Emma smiled up at Abby. "You think so?"
"You are so talented," Abby said.
"My mama was real good painter too," Emma said and her voice dropped immediately after the words came out of her mouth.
Abby frowned. Emma hadn't really mentioned Lucy much at all.
Emma's head dropped and she started to collect the sheets of paper and began putting them into the box. Abby was sure she heard Emma utter the quietest little whimper.
Abby reached down and lifted Emma's chin. "There. There. Emma. It's alright. There's nothing to be sad about."
Emma's eyes were large and moist. Abby tried to swallow and keep her herself composed but it was proving difficult. Emma's little face was filled with emotion.
Abby hugged Emma and held her tight. Once Emma had settled against Abby's chest the tears really came. The little girl sobbed and shook. Abby held onto Emma and stroked her soft blonde hair. Abby continued to whisper quiet words of love and reassurance. Emma continued to sob, but eventually Abby sensed that Emma was quietening down and beginning to settle.
Abby drew Emma's head back and looked deep into her eyes. "You know what. I think you are the bravest little girl I have ever known. And the prettiest. And the cleverest."
Abby saw a little twinkle in Emma's eyes. She was getting through to her. "That's an awful lot for one beautiful girl. Don't you think?"
Emma nodded and a tiny smile appeared at the corners of her mouth.
"You loved your mama. Didn't you?" Abby said softly, stroking the tears away from Emma's cheek.
Emma nodded. "Uh huh."
"Your mama was an amazing woman. And she loved you very much. You were the world to her. You know that?"
Emma swallowed. "I got a picture," she said softly.
Abby's eyes widened. "Really? Can I see it?"
Emma nodded and went to one of the drawers. She opened it and pulled out a small, sepia toned image. It was a likeness of two people. An elegant woman with even features stood staring defiantly at the camera. She was tastefully dressed and had her arm wrapped around the arm of the other person in the image. Nathan.
He stood next to his first wife, tall and proud and with an expression of satisfaction writ large on his face.
Abby took a deep breath.
"Isn't she beautiful?" Emma asked.
Abby smiled. "Yes she was...is beautiful," she said correcting herself.
"That's the day my papa and mama got married first," Emma said in the disarmingly truthful way that children often speak.
"They both look very happy," Abby said with tinge of regret.
"They sure do. But you know what? You looked just like that when you married papa," Emma said.
Abby looked quickly at Emma and raised her eyebrows. "Really?" she said trying to contain her surprise.
Emma blinked. "Uh huh. You had that exact same face on when you said yes to papa," Emma said.
Abby didn't know what to make of what Emma was telling her. She handed the photo back to Emma.
Emma put it back in the drawer. "Are you gonna be my mama forever?" Emma asked.
Abby felt her mouth open. She was briefly lost for words. Then she put an arm around Emma and drew her close. "Of course I am. That's if you want me to be," she said.
Emma looked up at her. "I sure do. More than anything," she said.
Abby felt a surge of joy inside her. "I'll be the best mama I can be for you Emma. I already love you. Isn't that obvious?"
Emma smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "I figured as much."
Abby hugged the little girl. It felt good to hold her close. Abby wanted more than anything else to protect Emma and make sure she had the best possible life.
Abby looked down at Emma. "Want to go outside? It's a beautiful day."
"I can show you the river if you like," Emma said.
"That would be fine. I'd love to see it. Maybe we can take a little picnic. Just you and me. I'm sure Mrs.Wardle can put something in a basket."
Emma put on her tough outdoor shoes and they made their way down to the kitchen.
Mrs.Wardle put some chicken, biscuits, bread and a bottle of water into a basket.
Abby followed Emma as she led the way. They made their way by foot down a narrow worn path, across a field and eventually they came to a wood. The sun was warm, so it was a relief to get into the shade of the trees. Abby heard the sound of a fast flowing river.
Emma ran on ahead, excitedly leaping over flowers and fallen branches.
