SEVENTEEN

Amelia tugged on Prudence's sleeve, motioning toward the sheriff. "Pru, you can do this, and you have the law to back you up."

Her sister's big hazel eyes stared back at her. "What if they don't believe me?"

"Then Duke will help us. You must have faith that goodness will prevail this time. The mayor is evil. We cannot let him win."

Prudence's chest rose and fell quickly and she released her breath out of her mouth. After a few moments, she straightened her shoulders and nodded. "I'll confront the mayor, but while I'm doing that, please let the sheriff know what's about to happen."

"I promise." Amelia squeezed her sister's hand for support before taking both Gracie and Georgia's hands and leading them past the mayor – who glanced their way – and to the sheriff's table. "Pardon my intrusion," she said softly, "but I'm going to need your help."

The two men of the law quickly stood and nodded. The deputy motioned to the empty chairs. "Would you like to sit?"

"Thank you." Amelia smiled even though her heart was racing with worry. She prayed she was correct about the mayor getting his comeuppance. That man was nearly as evil as the Stones. "My name is Amelia Florence, and this is Gracie and Georgia." She said the other girl's name quieter.

When they were all seated, she leaned toward the sheriff. "If you will, I need you to listen to that table right there." She said softly, pointing to Duke's table. "Duke Logan is a bounty hunter, and the other man is Mayor Tidwell."

"All right." The sheriff nodded. "What am I listening for?"

"Here in a moment, you're going to hear about some illegal actions and the person responsible needs to be brought to justice."

The sheriff and Deputy Spencer exchanged curious gazes before peering toward the table. She held the two little girls close to her as she silently prayed that everything would work out the way it was supposed to... and without anyone getting injured.

* * * *

Duke's heart hammered faster as he watched Amelia's unsure walk toward his table. His hands became clammy, and moisture gathered on the back of his neck. He had no clue what was happening, but he was prepared for anything with his pistol in his holster and a knife in his boot. Whatever Amelia told the two men at her table made them alert, too.

He cleared his voice and looked at the mayor who was taking another drink from his flask. "As I was saying, I think you should find someone else to search for your daughter because I have come up empty-handed."

Mayor Tidwell glared at him. "If we find the nanny, we'll find my daughter."

Prudence stopped at Duke's table, standing closer to him but facing the mayor. "The nanny is right here."

Duke hitched a breath as shock filled him. The mayor gasped and jumped out of his chair, tipping it over. The intoxicated man swayed but kept his stance as his gaze ran over Amelia's sister.

"I cannot believe it... it's you!" he slurred and blinked as if trying to focus on her.

"Yes. I am the one who was your nanny. My real name is Prudence. I was using my sister's name because I thought she was dead."

Slowly, the mayor's face turned red. His hands snapped toward her as he grasped her hands tightly. "You stole my money! I want it back."

Immediately, the sheriff and deputy rose to their feet as their hands hovered over their holsters. The few people in the restaurant scrambled out of their chairs, rushing out the door. Amelia held the two girls. Duke suspected the one with frightened eyes was Georgia.

"It's not your money, mayor." She yanked her hands away from him. "You stole it from the church's coffers."

Shocked again, Duke literally couldn't think of anything to say. Instead, he kept watch over the mayor to make sure he didn't do anything to Prudence.

"I did not!" The mayor's forehead creased and the red in his face darkened.

"I saw you do it." Her voice grew louder. "So did your wife. And I'm willing to bet the clergyman knew you took it but was too afraid to say anything."

"Well, you... you..." The mayor blinked as he glanced around at those still in the room. When his gaze landed on his daughter. Georgia whimpered and buried her face against Amelia's bosom. He pointed at the girl. "You kidnapped my daughter."

Prudence shook her head. "I took your daughter away from drunken parents who only wanted to beat her. When she left with me, she was sporting a bruised cheek, a black eye, and a cut lip. That's when I came to live with my grandparents. They can attest to the way Georgia's face looked."

"That's none of your business," the mayor snapped. "She's my daughter. How I discipline her is my choice, not yours."

