Day after day, Emily worked on the wedding dress. Every stitch jabbed at her emotions. But her brain remained impervious to her feelings. All she knew was she had done this before. And so she ignored the way her heart twisted and protested, and continued to sew the lace inserts and the gores, hoping it would cause her memory to return.
Jesse had been gone for three days. Before he left he’d said he wouldn’t be back until he found those responsible for the robberies and murders.
Emily had quit looking out the window at the sound of an approaching horse or men’s boots. She stopped setting the table for four.
Midway through the afternoon, Mikey was racing about the house. He knocked over a vase of flowers.
Emily set aside the white silk dress and rushed to mop up the water. “He’s restless,” she said to Gram. “I think I should take him outside for a while.”
“You go right ahead. Don’t feel you have to spend all your time sewing, though if you decide to stay in Bella Creek for some reason, I am prepared to offer you a partnership in my business.” Gram almost looked like she wanted that to happen.
Stay? It sounded tempting. But Emily could decide nothing until she discovered who she was. She’d named states and towns in the hopes of triggering something, but none of them sounded like home to her.
“Thanks. It’s a most generous offer and one I will consider, but I’m hoping...” She didn’t finish. People must be growing tired of hearing her complain that she didn’t know who she was.
“I understand. Now run along and enjoy the afternoon.”
Emily opened the front door, and with a whoop, Mikey dashed outside. Usually when they walked he dawdled, examining every rock, bug and blade of grass. This time, he ran as fast as his short legs would carry him.
“Don’t go too far,” she called, and he immediately switched directions and raced back to her.
She laughed and bent to hug him. “You are such a good boy.”
“’Kay.” And away he went again.
They reached the intersection and she paused, wondering which way to go. She wasn’t as fearful as she’d first been, now that she had met many of the town’s residents. At least every person wasn’t a stranger who filled her with fear.
“Hello.”
Emily turned toward the sound. “Annie, hi.”
“Going shopping?”
She had no money. And she wasn’t about to put something on Jesse’s bill. He’d already gone above and beyond the call of duty. “Just out for a walk.”
“Me, as well. Mind if I join you?”
“Not at all.” It was better than being alone with her endlessly circling thoughts.
With Evan trotting along, Annie fell in at Emily’s side. The two boys chased each other up and down the street.
“Let’s go over to the school yard and let them play.”
Annie’s suggestion sounded good, so the four of them crossed the street. Annie and Emily sat in the shade on one of the benches and let the little boys race about.
Annie spoke. “I want to ask how you’re doing, but you must get sick of it.”
“I get sick of not knowing who I am. Sometimes I feel like I can almost remember, and then a black fog clouds my mind.”
“I’m truly sorry. I wish there was something I could do...anyone could do.”
“Every day I beseech God to fix my brain. So far, He has chosen not to do so.”
“It’s hard to trust God in some circumstances.”
“True.” For a moment, Emily thought about trust. “More and more I am learning how dependent my trust is on things going well, but if we only trust when we can see the future, we aren’t really trusting.” She embedded the thought in her brain. This situation required she trust God completely—for her past and her future and for her memory to return. Though she thought more and more about what she’d do if it she never got it back. Each time she hit a roadblock. She couldn’t plan anything until she knew who she was. “Jesse’s out looking for the robbers. He said he wouldn’t come back until he found them.” She chuckled. “We might never see him again.” Without warning, her voice broke.
“Emily, what’s wrong?”
She swallowed hard. “What if he doesn’t come back?”
Annie laughed at the idea. “He’ll be back. This is his home and Gram is here.”
Emily tried to find encouragement in the words. “It doesn’t make sense, but his presence makes me feel safe. His was the first face I saw when I came to out there. I immediately knew I was safe with him.” She gave a shrug and attempted a laugh. “I’m being silly, aren’t I?”
Annie considered her a moment before she answered. “I can’t begin to know what you are going through, but I understand why you feel safe with Jesse around. He has a very strong code of conduct that guides his every action. He would never compromise his ideals. I think that comes across to anyone who meets him. So I’m not at all surprised that you feel that way.” She paused to let the words sink in. “I wouldn’t want to see Jesse hurt.”
