EIGHTEEN

Christmas was getting closer, but for her, she'd already been blessed with the best Christmas presents ever. She'd found love and her family. Of course, she was still nervous to drop in and see her grandparents. Prudence had assured her that they would be anxious to see her and Bobby, but Pru promised she wouldn't tell them.

It warmed Amelia's heart that Prudence was no longer in fear of the ex-mayor of Astoria and that she could be a mother to the adorable little girl. Amelia didn't know if she would be as fortunate. Duke had told her that he'd sent a telegram to the boarding school where she'd taken Gracie, but they hadn't heard anything yet. However, she wouldn't stop loving Gracie any less.

Duke spent more time around her house helping to fix things that were broken or needed major repairs. Bobby and Uncle Theo helped, as well, but she enjoyed watching Duke when he rolled up his sleeves and carried a belt with a hammer and nails on it as he worked on the inside of the house. Between him and the other two men in the house, they were able to add on another room. Nothing was said to why, but she suspected it was for Gracie. After all, once Amelia and Duke were married, Gracie would not be able to share their bed.

Amelia sat on a rocking chair someone had donated in front of the living room's fireplace as she rocked Gracie to sleep. The little girl loved Amelia to read to her and then rock her afterward. This also helped Amelia to relax as well.

It surprised her that the little girl could sleep through all of the hammering, but she was relieved that she could. Perhaps the girl was just very tired. Then again, Amelia was getting to that point, too.

The floor creaked slightly and she looked over her shoulder. Uncle Theo walked in, wiping the back of his sleeve over his moist brow. He stopped in front of her and signed, I need to talk to you.

She nodded and motioned to Gracie. He picked up the girl and carried her to Amelia's bed. Within minutes, he returned. He stared at the fire blazing in the hearth, frowning. Something was weighing heavy on his mind. She hoped she would be able to help him since he'd always helped her out.

Sighing, he turned toward her again and signed, I've done something terrible, and the guilt is getting so heavy that I can't take it any longer. I must confess.

She frowned. You can tell me anything. We are family.

He nodded. I've always thought of you as family, too. He paused as his breathing increased. I want you to bring Duke in here. He needs to know this, too.

And Bobby? She signed.

Theo nodded. He can interpret for us.

"Duke? Bobby? Will you come in here?"

The hammering stopped and soon Duke was squatting beside her chair, holding her hand. Bobby sat on the couch.

"What's going on?" Duke asked.

She brushed a spot of dirt off his cheek. "I don't know. Uncle Theo has something to tell us." She glanced at her brother. "Bobby? He wants you to interpret."

"All right."

She turned toward Theo and signed, we are ready.

The older man nodded. I have a confession to make, and I'm ready to receive the consequences.

Bobby repeated what Theo signed and then exchanged gazes with Amelia. "What is he talking about?"

She shrugged. "I don't know, but don't interrupt." She signed to Theo, what is it?

Theo wrung his hands against his chest as he looked down at the floor. Her nerves trembled inside of her, just watching how anxious the man was. She'd never seen him like this before.

He inhaled deeply before meeting her gaze again. The day we left the orphanage, I... I killed Mr. Stone.

Her heart slammed against her chest, gasping for air. She couldn't have read his hand signals correctly, but when Bobby voiced what was signed, she had no other choice but believe it.

"What?" Both Bobby and Duke asked at the same time, both rising to their feet.

Uncle Theo motioned for them to stay calm and let him finish. I couldn't take any more of that man's abuse, even though I knew Amelia and I would be leaving with Gracie, there were still many other children in the orphanage who would feel the brunt of his drunken anger. My conscience wouldn't let me allow that man to hurt another human being, so... I snuck into his study and picked up a log from the fireplace and hit him over the head.

Tears filled Theo's eyes and his mouth quivered. A knot formed in Amelia's throat, making it difficult to swallow. She really couldn't believe he was telling them this, and yet, she had had the same yearnings all those years at the orphanage.

Theo looked at Duke whose mouth hung open in shock. Duke, I give you permission to arrest me.

Bobby's voice squeaked as he spoke the words aloud.

I know killing Mr. Stone was wrong, but I couldn't let another child suffer from that man's hands.

Tears leaked from Amelia's eyes and trickled down her cheeks. She signed back, Uncle Theo, you did what everyone at that orphanage had been thinking for years.

Bobby nodded and signed while he said, "I had wanted to kill him, too, and I know Pru did."

"I had thought about it, too," Amelia said tearfully.

But I was the one who did it. Theo sighed and turned to Duke. Arrest me now. I'm ready.

Closing his eyes, Duke rubbed his forehead. Amelia's heart broke from all the unfairness that this situation created. Uncle Theo didn't deserve to be hanged for murder, especially since Mr. Stone had been such a monster.

Duke blew out a frustrated breath and looked at Theo. "I don't know what to do. As newly appointed mayor, it is my duty to arrest you for murder."

Amelia signed to Theo what was being said.

"However," Duke shook his head, "none of this is right. I'll make sure you get a trial, even if I have to summon all the past and present children from the orphanage to testify to Mr. Stone's abuse. I'll make sure you get the best lawyer, too."

Tears ran down Theo's face as he nodded and signed, thank you.

Bobby gave the older man a big hug, and Amelia hurried over to join them. She must trust that the law would be as forgiving to Uncle Theo as it had been to Prudence. That was now her only wish for Christmas.

* * * *

One week before Christmas, Duke rode his horse fast toward the cabin. He was just bursting with good news for Amelia and he couldn't wait to tell her. He had also purchased a wedding ring since their wedding was only days away. However, knowing Amelia, she'd be more overjoyed about his news than a piece of jewelry.

