Western Desire by Janelle Daniels

Author:Janelle Daniels [Daniels, Janelle]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dream Cache Publishing
Published: 2019-07-09T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

No matter what, Hannah was determined to avoid Nathan at the spring festival. She might’ve promised him a dance, but if he couldn’t find her, he could never claim it.

She’d come to town early to grab a painting she was auctioning off. It was one of her favorites, and she hoped it would find a good home.

It felt good to contribute something. It made her feel more like she was a part of the town, that she belonged.

The square outside was colorfully decorated with bright streamers and paper flowers. Grace had been up well before dawn to help.

Shaking her head ruefully, Hannah picked up the painting. Her friend amazed her. Before coming here, she would’ve thought someone like Grace was only helping out for show, to make others think well of her. In this case, she would have been completely wrong.

Grace genuinely had a good heart. It was rare, but apparently not impossible. For a brief moment, Hannah wondered if she could ever be like that. Then she pushed the thought aside. That wasn’t her. Although she wanted to be more helpful, more kind—she didn’t want to be someone she wasn’t.

Just being Hannah was enough.

And as each day passed, she liked who she was more and more.

Stepping out of her shop, sounds of joy and excitement filled the air. People were already starting to filter in, bringing pies and other baked goods to share. Musical instruments rang in the air as musicians warmed up before the party officially started. There was giggling, children squealing, and happiness everywhere she looked. She was so blessed to be a part of it.

For so long, she’d resented what had happened to her, but now she accepted it. Without any of the bad, she wouldn’t be here. And right now, it all seemed worth it.

She walked over to the auction area. The town was trying to raise money to purchase more books for the library. They’d started out with a good amount already, but this would help it even more.

As Hannah approached, Grace smiled. “Thank you again for donating this. I have a feeling it’ll be the highest earner of the lot.”

“You mean we aren’t auctioning time with some of the women?” she asked dryly, remembering last fall when they’d done just that to raise funds for the school.

Grace rolled her eyes. “Not this time. But maybe for something more pressing in the future. Be prepared.” Then she gave Hannah a curious look. “But perhaps by then you won’t be a single woman anymore.”

“I have a feeling I probably will be.”

Grace glanced past Hannah’s shoulder. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

Confused, Hannah glanced behind her and spotted Nathan making his way toward her. Her stomach flipped, and she placed a hand over it, hoping to settle the feeling. Would that reaction ever go away? “It seems he doesn’t know how to take no for an answer.”

“Do you really want to say no?”

Hannah looked at her friend. “Yes. Nothing’s changed. He’s going back East, a place I don’t want to be.

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