Rhonda Gibson - Taming the Texas Rancher

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.