Hannah groaned. Just as she’d feared. “What about the rest of the men?”
“Gone, too. What’s got you all riled up?” Jeb began coughing again and couldn’t seem to stop.
Hannah knew he’d be no help to Daniel. With all the coughing he was doing, the rustlers would know they were being spied on in no time. It was up to her. She’d send him for Levi and then go help Daniel. “Jeb, do you feel up to going after Levi and the men?”
“I ain’t goin’ no place till you tell me what’s goin’ on around here.” Jeb coughed again.
“Daniel has the rustlers spotted down in the canyon. He needs Levi and the men to come help him bring them in. I need you to go get them. Please.”
He jerked his hat off and slapped it against his leg. “Why didn’t you just say so, instead of hem hawin’ around? I’ll go get Bessie and get down there and help him.” Jeb rushed back inside the barn.
Hannah ran after him. “No! You’ll give him away with all that coughing you’re doing. He’s not going to do anything but watch them until you and the ranch hands get back. Please, go get them.”
Jeb continued saddling his horse. “And if I go get the men, what are you gonna do?” He cinched the strap and then looked at her suspiciously.
She didn’t dare tell him that she intended to help Daniel. The old man would fuss and waste more time. “Pray. So please hurry.” Hannah planned on praying a lot.
He walked the horse out to the yard and then mounted. “We’ll be back as quick as we can. You stay here.” Jeb didn’t hang around to see if she’d follow his orders.
Hannah waited until he was out of sight, and then ran back to the schoolhouse. A stitch in her side pulled as she rounded the corner and entered the lean-to, where Brownie was stabled. Hannah hadn’t lied to Jeb. She prayed for Daniel’s safety while she saddled the mare. She led her to the back door, tied her reins to the porch and hurried inside.
She jerked on a dark blue top and a matching riding skirt. Hannah took a deep breath and then purposely made her way to the suitcase under her bed. She pulled out the gun she’d never told anyone on the Westland Ranch about.
Her father had given it to her years ago and taught her how to fire it, if need be. Hannah prayed she wouldn’t need to use it. She tucked the gun into the waistband of her skirt and then went back to Brownie.
It took another thirty minutes for her to get to the base of the canyon. Hannah’s heart pounded in her ears as she worried that Daniel might have already been discovered. She nudged Brownie up the steep incline, praying she wasn’t making too much noise and that any guards wouldn’t hear her.
Twilight was gathering when she reached the rim of the canyon. Unsure where Daniel might be, she scanned the area. Hannah spotted Tornado and dismounted, leaving Brownie tied to a tree. Gravel scraped Hannah’s palms as she crawled to the edge and looked down on the campsite.
They were camped beside the stream that she and Daniel had visited not so very long ago. She counted nineteen men in various stages of drunkenness, but thankfully, she didn’t see Daniel in their midst. Hannah wondered where the guards were posted. So far she hadn’t seen any, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. Her gaze scanned the other ridge and the caves it concealed. Nothing. Where were they?
* * *
Daniel crept up behind Hannah. He quickly reached over and pressed a hand across her mouth, preventing her from crying out. She struggled for a moment until her eyes grew wide with recognition.
“Take it easy, Hannah,” he whispered. “If we are discovered now, we’re as good as dead.”
Hannah nodded. Her whole body seemed to shake, but he didn’t have time to comfort her right now. Daniel released her and returned his focus to the men below. Until she’d shown up, he’d been keeping his gaze on Ben Wilder. He spotted Ben standing beside the fire now.
“Where are the guards?” Hannah hissed.
Daniel frowned at her. “Below us.”
She seemed unaware of the danger they were in. Didn’t the woman know there was a time to talk and a time to be silent? He wanted to wring her neck for showing up here, and without the other men.
He placed a finger over his mouth to indicate silence. Daniel had questions of his own, but now wasn’t the time to ask them. Such as where were the ranch hands? What did she think she was doing here? And was the woman crazy?
