Surrender Your Heart

by Marie Higgins

  As they neared town, he stopped and looked around.

  “Emily? Did you walk from Hannah’s home?”

  “No, I tied my horse to a tree in the pasture out yonder.” She pointed in the direction of her horse.

  “Good. I didn’t exactly want to carry you all the way back to your sister’s place.” He met her gaze as a smirk appeared on his mouth. “Even though I’m beginning to think you really didn’t twist your foot.”

  She hitched a breath. How did he know? Hadn’t she played the part of the injured damsel in distress well enough? “Adam, I assure you—”

  “Save your breath, my sweet Emily. I don’t have time to argue with you. I want you to go home immediately so that I can hurry to the hotel where Mary’s parents are.” He sighed. “And pray I make it on time to save them.”

  Her heart ached, wondering if she’d calmed him down enough for her to let him go with ease. She couldn’t stop him from doing the wrong thing. He was the one who had to know that it was wrong. All she could do was to convince him otherwise.

  He took her to the horse and helped her on. Their gazes locked as his hand rested on her knee. Silence sparked between them, and her heartbeat increased. Slowly, he slid his palm down her leg, toward her foot. Warmth spread through her, causing her breathing to quicken. When he reached her boot, he took her ankle in both hands and touched the spot she’d told him had hurt.

  She’d forgotten to flinch, but with his smoldering gaze on her, she could only think about one thing at the moment, and her lie wasn’t it. A grin stretched across his mouth.

  “It looks like your ankle is healed.”

  She nodded. “You must be a miracle worker.”

  He chuckled. “Yeah, sure, that’s it.”

  He removed his touch from her leg, and the warmth disappeared along with it. Emptiness filled her, making her feel hollow.

  “Be careful going home.”

  “All right.”

  As he turned, she leaned forward, grasping his shirt sleeve. He spun around and pinned her with his gaze.

  “Now it’s your turn to do something for me,” she said softly, but meaningfully.

  He arched an eyebrow but said nothing.

  “Before you start shooting those bad men like a crazed gunfighter with an itchy trigger finger, will you think about what you’re doing first, and the people who will be affected by this action? Would Jacob approve of you doing this? Will Mary and your son want you to turn into a cold-blooded killer just to avenge their deaths?”

  Adam frowned, but still didn’t speak.

  “You told me earlier that you didn’t know what you’d do if I had been harmed—or killed—by the Irishmen. Well, Mr. Hamilton, I’m repeating your words. If something were to happen to you...my heart would die.”

  He clasped her hand. “Why?”

  “Why do you think? My feelings for you are the same as they were a week ago. I’m in love with you, Adam. You have brought a light into my life that I never knew was missing. Now that I’ve found the man of my dreams, I don’t want him to...die.” Her voice cracked.

  He stepped closer to the horse as he brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her knuckles. The tenderness he displayed nearly made her cry with happiness, but she resisted. Until he could return her feelings, there was no use letting these emotions of hers get out of control.

  “Oh, Emily. Forgive me for worrying you. I’m still very bitter toward these men who killed my family, but I will promise you to think over what you have told me.”

  “Thank you, Adam. That’s all I ask.”

  He kissed her knuckles one last time before releasing her hand and stepping back. “Now go home and please be careful.”

  “Will I see you tomorrow?”

  He smiled, even if it wasn’t full. “Most assuredly, my sweet Emily.”

  SIXTEEN

  Emily rubbed up and down her arms, hoping to bring warmth into her body. Tarnation! Why hadn’t she thought that the night would turn chilly? Of course, it didn’t help when the wind picked up and blew against her face.

  She stayed in the backwoods, trying not to let anyone see her. Just as Adam suggested, being out after dark by herself was scandalous, but if she was caught wearing men’s clothes, that was even worse. And blast it all, why hadn’t she brought some kind of weapon? The broken off branch of a tree would certainly not defend her.

