Western Desire

by Janelle Daniels

  Finally, Hannah’s heart lightened. She wanted to be with Nathan. It was as easy as that. She needed to push past the fear, tell him what was in her heart, and take the leap. “You know…there’s still one more Copper King.”

  Grace rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I’m scared to ever meet him. I feel like there’s so much pressure now.”

  “If it’s meant to be, it’ll work out.”

  Grace nodded. “Do you know what you’re going to do?”

  “Looks like I’ll be pouring my heart out to Nathan.”

  Grace let out an excited cry and squeezed Hannah. “I’m so happy for you! This is a cause for celebration!” She spun away from Hannah.

  Hannah laughed. “How will we celebrate?”

  Grace looked at her over her shoulder like Hannah had gone crazy. “With cake, of course.”

  Chapter 13

  As Hannah rode into town, she felt as though she’d jump out of her skin. She knew what she was going to say to Nathan, had rehearsed it all morning, but she was still so nervous.

  Today was the start of the rest of her life. After this morning, everything would change.

  She couldn’t wait.

  She had no intention of overanalyzing how she felt. She would tell him she loved him, accept his offer, and hope he loved her in return.

  And even if he didn’t, Hannah reassured herself, he soon would. She didn’t want to be disappointed if he didn’t say the words back to her. She would be patient with him, give him the time he’d given her to come to it on his own.

  She parked the wagon in front of the hotel, telling the employees to store it until she needed it later. She planned on staying in town for the rest of the day, so she wouldn’t need it anytime soon.

  With her heart pounding in her chest, she walked into the hotel, calling upon every ounce of calm she could muster. She didn’t want to be a nervous wreck when she saw him.

  She blew out a long breath and made her way to the front desk. Smiling at the familiar employee, she asked to have Nathan notified of her arrival, and he hurried off to do her bidding.

  All she had to do was wait a few more minutes.

  Her face felt like it was going to crack if she continued to smile. She couldn’t tell if she was happy or terrified.

  She let out a soft laugh, soothing herself. Everything was going to work out.

  “Hannah?”

  Chills raced over her arms and a pit formed in her stomach. She knew that voice.

  Alexander stepped around her and looked at her. “It is you. I can’t believe I found you this quickly.” He wrapped his arms around her and gave her a hug—something he’d never done in his entire life.

  She stiffened, her mind racing as to why he was here. “Alexander—” she croaked out his name. “What are you doing here?”

  He tossed back his wheat-colored hair with a short laugh that had always sounded cruel to her. “I knew you’d be surprised. I’ve missed you.”

  “You missed me.” Hannah spoke slowly. “I haven’t even heard from you.”

  His blue eyes hardened, but his smile remained in place. What was going on? “Of course I missed you. You’re my sister. I wanted to give you time to get settled before visiting.”

  Hannah frowned. “Why not send me a message first?”

  Realizing they were drawing curious stares, Alexander took her arm and moved her to the side of the room. “I wanted to surprise you.”

  “I’m surprised,” she agreed. She didn’t want to sound harsh, but none of this made sense. Alexander never did anything nice for anyone. “I’m also very confused.”

  He looked down as if penitent. “I know. Hannah, I want to tell you how very sorry I am for what happened. I failed you when you needed me most. Since Mother and Father passed, I haven’t handled things well. It’s overwhelming being in charge. When you found yourself in that situation, I acted without thinking. It was a mistake, and I hope you can forgive me.”

  For her entire life, she’d wanted some scrap of affection from her family, anything to let her know they cared even in some small way.

  Alexander was apologizing, saying he’d been in the wrong and was trying to make amends—everything she’d hoped for. But something still felt wrong. “Thank you.”

  He looked up, triumphant. “Good. Now, I’ve purchased tickets for us on the evening train. Run along, get your belongings, and we’ll leave this place behind us and return home.”

  She inhaled sharply and stepped back, breaking contact with him. “I’m not leaving.”

  His nostrils flared. “Of course you are. I’ve apologized. Your place is at home. With me.”

  “No.” She shook her head, recognizing the signs of his displeasure. It was only a matter of time until his rage exploded. “My place is here now. I’ve made a home, friends. And I have a business.”

  He laughed condescendingly. “And what business is that?”

  She raised her chin. “I’m selling my paintings.”

  “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am.”

  He must have realized he was going about things the wrong way. He smiled at her again. “I’ll admit, I’m surprised. But think of how much more success you’ll have with your art back home. There’s a demand for such things, and people are able to pay a high price for them.”

  She shook her head slowly. “I’m not going back, Alexander.”

  “Hannah, think about this.”

  But before she could respond, her eyes latched on Nathan as he walked toward her.

  “Hannah?” Nathan’s eyes trailed to her brother and his steps slowed. “Alexander?”

  Her brother straightened. “Nathan, it’s good to see you again.”

  Nathan didn’t seem pleased to see her brother. She wanted to move away from Alexander, but he was still holding on to her.

  “I can’t say the same for you.”

  “Ah.” Then her brother looked between the two of them and cocked his head. “You know, Nathan, it seems as though you’ve accomplished what you set out to do.”

  Hannah whipped her head toward her brother. “What do you mean?”