He shifted his focus back to the group below. Ben still stood by the fire. Then he did the unexpected: he turned slowly and stared in their direction. Ben couldn’t possibly have seen or heard them, but he seemed to know they were there, just the same. “Get down,” Daniel rasped.
Instead of doing as she was told, Hannah raised her head and whispered, “Uh-oh, I think he saw us. I can pretend I’m alone. I’ll go down there and you go get help.”
“Oh, no, you won’t.” Daniel pushed her head down and returned his attention to Ben. The rustler sniffed the air like a wolf after prey before taking a step in their direction.
Hannah scrambled to her feet before Daniel could drag her down. When he made to grab her, she jerked her leg from his grasp, kicking him upside the head while doing so.
Blackness pooled around his brain and enveloped him in inky darkness. His last thoughts were, When I get my hands on that woman, I’m going to kill her, if Ben Wilder doesn’t do it first.
A few seconds, possibly minutes later, he awoke and raised his aching head. Hannah was almost to the bottom of the hill. Her boots slipped and slid, announcing to the world she was there.
Daniel struggled to focus his eyes and gather his wits. When he did, he realized that she’d left a gun lying on the ground beside him. She was headed into the lion’s den unarmed.
Did she think he needed the added gun to protect himself? Hadn’t she noticed he had a rifle? A rifle that wouldn’t help either of them at this distance.
He watched, helpless, as Ben walked forward to meet her. She held up her hands. Every instinct Daniel possessed urged him to go after her, but he didn’t dare move. He had no alternative at the moment but to trust Hannah with his life and her own. Whatever her plan, it was inadequate, but he didn’t have a better one at the moment.
Daniel couldn’t read Ben’s expression from this distance, but could tell by the way he held himself that he didn’t believe whatever she was telling him. Hannah talked fast, and Daniel would have given the Westland Ranch to know what she was saying, but all he could make out was the nervous tone of her voice. Her actual words were just beyond the bounds of his hearing.
He watched like a man trapped in a bad dream as Hannah allowed herself to be ushered into the den of thieves. She didn’t as much as glance in his direction. Hannah was acting as if she were alone, to save his sorry hide.
Careful not to move too quickly and risk drawing attention to his hiding place, Daniel wiped the blood from the side of his head, trying to think what to do next. He couldn’t leave her there alone, as she’d suggested he do. Daniel continued to watch the scene below, praying he’d think of a way to get her out of there.
One of the rustlers rose shakily to his feet, approached Hannah and spoke to her. Ben’s pistol flew into his hand as if it had wings. He shot the man, then waved the gun around and looked at the other rustlers. It seemed as if he was daring one of them to do the same as their companion. Daniel wished he could understand what Ben was saying to the men around him, but his voice was too low.
No one moved, including Hannah. She stood bravely, watching the scene about her. The woman had spunk, and when this was all over, Daniel planned on revealing to her all that was in his heart.
But for now, he did what he could, and that was pray for Hannah’s safety, that they’d get out of this alive. If they did, he’d tell her that he loved her, and ask her to forgive him for not confessing his love sooner.
Lord, please keep Hannah sa
fe. I love her so much, and now know that I can’t protect her myself. But I trust that You can.
Metal scraped against metal as a gun cocked behind him, putting an end to the silent prayer. Before he could draw his weapon, roll over and fire, Daniel felt the cold barrel press against the nape of his neck.
The bandit snarled, “So the little lady didn’t ride into the canyon alone, after all. You think the boss will be angry with her for lying to him, or happy that she brought a Westland with her?”
* * *
Hannah watched in horror as Daniel stumbled into camp. A trickle of blood ran from his temple and down the side of his face. The guard behind him grinned over his captive’s shoulder. She ignored the bandit. “You’re hurt,” she said, and took a step toward Daniel.
Ben caught her around the waist and jerked her back against his dirty chest. The smell of sweat and other body odors gagged her. “Hold up there, little lady.” His whiskey-tainted breath turned her stomach.
Daniel actually smiled like a crazy man touched in the head. What was wrong with him? Didn’t he know they might both be dead by morning if they didn’t think of something quick? “Tell me, Ben, when did you start taking women prisoners?”