“I’m not going to hurt him.” But the warning was timely. She’d leaned on him too much, looked to him for assurance and comfort. She’d be more cautious around him in the future. Not turn to him so much. But it was Annie’s words about Jesse’s high ideals that worried her. Just as she knew sewing meant more to her than one would expect, she knew she had reason to fear what her past would reveal.
Nevertheless, she wanted to know who she was. She would face whatever she learned and move forward.
A rider passed on the street and Emily turned. It wasn’t Jesse. She told herself she hadn’t expected it to be. Tried to make herself believe her eagerness to see him stemmed only from the hope he would bring the murdering robbers to justice.
Mikey fell and banged his arm. He came running to Emily and she pulled him onto her lap and rubbed his back. He stuck his thumb in his mouth and rested against her a moment, then he squirmed down and trotted back to Evan.
“Those two little guys are so much alike,” Annie observed.
“I don’t see it. Evan is dark like his father and Mikey is as blond as any Marshall.”
Annie laughed. “Not in looks but both are sparing with their words and bursting with energy.”
“They are that.” The two women chuckled as the boys ran in circles until they fell down.
“I love seeing Evan run about and enjoy life. When I first saw him, he was locked inside himself.” She related a story about Hugh finding his son neglected and treated like an animal and told how he’d advertised for someone to care for his boy. “He’d planned on a marriage of convenience with an older, sedate woman.” Annie chuckled. “Hugh didn’t think I could deal with Evan, but something clicked between us from the start.”
“Locked inside himself? Sounds like me.”
“Then be encouraged by what you see Evan to be now.”
Emily studied the boy. “Nothing is too hard for God, is it?”
“No, it isn’t.” Annie squeezed Emily around the shoulders. “Keep trusting.”
Emily gave a dry chuckle. “Seems I have little choice but to do so.”
They talked about their faith, Annie’s family and the town. Every bit of information contributed to Emily feeling less and less like she lacked a life.
“It’s time I got back,” Annie said. “I like to be at home when Hugh leaves his office.”
Emily grinned at the pink stain in Annie’s cheeks. “I keep forgetting that you with a four-year-old have been married such a short time.”
“God has supplied the family I needed and the love I secretly wanted.” Annie’s face glowed with joy. “I pray God will supply all your needs.”
“Thank you. I think Gram is hoping to convince me to stay here. She thinks the whole town is ready to embrace the lost and lonely.” Those hadn’t been her exact words, but Emily got the feeling that’s what she meant. “And who is more lost than I?”
Annie squeezed her hands. “But not lonely, I hope.”
“How could I be lonely with so many kind people around?” But she was, and would be, until she knew what her past contained.
They called the boys and made their way back home. Annie turned in at the manse and Emily continued onward.
She and Gram had fallen into a routine of sorts. Gram made dinner, Emily made supper. Cooking came easily to her, though she had to be careful not to cook too much. Gram said it indicated she was used to preparing meals for a big family.
She went into the kitchen and started the meal. If she’d cooked for a large family, shouldn’t she have some recollection of them? Were those people siblings or children, or had she run an eating establishment? She must have been extremely busy if she was a seamstress, as well. “Why can’t I remember?” she murmured.
“Talking to yourself now?” Jesse leaned in the open doorway.
She ordered her heart back into place. “I didn’t hear you. When did you get back?”
“This very moment.” He stepped into the kitchen.
Mikey yelled a greeting and raced across the room into Jesse’s arms. He babbled and waved his arms.
“I think he’s telling you about his day.”
Jesse grinned at the boy. “It sounds like you had fun.”
Mikey nodded.
With a heart light as sunshine, Emily set the table for four and served the meal.
Jesse was back and all was right in her world for the moment...until she had to deal with reality again.
* * *
Jesse waited until Mikey was asleep in bed before he told Gram and Emily he’d failed to find the culprits. It wasn’t for lack of trying. “I scoured the country, hoping to find their trail, but they know how to hide their tracks.”
“You did your best,” Gram said. “No one can ask more of you. Not even you.”
“Yes, Gram.” He grinned at her. It was a message she gave him often. And he needed to hear it often.
“I’m off to bed,” she said and climbed the stairs, leaving Jesse and Emily alone.
“What have you been doing?” He wanted to hear about every moment of every day, just as he’d thought of her every moment of the days he looked for the criminals. Not only did he want to do his job and bring them to justice, he knew Emily would never be totally safe as long as they were at large.
