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  By the time supper was over, Eli felt like he could roll into his room. As much as Brenna had protested about not being a good cook, he was surprised that Tag hadn’t rounded out a little with all the delicious foods that had found their way to the table.

  “Come on, baby,” Brenna said as she pulled Jamie out of his chair. “Let’s get you cleaned up and ready for bed.”

  “Can we read a story, Mama?”

  “Of course, we can,” she said as she snuggled him close to her. Then, she turned back to look at Eli over her shoulder. “Exactly what every teacher’s heart wants to hear from her child.” She smiled, bent down and kissed her husband straight on the mouth, then whisked the toddler out of the room.

  “I’ll be in to say goodnight in a bit,” Tag called after her.

  The men stepped out onto the porch and sat on some wonderfully crafted benches as they looked out over the vast landscape.

  “I can’t thank you both enough for all you’ve done,” Tag said. “The horses and cattle you brought down will make for good breeding stock and I’ve enjoyed having family around. It’s been a while and I get to missing home sometimes.”

  “It should be us who is thanking you.”

  Eli knew that Jonah’s business had started to struggle some.

  “I know that Stone Creek is out of your way, but I’m sure my father will compensate you well when you get there. He’s been waiting on these horses for the better half of a year and is chomping at the bit to get them.”

  The thought of Stone Creek brought with it thoughts of seeing Hannah Redbourne again. Eli wasn’t sure he was ready to see her. He’d tried writing a few times throughout the years, but the responses were always short, though polite. He’d wanted to ask Tag about her, but didn’t want to be too blunt about it.

  “She’s still unmarried, you know,” Tag said as if once again reading his mind.

  “How do you do that? Know what I’m thinking, I mean.”

  “I learned to read a man a long time ago and you are a lot like me. It’s not that hard. I saw your face when I mentioned home. What other reason could there be?”

  Unmarried. Eli’s heart did a little flip flop inside his chest, but he worked to keep the smile from his face.

  “So, you know?” he asked with a slight wince at the thought of her whole family knowing just how ignorant, arrogant, and stubborn he’d been.

  “Everything,” Tag replied with a pat on his arm. “Hannah wears her heart on her sleeve.”

  “Does she hate me?”

  “Nah. As my mama always says, ‘Hate’s a mighty strong word,’ my friend. She’s done a lot of growing up over the last few years, but she’s got a kind heart. You’ll be all right.”

  “From your lips to God’s ears.”

  Chapter 4

  Kansas, October

  “How many brothers did you say you had again?” the young Hollings boy asked through the side of his mouth.

  Hannah wanted to punch Raine, Ethan, and Cole for standing like over-confident sentinels, guarding the front door with their arms crossed on their chests, making them look bigger than their already more than six-foot frames.

  “Don’t mind them, Eustice,” she said to the Stone Creek newcomer, “they’ll play nice.” She tugged on the man’s arm, inching them closer to the exit, his reluctance apparent in his stiff movements. Hannah turned to her brothers. “Won’t you, boys?” She squinted a warning at Cole who barely cracked a smile in return, but there was a gleam of mischief in his eyes and she shook her head.

  It was nice having seven adoring brothers, most of the time, but at this rate, she’d never find another man who would want to take her out for an evening stroll, let alone be her suitor. Or, even less likely, marry her. She missed Gordon Blythe. He wasn’t afraid of her brothers, but it had been a while since she’d received a letter from him. Maybe he’d forgotten all about her.

  It was becoming more likely that she would end up the lone spinster woman who lived with her parents until the ripe old age of fifty if her brothers didn’t stop being so protective. Every new man who dared to come a courting, seemed to run off like a scared jackrabbit and she’d had about enough.

  Despite what had seemed like a mass exodus of people from Kansas, Eustice Hollings and his family had just moved here from the shipyards somewhere back East and, from what Hannah had heard about those places, she’d believed he’d be able to hold his own against them, even being two years her junior. But she should have known that he’d be no match against even three of her brothers. She couldn’t imagine how he would have reacted if Rafe, Will, and the twins had been home too.