Duke stepped around the table, putting himself in between Prudence and the mayor. "And I promise you this, Mayor Tidwell, that if I see you harm one more child, you are going to wish you were dead." He gritted his teeth, thinking of the way Amelia grew up and what she had to endure. "Children should not be treated as a punching bag, and I will not let your child enter into that kind of situation again."

The mayor huffed and turned toward the sheriff. "Are you going to let him treat me this way? Arrest him... and arrest Prudence for stealing money that wasn't hers."

The sheriff folded his arms and cocked his head. "Well, mayor, from what I've heard here just now, it doesn't sound like the money is yours, either."

Prudence sucked in a quick breath and looked at the sheriff with hope in her gaze. "It's not. It belongs to the church in Astoria."

"Well, it's mine because I'm the mayor of Astoria and whatever is in my town belongs to me."

Both the sheriff and deputy chuckled.

"Where did you hear that?" Duke shook his head. "Because you're so wrong. The mayor works for the people, not the other way around." The stepped closer, glaring at the portly man who stumbled backward a few steps. "A good mayor makes sure his town is run with the law guiding them, and if the mayor can't abide by those rules, then I believe he should have his title stripped from him and given to someone who actually cares about all the people in that town."

Mayor Tidwell sneered. "You have no authority over me."

"He may not, but I do." A man's voice from the entrance of the restaurant rang loudly through the room.

Duke looked to see who it was. Sheriff Clawson pointed his pistol at Tidwell as he walked closer. "I've had my eyes on you lately, and not only have you stolen from the church, but you've stolen from my office. You and your drunken wife are under arrest for theft."

A cheerful gasp left Prudence's mouth as she turned and moved to her sister. The two women embraced as each little girl clung to them. Prudence pulled back, wiping her teary eyes as she looked at Sheriff Clawson.

"With both of them arrested, what will be done with little Georgia?" She stroked a loving hand over the girl's blonde hair.

"Well, procedure states that the child should go to the nearest relative, but since I don't know any relatives who want to claim the Tidwells around these parts, I think since you were her nanny and had been caring for her, that you can continue to do so. I'll have to get court documents drawn for you to sign, but it won't take very long." The sheriff looked at Duke. "Do you mind helping me with my prisoner?"

"Not all." Duke grinned. "My profession is a bounty hunter and that's what I do – catch criminals."

As the sheriff slapped the handcuffs on Tidwell's wrists, the man of the law looked back at Duke. "Do you live here in town?"

"I'm new, but I'm thinking of staying. Why?"

"Because Astoria needs a new mayor now, and well... just from watching you and listening to you talk, I have a feeling you'd make an excellent mayor, especially given your profession as a bounty hunter."

"Um, pardon me." Sheriff XX said, stepping toward Astoria's sheriff. "I think as Spruce Hill's sheriff, that I should have Mr. Logan become our mayor since we don't have one, either." He looked at Duke. "What do you say? Are you up for the challenge?"

"Me? A mayor?" Duke chuckled as his mind spun with the possibilities. He knew he'd need a new profession, especially if he was going to settle down and start his family here. He glanced at Amelia and winked. "What do you think, darling? Do you think you could handle being the mayor's wife?"

He'd never seen her smile so widely. Nodding, she moved away from the children and walked into his outstretched arms, sliding her hands up his chest as she gazed into his eyes.

"I think you'll make a wonderful mayor," she said sweetly.

"And I think you'd make a wonderful mayor's wife."

She pressed her head against his chest as he tightened his arms around her. He glanced at the sheriff and nodded.

"I think you just got your answer," Sheriff Clawson said with a laugh.

Tidwell grumbled and struggled in his handcuffs as he was pulled out of the restaurant. Duke quickly kissed Amelia's forehead before moving away from here.

"I'll be back soon," he said.

"I know you will, and I'll be waiting for you. I'll always be here for you."

It made Duke's heart swell with love as he walked out of the restaurant to assist the sheriff of Astoria. Finally, things were starting to go smoother in his life, and true happiness was so close he could touch it, kiss it, and call her his wife.