Mr. Hamilton lifted his chin haughtily. “I certainly will not.”
Groaning, Emily pulled her attention away from him. Why were men so stubborn when it came to money? She glanced at the broken window once more. This time the bandit had his pistol poked through the opening, aiming it toward Mr. Hamilton.
Her heart dropped. Fear sapped her strength. If something happened to Mr. Hamilton what would become of them all? He’d been their guiding force so far. And Brian... She glanced his way, still holding the Bible and praying. His only hope would be to rely on the Lord, and pray for deliverance from the hands of these cutthroats.
Although it was wise to seek the Lord’s help, she was taught in church that the Lord helps those who help themselves. And that was exactly what she was going to do.
Finding strength, she steadily aimed her rifle at the man in the window and pulled the trigger. The bullet bit into his hand and blood poured between his fingers. Yelping, he dropped the gun.
Everything happened at once. Two of the train’s passengers rushed out the door and captured the wounded outlaw before he could find another weapon. Emily swung her gaze to Mr. Hamilton. He and two other men accosted the bandit as the older woman rushed into her husband’s waiting arms.
Emily slumped against her seat, releasing a relieved breath. Her body shook as peace consumed her. Things would be fine now, she was certain.
Once both outlaws were tied up, Mr. Hamilton hurried to Emily’s side and kneeled beside her. He took her trembling, cold hands into his.
“Are you well, Miss Black?”
She nodded. “As well as could be expected, I suppose.”
His gaze was warm as he looked at her. “You did a brave thing.”
“I couldn’t let that other man shoot you, or anyone else for that matter.” She shrugged. “But you were the brave one, holding up strong while that man threatened your life and the life of that poor woman.”
“Come. Let’s get you off the floor.”
He grasped her elbow and helped her stand. She sat in her seat before her legs threatened to give out underneath her. She gave him a weak smile, but only because she lacked the energy to give him a full one. “Thank you.”
She glanced around her. “Where is Brian?”
“He’s saying a prayer for the wounded and comforting the frightened.” Mr. Hamilton nodded toward the back. “Do you need me to get him for you?”
“No. I just wondered where he’d gone.”
In the corner of the car, the two bandits sat together, each looking like pigs tied to stakes, ready for roasting. The one she shot had his hand bandaged so she couldn’t tell what kind of damage she’d done to his fingers. “Where are the others?”
They have been captured.” Mr. Hamilton’s gaze softened on her. “Apparently, the other passengers decided their train was not going to be robbed.”
She let out a deep breath. “As it should be.”
The man she’d shot lifted his gaze to her. Through his hooded glare, she felt his hatred burning right through her. A shiver of dread washed over her, churning her stomach.
“What’s amiss, Miss Black?” Mr. Hamilton sat next to her. “You’re trembling, and your face is as white as a ghost.”
She let out an uneasy laugh. “Mr. Hamilton, I promise I’m fine. Just a little shaken from what’s happened, but no more so than anyone else.”
He slipped out of his frock coat and wrapped it around her shoulders. “This should help for now.” He smiled. “I’m going to check on the others, if you don’t mind.”
“Of course not. I’ll be fine.”
As she watched him go, one question bothered her. Why would someone who had a quick temper and was rumored to have killed his family, be so attentive to others now? These passengers were strangers to him, yet he went out of his way to check on their safety.
Mr. Hamilton definitely was hiding something about his past. And her curious nature wouldn’t let it rest until she discovered the truth. One way or another.
FOUR
Emily sat atop the buckboard, waiting for Mr. Hamilton to join her and Brian. They had just departed from the train and rented the buckboard, but for some reason, Mr. Hamilton thought it more important to talk to the train conductor than continue on their journey to Hannah’s house.
Brian whistled a gospel tune as he scanned the crowd. The longer they waited for Mr. Hamilton to join them, the more Brian’s whistling gnawed at her nerves. Of course, the train robbery incident that happened two days ago left her nerves frazzled as it was, but now that she was so close to seeing her sister again, Emily was more than anxious. Poor Hannah was probably desolate by now and needed her. So then why couldn’t Mr. Hamilton realize that?
