Chapter 7

After Amelia had calmed down she fell asleep on the sofa in the living room. She starts to toss and turns as she begins to dream of the attack.

Joe was coming down the stairs and stops when he notices Amelia in distress. He hurries over to her and tries to wake her up.

"Amelia sweetheart wake up you're having a bad dream" said Joe as he shakes her. Amelia stops fussing and wakes up.

She looks up and saw Joe sitting beside her on the settee. Without saying anything she leans up and hugs him. "It was so scary Joe I thought he was going to kill me" said Amelia referring to her nightmare.

"You're safe now honey no one's going to hurt you" soothed Joe. He looks at her. "I'm sorry for everything it's my fault that it happen I should've waited for you like I was supposed to instead of going fishing" said Amelia feeling guilty.

Joe was aghast; he had no idea how much guilt Amelia was carrying and felt careless that he didn't even notice or thought about it.

He reaches out and touches Amelia's cheek and moves hair away from her face.

"It's not your fault none of this is your fault. I'm the one who should be sorry" said Joe.

Amelia looks at him confused. "What do you have to be sorry for? It's not your fault" said Amelia confused

"I'm sorry because I didn't protect you liked I promise. I told you that no one was gonna hurt you as long as I was around and you did get hurt cause I wasn't there to protect you like I should've been. I should have gone to pick you up instead of being selfish" said Joe with sorrow in his voice. He felt as though he failed his sister especially when he wasn't there when she needed him.

Amelia looks at him shocked and takes his hand in hers. "Joe honey this isn't your fault. None of this is your fault. Besides if anyone was selfish in all this it was me". Joe looks at her surprise. "Why you say that?" he asked. Amelia looks at him sheepishly. "Promise you won't laugh?" asked Amelia nervously. Joe brushes his thumb on her hand. "I promise" he said solemnly.

Amelia takes a deep breath. "The only thing I was thinking about was going fishing with a boy I liked. I didn't think about waiting for you like I should have. If I wasn't so hung up on Josh this wouldn't have happen".

"That's not selfish at all" said Joe. "I'm sorry that I didn't wait for you" said Amelia. "I'm sorry that I didn't keep my promise" said Joe feeling remorseful.

"It's not your fault you didn't know that this was gonna happen no one did. Please don't feel guilty that you didn't come to my rescue when I was in trouble"

"As far as I'm concern you came to my rescue right when I needed you the most. You save me" said Amelia choking back sobs. "I love you Joe"

Joe's eyes began it well up with tears as he wraps his arms around her and holds her. "I love you too" he said as he rested his cheek on Amelia's head.

He was relieved that his sister didn't blame him and was grateful that she was able to relieve the burden that he had felt.

Adam walks in the house with Ben. Little Joe and Amelia stop hugging and turn to them. "Adam told me what happen this afternoon you alright?" asked Ben concerned for his daughter's safety. "I'm fine Pa thanks to Adam" said Amelia proudly.

"First thing tomorrow morning we're going to the sheriff's office and let him know that you're attacker came here" said Ben.

Then he looks at his daughter curiously. "I was wondering if you can give Clem a description of the attacker"

Amelia thinks for a moment. "If you are not comfortable you don't have to no one is forcing you to do anything. It's completely up to you" reassured Ben.

"I can do it Pa. I want him to pay for what he did to me" said Amelia sternly. Ben walks over to her with a proud fatherly smile on his face. "That's my girl" said Ben. Joe and Adam both look at her full of pride.

Hoss burst in the house with dirt and sweat on his face. "Pa there's a brushfire in the North Pasture. The hands moved the cattle but it's spreading" said Hoss out of breath.

Adam, Joe and Ben immediately grab their gun belts and hats. "We'll be back as soon as we can Amelia" said Ben.

Hop Sing their Chinese cook enters the room. "Mista Cartwright leave with boys Hop Sing look after girl" said Hop Sing. Knowing that Amelia was safe with Hop Sing the boys and Ben hurried out of the house.