Love Inspired Historical October 2013 Bundle: A Family for Christmas\The Secret Princess\Taming the Texas Rancher\An Unlikely Union (65 page)

Chapter Twenty-Seven

T
he next morning, Hannah swung the empty egg basket as she walked to the ranch house alone. It wasn’t quite light out, but she hadn’t been able to sleep and had decided to get an early start on the chores. Her thoughts returned to the day before. The trip home had been quiet.

Both Daisy and Mary were fine. They’d gotten lost in the woods when the older kids had left them. Daisy had quietly told Opal that she’d wanted to draw a tree and that Mary had played house while she’d done so. When they’d decided to go back, neither could remember the way.

Opal had hugged Hannah later, saying the girls might still be lost if it hadn’t been for her idea to call to them as a group. She’d assured Opal it hadn’t been anything special, because deep down Hannah knew it had been God’s plan. She didn’t believe she would have considered it on her own.

That thought led to Daniel, not that her thoughts ever strayed from him long nowadays. He’d chosen to ride Tornado back instead of sitting with her on the bed of the wagon. Disappointment had been a bitter pill to swallow. She was sure the others must have thought they’d had an argument, since he’d remained silent the whole trip back.

They’d dropped her off at the school. Both Opal and Bonnie had said goodbye. The little girls had fallen asleep, and Levi had offered her a smile before they’d proceeded on home. Daniel hadn’t said anything to her at all.

The sun began to peek over the horizon as Hannah opened the henhouse door. She stood back, for normally the chickens squawked and flapped their wings as they came out.

This morning, nothing happened.

Her first thought was that perhaps a fox had gotten into the henhouse, but there were no signs of blood or clumps of feathers. She looked about the empty house in confusion, noting that even the eggs were gone.

Jeb would have locked the hens up the night before, and even if he’d forgotten, they would have been in the yard. And there would still be fresh eggs to collect. So where were they?

The hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Hannah backed out of the henhouse and looked about. She walked back through the gate and studied the ground.

Horse tracks marred the dirt. The earth looked to be churned up, as if whoever rode the horses had left fast, kicking up clumps of soil as they left. Hannah felt fear climb up her spine and into her hairline.

The egg basket slipped from her cold fingers. She gathered her skirt and ran toward the house, her thoughts racing. What if whoever had been at the henhouse was still there? Were they watching her? Why would anyone steal all the chickens? What were the Westlands going to do for eggs? The last question was easy to answer: they’d either get more hens or go into town and buy eggs from the general store.

Daniel stepped around the barn just as she reached the corner. Hannah couldn’t stop and ran right into him. He grabbed her arms to keep her from falling.

“Slow down, Hannah. What are you doing here? I was just on my way to come get you. What’s wrong?” He continued to hold her until she became steady on her feet.

Hannah held on to his forearm. “Someone’s taken all the chickens,” she blurted.

“What!” He looked over her shoulder. “Are you sure?”

She released him and straightened. “Of course I’m sure. I was just there. If you don’t believe me, go look for yourself.”

Daniel handed Tornado’s reins to Jeb, who had rushed out to join them. “I believe you. I’m just surprised.” With long strides, he headed back the way she’d come.

Hannah trotted along behind him. “There are horse tracks in front of the gate and it looks like they left in a hurry.”

Daniel knelt down and studied the tracks. “Yep, I’d say at least three horses.”

She wanted to say, “I told you so,” but didn’t.

Jeb joined them again. “I closed them in last night, Daniel. I’m sure of it.”

“No doubt about that, Jeb. Whoever took them did it under the cover of darkness. The chickens probably didn’t even make much of a fuss.” Daniel stood and pushed his hat back.

“Why do you think someone would steal the chickens?” Hannah picked up the empty egg basket. Chills popped up again on her arms as she realized she’d come out here alone. What if she had intercepted whoever had stolen them? Would they have taken her, too? Or done worse?

Daniel took her elbow and turned her toward the barn. “Let’s get you into the house, and then I’ll round up some men and see how far we can follow the tracks.”

“I can walk by myself, Daniel. Go get your men. I’ll tell Opal and Bonnie about the chickens.”

