Chapter 10 #2
When her crying had subsided into shuddering breaths, he tipped her face up and wiped it with his handkerchief and let her blow her nose.
“Tell me what happened.” His throat still tight, his voice grated. When he’d seen her in such a state, he’d thought he wouldn’t ever be able to breathe right again.
“I know it sounds silly, but nothing.”
He wasn’t accepting that answer. “Something made you cry.”
“I was working on that wedding dress.” She tipped her head toward the table where the garment rested. “And I was overwhelmed with emotions.”
“It made you sad?”
“Maybe. But there was happiness and excitement, too. I really don’t know what I felt. I didn’t even know I was crying until a tear dropped on my hand.” A short-lived sob escaped.
“What was there about the dress? Can you remember?”
She shook her head.
He knew he shouldn’t push, but he wanted to help her regain her past. “Was it your dress? A friend’s? Were you making it for someone special?”
She shook her head. “All I remember is a dress.”
It wasn’t very helpful. But what he’d discovered was not very helpful, either. He put his arm around her shoulders and led her from the room. They passed through the kitchen. “We’re going for a little walk, Gram.”
Gram nodded. “Mikey is helping me.” Mikey had a piece of biscuit dough and was shaping it into a ball.
Jesse chuckled at how gray the dough had become in the little boy’s hands.
He led Emily out of the room and sensing her restlessness, he guided her out the back gate to walk along the alley. “What have you done since I last saw you?”
“Annie came to visit. I helped Gram with her sewing. She says I’m very good. Maybe I was a seamstress.”
They stopped in the shade of a willow tree.
She faced him. “Did you find the robbers?”
“’Fraid not. They’re good at hiding their tracks. They went into a herd of cows. There was no way I could follow them after that.”
“But you know the direction they went.”
“Unless they circled back, I suspect they have disappeared into the mountains. A man could hide there for months and not be found.”
“That’s not good.”
“I’ll find them eventually, or they’ll do something foolish and get caught.”
“Is there any evidence they might be the same three who robbed the stage?”
He didn’t immediately answer, fearing the truth would upset her. She had more than enough to deal with without worrying about the thieves.
She tipped her head back to see him better. “What aren’t you telling me?”
Her gaze demanded honesty. She deserved it. He told her about the oddly shaped horseshoe he’d seen at the stagecoach. “I saw it at the supply wagon, too.”
She stared at his shirtfront. “If they know I’m alive...” A shudder snaked through her. “They won’t know that I can’t identify them.”
“You were face down. I doubt they would know you if you stood ten feet away and stared directly at them.”
“You can’t be sure.” Her eyes held his, demanding nothing but honesty.
“I can’t be completely sure, no. But you’re safe in town. They’d be crazy to do anything with any number of people ready to protect you.” He wanted her to believe it and feel safe. He wished he could believe it, too.
“Who would?”
“Besides me?” He tried to sound strong, but his lungs would barely work at the knowledge she might be in danger.
“I spoke to George at the store, Hugh and Annie, Doc, and everyone along Mineral Avenue and Silver Street.” That took care of the major streets.
“I also spoke to a dozen or more people along the side streets.” He would stay at her side all day, every day, but it would be better if he apprehended the men responsible for her fear.
She shivered as if a cold wind had blasted down the alley and glanced around nervously. “I’d feel better if we went back to the house.”
“It’s time for supper. But I don’t want to see you living in fear.” He said it for her sake because he had half a notion to lock her inside until all of this was over.
They returned to the house and a hot meal.
After supper was done and the kitchen cleaned, Mikey brought some children’s books Gram had found. He handed them to Gram, wanting her to read to him.
She sat on the couch and pulled Mikey to her side. Smiling, she looked at Jesse. “Why don’t you two run along while Mikey and I entertain each other?”
He hadn’t told Gram of his fears, but he would when Mikey wasn’t around to hear. Assuring himself there was no danger for Emily outside, he guided her toward the door, ignoring her reluctance.
“Let’s go visit Sadie and Logan.” This was one time he was particularly glad to have one of the Marshall brothers living in town, though as soon as the house on the ranch was completed, they would be out there. He strapped on his gun belt as they left the house.
She waited until they were outside to voice her objection. “What if those men see me?”
“First of all, they aren’t likely to show their faces around here after having committed a crime. Secondly, I’m ready for them.”
“Three against one. I don’t like those odds.”
He went on as if she hadn’t spoken. “Most importantly, it’s doctor’s orders.”
“How’s that?”
“He said to relax and have fun. Hence the visit to Sadie and Logan’s.”
She gave a prolonged sigh.
He chuckled. “You’ll thank me later.”
That brought a grin to her face. “We’ll see about that.”
They crossed several streets. Children laughed and chased each other up and down the dusty lanes. Somewhere, a piano was being played. A young couple walked by hand in hand.
Jesse smiled at Emily. “It’s an evening to enjoy.”
Her steps slowed, and her face grew serious. “I might be able to enjoy it if I knew who I am and what kind of enjoyment I should allow myself.”
Her words sobered him. He had no right to be escorting her about town. She might be a married woman, though he had convinced himself she wasn’t. Until he had proof, one way or the other, he must treat her as if she was, and he put several inches between them.
They reached the house where Sadie and Logan and the kids lived just as the family exited.
Emily drew back. “They’ve got plans.”
Logan saw them. “You’re just in time to join us.”
Emily refused to move, so Jesse asked, “For what?”
“Some fun. Not It.” He dashed away to the open area by their house.
“Not It.” Sadie followed.
One by one, they ran off, leaving Jesse and Emily to decide what to do. While he was waiting for her to indicate what she wanted, she said, “Not It,” and joined the others.
“Not fair,” he called after her. “I didn’t know if you wanted to play or not.”
“Didn’t I hear you say I was going to have fun?” She danced about on her tiptoes in a clearly challenging way.
“Can’t get me, Uncle Jesse,” Sammy called as he darted by.
Jesse shook his head in sad resignation. “Seems I have no choice.” He took after Sammy, and zigged as he neared Emily.
But she sensed his intent, picked up her skirt, and ran away. He shifted direction again and tagged Beth.
They played until dusk, then returned to the house.
Jesse had succeeded in not chasing Emily, knowing he came too close to wanting to hold her for no particular reason. There wasn’t even the excuse of tears to wipe or fears to soothe away.
Likewise, she had always chased one of the others as if she felt the same way. Or perhaps, on her part, she wouldn’t feel anything until she knew who she was.
Tomorrow, he would redouble his efforts to find the men responsible for the robberies and murders. He would do his job as sheriff and keep his thoughts and feelings under a tight rein.
He knew the chances were good that once she knew who she was and didn’t need him to help her, she would also see him as others did, a man with a soiled background, a man with nothing to offer but his heart.
His heart had never been enough.