“Uh, Amelia?” Chet motioned toward the tree. “I think your uncle is trying to get your attention.”
She turned toward Theo. He was signing frantically with his hands. Come here, quick!
Amelia looked at Chet. “He wants to talk to me, but I don’t want Gracie going over there. Will you stay here with her?”
He smiled and nodded. “Of course.”
She took a step, but then stopped and looked back at him again. “Do I need a gun?”
“No. Theo has a rifle.”
She wiped her hands on her apron before hurrying toward the stranger tied to the tree and Theo. Even though she couldn’t see his gaze, the thief still watched her. The eerie chills running up and down her arms testified to that fact. She must be strong, regardless. Where was the courage she’d found last night when she’d grabbed her rifle and sneaked toward Chet and the thief in order to help save the horse from being taken... or Chet from being shot? It had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, and she must find that courage once again.
When she came close enough to Theo, he pointed toward the man and signed. I know him.
Scrunching her forehead, she frowned. How can you be sure? Half of his face is covered with hair.
It’s his eyes. They seem so familiar.
She glanced at the thief. She could see him slightly better, but she couldn’t bring herself to study him.
“Your name is Amelia?” the thief asked.
She shot him a glare. Of course, he’d been listening to Chet since he’d called her that name several times this morning. “That is none of your business.”
“Do you mind if I ask you a personal question?”
She gasped. “Of course, I’d mind. You are a criminal, and I’d rather not—”
“Is your last name Florence?”
Fear caused her body to stiffen and her heart to sink. He must know the Stones... or he must have heard that she and Gracie ran away. How else could the man know her?
Uncle Theo touched her arm to get her attention. What is he saying?
She breathed a shaky breath. He knows who I am.
Theo nodded. I think he was from the orphanage.
She swung her gaze back to the hairy-faced man. Over the sixteen years since she’d been a prisoner in that orphanage, ten boys had escaped. She’d not really been close to any of them, but she had talked to them from time to time. However, at this moment, she couldn’t remember their faces or what their names had been. Her mind was already trying to block out the terror she’d had to live with for so long.
The man nodded toward Theo. “I know what he’s saying. I know sign language, just like you do.”
“How do you know?” She signed for Theo’s sake as she talked to the stranger.
“Uncle Theo taught me.”
She inhaled quickly as her body shook. “There’s only one way you could know Uncle Theo or have him teach you.”
“I was in the orphanage, too.”
“You were in the orphanage?” she asked as she signed.
“Yes. That’s why I asked if your last name was Florence.”
Her throat tightened. Dare she believe him? It was her first instinct to distrust anyone who’d been part of the orphanage. But, if this thief had been a runaway... “What is your name?”
“If you’re not Amelia Florence than you probably wouldn’t remember me being at the orphanage since I was only there eleven months. However, if you are the person I think you are, you’ll remember me because you used to call me Bobby.” He smiled. “I’m your brother.”
SIX
Chet had been watching Amelia closely as she signed and talked to the thief. Gracie clutched Chet’s leg so tightly and he stroked her hair to soothe her. But it wasn’t until he noticed a change in Amelia’s stiff body that he became worried. Her body didn’t seem as stiff as it had been, but when she swayed toward Theo, Chet knew something was terribly wrong.
He scooped Gracie into his arms and darted toward Amelia. Theo had caught her limp body as she lost consciousness. Grumbling under his breath, Chet hurried faster, only stopping when he reached Amelia.
Theo’s wide eyes met Chet’s as he handed the little girl to the older man and took Amelia into his embrace. Her face had lost color, so he gently patted her cheeks, trying to wake her up. Gracie cried, burying her face against Theo’s shoulder.
“What happened here?” Chet aimed his question at the thief as he knelt on the ground, still holding Amelia’s crumbled body.
“If you’ll untie me, I can help.” The man struggled against the ropes.
“What do you take me for? An imbecile?” Chet scowled and continued with trying to wake Amelia. “Tell me what happened. Why did she pass out?”