  Hannah’s home wasn’t very far now, but Emily didn’t dare take the main streets to get there. Instead, she led her horse carefully through the brush and dense trees, hoping she was going in the right direction. Since she was still new to Savannah, she worried she’d get lost.

  Perhaps she should have mentioned that to Adam before they parted ways.

  Oh, Adam. A sigh escaped her, and she smiled. It relieved her to know that her plan had worked to calm Adam down. Now she prayed he reconsidered trying to take the law into his own hands. He’d ruin his life if that happened.

  Suddenly, a smell touched her nose. Smoke. There was a campfire nearby.

  Peering through the trees, she searched to find the flicker of light from the fire. Finally, she spotted the small fire. It wasn’t very far away, in fact. She quickly pulled her horse to a stop and dismounted. Now was the perfect time to pretend she was a ghost, because she certainly couldn’t have anyone seeing her.

  As she took careful steps, she kept her hand on the horse’s nose, softly stroking him to keep him calm. Getting out of here unscathed, depended greatly on her silence.

  She was close enough to the campfire to see the six men sitting around the fire pit. So far, none of them knew she was there. Immediately, she recognized three...their curly red heads gave them away. Her stomach twisted, and her blood turned to ice.

  But at least they weren’t attacking Adam’s in-laws right now.

  She continued to walk past as quietly as she could. However, the men’s voices were doing the exact opposite. The irritable tone in each man’s voice told her they were gearing up for battle. Apparently, the slap on the back wasn’t good enough to give encouragement to their friends.

  “I’d be wanting to take the lead this time,” one of the men spoke.

  “Oh, would you now?” The tall, thin man she’d met before huffed. “And what if I don’t agree?”

  “I’ve already had my run-in with the high-and-mighty Mr. Chandler. He was downright arrogant and rude, I tell you. It would be my pleasure to personally thank him for his treatment of us lower-class folk.”

  “Aye, that man walks around town as if he’s God, and I won’t stand for it.”

  The others mumbled their agreement.

  The thundering of horse’s hooves on the ground stilled Emily, and she continued to keep her animal silent. The noise from another horse came from the other side of the camp. The men stopped talking and looked in the direction of the rider. They all stood with their hands over their holsters, but then they relaxed and sat. The rider dismounted and hurried to the camp.

  “Men, the luck of the Irish is smiling upon us.”

  “What do you mean?” one of them asked.

  “I learned that Mr. Wiggins, the owner of The Hackney Carriage Company, has put together a little gala for his British friends.”

  The men circled around the campfire sat up straighter. Emily paused in her steps, trying to listen closer.

  “A gala?” a man asked.

  “Aye. It’s bein’ held tomorrow night.” He slapped his hands together excitedly. “Do you see what this means? They will all be together in one spot. They’ll be usin’ the Hotel’s ballroom for their event. We can dispose of them all tomorrow night.”

  “But what about Deputy Hamilton? He’s been stickin’ his nose into our business quiet often lately.”

  Emily held her breath, needing to hear every word now.

  “Not to worry, Sean. Our trusted friend is plannin’ on setting up a trap for the lawmen who think they can stop us. I assure you, this gala will be one Savannah, Georgia will always reme
mber.”

  The whooping and cheering rose loudly amongst the group of men. Emily took this chance to get away. She had enough information now to inform Adam tomorrow morning.

  Taking fast steps, she hurried her and the horse away from the camp and back on the path she needed to take to get back to Hannah’s home. Emily’s quick heartbeat exhausted her as much as the worry building inside of her. The three Irishmen and their friends would all be armed with pistols. There was no way Adam could take them all at once, especially since he’d be walking into a trap. Whether that stubborn man wanted to admit it or not, he needed help. And Emily would make sure he received it.

  Adam would thank her later, she was certain.

  ADAM PACED IN FRONT of the Grand Hotel. If Mary’s parents were in their room, he didn’t want to disrupt them. However, knowing his former in-laws, he would suspect they were at some type of gathering this evening. Perhaps even the opera. But the opera had been out for over an hour, and he hadn’t spotted them.

