Page 63 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“Like your Gram says, you have to choose whether to laugh or cry, and laughing is better if you can do it.”
“Yup, I’ve heard that a time or two.”
They reached the cover of the trees, and he relaxed. Now, all they had to do was get to the buggy and get back to town. At leastin the buggy, he would have his gun. He’d chosen not to wear it on their outing. Perhaps it was a foolish decision, but he’d wanted her to see him as something other than the sheriff.
He set a leisurely pace going back through the woods and wanting her to remember the good parts of the afternoon. He talked about the waterfall, the river, and the crow.
The clearing lay ahead of them, and he paused with Emily behind him to scan the area. His breath eased out as he saw nothing to cause him concern. He turned to her and smiled. “Are you ready to go back?” He didn’t expect any answer but yes.
She slipped by him and went to the spot where she could see the waterfalls below them. “Thank you for bringing me here. I hope I always remember this day, no matter what happens.”
He gave a wry chuckle. “You’ll have lots to remember.”
She faced him, her eyes soft.
He’d heard others say their heart skipped a beat and had silently mocked the notion, but now he understood as his own heart did exactly that at the look in her eyes.
“I will cherish every moment, one in particular.”
He understood she meant their kiss. He touched her cheek. “I’m glad. I will, too.”
He helped her to the buggy, and if his hands held her a moment longer than was necessary, there was no one to notice. They made their way back to town in companionable silence, content to be sitting close together, thinking of each special moment of the day.
Even falling on the rocks had had its good side. It had given them a reason to kiss, and hearing a gunshot had made it necessary to hold each other. He could ask for nothing better to clutch to his heart when she left.
They reached town, and he slowed the horse as they passed a house on the outskirts. A nice house with a picket fence. The yard was overgrown now. Grandfather Marshall owned thehouse. A young couple had lived there until two months ago when the wife had developed a health condition, and they’d moved to Great Falls so she could get regular medical attention. He’d often looked at the house and thought it would make someone a nice home.
Always, before, he’d thought of another young couple moving into it. Now, he hoped no one would.
He shook his head. Did he really think he might be the one to move in? And not alone? The damp air at the falls must have affected his brain.
He would not be living there with Emily as his wife. He knew that. But he meant to enjoy every day he was able to share with her.
After that, he was back to being Jesse, the sheriff. A man who lived with his Gram and had no interest in courting young ladies.
Maybe he’d get a big dog to keep him company.
He refused to admit his heart hurt at the thought.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Sunday morning, Emily brushed the skirt of her dress. It was a lovely dress and it was so kind of Annie to lend it, but Emily wished she had clothes of her own, if only because they might provide a clue to her past. She went to the mirror, rolled her hair into place around her head and secured it with hairpins. At least the pins belonged to her. The Bible that was hers sat on the bedside table, and she opened it to the page on which she had writtenEven in this.She drew in a deep breath.Yes, Lord, even in this, I will trust you.
Her thoughts drifted to the previous day. She would hold the special memories close to her heart for the rest of her life. Even if she couldn’t remember the event, she was sure she’d never forget the feeling. Her throat tightened. She didn’t want to lose the memory of these days at Bella Creek but she wanted to know her past. Dr. Baker had given no assurances she could have both.
She touched her lips, remembering the sweet, tender kiss. Yes, she would take unforgettable memories with her from yesterday. And, God willing, more of the same today. She blushed at her choice of words. She didn’t mean another kiss but simply more time with Jesse.
She heard Gram descend the stairs and the outer door open and close, and knew she’d left for church. It was time for Emily to join Jesse and Mikey and follow.
Jesse waited in the living room, hat in hand. His smile warmed her insides. He held the door for her and crooked his elbow. She willingly placed her hand on his arm as they made their way to church, Mikey running circles ahead of them.
“It’s to be hoped he wears off some energy before we get there,” she said with a chuckle.
“He’ll do his best to sit quietly. He’s a good boy.” Jesse’s voice deepened, and she glanced at him.
“I’ll miss him,” he said.
“Me, too.” A bit of the anticipated joy disappeared. Perhaps tomorrow Jesse would receive a letter providing information about her. So many things would change when she learned who she was. Everything but God’s faithfulness, and she clung to that fact.
