"That's right, Bethany. Lucas was probably just surprised to see Wilder and that strange man together like that. It looked as if Wilder and the man were going to come to blows," Amelia said. "Lucas was probably just worried for your safety."
They were all in the kitchen preparing dinner and the meal was coming together quite well. Tonight it would consist of a wholesome soup, chicken with vegetables, and a final course of delicious pie. The kitchen was filled with a bewildering mixture of aromas. There was something reassuring about being in the kitchen like this, Amelia thought. She'd forgotten just how pleasant it was to do something as simple as making a meal with people you truly loved.
Amelia tried to smile, but it didn't come easily. "Just think. You might have seen your very first showdown in a western town."
Bethany frowned, obviously not amused. "Don't say such things, Amelia. It could have been very serious and Lucas could have been involved."
Amelia glanced at Bethany laying out the plates. She could see the worry on Bethany's face. Since they'd returned from their walk in town, leaving Lucas to carry out his errands, Bethany had been strangely silent. Amelia had wanted to reassure her friend that everything would be fine. She desperately wanted to give Bethany an explanation for Lucas' odd reaction to seeing the stranger, but the truth was that Amelia couldn't really explain it herself.
It had been clear that there had been something bothering Lucas. After Wilder had taken the stranger over to Luke's jailhouse, Lucas had been very quiet. His previous friendly banter had dried up, and he'd seemed preoccupied.
Bethany had noticed the change in Lucas' demeanor and had given Amelia more than a few concerned looks.
They'd said goodbye to Lucas soon after, and the two women had headed back to Miss Hardie's, anxious not to be late for the preparation of the evening meal.
"You just have to get used to the fact that living here is going to be different, Bethany," Miss Hardie said. "Things like that do happen. Even in a place like Montana Falls. In any case, I'm sure Lucas will give you a good explanation when you see him tomorrow at the ranch."
Amelia saw Bethany's face pale even more at being reminded about the following days visit to the ranch. She wondered what Lucas had planned for the special occasion.
Amelia was quite sure that, after getting the approval of his parents, Lucas would quite possibly propose marriage to Bethany right then and there. It was clear from what she'd seen of Lucas so far that he was absolutely smitten with Bethany.
From what she'd heard from Miss Hardie, Amelia knew that, unlike back East, any wedding involving Bethany and Lucas could take place very soon after the proposal. It was also a proposal she was certain Bethany would accept, even if, right now, Bethany was consumed with worry.
Amelia was sure Bethany wasn't having second thoughts. It would take more than something like that to shake Bethany's resolve to become a Montana bride.
Amelia busied herself, helping with getting the meal preparations finished.
Miss Hardie wiped her hands on her apron and sat down at the table. She gestured to Bethany to put down the dish she was holding and take a seat at the table.
Amelia saw Bethany look at Miss Hardie. There was a familiar stern but friendly expression on Miss Hardie's face. Amelia knew that expression well. It meant Miss Hardie was about to dispense some worldly wisdom.
Miss Hardie looked at Bethany and leaned her elbows on the table. "You have a very big day tomorrow, Bethany."
"I know that, Miss Hardie."
"I've been watching you since you came home, and you don't seem very happy."
"It's not that, Miss Hardie. I just don't understand what went on down there. Lucas seemed so worried, and I really wanted to ask him what was wrong. But, I just don't feel I know him enough to pry into his affairs."
"You're talking about the man you intend to marry, Bethany."
Bethany's eyes widened.
Miss Hardie frowned. "You do intend to marry Lucas, don't you?" she asked, looking suddenly more alarmed than Amelia had ever seen her.
Amelia sat down by Bethany's side and leaned in close to her, trying to see the expression in her friend's eyes. "You're not thinking of calling the whole thing off, are you Bethany?"
There was a long pause. Bethany shook her head and Amelia thought for a moment that Bethany was about to make a sudden announcement. But Bethany just sighed. "I'd really like to know what the problem is," she said slowly. "I don't want anything to stand between Lucas and I. Not when we're just getting started."
