11 comments/ 30634 views/ 21 favorites Luke Takes a Wife By: Kimmi_kis Hannah's footsteps faltered a bit as she stood on the porch of the big ranch style house. Brushing some loose strands of her long dark hair back from her face and straightening the light blue sundress that she's wearing, she sets down the small bag she's carrying on the porch next to the door. The walk from town had been long and hot but she was finally here. Clutching the worn paper in one hand, she lifts her other hand to the door and knocks softly. Cursing under his breath as he throws open the front door, Luke's mouth already set in a scowl. His eyes widen as he takes in the small girl standing in front of him. He feels a small tug in his gut as he takes in her wide eyes, searching eyes. Shaking his head, he leans against the door jam and lets his eyes move lazily down her small frame. Hannah forces herself to look up into the smiling face of Luke Williams, feeling sure he doesn't remember her. She clutches the wrinkled paper tighter in her hand, remembering the way her brothers and father reacted when she told them she was leaving. Squeezing her eyes closed and trying to still the butterflies in her stomach. "What do you want?" Luke can't stop the hard edge he hears creeping into his voice. As he watches her flinch, he feels his stomach turn a bit at the thought of hurting her. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound so harsh." Feeling like he's been hit in the stomach as she smiles up at him, Hannah shifts once again from one foot to the other before responding. "I...uh....I'm here about the job." Holding out the worn piece of paper. Reaching out, Luke's hand closes over her smaller one...smiling as he holds it for a few seconds longer than necessary before taking the paper out of her hand. Damnit, advertising for a housekeeper/cook/nanny had been his mother's idea. So far all the applicants had been washouts, all 3 of them. "How old are you?" Luke pulls his hand back quickly, letting the paper fall to the porch. He crosses his arms over his chest and tries to ignore the continuing tug in his stomach. "19, how old are you?" Shoot, where did that come from. Biting down hard on her bottom lip as her eyes drop down to her feet again. Luke shakes his head, biting back a laugh. God, he could actually start to like this girl. Turning on his heel so she won't see the smile spreading across his face. "Come on in, might as well get a look at what your getting yourself into." Without waiting for an answer he walks into his spacious living room, listening to her light footsteps as she follows him. Hannah slams into Luke's back as he stops suddenly just inside of his living room. "Ohh, I'm so sorry." Hannah steps back quickly, stumbling as her foot hit's a toy dump truck. "Damn, I'm sorry." Luke turns just in time to grab her arms and haul her up hard against his chest as she starts to fall backward. Knowing instantly that it was a mistake as he feels her small frame pressing tightly against his own. He looks down into her upturned face, her soft pink lips parted slighted. His brain screaming to stop even as his arms slide around her waist and hold her tightly. Oh god, he still smells exactly the same. Hannah cannot control her body's reaction to being so close to Luke again. She looks into his eyes, remembering how easy it is to loose herself in the cool blue pools. Her body shaking as she watches his face come closer to her own. His lips inches from her, feeling his warm breath against her lips. "DADDY!!" Hannah's eyes widen and she jerks back quickly, a deep blushing creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. She feels a smile spreading across her lips as the three little boys that look so much like their father come bounding down the stairs. It takes Luke a little longer for his boys' voices to register in his brain. He feels her draw herself away from him and just barely resists the temptation to pull her back into his arms. Damn, he hasn't feel like this since...shaking his head as he straightens up and turns to look at his boys. "What?" Trying to sound angry even as a smile spreads across his face. "You guys are supposed to be playing outside so Rainy can sleep." "Yeah, but Rainy's awake now and we're hungry." Chance, one of the twins says as he looks around his dad at the woman standing behind him. "Who"s she?" Luke smiles as all three of his sons watch Hannah closely. "This is Hannah." Turning, smiling at Hannah briefly. "I have to run up and check on Rainy, will you be alright down here?" Nodding quickly, Hannah watches him hurry upstairs..stopping only to say something quietly to the three boys. She smiles at the boys and takes a couple of small steps toward them. The three boys eye her suspiciously before all three cross their arms across their chest, so much like their father. "Do you know how to make grilled cheeses?" The youngest boy asks softly. Hannah drops down on one knee, smiling at them. "I sure do. Is that what you guys want for lunch?" She smiles as they nod quickly. "Then point me toward the kitchen and I'll get started." The youngest one starts running toward the kitchen while the other two walk beside her. Five minutes later she's standing at the stove, tomato soup on the stove and grilled cheese sandwiches in a frying pan. She's learned their names, Chance and Lucky are the 7 year old twins and Cash the 4 year old who looks so much like his father. She's also learned that their little sister, Rainy is only 8 months old. Their mom left them when Rainy was only a month old. Of course Hannah already knew almost all of it from overhearing her brothers talk about Luke and his run of bad luck. Luke walks down the stairs after checking on his daughter and is surprised to find Hannah and his kids missing. He starts toward the front door, sure that the little girl had gone running for the hills after 10 minutes with his boys. He's almost at the door when he hears laughter coming from the kitchen. He turns quickly and heads in that direction. As he walks in, he spots Hannah standing at the stove, stirring a pot and flipping sandwiches on the stove, her back to him. His boys sitting at the bar, chattering away with her. "Alright, guys, go wash up while I dish up the soup." Luke's surprised as his boys jump down off the stools and start out of the kitchen, stopping when she speaks again. "And use soap." Luke shakes his head at how at home she seems to be with his kids. He looks down as he feels a tugging on his belt. "We like her." His youngest son, Cash, whispers conspiringly as Luke kneels down in front of him. "She can fix grilled cheeses and everything." Luke feels his heart melt a little bit as he looks into Cash's bright eyes. Don't they say kids are the best judge of character? "Yeah, I like her to." Luke ruffles Cash's hair before getting to his feet. "Go get washed up like she said." Hannah hums softly to herself as she dishes up 3 big bowls of tomato soup and cuts the sandwiches in half and places them on the plates next to the bowls of soup. She opens a couple of cabinets , smiling as she finds the glasses and pulls down 3 and sets them on the counter. As she's turning toward the refrigerator, she spots Luke leaning against the wall close to the door. She feels her heart leap a bit in her chest and swallows quickly, trying to catch her breath. "I...umm...I hope you don't mind. I just thought I'd help out a bit." Her hand stills on the refrigerator door as she waits for his response. "Don't worry about it. I appreciate your help." Luke moves to sit down on the table and continues to watch her as she pours the boys some milk. Hannah's hand is shaking as she pours the milk, surprising herself when she doesn't spill it. Why is he watching me like that? Does he recognize me? Wouldn't he say something if he did? Sighing softly, Hannah carries the plates over to the bar and sets the last one down just as the boys come running back into the room. Smiling as they scramble up on the barstools, she sets their milk down beside their plates. She looks over at Luke and smiles shyly. "Would you like something to eat, there's plenty?" Without waiting for an answer, she goes about dishing up the soup and sandwiches and then walks over to the table and sits it down in front of him. "Milk?" Smiling down at him as he shakes his head. "Water's alright, thanks." He watches as she walks back to the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. "Help yourself to whatever you want, not that there's a lot here." "Thank you, but I don't want anything right now." The butterflies in my stomach would probably rebel against it, she thinks to herself. Feeling the sudden need to put some distance between herself and Luke, she starts back toward the bar Laughing softly, he watches that thin veil cover her eyes once more and wonders briefly what it is that she's hiding. Not willing to let her retreat too far, he reaches out and grabs her wrist, pulling her back to the table. Glancing over at the bar, knowing his boys are wrapped up in talking about the trail ride they're going on this weekend. "Sit down, Hannah." His eyes are drawn to her soft lips as she chews on the bottom one before slipping into the seat beside across from him. He slowly releases her wrist as he feels her pulling away slightly. "So, you really want this job? " "I do." Hannah nods slowly. "Do you understand what's involved?" He lightly brushes his fingertips over her knuckles, not surprised when she pulls her hand back and places both of them on her