Chapter 7 #2
He chuckled. “That they are.” Side by side, they sauntered down the alley, letting Mikey explore every nook and cranny. “You’d think Annie would be ordered about by all those men folk. Nope. She is the only one I know who can tell her grandfather what to do, and he does it.”
“She’s bossy? I might feel sorry for Hugh and Evan.” Though, she’d seemed like a kind person when she brought clothes over for Emily.
“No, you won’t. She’s good and kind but not the least bit intimidated by the men in her family.”
“Good to know.” Why did she feel a personal victory in Annie’s behavior?
Had she been forced to deal with strong men?
Cruel men? Why would the word cruel come to mind?
Jesse had said nothing to indicate such.
In fact, he seemed genuinely fond of the Marshall family and respectful of them.
Cruelty did not earn respect. Her insides twisted at the idea.
She needed to change the direction of her thoughts. “Where are we going?” Emily asked.
Again, he stopped and pointed. “See that line of trees?”
“Yes, what about them?”
“They are beside the river. Mining Creek.”
“Is it a river or a creek?”
“What’s the difference?” He waited a moment, and when she couldn’t answer, he continued. “It flows into Mineral River, so maybe it’s really a creek. I don’t know.”
They crossed a grassy field.
“We had a fair here last summer.” He chuckled. “Grandfather Marshall ordered Conner and Kate to put it on.” He laughed again. “Grandfather is somewhat of a matchmaker. I suppose it helps him pass the time.”
“From what I know, it seems to me that men on ranches have plenty to keep them occupied.”
He stopped and came round to face her. “You’re from a ranch?”
She considered it a moment, then shook her head. “I don’t know.”
“Never mind.” He took her hand. His work-roughened palm promised strength and protection, and she shoved away her struggle to remember. Hadn’t the doctor warned her she must not try and make it come?
Jesse enjoyed the way Emily quickly recovered from her frequent pauses as something touched a memory but failed to bring it all back. He could tell she had an agile mind.
He held her hand as they went down the narrow path through the trees toward the river.
Mikey pulled away and raced ahead, but Jesse knew it wasn’t safe to let the boy go. “Mikey, wait.”
Jesse dropped Emily’s hand and ran after the boy, scooping him into his arms. “You must not go near the water. It’s dangerous.”
“’Kay.”
Emily caught up to them and rubbed Mikey’s back.
“We wouldn’t want anything to happen to you.
” The look she gave Jesse, worry and affection for Mikey interwoven, made him forget any idea of caution.
He wanted only to ease the worry and receive some of the affection.
And if the notion seemed at odds with the way he normally viewed his life, he credited it to the unusual circumstances.
He put the boy down, staying close at hand as Mikey picked up one stone after another and presented it to Emily.
“Nice,” he said with each.
“Thank you.” She pocketed them.
After a dozen or so, Jesse started to laugh. “You’ll soon be so heavy you won’t be able to walk.”
She leaned close to whisper in his ear. “Some are falling to the ground when he’s not looking. How high can he count, do you suppose?”
Her breath fanned against his cheek. Knowing he should step away but unable to remember his vow to be cautious around women, he turned and looked directly into her dark blue eyes—like the water in the deepest, stillest part of the river.
Did those two words not describe Emily—deep and still?
He did not fear she had a dark secret. As he’d said, he prided himself on being a good judge of character.
What about Agnes? His heart mocked.
Agnes was the one responsible for his guarded judgment.
Except perhaps he was letting Emily’s circumstances confuse him. He needed to be more careful of where he let his feelings go.
He made sure to stand between the river and Mikey as he continued to explore Emily’s gaze. Jesse felt, as much as he saw, the pleading in her eyes. Help me find myself. He vowed he would do so.
Her gaze was long and searching. He made silent promises as her look probed deeper, and he hoped she would read them. He was about to give them words when Mikey patted his leg.
“Big.”
Jesse looked down and laughed. Mikey held a rock almost as big as his head. “How did you manage to lift that?”
“Big.”
“It sure is.” Still laughing, Jesse took the rock.
Mikey patted his hands together, pleased with the gift he’d given Jesse.
Jesse brought his gaze back to Emily’s and saw admiration as well as amusement.
She’d said he was noble and kind. Did she admire him for other qualities, as well?
When she got her memory back, would she see him differently?
Like his mother had? Like Agnes had? He heard the warning in his questions, but he couldn’t deny the pleasure of sharing a few moments with her.
Only the need to watch Mikey overruled the call of his heart, and he jerked away to follow the boy. They stood on the bank, and he showed Mikey how to skip a stone. Mikey grabbed rock after rock and threw them into the water, laughing at the splash they made.
Jesse chuckled. Emily’s amusement rang out in soft music. She came to his side, standing close enough that their arms brushed. There was something special about sharing the moment with them. He remained motionless, enjoying the warmth of his arm against hers.
She grew quiet, staring toward the trees across the river, her expression serious.
He held his breath, afraid to intrude into her thoughts. Was she remembering?
She sighed and looked at him. Then, she let her gaze slip past him to Mikey and grinned. “We better move on before he clears the bank of every last rock.”
“I have something special to show you.”
“You mean, this isn’t it?” Her eyes widened. “It gets better?”
He squinted at her, trying to decide if she teased or not, but he didn’t have long to wait as the corners of her mouth crinkled.
With a little chuckle, he took her hand.
“I can’t take any credit for the surprise I have for you.
It’s all God’s creation.” He scooped Mikey into his other arm, and they walked along the shore.
Mikey babbled away. Occasionally, Jesse understood a word or two but it was not enough to have any idea of what the boy was saying. He grinned at Emily. “I wish I could speak Mikey. He might be able to tell us lots of things.”
“He certainly tries.”
