Jonah Richards waved and walked away, but not before calling out, “I’ll see you later, Hannah.”
Did the schoolteacher like Hannah in a romantic way? Or did he just see them as friends? Daniel made a mental note to find out if the man was sweet on anyone else in town.
Hannah returned the wave but didn’t seem to miss a beat in her discussion with Carolyn. Her sweet voice pulled him back into the conversation. “I think we’re just going to look around now. Unless there is something Daniel would rather do.” She turned to him with a smile.
All thoughts of Jonah Richards drifted from his mind. There were a lot of things he wanted to do, but Daniel had decided over breakfast to spend the whole day with Hannah. She’d seemed sad and he didn’t like that expression on her face. He’d been so busy with the branding, fence mending and other duties on the ranch that he’d not made time to spend with her, and now he regretted it.
“Nothing I can think of.” Daniel rocked on the heels of his boots with his hands in his pockets, trying to look relaxed and happy. He was rewarded with another charming smile.
“Well, I’ll let you two go. I need to get to the dessert table. Wilson said my job is to simply stand and pass out the prizes.” Carolyn looked to her husband, who had begun the next game. Mr. Jones started up a vigorous tone on the harmonica. “See you two later.”
Hannah waved and then started back toward where most of the activities were taking place. Daniel fell into step with her.
“Where are we headed?” He snagged her hand as they walked. Pleased that she didn’t pull away, he grinned at her.
“I’d like to see the quilts, but I know that would bore you to tears,” she admitted in a soft tone. “So maybe we can go watch the sack races instead.”
He stopped and pulled her around to face him. “Hannah, do whatever you want to today. I’ve been to dozens of these celebrations. This is your first here in Granite, so have fun and don’t worry about me.”
She reached up and gently stroked his cheek. “Thank you, Daniel. But I really don’t want you to give up your enjoyment of the fair.”
He covered her hand with his. “Good. Then let’s go see the quilts.”
She removed her hand from his face. “If you are sure...” Hannah left the rest of her sentence hanging.
He gently pulled her toward the tent that had been set up to display the women’s quilts. “I’m sure.” And he was. The hope of seeing the blankets had shone in her eyes, and Daniel knew he’d look at quilts all day if that was what would make Hannah happy.
She waited while he held the tent door open for her. “I promise I won’t stay long.” The hint of honeysuckle tickled his nose as she went inside.
Daniel followed her. Quilts of all colors and designs filled the space. As they viewed them, he marveled at the tiny stitches that held each quilt together. His mother had been a part of the quilters’ bee for years, but this was the first time Daniel had actually attended one of their shows. How many hours went into creating coverlets like this? He noted the different sizes and realized they would either take months or years to complete.
“There’s Bonnie’s quilt.” Hannah pointed at the one his mother had been working on for what seemed like forever.
He’d never seen it hung before. His mother had held it in her lap the few times he’d seen her working on it. The blue-and-yellow star drew him like a mosquito to water. It really was beautiful. “Hannah, do you quilt?” He stood in front of his mother’s work and studied the intricate stitches.
“Some. I’m not nearly as skilled with a needle as your mother,” she answered, coming to stand by his side.
“I imagine you do just fine with a needle and thread.”
Hannah stood staring up at the quilt. Her head was tilted slightly to the left and her gaze moved over the material as if she was trying to memorize each and every stitch that had gone into it. “My stitches are never that even and straight.” She shook her head. “No, your mother is a master at quilting.”
Daniel laughed. “I don’t think it’s a contest.”
An older woman walking past huffed and rolled her eyes at him. She muttered, “Men,” in exasperation.
A giggled escaped Hannah. “This is a competition, Daniel.”
He felt heat on his neck. “Well, yes, but...” He watched amusement dance across her face. “Oh, never mind.”
Hannah laced her arm into his. “I knew what you meant, and thank you.” She gave his arm a little squeeze.
They moved through the tent, viewing the rest of the quilts, and then headed outside. The sun was bright overhead. “Are you hungry?” Daniel asked.
“A little, but I’d like to wait until the chili cook-off. Opal says that the men around here can sure cook chili.” She grinned up at him. “But maybe a snack would be good.”
Daniel looked down into her blue eyes. “What did you have in mind?” He knew she was up to something because a new light appeared there and laugh lines crinkled.
“A boiled egg.”
“A boiled egg?” Daniel frowned. “Where are we going to find boiled eggs?”
Hannah began tugging on his arm. “This way.”
He knew he was in trouble as soon as he saw the group of kids holding spoons and eggs. They were lined up to race from one point to another. “An egg race, Hannah?”
“Sure. You’ve done them before, haven’t you?” she teased. Her eyes danced with merriment.
“Yes, but honey, those aren’t boiled,” he protested. “And besides, this is a kid’s game.”
“Yes they are.” Hannah placed both hands on her hips. “Who says it’s a kid’s game?”
Daniel knew a dare when he heard one. “You’re right. So you will play, too.” He walked up to Mrs. Crandall, who was in charge, and said, “We need two spoons and two eggs.”