lap. She doesn't respond right away. "You'll be responsible for all the household chores, including all the cooking and taking care of the kids. I leave before sunrise and don't get home until after dark so it'll be just you and the kids all day." Did he imagine the look of relief on her face? "I understand, Mr. Williams and I hope you'll give me the chance to prove how capable I am." Hannah's voice cracks a bit as she looks back toward the boys sitting at the bar. Before he can respond, a shrill scream resounds through the house. Hannah watches a pained look cross all 4 male faces as they look toward the door. Unable to stop herself, she laughs softly, drawing a hard look from Luke. She's laughing, Luke thinks to himself as his very irritable little girl screams loudly. How can she be laughing? But even as the thought enters his mind, her soft laughter brings a smile to his face. He crosses his arms over his broad chest once again and glares across the table at her. "Alright, here's your first test. " Nodding toward the stairs. "Get her to stop crying." Smiling as she gets to her feet, Hannah heads up the stairs unaware of Luke following her up the stairs. She follows the shrill screams down the hall to the small nursery next to what she's sure is Luke's bedroom. Her heart catches in her throat as she spots the small dark haired, blue-eyed little girl clutching the railing of her crib, screaming desperately. Luke steps to the nursery door and watches as Hannah runs her fingertips down Rainy's tearstained cheeks before gathering her to her chest and walking to the rocking chair in the corner and sitting down. After several minutes, Rainy's gut-wrenching sobs turn into soft little whimpers, bringing a soft smile to his lips. He starts to walk back down, assured now that she's capable of taking care of his little girl. He stops abruptly as Hannah begins to sing softly. He steps back into the room, moving silently across the room so that he can hear. That song sounding so familiar to him. Rocking little Rainy slowly, feeling her little body calm down and still in her arms. The song sung so long ago coming back to her immediately as she gathered the child in her arms. Feeling a slight pang of guild at the thought of taking the job in Luke's house without telling him the truth. Shaking her head as she gets up and carries Rainy back to her crib and laying her down carefully. It's not right. Luke watches closely as Hannah puts Rainy back in her crib. He had known before he had sent her to care for Rainy that he was going to hire her. Watching the love and care in every touch and look that she gave his baby girl only made it clearer, if possible, just how much his family needed her. Sighing softly, Hannah turns around and starts toward the nursery door, her head lowered wondering how she's going to tell Luke she's changed her mind about the job. Luke knows she doesn't see him there. He knows he should warn her but he doesn't. He grasps her arms loosely as she walks into him...smiling down at her, taking in the stricken expression on her face. "Oh, Luke..I'm sorry, I didn't see you there." Her eyes wide as she looks up at him...all thoughts of leaving fleeing her mind. " Lifting his hand up and pulling the clip out of her hair, letting it fall free. Luke's breath catches in his throat as he watches her long dark hair fall down around her shoulders. Hannah sighs softly, watching his face as it comes closer and closer to her own. Unbidden, her hand slides up and rests on his shoulder. Luke stops, his lips barely brushes across hers. "You're hired." He whispers softly against her lips. She struggles for a minute to remember what it was she was going to tell him but as he presses his lips tightly against her own, she gives up and allows him to pull her closer to him. Groaning low in his throat, once more ignoring the voice that was telling him earlier what a bad idea this girl is, slidding his hand to her lower back and urging her closer to him as his lips capture hers. The sound of feet thumping up the stairs pulls Hannah out of the cloud she's in and she pulls back quickly. Rubbing her fingers over her still burning lips as she takes a couple of quick steps away from Luke. Luke reaches for her again, not wanting her to pull away from him just yet but she turns and walks back over to the crib just as Chance, Lucky, and Cash come running into the room. Cash reaches up and tugs on Luke's hand causing his father to look down at him with a soft little smile. "Is she staying, daddy?" Cash says a little too loudly. Luke watches as Hannah's back stiffens. "Yes, she's staying." He says firmly, his voice letting everybody in the room know there's no room for discussion. Hannah sighs softly, wondering to herself what she's gotten herself into. "Do you need a ride into town to pick up your stuff?" He watches her as his boys run out of the room. "No, my bag is outside on the porch." Hannah slowly turns to face him, lifting her eyes slowly to his face. Luke's eyes twinkle a bit, unable to resist teasing her. "Were you that sure you'd get the job? "No...I just got into town and came straight here." Hannah starts past him but he grabs her arm, "And what were you going to do if you didn't get the job?" She blinks a couple of times before looking up into his eyes. "You didn't have a plan after this, did you?" He watches as she shakes her head slowly. "You don't have any family?" Hannah flinches at the mention of family and jerks her arm free of his grasp. "I need to get my things. Can you tell me where I'll be sleeping?" Shaking his head, he place his hand on the small of her back and leads her down the hall to the room across from his. Hannah sighs softly when he opens the door. The room isn't huge by any means but it is a lot larger than the room she grew up in. She steps inside and hurries across the room the open the curtains, letting sunlight stream into the room. Luke's voice catches in his throat as he watches her stand in front of the window, the sunlight shining in her hair. He had never seen that kind of reaction over the modest room before. In fact, one of the applicants had taken one look at the room and informed him it just wouldn't do. And here this girl is acting like it's the best room she's ever seen. He steps into the room, intending to cross the room to stand beside her. But as he steps into the room, she turns slightly and he can see the tears gathering in her eyes. Taking two quick steps back, he turns and leaves the room. "I'll bring up your bags." He mutters as he leaves the room and hurries down the stairs. Hannah barely hears him, she's so taken with the idea of a fresh start...away from her father and brothers. She brushes her the back of her hand quickly over her cheeks, feeling the wetness of her tears. She has to be more careful. Luke can never figure out who she is and if she keeps acting all weeping that's exactly what will happen. She walks over and sits down on the full sized bed, fingering the soft white comforter. She had just been 13 when she had first met Luke, a friend of her oldest brother, Jed. He had been so sweet to her, unlike her brothers who treated her no better than they had the dog. Luke had been different, he had given her rides home when he had passed her on the road. He had even bought her a coke a couple of times. She had known he was just being nice but that hadn't stopped the feelings from growing...neither had his marriage...neither had the 4 beautiful children she had given him. One bag. How can a woman have only one bag? She could have left most of her things at her home, he supposed. But then, she didn't act like she had a home. One more question. Seems like that's all he had about this girl, questions. He stops short at the door to her room, taking in the sight of her sitting on the bed, staring out the window deep in thought. "Is this all you have?" Hannah looks up quickly, a small smile lighting on her lips and then disappearing just as quickly. "Yes, thank you for bringing it up." She reaches out and takes her bag from his hand and sets it on the bed. Luke sits down on the bed, watching as she opens her suitcase. His eyes are drawn immediately to her hands. Without thinking, he reaches out and takes one of her small hands into his larger one. "Sit down, Hannah." He growls softly, his voice low and demanding. Without a moment's hesitation, Hannah drops down on the bed beside him, staring down at the floor..afraid that if she looks up at him, he'll see the same scared little girl he was when she was 16. "Hannah." Luke reaches out and cups her chin, tilting her head back and looking into her eyes. Frustrated as he sees the same veil cover her eyes. "What are you hiding, little girl?" He whispers as he lowers his mouth to hers. Hannah slams her hands against his chest and pushing him back hard. God, he sounds just like her brothers. She feels anger ripping through her as she jumps to her feet, glaring down at him. "First of all, Mr. Williams, I am not a little girl." Hannah's hands on her hips, feeling the flush spreading from her neck, into her cheeks. "And second of all, I would appreciate it if you would keep your hands and lips to yourself from now on." Luke Takes a Wife Ch. 02 Thanks for all your kind comments, please keep them coming. I'm not sure right now how long this is going to be but I have tons of ideas. Thank you for taking the time to read this. * Luke is stunned throughout her little speech. Suddenly this quiet little creature has turned into a fireball and he can't