The Widow's Secret (Keepers of the Light Book 5)

by Marie Higgins

  “Let’s go for a little walk,” he said, leading the way.

  After a few moments passed without anything said, her chest tightened as worry grew inside her. “Chet? What’s wrong?”

  He stopped near a large oak tree and faced her. His gray eyes had a hint of sadness to them, but it was the concern on his expression that worried her the most.

  “Before we reach Spruce Hill, I wanted to tell you...” He cleared his throat. “I wanted to tell you the truth as to why I’m really here.”

  “The truth?” Her throat tightened.

  “I’m not heading to Spruce Hill to work at the lumber mill. I’m a bounty hunter who is looking for a criminal.”

  “A... bounty hunter?” Fear spread through her quickly and stiffened her limbs. Slowly, she pulled her hand away from him. Dread filled her and she wanted to scream with frustration. She was certain Mr. Stone knew she’d stolen his money and had hired someone to find her and Gracie. But it didn’t matter. She would not go back to that hellhole.

  “Yes. I was hired to look for a woman who’d kidnapped Astoria’s mayor’s daughter.”

  Her mind tripped over his words as relief swept through her. He wasn’t looking for a thief, and yet... “Do you believe this kidnapper is in Spruce Hill?”

  He chuckled forcefully and removed his hat, pushing his fingers through his dark hair. “I’d like to know that answer more than anything because when I first met you, I thought you were the criminal I was after.”

  Confusion expanded in her head, making it throb. “You thought I had kidnapped the mayor’s daughter?”

  “The picture I saw of the little girl looked very similar to Gracie, and the description I was given of the kidnapper – along with her name – was you.”

  Grasping, she slapped a hand over her mouth. Keeping her eyes on him, she shook her head. “I have not kidnapped the mayor’s daughter. I don’t even know the mayor of Astoria.” Unshed tears burned her eyes. “In fact, my only crime is that I stole Mr. Stone’s money when he was passed out in his study before Gracie and I left the orphanage.”

  His eyes widened and an eyebrow arched. “You stole his money?”

  “I know it was wrong, but I’d been working as the schoolteacher for the orphanage since I was eighteen, and he hasn’t given me one penny for my wages. Part of me wanted to believe by taking the money, I was only taking what he had promised me when I started working for him.”

  Chet took her cold hand and caressed it. “When you saw Mr. Stone passed out in his study, was he still alive?”

  “What do you mean still alive? Is he... dead?” Her body trembled as the shock wracked her whole body.

  “Yes. He was found dead, lying on his sofa. The killer had smashed him over the head with a large object and he bled to death.”

  She cupped her hands over her mouth, shaking her head in disbelief as her mind tried to recall everything she’d seen in his room when Gracie had crept to Mr. Stone and taken the money. There had been too many shadows for her to see if blood was on the piece of furniture, or even on his head.

  “Amelia? Do you know if he was still alive at that time?”

  She blinked back the tears. “The room was dark. I honestly couldn’t tell. But... if someone had killed him before Gracie and I were in his study, wouldn’t the killer have taken the money?”

  “True, they probably would have. Maybe someone killed him after you had left the room.”

  Amelia nodded. “That must have happened, but I assure you, Chet... I didn’t kill him.”

  He stepped closer and took her in his arms. Chet had always been able to comfort her, but this time she was too frightened to allow it to happen. She didn’t want him to think she killed Mr. Stone – or kidnapped Gracie.

  “Amelia,” he said, stroking her hair, “it didn’t take me long to realize you are not a criminal. Your heart is too kind and loving.”

  As relief swept over her body, she grew weak. He must have felt her sway against him because his strong arms had tightened around her. She relaxed, resting her head on his chest. “Chet? Why would someone tell you that I kidnapped the mayor’s daughter?”

  “I don’t know, but I’m going to find out.” He brushed his lips across her forehead. “But until then, you might be in danger.”

  She gasped and lifted her head, meeting his gaze. “Why?”

