and be ready to marry before Levi’s mail-order bride arrived.

“I do believe you are right.” He gulped the rest of his lukewarm coffee and stood. “Thanks for letting me bend your ear, Reverend, but I think it’s time I go pick up my future bride.”

Daniel paid for the coffees and then headed back to the general store. The bell over the door jingled as he entered. Several boxes lined the counter, with his name printed on each wooden crate.

“That little gal sure can shop.” Phil Carlson stepped out from behind the counter. “Carolyn had to run to the bank, but said to tell you she put everything on your account. Want me to help you carry these to your wagon?”

Daniel looked about the store. He and Mr. Carlson were the only ones there. “I got it, thank you.” He reached for the nearest box. “Did Miss Young go with Mrs. Moore to the bank?”

Mr. Carlson walked in front of him to the door. He pulled it open before answering. “Nope. She and the doctor were headed to the schoolhouse last I saw her.”

Daniel carried the box to the wagon and looked toward the school. Children played in the yard, but he couldn’t see Hannah, the doctor or the schoolmaster.

“Doc seemed awful interested in Miss Young. He beat me at checkers and then hightailed it out of here with her,” Mr. Carlson called from the doorway.

Daniel headed back inside for the next box. The doctor was a single man and about his age. Was he interested in Hannah? They’d just met; surely the doctor hadn’t taken a liking to her that quickly. Daniel scooped up the crate and walked back outside.

As he passed, Mr. Carlson added, “Miss Young seemed in a hurry to meet the schoolteacher, too. When my Carolyn told her about all his books, she decided to go see him. I never did cotton to reading. Suppose some folks enjoy it, but I’d rather be playing board games.”

Daniel set the crate in the bed of the wagon and headed back for the last one. It made sense that Hannah would be interested in the schoolmaster’s books. She was a teacher herself. But why would the doctor go with her?

He crossed the store threshold again. Mr. Carlson asked, “Would you like to play a game while you wait for her to come back?”

Daniel wiped sweat off his brow and then replaced his hat. “No, thanks. I think I’ll go get Miss Young and then head on back to the ranch. Tell Mrs. Moore thank you for me.”

Her father grumbled something and then walked back inside.