Her words warmed his heart. But mostly, he was glad Donahue’s letters hadn’t left her questioning her safety here. “Keep the door locked, and if you need anything, Will Morrell will be around.” Will might be young, but he had a deadly aim and desire to do good.
“Do you need food? Let me make you something to take along.” Hannah detached her hands from his grip and was through the door before he could respond.
Rafe smiled as he grabbed hold of the door. For all his hesitations about marriage, he had to admit he’d come around. It was awfully nice to have someone concerned about whether he’d be fed. And even nicer to have someone to think about him while he was gone.
Hands washed, Hannah had already set to work in the kitchen. He told her he would return after finding men to go along with them. She gave him a nod, fully absorbed in apparently pulling together as much food as possible for him.
The promise of pay made it easy enough to find men to accompany them. Rafe found a former miner who now worked as a sort of jack-of-all-trades in town, while Jackson and Hawk rounded up a couple of men who had ridden out with them previously.
Rafe checked his pocketwatch after saddling his horse at the livery. He had fifteen minutes before they were riding out. Plenty of time to return home.
Hannah was waiting for him with several small, wrapped parcels.
“This one has chicken, this one has cheese, plenty of bread here, a couple of slices of cake, two apples, some sliced ham, and carrots. I had beans too, but I couldn’t figure out a way for you to carry those.” She frowned, as if she was disappointed she couldn’t include the beans.
“That’s more than enough,” Rafe said as he took the parcels from her. “I wouldn’t be able to fit more in the saddlebags.” He stacked them neatly on the table before taking her hands. “Thank you for ensuring I don’t starve.”
“I couldn’t have that happen,” Hannah replied. “Who would shoo away the horses that try to come inside?”
Rafe laughed. “Maybe your apple pies shouldn’t smell so good.”
“I don’t think I can help that.” She smiled up at him as he wrapped his arms around her. Her smile faltered a little. “I know it’s selfish, because I know you enjoy chasing down outlaws, but I don’t want you to go.”
“It won’t be long.” He lifted a hand to brush a strand of hair from her face. “I’ll be back before you have a chance to miss me.”
“I doubt that.” Her eyes searched his face as his hand stilled on her cheek.
Then, before he understood what was happening, Hannah lifted herself onto her toes and caught his mouth in a kiss.
It took a moment for his mind to figure it out, and then it was as if every thought he’d ever experienced had left his mind. All that was left was Hannah. Hannah kissing him.
He leaned down a little farther, making it easier for her to reach him, before moving his hand behind her neck. She made a little noise in response, and it made Rafe feel a hundred different ways. But most of all, he wanted to fight off the world for her. Keep her here, safe and happy, with him forever.
When he pulled her a little closer, she responded by resting her hands against his chest. How was it possible, that in such a short span of time, this woman had come to mean everything to him? Him! A man who’d had no desire at all to be married. One who had resisted the arrival of Hannah and her friends. And now he couldn’t imaginebeing without her. Even the thought of leaving her for a single day was almost too much, when he normally relished journeys like the one that was ahead of him now.
She’d changed him, and Rafe never wanted to go back. In fact, he’d be perfectly happy to remain right here, in his house, Hannah’s warm lips pressed to his and leaning against him as if he was her entire world. As the seconds passed, he imagined an entire life ahead of them—laughter, children, growing old together.
Only when Hannah sighed against him did he spin back to reality.
He had to leave.
With one last kiss designed to make her think of nothing but him for the length of his absence, he finally pulled away.
“Do you have to go already?” Hannah looked up at him, hands still on his chest, lips swollen, and cheeks flushed.
“Believe me, I don’t want to.” He caressed her cheek. “But if I don’t go now, Hawk will come knocking on the door.”
She gave a deep sigh and stepped backward. “Tell him I’m unhappy with him.”
Rafe laughed. “I’ll be sure to do that.” With one last press of his lips to her cheek so as not to risk losing himself in her again, he opened the door. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
The prospect of eating supper alone was dreary.
A light rain had begun to fall when Hannah made up her mind. She wrapped up a few slices of bread, the rest of the ham she’d also given to Rafe, and the remainder of the cake. Then she slipped on a coat and hat and carried her supper to Ada’s home.
Ada and her husband lived in a tiny one-room home next to his carpentry shop, thankfully not far from Hannah’s house. As Hannah knocked on the door, a rumble of thunder sounded in the distance. There was movement at the window, and Ada’s face appeared from behind the curtain. She smiled when she saw Hannah and moved to quickly unlock the door.
Hannah enveloped her friend in a hug. “I couldn’t stand being alone for another moment. I brought enough for both of us, unless you’ve already cooked.”