As the town's new mayor, he was kept busy, working alongside the sheriff as he became acquainted with everyone in Spruce Hill. Thankfully, they all welcomed him into the town – and into his new job. He was thrilled to finally find an occupation he could do while raising a family and staying in one place.

He stopped his horse, dismounted, and tied his horse to the post. As fast as his boots would carry him, he rushed into the cabin. Amelia was in the kitchen washing dishes. She looked up as he entered the room. Before she could greet him, he swooped her up in his arms and swung her around. She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck. As he set her back of her feet, he kissed her on the mouth. The kiss was tender and sweet, but it wasn't the time to get passionate.

He pulled back but kept her in his arms. He gazed over her beautiful face, loving that he'd get to look at it for the rest of his life.

"Not that I don't enjoy being greeted that way, but what was that all about?" she asked, grinning.

"I have some good news."

"You do?" Her eyes sparkled. "Please share."

"Well, first off, I talked to the lawyer who will be representing Uncle Theo. Mr. Archibald. He's determined to let the court see Theo as a victim. In fact, Archibald is confident that Theo won't be hanged for murder."

"Oh, Duke." She hugged him. "That is wonderful needs, indeed."

"But there's more."

She withdrew and stared into his eyes. "More?"

"I heard back from the boarding school where Gracie's mother worked."

Her eyes widened and it appeared as if she was holding her breath. "Gracie's mother doesn't want her. The woman had thought of Gracie as an annoyance, and she was happy when the little girl disappeared from the school. The mother gives you permission to take Gracie as your daughter."

Amelia's eyes filled with tears and she pressed her face against his neck. Her tears moistened his skin, but he didn't care. Hearing back from Gracie's real mother was what Amelia had been waiting for.

He kissed her head. "Amelia, I want to make this legal. After we are married, I want us to adopt her."

Nodding, she lifted her head and looked at him. "Yes," she answered in a broken voice.

"Now, my darling almost-wife, there is only one more thing you need to do to make your Christmas complete."

Amelia took a deep breath and slowly released it. "I know. I need to talk to my grandparents... but I've been so nervous."

"Do you want me to go with you?"

"No. This is one thing I should do on my own. I don't even want Bobby coming. He can go see them on his own."

He caressed her cheek. "Your sister told me they enjoy taking evening strolls to the lighthouse."

"I know."

"That's not very far from here. Do you want to do that tonight?"

She nodded as more tears swam in her eyes. "Duke, I love you so much. Thank you for your support. I don't know what I'd do without you."

He smiled and gathered her closer. "Thankfully, that's not something you'll ever have to find out."

* * * *

Amelia bundled her winter cloak around her neck tighter, fighting off the early evening's cool breeze. Lookout Rock Light stood majestically, facing the ocean as its brightness was glorious at this time in the evening. Indeed, it was a beacon not only for ships but for her as she looked for her grandparents.

As she approached the lower cliffs, the vegetation surrounding the lighthouse had already taken their slumber for the winter. She was certain come springtime, this view would be buzzing with bees collecting nectar from the flowers and trees.

She stopped at the white picket fence surrounding the lighthouse, and gaze upon the unspoken beauty of the place and its purpose. Peace settled inside her, knowing that Spruce Hill was now her home and that she was going to marry the perfect man and raise his perfect children, including Gracie. Getting to know her grandparents was just an added bonus.

From behind her, the ground crunched beneath someone's footsteps. She swung around to see who was disrupting her solitude. At first, the shadows playing across the couple's faces made them appear to be her dead parents. Mother had a slender face and wore her hair coiled at the top of her head. Father wore thick whiskers and smoked a pipe. She recalled his shoulders being wide and that both of her parents were handsome people.

The couple's footsteps faltered when their gazes rested on Amelia. She could tell by the way they stood that their bodies weren't straight as her parents had been sixteen years ago, but instead, both of them were slightly hunched over. The man leaned on a cane.

Her heart burst with happiness. She knew these were her grandparents before she could clearly see their faces. It was if her parents in Heaven were pouring down rays of comfort upon Amelia.

She cleared her throat, knowing her voice would squawk like a pelican during mating season if she couldn't remove the emotion swelling in her mouth. "Are you Hank and Ruth Densley?"

The woman gasped and her hand moved to her neck and started trembling. "Are you an angle of my deceased daughter because you look and sound just like my Elizabeth."

Amelia blinked rapidly, trying to remove the tears filling her eyes. She licked her dry lips. "I'm Amelia, Elizabeth's youngest daughter."

A cry was heard by both grandparents, and they struggled to climb the rest of the way up the hill toward Amelia. She hurried toward them, not wanting them to have to walk the whole way. When they reached, they both wrapped their arms around her.

Amelia's body shook with happy cries. Finally, she found her family. The wait was long overdue.

"Oh, my darling granddaughter," her grandfather said with a shaky voice. "I wish we would have known what happened to you and your siblings after your parents' ship sank. We had hired a few investigators, but they couldn't find you."

Amelia dried her wet face. "I don't know why we were forced to be apart all of these years, but we can only make up for lost time starting now. I'd rather not think or question the past because it was all out of my control. I'm just grateful the Lord has allowed me to reunite with the people I love."

As she hugged her grandparents again, she breathed easier. This was definitely the best Christmas she'd ever had. Thankfully, it wasn't over yet. She and Duke would be married in a few days. Everything seemed like a Christmas miracle, but she'd take every moment of it.