"Depending upon how you look at it, Inspiration is either the sweetest little town in this territory, or it's the dullest place in Montana," Grace declared.
From the mischievous look in the pretty brunette's eyes, Emma could tell that Grace was being playful. "What do you think of it?" Emma asked.
Grace looked up thoughtfully, as if she was considering her answer. But Emma had already guessed what Grace was about to say. "Now that it's been my home, I can't think of anywhere else I'd rather live. I have my friends. My family. And a beautiful place to call my home."
"It sounds idyllic," Emma murmured.
"I guess it is," Grace agreed. "Don't go asking Jake what he thinks, though."
"Why?"
Grace rolled her eyes. "Let's just say it's a little complicated. My brother likes keeping himself busy, working the ranch. And he really likes to keep himself well away from any romantic entanglements."
Emma felt a sinking disappointment. She glanced quickly away, working hard to mask her reaction. Looking back at Grace, she lifted her brows quizzically. "Why is that?"
Grace shook her head and then peered over in the direction of Jake who was standing with his hands on his hips, watching Bethany and Clara with a wary eye. "Once bitten, twice shy?"
"Oh" Emma said softly. Had Jake experienced disappointment in matters of the heart? Emma's immediate reaction was one of surprise. Grace didn't offer anything more in the way of explanation.
There was no doubting that Jake Buchanan was a handsome man. Emma could easily imagine him turning heads whenever he entered a room. And maybe that was something he didn't feel comfortable with. He'd already impressed her as a man of integrity. A modest man. Someone for whom pride would be an unwelcome distraction.
Emma picked up a small stone and threw it into the clear water of the river. She found herself wondering how it would feel to walk into a crowded room with her arm hooked inside Jake's. She could just imagine the looks they'd both get. Her heart quickened at the thought. The sudden heat on her cheeks had more to do with that notion than with the warmth of the Montana sun.
Emma realized the conversation had all been about Grace's family. Not once had Grace even tried to delve into Emma's circumstances. About her and the children. Again, Emma was impressed with the tact and respect Grace was showing her. She and her brother were good people.
Emma thought for a few moments. The time might come when she could tell Jake and Grace about how Bethany and Clara had come to be with her.
The circumstances of how the children had now come to be fully in her care rose into Emma's mind. From the moment she'd realized the placement which the charity had arranged for these two girls was not going to be safe or satisfactory, Emma had known that she was being tested by God. That He was asking her to step up to the mark and prove herself. To give of herself for God's glory.
When she'd accepted responsibility for the girls' welfare, she'd never imagined it would involve the difficulties they'd all been through since arriving by train at Billings. All the promises and guarantees which she'd been given by the charity organizing the transport of these two street-orphans had proven to be empty. The situation she'd encountered had been worse than she could have imagined. But, they'd escaped. That was all that mattered, for now.
Emma thought back to the afternoon, only two weeks ago, when Mr Lawson of the Foundling Society had sat across from Emma in his New York office and entrusted her with the task of accompanying Bethany and Clara to Billings, Montana, where the two girls were to be placed with their new foster parents. Only recently taken on by the Society, this was to have been the first of many such trips Emma was to make, helping to safely transport various orphaned children to their new lives.
Emma had been excited on that day, looking forward to a fresh new challenge. But most of all, it was a chance for her to serve the Lord, and to bring some light to this dark world. It had been a task for which she had felt an enthusiastic and godly zeal.
When she had finally met her first charges, she had been enchanted by both Clara and Bethany. They were sisters who had been residing in the nearby orphanage for about a year. Like many of the children with whom they shared an increasingly overcrowded accommodation, the girls were eager to find a more stable home. A happy family environment. A place where warmth and security and joy could be guaranteed. That was what every child deserved, Emma told herself.
Bethany and Clara had been rescued from their harsh street existence by the kindly concerns of one of the Society's active members. No-one knew where the girls' real parents where. It seemed the girls been living their rough life on the streets for a couple of years, having been abandoned by parents, no doubt overwhelmed by poverty and hardship. It was a familiar story in the big cities back east.
Thrown out onto the streets, abandoned, somehow the girls had survived. That was something which Emma still struggled to comprehend. The girls had endured the harshest existence imaginable. But, they'd still, somehow, managed to retain their child-like wonder for life. She'd seen plenty of evidence of that undamaged innocence over the last week on the train ride out from New York.
Of course, they'd been hurt by their difficult life. In many ways, the girls were simply lucky to be alive. That was a thought which made Emma's heart ache every time she considered what their fate might have been if they hadn't been rescued. But, God had rescued the girls and placed them in her charge. And she was determined not to forsake the precious gift He had bestowed upon her.
