Lori Connelly - The Lone Cowboy of River Bend

Her tone became a little squeaky as the likely identity of the man popped into her mind. Her heart beat faster. She’d met him once, years ago, and even though he didn’t look like Hannah, remembered this must be Sam Rolfe, showing up early.

Should I tell him? Do I need to? Fear rushed through her veins. Hannah took a deep breath, gathering her composure. Maybe it’s enough that Alice knows. She gave him a polite smile. “You must be Sam.”

“Sorry, no, I’m Nate.” His hand still extended to her, he moved closer. After a brief hesitation, she grasped it. The contact with his rough, cool skin sent an unexpected wave of warmth through her. “My brother couldn’t make it.”

“Oh.” Which brother in particular didn’t matter, the man was a Rolfe. His arrival decided the fate of her plan. If she dashed off now it might well create the very interest in her and her daughter she wanted to avoid. She pulled her hand free, then remembered her manners. “Pleased to meet you, I’m Hannah Brooks.”

Nate smiled. The sweet, slow movement of his lips sent awareness dancing along her nerves. “Miss Brooks.”

The wind gathered strength, buffeting her. Loosened hair stung her eyes and whipped her face. Despite the weather, Hannah stood, rooted to the ground, staring at Nate until he lifted an eyebrow in silent question. Her cheeks burned. With a gesture to the basket beside her, she turned away from him.

They wrestled the sheets into the large wicker container over the next several minutes. When they finished, Nate picked up the laundry, carrying it past his waiting horse and around the side of the house to set it on the porch. Hannah followed him slowly, taking some time to think over her behavior. She joined him near the steps almost a full minute later.

“I apologize for my bad manners, Mr. Rolfe. We don’t get many visitors and you startled me.”

“I’m sorry.”

She shook her head, confused.

“That I startled you, Miss Brooks.”

“It’s all right, Mr. Rolfe.”

His expression remained polite but something flickered in his dark eyes as he nodded. “Nate.”

“Very well… Nate.” Something about his name had tugged at her memory. She sifted through the information Alice shared with her about the Rolfes, thinking furiously. “Oh, you must be-”

“Don’t.”

His abrupt change of tone, now rough and bordering on rude, took Hannah by surprise. Confused, she ventured softly, “The oldest brother?”

“I am.” The man rubbed a hand over his face. “Sorry.” Dark smudges beneath his eyes painted a picture of exhaustion. “It’s been a long few days.”

“It’s all right.”

Nate acknowledged her words with a shake of his head and a brief smile. An awkward silence fell between them then. Hannah, a quiet, somewhat shy, woman often felt uncomfortable in social situations. Circumstances had led to her having few friends as she grew up and, following Jemma’s birth, her world narrowed even further. Until Alice came, Bessie and her husband, Jed, had been her only friends for a long time.

Words flitted through her mind, considered then dismissed unspoken. Her gaze flickered from him to the yard beyond, then back again repeatedly, praying to see the older woman returning with the children each time. Unfortunately, aside from the man with her, the chickens were the only creatures in sight.

After another endless moment, Hannah stopped trying to come up with something smart and engaging to tell him. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.”

“It’s all right, Miss Brooks.” Though his smile had faded, his tone, low, rich, and warm repeated the phrase she’d offered him with quiet sincerity.

“Please call me Hannah.”

“Hannah.”

His voice held a note she couldn’t define but it sparked a response nonetheless. Fire spread over her cheeks again. Silence returned. Hannah shifted her weight from one foot to the other, uncertain of what to do next. With Jed in his current state she might as well be alone and was reluctant to invite anyone into the house.

After several seconds, he prompted, “Would you let Alice know I’m here?”

“I will, as soon as she returns.”

“Where is she?”

“She took the kids fishing.”

“Fishing?”

His obvious puzzlement was understandable. It wasn’t a common activity this time of year but the children needed a break from the oppressive atmosphere at home. Jed had worsened. This week even the hours spent away at school didn’t seem to ease his sons much. Even Jemma, once a sunny child, had been too quiet lately.

“Odd, I know, but the boys were restless. They’re probably pitching rocks into the water instead of casting out line.”

“Wasn’t she expecting me?”

“We didn’t think Sam, well, you, would be here before noon.”

“Sorry.”

“No need. I’m sorry she isn’t here.”

Nate studied her from the other side of the steps, not attempting to move closer. “Should I come back later?”

“No,” Hannah answered, sounding almost breathless. She cleared her throat before continuing in a stronger voice. “You don’t have to leave. It’s just…”

“I’m troubling you.”

“No I… It’s not you.”

“Did Jed go?”

Do something fun with the boys? Hannah stuffed her chilled hands into the pockets of her coat. “No, he did not.”

“He’s home?”

“Yes, he is.” When is he not?

“Would you tell him I’m here?”

“I’d rather not.” With effort, Hannah kept her tone even, masking exasperation. They’d had an exceptionally bad morning with Jed.

“Why?”

“I don’t think it’d be a good idea.”

“He’s… poorly?”

Hannah drew in a deep breath. Something about the way he responded told her Nate knew, or at least suspected, Jed’s affliction. Still, she believed it was best not to say much.

“He’s… having a bad day. When Alice gets back, I’m sure she’ll explain.”

Instead of pressing her further, Nate simply nodded. The only sign of his displeasure was in the slight downturn of his lips, a suggestion of a frown. She almost sagged in relief. Even with Alice, his mother, the changes in her friend’s husband were difficult to discuss. The light-hearted man Jed had been before Bessie’s death existed only in their memories now.

“Would you like to sit while we wait?” Hannah gestured to the pair of rockers on the sagging porch.

As soon as the words left her mouth, Hannah started feeling self-conscious. She looked down at the ground by her feet. Few people shared her enthusiasm to be outside when nature decided to be rowdy. Slowly, she brought her gaze up to meet his.

“Thank you.” His tone reflected a sincere appreciation for her offer. “But I need to take care of my horse.” He waved his hand in the direction of his mount. “Is there room for him?”

“Room?” He thinks the farm is still functioning. The words to explain stuck in her throat. Without talking about Jed, it’d be impossible. “Yes, there is.”

“Would you mind showing us?”

“Us?” Startled, Hannah glanced around, looking for his companion.

Nate nodded toward his horse. “Jack and I.”

“Jack?” In all the years Hannah had known Bessie, she’d heard several strange names given to horses but they usually bordered on fanciful. “You named your horse Jack?”

“Yes.” Nate headed toward the young, reddish-brown horse. “It suits him.”

“I’m sure it does,” she affirmed, more to herself than him.

The wind carried the clean scent of recent rain to her as she waited, reminding Hannah a storm threatened. Why hasn’t she brought the kids home? She turned, looking at the spot where they’d most likely emerge from the tree line along the south field. There was no sign of them. Despite having complete trust in the other woman, worry nagged at her.