“Because I told her who I was.”
Chet paused as he studied the other man. Nothing made sense. “And why would your identity shock her so much that she lost consciousness?”
“I’m the brother she hasn’t seen for fifteen years.”
Interesting... “Yes, I suppose that kind of news would shock any woman.” He returned his attention to Amelia. “Come on, sweetie. Wake up. Open your eyes and look at me.”
Theo tapped Chet on the shoulder and signed. Frowning, he shook his head. “I don’t understand you.”
“Uncle Theo is asking you if you want him to fetch some water,” the man tied to the tree said.
Chet scowled at the stranger. “And you suddenly know that language?”
“Yes. I lived in the same orphanage as Amelia and Uncle Theo.”
As much as Chet wanted to straighten out the confusion in his head, he wanted to wake Amelia even more. He turned to Theo and nodded. The older man hurried to the back of the wagon. Gracie’s small body bounced in the man’s arms. He flipped up the canvas on the back of the wagon, reached inside, and pulled out a canteen. By the time he reached Chet again, the little girl had stopped crying and was watching everything around her.
Chet took the canteen, uncapped the lid, and splashed some water on Amelia’s face. She blinked and moved her face back and forth before her eyes fully opened. She met his gaze as confusion crossed her features. Within seconds, she snapped her head toward the thief and her mouth hung open.
“Are you all right, sis?” the stranger asked.
Amelia struggled to stand, so Chet helped her. She glanced at him and nodded.
“I’m all right now,” she said before moving to the man tied to the tree. “You... are really Bobby?” She signed while she talked.
“Yes.”
“No, you can’t be. My brother died of pneumonia.”
His expression darkened with a frown. “I’m sure that’s what the Stones told you because they didn’t want anyone to know that I had escaped.”
“But...” She hesitantly touched Bobby’s shoulder. “I remember that you were sick. Uncle Theo took you to the sick room.”
“Yes, I was sick, but I knew that was my only chance to escape. I wanted to come back for you, but you were too young, and I worried that you wouldn’t survive with me on the run.”
“I wouldn’t survive?” Amelia’s voice rose in anger and she stopped signing. “And so, you left me to stay in the orphanage that was nothing more than a life of terror? Night after night I prayed that I wouldn’t be the one who was chosen for Stone’s weekly beatings, and as each year passed, I wondered what I had done to make my siblings, Robert and Prudence, leave me in that hellhole to rot.” Tears streaked down her cheeks as she shook her head. “Bobby, you knew what those people were capable of. You had experienced it firsthand, and yet... you still thought I’d be better off there than with my own brother?”
The man’s eyes watered, and his chest trembled when he heaved. “Do you honestly think my life turned out any better?” He sniffed. “Look at me, Mellie. I’m a thief. A criminal. I don’t know how to live a normal life. But you... you are away from that awful place and it looks like you’re doing just fine.” His gaze jumped to Gracie. “And you have a daughter
– someone who’ll love you unconditionally for the rest of your life.”
A sob ripped from Amelia’s throat as she covered her hands over her face. Her body quaked with her cries, and Chet couldn’t stand watching the woman’s torture any longer. He rushed to her side took her in his arms, which thankfully, she went willingly. His chest tightened for this woman who had somehow captured his heart.
Theo and Gracie moved toward the fire as the older man stirred the oatmeal in the pot. The girl continued to keep a wary eye on Bobby, though, and Chet knew he should as well.
He placed a kiss on Amelia’s forehead. “Come on, let’s get you back to the fire to warm up.”
Chet turned her toward camp, keeping his arm around her waist for support. They only took two steps before she stopped and glanced over her shoulder at her brother.
“What’s wrong?” Chet asked.
“I don’t know whether to have you untie Bobby or not. I don’t trust him yet.”
“Then we’ll leave him tied up.” Chet nodded.
