Page 39 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“Be an addition to our community.”
“I don’t think?—”
Grandfather waved aside Annie’s protest. “I can tell you are a good and kind woman. Just the sort we need around here.”
Annie mumbled something about him being surrounded by good, kind women but Emily only vaguely heard her. And Annie’s grandfather ignored her completely.
“How can you say that?” Emily asked. “You don’t even know me.”
“At my age, I can look into a person’s eyes and know what’s in here.” He patted his chest.
“Oh, just humor him,” Annie said. “He’s getting old and crotchety.”
Grandfather scowled at his granddaughter. “You’ve gotten sharp-tongued since you married Hugh. And him a preacher. One would think?—”
But whatever he’d been about to say was drowned out by his grandsons’ laughter.
Conner sobered enough to explain. “She’s always been that way. No need to blame the preacher.”
It was time to go inside, and Jesse guided her to a pew. The Marshalls sat ahead, their family taking up several rows.
The grandfather might be old. For all she knew, he said things that were far-fetched, and yet his words that she was a good and kind person encouraged her. Now, if only she could discover who that person was.
Hugh took his place at the pulpit and led them in singing hymns. She knew every word of the songs. Beside her, Jesse heldMikey, who snuggled into his arms. It didn’t surprise her that Jesse had a good voice. It was a joy to sing with him.
Then Hugh opened his Bible. “Today, I want to talk about the one lost sheep. No one is ever lost in God’s sight.” He proceeded to tell how his son had been lost to him, but God had enabled him to find the boy. “Whether you are lost in the woods or lost spiritually, God sees you. Ask Him to help you find your way back home and to Him.”
Emily drank in the words. She would trust God. He would bring her to herself.
Preacher Hugh announced the closing hymn—Amazing Grace.
Never before had Emily felt the truth of the words so strongly.
I once was lost but now am found. Was blind but now I see.
She was lost and blind, but she would trust God no matter what.
After church, Jesse went to the livery station to rent a buggy, and they were soon on their way to the Marshall Five Ranch. Emily looked about eagerly. There was something about a ranch that pulled at her thoughts. She both feared and anticipated that the visit might bring back her memory.
“There it is.” Jesse pointed toward an impressive set of buildings—a two-story log-and-timber house with two smaller houses behind. One had the appearance of being newly built or even still under construction. There was also a good-sized barn and several other buildings.
“It’s bigger than I expected.”
“I told you. The Marshalls are big.”
She laughed at the way he said it as if he resented it, but she heard the affection in his voice and knew he didn’t.
They reached the largest of the houses. Children raced about everywhere. Grandfather sat on the veranda, his eyes bright and eager. His son and grandsons flanked him.
Emily spoke out of the corner of her mouth. “I feel like I’m being stared at.”
Then Dawson rushed forward to welcome them. He reached for Mikey. “You want to go play with the other children?”
As soon as Mikey’s feet hit the ground, he ran to join the others.
“I can’t believe it,” Emily said. “I expected him to be shy. Didn’t you?” she asked Jesse.
“He certainly isn’t shy around children.” Jesse looked thoughtful as if that bit of knowledge meant something.
