Bride for Samuel by Amelia C. Adams & Mail Order Mounties

Author:Amelia C. Adams & Mail Order Mounties [Adams, Amelia C.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2017-11-15T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Samuel paced the floor of his cabin, wondering where Beth had gone and when she’d return. If another ten minutes went by, he’d go out looking for her. He had to set a deadline for himself so he wouldn’t go crazy. He probably should have stopped her from leaving, but she’d wanted to go so desperately, and he didn’t want to lord over her or be unkind. His father had always treated his mother with dignity and respect, and that’s how he wanted to treat Beth.

But what if the accusations were true? Had he just married a thief and a liar? He couldn’t imagine it of her—she was so sweet, so innocent. But didn’t thieves learn how to appear that way so they wouldn’t get caught so easily? What if her gentle ways were part of her act?

The door opened, and he spun around to see Beth entering the cabin, followed closely by Miss Hazel.

“There you are, Beth. I’ve been so worried—”

“I should hope so, young man.” Miss Hazel strode up to him and poked her finger into the center of his chest. “You should be very worried after all this girl has been through today. First, getting attacked on the street by that felon, and now being accused by her own husband!”

“It’s all right, Miss Hazel,” Beth said as she hung up her sweater. “Let’s just tell him what we’ve come to say.”

“Won’t you have a seat?” Samuel offered somewhat stiffly after that tongue-lashing.

Miss Hazel sat down and crossed her arms over her stomach. “I’ve come here to give you my official statement. Beth has in her possession a garnet brooch that was given to her by her mother. I’ve seen her wear it on several occasions over the years, and I’d recognize it anywhere.”

Beth stepped into the other room and returned immediately. “Is this it, Miss Hazel?”

“It’s the very same brooch.”

Samuel nodded, relief flooding him like a waterfall. “Do you remember the first time you saw her wear it, Miss Hazel?”

The woman looked up at the ceiling, her lips pursed. “That would have been the year Timmy Yeoman fell off the organ bench and split his lip during the Christmas service. I remember because Beth picked him up to soothe him, and he rested his head on her shoulder right next to the brooch. So that would have been five years ago.”

“I’m very glad to hear it, Miss Hazel.” Samuel moved to the other side of the room and pulled out a piece of paper. “If you’d be so kind as to write that all down?”

Miss Hazel raised an eyebrow at him, but began to do as she was asked.

Samuel reached out and caught Beth’s hand. “I’m so sorry, Beth. Can you forgive me? I wanted to believe you without question, but I have to question everything.”

“I understand,” she said softly. “And maybe in time, you’ll learn to trust me.”

Once Miss Hazel finished her statement, she rose. “I’ve already told Beth this, but now I’ll tell you. As soon as I get home, I’m going to investigate and get to the bottom of this.

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