“Yes. It’s very bad, and yet so good. Feeling this way can be dangerous.”
He lifted his head and stared deep into her eyes. His chest rose and fell just as quickly as hers.
“Although I’d love to stay like this all day, I have some people to talk with, and I shouldn’t dally.”
She ran her fingers through his hair. He closed his eyes and sighed. She loved seeing the pleasure dance across his face as she played with his hair. Her heart flipped and desire made her weak in the knees. Perhaps Adam was correct when he said it was dangerous.
She leaned up and kissed his chin before pulling away and dropping her hands. “I’ll miss you today.”
He grinned. “I’ll miss you, too.”
“Will you be home for lunch?”
“Do you want me to come for lunch?”
She nodded. “Of course. I’m sure the children would like to see you, too.”
He dropped a quick kiss on her mouth before turning toward the coffee pot. “Then it’s a date.” He poured himself a cup before moving to the table. “You know, it’s rather nice having a woman look after me. In fact, you just might spoil me if I’m not careful.” He winked.
She held her breath. Was he suggesting... Oh, how wonderful that would be if they shared the same thoughts on marriage.
He finished his coffee and left the table. “Have a good day, my sweet Emily.”
“And you have a pleasant day, as well.”
“Thank you for being up with me this morning. Seeing your lovely face has started my day out right.”
As he left the house, she wanted to tell him how much she loved him. Thankfully, she held back those words. She wasn’t sure if he was ready to hear them. But if he continued to kiss her like that, her feelings would tumble out of her mouth eventually.
The rest of the morning passed quickly, and when lunch time arrived, Adam didn’t come. Her heart dropped in sorrow. Doubts crept into her head, making her wonder if he had second thoughts about kissing her last night and this morning. Perhaps this was his way of telling her he didn’t want to be with her.
She shook away the doubt. No man could kiss so passionately and not have feelings for her...or could he? Inwardly, she growled and silently scolded herself for thinking this way. Something probably detained him from coming home for lunch.
Emily tried to work in the kitchen and act like nothing was bothering her, but Hannah watched her with wary eyes. Hannah had already retired for the evening last night when Emily and Adam came from the barn, and so far this morning, her sister hadn’t asked about her conversation with Adam. But the children had been within earshot, and Emily didn’t want them to overhear that their aunt and uncle had been kissing.
“Emily,” Hannah asked as Megan stood by her legs.
Emily snapped out of her confused thoughts and looked at her sister. Today was laundry day and Hannah wore a white apron tied around her waist. The tight bun that had once held Hannah’s hair together had been pulled apart as if the woman had been wrestling laundry, instead of washing it.
“Yes, Hannah.”
“Would you like to take Megan into town and purchase her a new bonnet?” Hannah tapped her hand gently on her daughter’s head. “Yesterday she ruined her best bonnet, and we need to get her a new one for church.”
The little girl’s eyes jumped with excitement and she clapped her hands.
Grinning, Emily nodded. “I’d love to.”
The walk into town was filled with lots of chatter. The little girl held onto Emily’s hand and swung it back and forth as she practically skipped toward the mercantile. A different topic of conversation was constantly spewing from Megan’s mouth, but Emily found it endearing.
Main Street was busy this afternoon. Many people rushed from one shop to the next, or one street vendor to the next. Emily scanned the crowd, hoping to spot Adam, but she couldn’t see him. However, she spotted three men with red hair... The eeriness crawling over her testified that they were the men she and Adam had overheard.
She shivered, recalling the threat they’d made against Mr. Faraday yesterday. She prayed Adam and the other deputies had been able to stop it.
The three Irishmen stood in front of a saloon. The taller one out of the three lifted his gaze to Emily. Immediately, his expression changed into a scowl and he elbowed the man’s arm next to him.
Fear sliced through her and she quickly diverted her gaze. Why had he glared at her in such a way? She sucked in her breath, hoping he didn’t know she’d been with Adam and overheard his conversation with the other two.
