For the Love of a Wounded Cowboy: A Historical Western Romance Book

by Cassidy Hanton

  Several hours later the sun was setting and the house smelled of food. Amelia stood proud as she set the table for everyone. She laid out the soup, roast beef, vegetables, and bread. Then came the salad, pickles, and butter. Then the mashed potatoes, gravy, and roasted corn. There was chocolate cake with icing and strawberries, plus Dorset apple cake for dessert. She would make hot cocoa when the time came, but for now, she was happy with the table she’d laid.

  Amelia was still placing the plates on the table when she heard the first of the men return. A smile spread across her face as her heart began to beat faster. She was excited to see their response. She wanted to do something special and she hoped they appreciated it.

  Garrett walked in the door first, followed by Elmer and Melvin. John and Russell followed, and lastly Oliver.

  Then men gathered together in awe at the table before them. It made Amelia smile brightly. The candles were lit, proper napkins, place settings decorated the table, salt and pepper shakers were there, and she’d even pulled out the nicer dishes. Oliver had so many things in the house but he never used them. She wondered why. He had everything a well-established home should have, but it was as if they were kept just to have them. Melvin had mentioned they used to belong to his mother, so Amelia understood the need to keep them close, what she didn’t understand was why he didn’t pull them out and use them. She hoped he wouldn’t mind.

  “What’s all this?” Oliver asked. A smile spread across his face.

  “This, gentlemen, is dinner,” Amelia announced proudly.

  “I’ll be,” Melvin laughed. “Looks like a meal for the President or somethin’,” he mused. He looked at Amelia. “I feel as if I should dress up to eat it. You did all this by yourself?”

  “Yes,” Amelia answered. Melvin’s comment sparked an idea in her head. “Why don’t you?”

  “Why don’t I what?” Melvin asked.

  “Why don’t we dress up? Make this a real fancy event,” Amelia suggested. “After all, a special meal calls for special preparation.”

  Oliver smiled. “Why not?”

  The others looked at him questioningly.

  His smile grew. “You fellas wash up and get back here as soon as possible. We wouldn’t want such a wonderful meal to get cold, now would we?”

  Amelia could feel her cheeks grow warm. She was happy that he liked her idea. She did this for all of them, but especially for him.

  “You should go first,” Oliver suggested. “After all, you are the hostess.”

  She sauntered forward. “Don’t mind if I do,” she said as she slipped past them and headed for the washroom to get ready.

  Amelia stared at the blue dress that hung on the wall in front of her, it was the same dress she saw at the general store. Oliver bought it for her as a gift a few days after the incident that took place there. She tried not to think it meant more than it did, but she wanted to. She wanted to believe that the gift meant something. What? She didn’t dare to consider. It would be too wonderful to be true. Still, she hoped. Things were changing between them and it seemed as if they, by some miracle, were heading in the same direction—toward the other.

  She slipped into the dress. It fit her perfectly. The ruffles around her neck and wrists were elegant. The fabric was soft and gentle, much more expensive than the ones she could usually afford. The layers of underskirts gave the skirt more bounce, body, and twisted around her legs like a bell as she stood admiring her appearance. She twisted her hair quickly and secured the back with pins, allowing some of the twists to fall over her shoulder. She smiled when she was finished and strode back to the kitchen.

  The men were waiting for her when she returned. Her smile fell slightly. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting,” she replied. Every mouth stood agape, each man staring at her as if they’d never seen her before. She blushed. “It takes a bit longer for a lady to get ready.”

  Oliver stood and the others followed. “It was well worth the wait,” he said with a smile. “You look lovely, Amelia.”

  “Yes,” the others chorused. “Beautiful.”

  “You look like a princess,” Melvin commented as he got to his feet. The other men followed suit soon after.

  Oliver led her to the table. Amelia sat quietly. Her heart was beating so hard as he Oliver pulled the chair out for her and then pushed it back in. She’d never been treated so well in her entire life. She really did feel like a princess.

  The others returned to their seats and Oliver gave thanks for the meal. Amelia was surprised, she’d never seen him do that before, but as he informed them, it used to be a practice of his father, one had had not continued but the meal that was prepared demanded that he give thanks for the bounty that was laid out for them.

  Dish by dish, the food was shared and Amelia felt more and more pleased about her decision. She watched the happy expressions on the men’s faces as they enjoyed the meal. It made her heart light to see it.

  “This is delicious, Miss Amelia,” Russell commented.

  “Yes, Miss Amelia, really delicious,” John agreed.

  “If you think this is good, wait until dessert,” she mused. She cut a piece of the roast and popped it into her mouth.

  “Dessert?” Oliver questioned. “You made dessert?”

  “Yes, I did,” she replied with a smile. “Special occasion, remember?”

