The truth was finally out... well, some of it. But, Jessica's heart still wrenched with sadness and confusion. She was sickened to think she'd jumped to conclusions with Hugh, but vastly relieved that she'd been wrong. Unfortunately, that still presented a more significant issue. She was supposed to be in love with Wyatt, not Hugh. Until she could sort out her feelings between the two men, she wouldn't tell either of them I love you. It was wrong to love two men at the same time, and yet, she loved each one for different reasons.

Before she and Hugh had followed the stairs leading to the underground hideout, Hugh had hurried to his office to retrieve his pistol and knife. He gave the knife to her, and he carried the gun. She did feel safer with a weapon, but it frightened her to think she might have to actually use it. He made sure the secret door was closed so that nobody else could follow.

Hugh led the way, and she held onto his arm. The warmth from his body brought her a small amount of comfort – not as much as when she was in his arms, but it would still help.

Using the lamp that sat in the supply room to take with them, it lit the way in the darkened tunnel that seemed to go on and on. They didn't speak to each other, which was fine. She'd rather not have anyone sneak up on them if she could help it.

Voices echoed from inside the tunnel. Both she and Hugh stopped. She moved closer to him, tightening her hold on his arm. After a few moments, Hugh continued their journey. Slowly, the tunnel became lighter, so Hugh quickly put out the lamp. From the upward slope they were walking, Jessica wondered if they were coming closer to outside. Wherever they were heading, had many windows.

Hugh stopped again and leaned down to her ear. "I know where we are."

His warm, whispered breath, teased her skin and made her shiver. "Where?"

"The old barn that's about a fourth mile behind the hospital."

She tried to remember the land around the hospital. "Do you mean Mr. Clarkson's stable and livery?"

He nodded, motioning in front of him up the tunnel. She peeked around him and was finally able to see something besides dirt walls. Stacks of hay and wooden gates were not far ahead. She also noticed a few horses in locked stalls. Beyond that, were men sitting on crates that surrounded a rickety table. She recognized Deputy Workman immediately, but the other four men, she didn't know.

Taking her by the hand, they crouched and hurried to the closet stack of hay to hide behind. Hugh placed her in front of him as the huddled, his arms wrapped around her, keeping her safe.

He moved his mouth near her ear again, and she wanted to sigh dreamily. How could he make her feel this giddy when Wyatt couldn't?

"Two of the men at the table," Hugh whispered, "are men I recognize in town. Mr. Clarkson owns the livery, of course, but one is the blacksmith and the other works at the Merchantile."

She turned her head slightly to look into his eyes, and yet, her gaze dropped to his tempting mouth. "What do we do now?"

"We listen, and hopefully, we can figure out what they are doing and how it fits in with Laura... and Wyatt."

She touched his arm, loving the muscles beneath her palm. "I need to tell you something about Wyatt."

"I know," he whispered."

She inhaled a nervous breath. "What do you know?"

"That you still love him."

Her heart wrenched, wishing she didn't have to see his dejected expression. "It's hard to stop. We've known each other for so long."

He nodded. "Which is why I'm trying to win your love." He winked. "I'm not giving up yet."

She wanted to laugh and hug him, but she wouldn't, only because it might draw attention to them. "That's not what I need to tell you."

He leaned forward and softly kissed her mouth. "Whatever it is, I'll understand."

How could she have doubted him before? Hugh Jackson was truly a wonderful man. "Well, last night—"

"Why, you cheatin' yeller-belly!"

The angry shout from one of the men at the table, had Jessica snapping her gaze back to the men. Hugh's arms tightened slightly around her. She held her breath, wondering what was going on.

The pudgy man with white hair jumped to his feet. His glare was aimed at the deputy. "I was told a different price. Yer cheatin' me."

Deputy Workman raised his hands in surrender. "Sit down, Fred. I'm not here to cheat you. I'm only selling you what you want."

"I can get Opium cheaper in Rockin'ham."