  “Just that Nathan came here to marry you. He knew if he did, he’d gain the fortune Mother and Father left you.”

  She shook her head. “There’s no fortune. They left me with almost nothing.”

  Alexander clucked his tongue. “Not so. I told you that to protect you from fortune hunters like him, but he must have found out.”

  Her stomached dropped, and she looked to Nathan. “Is this true? Did you come here intent on marrying me?” She couldn’t believe such a thing.

  His jaw clenched. “It’s not like that. I came to marry you, but only—”

  “See!” her brother cried. “I was right. He’s only after your fortune.”

  “It isn’t true. Hannah, you must know that,” Nathan said.

  Her brother stepped closer to her. “Don’t listen to him. He’s only telling you what you want to hear. Come on, I’ll take you home to New York, and we can figure this all out.”

  Thoughts swirled through her head until she thought she’d be sick. But when her brother wrapped his arm around her, tugging her toward the door, she pushed him away. “Stop!” She held out her hands. “Stop this instant. I’m not going anywhere—with either of you. I’m not some toy to be fought over. I’m going to leave. Neither of you should follow.”

  Nathan’s face fell. “Hannah, please. You know this isn’t true.”

  She didn’t know what was true anymore. There were so many lies she couldn’t even begin to untangle them. “I need time to think. To figure this all out.”

  “Hannah—” Nathan tried again, but she shook her head, cutting him off.

  “No. I need time. You can at least give me that.”

  Her brother looked at her innocently. “Send me a message when you’re ready to talk. I’ll be here waiting,” he said, as if he hadn’t completely destroyed everything she’d built here.

  She
headed for the door, needing air, space, and a chance to think.

  By the time she exited, she was running, tears streaming down her face. Someone called out to her as she crossed the street, but she ignored them as she ran to the one place that was safe.

  Nathan only wants me for my money.

  A sob escaped her as she unlocked the studio door. She slammed it behind her a moment before crumpling to the floor, tears coating her face. Her heart ached, and she felt physically ill.

  How could this have happened? A day that was supposed to be the happiest of her life had become the worst.

  How was she ever going to move on from this? How would she ever be able to trust again?

  She lost track of time as she sat on her floor, pouring out her grief, but slowly, her surroundings started to come back to her.

  She would survive this. She would recover, move on, and thrive. This wasn’t the end for her—she’d already been through something devastating in her life and that hadn’t stopped her.

  Nathan had deceived her, but she refused to let it break her.

  Sucking in a deep breath, she released it slowly and pushed herself into a sitting position. She was ravaged but also numb, which was a blessing.

  She needed to keep moving, keep doing what was necessary. That was the way to survive.

  So instead of staying on the floor any longer, she rose to her feet and moved toward her work area, deciding it needed a good scrub. She’d start by cleaning the studio, and then she’d clean up her life.

  As she scrubbed her work area, her heart lightened. She really would be all right. She also realized she had to tell Alexander he needed to leave. She had no intention of returning east, regardless of what had happened.

  She just wished her brother would accept it. Although he seemed kinder, more gentle, Hannah knew he couldn’t have changed all that much.

  A knock sounded on the door, and she glanced through the window. Speak of the devil.

  She sighed, placing her rag down, and unlocked the door. “Alexander, I’d rather not talk now.” She blocked the way so he couldn’t get through.

  He glanced past her into the empty room. “It will only take a minute. Are you alone?”

  She frowned. “Of course. I’m not fit for company of any kind.”

  He shoved past her through the door.

  “Alexander! I told you I’m not ready to talk yet.”

  He turned back toward her, leaned against the wall, and crossed his arms. “What are you going to do? Call the sheriff on me?” He snickered.

  Fury bubbled within her. She normally stayed cool, calm. Any outburst when she was younger had been dealt with harshly. But she was sick of living that way. Sick of living by rules that no longer applied to her. “I just might.”

  He narrowed his eyes and pushed off the wall. “Look, Hannah, I get it. You think you’ve found some independence here. But you haven’t. I’m still your guardian.”

  “I’m of age, Alexander. I don’t need a guardian.”

  He stalked closer to her, angered she wasn’t jumping to do his bidding. “You need me for your inheritance.”

  Having the money would be nice. It meant she would be financially sound for the rest of her life. She could build a home of her own and never again worry about marrying. But she refused to tie her own hands just to get it.

  She shook her head. “I don’t need it. I can provide for myself quite well with my painting.” She walked over to the door and opened in. “Now, if you’ll excuse me. I’m busy.”

  He walked toward her and slammed the door shut. He loomed over her, but she refused to cower. “Listen to me well, Hannah. I don’t care if you want to come with me or not. You will return east on the train today.”

  She pushed at him then. “No! Why do you want me there so much anyway? You made how you felt about me quite clear.”

  A cruel smile twisted his lips. “Because, dear sister, I’ve been cut off from your inheritance. And since I’ve already blown through mine, it looks as though I’m going to need to take care of you for the rest of your life.”

  She gasped. “You went through all your inheritance? How?” The amount of money he’d spent—it was mind blowing.

