Light of my Life

Nine

NINE

Duke stared at the teary-eyed woman as his mind digested what she'd said. She wasn't a widow... and she hadn't had a baby. Part of him wanted to get upset because he'd believed her charade and yet, another part of him wanted to applaud her courage to step up to the motherless little girl and become the parent Gracie needed.

However, there was still a hole in her story. The mayor's daughter was kidnapped about six months ago. Amelia had even mentioned that she helped the Stones acquire another orphan. To him, that meant she still could have been involved in the kidnapping of the mayor's daughter.

During their ride into Spruce Hill, Bobby had made mention a few times that Mr. and Mrs. Stone were the true criminals. Not only did they beat the children, but they used the older children to help them steal. The Stones also lied constantly to the state in order to get more food and pay for each child.

He really wished he had known this sooner about her. Kissing her had been a mistake, but enjoying it was even a bigger mistake. He'd told Bobby he hadn't planned on breaking Amelia's heart, but Duke just couldn't get involved with a woman who could possibly be a criminal – even if all she was doing was helping the true criminals.

Releasing a gush of air from his mouth, Duke raked his fingers through his hair, pushing the thickness back off his forehead. There was more to this story than Amelia probably even realized, and he hoped she had a good memory because he was going to drill her like a soldier in the army.

"Amelia, I'm glad you told me the truth about you and Gracie." He sighed. "However, there is more I need to know."

Her forehead crinkled and she shook her head. "But I don't have any more to tell you."

"Between you and your brother, I'm sure we can dig out more dirt on the orphanage." He took her hand and pulled her to the door, opening it.

"Where are you taking me?" Her voice tightened.

"To my room."

"What?" She tried to tug her arm out of his hold, but he tightened his grip. "Why are you taking me to your room?"

Duke opened the door. Both Bobby and Theo's gazes swung toward them as Duke brought her inside. "Amelia, let Theo know that he needs to watch Gracie because the three of us need to talk."

She blinked back tears and she signed something to Theo. The older man glared at Duke before giving a nod and leaving the bedroom. Duke was sure Amelia had told Theo more than he'd asked her to say.

"What's this all about?" Bobby asked, sitting up from his bedroll on the floor and leaning his back against the wall.

"I need to ask you and your sister some questions about Mr. and Mrs. Stone."

Bobby glanced at Amelia, frowning. "Why? Hasn't my sister been through enough already?"

Amelia moved to the bed and sat on the edge. "Bobby, I think the bounty hunter thinks I'm a criminal like you."

"Hogwash!" Bobby jumped to his feet, fisting his hands at his sides. "My sister is innocent. She couldn't hurt a fly."

Duke held up both hands, glaring at Bobby. "I haven't accused your sister of anything, yet. But that doesn't mean I have questions that need to be answered." He looked at Amelia. Her face had lost a little color. "Please, just answer my questions."

"Fine," she snapped.

"Your brother had told me once that the owners of the orphanage took the older kids into town to help them with some errands. Did you help them, too?"