“And then I met a man who was so handsome and sweet, and he knew just what to say to make my heart pitter-patter. I thought for sure he was the one who would marry me, and I felt as if I could give him my heart.” She licked her dry lips as her breathing quickened. Her mind screamed at her not to confess the truth about Dillon Walker, but in her heart, she knew it was the right thing to do. “We had been seeing each other for about two months, when I found out—”
From somewhere in the forest came the crack of a pistol firing. Maverick gasped and swung his gaze behind him, but the forest was so dense, it was impossible to see anyone.
“I think they are following us,” he said in a low voice. “Hold on tightly because I’m going to urge the horse faster.”
Gritting her teeth, she wrapped her arms around his middle and pressed her head against her chest. Once the animal picked up speed, she closed her eyes. She didn’t want to see where Maverick was going, especially if there was a chance they’d get thrown from the horse.
Hannah couldn’t believe her rotten luck. Again. To think she was just about ready to tell him everything about Dillon Walker and the man’s baby growing inside her. Why couldn’t their interruption have happened ten minutes later?
When Maverick made sharp turns – which happened a lot – she held her breath, clutching him tighter. He grumbled a few times, worrying her. Had their kidnappers found their trail and were coming after them? As impossible as it seemed, it probably could have happened. But the other men must have been very fast in their drunken state.
How long Maverick pushed the horse to the animal’s limits, she didn’t know, but her body ached from trying to stay on Maverick’s lap for so long. The throbbing had returned to her skull, but she bit back the pain. Her stomach started growling, and she didn’t know how much more of this she could take without eating something.
Finally, she felt the speed of the horse began to slow, and she dared to lift her head and peek up at Maverick’s face. Determination was his expression through his furrowed brow and tight mouth.
“Did... you lose them?” she asked.
“I think so,” he said stiffly. “But we are almost to my grandfather’s house.”
She sat up straighter, and her achy body cried out. She must remain strong so that Maverick didn’t suspect her discomfort.
“Up over that little knoll,” Maverick said, motioning his head to the piece of land just right of them. “That’s where Gramps lives. He owns a large piece of land, so once we enter his property, it’ll still take ten minutes or so before we reach his house.”
“Do you think the men following us will see where we’re going?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “If they try and follow, it’ll be their downfall. Many men work on my grandfather’s property, and they’ll shoot anyone who trespasses.”
Her hopes lifted a little more. Perhaps they would be safe, after all. But she’d already learned so far in life’s journey, not to count her chickens before the eggs hatched.
Maverick leaned down and kissed her forehead. “Are you all right?”
She nodded slightly, only because the movement made the pain in her head throb harder. “My headache is back, but I’ll be fine.”
He caressed the side of her face. “Are you dizzy?”
“No.”
“When we get to my grandfather’s house, his housekeeper will take care of you.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll be fine, but I need to talk to the old man and have him send men out to fetch the sheriff. I’m not going to rest until all of your kidnappers are in jail.”
She glanced down at her dress, now dusty and ripped in a few places. “Oh, heavens. What is your grandfather going to think of your fiancée?”
Maverick chuckled and stroked her hair. “He’s going to think you’re the prettiest girl I’ve ever been with.”
She rolled her eyes. “I highly doubt he’ll think that.”
“Well, after I tell him what we’ve been through, he’ll understand.”
She nodded and sighed, leaning back against him. “I hate to ask you to hurry, but I fear the hunger is going to eat a hole in my stomach if I don’t get some food soon.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Not to worry. I’m hungry, too, so hold on. I’m going to push the horse faster again.”
This time, she didn’t mind going faster. At least she’d be eating soon. And her poor baby would finally get some nourishment. Hannah still feared that when she told Maverick about the baby, he’d not understand. But she would just have to cross that bridge when she reached it.
EIGHT
Maverick flexed his hands and breathed as deeply as he dared while he paced the floor in his grandfather’s study. When Maverick and Hannah had arrived at the grand mansion, they were told that the old man was out riding with a few of the ranch hands. Maverick didn’t mind the wait, but he had the housekeeper take Hannah upstairs to feed her and let her bathe.
The hard ride to his grandfather’s house had been tedious, and he was certain that Hannah’s muscles would pay dearly for it by tomorrow. But heaven help him, he loved that she clung to him as though he was her hero. He loved the way she looked up into his eyes. And he nearly melted every time she smiled.
If this wasn’t love, he’d be surprised. He had plenty of time to think of his feelings for Hannah, and although he still tried to fight