help but feel his body react to her. Getting to his feet quickly and turning to walk out of the room, knowing if he stays in the same room with her any longer he won't be able to hide his reaction. Hannah sighs softly, glad that he's leaving but unsure of why she said what she did. Why did she say that when all she can think about is him kissing her. Luke turns as he reaches the door, looking her over once more...making her feel the heat of his gaze as it touches each inch of her. Lifting his eyes back to hers. "Hannah, your absolutely right on the first count...you're definitely not a little girl." He grins wickedly. "but as for the second thing....don't count on it." Hannah sinks down on the bed, wondering once again what she's gotten herself into. Wanting Luke Williams from a small dark corner in a room was a far cry from being so close to him....feeling the heat of his body.. While Hannah is in her room, fretting over her newfound situation...Luke is humming happily as he heads back downstairs to make some phone calls. He hasn't felt this excited in a long time....excited and....relieved. Luke stops at the back door and pushes open the screen door, looking out to see his boys happily heading out to the barn. He leans against the door jam, catching their voices on the wind. He had never thought, growing up, that he would ever settle down and have kids. Honestly, it had been the last thing he had ever figured he'd do. Then, Jenna had come into his life like a whirlwind and before he knew what was happening she was pregnant with Chance and Lucky. He'd married her then, just like his mama had raised him. After raising him alone, she had instilled in him a strong feeling of responsibility for his actions. Jenna had settled into married life reluctantly, making it clear from the start that she ached for life outside of this small town. She had managed to stick around until just before the twins' first birthday and then she was gone in the night, taking everything she owned with her Luke turns and walks into his small office and sits down at his desk, looking at the picture of his four children sitting on his desk. Jenna had drifted in and out of his life after that, just long enough to give birth to Cash and then 3 years later to his precious little girl Rainy. He had told her, in no uncertain terms, after she had given birth to Rainy, that if she left again not to come back. He knew, finally, that his children deserved better than a mother that drifted in and out of their lives like a whirlwind. His thoughts drift to his new nanny/housekeeper/cook...fiery, yet guarded...she was a puzzle. Luke reaches for his phone and dials the number for his old friend Jack, a P.I in Houston. Time to put the pieces of this puzzle together.... The two weeks had passed since signing on to take care of Luke's home and children and Hannah could honestly say this was the happiest and busiest she had ever been. The best part was that Luke had been so busy for the past two weeks that they had barely seen each other. She could almost believe he had forgotten all about her. Almost...only because of the little notes he had been leaving on her door each morning. Each note encouraging and kind in a way that she hadn't known since before her mother's death when she was 8 years old. Hannah shakes her head as she sits on the bed, braiding her hair. A small smile lighting on her face as she glances down at the drawer in her nightstand where the notes are. The notes are always short...but always so sweet....thoughtful. Hannah sets her face in a stern look as she glances up at the mirror on her dresser...no, she will not think about that. She will not think about how sweet Luke has been to her in the past two weeks....she will not think about the looks he's given her when they've run into each other in the hall....she definitely will not think about the feel of his lips against hers. Standing up, she looks into the mirror. Today's the day of the trail ride...a whole day spent with Luke. Hannah smoothes her hands over the worn denim of her jeans, making sure the pale pink t-shirt is tucked in. Smiling at her reflection as she tosses her braid over her shoulder and turns and walks out of the room. She stops by the nursery on her way down the hall, only to find Rainy gone from her crib. She takes the stairs two at a time and enters the kitchen, smiling as she sees the boys sitting at the bar arguing over who gets the last cookie. "Nobody gets it..." Luke sits at the table and watches as Hannah snatches the cookie off the plate and grins at the boys. "....except me, of course." Hannah bites into the double chocolate chip cookie, sighing happily. The boys' groans are cut off immediately as she leans forward and whispers conspiringly, "I'll make more this afternoon, I promise." "Sometimes you're worse than they are." Hannah jerks around to find Luke sitting at the table holding Rainy against his chest. Hannah smiles brightly before moving around in the kitchen, gathering ingredients for pancakes, setting everything on the counter even as she feels Luke moving to stand behind her. Luke sets Rainy down in her playpen and moves across the room quickly, stopping right behind her, his heart pounding so hard he's afraid it'll burst out of his chest. He picks up her braid and lifts it off her neck, lowing his lips and tasting the sweet flesh of her neck. "You taste delicious." He whispers against her ear. Luke drops his hands down to her hips as he feels her body stiffen. "No." Luke pulls her back hard against him, pressing against the length of her body. "Luke, don't." Hannah's heart pounding in her chest, the need to run and keep running until Luke Williams becomes nothing more than a memory filling her mind and body. "Please, don't make me...." He slowly turns her around so that she's facing him and gently eases her back into the corner pantry away from his boys' prying eyes. "Don't what, Hannah?" Not waiting for her answer, his lips dive down and quickly find hers. His hands still on her hips, pressing her back hard against the wall as his lips close over hers...kissing her deeply, his tongue moving against hers. He pulls back slightly and looks down into her wide eyes. "Don't kiss you, princess?" His head dips again, this time to her neck..his lips clamping down on the tender flesh right above her shoulder and sucking gently even as he feels her squirming in his grasp. "Don't touch you?" His eyes hold hers as his hand slides up her side, his palm brushing lightly over the side of her breast. Hannah stands frozen against him, unable to believe what's happening. Luke is actually kissing her and....inhaling sharply....and touching her. Oh god, she should stop him. She should make herself stop responding to him. She should....as his lips find hers once more she forgets what she was supposed to stop. She slides her arms around his neck and holds onto him as she feels her nipples hardening against his chest. The feeling of his lower body stiffening as he presses his knee between her legs, causes her to sigh softly. Damn, I can handle this, Luke thinks to himself but as he feels Hannah's small body responding to him he knows he was lost that day he opened his door to find her standing there looking so scared. He jerks back and lets his hands drop away as he steps back quickly. Hannah's stunned as Luke moves away from him. For just a minute her fingers clench together, trying to hold onto him, but as she lifts her eyes to his she knows that's impossible. Her hands fall away and she's sliding out from between him and the wall without a word. "Hannah." Luke presses his hands against the wall and drops his head as she moves away from him. She quickly wipes the back of her hand across her cheeks as she stumbles away from him. What was her excuse this time? When she was 16, she could excuse her behavior as that of a lovesick kid but now...after almost 4 years of reeling from the first rejection....what was her excuse? "Hannah." Luke lifts his head and raises his voice as he looks up at her retreating back. Damn...Damn....Damn...how the hell could he make things any worse? He walks back into the kitchen slowly, finding her listening attentively to his boys as they carry on excitedly about the trail ride. He stands and watches as she flips pancakes, glancing over her shoulder every once in the while at the boys. Rainy starts to cry softly and Hannah quickly moves across the room and picks her up before returning to the stove and flipping the pancakes before they burn. Taking care of her older brothers and father since she was 8 had taught her many things, especially of how to do at least a half a dozen things at one time. Even though she can feel his eyes on her, she keeps her eyes focused on the pancakes in the skillet. Knowing that if she looks up at him, he'll see the tears still brimming in her eyes and there's no way he'll ever know what his rejection did to her. Holding Rainy against her hip, she quickly gives the lasts of the pancakes a final flip before putting them on the plates. She passes the plates onto the bar, in front of the boys. "Eat up, fellas...you've got a big day today." Hannah grins at the boys before grabbing a jar of homemade babyfood from the shelf and carrying it and Rainy to the table. Putting the little doll into her highchair and sitting down to feed her, still not looking at Luke. Luke feels his stomach tightening as she continues to ignore him. Finally, unable to stand it anymore, he walks over and grips her upper arm tightly, pulling her