Finally, Mr. Hamilton broke away from the conductor and sauntered toward the vehicle. More than ever, he looked high-and-mighty with his good looks and wearing his fancy duds. She grumbled silently, wishing she wouldn’t think of him as such a handsome man. He was heroic during the robbery, but his haughtiness still irritated her.
“Forgive me for stalling our trip,” he said as he climbed in next to her.
“No need to ask forgiveness,” Brian said. “You were the Lord’s answer to our prayers.”
Mr. Hamilton rolled his eyes. “Please, Father Brian. Don’t give me the praise I don’t deserve. Many people assisted in taking down the bandits.”
“If you say, but I know the Lord works in mysterious ways.” Brian whipped the reins, urging the team of horses forward.
Emily stared at Mr. Hamilton. A scowl claimed his face as he watched Savannah’s scenery pass. Apparently, this was how he acted normally. Being nice only happened once in a while. Well, it was good she realized this now and prepared for the days ahead.
Then again, if what Brian told Emily had been true, this was the very place where he’d killed his wife and child in a house fire. That would explain his mood swing. But if he had killed his family, why had he returned?
Her thoughts were pulled away from Mr. Hamilton as she took in her surroundings. Savannah was so very beautiful, and so very busy. The buildings were grouped closer together than what she was used to seeing in Texas, but it didn’t take away from the grandness of the city.
The large river drew her attention and she sat straighter on the seat, staring at the mass of blue water where it connected one state to the other. So beautiful. A thrill shot through her bosom and brought tears to her eyes. How wonderful this opportunity was for her, since she never thought she’d get to travel outside of Texas. If only she could get her hands on some canvas and paint, she’d do the one thing that she hadn’t done for years—paint. Unfortunately, she was needed quite a bit in the livery since business had picked up. She didn’t have time for that luxury any longer.
Keeping her gaze on the river, she sighed and leaned against her cousin. She slipped her arm around his, hugging him gently as she rested her head against his muscular arm. “Oh Brian, never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined such a place.”
Against her, he stiffened, and then Brian’s voice chuckled on the other side of her. She swung her gaze to the man she cuddled against, realizing it was not her cousin at all, but Mr. Hamilton. She sucked in a quick breath and jerked away. Heat flooded her face as Brian continued to laugh. Mr. Hamilton had a hard time meeting her eyes, and rightly so the way she had intimately held onto him. She should have realized it right away since Brian didn’t have muscles like the other man.
“Forgive me, Mr. Hamilton. With all the excitement of the new city, I didn’t realize...I mean, I didn’t think...”
He finally met her eyes as a soft smile snuck across his face. “No need to apologize. I felt the same way when I first set foot in Savannah many years ago.”
Curiosity nudged her to ask what had been on her mind for a few days now. “When was that, Mr. Hamilton?”
His melting grin disappeared and his switched his focus back on the road in front of them. “At least eight years ago.”
; “Did you live in Savannah when my sister and your brother moved here?”
A long pause kept him from saying anything, and then finally he nodded. “Yes. I was the one who convinced Jacob that he should move his new wife here.”
“Really? How wonderful.” She hesitated in asking the next question but couldn’t stop herself. “So what made you leave this beautiful place and return to Kentucky?”
Mr. Hamilton’s face hardened. On the other side of her, Father Brian cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. Animosity grew thick through the air and could even be difficult to cut with a saber.
“Look Emily, there’s your sister’s house.”
Emily sat up straight and followed the direction of Brian’s finger. The place Hannah had referred to as a cottage was in no way near that description. The elegant colonial manse stretched three stories high, more grand than anything Emily had ever seen before. A pillared wall of white brick lined the yard and gardens, and in front of the house, a majestic old maple tree reached over the hedge, beckoning passersby to come up the walk and say hello.
“This is certainly no cottage,” she muttered.
