by Jill Maguire
“I have his basket here,” Emmett held up the basket that seemed more tattered at the edges each day.
“Thank you, he’s fine here for now.” Grace cupped Noah’s little face, her own shining with contentment.
“How are you feeling?” Emmett asked. He wanted to tell her about dinner with Hayes and Faith, but he also didn’t want to seem insensitive to her need for more rest.
“Oh, I’m fine,” Grace dismissed his question with a wry smile.
“So, do you think you’d feel up to having dinner with Hayes and Faith tonight?” Emmett cringed while he waited for Grace’s answer.
“Hmmm, I think that sounds nice actually,” Grace smiled faintly.
“Alright then,” Emmett said as he led Grace down the stairs. She looked tired, but Emmett was happy she was willing to visit with friends tonight. It had been too long since he had huddled around a table, enjoying easy, idle chatter and perhaps a game of cards with the men folk.
“You made it! I’m so glad,” Faith greeted them warmly and welcomed them into the small house. Since marrying Hayes, Faith had brought a friendly and feminine touch to the house Hayes had occupied for years as a bachelor. Emmett thought it a nice change, and judging by the loving glances he gave his wife, so did Hayes.
“It’s not much, but it’s perfect for us,” Faith said, almost as an apology to Grace.
“Faith, I love it. It’s wonderful. You’re so happy here, and that’s all that matters,” Grace responded genuinely. Faith nodded and glanced from Grace to Emmett with a knowing grin. Emmett focused his attention on Hayes. He did not want to give Faith the wrong idea about his feelings toward Grace.
“Grace, you look tired, have a seat please,” Faith insisted. “I’ll just put this sleeping angel over here.” Emmett watched as Faith placed Noah in his basket in a quiet corner of the sitting room. The women continued to talk and Emmett engaged Hayes in a conversation about his work.
“Hello, we made it!” Warren and Patience burst through the front door and Clay made a quick beeline for Emmett.
“Sheriff Mac, Sheriff Mac!” Clay jumped into Emmett’s outstretched arms.
“Hey buddy! You came to eat with us?”
Clay nodded proudly. Suddenly he looked to his mother with a shy smile.
“Go ahead Clay, show him,” Patience encouraged him gently. That’s when Emmett noticed something gleaming on the inside of his shirt collar.
“What do you have there, buddy?” Emmett asked. Without meeting Emmett’s eye, Clay peeled back his shirt collar to display a small sheriff’s badge. “Well, would you look at that. It looks just like mine!” Emmett exclaimed, playing it up for the boy. “Did they give you a badge at the station?”
“No,” Clay said emphatically. “Mr. Morgan made it for me!” Clay pointed to Hayes.
“Well, he did a fine job. I couldn’t even tell that it wasn’t a genuine sheriff’s badge. You better take good care of that. A badge like that comes with great responsibility.”
Clay turned somber and nodded. Emmett felt Grace’s eyes on him and turned to see her regarding him curiously. Emmett met her gaze but she quickly averted her eyes. Emmett felt his heart beat faster at the idea of her eyes enjoying him.
“Dinner is ready,” Faith announced. There wasn’t enough room around the Morgan’s small table for everyone, so Faith dished food at the stove and encouraged her guests to sit where they wish. Emmett watched Grace as she got her food and then proceeded to sit next to Patience with Noah’s basket in view. After serving everyone else, Faith joined the other women and Emmett was soon surrounded by Hayes, Warren and Clay.
As they chatted and ate, Emmett stole glances across the sitting room at Grace. He had not yet seen her like this. Her cheeks were flushed with excitement and she talked animatedly with Patience and Faith. Grace truly looked happy and comfortable and it was a look she had not taken on while staying with Emmett.
“Emmett, why didn’t you tell me that Grace was so charming?” Patience asked amidst the chatter.
“I hardly knew myself,” he answered honestly. Faith and Patience giggled, but Grace only smiled timidly.
“Well, I may have to invite myself over to your house to visit your guest more often,” Patience warned Emmett teasingly.
“You’re always welcome, Patience. And I’m sure it would do Grace a world of good too,” Emmett responded sincerely.
