Hannah: A Bride For Cowboy Warren (Mail Order Brides For The Doyle Brothers Book 1) (3 page)

She smiled. “I don’t think there’s a mean bone in his body. But I’ll be sure to keep an eye out.”

Warren smiled and her breath caught. She liked him like this—unguarded and relaxed. He turned toward the door on her right and opened it.

“This will be your room. It’s not much but—”

“It will be fine. Anything you have will be fine.”

“Hannah,” He paused looking down at her. “You’re a member of this household. I—I don’t want you to feel beholden to me.”

His words surprised her. She was strong willed and a hard worker, but she had gotten so used to doing everything possible to barely get by in New York and now he was offering her a share in everything. It was hard to comprehend.

“I’ll try not to,” she said, then looked down at the small valise he carried in his hand. “This is all I have.” She said it matter of fact, but a trace of sadness was in her voice.

“We’ll get you more things. I promise.” His tone was soft and drew her eyes to his.

“It’s not necessary, but thank you.” Then, in an impulse of boldness, she rose up on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek.

He left her alone to settle into her room but the scent of beeswax and the pungent aroma of wood smoke lingered in the air. These scents would forever remind her of him now. She knew he felt unsure around her, and she didn’t know how to change that. She thought about that and more as she unpacked her valise.

Warren nudged his heels into his horse’s side and shouted to Blue. “Get ahead, there.” The dog took off to get in front of the cattle as they veered off the path. To his right Benjamin hollered and closed the gap. They were almost back to their pasture and Warren was looking forward to a hot meal. It had been a few weeks since his wedding and he’d been gone more than he’d expected, and maybe more than he would admit he wanted.

They needed to move a large herd that was meandering through a broken fence, and it would have taken longer to mend than it would to move the herd into this area of the pasture. When he told Hannah how long he expected to be gone, she hadn’t batted an eyelash. She’d only asked what needed to be done while they were gone and she accepted the workload with a nod and a smile.

He was proud of her for that, and it swelled in his chest. She’d taken to the ranch chores as if she’d been born and raised there, even stepping into the role as big sister to his younger brothers. Watching them interact was both entertaining and comforting.

She fit. Fit the family, fit the ranch, and even fit with him though he wasn’t sure he was ready to admit that.

“Easy there, Blue,” he cautioned. The dog slowed but kept pace with the cattle.

The ranch came into view as they rode atop a small hill and he took a deep breath. There was nothing like home. They were still a long way off but he had the sudden urge to ride ahead. He wanted to see his bride.

He stopped himself before he kicked his horse into a gallop. He wasn’t sure if he had the freedom to feel this way about Hannah. He thought that it was odd to think of his own wife that way, but he promised himself he would move slowly with her. He wanted to take the time to really get to know her and court her the way a normal couple would as they grew to love each other.

He slammed a fist into the palm of his other hand. He had no idea what she thought of him. She was a hard worker, but that didn’t equate to feelings, did it? How was a man supposed to know what a woman thought about him?

“Everything all right there, brother?” Lewis said, riding up next to him.

“Peachy.”

“I’d say you’re thinking about that wife of yours.” Lewis smiled, but it was with kindness and not his usual teasing. “She’s quite a woman. I really mean it when I say she’s good for you.”

Warren pictured her smiling face turned up toward his, framed by her soft hair. He wanted to run his fingers into it and pull her close.

“Hello? Am I talking to myself here?” Lewis waived a hand in front of Warren’s face.

“What?”

“I was saying,” Lewis said. “That you should take her out to a fancy dinner in town or something. Just the two of you. You don’t get much opportunity with us around all the time.”

Warren hated to admit it, but his brother had a good idea. “Maybe I will do that.”

Lewis smiled and maneuvered his horse away whistling something that sounded like Camptown Races.

Warren took stock of his brothers and the hired hands. They seemed to have the herd under control. He turned toward Benjamin and called out, “I’m going to ride ahead. See you at the ranch.”

Benjamin waved him on and he spurred his horse into a gallop. The ranch house came clearly into view and his smile broadened. As he neared, the door flew open and Hannah rushed out. She was waving a towel over her head.

He pulled the horse to a harsh stop in front of her and jumped off. He could tell by the look on her face that something was wrong.

“Hannah what is it? What’s wrong?” He gripped her shoulders gently.

“I—I didn’t know what to do. I’ve been up with him all night. He’s in so much pain.” She collapsed into tears and he awkwardly pulled her toward him. She rested her head against his chest and he wrapped his arms around her.

“It’s all right,” he said. “Calm down. What’s happened?”

“It’s Pa,” she managed between gasps, “He’s in so much pain and I think he has a fever. I stayed up with him to make sure he would be all right but he’s been mumbling nonsense and I’m so worried.”

A pang of guilt shot through him at her words. “Come on, Hannah, let’s get inside.”

She nodded, wiping at the tears. “Come quick.”

He followed her up the porch steps but she swayed at the top. He steadied her with a hand on her back and helped her into the house. She was half asleep on her feet as it was. He chided himself for leaving her for as long as he had. She had to take care of the ranch and animals as well as his father.

“He—he’s back in his room.”

He followed her there, marveling how she could have gotten his father into bed on her own. He again felt anger at himself for leaving her alone.

“I’m sorry,” he blurted out as they reached Pa’s room.

“What? Why are
you
sorry?”

“I should haven’t left you here for so long. I—I didn’t think he would get sick or—”

“No,” she said. Her words were gentle and she rested a hand against his chest. “You don’t need to apologize. I’ve just been worried and didn’t know what to do. I’ll be okay. Go into him and maybe you or Benjamin or Lewis can go get the doctor.”

He nodded, relishing her closeness. “Why don’t you go rest for a bit? I know you must be tired.”