  Oliver leaned closer. “You didn’t say what was so special about it,” he mused.

  Amelia’s gaze shifted around the table. Everyone was looking at her, waiting for her answer. She smiled. “I wanted to celebrate this place, and all of you,” she stated. “I realized that things haven’t been normal around here in a while. I wanted to bring back some of the happiness we used to have here before the threat of the rustlers and everything else that has happened. You all work so hard to protect this place, and I feel as if I haven’t been doing anything to contribute to that.”

  “Not at all,” Melvin countered. “If it weren’t for you takin’ care of this place then what would we have to come home to every day? You hold us together.” He smiled at her.

  “I agree,” Oliver added. “You’re the lady in this house, and I think, after having someone like you here, we all can see what it’s like to have someone who cares for us.”

  Garrett nodded. “You remind me a lot of my Maggie,” he added. “She’s just like you. She’s always takin’ care of others and lookin’ after everyone, sometimes without regard to herself. She’s an amazing woman,” he smiled.

  “Just like you,” Oliver added. “I think we sometimes forget how important it is to have a woman around to take care of all the things we can’t.”

  Amelia’s heart thumped harder as she blushed. “Thank you.”

  After dinner, everyone gathered in the living room. John pulled out his fiddle and began to play a song. Amelia didn’t recognize the tune but it was lively and she found her foot tapping to it. The music continued to play and Amelia began to clap along.

  “You look like you’re about ready to dance,” Melvin commented.

  Amelia smiled. She was.

  Melvin looked in Oliver’s direction. “Why don’t you dance with her?”

  Their eyes met across the floor. Amelia’s heart began to thunder in her ears. She smiled bashfully. She could see the lump in Oliver’s throat bob up and down, but he didn’t say anything. Several seconds passed and Oliver remained silent. Amelia began to feel slightly embarrassed.

  “I’ll dance with her,” Russell offered. He got to his feet and stepped in front of her, took her hand and led her into the clear space on the floor. He placed a hand on her waist and soon their knees and heels were kicking high as they danced in a circle.

  Melvin hooted and Elmer hollered as they both began to clap and encourage them. Amelia laughed. It was the most fun she’d ever had. She lost herself to the music and danced as if there was no tomorrow. Suddenly, the dance was interrupted.

  “May I?” Oliver questioned as he stood staring at her. His ha
nd was on Russell’s shoulder.

  He turned and answered Oliver with a smile. “Not at all,” he replied. “I was wonderin’ how long it would take you,” he mused. The others laughed around them.

  “Sorry,” Oliver whispered as he took her in his arms. “I guess I was a bit slow on the draw tonight,” he mused.

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she replied with a smile. “You could never be slow to anything.”

  “Now I think you’re wrong about that,” he replied. “I can think of one thing I’ve been very behind on.”

  “Do you now?” she questioned with a grin.

  Oliver started to dance and Amelia followed him. Round and round they skipped, but Amelia didn’t lose herself in the music. She lost herself in Oliver’s eyes. They never wavered from her face, no matter how many times they turned, he kept his gaze solely on her. It made her feel as if there was no one else in the room but the two of them.

  The music slowed and their pace with it. Oliver adjusted his hold on her as she continued to follow his lead. No one had ever danced with her before. Back home she would visit the dances, but no one ever dared ask her with her father there. He liked to make sure he was wherever there was a chance of Amelia enjoying herself. He always wanted to ruin it and he had. Not now. Now, she was having the time of her life. She would never forget it as long as she lived.

  “You two look real good together,” Russell commented.

  “I agree,” Melvin added. “Just like they were made for each other, I’d say.”

  Amelia blushed.

  “You both hush before you embarrass Amelia with your jabber,” Oliver replied. “You all are going on like some old women gossiping,” he laughed.

  “No matter what you say, it doesn’t make it any less true. You two look right good together,” Melvin continued.

  “Forgive them,” Oliver said to her. “They’re just having some fun at our expense.”

  She smiled demurely. “I know. It’s all right. I’m enjoying myself.”

  Oliver seemed to be trying to hide a smile at her response. “So am I.”

  They continued to dance and no one made any attempt to cut in. It allowed her to continue in her fantasy that there really was only the two of them there, that she would have happily continued if not for the loud knock on the door that brought everything to an immediate end.

  They all stopped and stared. First at the door and then at each other. No one was expected. It was late, who could be paying a visit at that hour? Amelia’s heart began to beat a fearful tune.

  Oliver released her. “Don’t move,” he instructed as he turned to the door. The other men got to their feet, watching him carefully as he approached it. One by one, Amelia saw them move for the guns they had set aside when they came in. Their happy time was over. The reality of the situation had returned in triple force.

  She waited with bated breath for Oliver to reach the door. Another loud knock shook its frame. Her heart beat faster.