If the glow in Grace’s eyes at that moment were any indication, Emmett was not off his mark. Emmett admitted in some deep part of himself that he wanted nothing more than to see this joy on Grace’s face every day.
Chapter 9
After the men excused themselves to admire Hayes new rifle, the women continued to get acquainted with each other. “Grace, I love this dress on you, the color is stunning,” Patience commented as she fingered the delicate fabric of Grace’s dress. They sat sipping coffee and eating Faith’s delectable cobbler after a delicious dinner.
“Thank you, it actually belongs to Faith. She brought me a few dresses shortly after I arrived,” Grace said. Then she turned to Faith, “And I intend to give them back to you as soon as I wash them.”
Faith shook her head. “No Grace, I made those for you. They are yours to keep.”
Grace felt her eyes brim with thankful tears and sighed. “Oh Faith, I don’t know how to thank you. I love the dresses so much,” Grace felt foolish, she couldn’t fully express her appreciation.
“It was my pleasure dear. I remember what it was like to be a stranger in town. I knew no one when I got here. Well, I did know Patience of course, but I had no idea she lived here.” Faith and Patience smiled fondly at the memory.
“That changed quickly for you though, didn’t it Faith?” Patience said with a sly grin.
“It’s true. I was so lucky to have found Hayes. He truly came to my rescue,” Faith agreed.
“Faith, I think we can both agree that luck had nothing to do with it. The whole beautiful thing was a part of God’s plan all along.” Patience’s face once again held that unearthly glow that Grace had noticed during the church service.
Sitting there with Patience and Faith, Grace thought about what the minister had said about living in a right community. Was Whistle Stop a right community? Were these women her salvation? Grace was drawn back to the conversation by Faith’s words.
“You know Grace, I don’t think it was just luck that Emmett McCabe was the one to find you.”
“Well, no not just luck,” Grace added. “He is the sheriff after all. It’s his job,” Grace said logically. She jumped when Patience and Faith began to laugh. Such carefree, beautiful laughter, Grace thought.
“Yes, of course it’s his job, and he takes his duty very seriously, but I don’t think that’s what Faith meant,” Patience chimed in.
“What do you mean?” Grace asked, hoping that they didn’t mean what she thought they meant. She wasn’t ready for this. It was still too soon.
“Come on Grace, you must admit that Emmett is very kind and generous, not to mention handsome,” Faith added with a prying undertone. Grace shook her head involuntarily and Faith suddenly felt guilty. “I’m sorry Grace, how insensitive of me.”
“What is it?” Patience wanted to know. Faith looked to Grace as if asking for permission. Grace gave her a slight nod. She felt she could trust Patience, and she knew she could trust Faith.
“Grace’s husband left her when he found out that she was pregnant with Noah,” Faith explained quietly. Patience’s hand flew to her mouth.
“I’m so sorry to hear that, Grace,” Patience laid a comforting hand on Grace’s arm and Grace raised her defenses a little. Unbeknownst to Grace, Emmett stood quietly beyond the thin wall that separated the two rooms and listened secretly to Grace’s confession.
“It was somewhat of a relief actually. He was not a very good man, he was abusive and hateful. I’d hate to think of how he would have treated Noah. I’m sure an untrustworthy husband wouldn’t make for a very good fathe
r.” Grace looked down at Noah who was cooing and gurgling quietly at her feet. Clay knelt over the baby, quietly singing and Grace smiled faintly at the sweet picture.
“Well, I am glad that you came to Whistle Stop,” Patience said, and Faith nodded her agreement. “You can make a fresh start. And believe me when I say if you can trust any man, you can trust Emmett,” Patience reassured her. Grace shyly sipped her coffee as Emmett quietly snuck back to where Hayes and Warren were gathered.
“Grace, you’re beginning to look tired and I don’t want to be the one who stalls your recovery. Perhaps Emmett should take you home.” Faith’s face was etched with concern, calling for Emmett then motioning toward Grace.
“I think the long walk is taking its toll on me now,” Grace yawned. “But Patience, I do hope you’ll come and visit me as promised, or should I say threatened?” Grace teased. “And you too Faith, come more often. I do get lonely, especially when Emmett is working all day.”
