Page 27 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
Tears welled up in her eyes as she soothed the child. “Gram’s bird will be singing a little song right about now. Do you know what he’s singing?”
Mikey stopped crying. He puckered his lips as if to whistle, but the sounds he made came from his throat. Yet they were surprisingly like Dickie’s birdsong.
Both Jesse and Emily burst out laughing.
Emily hugged Mikey. “That’s exactly right.”
Jesse turned his attention to opening the picnic basket and putting out the food, not wanting them to see how he struggled to control his emotions. He was reluctant to let Mikey and Emily go to strangers even though he and Gram were also strangers to them.
“Gram outdid herself. There’s fried chicken, buns, baby carrots, and peas in their pods.” He continued to bring out items. “Savory little biscuits.” Little biscuits made with spicy sausage meat. She normally made them only at Christmas. He blinked furiously at the sign of her concern for this unfortunate pair. Perhaps she was lonely for more family than Jesse.
“I eat,” Mikey said and plunked down on the blanket.
“As soon as I say grace.” Jesse bowed his head but couldn’t make his words come.
“Jesse?” Emily whispered when he didn’t say anything. “Are you okay?”
“Fine.” He took her hand and reached for Mikey’s. He wished they could stay like this forever. It had been a long time since he’d allowed himself to admit how much he wanted to be seen as worthy of a woman’s affection. However, his mother’s occupation had marked him. He was a man with no known father. The lack left part of him missing. All the more reason for him to do his best to help Emily regain her memory.
“Father God,” he prayed. “Thank You for the beauty of the world, for the joy of friends, the enthusiasm of children, and food to sustain us. Grant us a safe journey and provide Emily with the information she needs. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”
Emily smiled. “That was lovely. Like a blessing.”
“I wish nothing less than for your life to be blessed in every way.” Mikey practically drooled in anticipation, and Jesse handed him a piece of chicken.
They enjoyed the picnic, finishing up with a selection of cookies.
“Gram wanted to be sure we didn’t go hungry,” Emily said as she packed away the leftovers.
Mikey had taken to running again. Not going anywhere. Just running.
“Let him enjoy himself,” Jesse said, in no hurry to leave this spot. “He must get tired sitting in the wagon. Perhaps you’d like to move around, too, before we resume our trip.”
“Good idea.”
He scrambled to his feet and held his hand out to help her, keeping hold of it once she was on her feet. Mikey headed toward a pile of rocks a few yards from where they’d eaten, and they followed him. He climbed on the rocks and waved his arms.
Jesse saw a patch of blue flowers hiding in the grass and guided Emily toward them.
“Bluebells. I love them.” She knelt and lifted each shy head. She sat back on her heels, a look of peace upon her face.
He squatted beside her, wanting to share the moment.
She turned to him, her eyes a luminous blue as if they’d captured the color of the sky and the flowers. “What a good reminder. God tends each little flower. How much more will He take care of me?”
For the first time, he realized how uncertain she was about this trip and what she would discover. He cupped her chin with his hand and quoted a verse from the passage where Jesus had taught about the flowers of the field. “‘Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself.’” He meant it to encourage her, but it was an equally good reminder to him.
He plucked one stem of the bluebells and handed it to her, knowing he would never again see the delicate flower without remembering this moment. If only he had time to get to knowher better. Normally, he guarded his heart from such emotions, but her state of mind had brought out a protectiveness in him that was reluctant to let go.
They got to their feet and faced each other.
A cloud drifted over the sun, and a cool breeze teased their skin.
She shivered, and her eyes darkened.
“Are you cold?” He’d welcomed the breeze to relieve the heat.
“Cold? No.” Her gaze went past him, darted from place to place. Tension caught at the corners of her mouth. She made nervous motions with her fingers as if chasing something away.
