Rhonda Gibson - Taming the Texas Rancher

Race to the Altar

Though he’d never planned to wed, Daniel Westland must marry and produce a grandchild before his brother does in order to inherit the family ranch. Leave it to him to pick a mail-order bride who insists on being courted! Yet every time Daniel wonders if Hannah Young is even suited to rugged living, the petite schoolteacher shows her gumption.

What man sends away for a bride but doesn’t really want to get married? Hannah came to Granite, Texas, hoping to find love and security, and she can’t settle for less than a true partnership. If the brooding, handsome rancher can just learn to trust in Hannah, their future could be as filled with promise as this bountiful land.

“If Levi marries before me, he’ll get the ranch. I’ve worked hard all my life on this spread. My blood, sweat and tears are in the soil. Hannah, I can’t let Levi have it.”

“And I can’t marry you right now, Daniel.”

“Because you want love?”

“Yes. I want to fall in love. I want to be the center of my husband’s world. I won’t settle for less.” Having love jerked from her before had hurt her too deeply to take the chance it would happen again.

Hannah sighed. Where was she going to go? It was obvious she wouldn’t be staying here. Daniel wanted only the land; he didn’t really want a wife.

“We have time, Miss Young. Levi’s mail-order bride didn’t arrive today. Until she does, I am willing to court you. I can’t promise you love, but maybe we can become friends. I’ve heard that friends have been known to fall in love and marry. Who’s to say it won’t happen with us?”

RHONDA GIBSON

lives in New Mexico with her husband, James. She has two children and three beautiful grandchildren. Reading is something she has enjoyed her whole life, and writing stemmed from that love. When she isn’t writing or reading, she enjoys gardening, beading and playing with her dog, Sheba. You can visit her at www.rhondagibson.net, where she enjoys chatting with readers and friends online. Rhonda hopes her writing will entertain, encourage and bring others closer to God.

www.millsandboon.co.uk

When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.

—Psalms 27:10

To the Bards of Faith, my life hasn’t been the same since you kidnapped me at an ACFW conference. It has been much richer and blessed. Thank you for taking a misfit into your group and making her your friend. I love you all!

To James Gibson, my dream of writing books would never have come true without your love and support. Thank you.

To my Lord and Savior: Who is the true author of my books. Without Whom I’d never meet a deadline.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter Twenty-Three

Chapter Twenty-Four

Chapter Twenty-Five

Chapter Twenty-Six

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Chapter Thirty

Epilogue

Dear Reader

Questions for Discussion

Excerpt

Chapter One

Granite, Texas

Spring 1886

“What are you doing here?” Daniel Westland scowled at his younger brother, Levi. He’d been running late, and seeing his brother standing there, looking freshly cleaned and pressed, was not what he’d expected. The wildflowers in Levi’s hands spun daintily in the breeze that swished about them as the stagecoach pulled to a stop.

Dust filled the air, and both men shaded their eyes against the grit. As soon as the horses came to a complete halt and the dust settled, Levi answered, “I imagine I’m here for the same reason you are, big brother.”

Levi grinned. His green eyes sparkled with mischief. Daniel’s scowl deepened. Surely Levi hadn’t sent off for a mail-order bride, also? But then again, maybe he had. Daniel pulled his hat farther down on his forehead to shade his eyes from both his brother and the sun.

While they waited for the driver to leap down and open the carriage door, Daniel thought of the woman within the stagecoach. She was a schoolteacher and had written that she felt it was time to have children of her own. The letter promised she had all her teeth, that she was twenty-eight years old and believed in God.

Daniel’s jaw tightened. Once more he wanted to scream that he didn’t have time for this, he had a ranch to run! Why his mother, Bonnie Westland, felt the need for grandchildren now was beyond his comprehension.

Truth be told, he wasn’t ready for a wife or children, but his mother was feeling the pinch of old age. At Christmas she’d decided that her sons needed wives and she needed grandchildren. She’d proclaimed over dinner that the first son to marry and produce a grandchild would inherit the ranch.

Daniel swept his hat off and ran a weary hand through his hair. His mood darkened as he again noticed the fresh bouquet of wildflowers in Levi’s tan hand. Why hadn’t he thought to pick Miss Hannah Young flowers?

The two men’s gazes met and clashed. Levi winked at him and then continued to watch the door expectantly. Why did Daniel let his younger brother get under his skin so? He shook his head to clear his thoughts.

Unlike Levi, he didn’t have time to stop and smell the flowers, or in this case pick them for a stranger. He slapped at the dirt on his pant legs. He’d been more concerned about fixing the west fence on the ranch before he had to meet the stagecoach and his mail-order bride than he had sprucing up for her.

The driver set a wooden box in front of the coach door and then reached for the handle.

Daniel quickly did a self-inventory. His tan shirt hid most of the day’s sweat and grime. Thankfully, he was wearing dark brown pants or he’d really look shabby to his new bride. His work boots were covered in a fine layer of dirt and mire. He knocked a chunk of dried mud off the hem of his trouser leg.

The sound of Levi’s low, appreciative whistle brought Daniel’s head up.

A vision of loveliness stood in the doorway of the coach. As she stepped down onto the wooden box, her blue travel dress floated about her, much how he would imagine ocean waves would look. Silky black ringlets framed her heart-shaped face. Stormy blue eyes scanned the small town and then alighted on him.

She held his gaze for several long minutes, and during that time Daniel felt as if his heart were being squeezed and his lungs had lost all means of holding air. He hadn’t expected Hannah Young to be so beautiful.

Levi stepped forward and clasped her hand in his. “I’m Levi Westland.” He helped her step down from the box until her feet touched the ground. “Are you Millicent Summer?”

Her voice sounded soft and almost musical. “I’m sorry, Mr. Westland. I’m Hannah Young.” Confusion laced her pretty blue eyes. “I am here to meet Daniel Westland. Did he send you to pick me up?”

“No, ma’am. I’m his brother, Levi.”

Daniel stepped forward. “I’m Daniel Westland.” His words squeaked out, making him sound much like an adolescent instead of the thirty-three-year-old man he was. He cleared his throat and stepped forward, extending his hand.

She smiled and placed her small gloved fingers in his. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Westland.”