Rhonda Gibson - Taming the Texas Rancher

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.