Grace stood and Emma did likewise and followed Grace toward Jake and the children. The time would come when she would tell Grace and Jake the whole story.
A thought drifted into Emma's mind. Maybe God had brought Emma, Bethany and Clara to this place for a reason. They'd been placed into the safe hands of this brother and sister. They were being delivered to a place which offered safety and hope.
Perhaps, after all that she and the children had been through, God was giving her a second chance to save Bethany and Clara.
CHAPTER SIX
"There's Inspiration!" Jake declared as they all drew their mounts to a halt on the ridge that looked down upon the town. It was late afternoon, and they'd made good progress on the last leg of the journey. It would be dark soon. The sun was sinking toward the low hills beyond the town. The air was noticeably cooler, but Jake took consolation from the fact that they'd all be at the ranch in a short while.
After plenty of gentle disagreement during the last hour, and hefty amount of persuasion from Grace, Emma had eventually agreed that she and the children would be staying at the Buchanan ranch. For now, at least. Jake was glad that had been decided. He'd wondered, since way back on the trail, just how he was going to address the subject. It seemed like Grace and Emma were getting along fine. That little talk they'd had by the river looked like it had gone a long way to helping them forge the beginnings of a friendship.
Jake glanced across at Emma, eager to see her reaction. He was pleased to see a broad smile on her face. Bethany looked happy, too. Emma was clutching Bethany close to her. Both children had fallen asleep a while back. But the prospect of the arrival at their destination had woken them up.
Jake looked over at Clara, who was sitting with Grace, leaning back into his sister's arms. "What do you think?" Jake asked Clara.
Clara grinned. "It sure is pretty."
"It's bigger than I thought it would be," Emma observed.
"That just means there's plenty to get to know," Jake suggested. Although he knew Emma hadn't made any decision about staying at Inspiration longer term, he figured it wouldn't do any harm trying to win her over to the idea. It might be nice to get to know her better, he admitted to himself.
Jake saw Emma's brows furrow slightly at that comment. Back at the stagecoach station, he and Grace had agreed not to pry into Emma's private affairs. Like him, Grace believed that Emma and the children looked like they'd been through a tough time. The last thing they needed was anyone prying into their lives. If
she wanted to reveal anything to him, Jake figured Emma would do so in her own good time.
They made their way down the trail to the southern end of town. Jake noticed that Emma showed particular interest in the train platform. They rode slowly up Main Street. There were still plenty of townsfolk out and about at this time. The sight of Jake and Grace riding up the street with two children and another newcomer proved irresistible to the onlookers. Most of the townsfolk were unable to control their obvious curiosity.
As they passed the jailhouse, sheriff Nathan Cameron stepped out onto the boardwalk. When he saw Jake, he opened his mouth, about to call out. But, before he said anything, the sheriff's mouth froze, wide open. Nathan tipped his hat back from his forehead.
Jake realized what it must look like. He'd left Inspiration days before with a herd of cattle and now he was returning with a beautiful woman and two children. Sheriff Cameron would be looking for an explanation from Jake sometime soon.
Moving on up Main Street, it was the reaction of the children which meant most to Jake. The eyes of Bethany and Clara were wide with wonder and curiosity. Jake surmised that they were more used to living in bigger towns. Maybe even a city. Inspiration must seem so quaint and unusual to them, Jake told himself. By contrast, Emma just gazed impassively at the shopfronts.
Everyone was tired. All Jake could think of for himself was a hot bath and some good home-cooked food. Of course, there would be some explaining to do when their mother, Matilda, found out that Grace and Jake had brought home some surprise guests.
Eventually, they made it to the end of Main Street and headed out along the westbound trail that would lead them to the ranch. It wasn't long before they were riding into the yard of the smaller of the two Buchanan ranches in this part of the territory. Emma and the children stared with obvious fascination at the ranch house and all of the buildings scattered around its proximity.
Jake saw his mother stepping out onto the porch. Her eyes widened and she raised a hand to her neatly arranged silver air, tidying some loose strands. She looked taken aback. It had been a long time since Jake had seen an expression like that on Matilda's face.
All the horses drew to a halt. Jake got down and tied his horse to the hitching rail. His mother was still rooted to the spot, holding onto one of the wooden porch supports. Jake went to Grace and helped lift Clara down. Then he went to Emma and eased Bethany down onto the yard. For a moment, Jake was tempted to help Emma get off the horse. The temptation to reach up and offer her support rose sharply within him. However, something told him that might not be the best idea he'd ever had. Not whilst his mother was still trying to figure out who his son and daughter had brought home.
Emma shifted in the saddle, and Jake stepped away from the horse watching as Emma eased herself down onto the hard-packed yard. She brushed the dust off her gown and tinkered with her hair. Emma exchanged a quick look with Jake that, for the life of him, he couldn't read. Was she annoyed with him? Emma went purposefully to Bethany and Clara and stood by their side.