“We will visit soon,” Patience promised.
Across the room, Emmett stood and made his way toward Grace, stopping to pick up Noah’s basket before helping her up.
“Thank you for dinner Faith,” Emmett said before bending to kiss Faith’s cheek. “ It was mouthwatering as usual.”
“Yes, thank you,” Grace agreed. She quickly embraced Faith, then Patience and slowly stood. Emmett continued to wave his goodbyes until the door shut and they were left in the light of the setting sun.
The walk home was silent as Grace and Emmett tended to their own thoughts. Grace wrestled with the fear of her affections for Emmett and dared not let them grow any further. Seeing him with Clay that night was a stark contrast to how Rex would have been with a child. His kindness and patience with the young boy was almost too much for Grace to witness. Emmett was such a good, honorable man, and he had already offered her more than any man ever had. But could he really want a woman like Grace? Abused, wrecked, abandoned? No. Grace shivered and tightened her shawl around her shoulders. She was unworthy of his love and he too could leave her in a moment, just like Rex.
“Are you cold? Would you like my jacket?” Emmett asked, breaking the silence.
“No thank you. I’m fine,” Grace declined, not meeting his direct gaze.
“You seemed to enjoy yourself tonight with Faith and Patience.”
“Yes, they are wonderful, aren’t they?” Grace’s resolve softened a little, thinking of her friends insistence that she could trust Emmett. “They gave me hope that everything is going to be alright for Noah and me in Whistle Stop.”
“I’m happy to hear that. I’d rather like it if you stayed.”
Grace felt the heat of her own blood rush to her face and stain her cheeks with a tender tone of red. She smiled sweetly and squeezed Emmett’s arm a little tighter.
Chapter 10
“Grace? I’m home,” Emmett called out as he entered the house. He liked to give her warning when he returned from a day at work. When he had left that morning, Grace was still sleeping on the couch, having been worn out from her long excursion Sunday. Emmett entered the sitting room and dropped his hat.
“Grace? Are you okay?” Grace lay white and shivering on the couch, while Noah cried inconsolably nearby.
“Just a little chilled.” Grace’s teeth chattered as she spoke. Emmett hurriedly picked Noah up and held the boy close to his chest. Noah’s cries softened as Emmett held him.
“What’s the matter?” Emmett placed a hand on Grace’s forehead. “You’re burning up, Grace. I need to fetch Doc Sullivan.”
“Emmett, I’m fine. It’s probably from too much activity yesterday, I’m fine really.”
Emmett brought her three more blankets, tucked them around her, and placed a cool cloth on her forehead. “There.” Emmett placed Noah next to Grace so she could hold him and the baby went right to sleep in his mother’s arms. “You’re sure you don’t want me to fetch the doctor?”
“No, it’s probably just a cold. Nothing serious,” Grace insisted.
“Then let me help. I’ll try something my mother used to do for a fever.”
Grace looked at Emmett warily and he chuckled. “Don’t worry, it won’t hurt, I promise. But I must ask permission to rub your feet. It will help draw the fever down.” Grace hesitated, and Emmett knew why, it was a very intimate thing he was suggesting and he wanted to maintain her trust.
“Only with your permission of course, but I know the remedy to be very helpful.” Emmett held his hands up as if in surrender.
“Okay, it’s okay,” Grace agreed. Emmett brought a chair over and sat at her feet. He carefully drew the blankets back, careful only to expose her feet. Then he carefully began to rub them in a gentle, circular motion. Emmett heard a sniffle and saw that Grace was silently crying.
“Am I hurting you?” Emmett asked, his finger stopping mid-motion. Grace shook her head.
“No, not at all. This is just the nicest anyone has treated me for a long time. My mother used to rub my feet when I was sick too. It always helped somehow.” Grace surprised Emmett with a beautiful smile, despite the exhaustion etched into her features. “Thank you,” she whispered.
“It’s my pleasure,” Emmett said sincerely, and the next moment, Grace was sound asleep.