to her feet. "We need to talk....NOW." Luke pulls her out the kitchen door and out onto the porch. Luke Takes a Wife Ch. 03 Everybody, thanks so much for your kind comments. I still don't know how long this is going to go on...still see no end in sight. I feel I should warn you, there's still no sex in this story. I like a little build-up and hope you do to. Please let me know what you think. * "Luke, please...." Hannah jerks on her arm, grimacing as pain shoots up it. "Your hurting me." Once on the porch, Luke turns to face her. He loosens his grip on her arm but doesn't let go even as she continues pulling on it. "Your hurting yourself, Princess...not me." "Stop calling me that!" Tears spill down her cheeks as she finally manages to jerk her arm free. "And stop dragging me around while your at it." Taking two quick steps back from him. "Well, damnit, stop running away every time I come near you and I won't have to drag you around." Luke closes his eyes as he feels them being drawn down over her trembling body, rubbing them as he drops down into the swing. "I'm sorry about what happened in the kitchen, okay?" He finally relents even though the only thing he's sorry about is that he hadn't been able to carry her upstairs and finish what he started. Hannah's head snaps up at his final words. Sorry...sorry that he kissed her. In her head, she already knew he felt that way but hearing him say it was something else altogether. Biting her lower lip as she watches him. Knowing, without him saying, how torn up he is feeling. He had the same expression on his face in the kitchen that he had the night of her 16th birthday. That same 'poor little you' expression. Suddenly drawn back into a memory she had long been trying to forget, she suddenly sees herself in that stupid fluffy dress she had saved for months to buy...so sure her dad and brothers were throwing her a surprise party. They hadn't, of course...they had never done anything more than push her around and bark out orders all the time. But she had come home all excited only to find the house empty except for her older brother's best friend, Luke. After a quick look around the room, she had flown up the stairs, struggling to keep the tears from flowing until she was safely behind her bedroom door. She could still hear Luke's kind voice through her bedroom door, asking her if she was alright. Shaking herself out of that memory. She quickly looks up at Luke. Forcing a laugh, hoping it sounds genuine...she steps closer to him and places her hand on his shoulder. "You don't have to apologize, Luke. It was just a kiss, not a big deal at all." Inhaling deeply, she keeps the smile on her face as he lifts his head and looks up at her. "I'm not some stupid little girl who's going to get some wild romantic ideas just because of one stupid little kiss, Luke, so why don't we just forget about it?" Without waiting for an answer, she turns and heads back into the house to finish up breakfast and get the kids ready for the trail ride. A stupid little kiss...that's all it meant to her. Luke leans back in the swing, listening to his boys laugh and move around in the kitchen. What the hell is wrong with him, letting her tie him up in knots like that. Nobody since...no, she's nothing like Jenna. Jenna did nothing but play games and Hannah...well, Hannah didn't do that. "Daddy." Luke's jerked out of his thoughts by little Cash flinging himself into Luke's arms. "Daddy, You gotta come and eat. Hannah says we have to leave soon." Cash wraps his little arms around Luke's neck and holds on tightly. "That we do, little man." Luke stands up and carries Cash back into the kitchen. He looks around quickly, noticing that Lucky and Chance had finished their breakfast and already left the kitchen. Hannah was sitting at the table, cleaning up Rainy. The kitchen, as usual, was spotless. It hadn't taken her very long to get his house in order and she, it seems, intended to keep it that way. If he wasn't so damned aware of every move she made, he could almost forget that she was even here. "Alright Miss Rainy, time to get you dressed now." Hannah mummurs softly as she picks the little girl up and starts out of the kitchen. She can feel his eyes on her as she walks toward the door. "Cash, you need to go and brush your teeth." She still doesn't look over at Luke as he sets Cash down. "Hannah." She looks up, meeting his eyes as Cash goes running by her. "Yes, sir?" Hannah lifts her head a little higher, unwilling to let him see how much their earlier exchange hurt her. Luke swears silently, she's even more closed off from him now than she had been in the beginning. He crosses the room quickly, noticing how she holds Rainy up to her chest almost like a barrier. "I need to get Rainy ready. We should all be ready to go in about 20 minutes, Mr. Williams." Hannah flees the kitchen quickly, taking the stairs two at a time in her haste to get away from Luke. Luke slams his fist down on the counter before walking through the house and down to his office. Just as he sits down at his desk, his phone starts to ring. Jamming his fingers through his hair, already exhausted before the damned ride started, he picks up the phone. "What?" Luke's shoulders lift a bit as he hears his friend Jack on the other end. Leaning back in his chair a bit, smiling. "Took you long enough to get back to me, man. What'd you find out?" Luke listens for a few more minutes, shaking his head slowly. "Nothing? How the hell can there be nothing?" Not even a birth certificate, how can she not even have a birth certificate. "Keep looking and get back to be as soon as you can." Slamming the phone down, his eyes light on Hannah standing at the office door. "Damnit, what do you want?" Hannah steps back quickly. "I...the boys are ready to go. I'm sorry I bothered you." Without waiting for his response, she turns and hurries back into the living room where the boys and Rainy are waiting. This is wrong. I can't stay here. Hannah sits on the arm of the couch, blinking back tears. It would almost be better to go home to her dad and brothers. Biting back a laugh as she looks over at the boys arguing over who would ride Sailor in the trail ride. No, that's a lie...she'd rather deal with this family....even Luke...than her family any day. She'd stay....just long enough to save up enough money to get away. She'd go far enough away that she could forget everything, including Luke. "I'm sorry." Hannah's head snaps up at the husky voice against her ear. "W..What?" Luke smiles softly. The look on her face when as he walks into the living room scares him to death. The flush of her cheeks, her puffy bottom lip sucked up between her teeth...he can almost read her thoughts as she looks up at him. "I'm sorry I snapped at you.....don't leave." The urge to touch her heated flesh almost overwhelming him as he stares down into her expressive eyes.. Hannah blushes. How could he know? Forcing a smile, she looks up at him. "Where did that come from?" "I can read it on your face, Hannah. Sometimes, like when I kiss you, you get this look on your face that screams...'Gotta run, gotta get away'....you have that look on your face right now." Hannah jumps to her feet, still trying to shrug off what she knows is true. "I don't know what you're talking about." Brushing past him, she walks over to the playpen and picks up Rainy. "Are we ready to go now?" "No, we're not." Luke stares at Hannah, willing her to look up at him. "Put Rainy down and come here." Hannah lifts her eyes to his, nodding slowly, she sets Rainy back in the playpen and crosses her arms across her breasts. When she makes no move toward him, he frowns. "Come here, Hannah." Hannah bites down on her bottom lip as she looks up into his intense eyes. "I'm fine right here." She takes a quick step back as he begins to move toward her. "Boys, go on outside and check on the horses. We'll be out in a few minutes." Luke never takes his eyes off of her, knowing she's more skittish then his horse, Sunset, when she's cornered. As the boys run past them, Hannah watches them...watches her line of defense against Luke deserting her. She's so busy watching the boys that she doesn't even hear him cross the room. She looks up quickly as he's suddenly standing right in front of her. As she starts to step back, his hands move up and grasp her upper arms tightly. "Luke...." Hannah's voice trails off a bit as she feels him pulling her tightly against his hard chest. She glances around quickly as she hears the front door slam closed as the boys run out. Luke laughs softly as she looks around desperately, suddenly aware that all of her barriers are gone now. "Who are you gonna hide behind now, princess?" He takes one more quick step forward, quickly closing the space between them. "Please, Luke...don't....." She lifts her hands, pressing them hard against his chest as he steps closer to her. He grips her upper arms tightly as he holds her against his chest. Without a word, he drops his mouth to hers, kissing her deeply as he digs his fingers into her upper arms. He feels her body stiffen against him and then relax almost immediately, as If she belongs there...fits so nicely against his hard body. He releases her arms and feels her fingers slipping up his arms and into his hair. Hannah moans softly as he deepens the kiss, her tongue tentatively touching his as her arms tightens around his neck. "God, Hannah...." Luke moans against her lips before kissing down her jaw, burying his mouth in her neck Trembling as his lips move over her heated