Surrender Your Heart

by Marie Higgins

  His memories switched to right after he’d rescued her. When he’d gotten a taste of her personality, he couldn’t keep himself from grinning. Even now, thinking about some of the words she’d used while in a fit of temper filled him with amusement and made him smile. Her temperament had caught him off guard, but he didn’t mind how different she was from most women he’d met.

  “Is there something comical in that book?”

  Miss Black’s voice pulled him out of his thoughts and he looked at her. She leaned forward across from him, her gaze dipping to the open pages as if she struggled to read upside down.

  He quickly straightened and closed the book. “No, nothing comical, Miss Black.”

  “Oh.” She sat back but kept her eyes on him. “I could have sworn I saw you smiling there for a moment.”

  He shrugged. “I must confess, my thoughts kept me from focusing on my reading.”

  “Care to share what you were thinking?” She grinned, which made her blue eyes sparkle.

  “Not today, if you don’t mind.” He heaved a heavy breath and folded his arms, turning his gaze out the window toward the passing scenery.

  Silence stretched between them for a few awkward moments before Miss Black released a loud sigh. “Mr. Hamilton, can I ask you a few questions?”

  He glanced at her before returning his attention to the window. “Must you? I was hoping for a little quiet time right now.”

  She chuckled. “Quiet time? I don’t know about you, but it’s been too quiet already. Since we’re traveling together, I think we should get to know each other. Besides that, we’re practically family.”

  He jerked his focus back to her who now sat playing with the fringe on her white shawl. “Why would you consider me family?” he asked warily.

  When her blue eyes collided with his, they widened. “Because your brother married my sister. Isn’t that a good enough reason?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose, however, I don’t see it that way. You were raised differently than I was, so obviously our beliefs vary.”

  “Where were you raised?”

  Adam didn’t feel right about answering such personal questions. She was still a stranger to him, a stranger that wanted to think of him as part of her family. That he couldn’t agree with. “In Kentucky, mainly.”

  “Do you know you’re the first man I’ve met from a different state?”

  Really, what could he say to that? “Then I feel privileged, Miss Black.”

  “Well, actually I met your brother a few times before he married Hannah, but I didn’t get to know him, so I suppose you can say you’re the second man I’ve met from a different state.” She chuckled.

  “I’m certain your acquaintance delighted my brother, Jacob.”

  “He seemed like the perfect man for my sister. So kind, so loving and attentive.” She smiled wistfully. “From what I can see, you’re a lot like your brother, which is why I think of you as part of the family.”

  “Thank you for such a compliment since I have met your family and conclude they are indeed wonderful people. However, I assure you, I don’t deserve your praise.”

  Her forehead creased as she stared at him through hooded eyes. “Are you saying you don’t want to be included in my family?”

  “With respect, Miss Black, you are correct in assuming such.”

  She pulled back, her eyes now widening as red blotches darkened her cheeks. “Mr. Hamilton, forgive me for saying this, but your refusal on this subject is very rude. Do you think you’re too good for us?”

  He heaved a sigh. This wasn’t the way he wanted her to see him. Then again, he truly didn’t want to be part of her family only because he didn’t want to bring any misfortune upon her, since it followed him around like an evil shadow, dark and foreboding. Adam feared if he gave into Miss Black’s wishes, something terrible might befall her or those she loved. He’d never be able to live with the guilt if that happened.

  “I see I’ve upset you, for which I must apologize.” He opened his book and pretended to read once more, hoping this time she’d let him.

  A few moments of silence passed between them and he dared a glance at her. She stared out the window, a frown marring her expression. Now that he could really look at her without appearing like a drowned cat, as when they had first met, he had to admit how lovely she was. Her heart-shaped face brought out her round, amazingly blue eyes. A perky nose didn’t distract from her beauty, only enhanced it. He was quite certain she had attracted many beaus back home, and he wouldn’t be surprised if many had offered marriage already.

  Suddenly, her gaze switched from the window and landed back on him. She grumbled as an accusing scowl darkened her expression.

