Linda Ford by Dreams Of Hannah Williams Page A

a visit. I have no choice but to get this place up and running before—” She bit off the rest of her explanation. She hadn’t planned to tell anyone about the visit. She found it humiliating to confess just how close she felt to desperation.
    “Mayor Stokes and his cronies were here? What did they want?”
    “Nothing.” She headed for the lobby, leaving him to stare after her or follow—whatever his inclination.
    He followed, grabbed her arm, and turned her to face him. “What did they want?”
    She set her mouth. It was none of his business.
    “Has it anything to do with us being here?”
    She stared at him, reluctant to reveal anything.
    “I could persuade Mother to move.”
    “Don’t do that.” She needed the money for paint, paper, and a hundred other things.
    “Then tell me what’s wrong.”
    She pulled away and sat at the little table where she’d served them. “I’ve been fined.”
    “You broke the law?”
    She laughed. At least he sounded suitably disbelieving. “Apparently there is a penalty for the overuse of water, which this fire caused.”
    “I didn’t think you were even here at the time.”
    “I wasn’t, but as owner of the hotel I have the dubious pleasure of qualifying for the fine.”
    He snorted. “How wonderful. So you plan to reopen soon? What about that hole?” He nodded toward the dining room.
    She explained her plans. “Only one thing bothers me. The safety inspector could choose to say it isn’t good enough.” She ducked away from his study of her. Hannah knew before he spoke what his solution would be. Still it annoyed her when he gave it.
    “Hannah, why are you doing this to yourself? You could sell the place or at least hire a manager or—”
    “You mean admit I can’t manage on my own? I’d never do that.”
    “What are you trying to prove? Everyone has limitations. It’s not weak to admit them.”
    “I think it bothers you to think a woman can get along without a man.”
    “Why would you want to?” His voice was low. His eyes bored into hers.
    She realized they weren’t talking about the hotel anymore but something more basic. Something involving only the two of them.
    Did she want to be without a man? A man who loved her and cherished her, even maybe took care of her? Somehow her father had been able to do both yet still encourage her independence.
    She had only to let her thoughts drift a breath away from the present to remember his returning home in the evening, smelling of the store. She could see him backlit against the open door then coming into focus as the door closed behind him. She felt again the anticipation of watching him hang his hat and shrug out of his jacket. Only then did he turn to her and Mother. He kissed his wife and hugged Hannah. She could hear his words in her memories: And what worlds did you conquer today, Hannah? He loved to hear of her adventures.
    “I’d like to marry someday. Have someone to share my life.” She missed having someone be as pleased to see her, as proud of her accomplishments as her father had been. Her missing took on solid shape that sank, heavy and cold, to the bottom of her stomach. She would welcome the same acceptance from a man she could love and spend her life with. Could she ever hope to find the same thing with a man her own age? Certainly not with Jake. He ruled his world. And she did not want to be ruled.
    Jake glanced at the clock and jumped to his feet. “I’m going to miss the train. Tell Mother I’ve gone to find the buyers and convince them to come here. I’ll be back day after tomorrow.” He dashed up the stairs, returned with a carpetbag, and with a hurried good-bye headed out the door.
    ❧
    Two days later, Hannah was scrubbing yet another room, wondering why she had the feeling she waited for something. Her mind pictured Jake. It wasn’t as if she missed him. She’d known him only a few days. Hardly long enough to have given her cause to hurry to the window when she heard the late