“Opal!” Hannah’s sweet voice stopped him.
Daniel spun back around and saw her running toward them. Her face appeared flushed and worry lined her eyes. Had she found the girls?
“I think Daisy and Mary are at the river.” She held her side and panted for air.
Opal let out a little squeal of fear. “Why do you think that?”
Hannah stood there, trying to catch her breath. “The Parker boys said that they went down there after lunch.”
Daniel looked deeply into her eyes and knew his reflected the same worries. What if they drowned? What if they got lost? So many what-if questions raced through his mind that he couldn’t keep up with his thoughts.
His gaze moved to the sky. The sun would be setting in a few hours; they needed to find the children. “I’ll go get the men and start a search party.” He took a moment to lay his hand on the older woman’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, Opal. We’ll find them.” Daniel prayed it wasn’t an empty promise.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The sun was beginning to sink in the west. Daniel ran his hand through his hair and down the back of his neck. He’d failed again. Daisy and Mary were nowhere to be found.
The sound of his men calling their names as they searched the river and riverbank drifted to him. He could tell some of the men had traveled a long way downstream, for their shouts were faint and distant.
God, where are they? Why aren’t they answering our calls? Why would You let this happen? Daniel knew it wasn’t his place to question the Lord, but he couldn’t stop his thoughts.
Cole rode up beside him. In a low voice he said, “If they fell in the river, boss, there’s no sign of them now.”
The water’s happy gurgling seemed to mock him. What was he going to tell Opal? He nodded to Cole and replaced his hat. “Have the men search one more time, then we’ll head back to town.” He looked to the woods that separated him from the grandmother who was waiting for him to keep his word.
He prayed that maybe the girls had headed home or were in town playing, although he knew both scenarios were unlikely.
Shortly after rounding up enough men to search the river, he’d sent another set to search the town. Granite wasn’t that big of a community, and already that search party had returned empty-handed. If the missing children were in town playing, they were well hidden.
In the distance he could hear women calling the little girls’ names. Unlike his men’s voices, theirs were loud and strong, almost as if they were standing a few feet away. And yet he knew they were calling from the fairgrounds.
Cole returned and shook his head. “No sign of them, boss.”
Daniel sighed. He’d have to tell Opal that her granddaughters were still lost. With a heavy heart, he ordered, “Let’s head back.”
He felt the eyes of the other men on his back as he led the way. Did they see him as a failure? Or were they feeling like failures, also? Why did God allow men to feel this helpless? Was it a form of punishment for not being stronger for their families?
They entered the meadow and saw the women lined up and facing them. Daniel stopped Tornado and stared. Had the whole town come out to search for the little girls?
Hannah stood off to one side. She cupped her hands around her mouth, then nodded. In sync, the women cupped their hands around their own mouths and called, “Daisy! Mary!”
Then he noticed men lined up behind the women Once more Hannah cupped her hands around her mouth, nodded and yelled, “Daisy! Mary!” This time the area thundered as men’s voices blended with the women’s.
He didn’t know what to think. Hannah waved to him and then pointed, indicating that she wanted him and his men to join the crowd of people yelling for the little girls. Chills ran down his arms at the magnitude of support the town was willing to provide to find two lost children.
Daniel dismounted and watched as his men followed his example. He located his mother and Opal standing on the side. Opal’s shoulders shook and tears fell from her eyes. She looked older, more tired than when he’d left her.
Once more voices echoed, “Daisy! Mary!”
How long did Hannah plan on keeping this up? Wouldn’t the little girls have answered by now if they heard them? Daniel moved to stand on the other side of Opal. He draped an arm around her shoulders and then looked to Hannah.
She raised her hands again, looked to the woods then instead of nodding, she broke into a run. His gaze swung to where she was heading.
From the woods came Daisy, holding Mary’s free hand. Mary dragged a rag doll on the ground, as if she didn’t have the strength to hold it in her small arms. Daisy clutched pages of paper in the hand that wasn’t clinging tightly to her little sister’s. Their hair was sticking up all over, with twigs in it. They seemed to be walking slowly, and from this distance he wasn’t sure, but it looked as if they’d been crying.
Daniel heard Opal gasp and felt her tug away from him. He watched as she ran after Hannah. The crowd gave a shout of joy and men’s hats filled the air. Then everyone was running toward the children and their grandmother.
Daniel continued to stand there, unsure what his feelings were. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was thrilled that the girls were safe and back in their grandmother’s arms. But he also felt disappointed at himself, proud of Hannah and her quick thinking and angry with a God who could make him feel so helpless.