"I'm sure that it's all very straightforward," Miss Hardie said. "When you enter into a new life with someone, there are bound to be many things you have to learn about each other. It's inevitable."
"I know that."
"And, you've only been here a very short time. I could only do so much in choosing Lucas as a prospective husband for you."
Bethany gasped. "And I'm very grateful, Miss Hardie. I really am."
Miss Hardie smiled. "I know you are, Bethany. You've always been a fine young lady. You always appreciate what other people do for you."
"But, Bethany is right, Miss Hardie. I think we need to find out just what the problem might be," Amelia said "If it's worrying Bethany as much as I can see it is, then we really should talk with Lucas."
"It seems as if Mr. Armstrong also might know more about it than he has told us," Miss Hardie added.
Amelia frowned. "If Wilder thought that there was anything Bethany should know, I'm sure he would have discussed it with us."
"Didn't he say anything when you spoke with him at the tree?" Bethany asked.
Amelia felt her own face color slightly and she saw Miss Hardie's penetrating gaze lock itself upon Amelia's face. "We talked about other things," Amelia murmured.
"Really?" Miss Hardie inquired with a mildly disapproving tone. "What exactly did you and Mr. Armstrong discuss?"
Amelia sighed and glanced at the pot boiling on the stove. "Isn't that going to burn?" she asked hurriedly.
"Never mind that," Miss Hardie replied firmly. "Did you talk to Mr Armstrong about Lucas?"
Amelia frowned. There was no way she was going to be able to keep the conversation with Wilder to herself. Not with Miss Hardie as determined as she was to get to the bottom of things.
Amelia closed her eyes for a moment and thought about what she should do. She owed it to Bethany to tell her what Wilder had hinted at when talking about Lucas. But, she wasn't sure there even was anything to be concerned about, even though she'd witnessed the scene between the stranger and Lucas. Was that what Wilder had been talking about when he had said there was a situation developing that might stop Bethany from marrying Lucas?
Telling Bethany what Wilder had spoken about might just ruin any chance of happiness for her friend. Amelia would never have believed she could find herself in such a dilemma.
"It's difficult for me to go into what Wilder said to me. He didn't really give me any details."
"Details about what?" Bethany asked urgently.
Amelia paused and gazed at the two people next to her at the table. "It has to do with why he's here in the first place," Amelia said.
"Is he here to investigate Lucas," Bethany asked bluntly.
"I don't think it's only to do with Lucas."
"You mean it's more complicated than just involving Lucas?" Miss Hardie asked.
Amelia gasped. "If I knew anything, you know I would tell you both."
"Wilder must trust you if he shared even some of what he knows with you," Miss Hardie said. "Perhaps he can tell you more now."
"What do you mean?" Amelia asked.
"If you go to him and demand an answer."
"That's right, Amelia. He'll listen to you," Bethany said. "He'll tell you." Bethany reached out and laid a hand on Amelia's arm. "Oh, please, Amelia. I must know."
Amelia looked at Miss Hardie. She saw the woman nod her head very slowly.
So, that was what she must do, Amelia thought. She wou
ld have to go to Wilder Armstrong and demand an answer to the question which was tormenting her best friend.
Amelia knew that Bethany and Miss Hardie were right. Wilder was the only one who could give them an answer. He would remove the last doubts that were lingering in Bethany's mind. And if it was indeed worse than Amelia imagined, then she would be doing her friend a favor by saving her from a disastrous alliance.
"I'll go and speak with Wilder," Amelia announced.
Bethany turned to Miss Hardie and smiled. Miss Hardie wrapped her fingers around Bethany's hand. She smiled reassuringly at Bethany.
Amelia was pleased to see the momentary relief her decision had provided to Bethany.
The only problem was, could Amelia trust herself to be alone with Wilder for the length of time it would take for her to get an explanation from him?
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
As Amelia turned the corner into the main street, she saw a rider on horseback leaving the front of the hotel. She halted in her tracks, recognizing the rider.
It was Lucas.
What had he been doing at the hotel? She knew that Wilder was staying there. Maybe Lucas had gone to see Wilder. What could they have spoken about?
