Hannah’s Beau by Renee Ryan Read Free Book Online Page B

gaze, she had to work to catch her breath. His silver eyes held such depth, such consideration. He was worried. About her. Which made him infinitely more likable.
    The cad.
    The carriage suddenly felt too small, too confining.
    Hannah reached for her collar. Cleared her throat. Forced a smile. Cleared her throat again. “It’s hot in here.”
    His teeth flashed white, and the crinkles deepened around his eyes. “It is.”
    Careful, Hannah, she warned herself. He’s far too charming when he smiles.
    She had to keep her mind on the task she’d set before her. Not on the beautiful gray eyes of a rebel preacher who unfairly judged her one moment and showed genuine contrition the next.
    A surge of impatience had her tapping her fingers against the seat cushion. Time was running out. The longer Rachel and Tyler remained hidden, the harder it would be to uncover their location.
    Hannah reached up and fiddled with the top button of her coat again. As much as she wanted to rush to thenext town, she had to trust this small interruption in her search was part of God’s plan. Just as Jesus had stopped unexpectedly to heal the bleeding woman on his way to save Jarius’s daughter, this detour had to mean something important, something significant Hannah didn’t yet understand.
    Hadn’t good already come from this slight change in plans? An introduction to a U.S. Marshal was imminent. Certainly, seeking the expertise of a trained lawman was better than chasing around the territory with no real direction.
    Not to mention, they were headed to an orphanage for abandoned children. Go where God leads…
    The carriage slowed and stopped with a shudder, jarring her out of her thoughts.
    “We’re here,” he said unnecessarily.
    Hannah craned her neck to look out the window, but the reverend’s shuffling of legs and arms captured her attention before she could focus on the scenery. He was so tall. She hadn’t realized how confining the carriage must have been for him.
    Rearranging his position one last time, he stooped forward and exited the carriage. Hannah clutched the seat tighter as the bench tilted from the sudden shift of weight.
    Continuing the role of gentleman, the reverend reached back into the cabin to offer his assistance once again. Hannah stared at the outstretched palm, unsure whether to accept his help a second time or not. Even through her gloves, something strange had happened when their hands met.
    Her reaction worried her, of course, but not enough to be rude. Bracing for the jolt, she slowly placed herhand in his. The expected tingle started in her fingertips and moved swiftly up her arm. In an effort to be free of the disturbing sensation, she scrambled out of the carriage and nearly pushed the wall of man and muscle away from her.
    He looked at her strangely, dropped his gaze to his now-empty hand and sighed.
    With a theatrical flourish reminiscent of his brother, he motioned to the home standing behind him. “I give you Charity House,” he said, adding a shallow bow and a flick of his wrist to emphasize his point.
    Hannah blinked at the massive structure. “ This is an orphanage?”
    “Spectacular, isn’t it?”
    She blinked again.
    Despite the grubby clouds that rapidly swallowed the pristine sky above, the house, with its clinging vines, stylish brick and soft angles, captured her imagination and made her think of fairy tales…rescued damsels in distress…happily ever afters…
    “It’s quite lovely,” she said at last.
    Unable to say anything more, she craned her neck and looked to her left and then to her right. It was evident that they stood in the middle of an exclusive neighborhood. Modern gas lamps sat atop poles at every street corner. Large, brick homes similar to Charity House in their grandeur marched shoulder to shoulder in elegant formation along the lane.
    Caught between surprise and puzzlement, Hannah slid a glance at the man looming large and silent beside her. He stood patiently, his