“Actually,” Mr. Hamilton said, “from the house Jacob had grown up in, this place is definitely considered a cottage. That’s probably why your sister called it that, because my brother would have referred to this as a cottage.”
“Well, it’s breathtaking, nonetheless.” She admired the trees giving shade to the structure, and the small flower garden to the side.
Brian stopped the horses and hooked the reins over the side. Mr. Hamilton jumped down, and then offered Emily a hand. Reluctantly, she took his assistance, the whole time wondering when he’d turn back into an irritable man.
She hurried up the porch, but just before reaching the door, it opened and out ran Hannah. A tint of gold highlighted her brown hair which was wound in a conservative bun. With that kind of hairstyle, she looked as much like the grieving widow that her black dress represented.
“Em! You’re really here!” Hannah stretched her arms wide.
A sob of happiness escaped Emily’s throat as she hugged her sister. Her chest tightened with grief, knowing her sister would be suffering a terrible heartache right now. Emily couldn’t imagine losing a loved-one. How could she comfort her sister when she’d never been through anything like this before?
Hannah pulled back and wiped the tears from her eyes. “Oh, Em, you don’t know how happy I am to see you. I’ve missed you so much.”
Emily swiped her fingers under her own eyes to remove the tears. “I’ve missed you just as much.” She hugged her sister again, and then stepped away and grasped Hannah’s hands. “How are you holding up?”
Tears spiked her sister’s eyes again and she shook her head. “Not well, I’m afraid.”
“Well, I’m here to change that.” Emily gave Hannah her best smile, even though her heart was breaking slowly. “Will you let me help you?”
Nodding, Hannah sniffed and dabbed a handkerchief under her nose. When her attention moved to the men behind Emily, she smiled.
“Adam, Brian. You came back,” Hannah said.
Emily stepped away as her sister first gave Brian a hug, and then hugged Mr. Hamilton. Emily seethed with irritation when the man barely lifted a hand to touch his sister-in-law in return. What was wrong with him? Didn’t he know how to hug or show any kind of affection for a family member who was grieving?
“Please come in,” Hannah said, “and take some lemonade with me. I even made some cookies.”
Brian and Mr. Hamilton carried in Emily’s trunks as she gazed around the interior. Just like the outside, the inside had her gasping in awe. Someday she would like to live as grand as her sister. At least she hoped.
Pitter-patter of children’s feet creaked on the stairs. Emily turned around and saw her niece and nephew for the first time. The four-year-old Megan looked so much like her mother when Hannah was young; blonde curly pigtails and reddish-brown freckles scattered over her nose, and the two-year-old Flynn resembled the Black family a little but looked more like Mr. Hamilton with his dirty-blond wavy hair and steely greenish-gray eyes.
The adorable children ran to their mother and clung to her skirt. Lovingly, Hannah patted each head. “Don’t be afraid. This is Aunt Emily. You remember Uncle Adam and Father Brian, right?”
The two younguns nodded. “Yes, Ma.”
Emily crouched to their level and stroked each cheek. “I’m here to help your mother. We will be good friends and have so much fun, I just know it.”
Hannah hooked her fingers around Emily’s arm and smiled. “Yes, we will. Now let’s go into the parlor for some lemonade and cookies.”
Emily sat on the sofa as Megan and Flynn scooted beside her. Brian sat in the high-back cushioned chair, but Mr. Hamilton fidgeted where he stood. Emily highly doubted he wanted to be here, anyway. After all, he was too good for the likes of them.
“Hannah,” Mr. Hamilton said, “if you don’t mind, I would like to retire. I’ve had an exhausting journey.”
“Of course, Adam. You can take the guestroom on the third floor.”
Megan and Flynn ran to their uncle and each hugged a leg. Mr. Hamilton’s expression softened as he looked down at the pair.
“I’m glad you came back,” Megan said with a smile.
Mr. Hamilton knelt and patted her head. “As am I, my dearest Megan.”
