Page 41 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
Mikey had fallen asleep on her lap, so he was unaware of her tears.
Jesse pulled the buggy to a halt and drew Emily to his chest. “Emily, I promise I will not stop searching until I find out who you are. But even if I never learn the facts about your past, you will always have a home right here in Bella Creek.” He’d been about to say she’d have a home with him, but he didn’t have the right.
She tipped her head to study his face.
He pulled his handkerchief from his back pocket and wiped her tear-stained face.
“Jesse, how old are you?”
“Twenty-five. Why?”
“You are such a good man. I can’t help wondering why you aren’t married. Surely, there have been others besides Agnes. A woman who saw your goodness.”
He shifted so she remained in his arms but wasn’t looking at him. “Not everyone thinks that.” She barely knew him. Her judgment would change as time went on, and she understood the truth about his background.
She edged back to study him. “Someone has hurt you. Someone other than your mother. Perhaps Agnes hurt you more than you said.”
He didn’t answer but knew she saw the truth in his eyes.
“I’m sorry. But don’t let it be the controlling factor in your life. You deserve every bit of happiness.”
“I’m happy being a sheriff and maintaining law and order. I get satisfaction out of seeing justice prevail.”
She left his arms. Her hands bunched at Mikey’s sides.
He waited, wondering why she’d had such a strong reaction to his words.
She released a gentle sigh. “I don’t know how I know this, but things are not always just and fair.”
They regarded each other, and he saw something in her eyes. “Something unfair has happened to you.”
Pain filled her eyes, and then she was drowned by tears. “I don’t know.”
Their attention was diverted by the approach of three riders. He didn’t recognize them. Roughly dressed, their horses dusty, he knew before they drew near that these men posed danger.
“Keep your head down, and don’t look at them.” He reached back for his gun belt, took out the pistol, and stuck it in the back of his trousers—not visible to invite a reaction but handy should he need it.
Emily pressed closer, and her arms tightened around Mikey. “I pray he will stay asleep.”
“Amen.” He didn’t bother urging the horse to move. He’d let the strangers ride past first.
The men spoke to each other ,but Jesse couldn’t hear them. They spread out, and Jesse tensed as he saw they meant to circle the buggy.
One rode to the right, one to the left, and the third stopped in front making it impossible to race away.
“What do we have here?” The man beside Jesse leered at Emily.
“You have the sheriff.” Jesse tipped open his vest to reveal his star.
“Hey, ain’t it more fun to kill a lawman than anybody?” the front man yelled.
“I would suggest you ride along.” Jesse pulled his pistol to his lap, letting them know he meant to defend his passengers.
The man to his right wore a hat so dirty he could have scraped crud off with a knife. He reached out a grubby hand and touched Emily’s knee.
Emily shivered and pushed hard to Jesse’s side.
Jesse’s vision momentarily blurred red. He would shoot the man if he did anything to harm her or Mikey. However, he couldn’t likely hope to stop all three. No, he had to calm down and think smart.
