Western Desire Read online

  Western Desire

  Copper Kings - Book 5

  Janelle Daniels

  It was practically guaranteed.

  Hannah had always known how her life would proceed. She would marry a tycoon, be queen of high society, and live an utterly self-indulgent life—then one night destroyed it all. She was forced to head west and begin anew—only the life she thinks she’s building isn’t all it seems.

  He’s everything wrong from her past.

  Nathan’s only goal has been to protect Hannah. So when disaster strikes and society wants to see her burn, he does the only thing he can—orchestrates a way to rescue her.

  He stayed away, knowing she needed time to heal, but it’s finally time to offer for her. She’s changed though—and what he sees makes his desire burn hotter.

  But when the past arises and secrets are revealed, will Hannah be able to trust Nathan or will he lose the only woman he’s ever loved?

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  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Epilogue

  Titles by Janelle Daniels

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  Chapter 1

  For the first time in Hannah Pierce’s life, she was doing something different—she was asking for help.

  Her life was like a ship on rough seas—tossing and turning until she feared she’d sink. She’d thought it possible to salvage her life after coming to Promise Creek, to regroup and then go home to New York.

  But there was no going home now.

  Gone were the days where she would stroll through the park, wearing the latest fashions and gossiping over the newest tidbit. She was no longer one of the favored guests at the exclusive high-society parties.

  She’d been happy there—well, maybe not happy, but content. She hadn’t known any other existence.

  Then it’d been ripped from her.

  And now she was here, living in a home on the outskirts of a small mining town in Montana, with no family, no fortune, and few friends.

  When she’d accepted the offer to come here—to escape the horrific circumstances she’d been in back home—she’d thought it only temporary. She’d imagined marrying a wealthy man, returning home on his arm, and quieting any talk about her.

  No one would treat her the way they had. No one would cut her from their guest lists. No one would think she was damaged goods.

  Married to a powerful man, she’d be sought after. Embraced.

  The plan had been so clear in her mind. How hard could it be to find a rich husband in a town of millionaires starved for women? But things hadn’t turned out as she’d expected.

  Months had gone by since her arrival. Several of the women she’d arrived with had already married and moved on. It was just her and Grace living in the home they’d been given.

  And as for her grand plans? Trash.

  She let out a long breath before walking out of her room and down the stairs. It was time for a new plan. It was time to move on and accept everything that had happened. This was her life now, and she needed to stop holding on to foolish dreams.

  But she couldn’t do it on her own.

  Chatter sounded from the parlor. Abby, Lily, Charlotte, Emery, and Grace had come when she’d asked. Hannah had never had anyone to lean on before.

  She’d always had to take care of everything herself. Her parents had little interest in her when they’d been alive, and, after they’d passed, her brother had been the same. Although she had a little of her own money, he’d resented having to take care of her.

  It must have been a dream come true for him when—

  No. She shook herself. She couldn’t go back there. Couldn’t remember that night. It was long ago, and she was moving past it.

  Uneasy being in front of everyone, of being vulnerable, she took a deep breath and walked into the parlor.

  Her face had fallen into a mask of serenity that was second nature to her. She wasn’t completely sure what she expected to happen when she walked in, but being greeted warmly was still a surprise.

  “Hannah! We were wondering where you were.” Charlotte beamed, her curls bouncing as she scooted over to make room on the settee.

  Hannah took the offered seat but couldn’t relax. Her back remained ramrod straight. “It sounded like a party when I walked downstairs.”

  Abby grinned from across the coffee table. “It’s like a reunion. I know we still see each other a lot, but having us all here in the house feels like old times. I miss this.”

  Lily, Charlotte, and Emery agreed. But Hannah glanced at Grace, feeling like they were missing something. Hannah would miss her friends if she moved away, but if she had a husband who doted on her like her friends did, she would be content all the time.

  Lily smiled at the group. “We should do this more often. Schedule something.”

  Emery pointed at Lily. “I like that idea. If we don’t have a plan, it probably won’t happen. We’re all so busy.”

  Again, Hannah glanced at Grace. The others filled their time with work and husbands while she and Grace had very little to do. Grace went to town often and was active in some charity work, but it didn’t fill as many hours as she’d like. Hannah had even less than that.

  Realizing the mood in the room had changed, Emery frowned at Hannah. “What is it? Is something wrong? Is that why you wanted us to come?”

  A few months ago, Hannah would have assumed Emery was picking on her. They hadn’t seen eye to eye on anything, always taking offense at whatever the other said. But they’d come to an understanding a few months ago before Emery married one of the Copper Kings. Since then, they’d become closer.

  All eyes turned to her. “I guess it’s best to jump to the point.” Hannah shifted in her chair, uncertain of how to start the conversation. “I wanted you all to come today because I need your help.”