flesh, Hannah clings to him desperately as he drops his hands to her hips and picks her up easily, carrying her toward the stairs. She wraps her legs around his waist and shoves her fingers back into his hair as she kisses him softly, all too aware of where this is headed and unable to deny any longer that she wants him...desperately. Luke stops at the bottom of the stairs and pushes her hard against the railing, barely hidden from the front door. Passion burns in his eyes as she cries out softly. He drops his head, his lips capturing hers in a heart-stopping kiss...his tongue delving into her mouth, exploring every inch as his hands tug her t-shirt out of her jeans and push It up to reveal her flat stomach. "I want you." He states simply...one hand resting on her side as his other hand pulls her hand away from his neck and pulls it down between them to his growing bulge. Holding her hand against his bulge as his lips slide down, kissing and nipping lightly at her shoulder. Hannah gasps softly, surprised at how hard he feels under her hand. Her breasts rising and falling hard against his chest as her hand begins to move in tight little circles against his bulge. Luke is so engrossed in his mouth and hands exploration of her soft body that it barely registers for him when the door crashes open and Cash's heavy footsteps echo through the hallwa"DADDY!" Cash comes storming into the living room, barely missing Luke and Hannah's embrace as they jerk apart quickly. Luke Takes a Wife Ch. 04 Sorry this chapter took so long and is so short. Real life interfered....as always. I hope you enjoy this chapter. Please let me know what you think. * A stricken look on her face, Hannah turns and runs up the stairs as Luke struggles to adjust the huge bulge now throbbing behind his zipper. He takes a couple of deep breaths before turning to face his son. "You're not supposed to run in the house, Cash!" Luke says a little more harshly than is necessary, Feeling bad almost instantly as his youngest son's face falls. He crouches down in front of him, whispering softly even as he looks past him in the direction Hannah fled. Once Hannah reaches the top of the stairs, she quickly tucks her t-shirt back into her jeans and tucks the few stray strands of her hair behind her ears. Touching her cheeks, feeling how hot they are, she lays her head back against the wall...unable to believe how close they came.....Cash could've seen....Oh god, what is wrong with me? Downstairs, Luke has finally sent Cash back outside and is about to start up the stairs when he sees Hannah coming down. He frowns, noticing how she keeps her head down and avoids meeting his eyes. That look he knows...he takes in the redness of her cheeks and the frightened look on her face. As she reaches the bottom step, she steps past him...very careful not to touch him. Just as she thinks she's going to manage to slip past him without any problems, he grabs her arm and pulls her close to him. She bites back the desperate urge to cry out as he clutches her arm tightly. Luke stares down at her flushed face. "Hannah, we have to talk." He turns and starts up the stairs, pulling her along behind him. Determined not to put herself in the position of being alone with him again, she digs her heels in and grabs the railing...gripping it tightly as he tries to pull her up the stairs. "Damnit, Hannah...stop acting like a child." He turns to look at her, his tone changing as he feels her body beginning to shake. "Hannah, we need to talk about what happened." "NO" She almost laughs at the stunned look on his face as his hand falls away from her arm. "Stop treating me like I'm one of your kids, Luke." She turns on her heel and walks back into the living room and scoops Rainy up In her arms...she's almost to the front door before Luke recovers from his shock and stomps into the living room. His eyes harden as he crosses the room, following her out the front door. He watches as she all but runs across the grass to the barn where his boys are standing around with their horses. He can't help but laugh softly as he watches her gather her barriers around her. Watching closely, he sees how his boys rally around her. Chance looks up at Hannah and then over at Luke. His eyes narrow as he reaches out and slips his small hand into Hannah's. Luke smiles, understanding well how protective his young son feels toward her. He has those feelings too....but somehow the protective feelings keep being overridden by other, stronger feelings. He never takes his eyes off of her small form as he crosses the yard, coming to stand next to her. Hannah tries desperately to ignore his eyes as they stay fixed on her as she joins the boys at the barn. She looks down at the laughing little girl in her arms as she lowers her down onto a blanket that has been laid out in the back of the wagon. She feels Luke's hard body against her as he moves to stand beside her. Sighing softly, she steels herself and chances a glance up to his face...only to regret her bravery as their eyes meet. Gone is the confidence she has grown used to finding there and as she looks up, she sees her own fears reflected in his eyes. As Hannah finally meets his eyes, he takes her hand into his and pulls her gently away from the wagon. She hesitates, glancing down at Rainy as she laughs at the boys who have climbed up on the wagon wheels and are playing with her. "She'll be fine, I promise." Luke rubs his thumb back and forth over your cheek, still feeling the heat from earlier. "Please, Hannah...I need to talk to you." He gives her hand a small tug, smiling as she follows him into the barn. He glances over his shoulder at the boys. "Chance, Lucky...keep an eye on your brother and sister. We'll be right back." Luke pulls open the barn door and steps aside, his hand on her lower back as he urges her in ahead of him. He can feel her trembling beneath his hand and wonders briefly exactly what it is about him that scares her so much. Hannah stops just inside the barn, looking around...at anything to keep from looking back at him. Her heart jumps in her chest as she feels him move up behind her.....feels his chest against her back. His hands move up, gripping her upper arms as he pulls her back hard against "I'm sorry, Hannah. I didn't mean to talk down to you but I definitely....." his lips against her ear as he drops his hands down to her hips. ".....don't feel like your one of my kids." "Luke, please....." Gasping softly, as she feels her body moving back against him, almost with a mind of it's own. Luke drops his head, pressing his lips against her neck. His voice husky as he murmurs against her ear, " I want you, Hannah." He presses his lips against the heat of her neck. "And I know you want me. Hannah's voice catches in her throat as she feels his warm breath against her ear. With a strength she didn't even realize that she had, she gently pulls away from him. Smiling sadly as she turns to face him. Her voice cracking as she whispers, "It doesn't matter, Luke." She crosses her arms over her breasts as her eyes drop down to the ground, fixing them on his boots. Luke stares down at her before gently cupping her chin and lifting her head up to meet his eyes. "Hannah, what's wrong?" He feels his frustrations building, creeping into his voice. "It can't happen between us, Luke. I thought...when I came here.....but I just...." Her voice trails off as he lowers his head and captures her lips with his. Her heart pounding in her chest as his tongue pushes past her lips. Luke moans, feeling her body melting against him as he explores her mouth. His arms slip around her waist, pulling her hard against him. He feels her fingers fluttering against his chest as he deepens the kiss. Suddenly they're ripped apart by the sound of an old truck pulling down close to the barn. Luke's eyes gleam as he looks down at her wistfully, rubbing his thumb over her bottom lip. "I forgot to tell you..." He takes her hand and starts pulling her toward the barn door. Stumbling behind him, suddenly feeling very lightheaded. "Forgot to tell me what?" She whispers, blinking quickly as he pulls her from the barn out into the harsh sunlight. Her eyes are drawn to the beat up old chevy pick-up as it kicks up dust. She shakes her head quickly. No...No....it couldn't be him. Luke would have warned her. She glances up as he throws his hand up and waves. He doesn't even notice when she pulls her hand out of his. "LUKE!" "He's an old friend from when I was on the rodeo circuit." Luke doesn't even notice the stricken look on her face as he watches his old friend stop about 15 feet from the barn and get out. "I spent more time with his family than I ever did with my own." Hannah feels the blood draining from her face as she watches her own brother step down out of the truck and start toward them. "Luke, I.....I....." Without another word, she turns and snatches Rainy out of the back of the wagon before running back up to the house. The boys watch, torn between staying with their father and following her. Chance is the first to bolt after Hannah and Rainy, followed closely by Lucky. Cash looks up at his dad, begging for permission to follow. Luke nods slowly and Cash runs, his little legs carrying him as fast as they can up to the house...leaving Luke standing, surrounded by horses, wondering what just happened as he watches his friend walk toward him. By the time she reaches the house, Hannah's heart feels like it's going to beat out of her chest.. She sets Rainy down in the playpen before laying