No One's Bride (Escape to the West Book 1) (23 page)

She laughed. “Almost as good as Mrs G’s cooking at the jail. She asked if I would ask George if he’d like to join us so I’ll go and do that now. It was so sweet how she asked, like she wasn’t sure if she should but she really wanted to.”

“Would you like me to come? I thought I should open the post office for a while as I haven’t been able to for the past few days, but I don’t have to.”

“No, that’s all right. I might stick around and do some work if George needs me. I’ll see you later.”

Adam watched her leave by the back door then placed the money he was still clutching onto the table and lowered his head into his hands. Why did Mrs Courtney have to do that? He wished she’d just left and taken her money with her.

Because now, Amy didn’t have any reason to stay.

The walk home from the livery took far longer than usual the next day.

Several people, some of whom Amy couldn’t even remember seeing before, stopped her to say how sorry they were about what had happened and that they hoped she would be happy now Mr Courtney was behind bars.

Everyone in the town seemed to have heard her story. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. On the one hand, even telling Adam had been difficult and what she had previously regarded as a secret humiliation was now public knowledge. But on the other, everyone was very nice about it, offering comfort and support and wholeheartedly denouncing Courtney and his actions. It made her feel not so alone and that maybe she really did have nothing to be ashamed of. And perhaps, for the first time since her mother died, she could make choices based on happiness rather than fear.

Reaching the corner of the road leading to the church, Amy stopped for a moment, then turned from her path and headed in that direction. Mrs Jones smiled and rose from where she was tending the flower pots at the front door.

“Miss Watts, come in! I’ve been wanting to speak with you.”

Amy followed her inside the church. “You have?”

Mrs Jones sat and patted the seat beside her. “I just wanted to make sure you’re all right. I can’t imagine how much courage it must have taken for you to face that awful Mr Courtney at the trial and to tell everyone what you went through.”

“It wasn’t easy, but now it’s over I’m glad I did it. And folks have been so kind today.” Amy smiled and stared at her hands folded in her lap. “I couldn’t have done it without Adam. He’s made me feel so safe while I’ve been here.” She looked back up at Mrs Jones. “Can I ask your advice?”

Mrs Jones laughed. “That’s half the reason I spend so much time in this church, so’s people who need to talk know where to find me. And there is very little I love more than giving advice.” She winked.

Amy nodded, gathering her courage. “I know I have no right to expect this after what I did to Adam, taking his money and all, and after all the kindness he’s shown me, but... do you think there’s any chance he might still want me as his bride?”

The corners of Mrs Jones’ mouth were twitching like she was fighting a smile. “Are you saying you’d like to stay in Green Hill Creek?”

“I’ve made some wonderful friends here and I’d like to keep working with Mr Parsons and the horses, but most of all I want to stay with Adam.” Amy looked down again, feeling a blush heat her cheeks. “The truth is, I love him, and now I can’t imagine spending the rest of my life without him.”

Evidently unable to restrain herself any longer, Mrs Jones threw her arms around Amy, hugging her tight before holding her at arm’s length and smiling. “Then you must go and tell him.”

“Do you think he’ll want me? Has he said anything to you?”

“I can’t repeat anything said in confidence to me, but my advice to you is to go home and tell him how you feel.” Mrs Jones’ smile looked like it was about to swallow her entire face.

“Does that mean he
has
said something?”

Mrs Jones didn’t reply, but the grin remained in place.

Amy nodded, with a smile of her own. “I should just go home and tell him.”

Mrs Jones’ cheeks must have been aching. “Good idea.”

~ ~ ~

Adam plumped the cushions on the settee for what may have been the fifth time in the space of half an hour. They were plump enough, but he did it anyway.

He turned a slow circle, looking for anything out of place in the parlour, anything that wasn’t as perfect as he could make it. Amy may have lived there for three weeks, but tonight he needed his small home to be the most amazing place she’d ever been. Admittedly that was probably hoping for too much, but Adam needed all the hope he could get.

Because tonight he was going to tell Amy he loved her and ask her to marry him.

It had to be tonight. She had no more reason to stay now she’d paid him the money back for the train ticket. He had to give her a reason to stay with him, show her how good life could be if she gave him a chance. Convince her she could love him.

He just wished he had some nicer furniture. And a bigger house.

A knock at the back door almost made him jump out of his skin. It took him a couple of seconds to register that it couldn’t be Amy because she had her own key. And the door wasn’t locked anyway.

Trying to slow his racing heart, he went to the door and opened it. “Daisy?”

“May I come in?” She looked as nervous as he was, her normal smile absent.

“Of course.”

He stepped back to allow her inside and followed her to the settee where she sat, flattening his cushions. She was dressed in a pale blue blouse and skirt instead of the black of mourning she’d been wearing for the past four months. He was impressed he’d noticed at all, given his preoccupation with his impending proposal to Amy.

