The Redhead (Romancing the Ponderosa Book 2)

Chapter 15

We all ride up to the house together, Misty and I side by side, Pa in the rear with Joe and Hoss taking the lead. Dismounting, we all turn when Hop Sing comes running out the front door. He's clearly upset about something since he's waving his arms and speaking in his native tongue.

"Calm down, Hop Sing. What's the matter?" Joe asks him.

"Missy Hannah. She very sick." Joe doesn't wait to hear anymore as he takes off running towards the front door.

Pa grabs Hop Sing by the shoulders and looks down into his face, "Hop Sing what's wrong with Hannah?"

"Can't keep anything in stomach. Fainted while walking across living room." Following him into the house, Misty skips up beside me and slips her hand into mine. Looking down I expect to see a worried look but find her to have a huge grin on her face.

Stepping into the house, I see Joe squatted down on the floor beside the sofa, holding Hannah's hand. He still looks worried but there's a soft smile on his face. Looking up at all of us, his smile widens.

Walking around the couch, Pa bends down beside Joe, "Hannah, are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, a little better." She smiles up at him, her face very pale. She looks past Pa, searching for a certain face among all of us surrounding the sofa. Her eyes come in contact with the person she was looking for as she says, "Hop Sing."

"Yes, Missy Hannah?" He comes over to stand beside Pa.

"I'm really sorry for scaring you like I did earlier."

"It ok. As long you healthy and strong, Hop Sing ok."

Moving to sit up, Joe reaches out and helps her. She lays her hand on her stomach for a brief moment like she's trying to make sure she isn't going to lose her lunch again. She looks into Joe's eyes, clearly having a silent conversation with him. As his brows scrunch slightly she gives him a determined nod.

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, Little Joe."

"Alright." He turns towards all of us, an excited look on his face. "We have something important to tell you."

Pa sits on the table, ready for what's about to come, while Misty squeezes my hand tight and I hear her take a quick deep breath. Quickly looking down at her, I see she still has that huge grin on her face. I suddenly realize why, she's in on Hannah and Joe's secret.

"Well, Pa, we're going to have to build a house sooner than we planned."

"Oh." Pa looks a little shocked but quickly hides it.

"Ben, it's not that I don't love living in this house with all of you, because I truly do, it's just that...'' Pausing, she looks up at Joe with a loving look and excited grin, "I'm expecting a baby and I would like a little place of my own."

"A baby!" Jumping up, more excited than I've seen him in a long time, Pa grabs Joe's arm. "Why, Hannah, that's just wonderful!"

"I'll help you start the house as soon as you want, Joe." I offer. "Congratulations!"

"Thanks a lot, Adam!" If his grin gets any bigger it's liable to break his face in two!

"Hey, that means I'll be an uncle!"

"Yep, you'll be big ole Uncle Hoss."

Leaning forward, Hannah waves for Misty to come over to her. Letting go of my hand, she shimmies over and sits down next to Hannah. Reaching over, she wraps her in a big hug. She whispers something in Hannah's ear and the two share a girlish giggle. I don't think I've ever seen two girls become so close in such a short amount of time before they just instantly bonded upon meeting.

"Enough about me! What happened at the Indian camp?" Hannah looks at Misty and then at me, her eyes going wide when she sees my face. "Adam, your face is a mess! What happened to you?"

"Oh, I'm fine as frog hair." I wave off her concern despite the fact that in reality my face and head are throbbing. "I had to fight the Chief's nephew in order to get Misty. I did what any man would have done for the woman he loves."

"Well, now that you've got her back, it looks like you men have two houses to build instead of just one."

"Hannah, I won't even think about our house being built until your's is completely finished and you're moved in." Misty looks over at Joe, "Little Joe, how long do you think it'll take to build your house?"

"Probably about four weeks or so."

"Since you two are getting your house first and then ours has to be built," She looks up at the ceiling, clearly calculating something in her head, "that gives us about two months before we can get married, Adam."

"What if I don't want to wait two months?"

"Adam, what do you mean?"

"I've already had you taken away from me once and I don't want to risk it happening again."

"Hey, Adam, how about I go get the preacher tomorrow morning?" Hoss volunteers.

"If that's not too soon with Misty, that would be perfect." Looking at Misty to see her answer, she nods at me with a grin. "Well, it's settled then!"