Amelia thought about what they'd just shared. She'd kissed him as she meant it and he'd kissed her back. It'd not been what she'd expected because she hadn't been frightened.

Their lips had met and yet the images that had held her hostage for months remained at bay. She focused instead on the sensations that rocked through her as she remembered how much she enjoyed it.

The feeling of their bodies together, pressed in ways that made her tense up at first. But his words and his touch allowed her to relax.

The scent of him, the familiarity of what they had shared seemed to rush back at once. She couldn't fight it or push it back again.

Afterward they'd sat together and watched the sun set. She'd leaned her head against his shoulder and he'd wrapped an arm around her.

Later that night, he'd headed back to the ranch with the pup for the boys and she headed toward the main kitchen where Theresa and Bella drank some coffee.

"So you two finally say your goodbyes?"

Amelia went to pour herself some tea to join them.

"He had to get back home," she said, "Boone's been putting pressure on him and the deputies to find his brother's killer."

Bella looked at her.

"Will he find him Amelia?"

"I don't know what'll happen. What Ethan will do."

Bella sipped her coffee.

"He'll put some very bad men away."

Amelia looked at her tea.

"These men could hurt or even kill him."

Bella got up to pour herself another cup of coffee.

"I think you're underestimating Ethan," she said, "I remember him as a younger man and he was always the best with a gun. I imagine he still is."

"They're pros too…and they have no mercy."

Bella paused a long moment.

"Amelia…I'm so sorry what they did to you," she said, "and you're right but Ethan's a tough man who overcame a lot as you know. I think he'll make short work out of them."

Amelia knew that Ethan had skills that had kept him alive to this point but any man could be shot dead. If anything happened to him…she remembered the time when she'd held that bedside vigil when he'd been near death. She'd had to leave him not long after before she died inside.

"He'll figure it out on his own but what if the men try to kill him first? What if something happened to him because you didn't tell him?"

Amelia bit her lip.

"He deserves to know the truth so he can do what needs to be done. Two men had also died Amelia…and one of them has a brother also looking…"

"I know that…but…"

"And I already know they tried to kill you already," Bella said, "Being stubborn could get you killed if they try again."

Amelia knew that Burke and Trevor had wanted her out of the way. They hadn't tried to get rid of her since that time by the mountain cabin but they might be watching and waiting for the right moment.

"You've got to tell him and you know it…before it's too late."

Ethan and Dakota walked the next morning by the office and saw Burke talking with Axelrod at the mercantile.

"There he is…ready for you to talk to him."

Ethan decided to head on over before the man walked away back in to the shadows. But Burke saw him first and tried to leave.

"I need to talk to you."

"I'm late already to a meeting with my boss," Burke said, "It's about the Founder's Day security."

"It can wait…I've got a murder that needs solving and I believe you can help me."

Burke folded his arms.

"I said I'm in a hurry."

Ethan blocked his path.

"Boone is looking into who killed his brother and he's not too happy. You were the last to see him alive in the jail."

"You can't prove that," Burke said, "We'd both left and anyone could have walked in there and done it…even you or your deputies."

Ethan glanced over at Dakota who stood nearby.

"I don't believe you."

Burke sighed.

"It's your word against ours then," he said, "and as long as my boss believes me that's what matters not what some two-bit marshal says."

Ethan clenched his jaw not letting this man bait him.

"Another man was murdered in San Francisco when you were working there."

Burke shrugged.

"So what? Men are murdered there all the time. It's a big city, lots of violent gangs fighting for control of turf. I was there keeping the peace."

"I'm talking about Warrick," he said, "The man who died after leaving a party…he was found the next day in a pool of blood."

"Don't know nothing about that…except what I read in the newspaper."

Ethan studied the man's face but he looked disinterested.

"In fact I believe it was tied to one of the most notorious outlaws, Dylan Daggett and his gang," Burke said, "lots of bodies trailed back to them."

"I don't think they killed Warrick."

"But I did…where's your proof marshal?"

Ethan knew he didn't have any…yet but he had been wondering about Burke and Trevor because they'd been where Warrick showed up dead and now they were in Paradise the same time Walton died in a jail cell after being apprehended by them.

"See told you you didn't have any marshal," Burke said, "I'll be heading on out to meet with my boss now that we're finished here."

Ethan gritted his teeth.

"I'll be having more questions for you soon."

Burke stared directly at him.

"I'm not going anywhere," he said, "I've got a lot of happy clients and I'm making pretty good money."

He walked away and Ethan watched him go.

Amelia headed to the bank to do a deposit after they had sold a couple more yearlings. Bella had been happy about that and they were planning a special dinner that night.

"You invite Ethan and the family okay?"

Amelia nodded and then had headed to Paradise on her horse. She'd done her business at the bank and then had headed to the restaurant to go talk to Mary to see how the planning for the Founder's Day picnic was going in terms of the food.

But as she looked up, she saw Ethan. She smiled at him until she glanced to the left of him and saw Burke walking towards her.

Then she just froze.