Jake turned and strode across to his mother. "Brought home some surprise guests, ma," Jake explained.
"I can see that," Matilda replied, stepping down off the porch and approaching Emma, Bethany and Clara.
Jake walked alongside his mother. They halted in front of Grace and the newcomers. "This is Miss Emma Dunbar," Jake said. He smiled at the two girls. "And this is Bethany and Clara. As you can see, they're bone-tired after their trek today. Even though it was through the finest countryside Montana has to offer," Jake added trying to sound jovial. He knew it probably sounded strained, but it was the best he could do.
In spite of her obvious confusion, Matilda didn't let Jake down. His mother always could rise to a challenge. She smiled politely and extended a hand to Emma. "Pleased to me you," she said calmly.
Emma shook Matilda's hand. "Your son has been so incredibly helpful to me and the children, Mrs Buchanan," she said. "I can't thank you, or him, enough." Emma glanced down at the girls. "Isn't that right, children."
Bethany and Clara nodded and then smiled up at Jake. Was that admiration he could see in their eyes?
Jake felt his face flush with heat as his mother glanced skeptically at him. "Jake's been brought up to consider the needs of others. Isn't that right, son?"
Jake nodded dutifully. "That's the way you taught us to be, ma," Jake agreed abruptly. This was getting to be embarrassing.
Matilda leaned down and shook the hands of each of the girls. "Welcome to our ranch, children."
"Pleased to make your acquaintance, Mrs Buchanan," Clara said enthusiastically. The girl glanced up at Emma, just to check that she had done well, Jake suspected. Emma nodded and smiled approvingly.
And when Bethany and Clara smiled up at Matilda in perfect unison, that was when Jake knew that charms of the little girls had overcome any reservations his mother might have harbored. Matilda gasped sharply and held a hand gently to her throat. She straightened and her smile was broad, delight taking hold of her features.
"My, what delightful girls you have, Miss Dunbar," Matilda exclaimed, clasping her hands. His mother's eyes shone with joy.
"Thank you, ma'am," Emma replied. Her gaze flickered briefly to Jake. He could see satisfaction in that gaze.
"I think my son is right," Matilda said examining the two girls. "You both look like you need a good meal and a chance to rest in a comfortable bed." Matilda smiled at the girls. "How does that sound?"
"Very nice, ma'am," Bethany stated and Jake was pretty sure she meant it. It had been a long day for all of them. And there was plenty of explaining to do.
Giving Jake a knowing look, Matilda rested her hands on the shoulders of each of the girls and walked them toward the front door of the ranch house. "Have you ever been in a ranch house before?" Matilda asked them.
Bethany and Clara both shook their heads.
"Well, I'll get Grace to give you a little tour while we sort out rooms for you all," Jake's mother said.
Grace reacted to her mother's thinly-veiled order and went rushing to Matilda's side. Then Grace led the girls into the house, leaving Jake with his mother and Emma alone. Matilda didn't need to say anything. The lifting of her brows was enough to prompt Jake into an explanation.
Briefly he recounted the circumstances of his meeting Emma and the girls. He left out the part about Vance. And everything that might be even the slightest bit embarrassing to Emma. Like how distressed she'd been back at the station.
Jake decided it would be best if he made it sound as if he and Grace had offered to help Emma make her way to Inspiration after she'd decided to change her plans. His account was all true, really. It just left out one or two slight details. If necessary, he could clarify things with his mother at a later date. For now, the important thing was to get everyone settled in for the night.
There had been no talk about what might happen once they'd all reached Inspiration. Best to take it all one day at a time, Jake told himself. Maybe tomorrow he'd get a chance to find out more about how the beautiful Miss Emma Dunbar had ended up on the Montana frontier.
CHAPTER SEVEN
"Are we going to stay?" Clara asked later that evening in the upstairs bedroom which she was sharing with Bethany. Earlier, the girls had bathed and then everyone, Jake, Grace and Matilda included, had congregated in the downstairs dining room and enjoyed a hearty meal which the ranch cook had served up. Now it was bedtime, and Emma was relieved that they'd finally reached the end of what had seemed like an interminable day.
Closing the wardrobe after placing some of the girls' belongings in the low drawer, Emma turned and smiled kindly at Clara. It was a good question. Were they going to stay in Inspiration? "That depends, Clara."
Clara was tucked up in the single bed, her eyes wide as she clutched the comforter. "On what?"
"Lots of things," Emma explained.
Opposite Clara, Bethany was also tucked up tight in her own narrow bed. "I like this place," she confessed,
smiling brightly.
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