  “Is that all you’re going to say?” she asked.

  He straightened and gave her a nod. “Yes. I have nothing more to say on the matter.”

  She released an audible gasp. “Well, I’ve never...” Breathing deeply, her face flashed an angry red. “I can’t believe how high-and-mighty you are. I’ve never met anyone as rude or condescending.”

  “Whoa,” Father Brian said, snapping alert as he swung toward Miss Black. “What’s goin’ on?” Blinking his eyes, his gaze bounced between her and Adam. “If I’m not mistakin’, I think my dear cousin is going to start cussin’ again.”

  Miss Black jumped out of her seat and planted her hands on her slender hips. “Cousin Brian, I hope you can talk some sense into this...this...insolent man because apparently I’m too far beneath his station to understand his crassness.” She spun around and marched up the narrow aisle, bumping into people on her way.

  Groaning, Adam rubbed his throbbing head. Their conversation had started a headache that he feared would last the rest of this trip. She’d completely misunderstood his intensions. Why did he have to be in such a foul mood all the time?

  “Will you kindly explain what that display was all about?” Father Brian asked.

  “It was all a miscommunication. More on my part.” Adam pushed away from the seat. “I must find her and—”

  “I’d be thinkin’ that would be a very bad idea.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  Father Brian chuckled. “My cousin is a hard woman to understand. The lass needs time to simmer before she’ll listen, she does. I think you’d best give her an hour to calm herself before tryin’ to speak rationally to her.”

  Adam blew out a frustrated breath and leaned back in his seat. An hour? Well, the man from Ireland must know his cousin, so Adam took heed. Besides, he really didn’t want to talk to her, but the woman kept pushing. Dare he hope that she’d learn her lesson and would not bother him from here on out?

  He doubted it.

  THREE

  Tears stung Emily’s eyes as she watched the landscape pass by quickly. She stood at the end of the train car, clutching the bracket as the wind whipped around her, tugging at her clothes and hair, but she didn’t care. The conversation with Mr. Hamilton had her madder than an irritated skunk. She’d come across some mule-headed men before, but Mr. Bad Manners—with the handsome face, wavy shoulder-length hair, and irresistible green eyes—took the prize. Even now she had words slamming through her head she wanted to lash out at him. They would definitely burn cousin Brian’s holier-than-thou ears.

  If Pa knew what she wanted to say to her sister’s brother-in-law, he would certainly rethink his decision to let Emily travel with this man. Instead, she must not let Mr. Hamilton’s rudeness ruin her trip. She was determined to show her pa that she was mature enough to handle the obstacles before her. But Mr. Hamilton made her want to speak her mind in the worst way.

  Then again, speaking her mind had always gotten her into trouble before. Perhaps that was why the men who courted her had never asked for her hand in marriage.

  Behind her, the squeaky opening of the door brought her out of her thoughts. Through her blurred vision, she glimpsed at the clergyman’s black robes. She quickly turned away from him and wiped the tears out of her
eyes, hoping her cousin didn’t see her crying. That’s all she needed was to show Brian how much Mr. Rich Pants affected her.

  Brian’s warm hand rested on her shoulder. He squeezed affectionately, and she straightened, determined not to let him see her in this sappy mood. She turned and his hand dropped. “Did he send you out here to check on me?”

  “Come now. Can you not believe I just wanted to talk to you on my own?” He smiled. “Besides, it wouldn’t be doin’ me any good if I let you fly off this train now, would it?”

  “You really think I’d fly off...or were you worried that I’d jump off the train and run back home?”

  He chuckled. “Not at all, dear cousin. The stubborn girl I remember wouldn’t have done such a thing.”

  “Then why did you come to find me?”

  Leaning against the door, he folded his arms and cocked his head. His stare pierced her, reminding her of her ma when she was ready to lecture.

  “I’d been noticin’ the way you’ve looked at him. Now correct me if I’m wrong, but I think you’re tryin’ not to be smitten with him.”

