Melvin gave the store one last glance before he snapped the reins and drove the horse on. The stranger stepped out on the walkway and watched them go. Amelia couldn’t help it, she looked back several times to see if he was still there. He was.
“Melvin?” she asked. “Who was that man?”
“No one you should consider,” he replied as he kept his eyes ahead.
Amelia felt as if she was replaying her conversation with Oliver. What was it that man had on them that made them act so strangely? Why did she have such a bad feeling about him?
“Melvin, what’s going on? I know there’s something. Oliver acted the same way when he saw him. Who is he?” she repeated.
Melvin sighed and looked at her. “I can’t speak on matters that don’t concern me. If you wanna know, you need to ask Oliver ‘bout that.”
Amelia frowned. She already tried to talk to Oliver and had gotten nowhere. What was the mystery they were trying to keep from her and what part did that man play in all of it?
Chapter Seventeen
The day was spent working in the field. Oliver did his best to stay calm when he came home and found the place empty. Amelia was supposed to be there, but Elmer informed him that he’d seen her riding into town with Melvin.
Oliver was furious. He wanted Amelia as far from town as possible, yet Melvin had defied him. Why? Didn’t he understand what was at stake? He couldn’t let Amelia find out that he’d never reported the shooting to the sheriff, or take the chance that she might run into people he wanted her to stay far away from.
“Everythin’ all right, boss?” Garrett asked. He was standing across from him in the field, planting the acre, while Oliver plowed ahead of him.
“Yes,” Oliver replied.
“You sure? You don’t look all right,” Garrett continued.
Oliver stopped and looked at him. What could Garrett know about him? The man had only worked on the ranch for a few weeks.
“Why would you say that?” Oliver questioned.
“I don’t know. I’ve been watchin’ you today and you don’t seem like yourself. Somethin’ seems off. I was just wonderin’ if there is something wrong.”
“There’s just a lot to do,” Oliver replied. “My mind is thinking about this field and the one over. There is a lot to get done before the season changes. I was wondering if we’d get it done in time,” he lied.
“Of course we will,” Garrett replied. “We’ll all pitch in and get it done.”
Oliver sighed. “I really need to thank you, Garrett. Since you and the boys have been here I’ve gotten a lot done that I could never do on my own. You’ve really shown me that you're committed here. I appreciate that.”
Garrett smiled. “I was happy when you came to town. I needed work. I needed something to keep me occupied. I’m not a man who can just sit around, and I’d been lookin’ for somethin’ for a while. If I didn’t find a job soon I was makin’ plans to leave town. You saved me from that. My family needs the money. I needed to provide for them.”
“Family?” Oliver questioned. “I didn’t know you had a family.”
“A wife and two girls,” Garrett replied. “They’re over in Montcrest.”
Oliver’s brow furrowed. “So why aren’t you there? If you don’t mind me asking?”
Garrett took a deep breath. “I worked for a man there. I thought he was honest. He took everythin’ I had. Every cent. He told me he was investin’ it to help me and my family and I believed him. He lied. He ran off and told people that I’d stolen from him. No one wanted to hire me. People no longer trusted me. My wife couldn’t get work because we’re connected, so I thought it best if I found work elsewhere.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Garrett. That’s horrible. I don’t know how people can treat others that way. What was this man’s name?”
“Rayner. Jerome Rayner.”
Oliver’s blood ran cold instantly. He looked at Garrett. “Did you say, Jerome Rayner?”
“Yes,” Garrett replied. “That man is something else. I’ve never met a man who was so cold and heartless in my entire life.”
Oliver’s hand clenched. “I understand what you mean. Someone who could do that is scum. I hate bullies.”
Garrett nodded silently. He gave Oliver a toothless grin and continued his work.
Oliver looked up at the sound of a horse. He could see the wagon coming in the distance. Melvin was back.
“Take over here, would you?” Oliver asked, as he passed the reins of the plow to the man beside him.
“Sure thing,” Garrett replied as he stepped into Oliver’s place.
“Thank you,” he replied.
Oliver stalked toward the house. He was going to meet the wagon when it arrived and talk to Melvin. Why had he taken Amelia to town when he told him not to? He also needed to make sure that nothing had happened.
Oliver stood on the porch as the wagon came to a stop by the stairs. He walked around the front and helped Amelia from her seat. She was unusually quiet, but when he inquired of the cause she remained silent. She glanced in Melvin’s direction.
“Ask him,” she replied quietly, before she rushed into the house. Oliver watched her go before he turned to Melvin.
“What happened?” Oliver demanded. He ordered Melvin to the barn where they could speak in private, the last thing he needed was Amelia finding out the truth.
“He was there,” Melvin stated calmly.
Oliver’s blood began to boil instantly. “I told you not to take Amelia to town,” he fumed. “I saw the way he looked at her. I can imagine what he was thinking.”