* * *
Hannah moved away from the girls and let their grandmother envelop them in her arms. Opal cried tears of happiness. Hannah backed even farther away as the whole town of Granite celebrated the children’s safe return. Her eyes searched out Daniel.
He stood where they’d been calling out for the girls. She couldn’t read his expression, but sensed his emotions were running high. When had she become so attuned to his feelings? Hannah ignored the question and walked to him.
When he didn’t say anything, she noted, “They seem to be fine.”
Daniel nodded.
“I’m sure the doctor will want to examine them, but then we can go home.” Hannah didn’t know why she’d said that. She simply felt that one of them needed to be talking.
Fear like none she’d ever felt before had entered her heart at all the possibilities of what could have happened to the girls. She’d suppressed those feelings, but now felt them rising up like an underwater spring breaking forth with the first spring thaw.
Daniel stepped forward and enfolded her in his arms. She felt him shaking and knew what he was going through. For the first time, Hannah didn’t care what others might think. She held on to him and started sobbing with relief.
“Don’t cry. You’re right, they are fine.” He echoed her earlier words against the top of her head.
She pulled away and smiled up at him. “Daniel, these are tears of joy, not sorrow. God brought them back to us.”
He released her and stepped away. “You really believe that?”
Hannah stared at him. “You don’t?”
Daniel shook his head. “I don’t know what to think or believe anymore.” He turned to leave.
She couldn’t let him go. Not like this, not with him doubting God. Hannah grabbed his arm and walked with him. Where he was going didn’t matter. She laid her head against his arm and held on tight as they walked to Tornado. The well-trained stallion stood where Daniel had left him.
Daniel grabbed the reins and led the horse as they continued walking. “Why would God allow them to get lost like that in the first place?” he demanded.
Hannah shrugged. “I don’t know, Daniel. God is God. I can only speculate that maybe He wanted to bring the town together, or maybe to teach the girls to obey their elders. Or maybe He wanted me to make myself visible enough to help two little girls and not care what other people thought of how I walk. Only God knows why He
does what He does.”
Silence hung between them. Daniel continued to walk to where they’d left the wagon. He gently removed her arm from his and then tied Tornado to the side.
Hannah sat down on the wagon bed. “Are you angry with God over Daisy and Mary, or over something or someone else, Daniel?” She held her breath, not sure that he’d answer her.
Daniel sat beside her. “I’ve been struggling with Gracie Joy’s death for years. My sister was ten years old when she died. Today I realized there are only four years’ difference between her and Daisy’s ages. Hannah, that is too young to die!”
She nodded. “Yes, Gracie Joy was young when she died, but I have to believe that God knows what He’s doing when He takes children from our lives.”
Daniel turned sorrow-filled eyes upon her. “What was He doing when He took Gracie Joy?”
Daniel’s pain begged to be soothed. Hannah wasn’t sure she was the one with the answers. She’d never lost a sibling to death. Unable to look upon his sadness, she turned her attention to the other horses that stood beside wagons, waiting for their masters. She silently prayed. Lord, please give me the words Daniel needs to hear.
They sat in silence. The crickets began singing, horses stomped their feet to ward off flies and sounds of rejoicing and happiness rang out from the fairgrounds. Daniel stared off into space, as if some inner war raged inside him. Hannah listened for God’s answer.
When it was obvious that God wasn’t going to speak audibly to her, she took a deep breath and asked, “Daniel, didn’t you tell me Gracie Joy had a limp like mine?”
He nodded and turned to look at her again. “It was similar. Only she was born with hers.”
“Was she sick a lot?” Hannah wasn’t sure where she was going with her questions but continued on anyway, still praying God would supply the right words.
Again, Daniel nodded.
“Did the doctor know what was wrong with her?” Hannah knew she was pressing.
His jaw hardened as he shook his head. “What are you getting at, Hannah?”
She captured her lower lip between her teeth. “Well, if the doctor didn’t know why she was sick, we know God did. He knows everything. So maybe He took her so that she wouldn’t suffer here.” Hannah folded her hands in her lap.
Sadness enveloped her like a dark, thunderous cloud. She knew one conversation wasn’t going to convince Daniel that God was merciful, and perhaps that was the reason He’d taken Gracie Joy to heaven early. Hannah could only pray that he’d listen to her and learn to lean on the Lord’s faithfulness again.
Daniel tipped his head back and looked up into the night sky. Hannah followed his example and did the same. Thousands of stars shone down on them. She knew Daniel held a lot of hurt and bitterness in his heart. Would he ever give it all to the Lord? And if not, could she marry a man who didn’t believe in God the way she did?
Chapter Twenty-Seven
The 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?”
Taming The Texas Rancher (Love Inspired Historical) Page 19