her head back against the railing of the stairs, struggling to catch her breath. Luke Takes a Wife Ch. 05 Thank you so much for all of your input. I take every comment to heart and am, as we speak, going back and reworking my story. Please continue to let me know what you think and offer any help that you can so I can continue to improve the story. After talking to Ben for a few minutes, Luke leaves him to look over the horses and heads back up to the house to find out what's going on with Hannah. She was white as a sheet when she saw Ben get out of the truck. As he walks into the house and looks around, he sees no sign of Hannah or his kids. Taking the stairs two at a time, he hears Chance and Lucky arguing. He stops right outside her bedroom door and listens. "But why, Hannah?" Lucky's voice echoes through the hall. "Lucky." Luke can hear the sadness in Hannah's voice followed by Rainy's low mournful cry. "I have to go. I've been here too long already." Hannah reaches over and touches Lucky's cheek gently. "She's just got to, Lucky....You heard her." Luke hears a thump as Chance tries to pick up her suitcase and then Hannah's soft laugh. "That suitcase a little much for you, little man?" Hannah reaches and picks up her suitcase and puts it on the bed next to her folded clothes and Rainy who's sitting, playing with the bell that Hannah gave her. "But Hannah...." Cash bounces excitedly on the bed. ".....Nobody makes grilled cheeses like you do.....and cookies.....and.....and......fried chicken......and......." Chance drops down on the floor, sitting with his legs crossed watching Hannah pack her suitcase. "Shut up, Cash." He mutters softly, blinking back the tears that are threatening to spill down his cheeks. "She doesn't want to take care of us anymore....we're too much trouble." Hannah turns, dropping the clothes back onto the bed before walking over to where Chance is sitting. She drops down to her knees in front of him and brushes his hair back from his eyes. He has to have a haircut soon or he's gonna start running into things, she thinks to herself. Feeling her chest tighten as she realizes that someone else will be taking him to get it cut. "You know that's not true, honey." She smiles as his wide blue eyes meet hers. "I'm sorry, Chance. I want to stay...really I do...." Hannah gasps as he jumps up and throws his arms quickly around her neck, almost knocking the breath out of her. "Then stay....please.....daddy can protect you....we won't let nobody get you." Luke steps into the room. "Daddy....tell Hannah not to go." Cash comes flying across the room, wrapping his arms around Luke's legs and clinging to him as tightly as Chance is to Hannah. "Boys, go downstairs....Luke walks over and picks Rainy up and follows Cash and Lucky out of the room, glancing back as Hannah tries to pull away from Chance. "You to, Chance." Luke says firmly, watching as his boy reluctantly pulls away from Hannah and walks slowly out of the room. Her legs shaking, Hannah pulls herself to her feet and moves back across the room to finish packing. She's still wondering how she'll slip away from the ranch without Ben seeing her when she hears her door click closed. She glances up quickly, her heart pounding in her ears. She sighs softly as she sees Luke standing there, leaning against the door. She drops down on the edge of the bed, still holding a nightgown clutched In her hands. "If you want to run away from me, that's fine but don't make up wild stories about somebody chasing you to my kids." Luke's voice is low and even but Hannah's known him long enough to pick up on the slight tremor in his voice that clues everybody in on how angry he really is. Hannah opens her mouth to answer him but then closes it just as quickly, realizing suddenly that there's nothing she can say to explain without telling him everything. She just drops her head and nods slowly. "No arguments.....no defending yourself....." Luke laughs softly as he crosses the room to stand in front of her. ".....Come on, Hannah......surely you can find some excuse for using my kids." Hannah can do nothing but shake her head, afraid that if she even looks up at him, she'll spill her guts about everything and then.....then there'd be no running. "Damnit, talk to me." Reaching down, he grabs her by the arms and jerks her to her feet. Sliding his hand back to cup the back of her head, he forces her head back. Seeing the unshed tears that she's trying desperately to hide from him, he feels his stomach drop. "Oh god, you weren't lying to them were you?" "Please, Luke...just let me leave." Unbidden, tears flow down her cheeks as she tries to push him away. He pulls her against his chest, kissing the top of her head as he holds her close to him. Her body shaking against him as he rubs her back slowly. "Stay....Chance was right, we'll keep you safe....from whatever your running from." He pulls her away from him and lowers his head, kissing her softly....his tongue moving over her soft lips slowly. Letting herself get lost in the kiss, she slips her arms up and around his neck. Clinging to him as she pushes all thoughts of leaving to the back of her mind, at least for the moment. Their tongues meet in desperation as he picks her up in his arms and moves back toward the bed. "Man, you've got some nice looking colts out there." Hannah is snapped out of the kiss with what feels like a slap to her cheek as she hears Ben's heavy footsteps on the stairs. "I'll have to bring dad and Lee out here to look them over next time." She pushes desperately out of Luke's arms, looking around quickly as she hears the footsteps nearing her door. Realization suddenly dawns in his eyes as he sees the near frantic look on her face. "Ben?" He mutters softly before pulling her to his chest and turning so his back is to the door as she buries her face in his chest just as Ben's huge form fills her doorway. Hannah whimpers against Luke's chest as she catches a glimpse of her brother standing in the door. She squeezes her eyes closing, suddenly seeing her freedom....the freedom she had worked so hard to gain... evaporating right before her eyes. Anger clutches at Luke's heart as he wonders what his friend could have possibly done to make Hannah so afraid. He aches to turn and confront him but Hannah's hands clutching his shirt and her trembling body so tight against him prevents him from doing just that. "Wait for me downstairs, Ben." Luke calls out before Ben can come any further into the room. As Ben starts to protest, Luke turns around and glares him. Ben shrugs and turns, leaving the room quickly. As Hannah hears Ben's footsteps on the stairs, she pulls away from Luke and looks up at him. As he opens his mouth to question her, she shakes her head. "I won't tell you, Luke...I can't." He growls low in his throat. "You have to tell me, Hannah. If he hurt you....." She laughs softly. "If he hurt me...if any of them hurt me...." She shakes her head slowly. "...if you hurt me." Her hands shaking as she starts throwing her clothes haphazardly into her suitcase. "I hurt myself more by coming here than any of you ever could." Luke stands beside her, reaching and taking her hands into his, squeezing them loosely. "How, Hannah...how did coming here hurt you so much?" Something nagging at his memory as he looks down into her wide eyes with a sheen of unshed tears. "I thought I could do it," she whispers softly. "I really thought I could come here and help you raise your kids and not....not care about you." She gently pulls her hands out of his. "I can't though....no matter how hard I try." "You're not leaving." He curses as he hears footsteps on the stairs again. "Unpack, I'll get rid of him and then you are going to tell me everything." He puts his finger under her chin, forcing her to look up at him. "And I mean everything, Hannah." Without another word he turns and leaves her room. He steps out of her bedroom and closing the door with a firm click. As he turns around, he nearly runs into Chance who is headed back into Hannah's room with that same determined look on his face that Luke had seen so many times before. Luke never thought when he hired Hannah that she would have such a huge affect on his kids.....or himself, If truth be told. Chance, who up until a few weeks ago cared for little else than his horses, was now fighting desperately to keep Hannah there with them. He stops Chance and gently turns him around. Chance is about to argue with him until Luke reassures him that Hannah's not going anywhere. They both head downstairs, unaware that Hannah, still determined to leave, is still packing. Hannah sits down on the bed, staring at her half-full suitcase and then looks at the clothes still strayed haphazardly across the bed. It would be so easy to forget about leaving and just let Luke take care of her, let him make everything just go away. Even as that thought crosses her mind, she knows it's just a fantasy left over from her childhood. She learned a long time ago that there is no such thing as a knight in shining armor and she had long since stopped looking for one. Shaking the last of those cobwebs from her mind, she gets up and starts packing again. Once her clothes are all packed, she walks over and pulls a box out of her nightstand. She holds it up and lifts the lid, taking a moment to rifle through all the little notes that Luke had left her over the past few weeks, the horse pictures that the boys had drawn for her...finally lifting up the picture of Luke and the kids that she had taken on their picnic