  “HmHmm,” Eustice cleared his throat, “I guess we’ll be headed into town then. Hmhmm, I mean,” he adjusted his cravat, his neck twisting awkwardly as if the accessory was too tight, “if that is all right with you, gentlemen. For us to go to the festivities, I mean.”

  Hannah glanced up at the man who stood only a few inches taller than she, his face pinched in discomfort, and she knew in an instant that he wouldn’t last two days alongside the Redbourne men, though she wasn’t about to allow her disappointment to ruin an evening out. She squeezed his arm and, as if mustering a sudden bout of courage from the gesture, Eustice pulled his shoulders back, placed a hand over hers at his crooked elbow, and took a deep breath.

  “Shall we?” he asked, tilting his head slightly in her direction, but not taking his eyes off of Ethan who stood most directly in front of them.

  Finally.

  “Yes,” she breathed aloud, unable to keep the growing irritation from her voice. They took another step toward the door just as it opened from the outside, Jameson Redbourne stepping through to greet them.

  He glanced around at the odd scene and raised his brow at his three sons lining the entry before catching Hannah’s pleading look.

  “Don’t you boys have some work to do?”

  All three of them dropped their arms to their sides and broke into playful grins.

  “Yes, sir,” they said in unison as they dispersed down the hall.

  Raine clapped Eustice on the shoulder and winked at Hannah on his way out, hustling past them and back toward the kitchen behind the others.

  The man’s very audible sigh brought a smile to Hannah’s face, but she covered it discreetly with her free hand.

  “I expect John Turner and the young lady in the carriage out front are waiting on the both of you?” Jameson asked.

  “Yes, sir,” Eustice said, nodding his head at the same time.

  “Well, I reckon you’d better get a move on before they get a fix to leave you behind.”

  “Yes, sir.” Eustice tightened his arm around Hannah’s hand and rushed out the door.

  Hannah turned back to mouth a quick ‘thank you’ to her father before they got too far.

  “Oh, Mr. Hollings,” Jameson called after them.

  They stopped abruptly and Eustice dropped her hand and turned on his heel. “Sir?”

  “It’s a might chilly tonight. I would imagine my daughter will be wanting this before too long.” He held out her Sunday shawl.

  “Of course,” Eustice said, darting back to collect the garment.

  Her father spoke to the young man quietly and in low enough tones that Hannah could not hear, but by the coloring on Eustice’s face, or lack thereof, she could only imagine. She rolled her eyes and, without waiting for her escort, rushed to the wagon to where Lydia Caulfield and John Turner awaited.

  It had been some time since she’d seen her friend. Lydia had just returned home from a month in Boston with her grandmother and the two squealed in delight as Hannah climbed up onto the front carriage seat and twisted enough to hug the woman.

  “Did he cry?” Lydia asked, unabashedly.

  “Not exactly.”

  “He’s a braver man than I,” Mr. Turner observed, a hint of admiration in his voice. “The sole sister of seven Redbourne men…brave indeed.”

  After Eustice joined them in the carriage,
he draped the shawl around Hannah’s shoulders with an uneasy smile, gathered the horses’ reins, and sat there for a moment as if to collect himself, before snapping the leather straps. With a light jolt, they started forward.

  “Thank you, Mr. Hollings,” she said, erring on the side of formality, “for so graciously accompanying me to the jubilee this afternoon.” It had been a few weeks since she’d had the opportunity to get away from the ranch for any real length of time and she didn’t want to waste it. She’d selected a simple blouse and skirt set for the festival and competition portion of the Jubilee.

  Eustice turned and glanced at her, this time his smile sincere. “I can’t imagine a more lovely companion.”

  Pleased by his compliment, Hannah smiled back.

  They sat in silence only a moment.

  “And you have four more?” Eustice burst out in wonderment, shaking his head in disbelief. “Brothers, I mean.” He whistled. “No wonder I got the prettiest girl in Stone Creek to accompany me to the Jubilee. It takes nerves of steel just to stand in the same room with them.”

  “From the looks of it,” John piped in, “your nerves are more like jelly.”