“I’m still working on the wedding dress.” A troubled look crossed her face, though he guessed she tried to hide it. “I’ve helped Gram weed the garden, and I had a nice visit with Annie.” She told him of taking the boys to the school yard to play.
Emily’s eyes clouded, but before he could ask for an explanation she reached for her Bible on the nearby shelf. “I’ve been reading, searching, really, hoping to find something about myself.” She opened the Bible and slowly turned the pages. Her hands grew still and she seemed not to breathe.
“Emily, what is it?”
Tears glistened and she pointed to the page before her.
He turned the Bible so he could read the words. She had underlined a verse in Isaiah chapter forty-three. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. In the margin she had written Even in this. And a date. February 1, 1887. Four years ago. What had happened on that date?
She pressed her hand to her chest, made little rubbing movements as if trying to ease a pain.
He watched her warily, prepared to rush her to the doctor if she showed any sign of fainting.
“I remember,” she whispered.
He waited, not moving or making a sound, afraid that doing would stop the recovery of her past.
“I don’t know what happened, but it almost destroyed me. I felt like I was drowning, like my life was consumed by flames.” She rocked back and forth. “I was so hurt. I think I must have done something and paid a heavy price. But I only remember the pain, nothing else.” She bent over her knees, as if in agony.
He longed to pull her into his arms and comfort her, but she seemed too fragile to even touch. He knew the chapter she had marked and ran his gaze down to the verses he sought. Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing. He read the verse to her.
She nodded but did not seem to get any comfort from the words.
He wanted her to know that she could start over without ever recovering her memory, but he didn’t wish that for her, knowing she could not be whole, could not be free until she knew who she was. What could she have done that frightened her so much?
She straightened, wiped her eyes. “What can I do but trust God to bring me the answers I need?”
He watched her, wishing he could ease her worries. Instead, he sat beside her without moving. His ultimate goal was to help her regain her memory and remember her past, see the possibilities of her future. He would not acknowledge that he wondered if there might exist some anticipation of her seeing him in the picture.
No, he reminded himself that he had decided to guard his heart against destruction, and that meant not pinning any hope of a young woman seeing him as enough. But his job meant helping her remember, and the doctor had said her memory might return when she least expected it...perhaps when she was happily doing something else. “Would you like to visit the falls?” He hadn’t planned to say that but it would fulfill the doctor’s orders to do something besides think about regaining her memory.
Her eyes lit. “Falls? Really?”
“Libby Falls. They’re very spectacular.”
She smiled. “I can hardly say no to that, can I?”
“We’ll go tomorrow, then.”
“Okay.”
His heart captured Emily’s laugh. It would forever hold a special place in his memories. “What about Mikey?” Emily asked.
“The trail isn’t suitable for someone his age. Maybe Annie will keep him. I’ll ask her.”
* * *
Emily could not deny her excitement at the prospect of visiting the falls. Jesse had taken Mikey to stay with Annie, saying he would be back in half an hour to get her. She needed to conceal her anticipation from Gram, so she filled the time with tidying a kitchen cupboard.
“The falls are a lovely place, though I’ve not been in years,” Gram said.
“Would you like to come with us?”
Gram laughed merrily. “Oh, no. I have no intention of interfering with your outing. Besides, it’s not the sort of outing an old lady like me could enjoy.” She chuckled again. “But it was sweet of you to ask.”
Sweet? Her? Was she? Emily considered the idea. She wanted to be sweet. Wanted others to see her that way. Wanted to feel that way within herself. But maybe she was something else.
She chased away the troublesome doubts. Today she would simply enjoy being Miss Emily Smith.
A conveyance stopped at the front of the house. Emily stilled her urge to run to the other room and see if Jesse had returned. She waited, her excitement growing as his footsteps thudded on the steps and the door opened.
“I believe your ride has arrived,” Gram said with a degree of amusement.
Jesse entered the kitchen. “All set.”
Emily hoped no one noticed the slight trembling of her hands as she placed a borrowed bonnet on her head and tied the ribbons.
He held out his elbow. “Shall we go?”
She took his offered arm.
“Have a good time,” Gram said.
They stepped out into the bright summer sunshine. Jesse had rented a buggy pulled by a black horse with four white stockings. From a nearby tree, a robin sang. Surely it meant they were going to have a wonderful day.
