Her Secret Past (Black Hills Brides Book 1) Read online

  Samantha set the needle and thread next to her and motioned to the plush chairs and table in the center of the room. “Yes, of course. Misty, can you get us some tea?”

  Misty looked over at Samantha and back at Dirk. Samantha could tell the young girl was suspicious with Samantha’s actions, but in a split second decided to listen to orders as she scampered off into the kitchen to fetch the tea.

  They were now alone in the room. Samantha felt the fear overcome her again, but she pushed it down. This was her house, her domain. Dirk would not dare to try something in her own home, not with another witness down the hall. He would know better. She walked over to the seats, and feeling emboldened by her position, motioned for him to take a seat across from her. “Please, sit.”

  Dirk set his hat and gloves on the table and took a seat next to her as she followed. “I want to give my formal apology for last night. I was not in the right mind.” He grabbed her loose hand from the chair arm and looked into her eyes with sincerity. “I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me.”

  Samantha felt the urge to snatch her hand back. But she couldn’t deny what seemed to be a sincere apology. She swallowed her spite and decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. “Yes, I can forgive you. But you must know, you scared me. I don’t think I could trust you again.”

  Dirk let go of her hand and dragged his fingers through his hair, wincing from the pain. Samantha wanted so much to inquire about the cuts, bruises, and a black eye, but she knew it was not her place to ask. “I know, but I’m hoping we can try to be civilized.” In an instant, his attitude seemed to change. Like he was overcome by an emotion Samantha couldn’t really recognize. “I’m afraid to admit this, but I have a terrible crush on you. I think it started the first moment I saw you.”

  Samantha bristled at the declaration. It was outrageous and made her feel very uncomfortable. She leaned away from him and tried to find her best voice to say what needed to be said next. “I’m very flattered, Dirk, but I’m your brother’s wife. It just wouldn’t be…” she paused, trying to find the right word, “appropriate.”

  In a flash, irritation seemed to take the place of the unknown emotion in Dirk. But it was only an instant; as soon as Samantha had noticed it, he was back to fawning. “Was my brother’s wife. James is dead.”

  Samantha turned away from him and shook her head. “That doesn’t change the way I feel about him.” Samantha knew this was the perfect moment to say she loved James, but she just couldn’t do it. Even with James dead, she couldn’t say those words out loud because she was a coward and knew it would be a lie.

  Sensing an opening, Dirk went to grab her hands. “I know you felt deeply for him. But he is gone, and you need someone to take care of you.” He went to reach for her chin and pulled it towards him. “I can be that person; I can take care of you. This is what James would have wanted.”

  She shook her head out of his grasp and withdrew her fingers from his. “No, I can’t do that to him. It’s not right.”

  Dirk was not deterred. “We should get married, it will give you security. And with time, you can grow to love me, like you did my brother.”

  Samantha was taken aback. How did he know? It was like her feelings were written on her face. But she knew what she had to do, and she wouldn’t be bullied. “My feelings for you are that of a brother-sister. Even if time passes, I don’t think I can ever grow to care about you anymore than I do now.”

  This was not the answer Dirk was hoping for. He seemed to change from a calm, adoring man to a flaming boar in a few seconds. His eyes flared with fire “I don’t think you understand. I am not asking you, I am telling you.” He reached for her again, but she slipped out of reach. “You will marry me because it is what is right and it is what my brother wanted.”

  Samantha got up from her seat and started to involuntarily shake. But she knew she needed to stand strong and not give this man an opening. “How did you know what James wanted? You two barely talked to each other. And even if it’s what he wanted, what he asked for, it doesn’t matter anymore. James is dead and I am not going to be a pawn in whatever game you are playing.”

  Dirk got up and walked around the table so that they were facing each other. “My lady,” he seethed, breathing hard and angrily, “you don’t know what you are saying…”

  “I want you to leave, now. This conversation is over.”