The little girl wound her arms around Adam’s neck. Emily could see his hesitation, but within moments, he slipped his arm around Megan and returned the affection.
He stood and then gave Hannah a small bow. “Thank you for your hospitality.” His attention hopped to Emily before going to Brian. “If you’ll excuse me now.”
Once the man left the room, Emily released a sigh. She didn’t know what it was about him, but he made her nervous. Was it because of the rumors she’d heard, or was it his incredible good looks that made her jittery? But the more she watched him interact with Megan and Flynn, Emily doubted the rumors about him killing his family were true. Although Emily witnessed firsthand how the man loathed a family environment, she could see he genuinely cared for Hannah and her children.
Something certainly wasn’t right, and Emily had to figure it out. Then again, the farther away she stayed from that man, the better. He knew how to bring out the worst in her, and she’d already proven she couldn’t hold her temper around him.
THROUGH THE DARK NIGHT, the tunnel of smoke filled the sky. The scent of fire hung thick in the air, and up ahead red and orange flames lit Adam’s way.
Fatigued, he rode back from Jonathan MacGregor’s house. His long-time friend had convinced Adam to assist him in building his boat, so Adam had left his wife and little boy home to spend the evening with Jonathan. But as tired as Adam was, he still felt he needed to help whoever lived in the burning house.
He urged his horse faster, heading toward the flames rising high in the night sky. Tightness clenched his chest. The location of the fire was close to where he lived. Very close!
As he rounded the bend, panic surged through him. The road to the burning house was clear now. The house on fire was his!
“No!”, he shouted as he kicked his heels against the animal, pushing the horse faster. Tears filled his eyes—not from the amount of smoke, but from the sinking feeling that he wasn’t going to like what he saw when he reached home.
Several of his neighbors rushed around his home throwing buckets of water on the fire, but to no avail. The fire wagon hadn’t even arrived to put out the fire.
Adam jumped off the horse, frantically searching for his wife and son. He ran to the closest person and grabbed an arm. “Where are they?”
Mrs. Wilkins’ sad eyes met his as she clutched his hand. “Oh, Mr. Hamilton. I’m so sorry.”
Although she didn’t answer his question, Adam knew by the tone of her voice what had happened. No! He wouldn’t believe it. God wouldn’t do this to him.
He yanked his hand away
and ran from one person to the next, repeating the same question. They all shook their heads and with tears in their eyes gave him their sympathy. He couldn’t believe them. Agony squeezed his chest, growing throughout his whole body.
“Mary!” he cried running around the burning house. “Phillip!”
Adam jerked awake and sat up in bed, clutching the covers. His pounding head met the rhythm of his thundering heartbeat. He glanced around the shadowed room, realizing where he was—Jacob and Hannah’s house.
Sighing, he scrubbed his hands over his face. The tears still on his cheeks had dampened his palms. He grumbled and stood, marching toward the basin of water. Why couldn’t he stop this recurring dream? Wasn’t it enough he lived through the nightmare the first time it had happened? Was he supposed to relive the moment when he watched the house fire consume his wife and child?
He splashed water on his face, and then dried it with a hand towel. From the darkness of the room, he realized his nap had been longer than planned. Everyone was probably in bed already. Hopefully he wouldn’t disturb anyone when he wandered downstairs to the kitchen to see if there was any food in the icebox since he’d missed supper.
Earlier he had removed his waistcoat and neck tie, and he didn’t plan on putting them on now. Nobody would disturb him this late in the evening.
Taking careful steps down the stairs, he made his way into the kitchen. It was hard to look at his brother’s house and not remember what his own had been like when Mary and Phillip were alive. Staying here would be difficult, but Adam must fight his demons, and this was the only way. Finding answers would finally put a stop to the nightmares, and hopefully, Adam would find those responsible for his family’s death.
He lit the lamp in the kitchen and turned it low, and then searched through a few cupboards and the icebox. Nothing looked appetizing, even though he was extremely hungry.
Surrender Your Heart Page 4