Adam narrowed his gaze on the man. “You haven’t been treated kindly?”
“Absolutely not. Far from it, in fact.” He motioned his hand inside the house. “Would you like to come inside?”
“Yes, thank you.”
As Adam walked into the house, he still thought it resembled most of the cabin-style homes in this area. From what he could tell so far, the only thing fancy in Faraday’s house was the man’s accent.
“Mr. Faraday, I’m here to ask you a few questions, if you don’t mind.”
“Not at all, sir. If it has anything to do with those Irishman and their shenanigans, I’ll happily answer anything.”
Worry crept into Adam. Apparently, those three men were already starting trouble. “What exactly have those Irishmen done?”
“They are trying to run us out of town like criminals.” He folded his arms smartly over his chest. “But I have every right to be here. My uncle owns the hackney service in town, and I’m one of the drivers. We are trying to make it easier for the people in Savannah to get from one place to another, and yet some of you Americans act as though we are savages.”
Surprise washed over Adam and he briefly held his breath. One of the drivers? Perhaps his luck was changing after all. “I agree with you, Mr. Faraday. You have every right to be here, which is why I’m asking you questions. I need to know everything that the Irishmen have done.”
“To begin with, those hooligans have tried to run down my wife as she walks into town. They have thrown cow-pies at my house and broken several windows. And, I caught one of them tampering with the axle on the carriage.”
Adam’s hopes lifted. “Have you seen them firsthand?”
“Indeed, I have, sir. In fact, I was the one who chased one of them away from the vehicle that was in that horrid accident a few weeks past that had killed a man.”
“Did you give that information to the sheriff?”
“I tried to, but he thought I was just trying to find fault with the Irishmen.”
Adam paused in thought as his mind tried to piece together what might be happening, but the only thing foremost in his mind was that he might have found Jacob’s killer. “Mr. Faraday, why would the sheriff think you are finding fault with the Irishmen instead of the other way around?”
“Because of what has been going on in Ireland for years. Have you not heard, my good man? The English have been trying to take over Ireland, and the Irishmen are starting to rebel.”
Adam hadn’t traveled overseas for a few years, but he hadn’t heard anything like that. Then again, he’d never been to Ireland, which was where the problems were. “Forgive me, Mr. Faraday, I didn’t know. But I promise you, I’ll look into this matter. You and your wife should not be treated like this.”
“I thank you, kind sir.” Faraday pushed his finger through his thinning slick hair.
“One last question, do you know who the driver was of the hackney on the night of the accident?”
“Oh, indeed. He was my brother-in-law, Mr. Tuttle, however there was a mix-up and Tuttle was told his service was canceled.”
“And, do you know where Mr. Tuttle lives?”
“Indeed, I do sir.” Faraday pointed out the window. “He lives right next door.”
Adam smiled. “Mr. Faraday, you have helped me so much, thank you. And I will find those Irishmen and make sure they don’t hurt you or your family ever again.”
“My wife and I would be eternally grateful.”
As Adam left the house, his mind pieced together what he’d learned. Faraday had seen an Irishman messing with the axle of the carriage right before Jacob was killed. If the axle came loose, that would have explained why only the carriage rolled down the slope, and the horse was spared. That might also explain why there was no driver. What were the chances that one of the Irishmen had delivered the note to Tuttle stating that the order had been cancelled?
Adam would have to ask Hannah if she remembered what the driver looked like, or if he had red hair. Her testimony alone might be the very thing that would put the Irishman in jail. And yet, it might also put her life in danger if the foreigners knew that she could identify him.
He mounted his horse and headed back to the sheriff’s office. He didn’t need to talk to Tuttle now. However, Adam should alert the sheriff that the Irishmen might be up to something.