  Abby looked concerned. “Of course. We’re always here to help with whatever you need. Just tell us.”

  The other nodded encouragingly, and some of her unease slipped away. “This isn’t easy for me. I know you don’t know too much about my past, but I’ve only ever been able to rely upon myself. My parents were too involved in their own lives, and my brother is only interested in his business dealings and his position in society. If I ever needed anything, I had to get it myself.”

  She shook her head when several looks of sympathy came her way. “I don’t tell you this to earn your pity. I don’t want that.”

  “What can we do?” Charlotte asked.

  “When I came here, I had this idea that if I got married, I could go home and everything would be fine again.” She shook her head sadly. “But that isn’t going to happen. Everything’s changed, and there is no going back. I’ve realized that now.”

  She nervously twisted the long, light-brown ringlet hanging over her shoulder. “I need to move on and make a life for myself here in Promise Creek. Right now, all I’m doing is wasting my time, and I don’t want to live like this anymore. I want to be useful. I want to feel accomplished. And I want to earn my own way—as foreign as it might be for me. I don’t see any man swooping in to take care of me. And I’ve come to realize I don’t want that. I want to make something of my life on my own.”

  After her speech, she looked up at her friends, and admiration shone in their eyes. Emery in particular. “Te
ll us what we can do, and we’ll do it,” she said.

  That was the hard part. “I don’t have skills like you all do. I’m not a nurse or good at baking or planning parties or organizing or charity work.”

  Grace frowned. “That’s not true, Hannah. You’re good at a lot of things. You have an education.”

  “But I know I’d never make a good schoolteacher. I did all right with my learning, but nothing spectacular. I always hated it.”

  Lily cocked her head. “Then what sort of things are you accomplished in?”

  “Sadly, not much. But I was thinking I could start by offering lessons. I could teach piano or even manners if there’s enough interest.”

  Abby nodded thoughtfully. “I think there might be. With so many people earning their fortunes, they’re beginning to want to look like they have money as well. I bet you’d have enough clients to start something.”

  Emery looked doubtful. “But is that really what you want to do?”

  Hannah shrugged. “It’s not ideal, but none of this is. I can do it—that’s what matters.”

  Grace looked at her curiously. “What is it that you want to do? If you could pick anything to spend your time doing, what would it be?”

  That wasn’t difficult to answer. “Painting.”

  Charlotte’s eyes widened. “You paint? I had no idea you possessed such a skill. Did any of you?” she asked the rest of the women.

  They all shook their heads, intrigued. But before they could comment further, Hannah held up her hands. “That might be what I’d like to do, but it would never work. I’m not any good.”

  Lily’s brow raised. “Says who?”

  “My parents, my brother…”

  Emery scoffed. “The same people who never paid any attention to you, who wanted you to sit down and be quiet? I highly doubt anything they said was accurate.”

  “No. They’re right. I’m passable, at best.”

  “I don’t believe it,” Emery challenged.

  Abby interrupted before Hannah could respond. “Do you have anything in the house you could show us? A small painting or sketches, perhaps?”

  Grace’s eyes widened. “Is that what you’ve been doing with that notebook?”

  When all eyes turned back to her, she shrunk. “It’s nothing. Just doodles.”

  “Why don’t you let us decide that?” Lily said.

  Charlotte nodded encouragingly. “Would you go and get it so we can see?”

  She looked at each of them, realizing they wouldn’t let it slide. “All right.” She headed for her room to grab the sketchbook she’d never shown anyone before. It would be humiliating when they saw it, but she was willing to suffer it if they would then help her figure out what else she could do.

  No matter what, things couldn’t continue as they had.

  With the notebook clutched tightly in her hand, she entered the parlor again, the others perking up at her arrival. “Here.” She handed the book to Abby before returning to her seat. The others got up to look over Abby’s shoulder as she opened the book.

  Silence enveloped the room, and sweat pricked Hannah’s skin. She hadn’t shown anyone her drawings since she was a young girl. “See? I told you. I’m not any good. They’re just silly drawings.”

  They all looked up at her, identical expressions of disbelief on their faces.

  “What?” Hannah asked. Were they really so terrible? “I tried to warn you.”

  Lily finally composed herself. “Hannah, these are incredible. I’ve never seen anyone so talented.”

  Shock flew through her, followed swiftly by doubt. “Are you teasing me? You don’t need to lie.”

  Lily shook her head. “Not at all. They’re incredible.”

  Emery considered her. “And you can paint as well as this?”

  She was still reeling over the fact that they thought her drawings were any good. “My painting is at the same skill level.” She couldn’t bring herself to say she was good.