The rustler tightened his grip on Hannah. “When they started walking into my camp. This one’s mighty pretty, don’t ya think?”
She watched the green in Daniel’s eyes turn into a blazing fire. His jaw tightened, but he held his smile. “Yep, you’re holding the woman I love just a little too close, Ben. I suggest you let her go now.”
The rustler tossed his head back and laughed. The sound was cold and malicious in Hannah’s ears. “Aw, now, ain’t that just about the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard, boys? He loves her.”
Everyone laughed except Hannah and Daniel. Hearing him say he loved her was the sweetest thing Hannah had ever experienced. She just prayed he’d be able to say it to her again. “I love you, too, Daniel. I have for a long time.”
Ben jerked hard on her midsection, cutting off her air. “Naw, I’m keepin’ this one for myself.”
Daniel growled deep in his throat. His fist knotted and he took a step forward. “Tell me, Ben, when did you first come up with the plan to become a rustler? Was it before or after I hired you as a horse trainer?”
The outlaw pointed his gun at Daniel’s gut and snarled. “Do you really think yours was the first ranch I stole cattle from? Don’t flatter yourself, Westland. I’ve been rustling cattle since I was a pup.”
“You still look like a pup to me, Ben. Only now you smell like a wet dog who’s been fed too many bones from its master’s table.” Daniel laughed as if he’d just told the funniest joke.
Hannah was shocked when Ben’s men joined in the laughter. Some slapped their knees and others simply hee-hawed.
Rage boiled in Ben, and he howled. He tossed Hannah to the side as if she were a wet rag and spun around, aiming his gun at the men. “Keep laughing and I’ll put a hole in all of you, even if I have to hunt you down to do it.”
It wasn’t an idle threat. They’d already seen him gun down one of their own. They all became as still as tombstones, even those who were half-drunk.
She couldn’t believe Daniel would continue to taunt Ben, but he did. All humor had left his face. Now only anger showed there. “Aw, what’s the matter, Ben? Did I hit a nerve?”
The rustler turned toward him again, much like an angered bear. He pulled back the hammer on his gun and grinned evilly. “I’m going to enjoy killing you, Westland.”
“You’re nothing but a thieving coward, Ben,” Daniel taunted in a quiet voice. “Without that gun in your hand, you’d be just another man. And not much of one at that.”
Hannah knew he was trying to buy them time, but did he have to get himself killed in the process? The look in Ben’s cold eyes said he’d shoot him in a heartbeat. She scrambled to her feet. “Daniel, don’t do this.”
He ignored her. Hannah decided to try to scare Ben into leaving. She hurried to his side. “Ben, stop this while you still can. There’s a posse on its way. Run before they get here,” she pleaded.
He, too, ignored her. “Cade! Come take this gun. I’m going to kill me a Westland with my own bare hands.” Ben kept his gaze locked with Daniel’s.
Daniel began rolling up his sleeves. He looked calm and in control. Hannah shook with fear for him. Even if he beat Ben, what was to stop one of the other men from killing him? Several had their guns drawn and pointed at him.
One of the bandits moved from the crowd and walked over to stand beside Ben, reaching out his hand to take the gun. As Ben handed it over, he ordered, “Cade, if anyone tries to interfere, shoot him—” he glanced in Hannah’s direction “—or her.”
“All right, boss.” Cade took the weapon, stepped back to where he could see all the men and trained his gun on Hannah.
“Please, stop.” Hannah grabbed Ben’s arm.
A chilling shriek of rage erupted from the rustler just before he backhanded her hard across the face. Blood spewed from her nose. She stumbled backward, arms flailing, and then fell.
Daniel bellowed like a mother bear out to protect her cub and lunged for Ben. Both men went down with the impact and rolled on the ground, Ben fueled by whiskey and rage, Daniel by anger, sheer desperation and the will to survive.
“Daniel, no!” Hannah screamed. She clutched the bridge of her nose to stop the flow of blood. Dear Lord, please send help. I know he loves me and I can’t lose him. Not now.