She ignored the low growl that came from his throat.

“Hannah Young, you are too stubborn for your own good. Stay in the house with the other women.” He turned away from her. “Jeb, make sure she makes it inside,” he ordered, and then strode off ahead of them.

His ramrod-straight shoulders told Hannah how angry he was at her. She sighed and followed a little slower.

Jeb fell into step beside her. “Don’t let his blustering get to ya. The boss is worried. When men worry, we grump at those around us.”

Hannah felt a smile tug at her lips. Jeb was right. Daniel was worried about the chickens; why else would he have been so rude to her? “Thanks for the reminder.”

When they got to the back door, Jeb held it open for her. “Miss Hannah, please stay in the house with the womenfolk until we get this figured out.” Without waiting for her answer, he turned and jogged back to the barn.

Heat hit her in the face as she walked into the kitchen. The smell of bacon filled the air. Opal stood by the stove, turning the meat in a skillet. Daisy sat at the table, drawing on a piece of paper with her charcoal, and Mary played with her doll under the table.

“Good morning, Opal, girls.”

The older woman smiled. “You’re here early this morning.”

Hannah nodded. “Yes, I couldn’t sleep. Where’s Mrs. Westland?” She sat the egg basket down on the counter.

Opal looked up from the frying bacon and into the empty egg basket. Concern laced her face. “I think she’s still upstairs.”

“Daisy, would you be a dear and go ask Mrs. Westland if she’ll come down for a few minutes?” Hannah asked. She walked over and washed her hands in the basin.

“Yes, Miss Young.” Daisy slid from her seat. “I’ll be right back, Grandma.”

“That’s all right, honey,” she said, as Daisy rushed through the door. “And don’t run!” Opal called as an afterthought.

A few seconds passed and then they heard the sound of Daisy’s feet pounding up the stairs, proving she’d either not heard her grandmother or chose not to listen. Opal sighed. “That girl is going to get the best of me yet.”

Hannah dried her hands. “What can I do to help this morning?”

Opal stared at her. “For starters, you can tell me what’s going on around here. Where are the eggs?”

“I’ll explain when Bonnie gets here.” Hannah tilted her head toward Mary, who continued to play with her doll.

Opal nodded and returned to dishing up fried bacon. “Well, I suppose you can pull the biscuits from the oven and butter them for me while we wait, if you don’t mind.”

Hannah moved to the stove and reached for a pot holder. She pulled the fresh bread out and inhaled its yeasty aroma. Carefully, she opened each hot bun and stuffed butter inside.

She said a quick prayer for Daniel and the rest of the men’s safety. Hannah wondered if they had caught up with the chicken thieves yet.

Her gaze moved to the door when Bonnie entered. As usual, Daniel’s mother was dressed in a riding skirt and a pretty blouse. Her hair was pulled back into a braid and her wrinkle-free face shone.

“Good morning, Hannah. Daisy here says you want to see me.” She patted the top of her head.

“I do.” Hannah looked to Opal, who had stopped working on the bacon and stared openly at them. “This morning I went to check the henhouse for eggs, and all the chickens and their eggs are gone. The men have requested we stay inside until they find them.”

Both women stared at her as if she had two horns and a tail. Bonnie was the first to recover. “The chickens are gone?”

Hannah nodded. She continued to butter the biscuits as if nothing was out of the ordinary. Thankfully, the little girls continued to play, unaware of the tension in the room.

“Grandma, can I go draw in the big eating room?” Daisy asked.

Opal looked to Bonnie, who nodded her consent. “Yes, dear, but don’t touch anything.”

“Can I go, too?” Mary asked, scrambling out from under the table.

“Yes, but you two be good in there,” Opal answered. She returned to the bacon and finished dishing it up.

Hannah grinned as Daisy complained to her sister, “Why do you have to do everything I do?”

Mary shrugged. “’Cuz.”

The door shut behind the children and Bonnie sighed. “I wonder who took the chickens. And when?” She eased into a chair. “Daniel and I had thought the raiding of cattle was over and that the rustlers had moved on. Now we have chicken thieves?” Her green eyes searched Hannah’s.

