Chapter 12
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sunday morning, Emily brushed the skirt of her dress.
It was a lovely dress and it was so kind of Annie to lend it, but Emily wished she had clothes of her own, if only because they might provide a clue to her past. She went to the mirror, rolled her hair into place around her head and secured it with hairpins.
At least the pins belonged to her. The Bible that was hers sat on the bedside table, and she opened it to the page on which she had written Even in this.
She drew in a deep breath. Yes, Lord, even in this, I will trust you.
Her thoughts drifted to the previous day.
She would hold the special memories close to her heart for the rest of her life.
Even if she couldn’t remember the event, she was sure she’d never forget the feeling.
Her throat tightened. She didn’t want to lose the memory of these days at Bella Creek but she wanted to know her past. Dr. Baker had given no assurances she could have both.
She touched her lips, remembering the sweet, tender kiss. Yes, she would take unforgettable memories with her from yesterday. And, God willing, more of the same today. She blushed at her choice of words. She didn’t mean another kiss but simply more time with Jesse.
She heard Gram descend the stairs and the outer door open and close, and knew she’d left for church. It was time for Emily to join Jesse and Mikey and follow.
Jesse waited in the living room, hat in hand. His smile warmed her insides. He held the door for her and crooked his elbow. She willingly placed her hand on his arm as they made their way to church, Mikey running circles ahead of them.
“It’s to be hoped he wears off some energy before we get there,” she said with a chuckle.
“He’ll do his best to sit quietly. He’s a good boy.” Jesse’s voice deepened, and she glanced at him.
“I’ll miss him,” he said.
“Me, too.” A bit of the anticipated joy disappeared. Perhaps tomorrow Jesse would receive a letter providing information about her. So many things would change when she learned who she was. Everything but God’s faithfulness, and she clung to that fact.
The Marshall family had already gathered at the church, and Annie rushed forward to greet her. “He hasn’t guessed what’s going on,” she whispered. Annie had invited them to join them at the ranch for a surprise celebration of Grandfather’s seventieth birthday. “Just family,” she’d said.
“I’m not family,” Emily had pointed out.
Annie had laughed. “Jesse is practically a brother. Gram was my grandmother’s closest friend, so that makes them family. Besides, you’re my friend, so that makes you family.”
Emily had enjoyed a good laugh at her reasoning, but being included warmed her. If only she could belong here in the future.
Grandfather Marshall eyed them as they whispered together in front of the church. “What are you scheming?”
Annie shrugged. “When have I ever schemed anything?”
Grandfather grunted. “I lost track by the time you were ten.”
Annie grinned and took Evan’s hand as the family moved inside.
Emily took Mikey’s hand, and they followed. She and Jesse sat with Mikey between them.
Hugh announced the first hymn, and they shared a hymnal.
They joined their voices together with the congregation.
Shared words. Shared love of the child pressed to both their knees.
Shared special moments. But not shared worlds.
Hers was unknown. He is clearly known and understood by all.
Jesse was a man of principle. His past, the truth about his mother, had created in him an uncompromising view of right and wrong.
Which was as it should be, especially for a sheriff, but she shivered to think what it meant for her if her past was sullied in any way.
It didn’t matter. Today was for enjoying, and she focused her attention on the sermon Hugh delivered.
“‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ Let’s not waste one minute of God’s gracious gift with regrets or worries.” Thus, he began.
Emily drank in every word of God’s provision for her daily needs. In His strength, she would face today, tomorrow, and all her tomorrows—whether with her memory restored or not.
The service ended, and the congregation exited.
“Wait here,” Jesse said to Gram and Emily as the others left. “I’ll bring a democrat from the livery barn.”
By the time he returned, the Marshall family had all left. He helped Gram into the back seat, and Mikey and Emily into the front, then climbed up beside them. “Everyone ready?” He smiled at Gram and Mikey, and lastly at Emily, and the look in his eyes promised a day to hold forever in her memories.
Ahead of them on the trail, they saw the dust from the Marshalls returning home.
By the time they arrived, the others had entered the house, all except for Grandfather Marshall, who waited at the door of the ranch house as they drove up. He hobbled toward them.
Jesse rushed around and helped Gram down. She turned to Grandfather, rested her hand on his, and they smiled warmly at each other.
