She gazed into his eyes. “Oliver, I wish I could say what’s on my heart now,” she started. “But I can’t.” She wanted to wind her arms around his neck and hold him tight, but she didn’t. “Please, allow me to keep a secret this once?”
Oliver’s gaze searched her eyes. “Very well,” he answered. “We all have our secrets to keep,” he continued. “If you think it’s best then I won’t press you.”
“Thank you,” she replied.
Amelia moved toward the edge of the lake, her shift tangled around her legs as she climbed out of the water. Once out, she gathered her belongings together. Her clothes were still wet, but they would have to do. They would dry some on the way home.
“Amelia?” Oliver called again. She could hear him leaving the water behind her. She hesitated for a moment and then turned quickly to face him.
She should have moved slower. She had already seen Oliver fall from the rocks, and now she was about to. Amelia wobbled in place, her hands grasping the air. They found Oliver’s strong shoulders as his firm hands found her waist. She fell against him, but he was prepared. His strong frame remained erect as she tumbled gently against his chest. She gasped as they connected.
Amelia’s heart beat louder, her breath was rapid, and her body trembled, yet she wasn’t cold. She looked up at Oliver tentatively. He looked at her and slowly brushed her damp hair from her face.
“I’m sorry,” she apologized.
“There is no need,” Oliver assured her.
She wanted to move, but his arms kept her in place. She wanted to speak, but he stopped her. His eyes held her bound.
“Let me help you,” he said. “I think it will be safer for both of us,” Olive replied eventually.
Amelia nodded. Words were not to be found at that moment. All she wanted was to stay in his arms, fall into his heart, as he had fallen into hers. She wanted to stay in the fantasy that was the few moments they now shared.
Love me, Oliver.
She called his name softly, her hands trembling against his shoulders. If she did say how she felt, would it really be so terrible if he felt the same? He might. She kept thinking so, then something told her she was being foolish. She wanted to know, but the fact of the truth and his possible rejection was a greater emotion.
Oliver gazed into her eyes, his lips parted as if to say something, then his gaze shifted away from her to the tree line behind. “We should get home,” he said distractedly. “I wouldn’t want the other men to see you in such a state. We should go now before they return from checking on the cattle.”
Amelia’s heart sank. “Yes, of course,” she replied. She lowered her hands from his arms and let them fall to her side. Oliver’s lingered for a moment before he released her waist and took her hand.
“You first,” he said as he held her securely. He extended his hand to make a way for her. Amelia did as he asked. She stooped to collect her fallen garments, but Oliver stopped her. “I’ll get them. You just get your shoes on,” he stated.
Amelia nodded silently. She lowered herself to the nearest moss-free rock and set about putting her boots on. Oliver collected her things as promised. She slipped into her dress, but he held onto her stockings and stuffed them into his pockets.
“Ready,” she declared as she turned to him.
He smiled at her. “You look lovely. Now, let’s get you home and get you dry before you catch your death.”
They walked through the thick trees until they finally thinned. Oliver stayed by her side at every step. There were moments when his hand brushed past hers as they moved in the same direction. She wanted to take his hand and hold it and never let it go.
Amelia was surprised to find that Oliver had brought her horse with him, so the walk was far less than the one she had to come there. He helped her onto her horse’s back and then mounted his.
“Follow me. I know a shortcut that will save plenty of time and make sure we get home before the others,” he informed her.
Amelia nodded and followed him.
Chapter Sixteen
Melvin was acting strangely. When she approached him about joining him on his trip into town, he had become almost adamant that she not. It was odd. Melvin never refused her the opportunity to go with him anywhere, but now he was. She wondered why. What was in town that he did not want her to see?
“I need the fabric,” Amelia insisted.
“If you just tell me what kind and color you want I can get them for you,” Melvin persisted. “You really don’t need to trouble yourself. You can continue your work. No need two of us getting delayed in our chores.”
Amelia frowned and set her hands on her hips. “Melvin, is there some reason you don’t want me to accompany you to town?” she demanded finally. She’d had enough of his evasiveness. She had things to do and she was going to do them.
“No, of course not,” he denied. “Why would you say somethin’ like that?”
“Because you’re acting like it,” she replied sharply. She looked him in the eye. “Is there something you’re hiding from me?”
Melvin chuckled. “Now what could I possibly have to hide from you, Miss Amelia?”
“I don’t know,” she replied. “But it won’t work. I’m going to town with you today and there isn’t’ anything you can do to stop me,” she declared. She marched to the wagon and helped herself onto the bench. She turned to find Melvin looking at her with a tense expression.
“All right, Miss Amelia. All right, we’ll get goin’,” he stated as he walked around the wagon and hopped onto the bench beside her. Amelia folded her arms over her chest in satisfaction. Oliver was off in the field with the herd and the other men were carrying on with their duties. They had been hired to protect the ranch, but as the days passed and no danger presented itself, Oliver soon found alternative work for them to do.