  She huffed. “Smitten? You must be blind, my foolish cousin. Smitten is the last thing I’m feeling at this moment.”

  “True, but before he said somethin’ to raise your ire, can you honestly tell me you weren’t lookin’ at him with those big wondrous eyes of yours, day-dreamin’ of knights coming to your rescue?”

  Inwardly she groaned. How she would like to tell Brian to keep his nose out of her business, yet at the same time, embarrassment washed over her realizing he’d noticed. Maybe she did have those sorts of feelings for Mr. Hamilton at one time. After all, he did save her from drowning.

  She shook her head. “My dear, blind cousin, you couldn’t be more wrong. I was very grateful he pulled me from the stream. I briefly admired the man because he rescued me, but it didn’t take the lout long to prove what a pile of horse manure he really is.”

  Brian’s lips quirked as if trying not to grin. “Nevertheless, I feel I must tell you what I’ve heard about him in case you ever decide to warm your heart toward him.”

  Curiosity nudged her to take a step closer. “What have you heard?”

  The teasing expression left Brian’s face and he frowned. “I’d heard that he’d lived in Savannah way back before Hannah married Jacob, but Mr. Hamilton’s wife and child burned in a house fire. A few years later, he married again, and tragically, she met up with an accident, as well. People are sayin’ he has the devil of bad luck with him. In fact,” he cleared his throat, “people are sayin’ he’s responsible for his wives’ deaths.”

  Surprised, Emily hitched a breath and took another step near her cousin. “Are you sure?”

  “That’s the truth, I tell you. But there’s more. Rumor has it that he has a terrible temper, he does.”

  Emily released a gasp, and then slapped her hand over her mouth as she stared at him through wide eyes. Were the rumors true? Was Mr. Hamilton indeed responsible? And yet, she was never one to believe in gossip.

  “Is it really possible?” she muttered. “I mean, if Mr. Hamilton had done such a thing, wouldn’t the sheriff hang him for such a crime?”

  “Like I said, it’s not proven...just rumored.”

  “How awful.” She moved past him, clinging to the railing as the ground sped by underneath. Could Mr. Hamilton be the man people suspected him to be? Unbelievable!

  “Does my sister know?” She peeked at her cousin over her shoulder.

  “Your sister told me, she did, but she’d be tellin’ me that they were all rumors.” He shook his head. “I’m thinkin’ they were not because too many people believe them to be true.”

  Emily lifted her gaze toward the horizon. The sun slowly dipped in the sky. Off to the side, she noticed the group of eight riders coming toward the train as if the devil were on their heels. They were close enough for her to see the bandanas covering the lower half of their face and the guns raised in their hands.

  Her heart dropped. The train is going to be robbed!

  She spun around and grasped her cousin’s black-robed arm. “Brian.” She pointed to the group gaining on the train. “Do they look like robbers to you?”

  Brian glanced over her shoulder toward the men then gasped, drawing a cross in the air. “Lord, be with us.” He grabbed her hand. “Come. We’d best return and warn the others.”

  She ran behind him as fast as her shaky legs could carry her, hurrying through the cars. When they reached their car, men were already out of their seats loading pistols and rifles. Mr. Hamilton stood with a few porters, giving instructions. His eyebrows drew together in concentration. Yet he appeared to be in control—exactly opposite of how Emily felt right now. It relieved her to see them preparing themselves for what would definitely be a fight, but fear sliced through her every limb.

  Mr. Hamilton locked his steely greenish-gray eyes on her and moved away from the men and to her side. “Miss Black? Do you know how to use a pistol?”

  “No, but my pa taught me how to use a rifle.”

  He handed her the weapon. “I don’t expect you to help us, but this is for your protection...just in case.”

  She nodded. “Do the passengers in the other cars know?”

  “One of the porters is moving from car to car, telling them as we speak.”

  “Thank goodness.”

  He slid his hand to her elbow and walked her toward her seat. “Miss Black, I would appreciate it if you were to remain seated. Once the shooting begins, please stay low and out of the way.”

