Page 49 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
For a moment he thought she would argue, then she shrugged. “I’ll wait here for you.”
He trotted down the street, found Clarence helping his father at the feed store, and sent him to look for the culprits. The three men who had bothered Jesse and Emily yesterday, plus other men—one riding a horse with an oddly shaped horseshoe and one with silver-tipped boots. They could all be members of the same gang or two different groups of men. He hoped it was the latter and the three that had confronted him on Sunday had continued riding away from the area.
That task done, he headed back to his office. He took a little longer returning as he considered his options.
Doc had given no timetable for Emily’s recovering her memory. He hadn’t even given assurances that it would return. It was up to Jesse to discover her identity and to guard her until he did, but he couldn’t stay at her side continuously.
He reached his office. Emily sat on the wooden armchair, leaning over her knees. His throat tightened at her despair, and he knelt by her side.
She looked at him.
“Emily, let me take you around town so you know where the different businesses are.”
“I suppose it won’t do me any good to sit here trying to remember who I am.”
“Nope. You need to follow the doctor’s orders.” He pulled her to her feet and led her outside and past the town square. He wanted her to relax and stop worrying, but he also wanted her to feel confident enough to move around freely.
They passed the hotel and Miss Daisy’s Eatery. “Miss Daisy does the cooking, and her sister Dorie does the serving. It’s a friendly place. Don’t hesitate to stop in.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
He didn’t push her to consider going in. She had much to think about and deal with.
“This is Marshall’s Mercantile.”
“Grandfather Marshall’s other son? I met him and his wife on Sunday, but I have to admit I barely remember them.” She chuckled rather mirthlessly. “Big tall man with fading blond hair. Like all the others.”
He led her into the store. No other customers were present, which would make it easier for Emily to relax. “George has about anything you’ll need, and if he doesn’t, he’ll order it.”
George hurried forward. “Nice to see you again, Miss Emily. Feel free to look around.”
She thanked him and headed for the yard goods to finger several pieces of fabric.
Jesse watched her. Did she wish for more clothes? No, he understood she wished for her own clothes and hoped something in the many bolts of cloth would trigger her memory.
She turned away, disappointment darkening her eyes. “You have a very nice store,” she told George as she headed for the door.
Jesse followed her outside. They continued down the street. “The assay office. Across the street is the barber and then Mr. Eugene’s office. He’s the local lawyer.” He pointed out severalmore businesses that they could see from the corner. “Behind the assay office is the boardinghouse.”
She studied it, a serious look on her face. “Perhaps I should move in there until?—”
“That’s not necessary, and Mikey wouldn’t have the freedom to run about and make as much noise as he’d like.”
Her countenance brightened, and she laughed. “He can be rather noisy at times.”
Relieved to see her more cheerful, he grinned. “Especially when he’s playing with Muffin.”
A horse and rider thundered down the street toward them. Jesse stepped out to wave him down and warn him to slow down in town. He recognized Ernest Davis, a small-time rancher from east of town. Normally a cautious man. Jesse’s nerves twitched.
Ernest reined up hard. “Sheriff, just the man I want to see.”
“What’s the problem?” He kept his voice calm and his thoughts composed, even though he knew he was about to learn of trouble.
“The supply wagon has been robbed.”
Jesse’s heart sank. “Bo?” Had the driver been killed?
“Shot but still alive.” Ernest gave a snort of amusement. “He’s madder than a cornered badger. Took four of us to get him into a wagon.” He glanced back down the street. “They’ll be going a lot slower than I did, but they should be along shortly.”
