Reckless Hearts

Chapter 43

You stared into the black liquid, sipping it every so often, as Dutch recounted what had happened.

The engagement. The realisation that you both loved each other. The pregnancy, your doubts. Then the thrill that you both wanted the baby, as much as each other. Then the kidnapping, the loss of the baby, the doctor and Thomas. Then the killing of Angelo Bronte.

Hearing it come from Dutch's lips, didn't make the hearing of it any easier. There were times, when tears would pool in your eyes. Dutch would stop, making sure you were ok. With a look or a touch. Other times, Dutch's voice would break. You would hold him a bit tighter, while Hamish would just sit there quietly, just waiting for him to recompose himself.

When Dutch finally finished, he stroked your face, the kissed your hand.

Hamish took a deep breath and blew a breath out of his mouth.

"Seems like you folks have been through more in a few months, than most people have to go through in a lifetime." he exclaimed.

Hamish looked at you. "Did killing that man, make you feel any better?" he asked, a look in his eye that made you feel a little guilty. Like your grandpa, getting ready tell you off.

You sighed, "It didn't bring our baby back, but at least I know he wont do the same thing to someone else."

Hamish nodded, "and what about Mr O'Driscoll."

Dutch looked at Hamish, "we both still hate him," Dutch concluded.

You glanced at Dutch, then at Hamish. "But there's someone who hates him more, she wanted me to help hunt him down, but I declined.

Dutch smiled, "I didn't even have to convince her."

Hamish smiled, "was this before or after the baby?"

You smiled, "before, but I listened to what you said Hamish, about revenge.

Hamish took a swallow of his coffee, "and what of Mr Bronte?"

You leant forward slightly, "you always said that people will get their just deserts, that man hurt so many people before us, maybe it was supposed to happen this way."

Hamish nodded, "Maybe."

Dutch smiled, "some good came of it, one of my boys, adopted. He has a son, he didn't really step up to the plate, to be a father. Well not until now."

Hamish stood up, "sad that it takes a loss, for people to realise what they have," he acknowledged.

He took the cups through to the kitchen, then returned.

"Sounds like you have a lot of people to take care of, Dutch." he commented.

Dutch nodded, "Yeah, it ain't always easy. Things haven't gone too well in the last few months." He chuckled, "Well, that's not strictly true," he kissed you on the cheek.

"And you have another child back at your camp?" he asked.

You laughed, "yes, young Jack. Such a sweet boy, but runs his mother ragged. She was so kind to me when..." you stopped, and stared at the floor.

You felt Hamish grab your hands, you looked at him, swallowing back the lump in your throat.

"One day Kara, you'll have loads of children hanging around you. You'll never forget the one you lost, but it will get easier, especially once you've had your first." he whispered.

You took a deep breath and nodded, hoping that Hamish was right.

"The pair of you have been through so much, but when the time comes, your gonna make the best parents." Hamish added, glancing between the pair of you.