by Linda Ford
He led her to a chair, put Mikey on her knee and headed outside with the wet laundry.
She sang a lullaby to Mikey, the tune coming from a distant memory. Was it one her mother had sung to her? And she’d sung to other babies? Like Jesse said, she was trying too hard.
Mikey relaxed against her; his breathing deepened.
Jesse returned, smiled at the little guy asleep on her lap and carried the tub out to dispose of the water.
There went any hope of getting her own bath.
She lifted her chin. Tomorrow she would go with Jesse to turn Mikey over to the Newmans. They would know who she was.
She stiffened inside. What if she didn’t care for what she learned? She sucked in a deep breath. She would face whatever the future held with as much strength as she could muster.
Chapter Five
Jesse smiled as he hung the small garments on the line. What a pleasure he’d had bathing and dressing the little guy. Seeing him asleep on Emily’s lap, his blond hair damp from his bath, filled Jesse’s heart with yearning. He blamed the Marshalls for that feeling. They’d all married and ended up with ready-made families, their happiness evident to all.
Jesse did not plan to seek the same. But he had a job to do, taking care of Emily and Mikey until he could see her safely to the Newmans. He would go out there tomorrow and locate the family. He’d take her along because, as she said, when he found the Newmans they would be expecting Mikey, though it bothered him to think they lived close to the rough mining town. He planned to look around Wolf Hollow for a man with silver-tipped boots, but he wouldn’t do that until Emily and Mikey were turned over to the Newmans and safely settled.
He should be happy for them that they had found the family expecting them, but it would be hard to leave Emily in the care of strangers when she didn’t remember who she was. Of course, they might know her. Perhaps seeing them would trigger her memory.
While he thought about the situation, he worked. Perhaps he was being too bold in thinking Emily would enjoy a bath, but he doubted it. He had built Gram a little outdoor washhouse at the corner of her home. It was a place she could do the laundry in the warm months and also enjoy a leisurely bath in total privacy.
He returned to the kitchen. “Let me take him upstairs and tuck him into his bed.” He edged his arms around the boy. The three of them formed a triangle of bodies. He wanted to pull her into his arms and hold her tight. Assure her he would take care of her. But he didn’t have the right and he avoided looking directly at Emily, too aware of the wayward direction of his thoughts. He straightened, breaking contact with her arms.
Mikey snuffled but didn’t waken.
Emily pushed to her feet. “I better make sure he’ll be okay.”
“I can handle this. I prepared a bath for you.” By the heat in his cheeks, he knew his ruddy complexion had darkened. Would she be offended by his offer?
Her eyes widened. “Really? You did that for me?”
“I thought you’d enjoy it.”
Her breath came out in a whoosh. “You have no idea how much I longed for one. But how did you know?” She brushed her hand over her hair. “I guess it’s self-evident.”
If his arms hadn’t been full he would have caught her hands and assured her he had only been thinking of her comfort.
She looked about, a question in her eyes.
He grinned, enjoying her confusion. “Did you notice the little shed at the side of the house?”
She nodded, her gaze clinging to his, full of expectation. “Yes?”
If only he could answer all her questions as easily as he answered this one. “You’ll find a tub full of water awaiting you.”
“Thank you.” She caught up the basket of clothing Annie had left and scurried away.
He chuckled softly, then took Mikey upstairs and put him into bed. He pulled a chair close and sat watching the boy sleep. The little guy sucked his thumb and snuggled into the covers.
As he waited to make sure Mikey would stay asleep, he prayed for this pair he had rescued and wisdom for himself. Something about their precarious state triggered a protective yearning in the depths of his heart. He recognized the dangers of letting his heart rule his head. But perhaps his concern was justified, even if his duties as the sheriff didn’t require he help this pair. He knew what it was like to feel lost, abandoned, wondering if anyone cared. Except he’d always had Gram and he added thanks to his prayers.
Mikey didn’t stir, so Jesse returned downstairs. Gram stepped from her workroom.
“How are they?”
He tipped his head toward the ceiling. “Little guy is asleep. Emily is out in the washhouse.”
“Oh, good. I wanted to offer her a bath but didn’t know if she would think I was commenting on her condition.”
The sound of the back door opening warned of Emily’s return. She wore a red plaid robe and matching slippers. Her hair hung down her back, now dark as new leather gloves. Her cheeks were pink. Her eyes seemed bluer, as if darkened by the evening dusk.
She kept her gaze lowered.
He understood she must feel awkward. “Mikey didn’t even stir when I put him into bed.”
She nodded. “I would have emptied the tub but I wasn’t sure what you wanted done with the water.”
Gram chuckled. “Jesse has it set to drain to my garden. All he does is pull the plug and the water runs out through a hose. Not that we’re lazy, you understand.”
It was a joke between them and Jesse added his usual comment. “I prefer to think of it as efficient.”
Emily grinned at them. “It sounds smart to me. Now if you don’t mind, I think I’ll go up to bed.”
“Of course,” Gram said. “You must be very tired.”
“I am.” She hoisted the basket of clothes, slipped past Jesse and climbed the stairs.
He stood immobile. Was she going to be okay?
