by Annie Boone
Jemma smiled again and turned her face to the door. Oh, God. Please let someone come through that door with good news.
***
In the same slow and careful steps, calling out occasionally, the men began to walk up the mountainside. They walked parallel to each other, about fifteen feet apart. Their gaze fixed only a few feet in front of them, roaming from left to right.
There was just enough light to see that the ground was covered with mud and tangled grass from the heavy rain and their previous searches in this same area. They were heading into an area higher than they’d gone previously hoping to find signs of the lost children.
Twigs were broken and laying among the larger branches blown down by the wind. It would have been a mess to see without trying to find clues among the storm trash.
Lying in the muck and mire, Nick saw the burlap sack doll Jemma had made Delilah. Its little dress was wet and brown with mud. Immediately Nick knew the children were near.
He held the doll up in the air for Josh to see and yelled their names again. His voice hoarse and raspy, he called out in the dark, “Tim, Delilah!”
“They have to be near, Josh. I can feel it.”
Josh remembered the old abandoned silver mine that was just beyond the bend in the river.
“Do you remember that old mine that we used to play in?” Josh asked Nick.
“I do! In fact, I think I remember telling Tim about it one day when we were out here by the river on a picnic. I talked so much trying to get that boy to like me…Maybe just, maybe!”
“Let’s go!” And they both started to run urging their horses to follow.
When they arrived at what used to be a wide opening that led to a deeper tunnel, they were shocked at what they saw. The rain and the winds had washed part of the mountain down in front of the opening. It was muddy and rocky.
They started moving the rocks as quickly as they could, calling out for the children as they dug.
“Delilah, Tim, can you hear us?”
Just as they cleared a space large enough to climb through, Nick said, “I’ll go in.”
Grunting with effort to squeeze through the small opening, Nick landed on the other side of the landslide. He stood still and tried to get his eyes to focus in the dim light. His breathing was ragged. He thought he heard a bird or a cat. It was crying.
“Mr. Jansen? Is that you?”
Chapter Twenty-One
It had been dark for several hours when the door of the inn flew open. Jemma looked up from the parlor sofa she was collapsed on. Nick and Josh stood in the doorway, each holding a dirty, wet child.
She held her breath, and then she let it out when she realized that the children were alive and mostly well.
Jemma flew to the men and the children with her feet hardly touching the floor. She could not stop cooing and asking the children over and over, “Are you all right? Are you hurt? Tell me you’re not hurt.”
She was laughing and crying all at the same time. God had answered her prayer the way she wanted. Tim and Delilah were home. They were alive. Thank you, Lord, she thought as she hugged them one more time.
“We’re good, Aunt Jemma,” Tim said. His little voice was scratchy from calling for help.
“The rocks and the mud went down in front of the tunnel last night. We went to sleep and when we woke up, we couldn’t see light anymore. We started calling. I tried to move the dirt, but I couldn’t.”
Josh backed away from Jemma and Nick and the two children and let them have a private moment. Then Bonnie and Emil Jansen came rushing from the back of the inn, hearing the commotion in the parlor. They were fussing over the children as much as Jemma was. Bonnie turned and saw her son, exhausted and filthy from his amazing rescue.
“Oh, my sweet boy. You’ve always been a hero to me, but now you will surely be one to the entire town.”
Jemma looked up at him and said, “And to me, always. Thank you, Nick.”
“I’ve had a bath drawn for the children, Miss Jemma,” said Cook. “They need to be warmed up and get out of those wet clothes.”
“You’re right, Cook,” said Bonnie. “Thank you for thinking ahead.”
“I need to go get them some dry clothes. I hate to leave them, though. Bonnie, will you stay with them until I get back?” asked Jemma.
“No need for you to leave,” said Nick. “I can go get them some clean clothes.”
She nodded and smiled. “That would really be helpful if you don’t mind doing it.”
“Not at all. I’ll be back soon.”
She watched him walk out and then turned her attention back to the children. “All right, then. Up the stairs and to the bath with you two.”
***
When morning dawned bright and sunny, the entire town was filled with the good news that the children had been found. News went out that while they were cold and dirty, they weren’t harmed. Bonnie had predicted correctly and Josh and Nick were the talk of the town.
The children had been so exhausted they’d fallen asleep as soon as they came out of the tub. Jemma had tucked them into their temporary beds at the inn and sat down next to them, unable to take her eyes away even for a second.
Cook was waiting on them to wake up this morning to feed them a huge plate of flapjacks. Apparently, this little stunt of theirs was going to get them some special favors for a few days.
Janine stuck her head into the room where the children were sleeping and threw her arms around her friend. “I knew you’d be in here with them,” she whispered.
Jemma nodded and smiled. The exhaustion on her face was evident, but the only thing that mattered at the moment was that Tim and Delilah were safe.
“Jemma, I'm so relieved! The Lord heard many prayers last night for sure. That these babies weren’t harmed is truly a miracle. Were you able to find out what happened? Why they ran away? When they left? Where they went?” Janine's voice started to rise.