He could tell she wanted to refuse him, but the dark circles around her bloodshot eyes said otherwise. She nodded and Warren entered the room.

Hannah was exhausted but she felt guilty sitting down when she could be doing something. Her relief at seeing Warren riding back to the ranch had been an answer to prayer. She’d done everything she could think of for Pa, but she was afraid it wasn’t enough.

She had hated seeing him in pain, but he’d taken the last of the laudanum. She thought about going into town to get more, but she wasn’t sure she could make it there and back on her own. She hated feeling helpless.

She walked to the parlor and sat down. She told herself it would only be for a few minutes then she would go help Warren with Pa, but soon her eyes closed and she drifted off into a deep sleep. When she awoke, a blanket was draped over her and the fire had been banked in the fireplace.

“Feeling better?”

She jumped, surprised to see Warren looking at her from his chair near the fire. He closed the book he was reading and sat forward.

“Yes.” She stifled a yawn. “How is Pa?”

“He’s doing better.” Warren’s eyes sparkled in the firelight and she found herself wishing his arms were around her again. “I went into town and got more of his medicine. The doctor was away delivering a baby but I left word for him to come tomorrow. But for now, he’s resting well—thanks to you.”

“To me?” Hannah shook her head. She shivered and pulled the blanket up under her chin. “I ran around like a chicken with her head cut off. I’m not sure I did much good.”

“That’s not what Pa said.” Warren stood and brought another afghan over from a basket by the fireplace. He draped the blanket over her and knelt by her side. Her face was beautiful in the soft firelight, and he rested his hand on her arm. “Thank you for what you did for Pa. It means more to me than I can say.”

The look in Warren’s eyes warmed Hannah better than the extra blanket. She saw admiration and appreciation there. She wanted to take his hand but he stood up and walked back to his chair and sat down.

“I just…” She trailed off, uncertain of what she wanted to say. “I just wanted to make you proud.”

Even as she said the words she felt foolish. Would he think her silly for saying such a thing? Would he think his wife didn’t know how to handle things on her own?

“I am proud. You did a good job, Hannah. A very good job.” His gaze on her sent warmth to fill her cheeks.

She met it without flinching. It was almost as if she saw something shifting in his gaze before her eyes. Before she could read more of the thoughts behind his eyes though, he looked away.

“I need to get some sleep. There’s lots to be done tomorrow.” He groaned as he stood. “But we’ll be closer to home tomorrow. I promise I won't be far.”

His admission was a great relief and she smiled at him. “I’m glad to hear that. If only for your father’s sake.”

Warren strode to the doorway but turned but turned back to face her. “Will you go to bed soon?”

She nodded and eyed the fire. “As soon as some of the logs die down. I won’t be long.”

He nodded and turned and then was gone.

She pulled the blankets more tightly around her and breathed out a prayer of thanks to the Lord for Warren’s arrival. She had been so worried about Pa and had felt so helpless. When Warren arrived it was as if he heard her calls for help.

She knew he cared for her. She could see it in his eyes. But something held him back. Was it something about her? Had she somehow not shown him that she cared for him as well? She had done everything he had asked without hesitation. She’d tried to think of how to get him to talk with her for more than a few passing words, but no matter what he would disappear. If they never had the chance to talk, how could they get to know one another? How could they fall in love?

The last log fell into two pieces and Hannah decided it was time for her to go to bed as well. She went to check on Pa before she went to her room.

She opened the door to his room as quiet as she could and stepped inside. The fire in his stove had died down.  She padded across the floor to the stove, opened it and slid a log inside and closed the grate.

“Thank you kindly, Hannah.”

She jumped in surprise.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to scare you there.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry if I woke you. Can I get you anything? Water? More medicine?” She wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and walked to his bedside.

“No, no, my dear,” he reached out and clasped one of her hands. “You have been more than helpful these last few days. I’m sorry for the scare I caused you. I’m feeling better now.”

“I was happy to help and I'm glad to hear that.” She looked down at his age-worn features and his wild hair sticking up in every direction, and she felt a deep kinship. He had taken to her immediately and she could see he loved her like a daughter already.

“Hannah,” he asked. “What’s troubling you?”

Surprised, she looked up at him. “What do you mean?”

“I can see the worry on your face. Tell an old man your troubles, I can keep a secret.” He grinned with a twinkle in his eye and patted the edge of the bed for her to sit down.

“I—” she hesitated. Was it right for her to confide in him about his own son?

“Is this about Warren? Has he done something to make you unhappy?”

“Oh no,” she was quick to reassure him. “It’s not him, it’s just…”

“Just what?” he asked.

“It’s just that I feel as if we’ll never get to know one another.” She sat on the edge of the bed. “He’s so busy, which I understand, but even when he isn’t busy, he won’t spend more than ten minutes with me.”

“Ah, I see.” The old man nodded his head. “Warren is a good man, Hannah. He just needs a little encouragement.”

“What do you mean?”

Pa smoothed the covers over his stomach before he answered. “Ask him to show you how to ride.”

“Horses?”

“Well, I'm not suggesting you ride cows.” She smiled but he continued. “He needs a reason to spend time with you. He’s never felt right if he isn’t busy doing something. Give him a reason to spend time with you until he realizes you’re reason enough.”

Hannah considered his words. She had ridden a horse once as a child, but she didn’t remember anything about it. She could, in good conscience, ask him to help her.

“Do you think he’ll agree to help me?”

“He will,” Pa said. “You see, Hannah, he already loves you, he just doesn’t realize it yet. He knows it in his head, but his heart’s got some catchin’ up to do.”

His words startled her but created a warm sensation in the pit of her stomach. She wanted to be loved by him just as she wanted to love him. Maybe, just maybe, this idea of his would work. She prayed that it would.