THIRTEEN

Amelia wiped the back of her hand across her moist brow and surveyed what had been accomplished in the cabin so far this morning. Between her, Bobby, and Uncle Theo, they had scrubbed floors, washed down walls, and cleaned the windows. Uncle Theo had wandered off into the thicket of trees not far from their cabin to cut wood for their fireplace. They'd all been busy, even Gracie who helped out where she was needed. Not to mention Duke who'd ridden into town to the general store to buy them some supplies.

Tears of happiness stung her eyes. She had dreamed of living a life free of people like the Stones, where she could be the woman she wanted and meet loving people with kind hearts. She didn't know how to thank Mr. Forester for telling them about this cabin and helping them to become tenants.

She was very happy that the cabin provided them enough room. She and Gracie would share a bedroom, and Theo would sleep in the kitchen, and Bobby would sleep in the large front room. This place was made for them.

The noise of the wagon pulling up in front of the house had her giddy with excitement. Duke is back!

She stepped beside Theo and tapped him on the shoulder. When he met her gaze she signed that Duke had returned. He nodded and moved toward the door as she followed. When they walked outside, Duke was already moving things off the back of the wagon. Bobby rushed up to the wagon to help.

Amelia hurried to the wagon and lifted a smaller box. Duke looked at her and smiled. Her wildly beating heart told her that it would take her a long time to get over him.

"Thank you, Duke. You don't know how much I appreciate your help. I don't know what we would have done without you."

"It was my pleasure to help you all." He glanced at Bobby who was taking a box into the house before Duke's attention moved back to her. "We need to talk. Privately."

"Why?" Her heartbeat stilled.

"I'd rather not tell you here. Let's wait until we can get everything in the cabin." He lifted a box and walked ahead of her.

"Duke, you're worrying me. What is it?" She hurried behind.

"Well, I can tell you one thing. Spruce Hill has some very generous people. I talked to the store owner where I purchased these supplies, and she is going to find people who can donate some furniture and anything else you'll need."

His words shocked her and briefly immobilized her limbs. She stumbled but quickly righted herself before she fell and dropped the box she was carrying. "You must be jesting. People will do that for strangers?"

He chuckled. "I'm happy to report that there are quite a few generous people in this world. I'm sorry you had to be raised by the Stones who don't know the meaning of giving."

She nodded. "Since meeting you, I've seen a whole different world."

She hadn't meant to say such things to him, and while she was sighing with happiness. Yet, happiness grew in her heart and she couldn't contain it.

Once inside the cabin, they placed the boxed on the floor. Bobby and Uncle Theo had just walked out to bring in more boxes. Gracie was taking a nap on the floor in their new bedroom. Even though it would only be a moment, at least she and Duke were alone. She had to show him her appreciation before her chest burst.

She quickly stepped to him and threw her arms around him, hugging him. "Thank you, Duke... for everything."

His arms tightened around her and he buried his face in her neck. Warm tingles shot all over her, and she cherished the feeling. She turned her face and kissed the side of his head. Immediately, his head lifted and he pressed his lips against hers. She couldn't stop the fireworks exploding inside her heart, making her love this man even more.

The kiss was exciting, urgent, and too quick. Of course, she didn't want her brother or Uncle Theo catching them. When Duke's gaze locked with hers, she smiled, cuddling closer against him.

"Have I told you lately how wonderful you are?" she whispered.

"Not yet today."

She chuckled. "Well, you are. I really don't know how to thank you."

His gaze dropped to her mouth. "You were doing a pretty good job of that just a second ago."

Her face heated, making her laugh. "Am I to guess that is how you liked to be thanked?"

"Only by you." He caressed her cheek. "Personally, I like your uncle and your brother, but I'd rather not have them kiss me."

She laughed harder and stepped out of his arms before she was tempted to kiss him again. The timing was perfect, because Bobby came in, followed by Uncle Theo.

"What's so funny?" Bobby asked as he set the box on the ground by the others.

She turned toward her brother and grasped his hands. "Duke talked to a woman in town who said she was going to see if some people in town would like to donate furniture to help us out."

Bobby glanced at Duke and arched an eyebrow. "Why did you do something so foolish?"

Gasping, she slapped her brother's arm. "That's not foolish. Duke was trying to help us."

Duke held up his hands in surrender. "I was only trying to help."

"But..." Bobby's face grew red as his lips thinned and jaw hardened, "what if someone in town recognizes me?"

"Why?" Duke asked. "Have you robbed from the people of this town?"

"No, but—"

"Then my advice to you is to stay clean-shaven and keep your hair short just in case." Duke nodded. "Continue to stay on the straight-and-narrow, and maybe you'll actually avoid getting arrested."