The look on Hannah’s face was worth making a fool of himself in front of the parents in Granite. He handed her a spoon, got in line and balanced his egg in his before placing the spoon handle between his teeth. Mrs. Crandall started the game.
From the corner of his eye, Daniel watched Hannah racing along beside him, trying to keep her egg in the spoon without touching it. She tilted her head to look at him and the egg slid off. The cracking sound it made when it hit the ground brought a smile to his face, and he lost his egg, too.
Shouts of encouragement met their ears as they both hurried back to the starting line to begin again. It took him three restarts, but Daniel finally crossed the finish line, seconds before Hannah. But not before several children.
Out of breath, he grinned at her.
She returned his smile and then swiped his egg from the spoon. “Thanks for breakfast, Daniel.” Hannah began to peel it, which wasn’t hard, since it was cracked in several places.
“Hey, isn’t the winner supposed to get the spoils?” he teased.
“Not when they gloat.” Hannah tossed the eggshells into a nearby trash can and took a big bite from the egg.
Two bright pink spots filled her apple cheeks and Hannah’s eyes sparkled with merriment. Daniel knew he’d remember that expression on her face for the rest of his life. Her inner beauty shone through as well as her outer. Hannah Young could very easily be the one to capture his heart.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Hannah was tired. All day she and Daniel had laughed and played games at the fair. He’d entered the pie-eating contest at her urging, made a mess of it and lost to the mayor. Afterward he’d smeared cherry pie filling on her nose and whispered in her ear that if there wasn’t a crowd he’d let her have a taste by kissing her.
Her heart rate had picked up a beat until he finished with, “But since there is a crowd, I guess you’ll just have to do without my kiss for now.”
She’d playfully slapped him on the arm, but deep
down, Hannah knew she would have savored a kiss from him. Now she stood with Bonnie, waiting for the horse races to begin.
Hannah held her breath as Daniel, Levi and three other men brought their horses to the starting line. Tornado pranced around as if he knew he would win. Snow took large steps as if he were posing or stepping over cactus. The other men also had their horses parading about.
Daniel sat tall in the saddle. To Hannah he was the most handsome man there. She saw JoAnna Crawford staring at one of the other young men. The expression on her face said she was in love with him.
“I see JoAnna didn’t wait for the leaves to fall off the trees before finding a replacement for Daniel,” Bonnie said, moving closer to the fence that separated them from the riders.
“Can you blame her?” Hannah answered, happy that JoAnna had found someone she could love.
Bonnie shook her head and studied the young man. “No, I guess not. James McDougal is a fine catch, too.”
The mayor indicated that the men should line up their horses. He held a pistol in one hand and a watch in the other. “Get set!” he called to the riders.
Hannah covered her ears when the gun went off. She watched as horses and men shot off. The dirt was flying so badly she really couldn’t see much. “Do you think Daniel will win?” she asked.
Bonnie stood on her tiptoes. “The race?”
What else could she be talking about? Hannah wondered as she nodded.
Daniel’s mother shook her head. “He doesn’t care about winning the race.”
“He doesn’t?” She tried to see over the crowd that had gathered in front of her, but with her small stature, Hannah couldn’t see anything.
Bonnie laughed. “No, he just wants to whip Levi.”
More competitiveness between the brothers. Bonnie’s voice sounded as if she was proud that her boys were competing again. What was it with the woman?
From the shouts, Hannah could tell that someone called Little Roy was winning. She shaded her eyes and looked up at Bonnie. Since no one was paying attention to them or their conversation, Hannah asked, “Doesn’t it bother you that those two are always at odds with each other?”
Bonnie turned around and looked at her. “You must think I’m an awful mother.” She flung her braid over her shoulder.
“I didn’t say that,” Hannah answered in a calm voice. She felt as if a storm was about to burst and she was going to be in the eye of it.
As fast as the anger had built in Bonnie’s eyes, it evaporated. “Hannah, you have to understand. Those boys have been competing all their lives. It’s not done in malice—to them it’s fun. Didn’t you have siblings who you played games like this with?”
Hannah had not thought of her younger brother and sister since the day she’d told Daniel why she’d left her home forever. “No. I have a brother and sister, but they are younger than me.”
“Well, surely with your teaching experience you’ve seen siblings compete with each other in their studies and the games they played.” Bonnie turned back around and peered over the crowd. “Here they come, and Levi is in the lead!”
Hannah wanted to get excited about the race, but didn’t feel any anticipation about knowing who was going to win. It no longer seemed important.
She’d missed so much of her brother’s and sister’s lives. What were they doing now? Simon would be twenty-four years old and Sarah twenty-two. Did Sarah look like their father or their mother? Everyone had said Hannah was the spittin’ image of her father. Sadness enveloped her. Did Simon look like Pa, too?
“Well, I’ll be dogged. James McDougal passed Levi up. Can you believe he won by a nose?” Bonnie turned to look at her. “Hannah? Are you all right? You are as white as a ghost.”
“I’m fine. I think I’ll go get a cool drink.” Hannah hurried from the racing grounds. She pushed across the meadow, wishing for a quiet moment alone.
“Hannah? Have you seen Daisy or Mary?” Opal twisted her apron in her hands.
She shook her head. “Not since this morning. They were playing with a group of older kids.”