Daisy clasped her hands in her lap and gave him a strained smile. “I’m just going to come right out and say this because if I don’t I’ll lose my nerve.”

“All right,” he said carefully, not entirely sure what was going on.

“We’ve known each other a long time.”

“Yes.”

“And we’ve always been friends.”

“Yes.”

“And we loved each other once.”

“Yes.”

“And you are very important to me.”

“You’re very important to me too.”

She sighed, twisting her hands in her lap. “You never told me you were looking for a wife. You never even hinted that’s what you wanted.”

Slightly confused about what she was getting at, Adam gave half a shrug. “I didn’t really tell anyone. I just didn’t want anyone to know until it happened.”

“If I’d known, I would have...” She stopped and looked at her hands again.

“Would have what?”

“I would have told you that I thought that maybe, one day, you and I would try again. Pick up where we left off.”

Adam let out a long breath. He’d never wanted to have this conversation, even though on occasion he suspected it may have been coming. “When I first contacted the agency, Gareth was still alive. In a way, seeing how happy you two were together made me want that too.”

“I don’t mean then. I meant, since he died I’ve had the idea that if I ever got married again, it would be to you. It just seemed to make sense. We know each other so well, we’re still good friends, Nicky loves you. But when Amy arrived and then you didn’t get married... I just need to know, is there any future for us?”

Memories of their time together came back to Adam. Daisy had been everything to him and he’d loved her as much as his young heart had been able. And yet, thinking of how he now felt about Amy, he realised his feelings back then couldn’t compare. He’d been a boy when he loved Daisy. Now he was a man and he knew Amy was the only one for him. Much as he’d adored Daisy, they were never meant to be together. 

“Daisy, you’ll always be one of the most important people in my life, but things have changed. I’ve changed. I still love you, but only as a friend.”

She nodded, still focused on her hands. “I had a feeling that might be your answer, but I had to try.”

He reached out and touched his fingers to her chin, raising her face. “Even if my answer had been different, I don’t think you’re ready for a new husband. Not so soon after Gareth.”

A tear slid down her cheek. “I miss him so much. I feel so alone. I have Nicky and my friends and my family, but not having that one person... it’s so hard.”

That was a feeling he knew well. “I know. I haven’t lost anyone, but I know.”

She tilted her head to one side in a gesture he knew well. “That’s why you paid for Amy to come all this way, isn’t it? You must have been devastated when it didn’t work out.”

He looked away, suddenly not wanting to meet her searching gaze.

“Ha!” She sat back, her usual smile back in place. “Or maybe it did work out. Are you...” Her hand went to her mouth. “You are, aren’t you? You’re in love with her.”

Was he wearing a sign? Did
everyone
know how he felt about Amy? Was he that transparent? “I’m sorry. It’s not that I’m choosing her over you...”

She smacked his arm playfully. “Oh, don’t be silly. I wouldn’t expect you to want me when you’re already in love with a wonderful girl. This way is much better for my ego.”

Adam shook his head slowly, smiling. “You are an amazing woman.”

“Oh, I know that. Does Amy feel the same way?”

“I don’t know. I’m planning on telling her when she gets home and asking her to marry me. I just hope it doesn’t send her running.”

She took hold of his hand. “Believe me, it won’t.” She raised one hand to his face and touched his cheek. “You’re a wonderful man, Adam. There is no way Amy doesn’t want you. And I’d better get going. I don’t want to spoil your declaration of undying love.” She gazed at him for a few seconds as if trying to work out a puzzle on his face, then suddenly leaned forward and pressed her lips to his in a lingering kiss before sitting back and winking. “For old times’ sake.”

Adam couldn’t help laughing. “You are outrageous.”

“I certainly hope so.”

Feeling a sudden rush of affection for the woman he once thought he’d marry, he leaned forward to hug her. “You don’t need to worry about finding someone. When you’re ready, you’ll have your pick of every free man around. And I’ll make sure whoever you choose is good enough for you.”

“You’d better.” She rose from the settee and Adam followed her to the door. “Good luck. Not that you’ll need it.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Do you know something you’re not telling me?”

She patted his cheek. “Only a woman’s intuition. I’m going to go home and pick out a dress for the wedding.”

After she’d left, Adam stared out the window without really seeing anything. Was Daisy right? Did he have nothing to worry about? In his experience with women they often did seem to know things he had no clue about, as his sisters frequently reminded him. A smile stole across his face as hope grew in his heart. It was going to work. He knew it.

Turning away from the window, he caught sight of the now flattened cushions.

But first he had more plumping to do.

Amy left the church with a grin almost as big as Mrs Jones’ had been.

Outside the sky was overcast and grey, but Amy felt like her very own sun was shining down on her. She had a thought that she must look strange to those she passed as she walked, but she couldn’t seem to stop smiling. She couldn’t remember ever being so happy and she hadn’t even told Adam yet. If he told her he loved her too, she thought there might be a danger she would explode from joy.

