Page 74 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“Will you promise to only go out and about when there is someone to keep an eye on you?” Thesomeonewould be him. He would not trust anyone else with the task.
“I promise. I have no desire to get into trouble.”
“Very well.”
Gram cracked open the door. “Is it safe to come in? We need to get ready for church.”
Jesse gave what he hoped sounded like a happy chuckle. “It’s safe.”
The women hustled about, cleaning the kitchen and preparing for church. While they worked, Jesse slipped out and circled the block, looking for anything suspicious. The worst thing he saw was a kitten meowing frantically in a tree and a little girl crying on the ground.
“Can you save my kitty?”
He reached up, scooped the kitten from the branch, and handed it to the grateful child. If only he could as easily deal with Emily’s problems.
Back at the house, the trio was ready to leave. He was more than half tempted to wear his sidearm to church, but he couldn’t bring himself to do so. Instead, he clattered up the stairs and found the older model derringer Sheriff Good had given him andstuffed it into his pocket. It was virtually useless except at close range, but he did not intend to take Emily out in public without some protection.
Gram had already gone when he returned to the living room. His nerves twitched as he stepped out into the open, and he drew Emily’s arm through his. He would not let her get one step away from him until they were safely inside the church. He insisted Mikey stay close to them.
He hurried them across the churchyard and inside.
“I wanted to speak to Annie,” she protested.
“Here she comes now.”
Emily furrowed her brow at him. “I’m not a prisoner under escort, either.”
He smiled.
Annie overheard her comment. “You’re a prisoner?”
“I would be if Jesse had his way.”
Several other Marshalls gathered round them as Jesse and Emily vied with each other to explain what was going on.
Annie gasped when she heard about the torn and dirty shirtwaist and again when Emily said she meant to wander about the streets. “Emily, are you sure it’s safe to leave the house?” Annie’s sisters-in-law murmured in agreement.
“It’s nice to know I’m not the only one who thinks your plan is foolish.” Jesse crossed his arms, feeling triumphant.
Emily ignored him and turned to the women. “Tell me which one of you would be happy as a prisoner in your own home.”
The women shook their heads and confessed they wouldn’t.
“There you go,” Emily said with conviction. “So don’t expect me to be.” She found Mikey, who played with Evan, took his hand, marched to a pew, and sat down.
Jesse followed and let out a long, frustrated sigh. Why must she be so stubborn?
She leaned close. “Aren’t you always reminding me to trust God? Perhaps it’s time for you to practice what you preach.”
“Harrumph.”
She laughed softly. “You sound very much like Grandfather Marshall.”
He considered her comment. Perhaps if he appealed to Grandfather Marshall, the older man would persuade her to be more reasonable.
Their conversation ended as Hugh stood behind the pulpit. “We’ll open with the hymn, ‘All the Way the Savior Leads Me.’”
Emily nudged Jesse’s side as if to say it was time to do as he said she should do and trust God. But it was easier said than done. By the time the service ended, he was more resigned than accepting, more accepting than trusting.