"Be careful," Abby called out. Emma was agile and seemed to enjoy making her own way. She was like that, Abby thought. Emma was a strong willed little girl. Abby could only imagine what she would be like when she grew up.
After a while they came to the river. It was narrow and fast flowing. Flat banks bordered the side and Abby found an even, grassy area to settle down on. She sat down and called to Emma to come and help her unpack the food.
Emma came to her and sat down next to Abby. They laid the food out on a small blanket and started to eat.
The trees near the side of the river sheltered them both from the sun. It was an idyllic spot. Abby had never really done anything like this before. All of her outings in the city had been to expertly cultivated gardens with the smells of the metropolis always intruding.
This was entirely different. It was like a little paradise. And she was so happy to be sharing this moment with the sweetest girl who just happened to be her new adopted daughter.
For a moment Abby wondered if life could possibly get any better. It seemed improbable. She looked at Emma and saw her tucking hungrily into the chicken legs. There was an honesty about the life out here in Montana. Sitting here, with Emma, it seemed to Abby that this was the only place on earth where anyone had any chance of happiness.
Soon they had finished their lunch. They both lay back on the blanket. Emma snuggled in close to Abby's side. They both looked up at the branches of the trees and played a game of what they could see in the patterns of the branches. Emma said she could see a face and a castle and a horse. Abby laughed because she couldn't see any of those things. Maybe she was just getting too old to have imagination. That was probably the special quality of a young child like Emma, she thought.
Emma lay her head against Abby's shoulder and pretty soon Abby felt the heaviness of sleep descend upon her. She closed her eyes, telling herself it would be a good idea to have a nap. While the last few hours with Emma had been a joy, they had also taken a lot out of her.
With a sigh she settled in close to Emma and was soon asleep.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
Someone was screaming.
Abby shifted slightly, the heaviness and fog of sleep making it hard to open her eyes at first. She shifted to one side expecting to feel Emma's presence next to her.
Another scream.
Abby moved her arm, eyes starting to open. The sun was bright and made her squint.
Emma wasn't by her side!
Abby sat bolt upright. Emma was nowhere to be seen. Only Abby and the scattered remains of lunch were on the blanket.
A scream from the direction of the river.
Emma!
Abby leapt to her feet and ran toward the river, gathering her dress up in a fisted hand.
She reached the edge of the fast flowing river and scanned frantically left and right.
She heard loud splashing sounds from the right and she moved faster than she'd have thought possible. She stumbled and landed on her knees and gazed out at the river.
Out there, floating in the middle of the river, hanging on to a drooping tree branch was Emma.
And she looked like she wasn't going to be able to hang on much longer.
She was going to be taken away by the fast flowing water if she let go of the branch.
"Emma!" Abby screamed, getting back up on her feet.
"Mama. Help me!" Emma screamed. Abby felt a jolt of panic surge through her body. This couldn't be happening.
She ra
n the distance to where Emma was hanging on in seconds. Abby reached the edge and extended a desperate hand out toward Emma.
But she couldn't reach Emma. The little girl was tantalizingly just out of reach.
"Hold on tight Emma. Don't you dare let go of that branch. You hear!" Abby yelled.
The roaring of the river seemed to have become even louder now. The sound of it no longer made Abby feel the comfort she'd felt as she'd lain back on the blanket. Now it threatened the very life of the thing she most treasured in the world.
Emma screamed again. "I can't hold on. My hand hurts."
Abby could see the Emma's little fingers loosen their grip on the rough wood.
There was a surge of water and the branch stretched and pitched forward, taking Emma deeper into the water.
Abby stretched desperately, straining her tendons.
She should jump in, she thought. I have to get into the water. I have to save her. I don't care how deep the water is.
Abby stood and took off her thin jacket. But the weight of her clothes would surely bring her under the water, she thought.
I don't care, she said to herself. I have to save her.
Emma's face sank under the water and Abby's stomach lurched at the sound of Emma's spluttering and gasping for air.
Emma pushed herself up and tried to stretch for the shore but the force of the water dragged her out and away from Abby.
