Page 81 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
At least he had his work to do, and it demanded his focus. He soon had the culprits locked in the jail cell, and Clarence set to do the first watch. He rounded up men to guard the prisoners at night. He went through his messages. Nothing required his immediate attention.
He sat at his desk staring at a Wantedposter but saw nothing.
“I can manage here,” Clarence said. “Go on home and get a good meal and a good night’s sleep.”
“Sounds like a great idea.” With a weary sigh, Jesse pushed to his feet. Sooner or later, he had to go home. Had to speak to Gram. Had to deal with his feelings about Emily. However, he did not rush homeward but took a circuitous route with the excuse to himself that he was only checking on the town.
He ducked into the hotel. “Anything I should know about?” he asked Mr. Hawkins.
“Town’s quiet, as usual, sheriff.”
“No strangers in town?” It was his job to know who came and went, but that wasn’t his reason for asking. He wanted to know who had been with Emily and what his business was.
“A Mr. Ellesworth, who is interested in buying some land around here. He’s been asking a lot of questions, if you ask me.”
“What sort of questions?”
“Wants to know a lot about a lot of people. Who owns certain pieces of land and stuff like that.” Mr. Hawkins leaned closer. “Why would a man be wanting these particular pieces of land unless he’s heard there is a gold vein, and he has inside knowledge about the location?”
“I don’t know.” Was it even possible to have that kind of information? He would make some inquiries around town. Perhaps this man had approached others, perhaps revealed his reason for so much interest. “Anything else about him I should know? Did he say where he was from?”
“He mentioned Nebraska.”
“He did, huh?” And Emily had a connection in Nebraska. It seemed more and more suspicious. Had she truly lost her memory, or was she up to something along with this man?
He shook his head. Where had all these doubts come from? There was only one way to find out what was going on—confront her. Now in a hurry to see her, he headed directly home.
She must have been watching for him as she rushed to open the door before he even reached it. “You got them. You’re home safe and sound.” She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside.
Mikey launched himself into Jesse’s arms, and Gram reached out and patted his cheek.
This was the sort of welcome he’d never let himself dream of, and now it seemed built on falsehoods.
Before he could protest or extricate himself, he was pulled into the kitchen and made to sit down.
“Supper is ready,” Emily said. “We’ve been waiting for you.”
“Emily has made all your favorites,” Gram added.
“I ’elp,”Mikey said with such forcefulness that Jesse laughed. His questions would spoil the mood. He’d eat first and then deal with his doubts. “Can I wash up first?”
Emily stepped back to allow him to do so. Mikey clung to his leg, getting a bouncy ride across the kitchen.
Despite the questions crowding his mind, Jesse laughed again.
The meal was, indeed, all his favorites—ham, baked beans, cornbread, and baby carrots, followed by thick slices of chocolate cake.
He leaned back and patted his stomach. “That was excellent. Thank you, ladies.”
“It was entirely Emily’s doing.”
“Thank you.” He met her gaze and held it. How could she be so warm and welcoming here and yet kiss a man on the street? “Can we talk?”
He knew by the way her expression changed that she expected he had good news for her.
“You two run along. Mikey and I will do the dishes,” Gram said.
Emily was on her feet in a flash, waiting for him to lead the way.
