SIX
Duke had been watching Amelia closely as she signed and talked to the thief. Gracie clutched Duke's leg so tightly and he stroked her hair to soothe her. But it wasn't until he noticed a change in Amelia's stiff body that he because worried. Her body didn't seem as stiff as it had been, but when she swayed toward Theo, Duke knew something was terribly wrong.
He scooped Gracie into his arms and ran toward Amelia. Theo had caught her limp body as she lost consciousness. Grumbling under his breath, Duke hurried faster, only stopping when he reached Amelia.
Theo's wide eyes met Duke's as he handed the little girl to the older man and took Amelia into his embrace. Her face had lost color, so he gently patted her cheeks, trying to wake her up. Gracie cried, burying her face against Theo's shoulder.
"What happened here?" Duke aimed his question at the thief as he knelt on the ground, still holding Amelia's crumbled body.
"If you'll untie me, I can help." The man struggled against the ropes.
"What do you take me for? An imbecile?" Duke scowled and continued with trying to wake Amelia. "Tell me what happened. Why did she pass out?"
"Because I told her who I was."
Duke paused as he studied the other man. Nothing made sense. "And why would your identity shock her so much that she lost consciousness?"
"I'm the brother she hasn't seen for fifteen years."
Interesting... "Yes, I suppose that kind of news would shock any woman." He returned his attention to Amelia. "Come on, sweetie. Wake up. Open your eyes and look at me."
Theo tapped Duke on the shoulder and signed. Frowning, he shook his head. "I don't understand you."
"Uncle Theo is asking you if you want him to fetch some water," the man tied to the tree said.
Duke scowled at the strange. "And you suddenly know that language?"
"Yes. I lived in the same orphanage as Amelia and Uncle Theo."
As much as Duke wanted to straighten out the confusion in his head, he wanted to wake Amelia even more. He turned to Theo and nodded. The older man hurried to the back of the wagon. Gracie's small body bounced in the man's arms. He flipped up the canvas on the back of the wagon, reached inside, and pulled out a canteen. By the time he reached Duke again, the little girl had stopped crying and was watching everything around her.
Duke took the canteen, uncapped the lid, and splashed some water on Amelia's face. She blinked and moved her face back and forth before her eyes fully opened. She met his gaze as confusion crossed her features. Within seconds, she snapped her head toward the thief and her mouth hung open.
"Are you all right, Sis?" the stranger asked.
Amelia pushed away from Duke and moved to the man tied to the tree. "You... are really Bobby?" She signed while she talked.
"Yes."
"No, you can't be. My brother died on pneumonia."
His expression darkened with a frown. "I'm sure that's what the Stones told you because they didn't want anyone to know that I had escaped."
"But..." She hesitantly touched Bobby's shoulder. "I remember that you were sick. Uncle Theo took you to the sick room."
"Yes, I was sick, but I knew that was my only chance to escape. I wanted to come back for you, but you were too young and I worried that you wouldn't survive with me on the run."
"I wouldn't survive?" Amelia's voice rose in anger and she stopped signing. "And so you left me to stay in the orphanage that was nothing more than a life of terror? Night after night I prayed that I wouldn't be the one who was chosen for Stone's weekly beatings, and as each year passed, I wondered what I had done to make my siblings, Robert and Prudence, leave me in that hellhole to rot." Tears streaked down her cheeks as she shook her head. "Bobby, you knew what those people were capable of. You had experienced it firsthand, and yet... you still thought I'd be better off there than with my own brother?"
The man's eyes watered and his chest trembled when he heaved. "Do you honestly think my life turned out any better?" He sniffed. "Look at me, Mellie. I'm a thief. A criminal. I don't know how to live a normal life. But you... you are away from that awful place and it looks like you're doing just fine." His gaze jumped to Gracie. "And you have a daughter – someone who'll love you unconditionally for the rest of your life."
A sob ripped from Amelia's throat as she covered her hands over her face. Her body quaked with her cries, and Duke couldn't stand watching the torture any longer. He rushed to her side took her in his arms, which thankfully, she went willingly. His chest tightened for this woman who had somehow captured his heart.
Theo and Gracie moved toward the fire as the older man stirred the oatmeal in the pot. The girl continued to keep a wary eye on Bobby, though, and Duke knew he should as well.
He placed a kiss on Amelia's forehead. "Come on, let's get you back to the fire to warm up."
Duke stood and helped her to her feet before slipping his arm around her waist for support. They only took two steps toward camp before she stopped and glanced over her shoulder at her brother.
"What's wrong?" Duke asked.
"I don't know whether to have you untie Bobby or not. I don't trust him yet."
"Then we'll leave him tied up." Duke nodded.
Bobby grumbled loudly and struggled harder against the ropes. "Oh, for heaven's sake. Just untie me. I'm not going to hurt anyone."
She moved away from Duke and faced her brother. "You've admitted to being a thief, but tell me, Bobby... have you killed anyone in your life?" She pointed toward the fire pit. "I have a daughter and uncle to care for, so naturally, if you are a threat to anyone here, we're going to keep you tied up."
Bobby sighed heavily. His stare on Amelia was cold and hard. "I've only killed people who deserve to die."
She gasped. "And who are you to be their judge?"
"I am a victim, like you, dear sister. I have also fought my way through my life, and I've done what needed to be done in order to keep alive." He took a breath. "I've killed only those people who had threatened to harm me."