  “This conversation is not over until I say it is!” Dirk lunged forward and grasped her waist before pushing her back into the desk. As Samantha went to push him off, Misty took the opportunity to enter the room. She looked startled by their position and set the tea down on the nearest table. “Miss?” she squeaked.

  Dirk looked at Misty and then at Samantha before letting her go. Just as Samantha had suspected, he was not one to have an audience. He grabbed his hat and gloves and turned to leave, not before turning around and whispering to Samantha, so only she would hear. “You’ll regret this. You will marry me.” He smirked and walked out the door before bowing to Misty. “Hope you two have a lovely day.”

  Samantha didn’t breathe again until she heard the door slam. Misty rushed to her side. “Miss, are you alright?”

  At that moment, Samantha knew she could only do one thing. Without missing a beat, she told Misty “Misty, grab my coat. I need to see someone.”

  Regardless of what Dirk thought, there was no way she was marrying another man for convenience. She knew what she had to do and who would help her with her conquest.

  Chapter 4

  Samantha walked into the office of Colin Sullivan and was met with the strongest smell of firewood. His office always smelled like a lumber yard; she mused it was probably because of all the wooden furniture Colin had brought from overseas. He had an odd affinity for wooden fixtures.

  Colin’s secretary, Lily, was sitting at the desk in front of the office, shuffling through papers and didn’t notice Samantha had entered the room. When Samantha made a small cough, Lily tilted a bit off her seat and looked up startled. “Oh, Samantha! Lovely to see you!”

  Samantha smiled. Lily was a few years older than she was; she had taken the job when Colin’s last secretary married one of Colin’s clients. Samantha didn't know much about Lily; there were rumors Samantha caught between dinner courses at social gatherings that Lily was engaged to a businessman in New York before she came here. He was wealthy but had achieved this by criminal activity. When the scandal hit, Lily apparently found her fiancé had left her by taking a one-way ticket out: by way of a gunshot wound to the head. “I was wondering if Uncle Colin was in. I have some pressing news to discuss with him.”

  Lily made a wave towards the door behind her. “Of course! He’s just in there writing a brief. But even if he wasn’t, you could just walk right in.

  Samantha excused herself, as Lily went back to her papers. She knocked softly and when she heard a “come in,” she opened the door and stepped inside. Colin Sullivan was sitting at the desk, pen to paper, busy writing. He didn't look up as Samantha slowly closed the door behind her and settled in one of the two chairs were sitting before his desk.

  Colin was a tall and lean man, with ginger hair. He was clean shaven, with an angular face. He was handsome and Samantha always wondered why he had never married; maybe it was because he was so devoted to his work. He was a kind and sweet older gentleman and Samantha had always thought of him as her second father. When her mother had passed, he was there to help pick up the pieces.

  When he didn’t look up from his papers, Samantha had another awkward cough. He looked up from his work and smiled. “Samantha! What a splendid surprise.” He got up from his chair and walked over to give her a hug. Samantha leaned into his arms and closed her eyes. It was warm and comforting, something she didn’t know she really needed at that moment. He ended the embrace and stood back, his arms still on her sides. “My, you look more like your mother. I was just remembering when you would hide under your father’s desk at the bank, so when M
rs. Gordon would walk around to collect the bank files for the day, you would jump out and scare her. Oh! What an amusing memory.”

  Samantha laughed at his exclamation. He always had fun memories of her life he shared every time they saw each other. Colin let go of Samantha and walked behind his desk, as Samantha lowered into her chair. Once they were both seated, he scooted his chair forward. “My dear, what brings you here today?”

  “I have a dilemma. I fear I am digging myself into a hole.”

  He cocked an eyebrow and leaned further over the desk. “What makes you think that?”

  Samantha sighed and folded her hands in her lap. “James’ brother Dirk is becoming a bother. First, he attacked me on my way home last night.”

  Abruptly, Colin stood up from his chair knocking it over. “He did what?”

  Samantha motioned for him to sit back down. “A policeman walked by and stopped him before anything happened.” Since he seemed so incensed, she left the torn sleeve out of the conversation. Once Colin was seated again, though he was still clutching his hands in aggravation, she continued. “This morning he came to the house and made a proposition. Though it was more so a threat and I don’t really know what to make of it.”