Amelia watched Lucas head off toward the far end of the street. He hadn't seen her and she was glad about that. She had enough on her mind, thinking about Wilder and Bethany and the whole mess that had suddenly appeared.
She started to make her way toward the hotel. Thoughts of Wilder hovered like a bird of prey in the front of her mind. Images of Wilder close to her, breathing next to her, gazing at her. The memories just wouldn't shift, no matter what she did. Recollections of their time at the tree flitted in and out of her attention as she started to cross the road.
She took a few paces and peered across at the hotel's entrance. Seeing Wilder in his room would not be correct for a young lady. Amelia decided she would ask at reception for Wilder to be informed that she would see him in the dining room.
There was a sudden scream and Amelia whirled around. She froze as she saw an oncoming carriage mere feet away from her. The horse pulling the carriage reared and Amelia threw herself back from the oncoming threat, tumbling down onto the dirt of the street, landing with a hard thud on her side. She glanced up and saw the man on the passenger seat of the carriage haul on the reins and heard him roar a warning to Amelia. Within seconds he'd managed to rein the horse in and draw the carriage to a stop.
Amelia gasped and tried to control her suddenly rapid breathing. She felt a sharp pain on her shoulder. The man leapt down from the carriage and ran across to Amelia. "Are you okay, Miss?" he asked urgently.
Amelia nodded and tried, yet again to catch her breath. "Yes. Thank you," she managed to say after a moment.
"Can I assist you in any way, ma'am?" the man said extending a hand.
Amelia was about to accept the man's offer of help when she heard a strong, deep and very recognizable voice. "I'll take over from here," she heard Wilder say.
Amelia looked up and saw Wilder racing across toward her, urgency filling his gaze. He kneeled quickly down at Amelia's side and peered into her eyes. "Are you hurt?" he asked, a note of desperation in his voice.
Amelia shook her head and started to lift herself up to a sitting position.
"Slowly, now, Amelia," she heard Wilder say.
She felt him take her arm and carefully guide her up into a seating position. Amelia glanced at Wilder intending to thank him, but she hesitated when she saw the intensity in his gaze.
Wilder looked up at the other man. "Everything's fine, sir," he said.
The man frowned. "I'm real sorry, ma'am. You just stepped out so quickly, and I didn't have a chance to slow down."
Amelia shook her head. "It's not your fault. I wasn't paying attention."
She saw Wilder nod reassuringly at the man, who went back to his carriage and quickly drove off.
"Can you stand up?" Wilder asked softly. He held her arm with one hand and laid his other arm on her shoulder. Amelia was suddenly aware that other people on the boardwalk were watching her and Wilder. The intimacy of the display they were putting on instantly made her feel self-conscious. She tried to stand and slipped to one side. Wilder caught her and supported her firmly.
Amelia looked into his eyes and saw genuine concern there. "I'll be fine," she said trying to release herself from his soft touch. Somewhere, deep inside, a small voice whispered that Amelia really didn't want Wilder to let her go. Ever.
Now, where had that come from?
Amelia shivered.
"You might be in shock," Wilder murmured. "You're coming with me over to the hotel. You need to sit down, and then we can see how you really are. Come on," he said holding her closer.
Amelia laid her head against Wilder's shoulder. It felt good to feel that security, that support. Wilder started to lead her toward the hotel.
Amelia hesitated. "We're not going to your room," she declared urgently.
She saw Wilder smile. "Of course not. We'll get a seat in the restaurant. Get them to bring you some water."
Amelia drew in a deep breath. "I really am fine, Wilder."
"I'll be the judge of that, Amelia," he stated firmly.
They reached the boardwalk and he helped her make the single step up. Then a few more steps and they were in the reception of the hotel.
The old receptionist stared wide-eyed at Wilder and Amelia. "What's going on?" he demanded.
Amelia felt Wilder stiffen. "I'm taking this lady to the restaurant. She just got darned near run over," he said.
"Does she need a doctor?"
Wilder glanced at Amelia. "We'll let you know. Meantime, get this lady a glass of water. In a clean glass," Wilder said.