The sound of men and horses echoed in the canyon and the rustlers scattered, running for their own mounts. But the battle between Daniel and Ben intensified, growing fiercer with every blow and every grunt of pain.
Hannah heard shouts in the gathering darkness and gunshots all around them, but she couldn’t take her eyes off the two men fighting in front of her.
They rolled close to the fire, then away, and suddenly Daniel was on top of Ben. His fist continued to pound into the rustler until the man stopped moving. Only then did Daniel seem to realize the fight was over.
He looked up and saw Hannah, then stood and stumbled toward her. He wrenched her into his arms, crushing her against his chest, and she wanted to melt into him. Then the sobs began.
Hannah clutched Daniel’s shirt and felt him press her head into his shoulder, all the while murmuring soft words of love to her. If they weren’t in such an ugly place she would have assured him again of her love for him also, but all she could do was cry. Tears and blood soaked into his shirt, but neither seemed to notice.
The posse, led by Levi, poured into the camp. Hannah wasn’t ready to face anyone else at this time. She buried her face deeper into Daniel’s shoulder.
Levi jumped from his horse and walked slowly toward them. “Are either of you hurt?” The concern in his voice touched Hannah’s heart.
Daniel answered, “No, we’re going to be fine now. I’m glad you showed up when you did.” He hugged Hannah tighter, if that was possible.
“Me, too. We got twenty-one of them. They hardly put up a fight. Truth be told, I think most of them are too drunk to know they’ve been captured.” Levi’s gaze landed on Ben. “Is he dead?”
Daniel wiped blood off Hannah’s lip. “No, but he will wish he was tomorrow.” Daniel stroked her hair and then kissed the top of her head. “I need to get you home.”
Levi nodded, just as Jeb stepped out of the darkness. “Boss, a bunch of us figure on taking the prisoners to town, where they can spend the night in jail,” the old man said. “That all right with you?” A cough racked his body.
“I’d appreciate it if you’d see Hannah and me home, just in case someone got away and plans on jumping us from behind.” Hannah knew Daniel wanted Jeb with them only because the old man was sick. If he followed them back to the ranch, he’d be in bed before the posse even made it
to town. She looked up at Daniel and touched his cheek. His heart was in his eyes when he looked back at her.
Jeb puffed his chest out a little. “Be my pleasure to be yer rear guard, son.”
The two men shared what looked to Hannah like a nod of respect. She laid her head back on Daniel’s shoulder. Weariness enveloped her.
Someone had rounded up Brownie and Tornado and led them into camp. Daniel hoisted her into the stallion’s saddle before climbing up behind her. He reached around her and took the reins. Adam, one of the ranch hands, took charge of the little mare.
Hannah relaxed and leaned her head against Daniel’s shoulder. His strong arms about her, and the gentle rocking of the horse, seemed to wrap her in peace. This was where she always wanted to be.
“Daniel, I’d like to have a Thanksgiving wedding. Would that be all right with you?” she murmured.
He kissed the top of her head. “No. I love you more than I can say, and I would like to get married tomorrow morning.”
Hannah sat up a little straighter in his arms. “Tomorrow is too soon. I don’t have time to—”
His laughter cut off any further words she was about to utter. “I was teasing, Hannah. I do love you more than anything in the world, including this ranch. So if you want a Thanksgiving wedding, that is fine with me.”
“Daniel, before we can get married, I have to ask you something.” She didn’t want to, but Hannah knew she had to ask him this.
“Sure, honey. What would you like to know?”
Hannah snuggled into him, praying she’d be able to continue to do so after he answered her question. “Do you remember what we talked about at the July Fourth fair?”
“Uh-huh.”
“Do you still feel the same way?”
The soft sound of the horse’s hooves hitting the hard soil filled the silence between them. She felt Daniel’s arms tighten around her. “No. A wise woman once told me that ‘God is God.’”
Hannah looked to the heavens and enjoyed the sight of the stars as they twinkled above. She thought she knew where Daniel was going, but didn’t say anything, she simply listened as he continued.
Taming The Texas Rancher (Love Inspired Historical) Page 22