Page 73 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“Good.”
They looked into each other’s eyes. His were dark and steady… as if promising her now and forever... as if inviting her into his heart.
If only it could be so. She ached with longing to belong right here next to him.
He lowered his head. She saw his intent and lifted her face to meet his kiss. The kiss was brief and light. A tender caress that ended far too soon.
She sighed softly, hoping he didn’t hear her disappointment.
He pulled her to her feet. “Run along to bed now and sleep well.”
She paused at the stairs. He put his gun belt and hat back on. “Are you going out again?”
“I’m going to check and make sure everything is locked up.” He waited at the door. “I’ll stay here until I hear you enter your room.”
For a moment, she considered staying in the living room until he returned, but on second thought, she realized he wouldn’t rest until he’d done this, and he wouldn’t do it until she was safely in her room. “Good night.” She climbed the stairs and paused to check on Mikey. Gram had let the dog sleep on Mikey’s bed, which gave Emily a degree of peace about his safety.
She did not sleep until she heard Jesse tiptoe into his room. By then, she had reached a decision and rose the next morning determined to inform Jesse of it.
She waited until they had finished breakfast, and Mikey had gone to play with Muffin. “Jesse, I’ve decided to try and draw out whoever left my shirtwaist here yesterday.”
“What does that mean?” There was no mistaking the warning note in his voice.
She ignored it. “I’m not hiding in the house or even in the yard. I’m going to go about town freely and openly. If someone is watching for me, I’m inviting them to come out in the open.” Over the weeks since she’d lost her memory, she had gone from shaking with fear to forcing herself to meet strangers who became friends. She wasn’t about to revert to the former.
He banged his fists on the table. “That’s the dumbest thing I’ve heard in a long time. I forbid it.”
Her eyebrows went upward. “What if I refuse to let you stop me? Are you going to lock me in jail?”
“Don’t tempt me.”
Gram cleared her throat. “I think Mikey and I will have a look at the flowers before church while you two iron this out.”
Neither Jesse nor Emily looked in her direction as she took the boy and dog outside.
“It’s too dangerous,” Jesse growled as the door shut behind them.
“What do I have to lose? I don’t know who I am, and no one has shown any concern about my disappearance.” It had been more than three weeks since she’d lost her memory. Plenty of time for family or friends to make inquiries about her absence.
“I don’t know why no one from your past has come to find you, but what about people in your present who care for you?”
“Jesse, the last normal thing I have left in my life is the freedom to come and go as I please. I can’t give that up. Don’t ask me to.”
“Would it make a difference if I did?”
She felt the tension in his words. “I don’t want to make you angry, but think about it. I’ll let you know where I am at all times. You can keep an eye on me or ask Clarence or someone else to.”
“I don’t like it.”
“I will not be a prisoner.”
They did a silent battle with their eyes. She guessed her expression was as stubborn and unrelenting as his.
Jesse did notlike her suggestion one bit. How could he keep her safe? Locking her in jail, or at least in the house, seemed likea reasonable option. No reason it should sting to have her refuse to change her mind because he asked it. His mother had taught him the futility of having a request granted simply because of an attachment between the two people. He could not deny his fondness for Emily. Was sure she held similar feelings for him. But it wasn’t enough for her to heed his concern.
“Please, Jesse. I feel trapped enough as it is with my memory missing.”
Had she purposely widened her eyes and looked appealing? How was he to refuse? And what was the point? She had no obligation to obey him. It would be wiser to be involved.
