by Linda Ford
“He’s tired of being confined. We’ll stop over there and take a break.” Jesse turned off the road toward a little clump of trees. “It’s a good thing Gram was so generous with the food,” he said as they shared the last of the picnic lunch. Mikey was the only one unaffected by the results of their trip and ran around with abandon.
Emily couldn’t sit still, couldn’t stand still, and paced from the wagon to the trees and back again.
Jesse leaned against the wagon box and watched her. “I wish I could help.”
“I need to know who I am.” She turned and made another circuit.
Perhaps understanding that her inner turmoil was too great for her to be able to relax, he left her to pace and went to Mikey, chasing him and making him laugh.
The sound of such abandoned joy stilled her worries. Things would work out. She just had to trust and wait.
The rest of the return trip passed in relative peace. She filled her senses with the beauty of her surroundings, the pleasure of the little boy on her knees and the steady presence of Jesse at her side.
They reached Bella Creek and drove toward Gram’s house.
Jesse set Mikey on the ground and helped Emily alight. She clung to his arm as they went to the door and stepped into the house.
Muffin nearly turned inside out in excitement at the sight of the little boy, and Mikey fell to his knees and hugged the dog.
Gram came from the sewing room. “What’s all this fuss?”
Emily rushed into Gram’s arms and burst into tears.
Gram led her to the kitchen, leaving Mikey playing with the dog. “Now, tell me what happened.”
Seeing Emily was unable to speak, Jesse explained. “So she is no closer to knowing who she is.”
Gram patted Emily’s back. “Both you and Mikey are safe and that’s what matters. I confess I am very glad you’re back. I was worried about how you’d do if your memory didn’t return.”
Emily swallowed her last sob and stepped away from the warm, welcoming arms. “Thank you, and I’m sorry for being such a baby.”
“Nonsense. I spent a few hours weeping while you were gone. Now I think we could all use a cup of tea and some cookies.”
Jesse pressed a hand to her shoulder. “You have a home here as long as you need it.”
She sniffed. “I am overwhelmed by your kindness.” It was tempting to forget trying to learn about her past and simply settle down in this town and start over.
But she couldn’t. At any time her memory could return, or someone would appear who knew who she was, and what ever of good or bad her past held would be revealed.
Unable to dismiss the dark shadow that hovered over her, she shivered.
Chapter Seven
They ate early, as was their custom, so Jesse could make his rounds about town and Gram could go to bed whenever she wanted to.
As soon as they were done with supper, he pushed back. “Gram, I’m going to take Emily and Mikey for a walk.”
“Excellent.” Gram turned to Emily. “Now, don’t you fuss about helping with the dishes. I can manage quite fine. You run along and enjoy yourselves.”
Emily demurred a moment. Jesse thought she might refuse, but then she nodded. “Thank you. You are most generous.”
Gram leaned over Emily giving her a hug about her shoulders. “It’s a pleasure to have your company.” She straightened and nodded at Jesse. “You take good care of the both of them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He did his best to sound as if she had scolded him even though he had every intention of keeping them safe.
Emily chuckled. “I can see she raised you right.”
He was at Gram’s side. “She surely did.” He kissed her soft cheek.
“Oh, go away with you.” Gram tried to sound annoyed but her pleasure at his compliment brought a pleased look to her eyes.
“Mikey come?” The little boy bounced on the balls of his feet.
“Yes, Mikey can come.” Jesse reached for his hand, pleased that the boy was so trusting of him. It made him feel tall and strong and refreshed his intention of taking care of both of them until their future was decided.
When they reached the sidewalk, Mikey dropped Jesse’s hand to bend and examine a ladybug. Jesse pulled Emily’s arm around his elbow. He was not letting this young woman out of his sight. Not until someone came to claim her. “I sent messages back along the line. Someone sold you a ticket. They’ll know something about you, if only where you bought the ticket.”
“It will take time to hear back.”
“In the meantime, you are safe here.”
She stiffened.
Why had he used the word safe? It wasn’t what he meant. But he decided to let it go, lest anything he say only make her more worried about her circumstances.
“How are you feeling?” He expected she would be stiff and sore after her accident, but that wasn’t all he meant. He wondered how she felt about being back in Bella Creek.
“I have bruises all over but nothing serious.”
“Do you want to see the doctor again? He said your bruises weren’t of any concern, but maybe he can check the bump on your head.”
She slowed to face him. “Do you think he could help me remember?”
Maybe he shouldn’t have said anything. He only thought the doctor might offer some suggestions. Perhaps look again at the lump on her head.
Her shoulders drooped. “He can’t help my memory return, can he?”
“He said it would come back. Be patient.” He thought of the evening ahead of them, wondered how he could help her.
He didn’t have to guard his heart because this was a temporary situation.
Would she even remember him once her memory returned?
*
Emily was glad when Jesse dropped the subject of visiting the doctor. She would gladly seek medical help if there was any hope of it fixing her memory. But they had both heard the doctor. Her memory would return in its own good time.
Jesse seemed in no hurry as they walked down the street. Emily understood that he was letting her take in the sights and sounds of the town, hoping something would make her remember. She inhaled the lingering heat of the day, laden with the scent of suppers cooking. The sound of wagons and horses trotting along a street out of sight warned her of activity in that direction.
“Howdy, sheriff.” A woman with a baby in her arms called from the yard they passed.
“How are you, Mrs. Beech? How’s the little one?”
