Page 52 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
They ate supper without him returning. Emily put Mikey to bed, but he went under protest because he wanted Jesse. She stayed up an hour after Gram had bid her good night but finally accepted that Jesse wouldn’t be coming before she fell asleep, and she went to her bed.
She had waited only because she wanted to be sure he was safe and wondered if he’d apprehended the bad guys. Not, she insisted to herself, because she missed him or because she felt empty inside with him gone.
Jesse had not returnedthe next morning. It required a great deal of effort on Emily’s part to pretend everything was normal, and maybe she didn’t quite succeed, for Gram hugged her.
“I’ve gotten used to him being gone overnight. It isn’t anything to worry about. He’ll be back when he’s finished his business.”
They went to the garden and picked peas and baby carrots, then sat side by side against the house and shelled peas while Mikey played with Muffin. The morning hours dragged, but it was soon time for dinner. Gram tried to engage Emily in conversation, but Emily kept losing track of what Gram said.
“Do you want to help with the sewing again?” Gram asked as they did the dishes.
“I’d love to.” Something about the activity seemed familiar. Perhaps it would trigger her memory. She asked to work on a bodice with tiny pintucks. “I can do this.”
Gram looked uncertain. “It’s very detailed.”
“I’ve done it before. I don’t know where or when, but I have.”
“Very well. Do a little, then show me your work.”
Emily did so.
“I’m impressed,” Gram said. “Perhaps you were a seamstress.”
Emily nodded. “I wonder. It seems so familiar.” But still, no details came.
It took a couple of hours to complete the bodice. Gram declared herself pleased.
“Maybe you can help me with this.” Gram opened a closet to reveal a beautiful wedding gown. “It’s for Amelia Strong. Her family owns a ranch some distance from here. They seldom come to town, but she’d heard I was the best seamstress around and wanted me to make her gown. We chose the style together, but I didn’t realize how difficult it would be to get the lace inserts perfect. My eyes don’t work well enough. Would you have a look at it?”
Leaving the dress on the padded hanger, Emily examined the lacy parts Gram indicated. She saw how Gram had caught a thread of the lace. That was all it took to keep it from lying perfectly.
“I can fix this if you like.”
“I’d be most grateful. I promised to have it done in three weeks. I’m running out of time.”
Emily checked the rest of the gown. There were more lace gores to be sewn into the skirt, sleeves yet to be set in, buttons to attach, and button loops to make. After that, the final fitting would come before the hem could be done. “It won’t take long to finish.” Though she hoped she would be back with family andloved ones before the three weeks ended. She closed her eyes against the fear that she had no family and no one who cared about her.
She carefully took the dress down, spread a clean white sheet over her lap and work area, and painstakingly set about removing a few stitches, straightening the material, and, with tiny, precise stitches, putting it correctly in place.
She’d worked on such a gown before. She knew it with certainty. A rush of emotions flooded her. But was it anger or sorrow she felt? Happiness or sadness?
A tear dropped to the back of her hand. She dashed it away, thankful it hadn’t fallen on the dress. Hurriedly, she pulled the sheet over the fine silk. Why was she crying?
Jesse stompedthe dirt off his boots and strode into the house. Mikey greeted him at the door, and Jesse swung him into the air and rubbed his whiskered face on the boy’s cheeks, careful not to rub hard enough to give him a burn.
The door to the sewing room stood open, and he crossed toward it.
He ground to a halt at the sight before him, and his heart stalled. He put Mikey on the floor and eased forward.
Emily sat, her hands entangled in a white sheet and tears flowing unchecked down her cheeks in twin silver tracks.
He took a step toward her before remembering he had two days’ worth of trail dust on him. Gram would have his hide nailed to the wall if he soiled any of her work.
“Gram,” he said softly.
She’d been so engrossed in her work that she hadn’t paid any attention to his entrance, thinking he would head straight for thekitchen and a cup of cold water. She jerked toward him at his call.
He tipped his head toward Emily. “Can you take away the sewing?”