Oh God, don't let this happen, Abby prayed. Please, help me to save her.
Emma screamed as the branch cracked with an awful, final sound. Abby shot a look toward the tree and saw that the branch was about to snap.
She had to go in. There was nothing else for it but to jump.
Abby steadied herself and grasped the edge of the riverbank.
Just as she was about to propel herself forward and dive into the water she heard the sound of horse's hooves thundering behind her.
The horse screamed as it was pulled to a halt. Abby turned and looked.
Nathan!
Nathan sat atop the horse, eyes locked in horror at the sight of Emma in the water. His face was pale, his jaw hung loose, and his eyes looked like they would burst out of his head.
Nathan leapt down off the horse.
"Emma. Hold on. I'm coming," he roared.
Nathan bolted past Abby and threw himself into the water. As he hit the water there was a loud cracking sound and the branch finally broke off.
Abby screamed and covered her mouth. Tears started coursing down her face.
Nathan's head appeared above the water and his arms were thrusting into the cold, fast water.
Emma's head suddenly moved away from the riverbank, out toward the middle of the raging river.
But Nathan was fast. His arms thrust into the water propelling him toward his daughter.
Emma was drifting away, but Nathan was gaining on her.
"Papa!" Emma screamed, thrusting out a tiny arm toward her father.
Nathan plunged forward, his arms extending out to Emma in long strokes.
Abby moaned and sank to her knees. How could she have let this happen? She would never forgive herself. Ever.
Nathan forced himself forward, driving himself closer to Emma by the second. It was man against nature in the rawest possible way.
Abby screamed as she saw Emma's head sink under the water.
Nathan forced his body onward to the spot where Emma had gone under and, taking in a massive breath, thrust himself under the water.
They were both gone.
Abby stared at the water's surface. She couldn't see either of them. The sound of the river roared in her ears. But she couldn't see them. Seconds felt like hours.
Abby staggered toward the edge, her eyes scanning the surface of the river. Where was Nathan? Where was Emma?
Abby called out both their names. Over and over.
Suddenly a figure burst upwards close to the side of the river.
Nathan! Emma!
Nathan, dripping with water, furious determination etched on his face, staggered forward, chest deep in water, clutching the bedraggled figure of Emma tight to his shoulders.
Abby screamed and ran to where he would emerge.
She reached down and extended her hands to help Nathan carry Emma out of the river. He brusquely waved Abby's hand away and hauled himself up onto the riverbank.
He laid Emma gently down on the grass and carefully positioned her head to the side.
"Cough. Emma," he said firmly.
Emma's eyes were closed and she wasn't breathing! Abby knelt by their side. She reached over to clear the dirt and debris from Emma's face but Nathan pushed her hand away.
His eyes locked on her. Abby leaned back and said nothing for a moment.
Nathan cleared some river weeds out of Emma's mouth. "Come on baby. Cough for your papa," he instructed.
Suddenly Emma's chest heaved, she gasped and then expelled water out of her mouth and onto the grass.
Abby saw Nathan smile in triumph. He turned Emma over onto her side and let her finish clearing herself out.
After a few moments Emma's eyes opened. "Papa. What happened?"
Nathan lifted her up and held her in his arms. Emma started to cry and Abby sank back onto the grass.
"It's going to be okay Emma. You're going to be fine."
Nathan turned his head toward Abby. His brow was furrowed and his lips were tight. There was relief and fury in those eyes, Abby realized. But, she knew this wasn't the time for blame. He'd warned her and she hadn't heeded his caution.
All that mattered right now was that Emma was safe.
"We should get her back to the house," Abby said.
Nathan stood up holding Emma close to him. He walked past Abby and sat Emma on the horse, climbing up behind her.
Nathan looked down at Abby. "Get on behind me," he said coldly.
Abby grabbed her jacket and took Nathan's extended hand to lift herself onto the horse. She wrapped one hand around Nathan's waist.
Nathan flicked the reins and the horse lurched forward.
