Whispering Hills of Love (American Wilderness Series Romance Book 3) (6 page)

“I apologize that we couldn’t give you more notice, but Mrs. Gafford is in need of employment without delay.”

“But what about my employment?” she stammered.

“My dear, after last night, we just had to make a change. You frightened the girls terribly. They think something is wrong with you.”

She listened with bewilderment. “But it was just a nightmare, nothing more.”

“A horrific nightmare. You were thrashing about and screaming. Dear, I don’t know what happened to you, but my granddaughters don’t need to know. My son and I are in complete agreement. If you stay, they will soon learn the truth. And we want to spare them that.”

“Mrs. Wolfe, Kelly needs your support and Christian love,” William said heatedly. “Not this abrupt dismissal simply because she had a nightmare.”

“We decided to do this now, while your brothers are in town, Sheriff Wyllie. We thought she should go back with them,” she said definitively, as though the decision was hers to make.

Kelly could barely breathe and her heart threatened to jump out of her chest it beat so rapidly. Her fragile world had suddenly shattered like glass.

She glanced over at William, whose reproach filled eyes glared at Mrs. Wolfe. With one final glower at the woman, he turned to Kelly. “Don’t worry Kelly. Things like this always work out for the better,” William entreated.

Her mind reeled with confusion. But she would not let this woman humiliate her further.

“I hope you’ll understand, child,” Mrs. Wolfe said, her voice cool and unnatural.

“I’ll help your pack your things, dear, and Mister Wyllie can saddle your mount again,” Mrs. Gafford suggested.

“Thank you for your kind offer, but I can bloody well pack up my own things,” Kelly retorted then looked directly at Mrs. Wolfe. “And I am no child!” She lifted her chin and started for the house.

“We want you to keep all the clothes we bought you,” Mrs. Wolfe called after Kelly.

At that, Kelly spun back to face her, fists clenched. “I’ll keep only the gowns and things I brought with me. Nothing more.” Despite her best efforts not to weep, tears burned her eyes for the second time that night. Not wanting Mrs. Wolfe to see her cry, she turned and sprinted to the back door, flew through the house, and took the stairs two at a time.

After throwing her few things into her bag, she hurried down the stairs. She wanted to say goodbye to the children, but they
were nowhere in sight. “Can I at least say goodbye to the children and Mister Wolfe?” she asked when she nearly ran into Mrs. Wolfe in the parlor.

“No, Dear. It’s best if you just leave. William has your mare ready for you.”

Kelly turned and hurried through the back door, leaving only a part of her heart behind.

“She did what?” Captain Sam asked heatedly.

“The woman’s soul is as cold as a frozen pond,” William spat.

“Lass, come sit down here with us. Ye look like ye could drop to the ground any second now,” Bear said. He gestured toward a nearby log that served as a bench. “Would ye like a wee cup of coffee to bring yer strength back some?”

Kelly nodded and sank down on the log, feeling weak and vulnerable, all her anger spent.

But William’s fury rapidly swelled. His nostrils flared as he whirled to stare at her. “Don’t let them bring you down. You’re too good for them.”

She did feel humiliated, deflated. She had tried so hard to excel as a tutor and knew that the children responded well to her lessons. If only she could have controlled her emotions—banished her recurring dream—a frightening red dragon—that wanted to devour her. A fearsome blood chilling beast whose scorching breaths burned her face. The dream had become more frequent in recent weeks and the last time she’d had the dream, she swore she could actually feel the dragon’s hot breath on her skin. Then the creature tied her and started to consume her whole. She screamed, but no sound came. She tried again, but her voice remained mute.
Then, just as the beast’s jaw, filled with enormous sharp teeth, was about to engulf her, she saw William coming toward her, arms outstretched. She tried to reach out to William but she couldn’t move her tied arms. That’s when her voice finally came and her own screams woke her up before the dragon could eat her. That was her dream the night her nightmare made the girls cry too.

“Kelly, William is right. You can’t let them demean you. They don’t understand, that’s all. We do,” Sam said, in a gentle tone.

“I have no place in the world now. No home. No place where I belong.” She felt so alone.

“You are more than welcome to return to Cumberland Falls and live with Catherine, Little John, and me. You’re like a sister to all of us now,” Sam said.

She peered up at William who stood with his hands on his hips staring at Sam. Did William think of her as a sister too?

“Or Stephen and Jane would welcome ye with open arms,” Bear added. “Ye’re part of the family now. Just like I am. We willna let any harm come to ye.”

Her uncertain future and trampled pride made the blood pound in her head. She could feel her face growing hot with humiliation, conscious of their scrutiny. She wanted to just escape. But where? Against her will, tears began to roll down her cheeks, and she swatted at them, angry at herself.

“Kelly, lass, what’s got ye so miserable?” Bear asked. “Are ye worried about leaving Boonesborough?”

Since her attack, shame was her constant burden, sometimes a light burden and sometimes a heavy one. And now, after an abrupt dismissal from her first job she felt an even deeper sense of disgrace.

“She doesn’t need to go anywhere,” William nearly swore.

She looked up, feeling the blood drain from her face at the adamancy of his tone. What did he mean? Her breaths shuddered. Did he want her to stay?

William eyed first Sam and then Bear. “I think you two should go take a smoke on your pipes down by the riverbank.” It was more than a suggestion.