Would she have her memory back when she woke tomorrow morning?
“I’m going to make another round,” he told Gram and went out to the dusky street. He sauntered toward the center of town, his eyes and ears alert for any sign of unusual behavior.
A horse galloped past, almost running him down.
Jesse jumped out of the way and reached for his pistol. If the rider was set on mischief Jesse would soon persuade him to change his mind, though he would use words before he used his gun.
But the horse skidded to a halt before Dr. Baker’s house and the rider leapt off. “Doc, Doc.”
Jesse broke into a trot. Sounded like trouble. He might be needed. Please, don’t let it be a death. It was the hardest thing he had to do as a sheriff—take care of bodies and let loved ones know.
The man pounded on the door. “Doc.”
Dr. Baker opened the door. “What is it?”
“My boy is having trouble breathing. We done everything we can think to do.”
Jesse recognized Jed Wallace from down by the river. He had a passel of young ones.
“Let me get my bag.”
“I’ll get your horse,” Jesse called, and he jogged around to the back to saddle the horse Doc kept close by.
The others joined him and Doc swung into the saddle.
Jesse caught the distraught man’s elbow. “I pray your boy will be okay.”
“Thanks, sheriff.” He mounted and rode away.
Jesse finished his rounds. Everything quiet. A peaceful, safe little town, just as Grandfather Marshall had planned. Except for three men who had robbed the stagecoach, killed the driver and shotgun rider, and left Emily injured. She was alive, and for that he was grateful. Perhaps by morning she’d remember who she was.
Would she be someone’s wife? Would she have a family, as she had wondered?
He finished his rounds and, satisfied all was well, he returned home. Gram had gone to bed, leaving a lamp burning low to welcome him. He slipped off his boots and tiptoed upstairs, careful to miss the squeaky third step. At the top, he paused. When he heard no sounds
of distress, he relaxed and went to his room.
But sleep did not come as quickly as usual. He strained to hear any unfamiliar noise. After a few minutes, he admitted he heard nothing to cause concern and fell asleep. He couldn’t say how much later it was when the creak of his door opening jerked him fully awake. He reached for his gun belt hung over the post of his headrail.
Faint moonlight revealed the gaping door. He saw no one.
A snuffling sound said there was someone there.
He lowered his gaze. A very small person stood in the opening. “Mikey? Are you scared?”
“I is.”
Jesse sat up. “Come here, boy.”
Mikey ran across the floor and threw himself into Jesse’s arms. His little heart pounded hard enough that Jesse could feel it.
He held the boy tight until he calmed. Now what? He rather doubted Mikey would go back to his own bed.
“I seep you.”
He wanted to sleep with Jesse. Jesse had no problem with that, but what if Emily checked on the boy in the night and found him missing?
Mikey scrambled from Jesse’s arms and crawled under the covers.
Jesse chuckled. “Seems the decision has been made.” He normally slept with the door open, the better to hear any disturbance but had closed it because of his guests. Now he decided to leave it ajar. He’d hear Emily if she got up to look for Mikey and be able to call out and reassure her the boy was safe and sound.
He settled back in bed, a little body crowded to his back. It was a pleasant sensation, even if Mikey did squirm around and noisily suck his thumb.
Tomorrow he’d take Emily and Mikey to the Newman family.
It wasn’t as if he wanted to keep them. The only reason either of them had turned to him for comfort was because he was the sheriff and provided a sense of safety. Otherwise, there would be nothing about him they’d notice.
Hadn’t he learned well enough that as simply Jesse Hill—not Sheriff Hill—he was of no value to most people?
Chapter Six
Emily wakened as the pink dawn touched the inside of the bedroom. She stretched. “Ow.” A bruise on the side of her head stilled her movements. Every part of her body hurt like someone had used a carpet beater on her. The ceiling seemed whiter than she remembered. The picture on the wall at the end of the bed was new. She looked at the quilt on her bed. Was it new, as well?
She jerked upright. This wasn’t her room.
She groaned. “I remember what happened.” She’d been in an accident. A robbery. That’s what had caused the bump on her head. She sprang to the floor. Where was Mikey? She grabbed the robe someone had lent her and rushed across the hall.
The bed was empty.
Panic clawed at her throat and she groaned.
“Emily?” The voice came from across the hall.
“If you’re looking for Mikey, he’s with me.”
Pressing a hand to her throat, she rushed back into the room where she’d awakened, closed the door and sank to the edge of the bed. She was Emily. But Emily who? She rocked back and forth, willing her brain to clear, but nothing more came. Her memory had not returned.
She went to the window and looked out at the leafy willow tree, reviewing everything she could recall. She was with the sheriff, Jesse Hill, and Gram. She knew she was safe with them, but she couldn’t still the fear that intermingled with her frustration. She recalled one more thing. She was to deliver Mikey to the Newman family today.
There was nothing to be gained by staring out the window, and she chose a pink shirtwaist and brown skirt from the basket of clothes and quickly dressed. She used the comb and brush that had been part of the basket’s contents along with hairpins and a Bible. She brushed her hair and rolled it into a loose bun then examined herself in the mirror on the bureau. It would do.