Wilder still had his arm around her back and was supporting her elbow. He led her into the empty restaurant. They went to a table and he gently helped her sit down on the upholstered seat. When she laid her hand on the white tablecloth she saw that her fingers were shaking slightly. Maybe Wilder was right. Perhaps she was suffering from some kind of shock.
She looked up and saw Wilder drop down onto a chair and scoot closer toward her. His eyes were wide, and she could see how eager he was to know how she was.
"Amelia," he said softly. "How do you feel? Are you hurt anywhere?"
She felt her shoulder and winced. Wilder frowned and started forward as if he were about to examine her shoulder. Amelia pulled away from him and he paused.
"Do you want me to call the doctor?" Wilder asked.
Amelia shook her head. "It'll be fine. It's probably just a bruise. I've had worse."
Wilder sighed softly and she saw him lean back a little on the chair. "Really?"
Amelia smiled at Wilder. "You don't how rough some of the games those girls at the finishing school could be," she said trying to laugh. She felt a pain on her left side, the same side she had landed on out on the street.
Wilder noticed her discomfort and glanced over toward the entrance to the hotel kitchen. "Where is he with that water?" he blurted.
Then the door swung open and the receptionist raced out into the dining room. He held a small tray upon which there was a tall glass of water. Amelia smiled in spite of the pain. It looked so comical, as if the man were serving her a glass of the most expensive water in the restaurant.
The receptionist laid the glass down on the table and glanced at Wilder, who made it clear he wanted to be left alone with Amelia. The receptionist dashed away.
Wilder picked up the glass and handed it to Amelia. "Drink some of this," he said.
Amelia shook her head. "I'm fine. I don't need it."
Wilder pushed the glass toward Amelia. "Have a little water, Amelia. As a favor to me. It'll make me happy," he said with a grin.
Amelia took the glass. She drank some of the cool water. It felt good. She looked to Wilder and saw that he was watching her closely. He seemed so intent, so fascinated watching her that, for a moment, she felt quite embarrassed
. He seemed to sense her unease, his eyes shifting quickly away from her. She placed the glass down on the table.
"Is that better?" Wilder asked.
Amelia nodded, feeling suddenly self-conscious. She was suddenly aware that they were both alone in the restaurant. "Where are all the other guests?" she asked.
Wilder glanced up at the ceiling. "Well, one of them is upstairs being well looked after by one of Luke's deputies," Wilder said.
Amelia's eyes widened in surprise. "Are you talking about that man you were taking to the jailhouse?"
Wilder nodded.
"Who is he?" Amelia asked.
She saw Wilder's eyes narrow, as if he realized that she wasn't going to give up until he gave her some kind of answer.
"I prefer not to go into that right now," Wilder said. "I'm more concerned about you."
Amelia paused looking down at the half empty glass of water. "You mean, you can't talk about him. Or you won't?"
Wilder's gaze fixed on Amelia's face and the small crease of a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. Her determination seemed to please him in some curious way.
"I suppose you saw how Lucas and that stranger looked at each other,"
"I wasn't the only one who saw. Bethany saw it too."
Wilder sighed. "There wasn't much I could do. It was plain bad timing that I was taking the man out of the saloon when you all were passing by." Wilder quirked a brow at Amelia. "You do know that I'm not the kind who spends his days in saloons, don't you?"
Amelia nodded. "I figured as much. You don't look like a gambler."
"Really?" Wilder said. "And, what does a gambler look like?" He leaned forward and smiled. "And, exactly how would you know what a gambling man looks like? I thought you led a decent kind of life back in Boston. At least, that's what Miss Hardie would have me believe."
Wilder raised a brow and fixed Amelia with a quizzical look.
Amelia smiled in spite of the discomfort she was feeling. She could tell he was trying to tease her. It was kind of charming, she had to admit to herself. It took the edge off the remnants of anxiety she still felt so soon after almost being run over by the horse and carriage.
Amelia's Montana Wedding (Love In Montana Falls Book 1) Page 15