“Thanks.” Opal continued on toward where everyone was congratulating the riders. She called over her shoulder, “If you see them, please hang on to them and find me.”
Hannah called back, “I will.” She continued walking toward a booth where a young girl was selling lemonade.
Hannah recognized her as Betty Parker. Betty’s family lived on the Westland Ranch, also. She had two brothers whom she walked to and from school with each day.
“Hello, Miss Young,” Betty said, standing a little taller. “Would you like a glass of lemonade?”
“Yes, please.” Hannah leaned against the table. She could hear shouts coming from the horse race, but her thoughts were on Daisy and Mary. Where could the little girls have wandered off to?
Betty handed Hannah her drink. “Is something bothering you, Miss Young?” she asked, taking the money Hannah passed her and putting it away.
Hannah nodded. “Opal, Opal Dean, just asked me if I’d seen her granddaughters. I noticed them playing earlier today with some older children, and I can’t get them out of my thoughts.”
“You don’t think something’s happened to them, do you?” Concern laced Betty’s voice.
Hannah immediately wanted to reassure her. “Probably not. They might be down at the races. I’m sure Opal will find them.” She took a sip of the sour drink.
“Mark! Luke!”
The sudden yell coming from Betty startled Hannah. She looked at the young girl in surprise as the two boys slid around the corner.
“What, Betty?” they asked in unison.
Hannah placed a trembling hand over her pounding heart. The boys, aged five and six, looked almost like twins. Their brown hair stood on end and their light blue eyes stared up at their sister.
Betty knelt down in front of them. “Have you two seen Daisy Brown or her sister, Mary?”
“Eellier,” Luke, the five-year-old, answered.
Little Luke had several words he couldn’t say very plainly. Hannah added earlier to her mental list of words to work with him on.
“Earlier?” Betty repeated. “When? Where?”
The boys looked down at their feet. Guilt seemed to weigh heavily on their young shoulders. Hannah wondered if she should step in or allow Betty to confront her brothers.
“Boys?” Betty’s voice was firm.
“Daisy said she wanted to go look at Steven’s puppy,” Mark answered.
Betty’s voice softened. “That doesn’t sound so bad. Why didn’t you want to tell me?” She laid her hand on the little boy’s shoulder.
“’Cause that’s not all they are doing.” Mark rubbed his bare toe in the dirt.
She nodded. “Go on, you can tell me. You aren’t in trouble, Mark.”
Hannah admired Betty’s patience with her brothers. Personally, she wanted to shake them and demand where the girls were, but knew Betty’s wisdom in dealing with the boys calmly would get better results.
“They were going to the river with the big kids. I told Daisy her grandma wasn’t going to like that,” Mark answered.
Hannah turned to look off in that direction. Trees blocked her vision of the water and she could only think the worst. “How long have they been gone, boys?”
Mark shrugged. “I don’t know. The big kids came back right before the races started.”
“But you didn’t see Daisy or Mary?” Betty asked.
Both boys shook their heads.
Hannah wanted to ask why they hadn’t mentioned this sooner, but said, “I’ll go tell Opal.” She turned to the little boys; they stood with their heads bowed. “Thank you, boys, for telling us.”
She hurried back the way she’d come. No longer was she worried about Daniel and L
evi’s relationship. Now all she cared about was finding those two little girls.
* * *
Disappointment filled Daniel when he realized Hannah was no longer at the races. Had she been disillusioned with him for losing to James? That seemed unlikely. He’d enjoyed the day with her. She’d teased him and played games all the while, never acting as if winning was her goal. So he doubted Hannah would be upset with him for losing.
Where was she? He searched the crowd for the top of her head. Hannah was short; he might not be able to find her in the melee.
Daniel decided to go to higher ground and look down upon the crowd. Maybe he could spot her then. He climbed up on the judge’s stand and searched.
He saw Opal rushing around like a chicken with her head cut off. Concern filled Daniel as he hurried down and headed in her direction, dodging many men and women who laughed and shouted as a new group of riders lined up to race.
The smells of fair foods, bodies and horses filled his nostrils as he jogged in her direction. “Opal!” he called when he saw her several feet away.
She turned toward him and the fear in her eyes sent a chill down his spine. Had something happened to Hannah? He knew his mother was with Levi because they’d said something about going to get a bite to eat before heading home.
“Oh, Daniel, have you seen Daisy or Mary? I can’t find them anywhere and I’m starting to get scared.” Opal wrung her hands.
Relief filled him momentarily. Then concern took its place. “No. When was the last time you saw them?”
A flush scored her cheeks. “Lunch. I was manning the pie-eating contest after that and the girls were playing quietly. I told them not to leave without me. Normally, they do just what I tell them to.” Tears filled her eyes. “But when I came back to get them, they were gone, and I can’t find them anywhere.”
“We’ll find them,” Daniel promised. “I’ll round up some of our men from the ranch and start looking. They can’t have gone far.” He turned to go get Tornado and find Cole, Tucker and Sam. He’d seen all three of them within the past half hour and knew they’d be watching the races.
Taming The Texas Rancher (Love Inspired Historical) Page 18