The deputy shrugged. "Then, may I suggest you do business there? At least you know that if you buy it through me, this is the best. This Opium is what the hospital uses, and there's nothing better than that."

Hugh hitched a breath. "They are stealing from the hospital. That's why the purchasing invoice had so many orders of Morphine and Opium, and that's why only Nurse Tweed is in charge of ordering our supplies."

Jessica's mind finally started piecing together the mystery surrounding Wyatt and Nurse Tweed. Everything made sense now. "Hugh," she kept her voice low, turning back to look at him, "somehow, Wyatt must have seen the deputy or Laura stealing the Opium. That could be the only reason why they put him in the deserter's ward, and why they don't want him to remember."

Hugh nodded. "Last night, when I was talking to Workman, he mentioned that he was instructed to move John Doe to a safer room because the prisoner needed more protection. Nurse Tweed hated that I had allowed you to work with Wyatt. I'm sure she said something to Workman, which is why they wanted me to put Wyatt in another room. I have no doubt they were also trying to kill him, and when he didn't die, they brought him to the hospital to keep an eye on him."

Happiness grew in her heart. Finally, Hugh believed her that Wyatt could never have deserted the war and his regiment. "Yes, I think that's what happened."

Hugh gave her another kiss, but shorter this time. "Can you forgive me for doubting? It was my jealous heart that didn't want to believe."

"Jealous?" Her heartbeat skipped.

"I've never felt this way for any other woman. I was jealous of the man with no memory. I couldn't believe that a man would forget you because if he was truly in love with you, that memory would always be in his heart, even if he lost his memory."

Love grew in her heart for this adorable man. It tore her apart that Wyatt had never elicited those kinds of feelings inside her, but she loved that Hugh made her feel so special. She stroked his cheek as the emotions inside her combined into the assurance that he was the man she loved.

"Hugh, I do love you. I've just been baffled over my mixed feelings for both you and Wyatt. Which is why, last night—"

Once again, he silenced her confession with his kiss. Yet, she had just confessed her love, so perhaps it was all right to kiss at this moment. Sadly, the kiss would be short again. If only they were someplace private right now.

"Thank you for loving me," he mumbled sweetly as he pulled away.

"And thank you for not giving up." She smiled. "But, before we are interrupted again, you need to know what I did last night."

"You helped Wyatt escape."

She gasped, not realizing that he had known all this time. "You knew?"

"I guessed, which was why I'd gone to your place last night and woke you up." His pleasant expression disappeared. "Jessica, doing something like that could end your nursing career."

Tears burned in her eyes. "I know, but Wyatt's life – the life of my dear friend – was more important. I knew in my heart he wasn't a deserter."

He cupped the side of her face. "Yes, however, it was wrong."

She nodded.

"However, under the circumstances, it's a good thing you broke him out. He might be dead by now."

She wiped the tears filling her eyes. "I know."

"So, I'll forgive you this time." He smiled. "Just don't let it happen again. You're an excellent nurse, and more people need you as their caregiver."

"Thank you, Hugh." Gratitude for this wonderful man swelled in her heart. Was it any wonder she'd went against her doubts and fell in love?

Suddenly, the men around the table grew quiet, and a man's booming voice filled the barn. "If you all wish to live, you'd better start giving me some answers, and mighty quick."

Wyatt?

Jessica gasped and swung around, looking toward the sound. Standing just inside the stable, holding a pistol in one hand that aimed toward the men at the table, and a fiery torch in the other hand, was none other than Wyatt. The mean expression on his face wasn't anything like she'd seen before. This wasn't her childhood friend, was it?

"Do you think his memory has returned?" Hugh whispered close to her ear.

She shrugged. "Why else would he be here?"

"I think we're about to find out." Hugh lifted his gun and pointed it toward Wyatt.

"Don't shoot him." Her heart cried out for the stranger who she thought she'd known.

"I won't unless he tries to burn the barn. If it catches on fire, I'm sure the hospital will be the next to go."

Hugh had a point. Even if it meant coming out of her hiding spot, she couldn't let Wyatt do as he'd threatened.