Taming the Texas Rancher. Rhonda Gibson

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      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.

      Daniel climbed aboard the wagon and turned the horses toward the schoolhouse. Both the doctor and the schoolteacher were single and about his age. Were they competing for Hannah’s attentions? And if so, where did that leave him?

      As far as he knew, only the minister and Daniel’s family were aware that Hannah was his mail-order bride. The ranch hands knew also, but none of them had come to town yet and leaked the news. He pulled the wagon to a stop a few feet away from the school.

      Children laughed as they played chase and other games in the schoolyard. He took the steps two at a time. The door was open, so he walked inside.

      Hannah and the teacher were looking down at the big desk positioned off to the right, at the front of the room. She glanced up at Daniel and offered a dazzling smile. Her eyes seemed to sparkle with excitement. “Mr. Westland, I am learning so much about the children on your ranch.”

      So they were back to addressing each other formally. He moved to the front pew and sat down. “I’m glad to hear that, Miss Young. Are you about finished here?” Daniel watched as the schoolmaster СКАЧАТЬ