Page 25 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
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 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 could find the sort of peace the view offered. Of course, she wouldn’t 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. She was glad she’d found a 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 by the knowledge.
His eyes grew serious. “I don’t know much about you, but enough to know you’re 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 madea circuit of the town. He stopped at several homes to check on the occupants—an older woman who lived alone andan 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.
He got a wagon from the livery barn and drove to the house. For a moment, he sat holding the slack reins in his hands. He could not, in all honesty, delay any longer, and he jumped down and went indoors.
Emily stood in the middle of the room, a bonnet on her head and a valise at her heels. Mikey sat on the floor and hugged Muffin.
Emily pulled in her lips. “I’ve told him several times that he’s going to meet his new mama and papa, but either he didn’t comprehend, or he didn’t want any more changes.”
Jesse suspected the latter.
Gram watched from nearby, her eyes glistening with unshed tears and a hankie twisted in her hands. “I won’t cry. I don’t want to upset the boy. But I hate to see you go.”
Jesse thought part of Gram’s emotion was due to the fact she didn’t know what lay ahead for them and wished she could keep them here safe and sound. Feelings not unlike Jesse’s. He caught up the bag filled with their few possessions. “Who’s ready to go for a ride?”
Mikey clung to Muffin. “Doggie go?”
Jesse squatted before him. “Muffin has to stay with Gram.”
Mikey’s arms tightened around Muffin’s neck enough that Jesse feared for the dog.
Gram hurried into the kitchen and brought out a basket. “Mikey, there are cookies in here to eat on your trip.”