"Thank you, Duke." She looked at him and smiled. "I'll make sure my brother doesn't get into any more trouble."

Uncle Theo set his box down before straightening. He signed to Amelia, that's all the boxes.

She gave him a wink and signed, thank you.

Bobby squat down to look through the boxes, as did Uncle Theo. Duke touched Amelia's arm and motioned toward the door. She nodded but didn't say anything aloud.

As they left the house, Duke slipped his hand into hers and led her toward the thicket of trees. With each step, her heartbeat hammered faster. Was he going to tell her goodbye now... or was this private moment for her to finish telling him thank you? Yet, when he'd asked to speak with her privately before, the look on his face made her heart sink. Whatever he had to say wouldn't be good.

He stopped inside the trees and glanced back at the cabin. It was hard to see now with all the trees. Duke turned to her and took her in his arms loosely. His expression softened and he glanced at her mouth. Her heartbeat skipped. Maybe he just wanted to kiss her more passionately and longer. She was all for that.

"I was wondering what you would think if I decided to find myself someplace to stay, right here in Spruce Hill?"

Emotion clogged her throat. Had she heard him correctly? But the excitement jumping inside her chest let her know she had heard him correctly. "You... want to live here?"

He nodded.

"Why?"

"Because I've been on my own for too long now. I want to settle down. I want a place I can call home. I... don't want to be lonely anymore." He tightened her in his arms. "And Amelia, I want them all with you."

A surprised gasp ripped from her throat and tears filled her eyes. "Oh, Duke... Are you sure? I mean, I don't want to love you if you're just going to leave."

He frowned and shook his head. "Are you thinking of what Miss Mullins said?"

She nodded.

"Please, don't think of her. I never loved her, and I shouldn't had made her think I was coming back to marry her." He kissed Amelia's forehead. "In fact, I've never thought about wanting to settle down until I met you."

Squeezing her teary eyes closed, she pressed her head against his chest. His hands rubbed comforting circles over her back. It was still difficult to make herself believe this was all real. Never in her life did she think she'd meet a man who could love her and want to be with her forever. The Stones definitely tried their hardest to make her feel worthless.

"Amelia, I've fallen in love with you," he whispered. "I want to marry you."

She hiccupped a laugh. Tilting her head back, she looked into his eyes. His expression was sincere, making her want to cry with happiness.

He wiped a tear sliding down her cheek. "Do I need to ask Uncle Theo for your hand in marriage?"

She smiled widely. "No. He'd not really my uncle."

"What about your brother?"

"Considering I've believed him to be dead most of my life, I don't think you'll need to ask his permission, either. Just mine."

He nodded and released her, only to kneel on one knee in front of her and take her by the hand. "Amelia Florence, I love you and I want you in my life forever. I want to have children with you and grow old together. I want to gaze into your remarkable hazel eyes and kiss your sweet lips until I'm old and decrepit."

She grinned, loving his confession.

"Will you make me the happiest man alive by agreeing to become my wife?"

She tugged on his hand, urging him to stand. When he did, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly, putting her feeling into the way she moved her lips across his and held him tightly. The kiss turned passionate, and she was sure he could feel her answer, but she really needed to tell him. She really needed to say that actual words that had been in her mind and in her heart for a few days now.

As difficult as it was, she reluctantly broke the kiss but stayed in his arms. The love shone in his eyes, melting her heart that much more. She caressed the sides of his face, loving looking at him and pressing up against him so closely.

Just as she opened her mouth to give him her answer, the sound of wagons growing near made her pause as she looked over her shoulder toward the cabin. They had visitors already? And yet, the items in the back of their wagons let her know there really were generous people in the world who would help out strangers.

"They're here," Duke whispered before bending and kissing her neck.

"That was fast."

"I'm assuming because this is a small town, that word travels quickly."

She peered at his handsome face again, smiling. "I can't believe any of this. I feel like I'm in a dream."

"This is real, Amelia."

"I love you, Duke."

His eyes twinkled as he bent his head to kiss her again. Unfortunately, they couldn't continue this. She wanted to personally thank everyone who donated furniture for her cabin.

She turned to leave, but he grasped her arm, stopping her. "There's one more thing I need to tell you before we return." Pausing, he inhaled.

What could possibly be more important than confessing his life and proposing? "What is it?"

"Amelia, when I was at the general store, I think..." He licked his lips. "I think I met your grandmother."

Another shock hit her, but this one made her whole body shake as her strength drained from her head. Duke quickly took her in his arms. Her mind spun with the possibility... Her grandmother was really here? But the real question was – how could she convince the woman that she was her long-lost granddaughter?