“Ooooh, look!” Megan tugged Emily’s hand and pulled her toward the candy shop window. “Can we get some?”
Emily looked in the window, but the reflection on the glass made it easier to see the three men...and they were walking toward her.
Although frightened, she must remain strong. She’d been in worse situations before. Shooting that train robber was definitely worse than this.
She inhaled deeply before slowly exhaling. She had a niece to protect, too. Those bullies would not get the best of her.
“Pweeze?” Megan begged. “I want some candy.”
Emily tried to smile calmly as she met her niece’s eyes. “Not today. Your mother only wants me to get you a bonnet.”
Megan pouted and hung her head. Keeping hold of the girl’s hand, Emily turned them away from the window. Standing directly in front of them were the three Irishmen. Megan released a gasp and scooted closer to Emily. Protectively, she stepped in front of the girl and glared at the men.
“If you’ll kindly let us pass, we are on our way to—”
“If that doesn’t beat all.” The tall and skinny man arched a busy eyebrow at her before glancing at his friends. “The little missy here wants to pass.”
The shorter man who was as wide as his height, chuckled as he moved closer to Emily, which made her take one step back.
“And a fine day to you, lass.” He grinned, showing off his brown and missing teeth. “But we don’t plan on lettin’ you pass just yet.”
Emily’s heart raced and she glowered. “You will do as I say, sir, or as God is my witness, I’ll lay you low right here and now.”
The three men exchanged glances before they bellowed with laughter. Megan whimpered and hid her face in Emily’s skirt.
The man just shorter than the tallest had more freckles than the others. He stepped in front of her. If needs be, she could definitely kick him in the shins and make him lame for a few seconds.
“You’d be Father Brian’s cousin, are you not?”
Surprise washed over her. “What in the blazes does that have to do with removing yourselves from my sight?”
The man chuckled and scratched the puckered scar by his eye. “Aye, the lass is Father Brian’s cousin. That’s the famous temper he was tellin’ us about.”
She grumbled under her breath. What was Brian going around telling people about her temper? If he was standing here now, she’d...
“That means you’re Mrs. Hamilton’s sister,” the short squatty man stated.
Emily squared her shoulders. “If you don’t mind, I’m not in the mood to play this guessing game. Now, please move aside.”
The fat man caressed her cheek. “And to think, the hellion is so lovely, too.”
Immediately, she slapped his hand away. “Touch me one more time, and I’ll make sure you don’t use that hand for at least a week.”
The man’s eyes widened, but seconds later, the three burst into a laugh again. She’d had enough of this. It was time for them to leave.
“Listen to me, you fools, if you don’t let us pass in five seconds, I shall scream for the whole town to hear. I’ll make certain the sheriff throws you all in jail.”
The freckled man shook his head. “Lass, you needn’t be over worried about us leavin’. We will in due time, so there’s no need of you to be hollerin’ like an injured animal.”
She cocked her head. “By the time I get thr
ough telling my story to the sheriff, you’ll wish you had messed with an injured animal instead of me.”
He moved right in front of her face and glared. “We wish you to give a message to Mrs. Hamilton’s brother-in-law. If he values his life, he should stay far away from us.”
She gasped. “How dare you threaten Mr. Hamilton.”
The tall man shook his head. “We do no threatenin’, lass. Just speakin’ the facts is all.”
Her palm itched to slap his rude face. However, punching him in the nose sounded more enjoyable right now. But before she could fist her hand, the men turned and walked away as if nothing had happened.
She slowly relaxed and her body started trembling. She’d give Adam their warning, and he’d throw them all in jail so fast their heads would spin. She couldn’t wait to see that happen.
ADAM SAT ATOP HIS HORSE and watched the Faraday home. So far, there was nothing to report. The Irishmen had not been out to bother Mr. and Mrs. Faraday today, nor had they visited them during the evening.