  Colin looked enraged. “That settles it. You have to take the marriage proposal.”

  Samantha cocked her head. “Marriage proposal?”

  Colin pulled out a few papers and handed her the first piece of parchment. “We’ve received a response to our inquiry. There is a man in Illinois who is interested in marriage. You will leave tomorrow.”

  Samantha looked at the papers and then back at Colin. “How is this possible? I told my father no.”

  Colin sighed. “You are being unreasonable Samantha. A man just attacked you and you are taking it rather lightly. We still don’t know who killed James. It’s not safe for you here!”

  Samantha set the papers down on the desk and looked Colin square in the eye, with absolutely no hesitation in her next choice of words. “I am not leaving here.”

  “Samantha…” Colin started again.

  “I can’t run away from my problems. I’ve decided, I’m staying here. I am still mourning my husband.”

  Colin got up from his chair and walked over to Samantha. He kneeled so they were level with each other. He reached for her arm, holding it firmly in his grasp. “Samantha, please listen. It’s not safe for you here. Dirk seems to be unwell. This is the best option for you.”

  Samantha considered his earnest eyes. She knew what the best choice was, the easiest choice. She should take this opportunity. Leave this place. Start a new life where people didn’t view her as poor James O’Donnell’s wife. But then she thought about all she had lost already and all she stood to lose now. Her father settled into her mind. What would she do if she lost him while she was away? She could never forgive herself.

  “No, I just can’t. You must understand, I can’t leave this place. Not when I’ve lost so much already.” She shook her head, holding back the tears she knew were on the verge of spilling out of her eyes. “I’m sorry Uncle Colin, I know you don’t understand. But this is the right thing for me to do.”

  Colin looked up into her face and went to wipe away a lone tear. It was like staring into her father’s eyes, with so much hurt and disappointment. He looked so sad for her and Samantha just couldn’t take it. She didn't want to drag another soul into her mess. “I’m sorry, I must go.” She got up to leave, as Colin stood as well. “Thank you so much for your time.”

  Colin walked her out of the room. “Samantha, I really hope you will reconsider, he said softly as she exited the room.

  Once they were in the doorway of his office, Samantha turned around and put on a brave smile. “I don’t think I will. I do appreciate your concern,” she added when she saw his face fall. As she went to give him a friendly good-bye hug, she saw Lily come to attention out of the corner of her eye. When they separated, she spared a glance at Lily. Her eyes were on Colin, as he fumbled with the ends of his coat jacket. It was only a moment, and Samantha would have missed it had she not been looking straight at her, but Lily’s eyes sparkled with a longing she had never seen before. And her longing was aimed at Colin.

  It was gone before Samantha knew it. Lily’s smile returned to her face. “Leaving so soon?”

  “Yes, I was only dropping by to chat a bit.” She turned to Colin. “Again, thank you for your time.”

  Colin smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Anytime, for my little lady.”

  Samantha waved at Lily and heard Colin call over to her as Samantha exited office building.

  As she walked out into the brisk morning air, she felt heavier with thoughts and misgivings than she did when she went in. As her thoughts drifted, she knew she had one more stop to make. She made her way down the street towards the hospital.

  Sunday was usually a slow day in the hospital and this Sunday was no different. One of the older nurses who fancied Pat delivered the morning newspaper and he was gingerly reading it with a cup of coffee the same nurse had snuck to him too. His doctor did not like him drinking the deep brown liquid (he much preferred him to drink tea) but Pat thought tea tasted too much like stale water and he tried to avoid it as best he could. He doubted this one cup of coffee would shorten his life, as his doctor had stated the last time he caught him drinking it, and even if it did, at least he would be dying because of something he loved to drink and not this wretched sickness.

