Page 40 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
She let Dawson assist her down. He escorted her to the house and opened the door. “Ladies, Miss Emily is here.” He left her standing in the cloakroom.
Annie hurried to her. “Come on in. We’re about ready to eat.”
The big, homey kitchen buzzed with activity. The women carried the food through to the dining room, and the men and children trooped in. It was a crowded table, a noisy bunch, and a bountiful meal.
Emily sat next to Jesse and, beneath the conversations around them, murmured, “I’m quite certain I have never been in such an exuberant crowd before.”
He leaned close. “I warned you the Marshalls do everything in a big way.”
Annie watched them, grinning as if she knew a secret, and then she turned to her grandfather, who sat on her left. “I’ve been praying a woman would come into Jesse’s life.”
Jesse groaned.
All eyes turned toward them.
She continued gleefully. “So glad to see my prayers being answered.”
Emily opened her mouth to protest, but nothing came out. She closed it, swallowed hard, and then tried again, this time with success. “If you want to pray for Jesse, you might ask that he be kept safe as he hunts those who robbed the stagecoach.”
Several of the Marshalls looked guilty.
She continued, “And while you’re at it, you could pray I’ll recover my memory. Seems to me that should be a little more important to any would-be matchmakers than seeing an unidentified woman at Jesse’s side.”
Hugh chuckled. “Well said.”
The three Marshall wives clapped.
Grandfather roared with laughter. “She might not be a Marshall, but she sure does know how to stand up for herself.”
Emily’s face burned. “Forgive me my rudeness. You invite me to share your table, and then I act all high and mighty. I am so sorry.”
Annie shook her head. “It is I who should apologize. I am so used to teasing Jesse, butI didn’t stop to consider how it affected you. You are absolutely right.” She turned to her husband. “Hugh, I think there has been a prayer request. Shouldn’t you deal with that?”
He grinned at his wife. “Let us pray.”
Emily looked around at the bowed heads.
Jesse smiled at her, then bent his head as Hugh prayed.
Emily closed her eyes and let the blessing of Hugh’s words soothe her to the depths of her soul.
The rest of the day flew by as she was enfolded into the family circle.
She listened as the women visited. They toured the yards, checking on the garden and searching for wildflowers on the hills.
Emily straightened with a bluebell in her hand and regarded the men leaning on the corral fence studying some horses.
Jesse looked in her direction, and their gazes caught over the distance. Their look went on and on until someone spoke to Jesse, and he turned away.
She stayed riveted to the spot. She felt as if he’d surrounded her with protection, and for the present, she welcomed—indeed, needed—his strength.
A shiver snaked up her spine. He would soon enough remove both if she turned out to be?—
She couldn’t think about what or who she might truly be. All she had was the present.
Jesse’s hopesand prayers that the trip to the ranch would bring back Emily’s memory were dashed. He knew it even before she said it. All afternoon, he’d watched for signs of it and knew he would be able to tell. Her face gave away her feelings. All he saw was disappointment and frustration.
On the way home, her voice broke as she said, “The preacher said God will lead all His sheep home. I want to find myself and my home. But I can’t remember.”
