Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage AgreementCowgirl for KeepsThe Lawman's RedemptionCaptive on the High Seas

by Renee Ryan

  Mary gave Emma Jane an encouraging smile. “Your dress might not be the latest fashion, but you are far from ridiculous. The other girls have no right to be unkind to you. I’m glad you came on the picnic, because I’m very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

  Tears rolled down Emma Jane’s cheeks. “Don’t be. I’m a nobody, which will be all too clear once news of my family’s downfall becomes public. Mother thought coming to the picnic would change things, but I fear it’s only made everything worse.”

  “How so? What could possibly be so important about a picnic to change your life?”

  Emma Jane finally looked up. “You wouldn’t understand.”

  “You keep saying that, but how do you know I wouldn’t understand when you haven’t given me the opportunity to?” The words that were supposed to comfort Emma Jane grated on Mary’s conscience. How many times had she used that as a justification in her situation with Ben?

  Surely Mary’s situation was different.

  “You probably already know that my father has lost everything to the gambling hall.” Her words were so strained with the humiliation Mary had been used to with her own father.

  “I’m so sorry,” Mary said quietly. “I do understand. Before my father made his strike, he had gambled away our family’s money, as well. We were living on the charity of an aunt whose cruelty was almost too much to bear. But I don’t understand what that has to do with this picnic.”

  Mary handed the sniffling girl a handkerchief. “Here. I must insist this time.”

  Emma Jane’s nose had puffed up, and it had to be uncomfortable. She clearly knew Mary’s intent and took it, blowing with a force that startled the girls around them. Fortunately, they were all too focused on their own misery to pay more mind.

  “My mother is going to be so upset with me. Not only did I fail in getting Jasper to marry me, but now I’ve ruined her hat and dress. She’ll never forgive me.”

  Another loud wail erupted from the girl, nearly piercing Mary’s ears. Did Emma Jane really think that her only hope of salvation came from marrying a man who clearly did not know she existed? How could she have assumed that after all this time of not being noticed, that a hat, a dress and some paint would do the trick?

  “I’ll help you,” Mary said, putting her arm around the girl. “I know Pastor Lassiter will help your family. As a member of our church, you should know how willing he is to help.”

  Emma Jane recoiled. “My father refuses to take charity. Mother says that the only solution is to marry well. You have no idea what I’ve had to endure. I’d hoped—” Another stream of tears interrupted more of Emma Jane’s arguments.

  So many thoughts ran through Mary’s head in that moment, but not one of them came together coherently enough for her to speak. Though she understood the pressure Emma Jane faced to care for her family, how could she think that making a spectacle of herself would achieve that end?

  Then again, who was Mary to judge? She’d made her own attempted matrimonial mistakes. In that, Emma Jane was the better person. Willing to risk it all, even marrying a man she didn’t…

  “Do you even like Jasper?” The question burst out of Mary’s mouth before she could control it.

  “Everyone likes Jasper,” Emma Jane said a little too quickly. As if she’d been feeding herself the same story over and over just to convince herself of what she was doing.

  Mary took a deep breath and looked at the other girl. “I don’t care what everyone says. How do you feel about him? Does your pulse race when you see him? Do you light up at the thought of being near him?”

  True, they were all the sensations she’d felt with Ben, but Mary wasn’t completely ignorant in the ways of men and women. Especially because those were the things she felt when…

  No. Mary closed her eyes for a moment to remind herself of what this was about. She was not going to consider her feelings for Will.

  Emma Jane sighed. “Honestly, I’m just nervous. Afraid of doing or saying the wrong thing and he will end up not liking me.”

  Clearly not true love. Despite everything Mary had gone through, she had to believe that it still existed and that nothing less was proper inducement for marriage. The problem, though, lay in the difficulty of deciphering the difference between the real and the fake. Ben had taught her all about counterfeit emotions.

  But real love? She hadn’t seen it with her parents, nor with Aunt Ina. She knew of it through Christ, and she’d recently witnessed the deep abiding love between her brother Joseph and his new bride, Annabelle. Surely others, like Emma Jane, could experience it for themselves.