  Oliver moved to the nearby window and pulled the curtain back slightly so he could peek out. “Who is it?” he called. A heavy silence filled the room as they waited for the response.

  Chapter Twenty

  The room was so quiet that the breath of each individual could be heard clearly. Oliver was sure, that if he tried, he could hear their hearts beating. The beats would be as rapid as his were at that moment.

  The levity was gone, as was the pleasure of holding Amelia in his arms. The dance had not lasted nearly long enough before it was so rudely interrupted. Now, his every nerve was once again on edge.

  His green eyes stared at the door before he approached it. He was preparing himself for whatever may lay on the other side. Was it a friend or a foe who interrupted their evening? If either, what could have brought them and what should be done about it? The last thing he wanted was a fight, but if one was coming he wanted to be sure that Amelia was protected, and that they would win it. Immediately he began to think of ways of escape. He felt the other men stir from their places and retrieve their weapons as he left the woman he loved to investigate the intrusion.

  It was too dark to make out the figure standing on the porch as he pulled back the curtain to peek outside. He watched the man shift his weight and raise his hand to knock again when he stopped at Oliver’s question.

  “It’s Sheriff Manchester,” the voice replied.

  Oliver felt somewhat relieved, but something told him not to be too happy quite yet. He turned to the other men in the room, who still looked tense. Why was the sheriff coming out there at that time of night? What had happened? Whatever it was, it couldn’t be good.

  He stood to his full height and strode to the door. He looked back at Amelia, who looked concerned as she stared back at him. Then, he turned his attention to the door.

  “Come on in, Sheriff,” Oliver welcomed the lawman.

  “Oliver,” Sheriff Manchester replied as he gave a nod and removed his at upon entering. “Miss Amelia. Fellas,” he said in turn, as he nodded at the others in the room.

  “What brings you this way, Sheriff?” Melvin asked. He smiled. “You can’t tell me you heard our revelry all the way in town and came to join us?” he mused. “Though I’m sure you’d be more than welcomed.”

  “I wish that was the case,” the sheriff replied. “Unfortunately, it’s not.”

  “I didn’t think so,” Oliver interjected. He stepped closer to the other man. He jammed his hands into the pockets of his trousers and raised his chin. “What’s this all about?”

  Sheriff Manchester turned to him and breathed deeply. “I’m here on official business, Oliver,” he began.

  Oliver’s heart paused in his chest.

  “Official business?” Amelia asked tentatively.

  Sheriff Manchester turned to look at her. “I’m afraid so, Miss Amelia.” He turned his attention back to Oliver. “Rayner is pressing charges against you for assault, after what happened the other day.”

  “You can’t be serious, Sheriff,” Melvin declared. “That sniveling turd dared press charges on Ollie? He had that comin’. You and I both know that you’d do the same under the circumstances.”

  “You aren’t really here to arrest Oliver, are you Sheriff?” Russell asked. The other man joined him in his questioning.

  Sheriff Manchester raised his hand for silence. “Look, if it were me and someone had said what Rayner did, I’d probably want to wipe his face in the dirt just like Oliver, however, I’d then remember that words are nothing, but actions can get me into trouble.” He stepped toward Oliver. “I don’t blame you, but it doesn’t change the law. You took the first shot. He didn’t hit you first, you hit him. Everyone saw it. That means you’re wrong.”

  Oliver’s hands tightened in his pockets.

  I should have seen this coming.

  He tried to suppress an angry smile. He was angry at himself. “I really played into his hands,” he commented. “He goaded me right to where he wanted me.”

  “I’m afraid so,” Sheriff Manchester replied. “And there isn’t anything I can do about it. I am duty-bound to uphold the law, and the law says I have to arrest you, Oliver.”

  “No!” Amelia exclaimed. “Sheriff, you can’t….”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Amelia, I have my duties to perform,” Sheriff Manchester apologized. He looked back at Oliver. “I have to take you in.”

  Oliver pulled his hands from his pockets and allowed them to remain loosely at his sides. “It’s all right, Sheriff. You have to do what you have to do. I appreciate that. You’re an upstanding man. I wouldn’t expect you to do anything less.”

  “Doesn’t mean I like it any,” the sheriff replied. “I’d have hit him, too, if he insulted my fiancée.”

  Oliver’s heart stuttered. His eyes darted to Amelia’s face.

  “Me?” she whispered. She looked at him questioningly.

  The sheriff’s expression faltered. “I’m sorry. I thought you would have told her.”
<
br />   “No, I didn’t,” Oliver replied sheepishly.

  Amelia stepped toward him, almost ignoring the sheriff’s presence entirely. “What does this have to do with me?”

  “Miss Amelia…” Melvin started, but Oliver shook his head. He knew the other man wanted to smooth things over, but there was no getting away from this. She needed to hear this from him.