LITMIR.BIZ

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and moaned.

      He’d hunkered down before her, spoken to her.

      Her eyes had jerked toward him and she’d blinked as if trying to bring him into focus. Dark blue eyes. Golden-blond hair matted with dirt. He’d guessed her to be in her twenties, though he was not a good judge of young women. She wore a navy skirt and blue flowered shirtwaist, now streaked with dirt and torn at the elbow.

      He had waited for her to sort out her thoughts and then asked her name.

      He’d wanted to soothe her when she couldn’t remember. And now she clung to his arm like she was afraid to let go. The little boy snuggled against her as if he knew he was safe in her arms. That alone convinced him she was a good woman.

      Was the boy her son? Why else would he be traveling with her? And where was she going with him?

      “I will help you figure out who you are.” They approached Bella Creek. “First, I’ll take you to the doctor so he can examine both of you.”

      He pulled to a halt before the doctor’s house. “You wait there until I help you.” He had visions of her trying to climb down on her own and getting dizzy. Perhaps incurring another blow to her head. He gave the two men with him instructions to take the bodies to the undertaker. “Then check and see if anyone is waiting for the stagecoach.”

      He ran around to take Mikey and set him on the ground, then he reached up to lift Emily down. She was of medium height and weighed hardly a thing. Though he might be feeling just a bit protective of her.

      He took Mikey by one hand and Emily by the other and led them into the doctor’s office.

      Doc Baker looked up, saw the condition of Emily’s clothes and bounded to his feet. “What do we have here?”

      “They were passengers on the stagecoach. It’s been robbed. I found it at the bottom of Knotley’s Hill.”

      “The driver and his friend?”

      He led Emily to the nearest chair and she sank to it with a groan before he answered the doc. “They’re in the back of the wagon.”

      Doc nodded, understanding his meaning. “I’m sorry.”

      Jesse drew the doctor a few steps away. “This is Emily and Mikey. Emily can’t remember anything but her first name.”

      Doc nodded. “I’ll examine her.” He turned his attention to his patients. “Shall I look at the youngster first?” Doc didn’t expect an answer. “How about you sit up here, young man?” He patted the examining table.

      “’Kay.” Mikey scrambled up and sat facing the doctor, his eyes revealing wariness.

      “I’m not going to hurt you.” Doc ran his hands along the boy’s body as he spoke. “Can you tell me what happened?”

      Mikey rattled off an explanation that was mostly unintelligible. Between the odd word Jesse understood and the way Mikey waved his arms, Jesse understood bad guys had chased them. They shot guns and then they flew through the air. “Owie.” He pulled up his trousers to show a scraped knee.

      Doc examined it carefully. “I think it needs a cleaning and a dressing. What do you think?”

      Mikey nodded. “’Kay.”

      Doc poured water into a basin and gently cleaned the wound, then covered it with a wide swath of bandaging. “How’s that?”

      Mikey nodded. “Good.”

      Jesse watched Emily as she kept her attention on Mikey and the doctor. A tender smile curved her lips. This boy seemed to hold a special place in her heart.

      Doc helped Mikey from the table. “Now let’s look at the young lady. Jesse, would you take Mikey into the waiting room? I’ll call you when I’m done.”

      Jesse held his hand out to the boy. Mikey hesitated.

      “It’s okay,” Emily said. “Go along with the nice man.”

      Mikey nodded and obediently took Jesse’s hand.

      Jesse paused at the door and looked back at her. She sat on the edge of the table, much as Mikey had, and looked every bit as apprehensive. Jesse wanted to offer her some kind of assurance. But before he could speak, she looked in his direction, correctly read his concern and smiled.

      “I’m okay. Don’t worry.”

      Ironic that she felt she had to reassure him when he had wanted to reassure her.

      He pulled the door shut behind him. Father in heaven, help her remember who she is. This woman deserved to be with those who loved her. Parents. A brother or a sister. An aunt or an uncle. Perhaps even a husband, though she wore no wedding ring.

      Did that mean she was unmarried?

      Perhaps she’d be able to tell him after the doctor did his examination.

      Jesse sat down.

      Mikey pulled a children’s book from the nearby table and handed it to Jesse. “Read me.” He waited for Jesse to take him on his knee.

      Jesse lifted him up and turned the pages of a brightly colored book. “Ball. Cat. Dog. Apple.” He read the words and pointed out the pictures without paying attention as he tipped his head toward the door, listening to the murmur of voices.

      Mikey repeated each word.

      The outer door squeaked and young Clarence poked his head in. Clarence often helped Jesse. “Didn’t see anyone waiting for the stagecoach. Asked at the store and at the hotel.”

      “Thanks.” Why was no one waiting for her? What had brought her to town?

      He jerked toward the inner door as it opened.

      “Mikey, can you read the book by yourself while I talk to the sheriff?” the doctor asked.

      “’Kay.”

      Jesse rose, transferred the boy to the chair, settled him with the book, then followed the doctor into the examining room. “Is she alright?” he asked.

      Doc Baker nodded. “A concussion is the only injury I found. It’s responsible for her loss of memory.”

      Emily looked ready to cry and Jesse went to her side. He didn’t reach for her hand. He had no right. But she took his and squeezed with a strength that surprised him.

      “What if I don’t remember?” Her voice shook with tension.

      “Now don’t you worry, miss. You’ve been in an accident. You’ve banged your head. Your memory will return in its own good time. Don’t push it or fret. That only interferes with healing.”

      Her grip tightened. Jesse squeezed back.

      “What’s going to happen to me? To him?” She nodded toward the room where Mikey waited. “If he’s my son, wouldn’t I remember? But if he’s not, then why do I have him with me?”

      Doc patted her hand. “You aren’t wearing a wedding ring so I would think you are unmarried. As to who Mikey is to you...well there could be any number of explanations. Perhaps he’s a nephew or the child of a friend you planned to meet.”

      Jesse could have informed the doctor that he didn’t sound at all convincing.

      “But what are we to do?” Emily wailed.

      “I’ll take you home to my grandmother.” Jesse had already told her that, but perhaps she hadn’t thought he meant it. Or had she forgotten that, too?

      “There you go.” Doc stepped back, his job done. “Mrs. Whitley will take good care of you. As will Jesse.” Doc gave Jesse a look that informed him he better do so.

      “I sure will.” It was all he could do not to wrap his arm about her shoulders and hold her tight. Her situation made him feel protective. “It’s my job.”

      He helped

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