Her heart as light as the air around her, she took Jesse’s hand and held it firmly as he helped her into the seat, his other hand light upon her waist.
He climbed up beside her and smiled. “Let’s go have a good day.” His dark eyes held hers, promising her so much more than she could accept.
But today she would take whatever came her way with a full heart. Tomorrow she would deal with the facts of her life.
He flicked the reins and they drove away from town. Soon they were alone on the trail. They turned to the west. Pink, orange, purple and blue flowers dotted the grassy slopes. The trail climbed and trees grew more abundantly...dark green spruce and pine among the deciduous trees.
She leaned back and let the peace of her surroundings ease through her. Except for one nagging thought. “If I get my memory back, will I forget all this?” She meant far more than the passing scenery. Would she remember the days she had spent at Bella Creek? Would she remember Jesse and his grandmother?
Jesse didn’t immediately answer. He stared over the horse’s head.
“I don’t want to forget.” Her voice grated from her tight throat.
He brought his gaze to her, his eyes dark and, if she read correctly, troubled. “I know it’s a possibility. All I can say is—let’s make the memory as bright and happy as we can, so you will recall the feeling even if you can’t recall the event.”
“That makes sense.” Just as she could now recall the emotions of her past but not the events. “I like that.”
He squeezed her hand. “Me, too.”
Their gazes held for several more turns of the wheels, silently promising each other a good day with no regrets. And if a little voice whispered a warning in the back of her mind, Emily simply ignored it.
The trail grew steeper and more narrow. A breeze blew in their faces. She turned her head toward a deep rumbling sound. “Do I hear the waterfalls?”
He chuckled. “I believe you do. It’s not far now.” They continued to a small clearing where he stopped.
She looked about. She could hear the roar of the falls but couldn’t see them.
He set the brake and jumped down, coming round to help her to the ground.
The sound of rushing water echoed in her heart, stirring unfamiliar longings. She wanted to know who she was so she could move forward.
She willingly forgot her inner turmoil as Jesse took her hand and led her up a rocky incline. Through the trees she saw foaming water and leaned forward hoping for a glimpse of the falls. One foot slipped.
“Emily.” Jesse pulled her back, his eyes wide. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?”
Pleased at his concern, she grinned. “I can always count on you to rescue me.”
He drew in a deep breath. “I prefer it not become a habit.” He led her back toward the buggy. “We’ll follow that trail.” He pointed out a barely there path through the trees, so narrow they must go singly. But he reached back and took her hand as the path grew rocky.
The thunder of the water grew louder. The roar within her increased. She struggled to breathe and tugged Jesse’s hand to get him to stop.
He turned, must have seen her turmoil in her face for he caught her by the shoulders. “What’s wrong?”
“I don’t know. You know that Bible verse about deep calling to deep?”
He blinked.
She understood his confusion. Her question didn’t make sense.
Then he nodded. “Yes, I know the one you mean. It’s a Psalm.”
“That’s how I feel hearing the roar of the waters.” She pressed a hand to her chest. “There’s a roaring inside me and I don’t know what it is.”
He closed his arms about her and she leaned against him. Her turmoil eased.
“Do you want to turn back?” he asked, his voice so gentle it was a mere whisper.
She tipped her head up. He was such a good man. One who deserved nothing but the best. But before the troubled thought could take root that she might not be what a man like him deserved, she dismissed it. “I would not forgive myself if I came this far and didn’t see the falls. Besides, I’m feeling much better now.” Thanks to his strength and comfort.
“You’re sure?”
“Completely sure.”
He held her hand more firmly than he had before, and they continued navigating the rough trail. Rocks made it hard to keep her footing and she gratefully clung to his hand. They stepped to a granite embankment. Jesse drew her to his side and pointed to the right. Not just one waterfall but a series of them rushed into each other as if falling down a stone stairway.
The powerful display washed away every fear of her past, every worry about her future. God, who made the mighty waters roar, was more than strong enough to take care of her small needs.
“We can get closer.” Jesse spoke in her ear.
She hadn’t realized she’d leaned back against him. Nor did she feel any need to bring the moment to an end.
“Soon,” she said. A Bible verse filled her mind. “‘God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof.’” Such joy filled her she didn’t know if she could contain it. She turned to face Jesse.