“It looks that way.” Hannah finished buttering the rolls.

“They must have done it while we were all at the fair. We should have left someone behind to watch the place.” She shook her head. “I can’t believe some no-good poacher took off with my hens!” Bonnie slapped the table hard.

Opal jumped, almost unsettling the platter of bacon in her hands. “I’m sure the boys will find them.” She placed the food on the sideboard and wiped her trembling hands on her apron.

The sound of the front door opening and men’s voices filling the dining room had the women scrambling. Bonnie charged out the kitchen door.

Hannah placed several biscuits on a separate serving dish and then grabbed the remaining rolls. Opal scooped up the bacon and a platter of pancakes Hannah hadn’t noticed before. Hannah held the door open for her friend.

“Did you find the no-good thieves?” Bonnie demanded, with her hands planted firmly on her hips.

Daniel shook his head. “Nope. We lost their trail, too.” He removed his hat and hung it on a nail beside the door. Then he walked to the table and sat down. “We’ll keep looking after breakfast. I sent the men back to the cook shack. We’ll regroup in a little bit.”

Bonnie nodded. “I was hoping those thieves were long gone,” she exclaimed. “And now they took my hens.”

Levi went to the table and sat down, too. He winked at the little girl sitting in Hannah’s seat.

Opal placed the platter of bacon and the pancakes on the table. “Come along, girls,” she called to her granddaughters as she headed back to the kitchen.

Hannah followed her to see if there was anything more she could do before sitting down to eat with Daniel and his family. She watched the little girls hurry to the kitchen table. They normally didn’t stay with their grandmother and didn’t understand that she had to serve the Westlands first.

Opal’s face revealed that she felt torn between her duty and her granddaughters.

“I’ll fix the girls’ plates, if you will take the coffee out,” Hannah said, as if this was an everyday event.

Relief eased Opal’s tense features. “Thank you, Hannah. You are turning out to be a really good friend.”

Hannah laughed. “I try.” She hurried to get the girls settled, aware that she was missing the conversation going on in the other room.

Opal returned a few minutes later and smiled. “I don’t know if I could have done it without you this morning,” she declared, pouring each of the girls a glass of fresh milk.

“Sure you could have, and by the way, you say that every morning.” She grinned at Daisy and Mary. “I’m sure these two would have been good helpers.”

Daisy sat up straighter in her chair. “I would have, but I don’t think Mary would. She drops stuff.”

“Would, too,” her sister muttered.

Opal laughed. “Now, don’t argue, girls. You both would have done fine.” She placed a napkin in each of their laps.

Hannah now understood Bonnie’s desire for grandchildren. It was obvious that Opal loved hers very much. The little girls were sweet and gave their grandmother unconditional love. Bonnie wanted that same kind of love, Hannah felt sure.

Opal gave each of the girls a kiss on her head and then looked up at Hannah. “You best get in there. They are waiting for you.”

Chapter Twenty-Eight

D
aniel tossed his napkin down on the table and pushed his chair back. “Hannah, I’ll send Jeb over to walk you back to the schoolhouse. Since we’re not sure what is going on, I’d appreciate it if you’d not wander the ranch alone today.” He gave her what he hoped she interpreted as a stern look, the no-nonsense kind.

She gave him a pretty smile, but the blue in her eyes blazed hotter than a blacksmith’s forge. “Tell him to give me a few minutes. I want to help Opal clean up before I leave.” Hannah pushed away from the table and walked into the kitchen.

“Daniel, you have got to stop talking to her like that. She’s not a child,” his mother scolded.

“No, she’s not. But when she’s my wife she’ll have to learn to do as I say. Might as well let her practice now.” He knew he was being senseless, but he wasn’t about to back down from his mother now. Besides, the fear of a cattle rustler or chicken thief getting hold of Hannah made him want to protect her, and for him to do so, she needed to stay in the house.

Bonnie gave an unladylike snort and pushed away from the table. “Yeah, just like I did your father.”

Levi chuckled and walked to the door. He pulled his hat down and grinned. “Keep making her angry, big brother. My bride will be here any day now.” He whistled happily as he walked out the door.