“Janine, come out into the hall with me. I haven’t questioned them yet. I’m kind of afraid to ask what I know I need to know about. I'm just so happy to have them home and I don’t want to upset them.”
“I understand, but I do think you need to find out what was going through their minds. It probably was Tim, though. Delilah probably went with him because she thought she was supposed to.”
“Janine, my heart has been so broken over Nick. The children and all the squabbles with them… It’s just been too much. Then when he brought them home, I thought my heart couldn’t get any fuller.”
“Well you’re the one that told him that you two should stop seeing each other. After this challenge I'm not sure he's going to approach you. You may just have to approach him if you want him back.”
“Could I ever be so bold?” Jemma asked.
“If you’re not bold now, you may never get what you want, Jemma” Janine advised wisely.
Jemma, exhausted, went back into the room and lay down beside Delilah. They slept most of the morning and woke up in time for lunch.
Tim tearfully told Jemma, “I thought we should go back to Lewiston. I thought I was the reason that you were crying. I wanted to go back home. I wanted everything to be like it used to be.”
Jemma hugged him and listened to his story.
“I love you, Tim. I’m sorry you hurt so badly.”
Little Delilah crawled up into her lap and wrapped her chubby little arms tightly around her waist. She rested her blonde curly head on Jemma' chest.
“I know how sad you are about your Mamma and Daddy, Tim. I miss them too. But we’re family, too, and we’re making Cutter’s Creek our new home. Don't forget about your friends and all the wonderful people who know you and love you. The entire town was out all night looking for you and Delilah.”
“Mr. Jansen found us,” Tim said. “He told me he would always come and look for me. I was scared, but I couldn’t let Delilah know.”
“You were very brave, sweetheart. Please, don’t run away again. You can talk
to me about anything. If something is bothering you, it’s better to talk about it.”
“I want to, Aunt Jemma. And I'll tell Delilah to talk to you, too.”
Bonnie knocked lightly on the door and opened it to stick her head inside. “There’s someone downstairs who is itching to talk to you, Jemma. Go down now and I'll stay with these babies. They won't do a thing without me knowing about it, I promise.”
Jemma went down knowing she needed to thank everyone who had helped look for the children. As soon as she entered the inn’s main sitting room she saw Nick standing there. He was dressed in clean clothes, his hair was combed neatly, and his chin was shaved clean. You would never know just hours before he was soaked to the bone and muddied from head to toe.
He walked over to her reaching for her hands. “Come sit with me, Jemma,” he said softly.
Jemma took his hand and he led her out of the hotel lobby and into the courtyard in the back of the building. He indicated that she sit on the bench looking out at the fountain put there for hotel guests to enjoy.
He sat down beside her, taking her hand in his. “I need to say something to you, Jemma. May I speak freely?”
Jemma’s heart was in her throat, so she nodded slightly indicating for him to go ahead. She had no idea what he was going to say and she was nervous.
“I cannot begin to tell you how terrifying it was to know those children were missing. And to see you so hysterically upset—” his voice cracked. “It was almost more than I could bear.”
Her eyes were filling with tears. The high emotions of the past day were taking a toll.
“Don't cry, my love. Everything is good now.”
Jemma’s eyes widened at the use of the word ‘love’ and to be called ‘his love’ made her heart beat even faster.
“Since you broke up with me, I haven't stopped thinking about how to get you back. Then when I found out the children were lost, all I wanted to do was to bring them home. Jemma, I love you. I don't want to live without you or those children in my life. I know this is highly improper given the fact I've never even met your parents, but I have to improvise.”
He kneeled down in front of her and reached into his pocket. He pulled out the most beautiful emerald and diamond ring she had ever seen. He held it out to her as he asked the most important question she’d ever gotten.
“Will you marry me, Jemma?”
Chapter Twenty-Two
“Yes, Nick. Absolutely.”
Her response was a little subdued, but she’d been through so much over the past two days. Then it all seemed to sink in and she answered again. “Yes! I will marry you! I love you, Nick Jansen. I love you with all my heart.”
He stood up and pulled her to her feet. He hugged her, swung her around, and kissed her right on the lips in front of everyone who’d snuck out behind them to see what was going on.
The people who were standing at the back door, saw their embrace and began to applaud and cheer. Nick and Jemma turned and smiled at the small crowd. They all walked together back into the main lobby.
Emil Jansen said loudly from the front desk when he saw the group walk in, “Looks like we are going to have a wedding, folks.” And he added his loud boisterous laughter and clapping to the rising din.
The noise below woke up and stirred the children. Bonnie with a huge smile on her lips led them downstairs.
“Children, I think there's something your aunt Jemma wants to tell you.”
The children ran to Jemma and Nick on the other side of the salon.
“What's going on?” Tim asked.
Nick bent down on one knee and told Tim, “I've just asked your aunt to marry me. She’s agreed. But I need to know that you approve. If you do, then you, Delilah, your aunt and I will be a family. What do you say?”
“Do you mean we will all live together?’ Tim asked.
“Yes, we will. A family lives together.”
Delilah immediately hugged him and said, “I want to be part of your family, Mr. Jansen.”