“It seems he’s taken an interest in Miss Amelia,” Melvin continued. “She told me that he watched her the entire time she was there. Who knows how long he was lurkin’ around there before he came into the store to announce himself.”
Oliver turned sharply. “You know why he did that, don’t you?”
Melvin nodded silently. “I know. He wanted to be sure that it got back to you.”
“He’s goading me,” Oliver replied. “He wants to unsettle me, but it won’t work.”
“He wants more than that,” Melvin stated. “That man is up to no good. I’m tellin’ you. His interest in Miss Amelia,” Melvin said as he shook his head. “I don’t know. It reminds me of long ago, back when your momma was alive. He used to look at her that way, too.”
Oliver’s eyes widened in surprise and anger. “What are you saying?”
Melvin looked at him. “Nothin’…”
“No. Explain yourself, Melvin,” Oliver demanded. “What are you saying about him and my Momma?”
Melvin’s eyes lowered. He took a deep breath. “Let’s just say that your pop wasn’t the only one who had an interest in your momma.”
The revelation pulled the floor out from beneath him. Oliver thought there were no more secrets, but apparently, there were still things that he didn’t know.
“Why did you never tell me?”
“It wasn’t important, until now,” Melvin replied. “What was has no bearin’ on what is, but after seein’ him with Miss Amelia, I thought it best to tell you.”
Oliver frowned.
“Your momma didn’t want him and he never got over that. He tried to lure her with his money. He had a lot then and even more now, but she chose your daddy,” Melvin stated. “I don’t know if he’s trying to take from you what he couldn’t from him.”
“Well, he can’t!” Oliver stated flatly.
Melvin stepped toward him. “Is this your way of sayin’ that you have feelings for Miss Amelia?”
Oliver blinked rapidly. “I…”
Melvin smiled. “I thought so.”
“I won’t allow him to go near her,” Oliver stated. “That man has never meant good to anyone. He didn’t mean good to my Pop, my Momma, or me and this place. I won’t let him hurt Amelia.”
“Then I suggest you make things clear to her. Lyin’ to her won’t do you any good. She needs to know what’s goin’
on here. If he tries to approach her again…”
“I won’t let that happen,” Oliver interjected. “I won’t leave her alone for him to get a chance to. Amelia is a good woman and that man is as evil as they come.”
“You need to tell her that. You also need to tell her how you feel,” Melvin replied. He rested his hand on Oliver’s shoulder. “I can see you care for her. I’m sure she suspects, but it ain’t the same as you tellin’ her. Women like to hear the words.”
Oliver sighed. “I can’t tell her.”
Melvin frowned. “Why?”
Oliver looked at Melvin. He couldn’t admit the truth, that he felt unworthy of her.
“Oliver?”
“I just can’t,” he replied. “Don’t ask any more than that.”
Oliver didn’t give Melvin a chance to question him further. He turned and walked away from him, hoping he wouldn’t persist in his questioning. He had to find a way to protect Amelia. He needed time to think.
That night Oliver found himself fighting sleep while he waited for Melvin to come in from his watch. Amelia, who usually stayed up with him, was fast asleep. The day was especially hot and the heat was a drain on everyone, especially Amelia. Every chore she had that day was outdoors. Hanging the laundry, tending to the gardens and the animals, she was running around the ranch from one end to the other. There was something beautiful about the way she worked.
Oliver’s eyes felt as if weights were attached to them. He watched the flames dancing in the fireplace, hoping the warmth would help him stay awake. The night was cold, much colder than he expected. He hoped the heat would rouse him from the weariness of the day, but it was pointless. The longer he stared, the heavier his eyelids became, and soon the fight was settled. Sleep won.
The room was burning. Smoke curled around him in every direction. The walls were orange with flames and the ceiling too. This time, Oliver didn’t wonder where his father was. He knew where to find him. Immediately, he ran to the kitchen to save him and change their fate. He found his father standing there, tall and strong, the way he was in life. He looked at him with a grim expression, and then looked down.
Oliver’s heart raced faster as he saw the body lying bloody on the floor. Her golden curls were matted with blood. Her fair skin was ashen and her eyes were staring blankly at him. Oliver could smell the scent of burning flesh.
“No!” Oliver screamed at the top of his lungs. He ran to Amelia’s side but the moment he got close he was dragged back by unseen arms. His father shook his head at him and then disappeared.
Again, Oliver ran toward Amelia. His father was forgotten. He was gone, but Amelia was not. He had to see if she was alive. He had to save her from his father’s fate.
“Amelia!” he called again as he fought against the arms that held him fast. “Amelia!”
Cold, mocking laughter answered him. Oliver turned to find a face he wished never to see again. He glared at him.
“Let me go!” he shouted.
