Page 64 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
The Marshall family had already gathered at the church, and Annie rushed forward to greet her. “He hasn’t guessed what’s going on,” she whispered. Annie had invited them to join them at the ranch for a surprise celebration of Grandfather’s seventieth birthday. “Just family,” she’d said.
“I’m not family,” Emily had pointed out.
Annie had laughed. “Jesse is practically a brother. Gram was my grandmother’s closest friend, so that makes them family. Besides, you’re my friend, so that makes you family.”
Emily had enjoyed a good laugh at her reasoning, but being included warmed her. If only she could belong here in the future.
Grandfather Marshall eyed them as they whispered together in front of the church. “What are you scheming?”
Annie shrugged. “When have I ever schemed anything?”
Grandfather grunted. “I lost track by the time you were ten.”
Annie grinned and took Evan’s hand as the family moved inside.
Emily took Mikey’s hand, and they followed. She and Jesse sat with Mikey between them.
Hugh announced the first hymn, and they shared a hymnal. They joined their voices together with the congregation. Shared words. Shared love of the child pressed to both their knees. Shared special moments. But not shared worlds. Hers was unknown. He is clearly known and understood by all. Jesse was a man of principle. His past, the truth about his mother, had created in him an uncompromising view of right and wrong. Which was as it should be, especially for a sheriff, but she shivered to think what it meant for her if her past was sullied in any way.
It didn’t matter. Today was for enjoying, and she focused her attention on the sermon Hugh delivered.
“‘This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.’ Let’s not waste one minute of God’s gracious gift with regrets or worries.” Thus, he began.
Emily drank in every word of God’s provision for her daily needs. In His strength, she would face today, tomorrow, and all her tomorrows—whether with her memory restored or not.
The service ended, and the congregation exited.
“Wait here,” Jesse said to Gram and Emily as the others left. “I’ll bring a democrat from the livery barn.”
By the time he returned, the Marshall family had all left. He helped Gram into the back seat, and Mikey and Emily into the front, then climbed up beside them. “Everyone ready?” He smiled at Gram and Mikey, and lastly at Emily, and the look in his eyes promised a day to hold forever in her memories.
Ahead of them on the trail, they saw the dust from the Marshalls returning home.
By the time they arrived, the others had entered the house, all except for Grandfather Marshall, who waited at the door of the ranch house as they drove up. He hobbled toward them.
Jesse rushed around and helped Gram down. She turned to Grandfather, rested her hand on his, and they smiled warmly at each other.
Jesse helped Emily to the ground and lifted Mikey from the democrat. The boy’s feet were going before they even hit solid ground, and he ran to join Evan and the other children.
“It’s nice of you to grace us with your presence,” Grandfather said to Gram.
“It’s nice to be invited.”
Grandfather made a disapproving sound. “You can come anytime without an invitation. In fact, you could move right in.”
Gram colored like a summer rose.
Emily gave Jesse a questioning look.
Jesse leaned close to whisper. “Old friends, that’s all.”
Emily guessed it was a whole lot more than that. She’d seen the spark in Grandfather’s eyes and the longing in Gram’s face that she likely thought she’d hidden.
They followed the older pair into the house. The women were in the kitchen helping with the meal.
Conner pulled Jesse aside. “Did I tell you—?” The rest of his question was lost as Conner drew Jesse to the dining room.
Jesse glanced over his shoulder to Emily and shrugged as if to say he had no choice but to go with his friend.