  Lily’s eyes lit with excitement. “Hannah, I bet you wouldn’t have to do lessons at all if you can paint like this. It’s difficult to get any kind of art this far west. People in town would pay a fortune to have something like this in their homes.”

  Hannah was already shaking her head. “I couldn’t.”

  “Yes, you can!” Grace plopped into the seat next to hers. “You absolutely can. Those are amazing.”

  “But no one would be willing to buy them.” Hannah had to make them see reason.

  Lily nodded. “Yes, they will. In fact, I’m your first customer. I’d like to commission a painting of the town. Main Street. I’d like something substantial so it can hang in our office in town. I bet that once everyone sees it, you’ll have more customers than you can handle.”

  Hannah was robbed of speech. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am. Completely.” A slow smile curved Lily’s lips. “In fact, the Copper Kings just purchased another small storefront. They weren’t sure if they’d need it, but since space with a window front is hard to find, they snapped it up. I bet they’d agree to lease it to you. It would make a perfect art studio. Lots of light, in the middle of town. And you could display samples in the window. With everyone walking by, you’re going to stay very busy.”

  Lily made it all seem so easy, so…possible. “You really think so?”

  “Yes!” several of the women said at the same time and then laughed at their outburst.

  Charlotte looked at the sketchbook again. “You’re going to be very successful, Hannah. And once you’re done with Lily’s painting, I’d like you to make me several small ones to hang in the bakery. Whatever you think would complement the food.”

  “I could do a few still life paintings of bread or flowers. Or anything else you want.”

  Charlotte grinned, excitement filling her eyes. “That sounds perfect.”

  Hannah didn’t know what to say. She was filled with fear, disbelief, doubt—and hope. The last was perhaps the most dangerous. “You really think I can do it?” she asked, opening herself up to potential ridicule, mockery, and embarrassment.

  But instead, she received overwhelming support. These women believed in her, and for once, she wanted to believe in herself too. Believe that she was capable of so much more than just marrying a wealthy man.

  She was talented and had strengths just as they did. It was time she used them.

  She held up her hands. “Looks like I’m a working artist.”

  Cheers erupted.

  Chapter 2

  Everything in life could be accomplished with a plan.

  Nathan Branson had learned that at a young age. And it was what he was doing as the train pulled into the station at Promise Creek.

  He hadn’t been athletic or handsome in his youth. He’d been more drawn to books and learning than anything else. But as he’d grown older, he had realized his body was as useful a tool as his mind. So he’d filled out, making his body as strong as his mind.

  Everything he had he’d earned from careful, methodical planning. School had been easy, but securing the funds to pay for it had been a bit more difficult. His family had always gotten by and was able to afford a few luxuries. But they couldn’t afford to send him to one of the top schools in the county.

  But he’d done it.

  He’d convinced enough people to back him, to invest in his future, with the promise he would pay back their investment tenfold.

  And it had only taken him four months after graduation to do so.

  His ability to research, to know exactly which investments were lucrative, was why he was the keystone of the Copper Kings operation. It wasn’t conceited to say that without him there wouldn’t be a Copper Kings operation. There would be no mine.

  He’d done the research, secured the machinery needed, set the plan in action, and brought together the men he’d partnered with.

  Sometimes, he felt like a puppet master. Knowing exactly where things should go, how they worked. He was always twent
y steps ahead of everyone else.

  It left him alone most of the time, but he found he enjoyed the solitude. He understood the need to connect with others, but more often than not, people were a trial. Something he had to endure.

  Conversation after conversation about boring nothingness didn’t appeal to him.

  It was the same reason why he’d never married. Women—especially unmarried ones—were prone to talk about the weather or drone on about other such nonsense.

  It made him want to jump off a bridge.

  There’d only ever been one woman who had intrigued him enough for him to come out of his study, to take notice, and to want more than what he had.

  Hannah Pierce.

  She fascinated him. Not because she was the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen—beauty was nice, but it didn’t hold his attention. She intrigued him. Her parents, before their accident, had been self-absorbed twits, and her brother was no different—except that Alexander thought he was brilliant. Perhaps that was even worse.

  All of society thought he and Alexander Pierce were the closest of friends, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth.

  Nathan had only appeared to have a friendship with Alexander because of Hannah.

  It was the one irrational decision he’d made in his adult life. Hannah had been destined to marry the cream of society in both looks, position, and wealth. And while he had an abundance of wealth and passably good looks, he wasn’t considered an elite.

  He was too practical to deal with what it took to gain popularity. He used it to his advantage sometimes, but otherwise it was completely useless.

  Moments like what had happened last year were why he kept up the pretenses. When things had blown up for Hannah, he’d been in a position to help her.

  And he hadn’t hesitated.