When Amelia's gaze met Dukes, he realized she wanted him to make the decision. Nobody knew he was a bounty hunter, and he wanted to keep it that way for now. However, he also didn't want to get in the middle of a family squabble.
He shook his head. "The decision is yours." He touched her hand and automatically, she grasped it. His heart melted a tiny bit more. "I'll stand behind you in whatever choice you make."
As she stared at him, she breathed quickly and deeply. Her throat jumped when she swallowed hard, and her pretty eyes glistened with unshed tears. After a few moments, she straightened her shoulders.
"Untie him, but keep him away from our guns."
* * * *
Duke kept his eyes on the man walking beside the wagon as they continued to Spruce Hill. After they'd eaten breakfast, Uncle Theo had given Bobby a razor to shave his bushy beard, and a comb to push the long hair out of the man's face. Now at Duke studied him, he could see the resemblance between Bobby and his sister.
After witnessing Amelia's breakdown yesterday, Duke knew for certain that there was no possible way she could have kidnapped a child or murdered a person in cold blood. However, he still needed an explanation as to why the mayor's daughter was kidnapped... and why Mr. Stone was killed.
As much as Duke wanted to question Amelia, he must give her more time to calm down from the shock she received from seeing her brother who she'd thought was dead. Duke would feel like such a heel if he would bombard her with questions now.
They'd been traveling for a few hours already, and it was hard to stay awake, especially after not getting any sleep last night. It wasn't the first time Duke had stayed away for three days straight, and it definitely wouldn't be the last. Yet, he'd never had to comfort a woman and actually feel her pain as she sobbed in his arms before. That took a lot out of him. It surprised him that Amelia hadn't fallen asleep yet. Gracie was in the back of the wagon sleeping, but Amelia sat on the driver's seat with Theo. They talked in their sign language, which made Duke want to learn it. He was sure the two were talking about Bobby.
Bobby uncorked the lid on the canteen and took a long swallow. He pushed the hair out of his eyes again and continued walking between Duke and the wagon. Amelia didn't talk much with her brother, but Duke figured that would soon change. She just had to soften her heart once again. Women like Amelia always forgave quickly.
"I know you."
Bobby's voice startled Duke and he glanced down at the man who now walked closer to his horse. Duke tightened his hand around his revolver. The rifles were on the wagon with Amelia.
"You know me?" Duke asked.
"Yes. I've seen you around and I know what you do."
Sucking in a quick breath and he glanced toward the front of the wagon. Thankfully, Bobby's voice was too quiet for those on the wagon to hear. Duke met Bobby's gaze again. "What is it that you think I do?"
"You're a bounty hunter."
Duke swore under his breath, but he pierced the other man with a hard stare. "Then I suggest that you keep your hands clean until we reach Spruce Hill where I can turn you over to the sheriff."
"But you're not after me."
Duke wanted to slap the cocky expression off the man's face. "Why do you think that?"
"Because you let Mellie untie me."
"It doesn't matter. I'm still watching you closely."
Chuckling, Bobby pushed his fingers through his dark brown hair. "So, if you're not after me, that means you're either after Uncle Theo or... my sister."
Duke gritted his teeth, trying to grasp at words to say that would make Bobby think differently. The man was too smart for his own britches. "You think you know what I'm doing here?" He shook his head. "Don't think about it too hard. I'd hate for you to get a headache."
Bobby moved in front of the horse, stopping the animal. The man glared at Duke. "I can guarantee that my sister has never – or will never do – anything wrong in her life. She's not a dangerous person. So, if you're after her, then I'm going to stop you. She is innocent."
Duke gripped the horse's reins and gritted his teeth. Sadly enough, he agreed with Bobby. There was no way Amelia had done what she was accused of doing. "I'm glad you're finally acting like a big brother, but you don't need to worry about Amelia."
"And what about Theo?" Bobby arched an eyebrow. "That man couldn't hurt a mosquito. He's been beaten and tormented most of his adult life. He cares for those victims like the children who grew up in the orphanage. In fact, Uncle Theo was one who helped most of us escape."
Sighing heavily, Duke removed his hat and scratched his head. "I have many questions to ask you, your sister, and Theo, but not here. We need to get you into town where there are shelter and food. I'm sure there will be a snowstorm coming soon, and we don't want to be out here in the elements when that happens."
"I agree, but I first want you to tell me why you're here." Bobby tightened his fingers around the horse's reins.
Duke cleared his throat. "Let's just say that your sister is being accused of something she didn't do, and I'm here to find out why and put a stop to it. I don't want to see Amelia hurt."
"Good. I'm glad we agree." Bobby gave him a snarky grin. "And if you don't want to see her hurt, then I suggest you stop getting close to her. She doesn't know what you are or what you really want, and you'll only break her heart. I'm sorry, but as her big brother, I won't tolerate such behavior."
Duke's chest tightened. "Is that a threat?"
"It's just a warning. But you're smart, so I know you'll make sure she doesn't fall in love with you, because, after all, your job is more important than settling down with a widowed woman and her child."
Irritation arose inside of Duke, making him want to punch the man in the face. But what really bothered him was knowing that Bobby's assumption was correct. Duke loved his job and he didn't want to settle down, which meant he would eventually break her heart if he let things continue between them as they were doing. He could not have her falling in love with him.