  Before she could share any of these thoughts with the other girl, some horses rode up. Even through the blowing rain, Mary recognized Will.

  “Will’s back.” Mary stood, letting the rest of the blanket fall around Emma Jane. “Hopefully, he has news of a rescue.”

  “Is Jasper with him?” Emma Jane’s voice was strained, probably half hopeful, half nervous.

  Though Mary couldn’t tell, it didn’t hurt to appease the other girl’s fears. “I’m not sure. But let’s get you cleaned up so that when he does see you, he’ll see as pleasing of a creature as we can provide.”

  “It’s no use. I’m hideous.” Emma Jane started sobbing again, and Mary almost regretted her words. But the truth was, without all the paint, Emma Jane was prettier.

  Mary pulled out another handkerchief, glad for Maddie’s warning that she should take some extra. “You are not hideous. I’ve never liked paint on anyone, and if we clean off your face, and I put a braid in your hair, you’ll be as pretty as anyone in this rain. If Jasper has any sense in him at all, he’ll admire you for doing what you can in this horrible weather.”

  Emma Jane continued sniffling, more tears running down her face.

  “And you absolutely must stop your crying. It’s doing far worse for your complexion than all the rain and paint combined. Turn, and let me fix your hair.”

  That did the trick. Emma Jane took the handkerchief and began using it to wipe her face. The handkerchief came back filthy, but at least it revealed a clean girl. Surely that added to her beauty more than anything else.

  With nimble fingers that had gotten far too much practice braiding several little girls’ hair before church, Mary unpinned Emma Jane’s hair and, though tangled, was able to put it into some semblance of a neat braid. She’d have to get the knots out later, but at least it looked better than the mass of washed-out curls and snarls.

  Though Mary wanted to go see what news Will brought, her work with Emma Jane kept the other girl calm. Polly caught her eye and smiled. They’d know soon enough what was going on. Until then, Mary could bring comfort to a girl who was certain her life was over.

  *

  Will dismounted, grateful that the nearby ranch had provided them with fresh horses. They’d also provided another wagon, already covered, and would keep everyone dry for the return to the ranch. With the road washed out, continuing home was out of the question. But at least they’d have a warm place to spend the night.

  He joined Jasper and listened as Jasper explained what would be happening. Another rider had been sent into town with word of their whereabouts, and they’d spend the night at the ranch. In the morning, after things had dried, there was a back road they could take back to town.

  As Jasper spoke, Mary and another girl joined them. He was glad to see that Mary looked to be in good spirits, but then he hadn’t expected anything less of her. Such a cool head in the midst of a crisis. How on earth had she found herself mixed up with Ben?

  He watched Mary interact with the girl, recognizing her as one of the ones who’d gone into hysterics at being caught in the storm. Now, as she stood near Jasper, taking in what was happening, a serene smile replaced the lines of worry. He saw how Mary patted her hand. Clearly, the change in the girl’s demeanor came from Mary’s influence. Mary could be such an asset to him in bringing Ben to justice. If only he could convince her.

&nbs
p; Shortly after Jasper explained the situation, the ranch wagon arrived. From the steam rising from the horses’ bodies and nostrils, they’d been ridden hard to get here as quickly as possible.

  Will helped load the ladies onto the new wagon, pausing slightly at Mary. “Save me a seat next to you. I want to know how things went.”

  The girl next to her giggled, and Will wished for a moment he hadn’t been so bold. Mary was so concerned about people thinking they were a couple, and it seemed that every move he made, even those he intended as mere kindness, were continually misinterpreted.

  Still, her warm smile almost made him change that wish.

  “Certainly,” she said. “Have you met my new friend Emma Jane?”

  He glanced briefly at Emma Jane. “It’s a pleasure.”

  “Is everyone ready?” Jasper came up behind him, and Will turned his attention to the other man.

  “I think so. I’m getting Mary and her friend…Emma Jane? Settled.”

  Movement between the two girls momentarily distracted him. “Sorry, it is Emma Jane, right?”

