Page 74 of Heart on the Line

The knocks came again. Three rapid beats.

“Mrs. Porter?” a male voice called through the door. “Your husband sent me. My name is Amos Bledsoe. I’m looking for—”

Grace threw the door wide and launched herself into Amos’s arms.

“Grace!” His arms closed around her. “Oh, thank God.” His embrace tightened, and a sob born of pent-up worry and immense gratitude erupted from her throat.

He released her immediately, setting her away from him and running his gaze over her from head to toe. “Are you hurt?”

She shook her head even as her body trembled from the sudden emotional release. “I-I’m just s-so happy to s-see you!” She threw herself back into his arms, yearning for the comfort of his embrace.

Amos, smart man that he was, caught on and held her close, one hand pressed against her spine, another reaching up to cup the back of her head.

She sighed and snuggled against his chest, her tremors abating as the reality of his presence soothed and comforted her. After a long, heavenly moment, Grace pulled back slightly so she could look into his eyes. Her arms moved up to twine about his neck. “Oh, Amos, I’m so very, very glad that you’re all right.”

The blue of his eyes darkened. “I love you, Grace Mallory.”

She toyed with the hair at the nape of his neck, all her recent talk of kissing putting rather scandalous thoughts in her head. If he didn’t take care of the matter soon, she just might have to pursue the business herself. “And I love you. With all my heart.”

Tugging gently, as if she were made of the most delicate lace, he drew her face close, his fingers tunneling into her loose braid as he tilted her mouth up to meet his. When his lips finally met hers, she sighed. This was where she belonged. With this man. Loving him and basking in the gift of his love.

His kiss started as a tender caress, sweet but far too careful to Grace’s way of thinking. They had escaped death tonight. She wanted to feast on life and love.

She tugged on his neck to bring him closer and lifted up on her tiptoes to deepen the kiss.

Amos reacted instantly. With a little growl that vibrated in his throat, he clutched her to his chest and gave her the kiss she’d been longing for. Passionate, possessive, and just the tiniest bit out of control. His fingers massaged her scalp as his lips crossed over hers at a new angle. Shivers danced down her neck and along her arms.

A throat clearing softly nearby penetrated their celebratory haze. Amos broke off the kiss to lift his head and peer behind her shoulder.

“As much as I hate to interrupt such an . . . enthusiastic reunion, I think we ought to at least move it off the front stoop and away from prying eyes.”

Grace could hear the smile in Addie Porter’s voice and knew she meant no censure, but her cheeks flamed anyway. She’d completely forgotten where they were and that they had an audience.

Amos’s neck flushed red, too, but he stood straight and tall and kept a hand at Grace’s back as they moved inside and closed the door. He might be embarrassed to have had their private moment witnessed by another, but there was nothing about him that indicated shame. In fact, the look he gave her as he led her to the sofa radiated a pride so rich, she felt like the most highly sought girl at the fair instead of the practically invisible telegraph operator she knew herself to be.

Amos Bledsoe wanted her. Loved her. Had chosen her from all the ladies of his acquaintance. And when this mess with Lockhart was concluded, she planned to show him that she had chosen him as well.

Addie lowered herself into a rocker. “Did you happen to run across Sheriff Tabor, Mr. Bledsoe? Grace was worried the two of you might not find each other out there in the dark.”

Grace swiveled in her seat, her gaze intent on Amos’s face as he gave a solemn nod. The joy humming through him a moment ago seemed to sputter and fade. Something had happened out there. And whatever it was, she wanted to be the one to shore him up. Taking his hand, she twined her fingers through his and squeezed.

His eyes met hers, yet it felt as if something deeper than their gazes connected.

“Yes, ma’am,” Amos answered, turning his attention back to Addie. “I met up with Sheriff Tabor along with Malachi Shaw and your brother-in-law.”

“Benjamin was out there?” Addie sat a little straighter in her chair, her brow puckering slightly.

“Yes, and he’s fine, by the way.” Amos rubbed the edge of Grace’s thumb as he glanced sideways at her. “They all are.”

Grace exhaled in relief.

“Shaw and Porter split up when we began the search then headed back to town when dark began to fall.”

Grace heard what he didn’t say. The others had returned to Harper’s Station, but not Amos. He’d continued hunting for her alone. Even knowing how badly Lockhart outgunned him. He truly was her hero.

“Apparently the Pinkerton who Lockhart had been impersonating had recovered enough for Miss Potter to bring him to town.”

“Helen?” Grace couldn’t stop herself from interjecting, too shocked by this piece of information to remain quiet. “Helen brought the Pinkerton to town? But she hates men.”