Kelly had often seen the Captain and Bear stroll along amiably together, smoking their pipes, often in a heated conversation about politics, hunting, or Indians. They both grabbed their rifles at once and strolled off into the darkness, leaving Kelly and William alone in the light of the campfire.

William stepped closer, and gazed down at her. For a moment, he studied her intently. Still wearing his best clothes, resolve seemed to heat his handsome face. In the light reflecting from the fire, his profile was sharp and spoke of determination. What was he suddenly so sure of?

She searched anxiously for the meaning behind his look. She sniffled and swallowed the lump that filled her throat.

He handed her a handkerchief and knelt down beside her. His eyes were startlingly beautiful against his tanned skin and light hair. Just looking into his eyes made her chest heat inside her and made her feel a little better. A lock of blonde hair fell onto his forehead and she reached up to push it out of his eyes. Surprised that her hand didn’t shake or hesitate, she moved the hairs away from his eye, amazed at the thrill it gave her.

She heard him suck in a breath, but his gleaming eyes never left her face.

Behind William, a tall, dark figure stepped from the dark
shadows of the forest.

Ice spread through her heart and her body stiffened.

Then a terrifying realization made her insides shrivel.

Kelly looked away from him and her expression suddenly darkened. William saw uncertainty and an inexplicable look of withdrawal spread over her face.

The flame of hope in his chest quickly extinguished.

Then her eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.

He swallowed his disappointment. He had been so close to reaching her, to giving her his heart. A mere moment away from letting her know his true feelings. He studied her face with concern, wondering where the Kelly he’d seen just a moment before went. He’d seen desire in her eyes, he was sure of it. But not now. Now all he perceived was fear. It was almost as though she vanished and another woman now sat before him.

A woman silent and defeated.

Then he heard something behind him. He quickly stood, drawing his pistol at the same time, and turned.

A tall man stood near the tree line, feet spread and arms crossed. The man’s dark eyes stared at Kelly instead of him. “Hello Kelly,” the stranger said. His voice echoed ominously through the forest and darkness beyond.

“Papa,” Kelly replied, her voice weak and breaking slightly. She remained seated.

Kelly’s father appeared middle-aged, but still robust, although a bit underweight. He was unshaven, but not bearded. His eyes
appeared a bit bleary, his face sun dried, and his hands leathery. The man continued to glare at Kelly.

The tension between the father and daughter was immediate and increasing with frightening intensity.

“Sir, I am Sheriff Wyllie,” William said extending his hand and taking a few steps forward.

The man didn’t move at all and William lowered his hand, but increased his wariness.

Finally, her father’s eyes moved away from Kelly and focused on William with a look of suspicion.

“You stole my daughter. I’ll have you hung for that!” the man swore.

William heard Kelly gasp.

“Mister McGuffin, you are mistaken. My brother and I rescued your daughter and killed the men who attacked her,” William said, his voice harsher than he intended, but this man’s attitude was beyond belief. Her father should be grateful instead of accusatory.

Kelly finally stood, and William sensed the apprehension coursing through her.

A flash of protectiveness suddenly filled him. She was afraid of her own father. William wanted to beat the whoreson to a bloody pulp. A child should never have to fear their father. That just wasn’t right. He clenched his jaw and fists in an effort to control his rising ire.

“Kelly, gather you things, you’ll be coming home with me,” McGuffin ordered.

Kelly didn’t move, but William did. Incensed, he advanced to stand directly before the man, just inches from his face. “Whether
or not Kelly leaves will be her decision—not yours. She’s a full grown woman now and can decide for herself where she wants to live.”

“Get away from me, you pompous peacock,” McGuffin yelled. He put a hand on William’s chest and shoved.

“You can shove me but one time. And if you ever lay another hand on her, I’ll see that you hang,” William spat.

“She’s my daughter and I’ll decide her fate.” His voice hardened ruthlessly. “And she’ll learn not to run away again.”

“She didn’t run away,” William insisted, “we invited her to join us for her own protection. What kind of a father would leave a young woman alone in the woods to fend for herself for weeks at a time? You’re a worthless excuse for a father.”

McGuffin’s right fist hit William’s jaw before he could dodge away. The blow shook his head, but he still stood firm and erect, ready to return the blow. His lips pursed in anger and he glared at the man. “I don’t want to fight you Mister McGuffin. But I won’t let you take her either.”

“Won’t let me?” McGuffin mocked. “Now who is telling her what she has to do?” The man scowled at him, leaned forward, and with narrowed eyes warned, “Don’t ever pick a fight with an old man. If he’s too old to fight, he’ll just kill you.”

“Stop!” Kelly screamed. She shot up and marched to her father. “Leave him alone. I owe my life to him.”

William was sure she’d yelled it loud enough for Sam and Bear to hear. They would come running back shortly.

“I don’t abide a man taking my daughter. Since you’re apparently the sheriff here, there’s little I can do but punish you myself.” McGuffin grabbed Kelly by the wrist and shoved her
behind him as he yanked out his skinning knife and glared maliciously at William.

“I don’t abide giving men who beat their daughters a chance to take them back,” he retorted. “Release her. Now!”

“Or maybe I’ll just let everyone know their new sheriff is a kidnapper of young women. What will a charge like that do to your reputation Sheriff Wyllie?”

“I’m not worried about my reputation. I’m worried about Kelly,” William snapped.

“Who the hell are you anyway?” McGuffin asked. “And who told you I beat her?”

“I’m justice in these parts, you son of a bitch?”