  “Whoever has done this terrible crime has pointed the authorities in your direction. I was told the kidnapper’s name was Miss Amelia Florence, and when I arrived at the orphanage and discovered Mr. Stone had been killed, the people I had spoken with suggested that you killed him in order to escape.” He swept a lock of hair off her forehead. “Someone is looking for you, and I get the feeling they are out for revenge.”

  The tears she didn’t want to shed streaked down her face. She didn’t care anymore. The events that had happened in her life lately were just too much to bear. “Chet? Will you help protect me and my daughter?”

  He nodded. “I will, but you must be honest with me from here on out. I can’t protect you if you’re hiding something from me.”

  Her heart wrenched. She must tell him, even though it would make her look like an incompetent fool, she was certain. “I promise to tell you everything. Thank you for trusting me and believing in my innocence. I... don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  She licked her dry lips, gaining the courage to tell him about Gracie, but his gaze dropped to her mouth, stopping her thoughts. His expression had changed, too. His gray eyes turned lighter as softness crossed his face. Her heart lodged in her throat. Why was he looking at her as if he wanted to kiss her? But more importantly, why did she want him too? He had lied to her about his identity. Yet, she’d done the same to him. However, he had confessed, and he still wanted to help her. How could she not feel this way toward him? He really was a wonderful man.

  “Chet,” she whispered huskily, trying to find the words to tell him the truth.

  His mouth covered hers before she could say anything else. At first, it startled her to have a man’s lips caressing hers, but then warmth spread through her and she couldn’t stop the deep sigh of delight from leaving her throat. She’d never kissed a man passionately before, and she prayed Chet would understand and not judge her too harshly for being so inexperienced.

  As his mouth moved gently over hers, she slid her hands up his chest and hooked them around his neck, pressing against him more intimately. His hat fell off his head, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  Immediately, the kiss changed. His mouth took charge as if he was urgent to kiss her. Fireworks exploded in her head, making her ears ring. Dizziness swam in her mind, and yet, she was more alert now than before. The kiss was heavenly, and she wanted him to feel what she was experiencing right now.

  She copied the way his mouth moved, tilting her head back and forth as the kiss deepened. His arms tightened around her, but his hands moved in circles over her back. Nothing could be as exciting as this, she was sure.

  Suddenly, he stopped and lifted his head. Guilt was his expression now, and she slowly died inside. What had she done? “Chet?”

  “Amelia,” he whispered in a deep voice. “Please forgive me. I shouldn’t have...” He cleared his throat. “My only excuse for giving into temptation was because you were looking at me in a way that no other woman has looked at me before.”

  She swallowed hard. “I was?”

  He smiled and caressed her cheek. “You had such admiration in your eyes... and trust.”

  “How could I not feel that way?” She threaded her fingers through his hair. “You are the first man to come into my life who wants to protect me.”

  “What about Uncle Theo?”

  She chuckled. “He has a huge heart. He treats most people like that. But, I’m not attracted to him.”

  Chet’s smile relaxed and he rubbed his hands along her back again, moving them up toward her neck as he pulled her closer. “You are attracted to me?”

  “You
know I am.”

  His gaze dropped to her mouth again. “I’m very much attracted to you, too.”

  Her heartbeat quickened. She didn’t know what to say... probably because she wanted to kiss him again. Unfortunately, Theo and her brother were still at the wagon waiting for them.

  “We... should get back to the wagon,” she whispered.

  “I don’t want to.”

  Her smile stretched across her face. “Neither do I, but we need to get into town before the storm hits.”

  “Yes, you’re right, but I promise you, this won’t be the last kiss. Once we reach town, I plan on finding other times to kiss you passionately, because one kiss from you just isn’t enough.”

  He dipped his head and kissed her again, but briefly. Just like before, she became breathless. Her heart soared, even when he broke the kiss and led them back toward the wagon. It wasn’t until he was helping her up next to Uncle Theo when she realized she hadn’t told him the truth about Gracie. She would tell him when they reached Spruce Hill. She just prayed he’d understand why it had slipped her mind earlier.