  Jasper made a noise, then turned away. From the pained expression on the girls’ faces, Emma Jane must have been one of Jasper’s many admirers.

  “We need to get moving,” he said instead. And to his relief was rewarded with a small smile from Mary.

  Her smiles shouldn’t matter as much. And he shouldn’t notice things such as her kindness to others like Emma Jane. Daisy had never struck him as particularly kind. One more thing to remind him that what he’d felt for Daisy wasn’t real, wasn’t lasting. The trouble with his growing admiration of Mary was how much he wanted to like her. How much he wanted to help her. Whatever her relationship with Ben Perry had been, surely he could save her from—

  What was he thinking?

  That was exactly the kind of disastrous thinking that had gotten him shot in the first place.

  “Thank you,” Mary said quietly, making his insides quiver.

  If she could be avoided, he would run as far away as possible. Mary was not the kind of distraction he needed. And yet, she might possibly have the information he needed to finally apprehend Ben Perry.

  Chapter Eight

  The smell of hay and dust hung thickly in the air, tickling Mary’s nostrils.

  The rancher who came to their aid had a small spread, with a small cabin, not big enough for all of them. So they were dispatched to the barn. When it came time to retire, the men would be able to bunk with the rancher’s hired hands, and the women would have the barn to themselves. From what Will had said, the women were getting a much more comfortable place to stay than the men. Though she heard some of the girls complaining, it wasn’t nearly as bad as what she’d lived through in the past. And after being in the rain for so long, it felt so good to finally be dry that she didn’t care.

  The rain had finally slowed to a gentle drizzle, and most of their party was huddled around a small fire the men had built to take the chill off.

  “Why aren’t you with the others?” Will asked, appearing beside her.

  She glanced at him, noting how his hair had started to curl slightly at the base of his neck as it dried. It seemed as though he grew more handsome every time she saw him. Certainly he’d grown in her regard with the evenhanded way he’d handled their detour.

  And the way he looked at her… Warmth shone in his eyes, as if he actually cared. For a brief moment, it reminded her of the way her brother Joseph looked at her, only it was somehow…warmer.

  “I’m not cold.” Mary watched as one of the girls fumbled with the blanket she’d been given. There hadn’t been enough for everyone, but Mary was grateful for even this small shelter.

  Polly and Rachel glanced her way, then giggled before turning away. Mary tried not to groan, but enough creaked out that Will caught it.

  “I’m sorry. I keep trying to be nice to you, but again, it seems like I’ve stirred up more talk.”

  How had she not noticed that he had a decent side to him? If not for his connection to Ben, she could almost imagine herself feeling something for him. They might even be able to be friends.

  Will left her side and went to join the others. She watched as he shook his head at whatever Polly said to him. Polly glanced her way again. Mary probably ought to rejoin her friend, but she couldn’t bear the thought of having to endure any more teasing about Will. She offered a smile, then looked around at the others. Emma Jane stood alone at the edge of the fire.

  Instead of joining Polly and the others, Mary walked over to Emma Jane. “Are you getting dry?”

  “Enough.” Emma Jane shrugged and looked in the direction of Jasper. “He’ll never marry me, will he?”

  Given his earlier reaction to Emma Jane, probably not. “Maybe if you got to know him and he got to know you—as people, not as a woman hunting a husband…”

  Mary didn’t want to elaborate, lest she give the poor girl false hope.

  “I don’t have the luxury of getting to know him. Everyone likes Jasper, so I’m sure I will, too.” A dark look crossed Emma Jane’s face. “Not that it matters. He hates me.”

  The group by the fire laughed, a joyful sound that drew Mary’s attention, just in time to see Jasper tug on someone’s deflated curl.

  “Why can’t I be pretty like Flora?” The words came out like a half sob.

  Mary hadn’t yet gotten to know Flora, so she couldn’t speak to the other girl’s character. “Surely there should be more to a person than their looks. Or, in Jasper’s case, their money. Don’t you want a husband who has qualities you respect and admire? Someone who loves you and you love back?”