  Hannah couldn’t help the giggle that started somewhere deep in her belly as it sputtered out of her mouth in increments. When a most unladylike guffaw bellowed out from Lydia, she couldn’t hold it any longer and it erupted in unison with the rest of their laughter.

  It didn’t take too long before the echoes of laughter and excitement reached them from the growing crowd bustling between the food booths, stands of neighbors selling their wares, and the events.

  The men both jumped down from the carriage and ran around to the other side.

  Wait for him, Hannah, she reminded herself.

  “My lady,” Eustice said, extending a hand to help her down.

  “Ladies and gentlemen,” someone called through a bull horn, “the woodchopping competition is about to begin. We are short two of our participants.”

  “Not anymore,” Cole called from behind her as he and Raine pulled into the center of the festivities on their horses, jumping down, and tying their mounts in record time. “We’re here.”

  The mayor put the bullhorn to his side and said something to Cole that she couldn’t hear, but by the expression on the round man’s face, it wasn’t very nice. Hannah caught a glimpse of one of the competitors, his familiar frame flooding her with a rush of memories.

  “It can’t be,” she said under her breath as she leaned forward to take Eustice’s hand.

  She missed, her eyes still focused on the logger as she tried to determine whether or not it was just her imagination or if it really was him. Before she knew it, she hit the ground in a splay of pantalettes and petticoats.

  Of course, she would have to fall with more than half the town standing around. Normally so sure footed, she quickly tried to gather herself together to avoid any further embarrassment.

  “Hannah Redbourne, is that you?”

  Too late. There was no mistaking that voice. That wonderful, deep, heart-wrenching voice. She raised her head, her hair falling in disarray in front of her face. She blew a stray lock away from her eyes and looked up. Heat filled her cheeks as he reached down to help her up from the mess she was in, the warmth of his hand cupping her elbow, sending gooseflesh down the length of her. When she was finally in a standing position, she met his eyes. That same tendril fell, blocking her view and she hastily shoved it aside, trying desperately to compose herself.

  “Mr. Whittaker…” she had no idea what to say after all these years, “you’re a little far from home.”

  He reached out and plucked a long, yellow stem from her hair. His nearness left her feeling slightly off-kilter.

  “Mr. Whittaker?” He tilted his head, the hurt barely masked in his eyes. “Has it been that long?”

  Hannah swallowed. She may have been a ‘little girl’ the last time she’d seen him, but to her chagrin, he still had the same effect on her.

  Breathe, she reminded herself. Just breathe.

  “Hmhmmm.”

  Eustice. She’d almost forgotten about the man who’d brought her to the jubilee, the man who’d broken her fall.

  “Eustice, are you all right?” She turned, reaching out to help him to his feet, just noticing the small crowd that had gathered around them.

  He brushed off some straggling grasses and sticks from his suit.

  “I’m so sorry. I don’t know what happened. I…” she glanced over her shoulder, but Eli was gone.

  “I’m beginning to think that being around you, Miss Redbourne, is a risk to my health.” Then, he chuckled lightly, “I imagine, however, that your company is every bit worth the risk.”

  “That’s very bold of you to say, Mr. Hollings. And very kind. Thank you.”

  He jutted out his arm to her and she slid her hand into the crooked space.

  “What would you like to do first?”

  Eli Whittaker remembered all too well the last conversation he’d had with the young Hannah Redbourne before she’d boarded a train out of his life. Seeing her again dredged up old feelings he’d thought long forgotten.

  Six years.

  Like Tag had told him, it indeed appeared they’d both done a lot of growing up in that time.

  Focus, Whittaker. He’d learned well enough what happened when an ax wielder lost his focus. And it wasn’t pretty.

  BOAM! The low blow of the horn sounded.

  Undercut. Undercut. Overcut. Repeat.

  While he had chopped many logs over the course of his life, the last few months on the road with Jonah Deardon, and spending time at Oak Meadow, had softened him to the rigorous schedule of a lumberjack’s life. He was a little out of practice, and it showed.

  “Just one more,” he said with gritted teeth, and the top of the block finally gave way, tumbling to the ground.

  Done!