The ride into town was a silent one. Melvin seemed tense and Amelia didn’t want to make the matter worse. Whatever reason he had was his own and she would not pressure him, but she was not going to allow him to stop her from carrying out what she had to do without an explanation. She needed the fabric to make new shirts for Oliver. His old ones were tatters and there was only so much mending you could do before it became pointless. Amelia was at that point.
Melvin pulled the wagon up outside of the general store. He turned and looked at her. He had the same curious expression on his face as he had at the ranch. He got down from the wagon and came around to help her.
“You go on in and get what you need. I’ll be down by the blacksmith for a bit getting the shoes on the horse replaced. I’ll meet you right back here. Don’t wander any,” he stated. Amelia questioned the meaning of his warning.
“I won’t go anywhere,” she replied. “I’ll wait right here for you. Melvin, are you sure everything is all right? You’re acting really strange.”
“There you go talking funny again,” Melvin replied with an overly loud laugh. “What could possibly be goin’ on? I swear, Miss Amelia, I don’t know what’s got you so suspicious, but it’s right funny.”
She bristled but did her best to hide it. Amelia knew something was going on. She was sure of it. Whatever it was, it was clearly significant enough for Melvin to hide it from her. It only made her want to know what it was more than ever.
Amelia nodded. “Perhaps,” she replied as she continued to look at him questioningly. She sighed deeply. “I’ll meet you inside.”
She turned from the wagon and Melvin, questions still plaguing her as she walked into the general store.
“Good day, Mr. Reeves,” she said as she greeted the proprietor. She smiled at the older man, whose hair was completely white on his head and in his beard. His face was framed by it, and his cheeks were rosy, so was his large, hooked nose. He was a pleasant man who always had a smile and a kind word for everyone who came into the store. Amelia liked him tremendously.
“Miss Amelia!” he greeted her. “What a pleasure to see you today. I was just saying to
Mrs. Reeves this morning, that I haven’t seen you in town in a little while, and we have those new fabrics that we were discussing.” He smiled at her brightly as he stepped out from behind the counter.
Amelia smiled back. “That’s why I’m here,” she informed him. She stepped toward him.
“Wonderful! They’re right over here,” he indicated as he stepped to his right toward a large table stacked high with various items. Amelia followed him. She smiled brighter as she saw the selection of colorful fabrics that varied in material, pattern, and amount.
“They’re lovely,” she commented as she ran her hand over a long bolt of dark blue material. It was soft beneath her fingers, and she was sure it would keep Oliver cool. “I’d like three yards of this,” she stated. “And another three of that one,” she continued as she placed her hand on a small plaid print.
“Yes, indeed,” Mr. Reeves replied, as he took hold of the bolt and moved it to the glass counter where a long ruler was attached across the top. He measured out the first length while Amelia continued to peruse the options.
“And some of this one and this one,” she continued. “I’ll also need some thread to match. Did you get any more trousers? I was hoping to get at least one pair for Oliver and one for Mel…Uncle Melvin.”
“How is your uncle?” Mr. Reeves asked.
“He’s well,” Amelia replied. “He’s over at the blacksmith getting the wagon repaired and the horse re-shoed. So you’ll see him today.”
“That’s good. I look forward to seeing him,” he continued.
Amelia continued to search the offerings the general store had to offer. She considered everything she saw and whether it would be of use to Melvin or Oliver. She rarely shopped for herself. She took more pleasure in doing for the two men who took care of her than she did for herself. It was odd, but the better they were to her the more she wanted to be good to them.
Mr. Reeves was busy cutting the material she asked for, while she considered threads and buttons. There, hanging over the counter was a lovely light blue dress. Amelia looked at it longingly. She had never owned a ready-made dress, she had always made her own clothing, ever since she was a girl. She smiled as she thought of how it would look on her.
“It would look real nice on you,” a voice called that made the hair on her neck stand on end and her breath hitch in her throat.
Amelia’s heart began to beat faster. She tried to pretend she hadn’t heard him.
“If you like it, then you should buy it,” he continued. Out of the corner of her eye, Amelia saw the man’s form, dressed in black, walking toward her. She swallowed her fear and turned.
She had encountered the same man while walking with Oliver that day several weeks before. He smiled at her, and as it had the first time, it made Amelia shiver and her stomach knot.
“You’d look real pretty in that,” he continued. He turned and looked at the dress. “Why don’t you try it on?”
“Can I help you?” Mr. Reeves asked suddenly.
Amelia turned to find the jolly expression was gone and a more serious one in its place. It made her discomfort greater. Mr. Reeves was not the kind of person who greeted anyone in such a manner. There was clearly something about this man that made him unnerved.
The other man sneered. “Did I ask you, old man?”
Amelia’s heart stopped in her chest as she felt the tension rise in the room. The man in black continued to glare at Mr. Reeves. The proprietor’s gaze shifted between him and her.