  Could they be lying dead in a ravine as Jacob had been when he returned with Hannah from the opera? Adam’s gut twisted. Perhaps he should go up to their room to see if they’re all right. Although they’d never approved of him, he didn’t want them dead.

  Grumbling, he shoved his fingers through his hair, lifting the bulk off his forehead. But if they were in their rooms and he woke them up, they’d definitely have unkind words to say, which would make him feel as small as an insect.

  The pounding of horse’s hooves on the road brought Adam from his thoughts. A hackney pulled in front of the hotel and stopped. He watched closely as the driver opened the door and a gentleman climbed out before turning to assist his wife down. Relief warmed him. At least Mary’s parents were safe...for now.

  Mrs. Chandler hooked her hand around her husband’s elbow as he led them toward the hotel. When Mr. Chandler spotted Adam, he stopped and his eyes widened.

  “Mr. Hamilton? What are you doing here?”

  Adam debated on whether to tell them the truth, but then they needed to know they were in danger.

  He stepped closer until he knew their conversation would be private. “I’ve gotten a lead in a case, and it appears that some men are haters of British people, mainly because of what’s happening in Ireland.”

  Mr. Chandler stubbornly lifted his chin. “Haters? Here in the States? Balderdash! That’s highly unlikely.”

  Adam shrugged. “I wish that were true, but I have met some of these haters, and I’m sure you have crossed paths with them, too.” He paused briefly. “I just dropped by tonight to make sure you and your wife were safe.”

  Mrs. Chandler’s sarcastic laugh ripped through the stillness of the night. “Oh, come now, Adam. Are you saying that you’re here to protect us?”

  Mr. Chandler chuckled and rolled his eyes before glancing at his wife. “Better late than never, I suppose.”

  “Indeed.” The woman’s expression hardened. “If only he’d been thinking that when Mary and Phillip were still alive.”

  Adam bunched his hands by his sides. Why did they keep bringing up his mistakes of the past? And worse, why did they think Adam had purposely neglected his wife and child?

  Respectfully, he tipped his hat toward them. “As it happens, I came to check on you, and now that you are safe, I’ll be moseying along. Good night.”

  Haughty laughs exploded from both of them as they lifted their noses in the air and proceeded inside the hotel without saying anymore to Adam. A throb of tension beat in his forehead and he rubbed his temples. Why did he allow them to treat him that way? Then again, they were determined to blame someone for Mary and Phillip’s death, and Adam was their scapegoat.

  He grumbled in distaste and marched toward his horse. He quickly mounted and rode the animal fast, going in no particular direction. His mind spun with the different emotions he’d experienced today. At times he felt as though he was losing control of his life—and his mind.

  Eventually, he slowed his horse down and surveyed his surroundings. A few things looked familiar, but he couldn’t recall what part of town this was in. Of course, the moon didn’t give much light, but as he rode by houses, he studied them closely. Suddenly, a pang hit him in the chest and took his breath away.

  Five years ago, he’d lived in this very neighborhood. Since returning to Savannah, he’d stayed away. Ghosts from the past wouldn’t allow him to see the place where he’d once been a husband and a father.

  And now that he was so close... He squeezed his eyes close as he tried to gain the courage he lacked. I can do this!

  As he peered down the road, tightness gripped his throat. He couldn’t run away from his feelings forever. He wouldn’t be able to go on with life until he put the past behind him where it belonged.

  Squaring his shoulders, he urged the horse down the street. His old home had been the last one. As he rode by the houses, he didn’t see a charred house. Could he be on the wrong street?

  He stopped his horse again, this time, taking in the homes a little better. The Wilson’s had lived there. The Peterson’s lived there. The widow Flora Jensen was there, and his family had lived... There.

  Frowning, he shook his head. Where was his burned house? In its place was a newer built home. Why would someone build a house on his property? As he recalled, he still owned this piece of land.