Jesse helped Emily to the ground and lifted Mikey from the democrat. The boy’s feet were going before they even hit solid ground, and he ran to join Evan and the other children.
“It’s nice of you to grace us with your presence,” Grandfather said to Gram.
“It’s nice to be invited.”
Grandfather made a disapproving sound. “You can come anytime without an invitation. In fact, you could move right in.”
Gram colored like a summer rose.
Emily gave Jesse a questioning look.
Jesse leaned close to whisper. “Old friends, that’s all.”
Emily guessed it was a whole lot more than that. She’d seen the spark in Grandfather’s eyes and the longing in Gram’s face that she likely thought she’d hidden.
They followed the older pair into the house. The women were in the kitchen helping with the meal.
Conner pulled Jesse aside. “Did I tell you—?” The rest of his question was lost as Conner drew Jesse to the dining room.
Jesse glanced over his shoulder to Emily and shrugged as if to say he had no choice but to go with his friend.
Emily shrugged back and, with a contented smile, turned to help the others with the meal.
The door opened, and a petite young woman entered along with a man of medium build. A girl of eight or ten accompanied them, and an older gentleman followed.
Annie drew Emily forward. “This is my best friend, Carly Gallagher, and her new husband, Sawyer. This lovely young lady is his sister, Jill.”
Emily wondered at the way Jill wrinkled her nose at Annie before she greeted Emily.
“And Mr. Morrison, Carly’s father.”
Mr. Morrison greeted her, his words laced with a strong Scottish accent.
Hellos were exchanged with the others, and then the men went through to the sitting room to join the other male members of the group. Jill ducked outside to join the children, and Carly helped with getting the meal ready to serve.
A few minutes later, the food was organized, the children called in, and the women were carrying heaping dishes into the dining room. The table had been stretched out as far as it would go and still another table had been shoved to one end. Family and friends gathered around.
Grandfather asked the blessing, then looked around.
“It’s nice to share the meal with so many old friends.
” He smiled at Gram at his side and Mr. Morrison halfway down the table.
“And new friends.” He smiled at Emily and Mikey.
“And family.” His gaze went around the table, pausing at his two sons, Bud and George, and then each of his grandchildren.
It lingered on each of the great-grandchildren.
“It’s a surprise to have you all here at the same time. ”
“It’s for your birthday,” Sammy said, then clamped his hand over his mouth. “I wasn’t supposed to say.”
Grandfather scowled in Kate’s direction. “I said I didn’t want any fuss.”
“You’re the only one making a fuss,” she said.
He sputtered.
Gram patted his arm. “Don’t pretend you aren’t pleased. You’ve always enjoyed extra attention.”
All the adults chuckled at her words. Grandfather looked ready to argue, then laughed. “Maybe I won’t invite you to live out here. I’m afraid you’d reveal all my secrets.”
Gram again blushed, and Grandfather looked pleased.
In the general hubbub that followed, as food was passed from hand to hand and news exchanged, Emily leaned over to whisper in Jesse’s ear. “Do I sense a romance between those two?”
He looked startled. “I never noticed before.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Either you’ve been blind, or things have changed.”
“Things have certainly changed.” He studied the older pair and shook his head. “Hard to think of Gram and Grandfather Marshall...” He shook his head again, and Emily chuckled.
She turned her attention to Carly, who entertained them with a story about a wild horse she had captured. That got Conner’s attention, and they discussed preferred ways of breaking the horse. Soon, a heated argument ensued.
Annie’s father, Bud, leaned forward. “You’re both right. To each his own.”
His children quieted and concentrated on eating.
As soon as the main course was over, Kate and Annie took away the dishes and carried in a big cake.
“Chocolate?” Grandfather asked as they put it in front of him.
“Would we dare serve anything else?”
At Annie’s signal, they all shouted, “Happy Birthday.”
Grandfather was presented with the first piece of cake. “Seventy years old? Where has the time gone?” He glanced around the table. “The lot of you have kept me too busy to notice the passing of time.”
His family laughed.
The children finished their cake and were excused to go outside and play, lowering the noise level by several decibels.
“I saw Collins yesterday. He had a deer he’d just shot. He said his son is doing well.” Dawson explained that the boy had been injured falling from the loft.
“Good to hear,” Jesse said. “Where did you see him?”
“Where the trail to the falls forks.”