Page 93 of Montana Lawman Rescuer
“The other day, I wanted to tell you something, but you didn’t give me a chance.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve been struggling to deal with getting my memory back and deciding what I’m going to do. What did you want to tell me?”
He moved closer, close enough to see the blue sky of her eyes. And something he hadn’t seen in her gaze before—a sense of purpose, perhaps. “You were right about my need to forgive my mother. And I have.”
He told her how he’d tossed the pieces of wood into the fire. “I let go of my hurt. Something else, too. I realized I was judgmental. I think you saw that in me.” He hoped it was, in part, the reason she’d asked him to leave rather than give him the opportunity to respond to her confession.
“I’m happy for you. But that doesn’t explain this.” She waved her hand to indicate the garden.
“I don’t care about what happened to you four years ago. You did nothing wrong. And you can be assured Mr. Ellesworth will not bother you again. He should be in jail.” He explained how the man had tried to take advantage of the landowners. “I don’t see you as a fallen woman, a ruined woman, or a woman with a shameful secret.”
“How do you see me?”
He caught her hand and drew her into the seclusion of the gazebo. “I see you as a kind, sweet, noble, upright, devoted woman. Do I need to go on?”
She sank to the wooden seat. “Are you sure?”
He sat beside her and took her hands. “Very sure. I’m asking you to give me another chance to show you I care. This is just a start.” He indicated the garden, where Mikey had collected twigs and leaves and put them into a pile.
She withdrew her hands. “I rented this house. I’m going to start a seamstress business. Your grandmother said she would welcome me doing so.”
“Just the other day, she told me she wished she didn’t have to continue sewing. Said she was too old.”
“I’m glad she won’t mind me running a business like hers. But that’s not all I’ve decided to do. I’m going to try and adopt Mikey. Grandfather Marshall offered to help me.” She wrapped her arms around her chest. “I’m almost afraid to think a single woman will be allowed to adopt.”
He could change her single status, but he feared to rush her and lose her. He’d let his actions speak for him.
It took him four days to get the garden into the shape it should be. There was a section intended for growing vegetables. It was too late in the season to plant most things; however, he marked out rows and planted lettuce, carrots, and potatoes. If she watered them regularly, she would at least get small vegetables.
The day he finished, he looked at the door. Should he knock and show Emily the garden? Or let her discover it herself?
Actions speak louder than words.
He went out the back gate.
Day by day, he’d grown surer of how he felt. He’d let his actions speak.
Emily lookedout the window to the back garden expecting to see Jesse there. He was gone. She’d been doing her best to avoid him despite the longing that drew her often to the window. She sensed he cared for her, but she needed time to sort out who she was. Was she the same Emily who’d arrived in Bella Creek without any memory? Or was she the Emily who had been foolish enough to be caught in a compromising situation?
Or was she someone else?
Day by day, she was learning more about herself. She was strong and ready to face the challenges of her life. She would do it alone if she must, but as the days passed, she grew aware of an empty spot in her heart that had Jesse’s name on it.
But she had to make sure of how she felt, not only for her sake but for Mikey’s. The boy loved Jesse. She didn’t want him hurt if her feelings or Jesse’s were temporary.
She left the house and went to the garden. Jesse’s work had uncovered a row of red rose bushes. Pink and yellow buds revealed the other colors. Other flowers would soon bloom now that they had been set free from the weeds. She reached the fallow part and saw several rows marked out. She’d have to ask what he’d planted.
The gazebo beckoned, and she went inside. A bouquet of flowers in a tin can sat on a bench. She sat across from the display and stared at it, her mind and heart opening to the possibilities of love.
Could she be worthy of it? Could she accept it? Would loving Jesse compromise his upright way of life?
“Lord God, guide me in the right direction. I don’t want to make a mistake.” One thing she’d learned was how far-reachingmistakes could be, even honest ones committed with no malice or evil intended.
By Saturday, she had made up her mind and walked up the street to Gram and Jesse’s house.
Gram welcomed her with open arms, and Muffin ran circles around Mikey, yapping happily.
“It’s about time you paid me a visit.”
