Shotgun Marriage

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Emma Jane shrugged and speared a piece of sausage. “He came home last night. He came home from the fire. Perhaps we need to put our faith in God and pray for his continued safety.”

It was a trite answer, but what else did Emma Jane have to give? She focused her attention back on her plate, methodically eating, though she had no appetite. It gave her something to do other than acknowledge the gazes focused on her.

Mr. Jackson coughed. “I suppose that’s true. The Lord has protected our Jasper many a time or two.”

Even without looking at him, Emma Jane knew Jasper was grinning.

“You remember that time I wanted to pet a bull?”

This got Emma Jane’s attention. She looked up at her husband, and sure enough, his face was lit up brighter than the midday sun.

“Your mother still needs smelling salts when you tell that story.” Mr. Jackson leaned in toward Emma Jane. “He wasn’t more than six or seven years old, and we were visiting friends at a ranch. Jasper saw the bull in the pen and thought that red coat of his was the prettiest thing he ever saw, and he wanted to pet it. Trust me when I say, never attempt to pet a bull.”

At this, the two men laughed heartily, and even though Emma Jane hadn’t been there, she could imagine the anger of a bull at having a little boy chasing him around and trying to pet him.

More importantly, though, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of warmth at Mr. Jackson’s attempt at trying to include her. He’d defended their marriage in talking to Jasper, and even though he’d also defended his wife’s cold attitude, Mr. Jackson seemed to be at least trying to be on Emma Jane’s side.

Of course, marriage wasn’t supposed to be about sides, but what else was Emma Jane supposed to think?

“It must have been something, Mr. Jackson.” Emma Jane smiled warmly at him, trying to show that she, too, was trying to make the best of a difficult situation.

“You really should call me Henry. We’re family now.”

Emma Jane wasn’t sure which warmed her the most, the genuine kindness on the older man’s face, or his use of the word family. Perhaps things weren’t going to be so bad, after all.

“Mrs. Jackson said...”

“Constance means well. It’s just as I was telling Jasper. Give her time, and she’ll warm up to you.”

Another expression of understanding. Yes, Emma Jane had to have hope that things could get better.

At that moment, Mrs. Jackson entered the room. “What is all this tomfoolery I hear in here?”

Emma Jane tried not to shrink back in her chair, though she did remain silent. Nothing good ever came of opening her mouth in front of Mrs. Jackson.

“Jasper was just telling us of his intention to continue working as a lawman. I expressed my concern, but Emma Jane rightly reminded me that we need to put our trust in the Lord.”

Being so endorsed made Emma Jane sit up a little straighter.

“How dare you!” Mrs. Jackson’s voice jolted Emma Jane back to reality. “If it weren’t for you driving him away by forcing him to marry you, my son wouldn’t be leaving us. And you try to explain it away with faith?”

Mr. Jackson put a hand on her arm. “Now, Constance, you know that’s not true. Jasper’s involvement in the situation is because he feels obligated to repay the woman who saved his life.”

“A woman of no consequence.”

Jasper rose from his chair. “I would be dead without her. Surely she deserves to be given some consequence.”

His dark eyes flashed as he looked from his mother to his father, then settled on Emma Jane.

She felt small under his scrutiny and, for a moment, hated herself for it. She had nothing to be ashamed of. Even if his mother seemed to think so.

“As for your comments about my wife...” Jasper swallowed as he glanced briefly at his father before bringing his full attention back on Emma Jane.

“She has not driven me away. On the contrary, I have not been the best of husbands by neglecting her of late. I only hope that she is willing to continue to be patient as I bring these bandits to justice and find Daisy.”

Was that remorse she heard in his voice? Her heart fluttered in her chest. Perhaps his father’s words had given him pause to think. To consider Emma Jane as his partner in all of this.

“Of course I can be patient,” Emma Jane said softly. She smiled at him, then turned her gaze on his parents. “In fact, as I mentioned yesterday, I am greatly enjoying my work with Pastor Lassiter’s ministry. It will occupy my time while Jasper assists Sheriff Calhoune.”

Jasper’s slow nod gave her the courage to look over at his parents. Mrs. Jackson still wore a pinched expression of someone who’d taken a bite of something most distasteful. But Mr. Jackson murmured approvingly.

“It seems you are both similarly matched in your pursuit of the greater good.”

“Associating with people not of our kind.” Mrs. Jackson glowered at Emma Jane.

“Who is not of our kind,” Jasper asked, taking a step toward his parents. “The pastor? His family? Emma Jane is the model of Christian service.”

“You know exactly of whom I am speaking.”

Though Mrs. Jackson’s glare intensified, Emma Jane found that she did not shrink under it as she normally did. Though her aim in helping Pastor Lassiter was not to receive praise, she could not help basking in the compliment Jasper had given.

“Constance, enough!” Mr. Jackson gave Emma Jane a kind smile. “Constance has always doted on Jasper. This has been a lot of change for her all at once. I hope you’ll give her some grace as she learns to adjust to the situation.”

Adjust to the situation? Emma Jane took a deep breath. More people asking of her, but not...well, it didn’t matter. People didn’t do things for the benefit of Emma Jane, anyway. It was always Emma Jane doing for others. But it would be nice sometimes if someone thought to do for her.

“There is nothing to adjust to.” Jasper slammed his hand down on the table. “Emma Jane is smarter than any of the ninnies you’ve paraded through our parlor. If I had to choose between Emma Jane and any one of the girls you thought I should marry, I’d pick Emma Jane. Now if you’ll excuse us, I believe my wife and I are going to visit the church so I can see for myself the good works she is engaged in.”

After his discussion with his father earlier, Emma Jane wouldn’t have expected his fierce defense. Especially the part about him preferring her to the other girls. He was most likely just being kind, but at least he knew what Emma Jane was up against. Perhaps he was more sympathetic to her plight than she’d first thought.

Emma Jane carefully dabbed her lips with her napkin, then looked up at Jasper.

“I’m sorry,” he said, resting his hand on the back of her chair. “I didn’t even ask if you were finished. Or if you had other plans for today.”

“It’s all right. I’m finished.” Her cheeks warmed when his hand brushed her back as he pulled out her chair for her.

He was being polite, she knew, but it still felt good to have him give even that small consideration to her feelings. And while she’d always known Jasper to be a handsome man, it seemed the more he showed his kindness, the handsomer he became.

If he kept up such actions, Emma Jane might very well find herself one of the giggling girls fawning over their fans at him. Perhaps it was just as well Jasper was chasing after bandits rather than spending time getting to know her. It wouldn’t do to find herself attracted to a man who couldn’t possibly fall in love with her.

Chapter Five (#ulink_36b7da7c-f3f4-5e22-a054-ca5fabec4f5a)

“You don’t have to stay if you don’t want to,” Emma Jane said softly as they entered the barn that was serving as a makeshift shelter for the women displaced by the brothel fire.