This had been a waste of his time, and yet it was what the sheriff wanted him to do. Adam would rather be tracking down the person who’d impersonated the hackney’s driver, since he had yet to talk to Mr. Tuttle.
Adam shifted in his saddle and withdrew his pocket-watch. The sun’s brightness had warmed him quickly today, and by the position of the sun in the sky, he suspected it was two o’clock. He flipped the pocket-watch open. Sure enough, it was two-thirty.
With a heavy sigh, he rubbed his forehead. He’d missed having lunch with Emily, and yet...that was probably a good thing.
He snapped the watch closed and slid it back into his vest pocket. While he’d sat watch over the Faraday home, Adam had time to think about what happened between him and the endearing woman he couldn’t get off his mind. He’d concluded that they shouldn’t have kissed. There had been a reason he’d not put himself in a situation with a woman that he’d lose his heart. Bad luck followed him and stayed nearly as close as his own shadow. He’d die if something were to happen to those he loved, so he must not put himself in that position.
There were many times in the past five years that marriage had been on his mind. Although he loved Mary while she was alive, she wouldn’t want him to be lonely and miserable for the rest of his life. She’d want him to move on and find someone new. He wanted to do that, if not for the misfortune in his life that caused people he loves to die.
From his position on top of a knoll, he could see not only the Faraday home, but also the home of his brother-in-law, Mr. Tuttle. A movement from Tuttle’s large barn had Adam studying the Englishman as he walked out of the structure. Tuttle had left the barn’s double doors open and Adam noticed something different. Just inside the doors looked like a hackney—like the ones The Hackney Carriage Company owned. This particular vehicle appeared as if the box had been crushed...
Adam hitched a breath. Was that the hackney Jacob and Hannah had been in when it rolled down the hillside?
Urgency filled him, and he prodded his horse into a trot toward the man’s house. Mr. Tuttle stood next to a well as he drew up some water. As Adam approached, the man swung his head in his direction with wide eyes.
Adam tipped his hat. “Mr. Tuttle. I’m Deputy Hamilton.”
He stopped his horse completely and dismounted. Tuttle seemed a little more relaxed.
“Ah, yes. Faraday has spoken of you. I thank you for assisting with our troubles.”
“I hope we can put a stop to those who are trying to terrorize you and your family.” Adam glanced toward the barn. “I’m wondering if that carriage I see inside is the one that was involved in the accident a few weeks ago.”
“Indeed, it was. Would you like to take a look?”
“Yes, sir, I would.”
Adam walked with Tuttle toward the barn. As they came closer, Adam could see more of the crushed sides and bent axle of the vehicle. His stomach knotted and bile rose to his throat. How could anyone have survived the accident? Hannah had been inside, and had only received scratches and bruises. It surprised him that she hadn’t lost her life, too.
“My brother-in-law tells me you are related to the man who died in the accident,” Tuttle said.
Adam stopped in front of the carriage and fought back tears of grief. “Yes. Jacob was my brother.”
“Then accept my humble apologies and deepest sympathies.”
Adam nodded and forced his legs to move around the carriage. The door had been completely ripped off, and the inside of the box appeared as damaged as the outside. Spots of blood marked the torn seats and walls.
He fisted his hands. Was this blood from Jacob or Hannah?
From the accounts that Hannah had given him, Jacob’s body had been thrown from the carriage after the door had been removed. It was difficult not to picture what had happened in his mind. Agony tugged on his heart as if he was feeling everything his brother had that fateful night.
“Forgive me, sir,” Tuttle asked, “but have you found any leads to who might have done this?”
Adam cleared his throat and moved his gaze from off the wreckage. His throat was tight with emotion. “Not yet.” He lifted his gaze to Tuttle. “But I do have a question about the night in question. I was told you were to be their driver.”
“Indeed, but I had received a missive instructing me that they’d cancelled by Mr. Hamilton.”
“That’s what I’d heard.” Adam folded his arms. “But someone would have delivered the missive to you, correct?”
“But of course. My son took it from the messenger.”