  EIGHT

  The little town of Spruce Hill was absolutely amazing. Amelia didn’t quite know what to expect, but as they rode into town looking for an inn or hotel, many people stopped and stared at them, and most of them greeted them with waves or smiles. Already, she felt welcomed here.

  Another thing that she noticed was there seemed to be more men than women. Of course, since this was a lumberjack town. That probably explained why she saw more men.

  Excitement built inside her, and she wiggled on the seat, holding her clasped hands in her lap tightly. She tried to study every person she could, especially if they were over the age of sixty because she still didn’t know if her grandparents lived here. Yet, remembering what Chet had told her during their talk earlier, she wondered if finding her grandparents was a good idea or not. Perhaps it was best to wait until she was out of danger before locating her family.

  Lodging was easy to find. A large sign above the building announced the business, The Noble Hotel.

  Uncle Theo stopped the wagon out in front. Chet had dismounted and tied his horse to the post before hurrying over to help Amelia down. Uncle Theo climbed down by himself. Gracie peeked out of the canvas, grinning.

  “Are we here?” she asked.

  Chet reached his arms up and lifted Gracie down. They all walked into the hotel with Bobby following behind. It was difficult not to feel like a family, but Amelia tried to squash her dreams. It was too early to think that way. She promised herself not to get her hopes up until after she’d told Chet the truth about Gracie not being her daughter – and not being a widow.

  A middle-aged man and woman stood behind a long counter, talking. They raised their gazes to the group who had just entered, and immediately, wide smiles touched their faces.

  “Welcome to The Noble Hotel,” the man said. “I’m Heber Portly and this is my wife, Hilde.”

  Chet shook hands with the man. “I’m Chet Logan, and this is Mrs. Florence and her daughter, Gracie, and her uncle, Theo, and her brother, Bobby.”

  The hotel owners nodded to each one.

  “We are new in town and we need a place to stay until finding something more permanent,” Amelia said.

  Mrs. Portly clapped her hands once in excitement. “That’s just wonderful. You’re all going to love this town.”

  Amelia stepped up to the counter. “My daughter and I will share a room.”

  Mrs. Portly jotted down Amelia’s name in the registry book before looking up at Chet. “And what about you?”

  Chet grinned and clapped a hand on Bobby’s shoulder. “I’m going to share a room with my good friend, Robert.”

  Amelia held back a laugh. By Bobby’s grimace, she could see that her criminal brother wasn’t very happy about the situation.

  Mrs. Portly looked at Theo. “And you’ll have a room to yourself, sir?”

  Amelia quickly turned toward her friend and signed Mrs. Portly’s question. Theo frowned and signed back, I can’t afford it.

  Her heart dropped. She’d forgotten about their low funds. She looked at Chet and shook her head before returning her attention to the hotel owner. “Um, Uncle Theo can stay in the room with me and my daughter.”

  “Actually,” Chet moved closer to her and touched her hand, “I can pay for Theo’s room.”

  Surprise lifted to her throat as she released a gasp. Her heartbeat quickened from his kindness. “Are you certain?”

  “Yes.” He gave her a wink.

  Mrs. Portly wrote down Theo’s name on the line under Amelia’s. She gave Chet a heartfelt smile and mouthed the words thank you.

  “Mrs. Portly,” Amelia said, looking back at the other woman, “can you tell me if there are any job openings in this town?”

  “Well,” Mr. Portly answered for his wife, stepping up to the counter, “the lumber mill is always looking for extra hands.” He glanced over Chet, Bobby, and Theo. “And you three appear to be in excellent shape to work there.”

  “What about me?” Amelia asked. “I would also like to find work.”

  “Nonsense, sister dear.” Bobby slid a brotherly arm around her shoulders. “You have Gracie to look after. Between the three of us, we’ll be able to bring in the money so that you won’t have to work.”

  “How kind of you.” She smiled but glanced past him at Chet who looked at Bobby with an arched eyebrow. It appeared the bounty hunter still wanted to put her brother in jail, which he probably deserved. “Bobby, why don’t you and the others go out to the wagon to collect our things.”

