Page 10 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“Okay, here goes.” He steamed the edges of the pages until they softened, and then slowly pulled them apart. “It looks like a letter.” He handed it to Emily.
She stared at the folded paper and drew in her lips.
He sat across the corner from her. “Isn’t it better to know?”
“Maybe.” Fear, hope, and caution threaded through her voice. “Or maybe I’ll regret what I discover.” She laughed, a mirthless sound. “Of course, we have no idea if this is even mine.”
He squeezed her hands. “There’s one way to find out. Open the letter.”
With trembling fingers, she unfolded the page and read it aloud.
Dear Abigail and John.
The bearer of this note is Miss Emily Smith. I have entrusted her with the special task of bringing you Michael, also known as Mikey. When you asked me about adoption, I knew he was perfect for you even though he isn’t an infant. He’s affectionate, easygoing, and a real joy. Please accept him as your own. It might help him settle if you allowed Miss Emily to stay with you for a few days.
I am looking forward to a letter from you expressing your delight at the child I have chosen for you.
My sincerest regards,
Your Aunt Hilda
She stared at the letter. “So, I’m Emily Smith?”
“It would seem so.”
She lifted her face, her blue eyes darkened with despair. “But who is Emily Smith?”
He didn’t have an answer for her.
CHAPTER THREE
Emily looked down at her clothes and grimaced. “What am I going to do?”
He knew she meant more than her missing clothes. Her loss of memory mattered far more, but he couldn’t do anything about that. However, he could do something about the other.
“Don’t worry. I’ll find something. I’ll go ask the preacher’s wife to help.” He ignored her protest as he headed for the door.
His grandmother waved him away. “I’ll keep an eye on her. Little Mikey is content to play with the toys.”
Jesse shifted direction and knelt in front of the boy, recalling how lost he’d felt when his mother left him. Mikey was with strangers and a woman who didn’t remember him. It had to be frightening. He patted Mikey’s head.
Mikey looked at him solemnly.
“You’re a good little boy,” Jesse said.
“’Kay.” Mikey studied him a moment. “Mem, mem, mem.”
Jesse wondered if the boy meant to say Emily or if was he asking for his mama.
He nodded. “’Kay.”
His answer seemed to satisfy the boy, who returned to the toys. Jesse left the house and headed toward the church and themanse next door to it. It hadn’t rained as hard in town as it had at the robbery site, which was unfortunate for his search efforts. He said hello to Evan, the preacher’s son who played in the yard with his dog and then knocked on the door.
Annie opened and greeted him. “Hi, Jesse.”
Annie’s maiden name was Marshall. Jesse had been best friends with her brother, Conner, for more years than he cared to count. Annie was like a sister to him. Funny to think that all three of her brothers were now married, and she’d married the preacher.
“I have a favor to ask.”