As he rode past the church, he smiled, remembering their precious moments in the bushes. Lately, the more he was around Emily, the more times he smiled. Their time together not too long ago would be forever branded on his mind, and he would treasure those memories forever. She’d been the first woman to make him take notice since Mary had died. How could he not feel something special for Emily? But it was pointless. He’d felt the urge to kiss her a couple of times now, but he wouldn’t follow through with it. Bad luck was his middle name, and he couldn’t bring more affliction than what he’d already brought into his life.
Something Emily had said to him popped into his head. She’d mentioned that she couldn’t do that to her sister. What exactly had she meant? But she’d said it the very moment he’d been tempted to kiss her. Strange...
He arrived at the sheriff’s office and dismounted. After tying his horse to the post, he turned and sauntered up the steps and onto the boardwalk. Just before he reached the door, an older man and woman walked out of the office. He froze as coldness seeped into his blood. Two people from his past were back, and he was certain heartbreak would soon follow. He feared he’d not be able to handle his emotions this time.
TEN
Adam couldn’t move as he stared into the shocked, and yet sorrowful faces of Mary’s parents. He was sure they were as surprised to see him in Savannah, just as he was to see them here. Of course, he never thought he’d come back to this town after his family had died.
The older couple was the perfect epitome of London high-society. They’d do quite well with Mr. Wiggins at The Hackney Carriage Company during tea time. Both of Mary’s parents were tall and stout. Mary’s auburn-haired mother had silver streaks in her bun, and Mary’s father’s once black head of hair was showing signs of balding. Very seldom had Adam seen them crack a smile. Was it any wonder Mary was so eager to leave her stuffy family in London and marry Adam to live in Savannah?
“Adam...how could you possibly be here?” Mr. Chandler stated in his British accent.
“I live here now.”
“You do?” Both of Mary’s parents questioned at the same time, their voices rising in shock.
“But why?” Mr. Chandler continued his questioning.
“I returned to visit my brother a couple of weeks ago, only to discover he’d died. I decided to stay and help find the person responsible for his death.”
Mrs. Chandler’s eyes watered over, and Mr. Chandler’s jaw hardened.
“You are working with the sheriff,” the older man pointed to Adam’s badge, “to locate those responsible for your brother’s death, and yet you did not lift a finger to help when your wife and child were killed?”
Adam’s chest tightened and he bunched his hands into fists by his sides. “As you well know,” he said calmly and slowly, “I was in a different frame of mind back then. In fact, I had no mind, if you remember correctly.”
“It’s been five long and very agonizing years,” Mr. Chandler said through stiff lips. “When are you going to find out what happened to Mary and Phillip?”
“I’ve only been a deputy sheriff for a few days now. I assure you that a day doesn’t go by when I’m not thinking of Mary and Phillip. I promise I will find answers.”
“I should hope so.” Mr. Chandler lifted his haughty chin.
“Tell me,” Adam continued, “why are you here? I haven’t seen you since right after the funerals.”
“Because, like you, I have not been able to stop thinking about my daughter and grandson, and I want answers.” Mr. Chandler nodded sharply.
“Where are you staying?” The words were out of Adam’s mouth bef
ore he could stop them. He didn’t care where they were staying...or he didn’t want to care.
“At the Grand Hotel,” Mrs. Chandler answered.
“Good.” Adam nodded. “That’s the finest hotel Savannah has to offer.”
“We are very much aware of that.” Mr. Chandler arched an eyebrow. “Do you not think we would check that out before coming?”
During the three years he’d been married to Mary, Adam had only wanted to slap his in-laws on a few occasions because of their haughtiness. They had always made Adam feel that he wasn’t good enough to wipe their fancy boots on.
“Then I’ll know where to find you when I have the answers,” Adam snapped. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to talk to the sheriff about some other business.”
Before he could hear any more rudeness from his former in-laws, Adam hurried inside and closed the door behind him. The muscles in his body were still cramped from keeping them stiff during the conversation with Mary’s parents.
The sheriff’s gaze jumped to Adam as he walked toward the man’s desk. Suddenly, the sheriff scowled.