Bobby grumbled loudly and struggled harder against the ropes. “Oh, for goodness sake. Just untie me. I’m not going to hurt anyone.”
She moved away from Chet and faced her brother again. “You’ve admitted to being a thief, but tell me, Bobby... have you killed anyone in your life?” She pointed toward the fire pit. “I have a daughter and uncle to care for, so naturally, if you are a threat to anyone here, we’re going to keep you tied up.”
Bobby sighed heavily. His stare on Amelia was cold and hard. “I’ve only killed people who deserve to die.”
She gasped. “And who are you to be their judge?”
“I am a victim, like you, dear sister. I have also fought my way through my life, and I’ve done what needed to be done in order to keep alive.” He took a breath. “I’ve killed only those people who had threatened to harm me.”
When Amelia’s gaze met Chet’s, he realized she wanted him to make the decision. Nobody knew he was a bounty hunter, and he wanted to keep it that way for now. However, he also didn’t want to get in the middle of a family squabble.
He shook his head. “The decision is yours.” He touched her hand and automatically, she grasped it. His heart melted a tiny bit more. “I’ll stand behind you in whatever choice you make.”
As she stared at him, she breathed faster and deeper. Her throat jumped when she swallowed hard, and her pretty eyes glistened with unshed tears. After a few moments, she straightened her shoulders.
“Untie him, but keep him away from our guns.”
CHET KEPT HIS EYES on the man walking beside the wagon as they continued to Spruce Hill. After they’d eaten breakfast, Uncle Theo had given Bobby a razor to shave his bushy beard, and a comb to push the long hair out of the man’s face. Now as Chet studied him, he could see the resemblance between Bobby and his sister.
After witnessing Amelia’s breakdown earlier, Chet knew for certain that there was no possible way she could have kidnapped a child or murdered a person in cold blood. However, he still needed an explanation as to why the mayor’s daughter was kidnapped and why Mr. Stone was killed.
As much as Chet wanted to question Amelia, he must give her more time to calm down from the shock she received from seeing her brother who she’d thought was dead. Chet would feel like such a heel if he would bombard her with questions now.
They’d been traveling for a few hours already, and it was hard to stay awake, especially after not getting any sleep last night. It wasn’t the first time Chet had stayed awake for three days straight, and it definitely wouldn’t be the last. Yet, he’d never had to comfort a woman and actually feel her pain as she sobbed in his arms before. That took a lot out of him. It surprised him that Amelia hadn’t fallen asleep yet. Gracie was in the back of the wagon sleeping, but Amelia sat on the driver’s seat with Theo. They talked in their sign language, which made Chet want to learn it. He was sure the two were talking about Bobby.
Bobby uncorked the lid on the canteen and took a long swallow. He pushed the hair out of his eyes again and continued walking between Chet and the wagon. Amelia didn’t talk much with her brother, but Chet figured that would soon change. She just had to soften her heart once again. Women like Amelia always forgave quickly.
“I know you.”
Bobby’s voice startled Chet and he glanced down at the man who now walked closer to his horse. Chet tightened his hand around his revolver. The rifles were on the wagon with Amelia.
“You know me?” Chet asked.
“Yes. I’ve seen you around and I know what you do.”
Sucking in a quick breath and Chet glanced toward the front of the wagon. Thankfully, Bobby’s voice was too quiet for Amelia to hear. Chet met Bobby’s gaze again. “What is it that you think I do?”
“You’re a bounty hunter.”
Chet swore under his breath, but he pierced the other man with a hard stare. “Then I suggest that you keep your hands clean until we reach Spruce Hill where I can turn you over to the sheriff.”
“But you’re not after me.”
Chet wanted to slap the cocky expression off the man’s face. “Why do you think that?”
“Because you let Mellie untie me.”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m still watching you closely.”
Chuckling, Bobby pushed his fingers through his dark brown hair. “So, if you’re not after me, that means you’re either after Uncle Theo or... my sister.”