Daniel followed him onto the front porch. “Well, until she does, you still have to do what I say, too.” He pulled himself up on the back of Tornado.

He felt pretty smug until Levi answered, “Not so, big brother. Up until today, I did it out of respect, and because you needed the help.” He swung up onto Snow’s saddle. The rigid way he held himself testified to the anger that was rising up in him, and then he added, “I’m done. You can run the ranch on your own from now on. But if my bride shows up before you and Hannah marry, you can kiss the Westland Ranch goodbye. I will have no ill feelings about taking it away from you.” With that, Levi turned his horse toward town and rode away.

The curtain in his mother’s bedroom window fluttered. Daniel saw her standing there and turned Tornado away from her accusing eyes. He hadn’t meant to bully Hannah or annoy his brother with his arrogance. He’d spoken to both of them in anger and fear.

Under his watch, cows had been butchered and rustled, and now the hens had been stolen. He was angry that he couldn’t find the men responsible. Daniel felt as if he couldn’t protect his own family. He just wanted Hannah to be safe. The only way to keep her safe was to have her stay with other people. As for Levi, they’d bickered since they were kids. Daniel hadn’t expected his brother to take this so seriously.

Now Levi was not going to help on the ranch, leaving him a man short. Daniel’s gaze went back to his mother’s window. He wanted to blame her for the rift between him and his brother, but knew that was unfair. She hadn’t told him to act so prideful.

He rode Tornado to the barn and called for Jeb.

“You need something, boss?” Jeb came out of the barn. A piece of hay dangled between his teeth, much like a cigar.

Daniel tried to remember a time when the old man wasn’t chewing on a piece of grass or hay. He shook his head at the silly thought. “I need someone to escort Miss Hannah back to the schoolhouse when she’s ready. Would you mind doing that?”

“I reckon I can babysit for you.”

Hannah would have a fit if she heard him say that. Daniel laughed. “I wouldn’t say that too loudly, Jeb.”

Jeb grinned up at him. “Say what?”

Daniel shook his head. “Nothin’, I reckon.” He enjoyed mimicking Jeb’s turn of phrases.

“I’ll get her home safe, Daniel. Don’t you worry about that.” Jeb ambled back into the barn.

Daniel turned Tornado toward the cook shack. More than likely he’d find most of his men still there. As he rode, his thoughts turned to his little brother. He’d have to apologize, and prayed Levi would accept it.

But not right now. Levi had looked mad enough to take on a bull when he’d ridden away. Daniel could only assume his brother was headed to town.

The question came to him. Would Levi ride into town and marry the first available girl? Worry ate at him. If Levi did, there was a good chance Daniel would lose the ranch. He didn’t have time to dwell on the problem long, because Cole came galloping up to him.

When Cole galloped anywhere, it usually meant he was on his way to report more trouble. Daniel braced himself for the next round of bad news.

“Boss, we’ve found another butchered yearling in the west pasture.” Cole’s eyes said there was more bad news coming.

“And?”

“And it’s a fresh kill. So fresh we can butcher it and save the meat.” His gaze moved to the ranch house.

Daniel looked to the house, also. Hannah was coming out the kitchen door. He watched as Jeb walked to meet her. At least he knew she was safe, meaning he could focus on the poachers.

He felt Cole’s eyes upon him. Daniel turned to look at his best friend. “Let’s get busy.”

Cole swung his horse around to ride alongside Tornado. “You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”

Was he in love with her? Daniel glanced over his shoulder and saw that Jeb had brought two horses from the barn: Brownie for Hannah and another mare for himself.

Hannah pulled herself into the saddle with ease. No longer was she the woman who’d been afraid to get too close to a horse when he’d first met her. Her skin had tanned over the past six weeks and she’d slimmed down. The riding skirts she now wore looked better on her than any dress a woman could wear.

His mouth went dry again at the thought that she could have stumbled on the poachers this morning. Who knew what they might have done to her? He cared about her deeply, but love?

Cole laughed. “If you have to think that hard on the question, then I’d say the answer is yes.”