His eyes widened and then darkened as he read her expression. “I don’t know what just took place but I like it.” He wiped her cheeks, drying moisture from her face.
“Nothing matters but this moment.” That wasn’t exactly what she meant. “Rather, I can enjoy this moment, knowing my times are safe in God’s hands.”
“Then I say let’s enjoy the time we have.” His gaze lingered on her face, rested on her lips.
For a heartbeat she thought he might want to kiss her and she leaned closer.
But his gaze returned to her eyes. “Wait until you see the waterfalls up close.” He took her hand and they continued along the rocky shore.
She wasn’t disappointed. Only the overwhelming joy of anticipation made her wish he had kissed her, as she’d expected. Except, of course, she didn’t expect it. That was nonsense.
They reached a spot close to the falls and stood mesmerized by the rushing waters, the mighty roar and the rising mist.
After a bit, she sighed. “Thank you for bringing me here.”
“No need to hurry away.” He indicated a natural granite bench and they sat on the sun-warmed rock.
She lifted her face, the spray of the water dampening her skin. If only she could stay here and enjoy this peaceful feeling forever. Or, at least until she got her memory back.
“There’s more.” He got to his feet and pulled her up to his side. Keeping her hand in his, he led the way back along the river. But they passed the trail and continued downstream.
She didn’t ask their destination because it didn’t matter where they went, only that he seemed to want to prolong this afternoon as much as she.
Ferns grew in the shade of the trees. Ahead were bushes with palm-shaped leaves and red berries.
He picked several berries and handed them to her. “Thimbleberries.”
“I’ve never seen these before. Well, not that I recall.” She popped one into her mouth and sucked it.
He watched her, his eyes dark and...
She shifted her gaze past him at the claiming look in his eyes that made her wish for things that were impossible at the moment. “Delicious. Both sweet and tart.”
For a few minutes, they picked and ate berries.
The breeze rustled the leaves, the river gurgled behind them and bird song rang through the air. Again, peace filled her.
Ahead, a crow squawked as it tried to pull something from among the rocks. They laughed at his antics. He heard them and abandoned his task.
“Let’s see what he was after.” Jesse said.
At the spot they discovered a red ribbon stuck among the stones.
“I heard they liked bright things,” Jesse said as he yanked it free. “Someone lost a hair ribbon.” He handed it to her.
“It’s past saving,” she said. She fingered the ribbon. Why did it tug at her memory? Like so many times she’d recalled a feeling but not an event. She tossed the ribbon aside in disgust but didn’t know if it was frustration from something in the past or because of her inability to remember. Perhaps it was both.
Jesse had not noticed her momentary lapse and reached for her hand and they walked along the edge of the river.
She gladly pushed aside the feelings stirred by the hair ribbon. Today was for making better memories than the ones that half surfaced from her past.
He jumped down a three-foot step and reached up to help her. The rocks were uneven, their surfaces smooth. Her foot slipped and she fell into his arms.
Air whooshed from his lungs and he staggered back.
She gasped as she saw the ground disappear behind him. They were about to tumble off the rocks into the rushing water. She tried to right herself but could find no footing and closed her eyes, waiting for the thud.
He scrambled, fighting to get control before they went over the edge.
Just when she knew there was no way of preventing the fall, he jerked forward. They teetered on the rocks. She kept her arms about his waist and backed away until they reached the safety of the tree line. Her knees weakened and she leaned against the solidness of a trunk.
He rested his elbows on either side of her head and his forehead against hers. “That was too close for comfort.”
“I thought we were going over. I don’t know how you managed to stop it.”
“I prayed. There’s no other explanation.” His breathing was still ragged.
She tightened her arms about his waist. “You’re shaking.”
“Maybe because I’m shaken.”
She laughed at his play on words, but the sound ended on a moan.
“We’re both safe. That’s all that matters.” He caught her chin with his finger and tipped her face toward his. “I couldn’t bear the thought of you being hurt.” His gaze went to her lips.
She saw his intention of kissing her, knew this time she wasn’t mistaken, and leaned forward.
He caught her mouth with his damp, cool lips. She closed her eyes and lost track of everything but the sweetness of the moment. He was so lean and strong. His shirt warm. How had her hands moved from his waist to pressing on his back?
He eased away. “I’m sorry.”