“Good. Good. You have a new friend?”
Emily understood he had no choice but to introduce her and Mikey, but she wished they could have avoided it.
They exchanged greetings then moved on. Mikey barely slowed enough to say hi to the woman. Everything on the ground grabbed his attention.
“Meeting that woman made you uncomfortable?” Jesse said.
“It’s awkward to be introduced when I don’t know who I am.”
“But perhaps someone will arrive who recognizes you.”
“So long as it’s someone kind.”
Their slow pace allowed him time to study her. She tried not to wonder what he looked for and what he saw.
“Are you worried about the robbers?” he asked. “I know everyone around here. I’ll know if a stranger rides in. Until then, relax and trust me.”
She held his gaze. It was easy to trust him. Even if he hadn’t been the sheriff, there was something about him that made her instinctively think she was safe with him.
But then what did she know? She didn’t even know her own name. Perhaps her trust was misplaced just like it had been when—
She caught her breath and held on to the thought. Had she trusted someone who had proven false? But who and what? She shook her head.
Jesse spoke. “What is it?”
“I don’t know. But I feel like I almost remembered something and it wasn’t a happy memory.” She explained what she felt.
“I’m sorry someone was like that.” He
watched her a moment. “I understand how hurtful it can be. My mother was my first experience in discovering you can’t always count on people. Then there was a girl I let myself grow fond of. Agnes Breckenridge.” He shrugged as if it didn’t matter, but she sensed a deep hurt. She listened carefully for him to say what he’d learned. Whatever he said would be something she should pay attention to.
“Let’s just say she taught me a valuable lesson and it’s that you can’t count on people. I learned to trust people only if they can prove to be one hundred percent reliable. Accept no excuses or half-truths.”
She managed to hide her shiver. He’d left no doubt about how he would look at her if she learned she had a disturbing past. She must keep her distance from him, keep her heart from turning toward him, and she pulled her arm from his and put six inches between them.
He quirked an eyebrow but she wouldn’t try and explain.
The hoofbeats of an approaching horse jerked her gaze to the street. A man was riding toward them. Who was he? Did he know her? Did he pose a danger?
She forgot all her reasons for the distance between her and Jesse, and grabbed his arm. She looked about for Mikey. Saw he squatted away from the road, watching something.
Jesse tucked her close to his side. “Howdy, Terence.” He called to the man.
“How do, sheriff.” The man and horse sauntered by.
“It’s okay,” Jesse said. “He’s from around here.”
She kept her attention on Mikey who followed a worm along the edge of the road. She despised her weakness. Ahead of them, the street widened to a square with trees and flowers. Benches stood at all four corners, inviting residents to sit and visit or simply enjoying watching people go about their business. She drew back when she saw the number of wagons and horses lining the street and the people clustered about.
Jesse stayed at her side, quietly offering encouragement. “It’s Saturday, so a busy day in town.”
“I don’t think I want to confront so many people yet.”
He studied her face and must have seen how unsettled she felt. “Maybe it is too soon. I’ll take you to visit Annie. Would you like that?”
“I honestly don’t know what I’d like. I feel rudderless.”
He caught her hand. “Come on. I know something you might enjoy.”
His idea of enjoyment might not be the same as hers. But her pulse quickened at his eagerness and she allowed him to tug her along, Mikey holding her other hand. He turned down the alley.
“The church.” He pointed. “The manse where Annie and Hugh live, and Hugh’s son, Evan.”
“Hugh’s son?”
“Yes, Annie started by looking after Evan and she and Hugh ended up married.” He stopped them past the churchyard. “You can see my office and the jail through here.” He held her shoulders and turned her the right way. “If you ever need me for anything you’ll find me there. Except…”
“Except where you’re out hunting bad guys or rescuing helpless maidens.”
He grinned at her. “I doubt very much that you are helpless.” He looked at Mikey, who ran back and forth trying to catch a butterfly. “Any woman who has traveled the country from…” He shrugged. “From somewhere with an energetic little boy with her is far from helpless.”
She held his gaze for several heartbeats. Was it true? Was she normally strong and self-sufficient? It was nice to think so. “Thank you for saying that.”
“Come on, let’s keep going before Annie sees us.” He pulled her to his side and they hurried onward.
“What would Annie do?”
“Let me tell you about Annie. Her mother died when she was fourteen, maybe fifteen, I don’t rightly remember. She took over running the household which, at that time, consisted of three older brothers, her father, her grandfather—”
“That’s the Grandfather Marshall that you told me about?”
“That’s right. Most people see the Marshall men as—how do I say this without sounding harsh—”
“Big, tall?” She’d seen how tall Annie was and guessed her brothers might be as well.
He shrugged. “It’s more than their size. They’re—”
“Wait. Let me guess.”
He grabbed Mikey’s hand as they crossed a side street, ducking out of the way of a wagon. Jesse waved in response to the greeting of the occupants but hurried on, drawing to a halt behind a shed sheltered by a tree. “You want to guess? Go ahead.” He leaned back, grinning as he watched her.
“They’re strong?”
He nodded.
“Both physically and in their attitude?”
“Yes, they have strong opinions.”
She considered the little bit of information she had learned about the Marshall family. Grandfather had not only started the town, but kept it organized according to his directives. “I’d guess they were used to being in control. Having things done their way.”
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 presen
ted 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 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 could not deny the pleasure in 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.
