by Linda Ford
A sad silence filled his heart and then he realized she, too, had grown quiet. Was she feeling the same as he? He shifted to face her.
“I wish we would hear from the Newmans. I can’t see myself going to Oregon with Mikey, but they’ll know who Aunt Hilda is and where she lives. Once I know, it seems to me the best thing to do is go there. She’ll know who I am. I’ll be able to pick up the pieces of my life.”
“That makes sense. And if you don’t like the life you discover, you can always come back here.”
She studied her folded hands.
He had to ask. “Don’t you think you could have a good life here?”
Her gaze came to his, full of longing and uncertainty. “If I couldn’t remember the feelings of the past, I expect I could be very happy here. But something troubles me, and until I can learn what it is, I can never feel free to belong anywhere.”
He took her hands between his. “Then I hope and pray you will get your memory back and learn your fears are groundless.” Even if remembering made her forget him. Her peace of mind was far more important.
A sharp crack jolted them both to look around.
“What was that?” she asked.
He knew the sound. “Someone is shooting nearby.”
She started to scramble to her feet.
He pulled her down. “Don’t move. Stay low.” He studied their surroundings, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t see any wild animals being hunted nor any puff of smoke to indicate the shooter. Were he and Emily targets? His first thought was of the three men responsible for robberies and murder.
If he and Emily edged back into the trees…
He signaled her to follow him and stay low. They crept deeper into the shadows. When he deemed they would be impossible for anyone at a distance to see, he signaled her to stop and pulled her close to protect her.
“Who would be shooting at us?” she whispered.
“I don’t know that they are, but it’s better to be overcautious.” Than dead. But he wouldn’t share that concern.
They sat in strained silence. He heard a sound far to his right. Couldn’t tell if someone moved through the trees. It could be an animal. Or just the wind. But at least it wasn’t between them and the buggy.
“I don’t think we’re in any danger,” he said after a few more minutes, and he got to his feet, keeping Emily close. He had no intention of leaving her vulnerable.
He stood several seconds and when nothing happened, slowly made his way to the edge of the trees. They would be in the open until he reached the trail through the woods. Why had he gone so far downstream?
She clung to him and perhaps wondered why he didn’t go faster, but he had no desire to risk going over the edge because of haste. She chuckled softly. “I feel like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, only it’s truly rocks and trees.”
There’d been no more shooting, no movement through the trees that he could detect. His tension eased marginally. “I think someone must be out hunting.”
“So long as they’re not hunting us.”
He smiled. “Nice to know you can joke about it.”
“Like your Gram says, you have to choose whether to laugh or cry, and laughing is better if you can do it.”
“Yup, I’ve heard that a time or two.”
They reached the cover of the trees and he relaxed. Now all they had to do was get to the buggy and get back to town. At least in the buggy he would have his gun. He’d chosen not to wear it on their outing. Perhaps a foolish decision, but he’d wanted her to see him as something other than the sheriff.
He set a leisurely pace going back through the woods, and wanting her to remember the good parts of the afternoon, he talked about the waterfall, the river and the crow.
The clearing lay ahead of them and he paused with Emily behind him to scan the area. His breath eased out as he saw nothing to cause him concern. He turned to her and smiled. “Are you ready to go back?” He didn’t expect any answer but yes.
She slipped by him and went to the spot where she could see the waterfalls below them. “Thank you for bringing me here. I hope I always remember this day, no matter what happens.”
He gave a wry chuckle. “You’ll have lots to remember.”
She faced him, her eyes soft.
He’d heard others say their heart skipped a beat and had silently mocked the notion, but now he understood as his own heart did exactly that at the look in her eyes.
“I will cherish every moment, one in particular.”
He understood she meant their kiss. He touched her cheek. “I’m glad. I will, too.”
He helped her to the buggy, and if his hands held her a moment longer than was necessary, there was no one to notice. They made their way back to town in companionable silence, content to be sitting close together thinking of each special moment of the day.
Even falling on the rocks had had its good side. It had given them a reason to kiss, and hearing a gunshot had made it necessary to hold each other. He could ask for nothing better to clutch to his heart when she left.
They reached town and he slowed the horse as they passed a house on the outskirts. A nice house with a picket fence. The yard was overgrown now. Grandfather Marshall owned the house. A young couple had lived there until two months ago when the wife had developed a health condition and they’d moved to Great Falls so she could get regular medical attention. He’d often looked at the house and thought it would make someone a nice home.
Always, before, he’d thought of another young couple moving into it. Now he hoped no one would.
He shook his head. Did he really think he might be the one to move in? And not alone? The damp air at the falls must have affected his brain.
He would not be living there with Emily as his wife. He knew that. But he meant to enjoy every day he was able to share with her.
After that, he was back to being Jesse, the sheriff. A man who lived with his Gram and had no interest in courting young ladies.
Maybe he’d get a big dog to keep him company.
He refused to admit his heart hurt at the thought.
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 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 had 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 re
ceive 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. His 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 remembering, 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 of 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 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 round.
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 round the table, pausing at his two sons, Bud and George, and then each of his grandchildren. It lingered at each of the great-grandchildren. “It’s a surprise to have you all be 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 dee
r 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.”
Jesse laughed. “That must have been what we heard.” He told them of the incident yesterday. “I wondered if someone was shooting at me.”
“Who would be shooting at you?” Sadie’s voice conveyed disbelief.
“Seems nobody was,” Jesse said. “But there are three men running around robbing people and not minding if they kill someone in the process. Emily survived one incident. We also met some ruffians on the trail. Wouldn’t care to meet them again.”
Emily and Jesse had discussed the trio and she had told him she was certain they weren’t the same ones who robbed the stagecoach. Which meant there was more than one set of unsavory characters to be concerned about, though Jesse believed the three who stopped them on the trial had left the area.
“You haven’t captured them yet?” Grandfather demanded of Jesse.
“I lost their trail in the mountains.”
“I thought you could track over rock or ice.”
Jesse laughed. “I never claimed that.”
Grandfather studied him a moment. “I assume you will continue to look for them.”
“Certainly. You don’t need to ask.”
Emily squirmed. “It’s my fault he isn’t out there.” She hung her head to think she was keeping him from his work.
“Part of my job is to protect Emily.”
All eyes shifted to her. Mr. Morrison spoke, perhaps for them all, “Aye, lassie, and are you in danger from these scoundrels?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t see any of their faces, but perhaps they don’t know that. I’m waiting until I hear from the Newmans regarding Mikey before I make any plans.” And then what? She would go home, except she didn’t know where home was.
Annie sat back, disappointment in her eyes and her words. “I had hoped you’d stay here.”