The creek turned ahead of them. Rather than following the curve, he drew them toward a little meadow in the crook formed by the bend in the creek. He’d visited a few days ago, so he knew what to expect.
“This is one of my favorite places.”
“Because it’s so peaceful?”
He caught the hint of teasing in her voice and laughed. “Maybe in part, but mostly because there is always something new to see.”
She moved away, looking at the tall grass and the tiny bluebells, and then she saw the flash of brilliant orange. “Wild tiger lilies. They’re beautiful. I only recall seeing them once before, and that was—” She stared into the distance as she tried to remember.
He waited, silent, hopeful, and nervous.
She twitched and let out a sigh, then turned back to admiring the flowers.
She hadn’t remembered. Tension slipped from his shoulders—a mixture of relief and disappointment.
“Would you like me to cut a few stems so you can take them home?”
“I don’t think so, thanks. There are plenty of flowers in your grandmother’s garden. It seems a shame to think of ripping them from where they belong. I’d prefer to leave these here for others to enjoy.”
He hadn’t thought of ripping them, as she said. Did her words signify something about her past?
They poked about for a bit longer before Mikey came to him.
“Up.” He lifted his arms to Jesse.
Jesse picked him up. “Did we tire you out?”
For an answer, Mikey rested his head on Jesse’s shoulder and stuck his thumb in his mouth.
“Let’s go home.” He turned back the way they’d come.
She stumbled on the rough ground and caught his elbow.
“Hold my arm,” he said. “The last thing we want is for you to take another tumble.”
She clung to him, her breathing rapid, as if she’d been running.
He stopped to look at her. “Are you okay?”
“Yes. I just relived those few seconds when the stagecoach went over the edge.” She shivered, and her voice fell to a whisper. “It was terrifying.”
He shifted Mikey. The little guy protested being disturbed.
“Shh. You’re okay.” He pulled Emily to his side.
By rights, she should have died in the accident or been shot like the two men.
“God protected you.” He managed to keep his voice steady.
But to think he might have found this pair in the same condition as the driver and shotgun rider twisted his stomach into a knot.
“I know, and I’m grateful.” She sucked in air, but they only went a few more steps before she pulled away. “I’m fine. I know my life was in God’s hands at the time. Just as it is now.”
She sounded strong, but he knew she must feel uncertainty, given her loss of memory.
They left the shelter of the trees. He glanced around, making certain no danger faced them. They crossed the open meadow. Again, they headed for the alley. She might be strong, but she wasn’t ready to deal with a bunch of strangers, not knowing who to trust and who to be fearful of.
They drew abreast of the manse. Annie flew out the back door and across the yard. “I was hoping to see you.”
“For your sake, I was hoping to avoid her,” Jesse murmured.
“She’s safe, isn’t she?”
He wondered at her choice of words, but Annie had reached them, and he couldn’t ask her about it. “Tomorrow after church, we’re gathering at the ranch. Jesse, we want you to come, too, and bring Emily and Mikey.”
“I don’t know,” he replied. Emily had made it clear she wasn’t keen on meeting others.
Annie wasn’t above begging. “Please. It won’t be the same without you.”
“Emily isn’t really up to a lot of socializing.”
To his surprise, Emily spoke up. “I don’t mind. It might be interesting to meet the Marshalls I’ve heard so much about.”
Annie’s eyebrows rose. “What’s he been saying?”
Jesse spoke before Emily could answer. “I told her how you boss everyone around and rule the place with an iron rod.”
“You said that?” She jammed her fists on her hips.
“I guess you don’t so much anymore, now that you’re married to the preacher. Seems he’s made you straighten out a tad.”
“He what?” She looked about ready to explode.
Jesse laughed. “Careful, you’re about to prove me right.”
She dropped her hands, and her expression cleared. “You are such a tease at times.” She shifted her gaze to Emily. “I hope he’s not giving you a hard time with his teasing.”
A hint of pink blossomed in Emily’s cheeks. She lowered her eyes and then lifted them to Jesse. His heart almost stalled at the warmth in her gaze.
“He’s been nothing but a kind gentleman.”
Annie rumbled her lips. “Don’t be fooled into thinking he’s always kind and thoughtful.”
Jesse pretended offense. “When have I ever been anything but?”
“Like the time you and Conner locked the outhouse door when Logan was in there.”
“Annie, I was fourteen. Besides, Logan had hidden our knives, so he kind of deserved it.”
“I expect there’s a lot more to the story than that,” Emily said.
There was, but he certainly wasn’t going to admit it to her.
“Say you’ll come tomorrow.”
He turned to Emily. “Do you want to?”
She nodded. “I think so.”
“Then we’ll be there.”
“Thanks for inviting me,” Emily said to Annie.
They resumed their journey home. “You might not be thanking her after tomorrow.”
“Really? Why would that be?”
He couldn’t explain but had to try. “They’re big and rowdy.”
“Uh-huh.”
“Grandfather is a notorious matchmaker. He’ll try it with you, too.”
“He’ll understand that I am not ready for matchmaking. For all I know, I am married with a houseful of children.” She touched Mikey’s back. “Though it pains me to think I might have born children and can’t remember them. My own flesh and blood.”
He needed the reminder of who she might be.
Just as he needed to remember who he was.
A man whose mother had been a soiled dove.
A man with no knowledge of his father. There was a name for such a person, but he refused to think it.
He was a man who would never be accepted by women seeking marriage.
He’d grown used to the fact and had accepted his unmarried state, but being with Emily had awakened longings he’d considered dead and buried.
He’d once dreamed of a woman who loved him and of having children of his own to love and nourish.
His arm tightened around Mikey and he rested his chin against the blond head of the boy.
He would enjoy both of them for a day or two, but remembered it was only until he could unite them with the Newmans or other family.