“Why didn’t you mention you had lived here five years ago and you were that Adam Hamilton.”
Adam tilted his head curiously. “If I recall our conversation, I had told you I was that man.”
“But we were talking about the man who owned half the railroad, not about the man who had been under suspicion of murdering his wife and child.”
Adam gritted his teeth. “Those rumors are trying to ruin my life. The fact is, I was never questioned in the investigation, which means there was no proof to substantiate the rumors.” He held his breath, hoping not to lose his temper. This was not the time to discuss that. “However, I do have something of grave importance that I need to talk to you about. I think we need to watch a group of Irishmen in town. I overheard them threatening Mr. Faraday and his wife.”
As Adam explained the conversation he’d had with Mr. Faraday, the look of concern was on the sheriff’s face. It eased Adam’s mind slightly to know that maybe the sheriff might actually want to do something about this. If not, Adam would do it himself.
One way or another, justice would be served.
EMILY SAT AT THE TABLE, moving her fork around the plate of potatoes and fried chicken. She’d lost her appetite after only a few bites. Adam hadn’t come for supper as he’d promised. It worried her that something had happened to him, and yet, deep inside, she didn’t feel like he was in danger. Strange how she would have these kinds of feelings for a man she hadn’t known very long.
The children devoured their food before leaving the table. Hannah took a few bites, but then her wistful gaze always drifted out of the kitchen window into the darkened night. She didn’t mention Adam’s name, but Emily reckoned she was thinking about him, too.
After a few minutes of silence, Hannah set her fork down and sat back in her chair, her gaze staying on Emily.
“How is Brian faring?”
“Brian?”
“Yes, our cousin. You did go visit him this afternoon, correct?”
Emily’s cheeks warmed with embarrassment. Once again, with Adam on her mind, everything else seemed to disappear.
“Oh, yes. I talked with Brian. He was with other people at the church, and so our conversation wasn’t very long, but he’s doing well. He wanted me to give you his love.”
Hannah smiled. “I miss his company. He always knows how to make me laugh.”
Emily set her fork on the edge of her plate and brought her cup of milk to her mouth. “That’s our cousin.” She sipped and placed the cup back on the table. “But what about Adam?”
Hannah arched an eyebrow. “What about him?”
“Doesn’t he make you smile, too?”
“I suppose he has accomplished that a few times, but with Brian...I laugh out loud.”
“I’m sure one day Adam will make you laugh, too.”
Hannah’s gaze narrowed on Emily. “Why would you say that?”
Emily shrugged. “Well, once Adam finds who was responsible for the carriage accident, I’m sure he’ll return back to his normal self, right?”
“Yes, I suppose he will.”
“And even though I don’t know him well, I assume he was a fun-loving man at one time. I mean, he’s made me laugh a couple of times, so I’m sure there’s a fun-loving man inside of his cold heart.”
A soft smile bracketed Hannah’s face as she tapped her fingers on the edge of the table. “But he did make you laugh, nonetheless, right?”
“Yes, but I’m sure he didn’t mean to.”
“By chance...have you made him laugh?”
Suddenly, Emily’s hands became fidgety, and she picked up her fork once more and moved it around her plate. She had a hard time meeting her sister’s eyes. “Yes, I’ve made him laugh, but you know me,” she briefly glanced at Hannah, “I’m always trying to make people smile.”
“Yes. You were the entertaining sister, weren’t you?”
Emily chuckled. “I tried.”
After a couple of moments of silence, she peeked up and noticed Hannah was still watching her with a smirky grin. It made Emily uncomfortable, and she shifted in her chair.
“Em, do you remember six years ago when you had a crush on the mayor’s son?”
The memory popped into Emily’s head and she laughed out loud. Why would Hannah bring that up after all of these years? “Yes, but why would you think of that?”
“Caleb and Timmy teased your relentlessly. I, of course, tried to intervene.”