“Do you think your son will remember what the man looked like?”
“I believe so, sir. Come, let’s go inside the house and ask. I’ll have Mrs. Tuttle make us some tea, as well.”
Adam didn’t dare glance back at the wreckage. He’d finally gotten a hold of his emotions and he needed to stay strong. But as they walked away, temptation overrode and he took one last glance at his brother’s death trap. Anger rose inside of him worse than it had been before, and he vowed he wouldn’t rest until he found the scoundrel responsible.
THIRTEEN
Emily paced the length of the barn. Adam hadn’t returned home. Because of the Irishmen’s threats, she feared the worst.
What if they had sneaked up on him and attacked him from behind? And yet, he was so much larger than the three of them and he’d be able to overpower them easily enough. But if they were hiding and shot him as he rode past...
She shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. No, she couldn’t think that way. It would make her a nervous wreck. But if he didn’t come home soon, her nerves would get the better of her and she’d have no other choice but to go looking for him.
“There you are!”
Hannah’s cheerful voice brought Emily out of her worrisome thoughts. She straightened and gave her sister a smile, even though it wasn’t genuine. “Yes, I’m out here.”
Hannah held up a letter and waved it in the air. “This letter was just delivered. It’s from our sister, Summer.”
Emily moved beside Hannah. “Really? What does she have to say?”
Hannah’s smile widened. “She’s remarried and living in Atlanta.”
Shock shook through Emily. “Where is that?”
“Right here in Georgia. It’s a large town up north.” She touched Emily’s arm. “Wouldn’t that be wonderful if she could come visit us?”
“It’d be hog-heaven.” Emily chuckled. “So, this marriage is Summer’s third, right?”
“Correct. Let’s hope it lasts this time.”
Emily shrugged. “Third time lucky, I reckon. If she can keep them from dying, anyway.”
Sighing, Hannah’s smile disappeared. “Poor girl. It’s hard enough to love one man and have him die, but to fall in love twice and see them both die?”
“I don’t think Summer was really in love with her second husband. I think she married him for the money.” She leaned against one of the po
sts.
“You are probably right.” Hannah nodded. Her shoulders wilted. “What are you doing out in the barn again? Waiting for Adam?”
Emily’s worries returned and she sighed heavily. “Yes. I’m worried about Adam since he’s not home.”
“But why? Has something happened?”
“Today while Megan and I were in town, three men were trying to frighten me. But mainly, they wanted me to pass on a message to Adam.” She moved to Hannah and clutched her arm. “Hannah, I think they want to kill him.”
Hannah’s face paled. “No! No, I won’t allow that.”
“I think these men were somehow involved with your carriage accident. Adam has been following them and making them nervous.”
“Are you certain?” Hannah inhaled sharply.
“Not entirely, but I was with Adam when we overheard the men threatening some people in town. They are up to no good, and Adam needs to stop them before they hurt other people.”
Tears filled Hannah’s eyes. “But at the risk of Adam’s own life? No, he can’t do it.” Her voice broke. “I can’t lose him, too.”
Emily hugged her sister. “I know. I don’t want to lose him, either,” she said softly.
Hannah pulled back and stared into Emily’s eyes. “Did you tell him you’re in love with him, yet?”
Chuckling softly, Emily pulled away. “No. I don’t want to frighten him.”
“He doesn’t know you fancy him at all?”
Emily grinned. “Not entirely. We um...shared a kiss.”
A smile brightened her sister’s face as she wiped the tears from her eyes. “So, he does have feelings for you, too?”
“I think so.”
“Of course, he does.” Hannah held Emily’s hands. “I know Adam, and he wouldn’t just kiss a woman unless he had some strong feelings for her.”
“I pray you’re right.”
Hannah wrapped an arm around Emily’s shoulders and led them out of the barn and toward the house. “I’m right, I just know it.”
“What are we going to do about the threat?” Emily peeked at her sister. “Adam needs to know to watch his back.”
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