Chet gritted his teeth, trying to grasp at words to say that would make Bobby think differently. The man was too smart for his own britches. “You think you know what I’m doing here?” He shook his head. “Don’t think about it too hard. I’d hate for you to get a headache.”
Bobby moved in front of the horse, stopping the animal. The man glared at Chet. “I can guarantee that my sister has never – or will never do – anything wrong in her life. She’s not a dangerous person. So, if you’re after her, then I’m going to stop you. She is innocent.”
Chet gripped the horse’s reins and gritted his teeth. Sadly enough, he agreed with Bobby. There was no way Amelia had done what she was accused of doing. “I’m glad you’re finally acting like a big brother, but you don’t need to worry about Amelia.”
“And what about Theo?” Bobby arched an eyebrow. “That man couldn’t hurt a mosquito. He’s been beaten and tormented most of his adult life. He cares for those victims like the children who grew up in the orphanage. In fact, Uncle Theo was the one who helped most of us escape.”
Sighing heavily, Chet removed his hat and scratched his head. “I have many questions to ask you, your sister, and Theo, but not here. We need to get you into town where there is shelter and food. I’m sure there will be a storm coming soon, and we don’t want to be out here in the elements when that happens.”
“I agree, but I first want you to tell me why you’re here.” Bobby tightened his fingers around the horse’s reins.
Chet cleared his throat. “Let’s just say that your sister is being accused of something she didn’t do, and I’m here to find out why and put a stop to it. I don’t want to see Amelia hurt.”
“Good. I’m glad we agree.” Bobby gave him a snarky grin. “And if you don’t want to see her hurt, then I suggest you stop getting close to her. She doesn’t know what you are or what you really want, and you’ll only break her heart. I’m sorry, but as her big brother, I won’t tolerate such behavior.”
Chet’s chest tightened. “Is that a threat?”
“It’s just a warning. But you’re smart, so I know you’ll make sure she doesn’t fall in love with you, because, after all, your job is more important than settling down with a widowed woman and her child.”
Irritation arose inside of Chet, making him want to punch the man in the face. But what really bothered him was knowing that Bobby’s assumption was correct. Chet loved his job and he didn’t want to settle down, which meant he would eventually break her heart if he let things continue between them as they were doing
. He could not have her falling in love with him.
SEVEN
Amelia prayed they were almost to Spruce Hill. She wanted to sleep on an actual bed and take a long, hot, relaxing bath. If only her mind would relax. Too much had happened on this trip already, and she wasn’t sure she was strong enough to handle any more surprises. Seeing her brother after thinking he was dead had been such a shock. Yet, she was sure her anger toward him for leaving her in the orphanage had been the very thing hardening her heart. It would be a long time before she could forgive him for doing that to her.
She peered out across the land toward the ocean. The closer to the ocean they came, the closer they’d be to Spruce Hill. At least she knew they’d reach their destination today.
The pounding of the horse’s fast hoofs on the ground pulled her attention toward Chet riding up next to the wagon. He looked so rugged and handsome on top of the steed, and she couldn’t control the heavy sigh slipping from her throat.
“Amelia,” he said in a serious tone. “We need to stop for a few minutes. There’s something I need to talk to you about before we reach Spruce Hill.”
She wasn’t sure she liked the look of concern on his expression, but at least she knew she could trust him. She signed to Uncle Theo and told him to stop the wagon. Chet pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted before tying the animal to the wagon.
He reached his hand up to Amelia. “I need to speak to you in private.”
She glanced at her brother who leaned against the wagon with his arms folded. She realized she liked it better when she couldn’t see his face. The way he looked at her with a cocky, know-it-all grin made her want to slap him.
She handed Uncle Theo the rifle before signing, Don’t let Bobby out of your sight. Theo’s expression hardened and he gave her a sharp nod.
Turning toward Chet, she smiled and slipped her hand into his as he helped her down. He kept hold of her hand as he hooked it over his arm.
The Widow's Secret (Keepers of the Light Book 5) Page 4