Emily snorted a laugh. “Sure, you did. I think you were the instigator, but in front of me, you acted like an angel.”
“Regardless,” Hannah grinned, “do you know why we knew you had dove-eyes for Calvin Jenkins even though you denied it several times?”
“No, why?”
Hannah leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table and linking her fingers in front of her. “Because, my dear sister, you became very nervous and fidgety. You had a hard time looking me—or the rest of your family—in the eyes. Your cheeks turned red as turnips, and your eyes gleamed with that fluttering sensation called love.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “Are you kidding me? All girls act that way.”
“I never did, and neither did our sister, Summer. But not little Emily. Your whole school class knew what signs to look for.”
Emily folded her arms across her chest and tilted her head. “And why, exactly, are we talking about this?”
“Because, my dear sister,” Hannah’s smile softened, “I can tell when you are infatuated.”
“All right, but that makes no sense to why you’d bring that memory up now.”
Hannah nodded. “Em, I know you have feelings for Adam.”
Fear numbed Emily’s mind and tongue. She had no answer for her sister, although she wanted to argue until her face turned blue. Heat rushed to her cheeks and she stared at Hannah with wide eyes.
“Em, I’ve seen the way you look at him. Adam is a very handsome man. Most women stare at him as though they’ve never seen anyone so amazing, but you go one step further. Your expression nearly melts when he smiles at you.”
Finally, Emily regained her courage, and found the strength to think, and speak. “You’re wrong, Hannah. I mean, you’re right that I look at him as though I’ve never seen anyone so incredibly built and handsome in my life, but after all, considering where I was born and raised, I wasn’t used to that kind of beauty.”
Hannah nodded.
“However, just because I felt a little weak in the knees when Adam smiles at me, doesn’t mean I’m going to do anything about it. I wouldn’t want to do anything to ruin things for my sister.”
Hannah’s eyes widened, and her happy expression turned to confusion. “Pardon me? Why would you think you’d ruin things for me?”
It occurred to Emily that her sister might not want anyone to know about her and Adam. And yet, Emily was her sister. They shared everything. Had Hannah
forgotten? “Hannah, I know your secret. You don’t have to hide it from me any longer.”
Slowly, her sister shook her head. “What secret is that?”
“You know.” Emily lowered her voice. “That you’re in love with Adam, and he’s in love with you.”
“What?” Hannah’s voice rose, and she jumped out of her chair, knocking it over. “Em, I don’t know what kind of rumors you’ve heard, but I swear to you, they are untrue. I’m still in love with Jacob, and I will be for a very long time. Adam is my brother-in-law, and I love him as a brother. Nothing more.”
Emily stood slowly, absorbing the information. She tried to tame her heartbeat that suddenly flipped with excitement. “But...you told me how lonely you were. And then I saw you and Adam on the couch, holding each other last night.”
“No!” Hannah gasped. “I mean, yes, we were on the couch and he was holding me, but I was crying my eyes out because I miss Jacob so much. Then Adam told me that the reason he became a deputy sheriff was because he wants to find the person responsible for the accident. He also wants to find out what really happen the night his wife and son were burned in the fire.” She moved to Emily and clasped their hands together. “But I don’t love Adam in any other way. He’s my brother-in-law. And I know he loves me only as a sister.”
“Really? You’re not fibbing?”
Hannah’s smile returned. “I’m telling you the truth.” She gave Emily a hug and pulled back. “And you have my permission to fall in love with Adam.”
Excitement spread through Emily until she was smiling so wide her cheeks hurt. “I’ve been trying not to, but it’s hard.”
“Don’t fight it. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”
“But, what if it’s not meant to be?”
Hannah cupped Emily’s face. “Then I’ll be right here to help you through it. However, I’ve seen the way he looks at you. He’s interested in you even if he hasn’t admitted it to himself.”
Surrender Your Heart Page 9