  He was perusing the newspaper when he saw a flicker of purple in his doorway. He looked up and saw his daughter was loitering in the doorway. She was wearing a purple dress with a matching purple hat. She was fiddling with her gloves and her eyes looked swollen from crying. He hadn’t seen her since their heated exchange. He didn’t know how to approach the subject again without making her angry. It was the right thing to do, but getting her to agree had been a terrible disaster. He had been going over numerous plans with Colin all week to try to get her to change her mind. But looking at her face made his resolve falter; he knew now was not the right time to breach the subject.

  “Darling, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?” he said as he casted aside his newspaper and beckoned her forward. Samantha rushed forward and clasped her hands tightly in his hands.

  Samantha looked so sad as she spoke. “Father, I don’t know what to do. You and Uncle Colin are telling me to leave, but I just don’t think I can. I’m not strong enough to be alone.” She looked into his face and tears started to trickle down her cheeks. “Look at you! I can’t just leave you here, alone and in this hospital. What kind of daughter would I be?”

  Pat scoffed at his daughter’s assertions. “Dear, you need not worry about me. I’m as fit as a horse.” He puffed up his chest for added effect. “Remember? The doctor really believes there is a possibility of me going home soon.”

  “You’ve been saying that for days.” Samantha sniffed and used the back of her gloved hand to remove excess water from her eyes.

  Pat smiled a bit. It was a lie about the doctor. His discussions with him lately were of the dire sort, but he wasn’t about to lament about it now. What was important was his daughter’s safety. If it meant lying to her, for now, he would put on a smiling face and act like nothing was wrong.

  He reached for her hands and solemnly looked into her eyes. “Darling, I only want what’s best for you. And you just aren’t safe here anymore.”

  Samantha looked into his eyes, almost as if she was searching for something. She seemed to compose herself for a few moments before she asked the next question. “Father, why the pressure to move out west? How is it unsafe for me now than it was before? Is it because James is gone?”

  The thought of James took him back to that night and a chill flew down his spin and the air suddenly became chilly. Those images haunted him at night, in the darkest corners of his mind. He let her hands go and looked at the opposite wall, afraid of her gaze. “A policeman dropped by here the other day. He said he had no
leads to James’ death.”

  Samantha stood still as Pat continued, “But they do believe he was murdered for specific reasons. Money appears to have been stolen from his safe at the factory. They are thinking James was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Probably walked in on the robber.”

  Samantha’s eye’s widened. Pat hoped his face concealed the truth. She shook her head. “But James didn’t keep a lot of money in there; it was probably only a few hundred dollars. Why would someone go through all that trouble for such a small amount of money?”

  “My point exactly. James’s murderer is still out there. If he was only after money, that means he doesn’t have what he needs. You might be his next target.”

  Samantha looked nervous, as she hugged her shoulders. The sleeve of her shirt lifted slightly, exposing her wrist. Pat noticed a faint purple bruise. He reached out to grab her arm and pulled it forward. Samantha gasped as Pat pulled back her sleeve to gaze at the mark. “Where did you get this?” When Samantha tried to tug her arm back, he gripped her arm tighter. “Samantha, don’t lie to me. Who did this to you?”

  Samantha cowered a bit in her seat. “It was Dirk. He was upset about James and had a little too much to drink. Last night, he attacked me”

  At first, fear paralyzed Pat. He let go of Samantha’s hand and sank back in his bed. After a few moments, though, his fear turned to anger. “Dirk attacked you?" he asked calmly, though he could hear the rage creeping in the corners of his words.

  Samantha turned her head. “Dirk has just been upset.”

  Samantha’s reaction just made Pat even more incensed. “Why are you defending him?”

  “He just lost his brother.”

  “And you lost your husband. The loss doesn’t give anyone the right to harm another person.”

  “He’s just having a difficult time. He even proposed to me this morning. I don't know where his mind is at.”

  It was direr than he knew. That was it; he needed to get Samantha on that train ride out west. Protecting his daughter was all he had left. “Samantha, you need to listen to me. And listen carefully. I know you believe I am telling you what to do. And I know I have had my fair share of meddling. But I implore you to do this.”