  He shrugged. “A few bad investments.” He snapped his fingers. “Gone like that. But it’s no matter. I have yours.”

  “You’re no better than Nathan,” she spat.

  His head tilted back, and he roared with laughter. “You really believed that?”

  Her eyes widened. “It isn’t true? He didn’t come here to marry me for my inheritance?”

  “No. I just said it because he was in my way. I needed you to get away from him.”

  Her brother disgusted her. He’d used her, hurt her, and didn’t feel a moment’s remorse. “I’m still not going.”

  All humor gone, he gripped her upper arms and shook her. Her neck whipped forward and back until she saw stars. “Don’t make me hurt you, Hannah.”

  He was already hurting her. But it didn’t matter. She would not go. “If you touch me again,” she said, “I’ll scream.”

  He looked at her patronizingly. “Then I guess we can’t let that happen.” He jumped forward, grabbing her and slapping a hand over her mouth.

  She fought as hard as she could, twisting and kicking, but nothing she did loosened his grip.

  Darkness filled the edge of her vision, and her movements slowed. She was going to pass out. He was going to take her. There was nothing else she could do.

  Chapter 14

  It had killed Nathan to let Hannah leave the hotel, but he’d had to. He loved her, and he knew she needed time to come to terms with the lies Alexander had spewed. After she calmed down, she’d see none of it was real. And if she didn’t? He’d spend the rest of his life proving it to her.

  Alexander had left almost immediately after Hannah. Nathan had worried he might do something he’d regret, so he didn’t follow.

  But as he sat in the lobby, thinking it over, unease flowed through him. Why had Alexander really come?

  He knew his excuse about missing his sister was a lie. The man didn’t care about anyone or anything but himself. Why would he want Hannah to return east?

  The longer he sat there, the more unsettled he became. He wanted to give Hannah time to breathe, to allow her to work through everything that had happened. But fear pierced his heart, and he was already walking toward the hotel exit before he realized what he was doing.

  Just one look. She’d probably gone to her studio, and if he walked by and saw she was safe, he’d leave her alone. He just needed to know that she was all right.

  He moved across the street, his eyes focused on her storefront. He saw erratic movement in the window, and he picked up speed.

  He heard a small cry, and as he approached the door, his blood boiled. He kicked down the door, startling Alexander as he wrestled with Hannah in his grip.

  Nathan wasn’t calm, wasn’t calculated. He launched himself at Alexander. Anticipating the attack, her brother tossed Hannah to the side, and she moaned.

  She’s alive.

  Nathan’s fist connected with Alexander in a punishing blow. Everything around him fell away except the man in front of him, the man who’d hurt the love of his life, the man who’d tried to take everything away from him.

  “Hannah!”

  Nathan dimly heard a cry from the doorway before seeing a flurry of skirts rush to Hannah’s side, and he was grateful someone was there to tend to her.

  While he was distracted, Alexander got past his guard. Nathan doubled over from the blow to the stomach.

  Then he waited.

  Sure enough, Alexander approached, thinking he had won. “Why are you always in the way?” He pulled his fist back.

  But before he could strike, Nathan attacked. He kicked out Alexander’s legs, tackling him to the floor. He got in one additional punch before more men were there, pulling him off.

  Alexander sat up, spit on the floor, and gave Nathan a look
of hatred that would fell a lesser man. “I’m going to ruin you.”

  Realizing Nathan was calm, the men around him let go. “I’d like to see you try. If you ever come near Hannah again, I’ll end you.”

  Alexander sneered. “She’s my sister. I own her.”

  Nathan shook his head. “No. To both points. She was your sister. And no one owns her.”

  “So what? You think she’s going to marry you?” Alexander laughed harshly.

  Nathan looked over at Hannah, and his heart unclenched when he saw her standing and watching everything with a stoic expression. “If she’ll have me. But even if she won’t, I’ll still protect her.”

  Her mouth parted softly, and he wanted to go to her. “Someone get the sheriff.”

  “Already here,” Sheriff Morrison stepped into the room through the crowd who’d gathered. “What’s going on?”

  Alexander launched into a tirade about being attacked and how he wanted Nathan thrown in jail.

  The sheriff looked at Nathan in amusement. “He sure talks a lot. What do you have to say?”

  “He was harming Miss Pierce, and I protected her.”

  The humor in the sheriff’s eyes vanished, and he glanced at Hannah. “Is that true?”

  She nodded stiffly. “Yes. My brother attacked me, and if Mr. Branson hadn’t arrived, he would have kidnapped me. He said he needed me so he could control my inheritance.”

  “Lies!” her brother shouted, sounding insane.

  Sheriff Morrison had heard enough. With a grim expression, he arrested Alexander before looking back at Hannah. “I have a few more questions, but it can wait until you’ve rested.”

  “I’m fine. Whenever you’re ready.”

  The sheriff nodded at Nathan. “Thank you for stepping in.”

  “Of course.”

  The crowd melted away as the sheriff hauled Alexander away. The room quieted, and it was just him, Hannah, and Grace.

  Hannah said something softly to Grace, and the woman nodded before giving her a squeeze. “I’ll be right outside,” she said before leaving Hannah’s side. She walked toward him. “Thank you.”