“I’m happy to hear that, Delilah. I really want you to be part of my family.” He picked up the little girl and held her tight. Looking down at Tim, he waited.
“I think that will be fine,” said Tim. “It might be good to have a family again.”
Nick reached down with his free hand and tousled the boy’s hair and then pulled him to his side in a hug. Jemma beamed at the sight of Nick, Delilah, and Tim together looking happy.
That night at dinner in the inn's dining room, people kept stopping by their table offering their congratulations.
Jemma was so overjoyed she could hardly talk. Tim and Delilah also seemed to be happy at the news. Tim seemed to have turned over a new leaf. That was good news for her.
Jemma said, “I guess we’ll have to set a date soon. The folks of Cutter’s Creek really want a wedding soon. But we need to tell my parents, Nick.”
He nodded, his mouth full of apple crisp from the dessert Cook had made.
“I’ll wire them tomorrow to let them know of our wonderful news. I just hope Father and Mother can come. But, I don't want to wait. Oh! I desperately want them to be at my wedding.”
Nick reached for Jemma’s hand and said, “Then we’ll wait for them.”
Janine, Thad, and the boys came in and practically ran to the table. Thad shook Nick's hand and slapped him on the back. Janine hugged Jemma so hard she thought she might break a few ribs.
“Glad to know you came to your senses and didn't let this one get away, Nick,” Thad teased.
“I told you they were going to get together,” Janine said teasing her husband.
Jemma just laughed and hugged her beautiful friend again.
Janine pulled Jemma to the side and said, “So, you spoke to him and told him how much you loved him?”
“Well, not exactly. Before I could say a word, he told me he loved me and asked me to marry him! It's all just too good to be true, Janine. I'm so incredibly happy and feel so blessed.”
“You are truly blessed among women, my friend.”
The next morning all four of them went to the telegraph office to send another telegram to the Braithewaites in Chicago.
Cutter’s Creek
Montana Territory
Excited to tell you
Nick Jansen and I are getting married
Come as soon as possible
I love you
Jemma
As Jemma had done several times previously, she followed up the telegram with a longer letter. She couldn’t wait to hear back from her parents as to when they would be able to travel.
About two days after she sent the wedding news to her parents, she received a telegram in reply.
Chicago, Illinois
Excited for you
Father healed
Can be in Cutter’s Creek in a week
Love to you all
Mother and Father
Jemma was ecstatic. Then she was nervous. She didn’t want to wait to be married. So as soon as her parents arrived they would have the ceremony. It felt as if Jemma had waited her entire life. She didn’t want to wait another second.
Now that they were home at the cottage again, she decided to take the children and walk down to Janine's house. Janine would know how to plan a wedding in less than a week.
On their way, Tim grabbed her hand and squeezed it and said, “Aunt Jemma, I'm so excited to be part of your and Mr. Jansen's family.
“I'm excited too, Tim,” Jemma said.
When the children saw the twins they broke loose from Jemma and ran to meet their friends. Janine came out onto the front porch to greet her.
“We have so much to plan. But I’ve a thousand ideas, so let's get started.”
Relieved to have such wonderful help Jemma began to tell Janine what she wanted for her wedding day.
“I’d love to get married at the end of church service on Sunday. Then maybe a picnic behind the church. Just like we did on the very first Sunday I was in Cutte
r’s Creek.”
“Oh Jemma! I think that’s the most fabulous idea. It suits you and Nick so well. And all of the children can come and be a part of the celebration.”
“I want the whole town to come,” Jemma said. “I love this town and these people. They’ve welcomed me and given me a new home. They’ve accepted and loved my children and I’m so thankful for that.”
It was the first time Jemma called Tim and Delilah her children. And it was amazing how right it felt to claim them as hers.
“What will you wear, Jemma?”
“All I have is gray and it doesn’t feel like I should wear gray on my wedding day. I don’t think Billy and Sylvia would mind if I moved out of my gray mourning clothes on our wedding day. Do you?”
“Absolutely not! They’re dancing in Heaven celebrating your happy news. Delilah told me her mom danced with angels in Heaven and I’m sure they are dancing right now.”
Jemma’s eyes misted for a moment at the memory of her beloved brother and sister-in-law.
“I’ve the most perfect dress for you to wear,” Janine exclaimed. “It’s a dress I got in Chicago. I didn’t think I’d ever have an occasion to wear it but I know now why I bought it. It was for you!”
Janine ran back to her bedroom and brought back a box. She carefully opened it and inside was the most exquisite gown Jemma had ever seen. It was the palest pink silk delicately embroidered with white flowers at the neckline and the cuffs. It was a simple cut, yet elegant.
Jemma stood there in awe. The beautiful dress and the generous offer from a new friend was quite a bit to take in.
“I told the dressmaker to take the extra fabric out of the back of the skirt. I knew there was no need for big bustles in Cutter’s Creek.”
“I agree,” Jemma said. “I’ve never been able to get used to the huge bustles women are wearing in Chicago.”
“Try it on, Jemma. Please, try it on. I can't wait to see it on you.”