Her hands clasped together, she paused at the closed door. She might not be able to remember her name, but she remembered yesterday and how she had clung to Jesse. Perhaps it was understandable, given what she’d been through, but it would not continue. He didn’t need to be associated with the likes of her.
She stood motionless. The likes of her? Why did that thought come to mind? Was she a bad person? Someone decent people should avoid? But if that was the case, why was Mikey with her? Would someone entrust a child to her if she wasn’t a decent person? If only she could find answers to her many questions.
Sucking in courage, she opened the door and stepped into the hall.
Jesse strode out of his room, Mikey perched in one arm and grinning at her over Jesse’s shoulder.
Her eyes stung. Mikey looked like he had found home. It was all Emily could do not to rush into the circle of Jesse’s other arm. Everything else was gone but the strength radiating from this man.
Mikey saw her. “Mem, mem, mem,” he babbled.
Jesse faced her. “I hope you slept well.”
“Yes, thank you.”
His eyes held a question.
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
“I’m sorry.” He reached out and took her hand. “It will come.”
“Maybe no one cares where I am.” She tried and failed to keep the tremor from her voice.
He pulled her close. “That simply doesn’t make sense. Someone is out there waiting for you to return from your errand with Mikey, expecting a letter from you to say you have arrived safely. I’m sure the Newmans will be able to help us.”
They descended the stairs into the kitchen, where Gram stirred a fry pan of potatoes. A pot of coffee filled the air with a delicious aroma.
Mikey saw Muffin and demanded to be put down. The dog and boy greeted each other with squirmy hugs.
“Do you drink coffee?” Jesse asked.
“I believe I do, and if I don’t, I’m about to start.”
He kissed Gram on the cheek. They exchanged a glance and Jesse shook his head.
Emily knew he’d informed her that Emily’s memory had not returned.
He poured them each a cup of the hot liquid. They sat at the table, which Gram had already set.
“I’m feeling much better today.” She had no idea when Jesse would begin the trip to the Newmans.
Gram carried the potatoes, bacon and eggs to the table and sat at her place. “I enjoy having company.”
Emily nodded, not knowing what else she could do to help.
“Come to breakfast, Mikey,” Jesse called.
The boy climbed up beside the man, gazing at him with wide-eyed adoration.
Gram chuckled. “Seems someone has laid a claim to you.” She moved the little boy’s plate across the table so Mikey could sit by Jesse.
Looking at the pair of them, seeing the mutual admiration, filled Emily with such emptiness she wondered she didn’t collapse like a lifeless paper doll.
Jesse looked at her, his gaze steady.
She shamelessly clung to his look, feeling much like Mikey. Keep me safe.
He nodded as if understanding…as if giving his promise.
He bowed his head and asked the blessing on the food and added a desire for Emily to remember who she was.
She silently agreed, ignoring the tremor that raced across her shoulders. She surely couldn’t be a bad person. That dark fear was only from not knowing.
After they finished breakfast, Jesse reached back to the cupboard behind him and got a Bible. “We always read a portion before we begin our day.”
“I like that.”
“We are reading from John’s gospel, chapter fourteen. ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.’” He stopped and met Emily’s gaze. “I believe that is a word you need today. Don’t let your circumstances trouble you.”
Tears escaped without forewarning. “Excuse me,” she managed and hurried from the room. But where could she go? She stopped before the window in the living room, and stared at the table and chairs beneath the tree. If only she co
uld find the sort of peace the view offered. She would not find it in her circumstances. Only in trusting God’s word. But it was so hard.
The canary sang cheerfully, as if to point out that he was confined to a cage and yet he could sing.
Yes, she realized, it could be so much worse.
She sucked in a deep breath and slowly released it along with her worries and fears.
Jesse touched her shoulder and she was glad she had found a safe resting place for her heart before he came to her.
“What’s wrong?”
She smiled at him. “Momentary panic, I suppose, but then I realized how well God has taken care of me by having a good, noble man find me. A man who trusts God.”
He looked surprised. “I’m just doing my job.”
She was only a job to him? She had no reason to be hurt.
His eyes grew serious. “I don’t know much about you but enough to know you are a caring person and someone is frantically looking for you. Maybe not yet, but as soon as you fail to show up when expected.”
“I suppose that might be so. Thank you for making me feel better.”
“I’m off to Wolf Hollow this morning as soon as I make my rounds.” He hesitated, as if wondering if she still meant to accompany him.
Part of her wished to stay here where she felt safe, but only by facing what lay ahead could she hope to learn the truth about herself.
“I want to come.”
*
Jesse made a circuit of the town. He stopped at several homes to check on the occupants—an older woman who lived alone, an elderly couple who were getting frail and often needed someone to take out ashes or get water for them. He visited a home where the children had recently been sick. The mother said they were on the mend and she didn’t need him to fetch the doctor or get anything from the store.
Things were quiet in Bella Creek and should anything arise, Clarence could deal with it. He was only looking for excuses to delay leaving town with Emily and Mikey. He wasn’t in any hurry to deliver them to the Newman family. But she was no doubt anxious to get on the way.