  “And, that’s twenty-three seconds, folks!” the man with the bullhorn announced. “We have a winner.”

  Not nearly his best, but Eli raised his arm, the victor.

  The crowd cheered. Several bystanders patted him on the back and shook his hand, congratulating him on a job well done.

  “We didn’t know if you were going to make it in time for the jubilee,” Raine said to Jonah, pulling his cousin into a brief hug. “It’s so good to see you.” He extended a hand to Eli. “Whittaker, that was a mighty fine job you did there.”

  “Mama’s got the twins’ room all set up for you,” Cole said, also offering hugs and handshakes. “How long you planning on sticking around?”

  “Likely, just a week or so,” Jonah replied. “The railroad truly has been a godsend. What would have taken us months in years past can be accomplished in mere weeks. My wife certainly appreciates the shortened time.”

  They laughed.

  “How are the boys?” Cole asked.

  “Growing way too fast. The twins are becoming men before my very eyes.”

  “And Emma?” Raine asked.

  “As beautiful as ever.”

  “What about you, Whittaker?” Ethan asked as he joined them. “You courtin’ anybody special? Married?”

  Unwittingly, his eyes flitted to where Hannah stood next to the gentleman who seemed a little over-dressed for the occasion.

  “Nah,” Eli said. “Haven’t had the time to settle down. Besides, it seems there’s only one woman to every fifty men back home and I haven’t found one there worth competing for.”

  “You’re not in Oregon now. There are quite a few eligible young ladies around here who seem to find you to their liking.” Jonah glanced over to the watermelon stand where a small cluster of women stood, gawking at them, giggling and waving.

  “I think they’ve got their sights set on you Redbourne boys,” Eli said with a smile.

  “Don’t worry,” Cole said, “there are enough to choose from. Heck, a fella like you could probably have your pick of them all.”

  “Except MaryBeth Hutc
hinson, though, right, Charcoal?” Ethan teased.

  “You’re not getting any younger, Eli,” Cole said with a grin, ignoring his brother. “What are you now, like thirty?”

  “And what, baby brother, might I ask is the right age to get married?” Raine asked.

  “If you were to ask Granddad, rest his soul, not a day past twenty-five.” Cole looked proud of himself.

  Eli had thought about the types of women he was used to seeing back home, very few of which were the marrying kind. No wonder mail-order-brides from the East were in such high demand around the camps.

  “I’m afraid I’ve already missed the twenty-five-year mark by a good month or so,” Eli retorted without excuse. “And, I’m in no hurry either.”

  “What about Hannah?” Raine asked knowingly.

  Eli’s neck got hot and he clenched his jaw tightly.

  “What about me?”

  Eli flipped around to see Hannah, her beau, and another couple walking toward them. She was even more beautiful than he remembered. Her once quaffed hair now lay in a thick loose braid to the side of her face and a little flake, from the sugary confection she carried, rested to the side of her mouth. How he wanted to brush it off—to touch her cheek.

  Come on, Whittaker, pull yourself together. She’s got a beau.

  “We, uh…We thought you might be able to, uh, introduce Eli here to a nice girl for him to take back to Oregon with him.”

  “Thanks, Cole,” Eli said with a hand on Cole’s shoulder, “but you don’t have to skirt around the truth.” He turned to face her, meeting her eyes with directness. He took a step toward her, putting himself between her and the man she was with.

  She looked up at him with wide eyes, surprise glazing her lashes.

  “Just when I thought I had you out of my head, you…you…” He stopped and took a deep breath, shaking his head, unbelieving of what he was about to say. “What about you, Hannah Redbourne? You are the most beautiful woman I have ever seen,” Eli stated matter-of-factly. “You are strong and innocent and brave. You are kind to animals and people alike. You are funny and full of life, and you make everyone around you feel like they are some kind of special, yet you are independent with a good head on your shoulders. I don’t need anyone to introduce me to some nice girl to marry.” He reached down and collected her hands in his. “I’ve already met her. Our timing is just off it seems. Again.” Eli searched Hannah’s eyes for some indication of how she felt, appreciating the deep color that rose in her cheeks.