“She will be mine,” he cackled. “One way or another. This will all be mine.”
“Oliver!” Amelia’s voice cried out in pain. “Oliver!”
His gaze turned to her immediately. She was crying and flailing as her body burned. Oliver watched in horror.
“Amelia!” he yelled louder as the flames rose higher and blocked her from view. “Amelia!”
Oliver flew up from his seat in a cold sweat. His breath came in short gasps as his eyes settled on Amelia’s face. She was fine. The room wasn’t burning. It was just a dream.
“Oliver?” she called softly. She was dressed in her nightgown, a large brown blanket was wrapped around her shoulders and a lamp was in her hand. Her blonde hair was in a thick braid over her shoulder and a look of concern was on her face. “Are you all right?” she questioned. “I heard you yelling.”
“I’m fine,” Oliver answered as he swallowed the fear that lingered inside of him. He got to his feet and began to pace to calm his nerves. He wanted to put as much distance as possible between himself and the dream.
“What were you dreaming about?” she asked. “You were calling my name.”
“It was just a nightmare,” Oliver replied. He refused to look at her as he attempted to calm his nerves. He didn’t want her to see how much what he’d seen disturbed him.
He could hear Amelia step closer. “What about?”
He couldn’t tell her. “Nothing,” he replied. “Just forget about it.” He turned to her with a smile plastered on his face. “What are you doing up?”
“I told you. I heard you calling out. I came to see what was happening,” she answered. Her brown eyes searched his face. “Don’t change the subject.”
Oliver took a deep breath. She wasn’t a woman who was easily fooled. Still, he didn’t want to tell her. “I’m sorry I woke you,” he apologized. “I must have been more tired than I thought. I was waiting for Melvin.”
“He isn’t back yet,” Amelia replied. “He should be soon.”
“Good,” Oliver said with a nod. “You should get back to bed. I’ll wait for him.”
“What’s going on, Oliver?” Amelia questioned. She stepped closer to him. “You were crying out and calling my name, but now you’re acting as if nothing happened at all. What were you dreaming about? You and Melvin are both so secretive lately. I know something is going on, something you won’t tell me about. I wish you would trust me and tell me the truth.”
Oliver took a deep breath. It was difficult denying her when she looked at him with her doe-eyes and spoke of truth. There were so many things he was keeping from her for her own good.
Just tell her.
“I dreamed you were in trouble,” he admitted. “I dreamed that you were hurt and in pain, and I was trying to get to you but I couldn’t. I couldn’t save you, Amelia.” His voice trembled. He stepped closer to her. “I won’t let anything hurt you,” he stated. “I promise you that I won’t.” He reached for her cheek and held it.
Amelia rushed forward as the tears stung Oliver’s eyes. She looked up at him and wrapped her arms around his waist as she closed her eyes and rested her head on his chest. Oliver closed his eyes at the tenderness of her touch. She was comforting to him. He needed that now.
“Oliver, it was just a dream,” she assured him. “It wasn’t real. I’m fine. I’m right here, with you. I’m not going anywhere.”
His hands, which had fallen to his sides, rose to her waist slowly, the urge to hold her overriding his instinct to hide his true feelings. Her waist was slender and his arms wound around it as he leaned in and pressed his forehead to hers. He heard Amelia expel a gentle breath. It made him hold her tighter.
“Amelia,” he whispered. Oliver did his best to restrain the emotions that were flooding through his veins. The urge to protect her, to hold her, to love her, was beyond anything he ever felt before. He didn’t know where it came from, or when his desires changed, but he knew there was one woman in the world for him and she was the one standing in his embrace.
“Oliver, please trust me,” Amelia begged. “I swear I would never hurt you. I’m here for you, don’t you know that?”
He felt his fingers tense. He wanted to hold her tighter, keep her nearer, but he knew he shouldn’t. He knew it was dangerous to venture to the place he wanted to go, that he wasn’t familiar with, where rejection could lay. He couldn’t deny it. He wanted Amelia in his life. He loved her.
“Oliver…”
“Amelia, please,” he said softly. “Remember when you asked me to let you keep your secret?”
She nodded.
“I need you to do the same for me now,” Olive continued. “I just need to be here with you right now. Nowhere else.”
She placed her hand over his heart. “It’s beating so fast,” she said.
“It’s because of you,” Oliver answered. He held her tighter. “You have an effect on me, Amelia. One I never imagined possible. One I have to hold on to.” He’d said more than he intended, b
ut he didn’t regret it. It wasn’t easy holding in his feelings, sometimes he didn’t think he could, but he had to. Oliver knew that a time would come when everything would come out, one way or another. He wasn’t ready for it to be now.
Chapter Eighteen
The night was quiet. Oliver liked it quiet. It gave him time to think. He needed that now.
For the Love of a Wounded Cowboy: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 16