Daniel turned back around. His friend was right, but he didn’t have time to dwell on feelings of love. And he definitely wouldn’t confess it to her until after this business of poachers and rustlers was put to rest.

* * *

“Really, Jeb. I can make it from here.” Hannah tried to convince the old man to return to the barn.

“Miss Hannah, my job is to get you back home safely, and that’s what I’m a-doin’,” he answered without looking at her.

She had to admire him for wanting to see his assignment through. “All right.” Hannah followed Jeb’s mare through the woods. She could point out that she’d walked to the ranch house in the dark this morning, but knew that wouldn’t sway the old man to give her some solitude.

At least school wasn’t starting for a couple hours, she told herself. She’d be able to settle down for a few minutes and reflect on her morning. Not that she really needed to.

She’d found the henhouse empty of chickens and eggs, told Daniel and gave the news to Opal and Bonnie. She’d listened as Daniel discussed with his mother what needed to be done to make the ranch more secure, and had been told by Daniel to not wander about the ranch alone.

Hannah knew he was thinking of her safety, but he needn’t have talked to her like a child. She still fumed at the thought. The schoolhouse came into view; Hannah knew she needed to get her emotions under control before her students began arriving.

Jeb stopped on the edge of the woods. “I’ll watch until you wave,” he said.

She nodded. “I’ll tie Brownie up, then wave goodbye.”

“Fair enough.” He moved the piece of hay from one side of his mouth to the other.

“Thank you for bringing me back.” Hannah waited for his nod, then proceeded to the lean-to, which stood a good fifty feet from the schoolhouse. Brownie snorted when she tied her to the post.

Hannah left the saddle on. “I’ll have one of the older boys unsaddle you in a little while.” She patted the brown mare’s rump and walked around to the front of the schoolhouse, where she waved to Jeb.

She watched as he left.

Was it her imagination or was she hearing chickens squawking? Hannah heard her puppy, Buttons, yelping inside the school.

She hurried up the front steps to let her out. It wasn’t like her to forget to put Buttons in the pen Daniel had built for him in the back. Even now she would have sworn she’d done just that this morning, before leaving.

Hannah opened the door and feathers almost choked her as the air pulled them toward her. The roar of the dog barking and hens making a big ruckus filled her ears. What in the world was going on? She stepped inside and found the little black-and-white puppy chasing chickens.

They were everywhere! What were the chickens doing in the school? She made a grab for Buttons and slipped. Her feet flew out from under her and Hannah landed with a resounding thud on her back. She looked upward and saw frightened birds flapping about the room, trying to get away from the loud puppy.

“Buttons! Stop!” She tried to sit up.

Buttons ran over, licked her face and took off after another hen. His sharp yelps filled the air and caused her ears to ring. The angry and frightened chickens were making quite a fuss of their own.

“Buttons! Stop!” Hannah yelled again. She managed to stand up among the flying feathers and flapping wings. Her feet slipped in the goo that seemed to cover every inch of the floor.

The dog raced around her ankles. Hannah grabbed his wiggling body and hurried through the building to the backyard, where she promptly released the excited puppy in his enclosure.

She rushed back inside. The chickens were settling down, but still clucked and fussed. A few hopped and flapped their wings in aggravation.

Hannah groaned. Now that they had calmed down her other senses kicked in. The smell of poop and hot birds became overpowering. She covered her nose. What was she going to do with them? Why were they here? And how was she going to gather them all up?

The only pen she had was the one Buttons now occupied. She couldn’t put the hens with him. But they couldn’t stay in the schoolhouse; the children would be arriving soon. Hannah wanted to sit down and cry. She knew the mess had to be cleaned up and something done with the chickens.

She inhaled to calm her nerves and quickly wished she hadn’t. She thought about closing the door and going to Jeb with her problem, but then remembered Daniel telling her not to wander about the ranch. Since the hens were in her house, that meant the poachers had been, too.

But why had they let Buttons inside?

Hannah didn’t have the answers. She walked to her desk and sat down. The chickens now studied her as they moved about the room, making soft clucking sounds. Hannah was sure they were complaining about their new living quarters.

She laid her head on her desk and muttered, “Lord, what am I going to do now?”