A loud noise awoke Grace from a deep sleep. Slowly, she opened her eyes feeling disoriented. Grace couldn’t remember what day it was or how long she had been sleeping, but the sweet scent of Noah’s downy head brought an instant sense of familiarity.
“Oh no, did I wake you?” Emmett’s voice came from the kitchen and Grace blinked up at him.
“No, not at all,” Grace murmured.
“How’s the fever?”
Grace suddenly realized she felt very hot under layers of blankets. She made sure she was fully covered before pushing all the blankets off and sat up, unwilling to think about how disheveled her hair must look. Emmett approached her and placed a hand on her forehead.
“Fever is down. I’ve just made breakfast, are you hungry?”
“Breakfast?” Grace asked incredulously. “Do you mean that I slept through the whole night?” Emmett laughed and Grace’s heart leapt at the sound.
“Yes you did. I had to keep checking on you to make sure you weren’t dead,” Emmett teased. Grace laughed too and her gaze fell on Noah.
“Did he sleep through the night too?”
“He woke up a few times and I rocked him back to sleep. He’s probably very hungry now though,” Emmett admitted.
“Thank you, you didn’t have to do that.” Grace’s heart began to pound at the thought of Emmett caring for her all these days. Her heart swelled with admiration and appreciation for him and she wondered how she could ever repay him. “I must have been sleeping very well.”
“You were. I wasn’t lying when I said I had to keep checking on you,” Emmett said. His tone had softened and his gaze didn’t leave Grace’s face. She suddenly found air scarce and words died in her throat. The air was charged around them, and Grace had no idea what to expect. With Rex, she always expected the worst – anger, abuse and endless fits of rage, but this moment was completely different. It left no room for fear in Grace’s heart, only wonder and anticipation.
Emmett cleared his throat. He seemed nervous, which only endeared him more to Grace. She couldn’t have fathomed Emmett McCabe being nervous about anything.
“Grace, would you consider doing me the honor of giving me your hand in marriage? I know we hardly know each other, but I can offer you a home and protection, a new life for you and Noah. Tell me you will consider it.” Grace looked at him, her blue-green eyes wide and bewildered.
“You have taken me and my son into your home. You have cared well for both of us, and now you are asking me to marry you?” Grace’s eyes filled with tears as Emmett nodded. “I think I would be a fool if I were to refuse your offer. Yes, I will marry you.”
Chapter 11
“I came over as soon as I heard!” Faith exclaimed as she bustle
d into the house when Grace had opened the door for her.
“What did you hear?” Grace asked with interest and some alarm over Faith’s excitement.
“Well, you’re funny Grace. You and Emmett are getting married! What did you think I was talking about?”
“Oh yes, that,” Grace chuckled nervously and motioned for Faith to take a seat. “I guess I’m not used to the idea yet.”
“I can understand that,” Faith said, more gently.
“How did you hear about it so soon?”
“Oh, poor Emmett couldn’t contain himself. He stopped by and told Hayes and me right after you accepted his proposal,” Faith smiled brightly at Grace. “I’m so happy for you. Hayes and I have been praying for you ever since I received your letter,” Faith gushed. Faith’s exuberance brought a smile to her face, but after a moment, Grace’s expression changed again, her brows knitting together with worry.
“What is it?” Faith asked, removing her gloves. Grace sighed and looked into her lap as they sat at the kitchen table.
“Faith, I’m fearful. When I married Rex I thought with all my heart that he was a wonderful man, and he turned out to be, well, anything but.” Grace’s words faltered as she spoke. She thought of Emmett and how he had retired to bed looking pleased after he had proposed, but she lay awake for hours fretting and second-guessing her acceptance of his hand in marriage.
“Grace, I can imagine you are afraid,” Faith reached out and took Grace’s hand in hers. She met Grace’s eyes and searched her face. “But please hear me. I can assure you that Emmett is a good man. He will take very good care of you and Noah. He is very loving and protective and honest. There is nothing hidden underneath his kindness and generosity. I know these are mere words of comfort from a well-meaning friend, but please believe that I mean what I say, and I know this for a fact. We will all be so happy to have you here with us, safe and taken care of.”
