Amey reached out and placed her hand on his sleeve. “I wouldn’t consider it a burden,” she replied. “After all, friends help one another.”
“We aren’t friends,” he said with a shake of his head.
“We are,” she replied firmly.
Lincoln shifted to meet her gaze. “We’re partners, nothing more.”
“But we’re married,” she joked with a slight pout.
A frown came to his lips. “We aren’t truly married.”
“I know, but I was hoping to make you smile.”
He sighed. “Trust me when I say that you don’t want to be friends with me.”
“And why is that?”
“Because my friends usually end up dead.”
Amey realized that her hand was still on Lincoln’s sleeve, and she quickly removed it. “You need not worry about me,” she said, smiling, “I am rather clever.”
Lincoln rose and dusted off his trousers. “I’ve lost more friends than I can count in the war, including Paul.”
“I’m sorry to hear that,” Amey said, rising.
A pained look came to Lincoln’s face. “I was a trained soldier, but no one can prepare you to watch your friends, your comrades, get shot right in front of you.” He went and dropped down on to the sofa. “Every time I close my eyes, I see their bodies on the ground, lifeless.”
Amey sat down next to him. “What a horrific thing to have to witness.”
“It truly was.” He turned toward her. “I’m sorry for disturbing your sleep.”
“Don’t concern yourself about that,” she replied. “I just wanted to make sure that you’re all right.”
“I don’t think I will ever be all right,” he shared. “I’ve done too many things, seen too many things, to ever be able to go back to the way I was before the war.”
Finding herself curious, she asked, “What were you like before the war?”
“Carefree,” he said with a hint of a wistful smile. “I attended lavish parties, dined at the fanciest restaurants, and went to the theater. I mingled with only the elite of society.”
“Were you happy with that life?”
He furrowed his brows. “Why would you ask that?”
“My life was similar, only on a smaller scale, mind you, and I never felt fulfilled,” she answered honestly. “It wasn’t until I became a Pinkerton agent that I found a purpose to my life.”
“It was a different time, and I was an entirely different person,” he admitted, clenching his hands into tight fists. “How can I go back to my old life without my brothers by my side? I refuse to.”
“That’s understandable.”
Lincoln huffed. “Try explaining that to my father,” he said. “He wants me to return to the family business.”
“Would that be so bad?”
“It would.”
“Then don’t go,” she said firmly.
With a shake of his head, Lincoln stated, “If only it was that easy, but my father has threatened to disown me if I don’t return to New York by the end of the year.”
She grinned. “Being disowned isn’t the worst thing that could happen to a person. I’ve quite enjoyed my freedom.”
Lincoln looked at her knowingly. “Don’t you miss your parents?”
Her smile dimmed. “I do, but it was my parents’ choice to disown me.”
“Do you wish it could be different?”
She nodded. “Every day. However, my parents are ashamed of the woman that I’ve become.”
“I don’t know how anyone could be ashamed of you, Amey,” he said with gentleness in his voice. “You’re a remarkable woman.”
Tears came to her eyes at his kind remarks. “Thank you for that,” she murmured. “I know that I am rather peculiar….”
“Peculiar?” Lincoln shook his head. “You may be infuriating and stubborn, but you are most definitely not peculiar.”
“Are you attempting to compliment me or insult me?” she asked, confused.
He smiled. “Compliment you, of course.”
“Well, you’re terrible at compliments.”
“Perhaps you’re the one who is terrible at receiving them.”
She squared her shoulders. “I don’t believe that to be the case.”
Unexpectedly, Lincoln reached out and cupped her right cheek. “I’ve never met anyone like you before,” he murmured, “and I don’t think I ever will.”
Amey’s eyes searched his, and in them, she saw pain lurking deep within. “What can I do to help you?” she found herself asking.
He lowered his hand from her cheek. “No one can help me,” he said dejectedly, turning away from her.
She boldly reached for his hand and encompassed it. “I want to help you.”
“Leave it, Amey,” he grumbled. “Agents do not analyze one another.”
“I am not analyzing you, Lincoln,” she stated. “I want to help you find joy again.”
“Why?”
“Because,” she started slowly, “everyone should have joy in their lives.”
Lincoln removed his hand from hers. “Enough talking,” he barked, abruptly rising. “We are partners on this case and nothing more. Do I make myself clear?”
Amey rose from her seat and said, “You’re not as tough as you think you are, Lincoln. I will get you to admit that we’re friends.”
“That won’t happen,” he replied, shaking his head.
“It will.”
“You’re dreaming.”
“Perhaps, but I won’t give up,” Amey said as she walked over to the bed and slipped beneath the covers. “Enjoy the rest of the evening.”
As she laid her head down on the pillow, a smile came to her face. She would befriend Lincoln one way or another. It was only a matter of time before…
“Stop smiling,” Lincoln growled, breaking through her thoughts.
Amey laughed. “You can’t stop me from smiling.”
Lincoln laid back on the ground and muttered, “Insufferable woman.”
8
Lincoln woke to the sun shining into the room. He glanced over and saw Amey laying in her bed, still asleep. He couldn’t help but admire her beauty as he looked at her blonde hair spread out on the pillow behind her head.
How was it possible that Amey could penetrate through his defenses so proficiently? His heart was supposed to be hardened beyond repair. Yet, he found it softening as he spent more time with Amey.
Amey’s eyes blinked open, and she met his gaze. “Good morning.”
“Good morning.”
She turned her head toward the window and asked, “What time is it?”
“It’s time to get up,” he replied, moving to a sitting position.
Amey sat up in bed and stretched her back. “This