Abby held on tight and wondered if Emma was going to be alright.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
"What happened!" Mrs.Wardle screamed, standing in the hallway of the ranch house when she saw Nathan enter carrying Emma.
"She fell in the river," Nathan stated breathlessly.
Abby trailed in behind Nathan and Emma.
Mrs.Wardle was wide eyed. "We'll have to get those wet clothes off her right away," she said.
"I'll take her upstairs," Nathan said starting to head up the stairs.
"How did this happen?" Mrs.Wardle demanded.
Nathan paused on the stairs, turned and looked down at Abby. "Maybe you should ask my wife," he said.
Abby felt a knot appear in her stomach. Her breath stopped for a moment.
Mrs.Wardle turned. "Abby? What happened."
Abby frowned and shook her head. "Later Mrs.Wardle. I need to help Emma. Get the water and towels."
Nathan's strong legs took him up the stairs at a rapid pace. Abby ran up behind him.
Soon Mrs.Wardle appeared with the water and the towels and a change of clothes for Emma. The little girl had become drowsy, worn out by her exertions.
Abby helped as much as Nathan would allow her. He barely looked at her the whole time they were attending Emma.
At one point Abby took a small towel and tried to dry Emma's hair, but Nathan forcefully took it from Abby and proceeded to dry Emma's hair himself.
They cleaned Emma up and got her dressed. When she was ready, Nathan carried his daughter to her bedroom and laid her down gently on the bed.
Emma looked up at her father. "Am I going to be alright?"
Abby saw Nathan's eyes narrow, but he forced a smile. "Of course you are. You just need a good sleep. You'll be fine after that."
"Where's mama?" Emma asked.
Abby stepped out from behind Nathan and kneeled down beside the bed. "Right here Emma," she whi
spered.
Emma smiled. "It's not your fault mama. I went playing and I didn't want to wake you."
Nathan looked at Abby and his brow furrowed.
Abby stroked Emma's forehead. "I'm sorry I wasn't there to stop you falling in."
Emma smiled. "It's alright mama."
Abby felt something tighten in her throat and her eyes felt suddenly moist.
Nathan rested a hand on Abby's arm. "We'll leave you alone for a while Emma," he said. "You get some sleep."
Nathan leaned over and kissed Emma on the cheek.
Nathan and Abby left the room door open just a little. Mrs. Wardle said she'd keep a close watch on Emma.
Abby followed Nathan up the corridor and stopped outside their bedroom. He was still wet from his leap into the river. He looked down at his sodden clothing. "I need to wash and change," he said resignedly.
"I'll get you some water," she offered.
Nathan shook his head. "No need. I'll ask Mrs.Wardle to bring some up. I need a bath anyway."
"I can do that," Abby said, turning away.
"No!" Nathan said and the sound of the word was loud in the narrow corridor.
Abby looked at him. "I'm your wife. I want to help you," she said.
Nathan took a deep breath and paused. "You're also Emma's mother and you let her fall in the river," he said bluntly.
Abby's jaw dropped. "Are you just going to blame me for Emma falling into the river?"
"You were asleep when you should have been watching her," he said.
"You heard what Emma said. She was playing and she slipped," Abby replied.
"That's not the issue here. The issue is that I told you my rules. Your role is to protect us. Emma. Me. The whole family," he stated.
"And I accept that. But I only fell asleep for a short while. I had no idea Emma was going to wander off."
"Don't blame Emma."
"I'm not," Abby said and a sob started up in her voice but she pushed it down. She wasn't going to let him see her upset.
"It sounds like you are blaming her," he said.
Abby stepped forward and leaned in close. "I would never put Emma in harm's way. Don't you dare accuse me of that."
Nathan's brows furrowed and he took a step back. Further down the corridor Mrs.Wardle appeared at Emma's door and placed a finger to her mouth. "Shhh. She's asleep. Don't wake her up," she said quietly.
Nathan’s Montana Bride (Sweet Historical Mail Order Bride Romance) (Montana Ranchers Brides series) Page 7