“Miss Amelia, would you come here? I want to be sure this is the one you asked for?” Mr. Reeves called.
“Yes, Mr. Reeves,” she replied. Unfortunately, she was only able to take a single step before she found her path blocked. The man in black stood in front of her. His beady eyes stared down at her as he smiled.
“Amelia? Is that your name? It’s a pretty name. A pretty name for a pretty lady.”
She swallowed the lump in her throat. “Thank you,” she said quietly. Her eyes focused behind him to where Mr. Reeves was stepping out from behind the counter.
“Miss Amelia?” he called again.
The stranger ignored him and continued to stare at her.
“Excuse me,” she said as she attempted to step past him. She was afraid he would continue to block her way. She was relieved when he stepped aside and allowed her to pass. She walked to Mr. Reeves side. “Yes?”
“I wasn’t sure which ones you wanted. Would you show me again? I wouldn’t want to cut anything for you and it isn’t right.”
“Of course,” she replied.
Thank you, Mr. Reeves.
Amelia stood at the proprietor’s side, but despite her efforts to ignore the stranger’s presence, he continued to stand on the other side of the room watching her. The hair on the back of her neck remained on end. She could feel the man’s eyes on her and it made her skin crawl. All she could think of was how the man’s presence had upset Oliver, and how he would react if he found him there now.
Finally, Amelia had no more recourse. The fabric was cut, packaged, and wrapped in brown paper and tied with string. Melvin had yet to arrive, and Amelia entertained the thought of going to find him. Then she noticed the grin on the man’s face. No, leaving was not a good idea. Melvin told her he would come for her, therefore, she would wait.
“Did you come to town with Oliver?” the man asked suddenly.
Amelia’s heart stuttered in her chest. She shook her head. “No.”
“That’s unfortunate,” he replied. “I was hoping to see him again. I was wondering how things were going. We didn’t get to talk very much the last time we saw each other. You were there. You remember, don’t you? How quickly he wanted to leave our reunion.”
“He had a lot to do,” she replied.
The man smirked. “Are you his woman?”
The question took Amelia by surprise and for a moment she couldn’t find words to reply. Thankfully, Mr. Reeves was prepared.
“I beg your pardon, but that isn’t any of your business. I think you were very rude to even ask the lady such a question. I would be pleased if you would leave my establishment if you persist in such a manner.”
“Old man,” the strange replied. “I was having a conversation with…Amelia…and not with you. I find you rude in interrupting it, and if I were you, I’d be careful that you don’t find yourself removed from this establishment.”
Amelia saw Mr. Reeve’s hands ball into fists at his sides. Things were getting even tenser and the last thing she wanted was conflict for the kindly old man. Amelia’s gaze turned to the stranger. He was by far taller and stronger than Mr. Reeves, who would stand no chance against him if the conflict escalated to violence. She didn’t want that. She didn’t want him hurt on her account. She was trying to think of something she could do to dissipate the tension.
The door opened and Melvin walked in.
Amelia’s heart breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of him. “Uncle Melvin,” she called and tried to hide the crack in her voice. She rushed toward him and forced a smile on her face. “We were waiting for you.”
Melvin’s smile faded the moment his gaze fell on the stranger. His jaw clenched. “I’m here now,” he replied. His eyes remained on the stranger.
“Mr. Reeves wanted to see you,” she continued. “I told him we weren’t staying in town long.”
“It’s good to see you, Melvin,” Mr. Reeves greeted the other man. He brought Amelia’s package over to them. “I was just telling Miss Amelia how Mrs. Reeves has missed you. She was beginning to wonder if you’d forgotten all of us here in town.”
“Never,” Melvin replied as he tore his eyes away from the stranger. He took the package from Mr. Reeves. “Thank you for takin’ care of my niece,” he replied as he tucked the package under his arm. “Tell Mrs. Reeves I’ll pass by and visit with you both soon. I’ve just been real busy on the ranch.”
“I’ll be sure to do that.” Mr. Reeves glanced across the room. “You shoul
d probably be heading home now. Travel safely.”
“Melvin? Are you going to stand there and pretend you don’t see me?” the stranger interrupted.
Amelia’s eyes grew wide. She looked at Melvin questioningly. He also knew this man?
Who is he?
“I have nothin’ to say to you,” he replied. “Don’t make an issue.”
The stranger stepped forward and stuffed his hands in his pockets, a sly smile on his face. “Is that the way it’s gonna be?”
“That’s the way it is,” Melvin replied.
“Uncle Melvin?” Amelia called nervously. “Can we go?”
Melvin turned to her and took her hand firmly. “Yes, we can go,” he replied. He turned from the shop and led Amelia outside. The wagon was parked out front and he helped her onto the bench immediately. He untied the horses and hopped up beside her.
For the Love of a Wounded Cowboy: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 15