Rhonda Gibson - Taming the Texas Rancher

“Probably The Eating House,” he said, stepping to her side and cupping her elbow in his callused hand.

She marveled at the gentleness of his touch. Even though he was mad enough to spit nails, Daniel’s hand betrayed none of the anger Hannah was sure he was feeling.

Levi moved to the other side. “I think pot roast and fresh bread are the special today,” he offered as he grinned across at Daniel.

Hannah felt small as she walked between the brothers. She straightened to her full height of four feet eleven inches and was still almost a foot shorter than Levi. Daniel towered a few inches over his brother, making her feel even smaller.

Aware of the limp she’d attained as a child, she tried to keep her footsteps strong and even with theirs. So far neither Daniel nor Levi had mentioned her slight hobble; perhaps it wasn’t as important to them as she had feared it would be.

Normally Hannah would have relished the silence among the three of them, but when she’d made the decision to start a new life, she’d also decided to become more sociable. Talk more, express more, live more.

So to break the tension-filled stillness she asked, “Mr. Westland, who is Millicent Summer?” She turned her gaze on Levi.

He cleared his throat and looked away. “She’s the woman who answered my mail-order bride advertisement. It seems I’m not the only one who had that idea.” Levi cut his eyes toward his brother once more.

Hannah followed his gaze. Daniel continued walking, but his jaw worked and his lips had thinned. Confusion warred within her. “But why did you both send for a mail-order bride?” She looked about the small town. Maybe there just weren’t enough women to go around here in Granite, Texas.

“Let’s get a pot of tea in front of you and I’ll tell you everything,” Levi answered.

Hannah nodded. A sick quiver churned her already unsettled stomach. She prayed it was simply because she hadn’t eaten since the early hours of the morning, but knew it was her normal reaction to forthcoming bad news.

Daniel growled between gritted teeth. “Don’t you think I should be the one to tell her?”

They walked toward a large building with the name The Eating House painted over the door. The fragrance of fresh bread drifted from an open window, which sported red-and-white curtains. Hannah’s stomach growled.

Levi followed them and chuckled. “You should, but I didn’t think you would.”

Daniel ignored his brother. He released her arm and yanked the door to the restaurant open. His green eyes blazed in Levi’s direction.

Hannah entered in front of the men. The rich fragrances of coffee and roasted meat filled her nostrils, but she ignored them. Her mind circled the question: What secret was Daniel Westland withholding from her?

Once more he took her arm, and began to direct her to the back of the room. They passed wooden tables and chairs. Salt and pepper shakers were the only objects on the tables. She was happy to see that the tabletops looked clean.

Why wouldn’t Daniel tell her? What had he been keeping from her in his letters? She’d thought him an honest and hardworking man. The letters had hinted at long hours and a busy life. Hannah had been looking forward to working by his side.

Now dread caused her hands to shake. Daniel stopped at the last table and held out a chair for her. She laid the flowers down, slid into her seat and then clutched her hands together in her lap.

What did she really know of the Westlands? Had she allowed her romantic thoughts to put her in a mess of hot water? A new knot developed in the pit of her stomach as Hannah realized her friend Eliza might have been right. Becoming a mail-order bride might have been a bad idea.

Chapter Two

Daniel noticed Hannah’s limp for the first time as he guided her to the back of the room. The sweet scent of honeysuckle drifted from her as he pulled out a chair and waited until she was seated before gently pushing it forward. Hannah Young was not what he’d expected. He knew from her letters that she was a schoolteacher, but he hadn’t expected her to be a stubborn woman or to have a limp. Maybe he should put her back on the stagecoach and send her home to New Mexico. Ranch life was too hard on a healthy person, let alone someone with a disability. He wondered if it caused her pain, and realized that, come winter, she might suffer in her joints.

Levi hurried around the table and sat with his back to the wall, opposite Hannah. His knowing grin forced Daniel to reconsider his earlier thought. If he sent Hannah home, then he’d have to start his hunt for a bride all over again, giving Levi time to marry and have the first child.

Daniel thought about the conversation they’d had earlier in the week. He regretted taunting his brother and telling him he could always work on the ranch once he won it. The realization that Levi could still win and that the tables could easily be turned, and he’d be the one staying on and working for his brother, caused Daniel to frown. Would he be able to do such a thing?

The owner of The Eating House, Bertha Steward, hurried to their table. “Well, I declare. Daniel and Levi Westland, and who is this lovely young woman?”

Daniel made the introductions. “Mrs. Steward, this is Miss Hannah Young.”

Bertha handed each of them a menu. “Nice to meet you, Miss Young.” She wiped her hand on a flour-covered apron, and then extended it for Hannah to shake.

“Please, call me Hannah.” She took Bertha’s hand and smiled. “I’m not a big fan of formality.”

The older woman laughed. “I like her, boys.” Then she turned her attention back to Hannah. “You must call me Bertha. What would you like to drink?”

Hannah laid the menu to the side. “I’d like a cup of hot tea, if it’s not too much trouble.”

“No trouble at all. Boys?” Bertha tucked a graying strand of light brown hair behind her ear.

Daniel felt a grin ease onto his face. All his life Bertha had called him a boy. Even though he was now thirty-three, she still saw him as the six-year-old who used to beg her for cookies. “Coffee, black, please.”

“Levi?”

“I’ll have the same as Daniel.”

“I’ll be right back.” Bertha hurried away to fill their drink orders.

Hannah studied the list of foods. “If everyone is as nice as her, I’m going to like it here.” She lowered the menu and grinned at Daniel.

He noticed the paper menu shook slightly. Was Hannah Young nervous? Scared?

“They are.” Levi laid his menu down and grinned across at him. “Well, are you going to tell her? Or shall I?”

The teasing in his brother’s eyes irritated Daniel. “Don’t you have someplace else to be?” He hoped his brother understood he wanted him to leave, without him actually coming out and saying it in front of Hannah.

Levi’s dimples winked. “No. Since I haven’t eaten today, I’ll stay here and have lunch with you two.” He smiled at Hannah and sat up straighter in his chair.

Daniel gave him his most irritated look. There were times when he wanted to strangle his little brother, and one of them was now.

Bertha arrived with the drinks and took their orders of roast beef stew and fresh bread. Daniel was aware of Hannah’s gaze upon his face. He felt heat enter his neck and cheeks.

“I’ll have your food right out.” Bertha gave them all a big, toothy smile, took the menus and headed back toward the kitchen.

Daniel gulped his coffee, scorching his tongue in the process. He sputtered and grabbed for his napkin. More heat filled his face and neck. Could this day get any worse?

“Since my big brother seems to be having a hard time getting the words out, I’ll explain why we both need brides.” Levi picked up Hannah’s hand and held it in his. He made a show of looking deeply into her eyes.