  She tried to remain irritated with him, but his gentle touch and the caring expression in his eyes while he spoke made it impossible. She couldn’t help but wonder if he did indeed care about her welfare. If so, he couldn’t possibly be as bad as rumors would have everyone believe. But then why was he so blasted high-and-mighty with her earlier? “I’ll do as you say.”

  He smiled. “Thank you.”

  “They’re on the train!” Someone’s high-pitched voice rang through the car.

  The announcement caused sobs from women and raised voices from the men preparing to fight. Mr. Hamilton’s face hardened as he glanced around at the terrified passengers.

  Emily’s heart leapt to her throat and she squeezed his hand. “Please be careful.”

  He gave a curt nod. “Say a prayer for me,” he mumbled before pulling away from her, heading toward the back.

  As she scooted low in her seat, his request ran through her head. Of course, she’d pray for him, but would he pray for everyone’s safety as well?

  Cousin Brian sat next to her. Eyes closed and clutching the Bible against his chest, he muttered a prayer. Although her heart prayed for the good Lord to help them, she couldn’t take her eyes off the action. And especially, Mr. Hamilton.

  Whether it was his snobbish upbringing or not, that man knew how to take control over everyone and everything. The other men waited for his signal to move.

  At the first pop of a rifle, she fell to the floor, huddling close to her cousin who knelt right beside her. She couldn’t see Mr. Hamilton anymore but heard his domineering voice calling out instructions.

  At the nearest door, one of the bandits tried to get inside. He took a quick peek through the door’s window, and then jumped back. After a few more bullets whizzed in his direction, he lifted his weapon and broke the glass window. She ducked her head from the flying debris. Her arms shook as she raised her gun and pointed it toward him. Thankfully, he wasn’t watching her. She steadied her aim and held her breath. If he made one wrong move...

  Memories flooded her mind from when her pa and brothers taught her how to shoot. Steady. Focus. Aim true. And for heaven’s sake, don’t shake while pulling the trigger, she reminded herself.

  The man didn’t stay still, which made it hard to shoot him. Of course, she was certain he did this for a reason. However, it didn’t make her job any easier.

  “Lass, do you know what you’re doin’?”

  Re
markably, Brian’s soft voice from behind her hadn’t disrupted her concentration. She kept her focus on the man through the broken window. “I think so.”

  “You think?” His voice lifted slightly.

  “Yeah. I figure if my sister, Summer, could take out a bunch of stagecoach robbers, I can at least shoot one bad guy.”

  Brian released a deep groan. “But...you’re not Summer.”

  He had a point, but it didn’t matter. Emily could do this. She was taught the same way Summer had learned. Hannah had learned, too, but that sister was never the type to shoot a gun. She was too feminine.

  A woman’s scream tore from the rear of the car. Emily didn’t take her eyes off the man by the window. Brian lifted slightly to see what the commotion was about.

  “Oh heavens, no!”

  She glanced quickly at her cousin, and then back to the bandit by the door’s window. “What’s wrong?”

  “One of the bandits captured a woman, he did. The man is holdin’ her against him so he won’t get shot.”

  Mr. Hamilton’s voice boomed through the car, speaking to the train robber. “Let her go. She has done nothing wrong and you know it.”

  Without being able to stop it, Emily snuck a peek around the seat toward Mr. Hamilton. He pointed his pistol toward the man holding the woman as he tried to convince the bandit to release her. The imbecile outlaw cowardly held the woman against his body as a shield.

  “First,” the bandit said, “I want her to collect everyone’s money. Then I’ll happily leave her and everyone else, unharmed.”

  Why didn’t Emily believe him? Although she had yet to meet an outlaw, she doubted they were very honest.

  “You will not find money here,” Mr. Hamilton said. “These people are not wealthy.”

  “No, but I’m sure you are.” The outlaw snickered as his gaze moved over Mr. Hamilton’s fancy clothing. “You look like you’re worth a pretty penny.” He cackled. “In fact, we’ll start with you. Empty your pockets, rich man.”