  Leery, he dismounted and tied his horse to the newer fence out front before creeping toward the house. He studied the windows, but there were no curtains. No smoke rose from the chimneys, either. The lawn had died, and weeds had taken over.

  As he reached one of the windows, he peeked inside. Since none of the windows had curtains, a small amount of light peered into the front room. No furniture? How strange...

  He moved to the door and tested the doorknob, and the door opened. A lantern sat on the floor by the door. Adam searched for some kindle and quickly brought light into the room.

  From what he could see, it had been freshly built but never lived in. The floors were not scratched with furniture or covered with rugs. As he walked into the kitchen, there was no icebox or stove. Cobwebs hung in each corner, attesting to the fact that nobody lived here.

  Adam continued moving through the house, and with each step, anger burned hotter inside his chest. How dare someone presume that they could build on his property without consent. He’d find the person responsible and...horsewhip him!

  After checking two small rooms which Adam assumed were bedrooms, he reached the last room which was a larger bedroom. But this time, there was a piece of furniture near the window. It appeared to be a rocking chair, one like Mary used to have.

  As he neared the chair, his gut tightened. The light from the lantern showed carvings of hummingbirds that Mary had loved so much etched onto the backrest. His heart dropped. This was Mary’s rocking chair!

  Tears stung his eyes and he lifted the lantern higher and brought it closer to the chair. He ran his palm over the smooth wood. It appeared to have been sanded down and repainted in some spots.

  A single piece of paper on the seat drew his attention. With a shaky hand, he lifted the paper closer to the light to read what had been written on it.

  Adam, I gathered some of your friends and neighbors to rebuild your house. I pray you will be able to start a new life without your wife and son, and we all hope you can make new memories in this home. We love you dearly. Jacob, Hannah, Joshua Turner, Caleb Peterson, and your business partner, John Wilkerson.

  The paper blurred in front of Adam as more tears filled his eyes. How long ago had his friends done this for him? Why hadn’t Jacob mentioned anything about it earlier?

  Adam’s legs crumbled beneath him and he fell to the floor, holding his brother’s letter. He couldn’t control the tears streaming down his cheeks as he leaned against the rocker. Gingerly, he touched the rocker, recalling all the nights he’d stayed up late building this chair for Mary while she was pregnant with Phillip.

  Although he wanted desperately
to start a new life, how could he keep this rocker in his house without thinking of his wife and child? Perhaps the first step to moving on would be to give the chair to someone else so that he could start clean and fresh? Thankfully, the house looked nothing like the one he’d shared with Mary and Phillip, so he wouldn’t think of them constantly.

  His chest constricted as the tears came faster. In order to put the past behind him and fully love again, he needed to forgive himself. How else could he do it any other way?

  “Mary...Phillip,” he mumbled brokenly. “Please forgive me for leaving the house that night. I promise to bring justice to those responsible for your deaths.”

  An image of Emily’s lovely face and gentle smile popped into his mind. She’d pleaded with him not to take the law into his own hands. She was correct, of course. Even though he wanted revenge in the worst way, killing the Irishmen himself wasn’t the answer. But catching the murderers and locking them away until their trial...was the best thing to do.

  Breathing slower, he stared at the armrest of the rocking chair. A calm reassurance guarded him like a comforting blanket, bringing warmth into his body. Gradually, the tortured memories of yesteryear left his thoughts as Emily continued to fill it. He’d never met any woman like her, and he didn’t want to lose her. Tonight, he’d finish five years of grieving over his family, but starting tomorrow, it would be the first day of his new life.

  Starting tomorrow, he would forge forward without any regrets. And more importantly, he’d finally let himself come to completely love the new woman in his life.

  SEVENTEEN

  A piercing brightness shone on Emily, bringing forth an awful throb in her head. Afraid to open her eyes to see what was causing the distress, she grumbled and rolled away from the light, clutching the pillow against her face. Not only was her mind exhausted from last night’s adventure, but her body felt as if it had been trampled in a Texas stampede. If she could stay in bed all day and not have to lift a finger...