A couple of minutes later she reached the marshal’s office. She hadn’t any intention of stopping and yet she did, her gaze drawn to the red brick building. And she knew why.

“You really want me to do this, Lord?” she whispered.

No deep, commanding voice echoed in her head, but nevertheless she knew the answer was yes.

She sighed. “All right, if You say so.”

She waited for a horse and rider to pass then crossed the road to the squat building in which she’d spent two days and nights.

Marshal Cade was sitting at his desk, writing. He looked surprised to see her when she walked in. She didn’t blame him; she was surprised to be there.

“What can I do for you, Miss Watts?”

“I’d like to speak to Mr Courtney,” she said quickly, before she had a chance to change her mind.

At that his eyebrows reached for his hairline. “Are you sure? I’d have thought you wouldn’t ever want to see that no good bas... heel again.”

“I don’t,” she said, looking at the door which led to the cells, “but this is something I have to do.”

His chair scraped across the floor as he stood. “Well, if it’s what you want.” He retrieved the keys from a hook behind him and unlocked the door. “Do you want me to come with you?”

“No, thank you, Marshal. I’ll be fine.”

He nodded and stepped aside to let her in, pulling the door closed behind her.

Courtney was in the cell farthest from the door. For some strange reason, Amy was glad he wasn’t in the one she and Adam had stayed in. That cell was a reminder that even in the midst of tragedy, something good could happen.

Courtney was lying on his back on a cot, his eyes closed. His nose was still purple from where Adam had punched him and he’d also acquired a black eye at some point since she’d last seen him.

He opened his eyes, looked at her, and closed them again. “What do you want?”

She walked forward until she was just a few feet from his cell. “I wasn’t sure when I came in here, but now I know. I came here to tell you that I forgive you.”

The laugh that escaped past his yellowing teeth held no mirth. “I don’t need your forgiveness. I’ve done nothing wrong.” He sat up suddenly and fixed her with a glare. “And once I’m back in civilisation in New York and my good name is cleared, I’ll come back here and...”

“No, you won’t.” She stepped closer to the bars. “You may not think you need my forgiveness, but you certainly need God’s, for what you did to me and all the other girls you terrorised, and for who knows what else you’ve done. You can’t escape His justice, so if I were you I’d think long and hard on that. But you won’t come back here. Everyone knows who you are now. I know I’m safe here and I’m not afraid of you anymore.” As she said the words, the truth of them struck her, making her smile. “I will never be afraid of you again.”

He shook his head derisively and lay down, turning his back to her. “I don’t care about you one way or the other.”

Amy’s smile grew. “I’m not here for your sake, I’m here for mine. Goodbye, Mr Courtney.”

She left the marshal’s office feeling a hundred pounds lighter. No more fear. It was invigorating. She felt as if she could do anything, and the first thing she wanted to do was see Adam and tell him she loved him. Maybe he felt the same about her, maybe he didn’t, but she was going to find out today one way or the other. And she wasn’t afraid to do it.

She almost skipped into the back yard of their house, still smiling. For the first time in her life, she felt like things were going just right. She had a home, she had George and Clementine, she had friends. And most of all, she had Adam.

Wonderful, handsome, kind, smart, funny, caring Adam, the man she loved with all her heart. And who, she hoped, loved her too. Or would, one day.

As she neared the back door she heard muffled voices from inside. One of them was Adam’s, the other was a woman. Not wanting to interrupt a private conversation, Amy went to the window and peered through the glass.

Inside, Adam was sitting on the settee. With him was Daisy. Both her hands were holding his.

It’s probably nothing, Amy told herself, even as her heart beat faster. They’re friends. Friends visit with each other. It’s all perfectly normal.

As they spoke, Daisy raised one hand and touched his face. Then she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips.

A void ripped open in Amy’s gut. Her hand went to her chest. She felt like she couldn’t breathe. She wanted to turn away, to run, but she couldn’t tear her eyes from the nightmare before her.

As she watched, Daisy said something and Adam shook his head, laughing. Then he embraced her.

Finally, Amy found the strength to back away.

He’d lied to her. He’d said Daisy was nothing more to him than a friend. There was no one Amy trusted more in the world than Adam and he’d lied to her. He didn’t owe her anything, certainly not his love, but still she felt betrayed.

She’d been almost sure he felt something for her, if not love then close. How could she have been so wrong?

Heart thudding in her chest, she turned and fled. She ran through the back streets to the paddock behind the livery. George had left already, but she found the spare key hidden beneath the water trough and slipped inside. She opened Clementine’s stall door and the horse walked up to her and nuzzled her shoulder. The simple gesture of affection sent tears coursing down Amy’s cheeks and she wrapped her arms around Clementine’s neck, pressing her face against her hair.

“What am I supposed to do without him, Clem?”

Wiping at her eyes with her knuckles, she stepped away and fetched her bridle and saddle. A few minutes later she was riding out into the countryside, her heart feeling greyer than the sky above.