  Chet motioned his head at Bobby and Theo, heading for the door. Amelia quickly signed to Uncle Theo to let him know what was going on. After the men left, she grasped Gracie’s hand and followed Mrs. Portly up the stairs toward the room.

  Mrs. Portly stopped at the door and unlocked it. As she swung the door open, she looked at Amelia. “I noticed that your uncle is deaf.”

  “Yes.”

  “I find it amazing that you know how to sign.”

  “My uncle actually taught both me and Gracie.”

  “You have a rare talent.”

  Amelia’s cheeks warmed. “I was a school teacher in Idaho, and I taught sign language to some of my students. Do you know if there are any deaf people in Spruce Hill?”

  “There are. I must say, you will be sought after once word spreads of your talent.”

  “I hope so.” Amelia stepped into the room. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask the hotel owner if she knew of an older couple in town who had lost their grandchildren, but Amelia held back from saying anything. It was too soon.

  Gracie giggled and ran toward the full-sized bed before climbing on the mattress and flinging herself on her back. Amelia laughed. She felt like doing the same thing, but instead, she looked over every piece of furniture in the room, from the dresser that held the washbasin and water pitcher, to the small sofa near the window that sat next to the large armoire.

  Mrs. Portly explained where the bathroom was located, and when the meals would be served downstairs in the dining area, but the words weren’t registering in Amelia’s head. Her thoughts were about her future. Could this be the place where she and Gracie could live and not ever have to worry about anything? Could this be the place where they could begin a new life and feel normal? She wanted to bury her past. It might be deceitful, but she didn’t want anyone to know she’d been in an orphanage and that she had been treated so poorly. She wanted people to see her for the woman she’d become in spite of the treatment she’d received for sixteen years.

  She thanked Mrs. Portly and the older woman left. As Amelia’s thoughts of the future swam in her head, she moved to the bed and sat on the edge, staring at the wall as she stroked Gracie’s hair. The sweet little girl deserved a better life, but at least Amelia had taken her away from the orphanage. Amelia would always think of Gracie as her own daughter no matter if people told her it was wrong. She wan
ted the best for her. She wanted Gracie to be happy, just as she wanted to be happy along with her.

  Living in Spruce Hill as a widow was the only way. She would confess the truth to Chet, and she hoped he would keep her secret. She also prayed he would understand why that was the best way for her and Gracie.

  A warm hand rested on her shoulder and she blinked out of her stare to look up at the person behind her. Chet smiled and caressed her arm.

  “Where do you want yours and Gracie’s things?” he asked in a quiet voice.

  She glanced at the little girl on the bed, noticing she had fallen asleep. Amelia wanted to join her in slumber-land, but there were things she needed to do first.

  She stood and pointed to the corner of the room. “Just place them on the floor for now. I’ll get them put away.”

  He nodded and moved the things to the spot she’d indicated. He was so very handsome. His hair was slightly lighter than hers, and the length fell to just below his collar. His shoulders and chest were wide and muscular, but that wasn’t what made her melt every time she gazed at him. His mesmerizing gray eyes and sweet smile put her under a spell much too often.

  “Chet,” she grasped his arm, stopping him from leaving. “We need to find some time today to finish our talk from earlier.”

  His expression softened as he moved closer, sliding an arm around her waist. Her heartbeat flipped crazily. He was thinking of the kiss, she just knew it. Although that hadn’t left her mind, she really needed to tell him the truth about Gracie.

  “Oh, we will.” His gaze dropped to her mouth.

  Amelia’s throat turned dry. “I’m ready to confess everything to you.”

  Confusion replaced his desirable expression, and her chest tightened. Had he thought she told him everything?

  “Uh, all right. We can do that. In fact,” he glanced toward the bed at the slumbering Gracie, “let’s see if we can do that now while she’s asleep.”

  “Are Uncle Theo and Bobby settled in their rooms?”