21
" Without warning, she heard shouts from outside and then blood-curdling yells filled the air. Gunfire followed, causing Hannah to jump to her feet. She hurried to see what was happening amidst the chaos and had just reached the flap of the tepee when someone came crashing through. Falling backwards, Hannah clung to the person who somehow seemed to roll to one side and take the impact of their fall. It was then that Hannah saw that William Barnett was the man holding her. “What’s happening?” she demanded. Bullets zinged around them, cutting through the hide of the shelter. William pushed her head down against his chest and covered her. “Soldiers,” he managed to tell her above the din. “We’re under attack by the Frontier Army.” Hannah felt a chill wash over her. How had the soldiers found them? Would they kill everyone or were they merely trying to frighten them? “Hannah, listen to me,” William said, taking hold of her face. “We need to get out of here. The ground slopes down to the river just behind the tepee. I’ll cut our way out. Stay down on the ground and move toward the river once we’re outside.” “But why? Why do we have to leave?” she asked. “They’ll see that we are white and not harm us.” “They won’t stop long enough to check skin color,” he replied. “If you’re living here, they’re gonna figure you to be Comanche or else soiled by association. Now, come on. "
― Tracie Peterson , Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star, #1)
27
" I know we thought to keep this to ourselves, but I feel the children should know my intentions. I want to marry your sister. I want for us to be a family.” “You’re too old,” Andy blurted out. “Besides, I want her to marry William. He knows how to take care of the ranch and break horses, and he’s not old.” “Or fat,” Marty declared. Lockhart turned beet red, while Hannah coughed nervously into her napkin. She had no idea why Andy would suggest marriage to William Barnett, but it had definitely irritated Mr. Lockhart. She wanted to say something, but Andy piped up again quickly. “Hannah needs to marry somebody like William who can work hard.” Her brother turned to look at her. “She works too hard and so she needs a man who can help her with the work.” “And who isn’t fat,” Marty added in a most solemn manner. “Martha Dandridge, mind your manners,” Hannah managed before turning to her brother. “And you . . . finish your dessert so that we might retire to our room.” Lockhart, however, was not to be put aside. “Miss Dandridge, am I to understand that Mr. Barnett has become a rival in winning your affections?” Hannah shook her head. “There is no rivalry, Mr. Lockhart.” He smiled rather smugly and leaned back to tuck his thumbs in his vest pockets. “I could not imagine that there would be.” She didn’t wait to continue. “There is no rivalry, because I have no affections for you.” His expression fell. “Furthermore, I am not of a mind to consider matrimony at this time.” Marty leaned closer to her sister. “He’s losin’ all his hair, Hannah. You can’t marry a man who doesn’t have any hair.” Her sister’s serious consideration of a beau very nearly sent Hannah into peals of laughter, but she held herself in check. “Marty, it doesn’t matter as much what a fella looks like, but rather what’s in their heart—if they love Jesus and if they are trustworthy. "
― Tracie Peterson , Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star, #1)
29
" You can call me, Tyler, Miss Dandridge.” “That would hardly be appropriate, Mr. Atherton. I do see, however, you are a soldier.” “Yes, ma’am. A lieutenant in the Texas Third Cavalry.” Tyler’s gaze never left Hannah’s. William felt a strange sense of jealousy wash over him when Hannah offered Tyler a smile. “Then perhaps you would allow me to call you . . . Lieutenant.” Tyler laughed and gave a sweeping bow. “You can call me anything, ma’am, so long as it ain’t late to the dinner table.” His men laughed, as well, and even Hannah appeared amused. "
― Tracie Peterson , Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star, #1)
35
" If she’s too silly about cleaning, I won’t help her with her corset.” “Andrew Dandridge, we don’t speak of a lady’s unmentionables in public. Besides, where’d you learn about corsets?” Andy got a worried look on his face. “Don’t you know about them? If you’re gonna marry Hannah, you got to know how to help her with her laces.” He looked to Ted Terry, who was barely able to keep a straight face. Andy seemed to consider the matter for another minute before turning to William. “I can show you sometime how to do it. Hannah taught me.” “Well, maybe she can teach me, too,” William said with a sly smile. "
― Tracie Peterson , Chasing the Sun (Land of the Lone Star, #1)
