He stopped in front of her, his breathing labored. “What am I doing here?” he asked in between breaths. “What are you doing here?”
She nibbled her lower lip. “I wrote you a note. Didn’t you get it?”
Holding up the crumpled piece of paper, he replied, “I did, but I still have some questions.”
“Which are?”
He stepped closer to her so Amey had to tilt up her head to look at him. “Why are you leaving me?”
She pressed her lips together as if she was trying to control her growing emotions. “I have enjoyed our time together, but it’s better if I work alone.”
“Why?”
“Because…” Her words were lost when the train blew its whistle.
He leaned closer. “Because of what?”
Her eyes shifted toward the train as she said, “I’d better go. I don’t want to miss this train. There’s not another one until tomorrow.”
“Then I’ll go with you.”
She gave him a puzzled look. “But what about your carpetbag at the hotel?”
“You mean more to me than my material possessions, Amey.”
Amey’s lips parted. “What are you saying, Lincoln?”
Yes. What was he saying?
He ran a hand through his disheveled hair. “I never wanted to get married. Ever. But then you came along, and I suppose you’re not that bad for a wife.”
“Pardon?” she asked, taking a step back.
This was not going well.
He reached out and placed his hands on her shoulders. “I care for you, Amey Hoyt. More than I should. You’ve brought joy back into my life and have given me a reason to smile. Please don’t leave me.”
Tears came to her eyes, and she brought her gloved hand up to wipe them away. “I care for you, as well, which is why I’m scared.”
“Why are you scared?”
She closed her eyes, and a tear escaped onto her cheek. “My own family disowned me. I couldn’t bear the thought of you not wanting me.”
“Oh, Amey,” he said, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her close. “I promise that I’ll never hurt you.”
“Don’t you see?” she started. “I need to leave. It will be easier for both of us.”
“I agree.”
“You do?” she asked, shifting in his arms to look up at him.
He nodded. “It would be easier,” he replied, “but I’m afraid I can’t let you go. My heart will always belong to you.”
“Do you truly mean that?”
Lincoln dropped down onto one knee as he reached for her hand. “Amey Hoyt, will you do me the honor of staying married to me? I want to court you properly.”
“You do?”
“Frankly, I’m not sure how it will work,” he said, “but I’ll search for times to woo you during our assignments. Perhaps even find appropriate times to kiss you.”
A mischievous smile came to her face. “Is right now an appropriate time?”
He jumped up eagerly and placed his hand on the back of her neck. “It is,” he replied with a flirtatious smile.
Lincoln watched as Amey closed her eyes and parted her lips. Never had she looked more beautiful, he thought. He leaned closer and brushed his lips against hers, kissing her softly.
Amey’s eyes fluttered open. “That was… adequate.”
“Adequate?” he repeated in disbelief.
No woman had ever called his kisses “adequate” before.
She nodded, her face expressionless. “Perhaps we should try it again?” she asked innocently.
He chuckled. “You’ll hear no complaints from me.”
Not sparing another moment, Lincoln gathered her close and kissed her, thoroughly and completely. He doubted he would ever tire of kissing his wife. His wife. He loved the sound of that. He would spend the rest of his life ensuring that Amey never regretted staying married to him.
After a long, delightful moment, Lincoln leaned back and asked, “Was that better?”
“Oh, yes,” she said in a breathless tone. “Much, much better. Can we try it again?”
He smiled as he rested his forehead against hers. “How about we do it someplace a little more private?”
Amey turned her head to see people had stopped on the train station platform to watch them, and he saw her blush adorably.
Stepping back, he held out his hand and said, “Come, let’s go back to our hotel room.”
“I need to make sure that Jasper and my trunk don’t get on this train,” she replied, slipping her hand into his.
He nodded. “I’ll go get your trunk. Why don’t you go see that Jasper hasn’t been loaded in yet?”
“All right,” she replied.
After he’d secured her trunk, he walked down the platform to where a group of people had assembled. He stepped closer and saw Amey was crouching down next to Jasper, who appeared dead.
“Is your horse dead?” a woman asked, leaning closer.
Amey shook her head. “No. He just doesn’t want to board the train.”
A man spoke up. “He looks dead to me, ma’am. He even has his tongue sticking out.”
“I know,” Amey sighed. “Jasper is quite a dramatic horse.”
Lincoln watched as Amey leaned closer to Jasper’s ear and started whispering something. In response, her horse’s ears started twitching.
To his surprise, Jasper rose and pressed his nose affectionally into Amey’s side.
“Well, I’ll be,” he muttered to himself.
Amey grabbed the reins and smiled over at him. “Ready to go back to the hotel?”
“Yes, Mrs. Hoyt.” He offered his arm to her and glanced over at Jasper. “I thought your horse was dead.”
“Most people do,” she replied.
“Did your horse truly not want to board the train?”
She laughed. “They were leading Jasper toward the train, and he just dropped down, lifeless.”
“You were right,” Lincoln said. “Your horse is quite temperamental.”
Amey placed her hand on Jasper’s neck. “I love my horse,” she shared. “He reminds me of a happier time.”
Lincoln stopped and turned to face her. “I promise that I will make you so deliriously happy that you will never once regret your decision to stay married to me.”
“Do you promise?”
He leaned closer and kissed her firmly on the mouth. As his lips hovered over hers, he said, “Yes, I promise, wholeheartedly.”
“Then I shall take you at your word, husband.”
“Please do,” he murmured. “Please do.”
Epilogue
Three months later
“Are