last weekend. She smiles, remembering how happy she was...pretending that she was part of their family. Sighing softly, she drops the picture back into the box and snaps it closed It takes longer than Luke thought it would to get rid of Ben. It's as Ben is leaving that he mentions that his little sister's run off...probably gotten herself pregnant or something. Selfish little thing, leaving their dad to fend for himself and take care of the farm while him and Lee are on the circuit.. Luke inhales sharply as he can suddenly see little Anna, following him around the house when he stayed with Ben's family. She was always such a sweet little kid. He'd always known she had a crush on him. Ben and Lee had teased her mercilessly about it when he was there. He always wondered what she went through when she was there alone with them. He had seen bruises on her arm once but she had refused to answer him when he asked. He had asked her, hadn't he? It was all so long ago and there were other things going on in his life at the time. Suddenly the image of little Anna and grown-up Hannah merge in his mind and he realizes what he should have known all along. Luke Takes a Wife Ch. 06 Thanks for being patient, ya'll. I should, hopefully, be wrapping this up pretty soon. Hope you continue to enjoy it. * Hannah opened her bedroom door and listened closely. After a few minutes, when she didn't hear anything, she slipped out of her room and into Rainy's where she found the child standing up, gurgling and smiling up at her. "Hey raincloud, you're supposed to be napping." As Hannah got closer, Rainy reached her arms up and, unable resist the little cherub, Hannah picked her up and carried her over to the rocker next to the window. She rocked her slowly as she rang Rainy's little bell and sang her own favorite lullaby from when she was a little girl. After only a few minutes, Rainy was sleeping soundly. Hannah, barely able to stem the flow of tears, pressed a soft kiss to her forehead before she carried her back over to her crib and laid her down carefully. She then hung the bell on the side of her crib. She turned and walked quietly out the door. After a quick glance at the boys' rooms, she briefly considered going in and saying goodbye, but knew that it would be easier for them if she just left. Hannah picked up her suitcase and the small box containing her mementoes of Luke and the kids plus the few pictures she was able to snatch of her mother before she left home. She crept silently down the back stairs that lead into the kitchen. She peeked into the living room and couldn't help but feel a small twinge of disappoint when none of the boys or Luke were in sight. She gripped her suitcase tightly and held the box to her chest as she drew in a deep, shaky breath and then walked quickly out the back door. It was a long walk back to town and she could only hope that she could make it there and onto a bus before Luke found her...if he even bothered to look, that is. Hopefully, if he even realized who she was, he knew that they were all much better off without her. After Ben finally drove off, after he promised to get back in touch with Luke about a couple of colts, Luke dropped down onto the porch step and buried his face in his hands. What had started out as I twinge behind his eyes, had quickly become a throbbing ache as he listened to Ben. All the while, the only thing Luke had wanted to do was climb the stairs and hold Hannah in his arms until she finally felt safe again. As he watched Ben's truck fade into the distance, he suddenly felt defeated. The urge to go to Hannah had been replaced by a fear that he would never be able to give her the security she needed to feel. What if Jenna had killed that in him? Maybe it would be better for Hannah to just let her go. He was sitting there with his elbows on his knees and his face in his hands when he felt a small hand on his arm. Luke lifted his head slowly, half-hoping and half-afraid that he was going to have to face Hannah before he even had answers for himself, much less for her Luke smiled as he saw his youngest boy, Cash, grinning down at him. "Whatcha doin sitting out here, daddy?" Cash sat down on the top step beside Luke. Luke couldn't help but grin at the boy's sparkling blue eyes, the one and only thing that all the kids had gotten from their mother. He reached over and gently tossled the little boy's hair. "Just thinking, buddy." He leaned back against the post and stared up at the sky. "What are you doin out here?" "Chance and Lucky and me all wanna know if your gonna make Hannah stay?" Cash stumbled a bit over the words as they spilt out of his mouth. "Cause we're all gonna be real mad if you don't, daddy." Cash glanced back quickly at his brothers who were standing at the door, nodding their heads quickly. "We like her a bunch and if you get somebody else, we'll act real bad....real real bad, daddy." Luke stared down at Cash and then looked back at the door where Chance and Lucky were standing with their arms crossed over their chests. His heart swelled with pride at how protective they were of Hannah. The girl had been there less than a month and here they were acting like they'd rather have here than me, he thought to himself. "Come out here, boys. We need to talk about Hannah." Chance and Lucky wasted no time joining Luke and Cash on the porch. Lucky sat down on the steps next to Cash but Chance didn't move very far from the door, leaned back against the post....staried down at them. "You can't let her leave, daddy." Chance's voice was low and trembly as he stared down at the ground through the cracks in the porch. "She'll be all by herself with nobody to keep her safe if she leaves us." Luke sensed from the very beginning a bond between Hannah and Chance. Where he had always shied away from strangers, he clung to Hannah like a life preserver. Luke ruffled Cash's hair again and smiled at Lucky. "You guys go on inside. I need to talk to Chance for a sec." When he saw the hesitation on the boys' faces, he smiled again. "I won't let her leave, I promise." With that, Cash and Lucky got up and hurried into the house. As the door slammed closed, Luke patted the step beside him. "Come sit down with me for a minute, Chance." Chance pushed away from the post and walked slowly over to sit down beside his dad. Hannah kept glancing back as she walked along the dusty road that lead back to town. Every time she heard a truck, she jumped and then laughed at herself for acting so silly. As she neared the town, she finally realized that Luke was not coming after her. Her heart thumped loudly in her chest as she turned and looked back down the road one more time before she walked on into town. She stopped at the small grocery store and bought herself a bottle of water before walking the short piece to the bus station. She glanced up at the board, not quite sure of where she would head to next. This was really her only destination when she finally had her chance to get out....away from her father and her brothers....on her own, finally. She smiled at the same surge of excitement that she felt the first time she boarded a bus almost a month of go, she walked up to the counter and bought her ticket. Maybe getting out of Texas completely would make her forget about Luke. "I know Hannah means a lot to you, Chance." Luke looked out toward the barn, unable to bring himself to look at his young son. "We all love her, daddy...even Rainy." Chance's voice shook a little as he looked down at the ground. Luke rubbed his palm against his forehead, unsure of how to explain such a complicated situation to his boy when he didn't even understand it himself. "Chance, I want her to stay with us to but I just don't know...." Chance jumped to his feet and glared down at his dad. "She wanted to stay with us, daddy...you just have to ask her." "What makes you so sure? Maybe she has other plans, son." His feeble attempts at easing the blow of losing her for his kids, did little to ease the dull ache in his heart. Chance was already shaking his head before Luke could even finish. "She said we were really lucky to have each and other and you cause we all love each other so much. She said we should be good to each other cause not everybody has family that loves them like that." Chance's voice went up a bit in frustrations as he explained it to Luke. "She loves us, Daddy, and she wants to stay." Chance's words rang true to him as he fought back the overwhelming urge to fly up to Hannah's room and force her to explain why she had been lying to him from the very beginning The only thing that kept him from doing it was the knowledge that if he went up there, he would have definately say something they would botht regret...and nothing would send that girl running for the hills quicker than him losing his temper. Chance sighed softly. "I heard her crying a lot, daddy." He glanced at the door, afraid Hannah would catch him telling her secret. "She said they were happy tears cause she was finally here with us but they didn't look happy, daddy." Luke had heard her crying at night to, knowing she thought nobody could hear her. Since talking to Ben, Luke had been remembering more and more about the way things had been back then. He remembered standing outside Anna's door on her birthday and listening as she cried. Little Anna...he shook his head slowly....Hannah had done everything around the house and most of the outside chores to. Ben and Lee, his little brother and their dad had spent most of their time bossing her around. He