  Oh, what a mistake she would have made in marrying Ben. Yes, he was handsome and charming, but she couldn’t pinpoint a time when he’d done something she respected and admired. As for love, perhaps she’d been too hasty in claiming such affection for the man.

  “That’s easy for you to say,” Emma Jane grumbled. “I heard the other girls talking about how you have a fiancé already, and here you are making eyes at Will. You have options. With your brother’s wealth, you don’t need to marry for money.”

  How many times would she have to deny her relationship with Ben before people accepted it? And if they did, would he carry out his threat of blaming her for the theft of her aunt’s brooch?

  Oh, to be able to shout out the truth so everyone here would leave her alone. She was not going to marry Ben. She was not involved with Will. Honestly! Though she’d always feared dying a spinster, it would almost be worth it if it came with the blessed silence from gossip.

  “Things aren’t always what they seem,” Mary finally told her. “I would gladly trade places with you, only I would never wish my circumstances on anyone. Be grateful for Jasper’s lack of interest and your poverty.”

  The irony of her situation wasn’t lost on Mary. If she’d remained poor, Ben wouldn’t be pursuing her so strongly.

  “You don’t understand what it’s like to have nothing.” Emma Jane’s face contorted in pain. “My family—”

  “I do understand. We’ve only been wealthy for a few months. Before that, we lived with an aunt who forced us to work on her farm in place of hired hands. We were barely fed, barely clothed, and in addition to doing chores for our aunt, I cleaned houses and did laundry for many of the ladies in our town. I worked from sunup to sundown, and for several hours after everyone went to bed for good measure. If my aunt was displeased in any way, she’d beat either me or my siblings.”

  Emma Jane looked at her solemnly. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”

  “Before my brother discovered the mine, no one was interested in me. Do you think Ben likes me for my charming personality or my desire to help my brother raise my siblings? No. He wants my money.”

  Emma Jane’s flinch told Mary she was finally on the right track. “Don’t do this to Jasper. He deserves a woman who loves him and cares for him. Just as you deserve the same. Don’t do it to yourself.”

  “It doesn�
�t matter. Jasper won’t have me anyway.” The sadness in Emma Jane’s voice told Mary that her words wouldn’t have convinced the girl otherwise.

  “Someone will.” She should add in one of Frank’s platitudes about the Lord providing for their needs, but it wasn’t advice Mary would have accepted while in Aunt Ina’s home. Moreover, Mary wasn’t even sure it was true in her current circumstance.

  Instead, she offered Emma Jane a smile. “I know your father won’t accept charity. But my brother needs people to help with the mine. He’s on his honeymoon right now, but Collin MacDonald is running things in the meantime. I’ll put in a good word for your father if he’d like a job.”

  At least it was something practical she could do for Emma Jane’s family. And maybe give Emma Jane the hope of a future outside of marrying a man who despised her.

  “Collin won’t hire him. My father once fired him for being too drunk.” Emma Jane sniffled as though she was about to start sobbing again. “You see? My life is hopeless.”

  “Don’t you dare start crying again.” Mary gave her the same stern look she gave the children. “I heard my brother and Collin talking about your father once. Collin said that your father is one of the most brilliant men at following a vein. So don’t lose hope. There is always hope.”

  Emma Jane’s eyes watered. “I don’t know…”

  “Let’s at least try. If it doesn’t work, we’ll find another solution for your family. I refuse to give up, and neither should you.”

  Will approached them. “Mrs. Haggerty brought us some food. It’s not much, but along with the leftovers from the picnic, it’ll tide us over until morning.”

  “I am hungry.” Emma Jane said. “I haven’t been able to eat all day, on account of being so nervous.”

  Will’s smile made it almost impossible for Mary to breathe. “Then go eat. If it’s not enough, let me know. We’re each to have one piece of chicken, and I’m happy to give you mine.”

  Didn’t Will know that men needed more food than women? Mary stared at him, and he winked. “I’ll be fine. She looks like she’d have blown away in that storm had it not been for all the people in the wagon.”