“I’m not.”
He grinned. “Truthfully, I’m not either. Whatever happens, we’ll have this afternoon to remember.”
“I know.” She trailed her fingertip along his jawline, enjoying the raspy sound. Tomorrow could well bring a new chapter in her life. Or perhaps a return to the old one. But she would not let the future or lack of a past rob her of enjoying the present.
* * *
Jesse had never felt such fear as he had when he realized he was about to go over the edge. The relief when he’d found solid footing had left his knees weak. If anything happened to her—
He couldn’t finish the thought.
Kissing her seemed the best way to assure himself she was okay. He shouldn’t have done it, knowing she would move on once she remembered who she was, and even if she didn’t, she would eventually realize he was only a sheriff and it would begin to dawn on her what it meant that he was a man whose mother had lived a sordid life. No one cared about that in a sheriff. But to a man, especially a man who longed for a wife and children of his own, it had proven to be a hindrance. But they had agreed to put aside the reality of their lives and make this a day to remember.
He knew he wouldn’t ever forget one detail of the afternoon.
Neither of them seemed ready to leave this spot and they sank to the ground beneath the trees, their shoulders pressing together. She told him of the outing with Mikey. “He’s such a special boy. I hate to think of him having to wait months to join his adoptive family.”
“Me, too. I’ve grown very fond of him.” Jesse would hurt when the boy left. His house would seem empty. Would Mikey return to wherever he’d come from to wait for the Newmans? Would they cross the mountains again to get him or would they change their mind about adoption? Then what would happen to him? Would Emily leave, too, to go with Mikey? Or would she remember a family she would return to? His heart echoed with loneliness.
A sad silence filled his heart and then he realized she, too, had grown quiet. Was she feeling the same as he? He shifted to face her.
“I wish we would hear from the Newmans. I can’t see myself going to Oregon with Mikey, but they’ll know who Aunt Hilda is and where she lives. Once I know, it seems to me the best thing to do is go there. She’ll know who I am. I’ll be able to pick up the pieces of my life.”
“That makes sense. And if you don’t like the life you discover, you can always come back here.”
She studied her folded hands.
He had to ask. “Don’t you think you could have a good life here?”
Her gaze came to his, full of longing and uncertainty. “If I couldn’t remember the feelings of the past, I expect I could be very happy here. But something troubles me, and until I can learn what it is, I can never feel free to belong anywhere.”
He took her hands between his. “Then I hope and pray you will get your memory back and learn your fears are groundless.” Even if remembering made her forget him. Her peace of mind was far more important.
A sharp crack jolted them both to look around.
“What was that?” she asked.
He knew the sound. “Someone is shooting nearby.”
She started to scramble to her feet.
He pulled her down. “Don’t move. Stay low.” He studied their surroundings, his thoughts racing. He couldn’t see any wild animals being hunted nor any puff of smoke to indicate the shooter. Were he and Emily targets? His first thought was of the three men responsible for robberies and murder.
If he and Emily edged back into the trees...
He signaled her to follow him and stay low. They crept deeper into the shadows. When he deemed they would be impossible for anyone at a distance to see, he signaled her to stop and pulled her close to protect her.
“Who would be shooting at us?” she whispered.
“I don’t know that they are, but it’s better to be overcautious.” Than dead. But he wouldn’t share that concern.
They sat in strained silence. He heard a sound far to his right. Couldn’t tell if someone moved through the trees. It could be an animal. Or just the wind. But at least it wasn’t between them and the buggy.
“I don’t think we’re in any danger,” he said after a few more minutes, and he got to his feet, keeping Emily close. He had no intention of leaving her vulnerable.
He stood several seconds and when nothing happened, slowly made his way to the edge of the trees. They would be in the open until he reached the trail through the woods. Why had he gone so far downstream?
She clung to him and perhaps wondered why he didn’t go faster, but he had no desire to risk going over the edge because of haste. She chuckled softly. “I feel like we’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, only it’s truly rocks and trees.”
There’d been no more shooting, no movement through the trees that he could detect. His tension eased marginally. “I think someone must be out hunting.”
“So long as they’re not hunting us.”
He smiled. “Nice to know you can joke about it.”
“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 least in the buggy he would have his gun. He’d chosen not to wear it on their outing. Perhaps 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 the house. 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.