had never seen them hit her or anything...if he had, he would've done something....but he knew she had a hard go of it. "Daddy, your gonna keep her here, aren't you? Chance's soft voice tugged him out of his memories for the moment. "I really....we all....we like her, daddy....a whole lot." Suddenly, painfully aware of what had to be done, he nodded and then got to his feet before moving to the door. "Go on up to your room, Chance, and don't worry. She's not going anywhere." He watched as Chance hurried into the house and up the stairs to give the good news to his brothers. Luke jammed his fingers in his hair as he turned and started into the house after him. Just as the door closed behind him, he heard a gut-wrenching cry from Rainy's room. Taking the stairs two at a time, he pushed open the door to her room and found her sitting in her playpen, clutching the little bell that Hannah had given her in her fist. "Hey pumpkin, what's the matter with you?" He whispered softly as he walked over to her and leaned over the side of her crib He rubbed her arm gently and smiled as she lifted her tear-filled eyes up to his, tugging at his heart as she whimpered softly. "I know what you want, pumpkin..." Smiling, he gathered her up into his arms and carried her out of the room. He stopped just outside of Hannah's door and knocked softly. Hannah glanced up at the big clock on the wall above the counter and then back down at her ticket. Still a whole hour before her bus and still no sign of Luke. That has to be a good sign, she thought to herself, refusing to acknowledge the slicing pain in her chest at the thought of never seeing the kids or....or Luke....ever again. It's for the best....the best for them and the best for me, she kept repeating to herself. She couldn't help glancing over at the door as the seconds tick into minutes. She began to fidget more and more in her seat as the hand inched around the clock. When Hannah didn't answer his persistent knocking, Luke finally pushed open her bedroom door. A quick glance around the bare room confirmed his worst fears. She'd made a liar out of him....to his own kids. She skipped out without even giving him a chance to help her. He carried Rainy over to the bed and sat down, holding her against his chest as a sadness like he'd never felt before overtook him. Rainy let out a low mournful cry, effectively alerting her big brothers to the situation. They came charging into the room like the calvary and know instantly what had happened. "Daddy, she's gone..." Cash rubbed his eyes with his fists as tears filled them. "You said....." Chance gritted his teeth and kicked the footboard angrily. "I told you, daddy....I told you....." "That's enough!" Rainy cried out as Luke bolted to his feet. He gently rubbed her back as he looked at each of the boys in turn before he walked out of the room and down the stairs to his office. As he sat down behind his desk, he watched the boys filed into the room and sat down on the couch beside the door. They watched as he held Rainy on his lap and picked up the phone. She's dead wrong if she thinks she's getting away that easily, he thought to himself as he dialed his mother's number. After a short conversation, he hung up the phone and looked at his boys. "Go pile into the truck, guys." He followed them out, having taken only a minute to grab Rainy's diaper bag. The drive into town only takes a few minutes. "Where are we goin, Daddy? Cash bounced excitedly in his carseat. "We need to find Hannah, Daddy." Chance crossed his arms over his chest and glared rebelliously at his dad in the rearview mirror. Luke Instinctively turned and headed down Main Street. "That's what we're doing, boys. We're going to get her and take her home." Gong purely on instinct, he turned the truck off of Main Street and pulled to a stop a short distance away from the bus station. He caught sight of his mother as she crossed the road. He climbed quickly out of the truck and plucked Rainy out of her car seat as he looked into the backseat and watched the Lucky and Chance unbuckle their seatbelts and then turn to help Cash out of his booster seat. As the boys climbed out of the truck, they turned and smiled at their grandmother...all except for Chance who was busy looking around for Hannah. "Hello my boys." Rose Williams-Burke smiled down at the boys and then up at her son. She took little Rainy into her arms and then placed her hand on Cash's shoulder. "Come on boys, let's go get something to eat at Callie's while your dad goes and talks to Hannah." Chance dug his feet in as he looked from his dad to his grandmother and then back to his dad. "I'm going with daddy." Luke crouched down in front of Chance at the same time he heard the announcement for the bus leaving for Atlanta. "I need you to go with your grandma and give me a chance to talk to Hannah." Luke shook his head quickly as Chance started to argue. "Please, buddy." Chance nodded his head slowly before he turned and went to join his grandma. Luke tried desperately all the way to town to rehearse what he was going to say to Hannah when he found her but all of that was forgotten as he walked into the bus station only to find her clutching a small infant in her arms as the child's bedraggled mother struggled with their bags and a car seat. The sight of her smiling and cooing softly at the baby almost sent him running for the hills but he finally managed to force his feet to move across the expansive room to come to stand behind her. "Hannah." He was unprepared for the look of pure fear on her face as she turned to face him. He watched, easily interpreting the desperation on her face as she looked around quickly. "I need to talk to you." The mother smiled as she reached and took her baby from Hannah's arms. "Please, Hannah." Luke reached out and gently took her hand into his much bigger one, surprised to find it icy cold to the touch. Hannah could do little more than nod and allow him to lead her over to one of the benches against the wall. She stared down at her hand, still held tightly in his, as she felt him drop down on the bench beside her "Why didn't you tell me who you were, Hannah?" Luke rubbed his fingertips back and forth over the top of her hand. "Why couldn't you trust me?" She shook her head quickly, unable to form the words to explain. "It...it wasn't like that, Luke." She blinked back the tears suddenly filling her eyes. "I trust you....you more than anybody else in the world." Luke smiled, suddenly feeling lighter than he had since...well, since Jenna had left...for good, finally. At long last, he was finally able to see a light at the end of the tunnel as a plan started to form in his mind. "I wanted to tell you, Luke but..." Hannah finally chanced a look up at his face, surprised to have found him grinning like a madman. "...are you....okay.... Luke?" She reached her free hand out and placed it on his cheek as she stared up into his eyes. Luke quickly covered her hand on his cheek, holding it there as he gripped her hand tightly and pulled it over to rest on his hard thigh. Shaking her head slowly as she felt the heat of his thigh under her small hand. "Luke, please say something." Her eyes darting from his face across to the bus pulled up outside getting ready to leave. "Marry me, Hannah." His eyes twinkled happily as she stared at him in shock. "Marry you?" She jerked her hand free of his and moved quickly across the bench, putting some space between them. "Be serious, Luke." He didn't let her enjoy the space between them very long. He quickly closed the area between them and took both of her hands into his. "I am serious. You love my kids, Hannah and they're obviously crazy about you. You can have the family you've always wanted and I promise you will never have cause to worry about your dad and brothers again. I won't ask you any questions. You can tell me when and if your ready." He inhaled deeply on the last word and watched her as what he said started to sink in. Hannah's head rolled forward as she slid her hand back over her neck. The long walk to town in the heat must've finally gotten to her, she thought briefly. Luke couldn't have just proposed to her. Never in a million years....the love she had for the kids....the stability and family she had longed for her whole life.....everything she could possibly want except.. "What about you, Luke?" He looked confused for a moment. He'd been so sure she would accept without question. A sad smile lit on her face as she gently pulled her hands away. A sound from the door drew his attention as he watched Chance, Lucky, and Cash come running into the building...followed a few seconds later by his mother, still clutching Rainy to her chest. A sense of urgency overtook him as he looked from his kids to Hannah. His heart fell as he sensed everything slipping away from him. "Hannah....Damnit, you know I care about you." His fists clenched tightly at his sides. "It's all I can offer you right now." Hannah chewed nervously at her bottom lip. Could that be enough? She had wanted Luke for so long, could she accept having all of him except his heart? She looked down at her lap, twisting her fingers as her heart pounded in her ears. A family....a good family who would love her as much as she loved them. She looked up and met Luke's hopeful eyes just as she felt the boys throw themselves against her legs. She reached her hands out instinctively as Luke's mother approached her with Rainy, never taking her eyes off of Luke as she took the wriggling baby into her arms.