Shotgun Marriage (Leadville, Co. Book 3) Read online

  She handed it to him.

  “Why is this so heavy? We can’t take much.”

  “Moses needs his milk and change of diapers and clothes.” Selfishly, she’d also packed her Bible. It had come too far to be left behind now.

  Jasper didn’t respond but took the saddlebag and secured it to the horse.

  “You’ll have to ride astride,” he told her solemnly. “It’s not proper, but it’s the only way we’re going to make good time.”

  Emma Jane nodded slowly. “I can do it.”

  He helped her onto the horse, then mounted. The horse reared. Emma Jane clung to Jasper as he got the horse under control.

  “Well, I guess we know why he was standing all alone with a saddle on him. He’s barely saddle broke.”

  “I don’t know what that means,” she said.

  “It’s going to be a rough ride. Hang on as tight as you can, and if I tell you to do something, do it quickly, without questioning or arguing.”

  “All right.”

  “Now stay quiet.”

  Jasper led the horse into the clearing. They had several dozen yards of open space where the bandits could see them before they would find the protection of the rocks.

  Once they got to the rocks, and out of sight of the bandits, Jasper made a clicking sound, and his legs scraped against hers as he urged the horse on.

  The horse took off—faster than anything Emma Jane had ever been on, even faster than when the bandits had kidnapped her.

  After the initial jolt, the horse settled into a rhythm, and as she squeezed Jasper tight, she found the warmth of his body in front of hers comforting. Her arms wrapped around his large, solid frame made her feel more secure than she’d imagined. Even little Moses seemed to be lulled into sleep as they barreled down the mountainside.

  It seemed almost impossible to feel so sheltered with so much at stake. The farther they got from the cabin, the safer Emma Jane felt. At least until she looked down. The ground whizzed past them at an alarming speed.

  “Don’t,” Jasper commanded. “If you look at the ground, you’ll lose your orientation. Look out or close your eyes.”

  “How did you know?”

  “I can feel your weight shift. Keep steady.”

  She pressed her head against his back, keeping enough space at her midsection so Moses had plenty of room. The wind was blowing harder now, and the little ice pellets had begun to turn to snow. Without her legs fully covered by her skirts, the air seemed even colder. Emma Jane shivered. The wind howled in response.

  As she looked around, their surroundings became increasingly white. Though it would be almost impossible for the bandits to come searching for them in this weather, Emma Jane couldn’t help but think that their chances of survival were almost as slim.

  Saying a quick prayer, Emma Jane huddled closer to Jasper, grateful that Moses had the body heat of the two of them to keep him warm. Still, she feared that if they didn’t find shelter soon, they would all freeze to death.

  * * *

  Jasper blinked against the decreasing visibility. The snow was almost blinding now, and even though he’d pointed the horse in the right direction toward town, he still feared they might be lost.

  Escaping with a blizzard approaching had been a good idea in theory. However, he hadn’t anticipated the weather would move in this fast. The wind screeching at his ears mocked him for daring to think he could predict Mother Nature.

  He glanced behind him once again to be sure the bandits hadn’t followed. The good news about the fast-moving storm was that their tracks were being erased by the snow and wind.

  As for the bad news, well, Jasper just had to keep hoping they were indeed headed in the right direction.

  Emma Jane’s head rested on his back, but her body was not pressed as firmly against his as he would have liked. If the horse slipped on the ice, she would be jolted and easily fall off. But a tiny bundle lay between them—the baby.

  On one hand, his wife was right. He couldn’t leave a child behind to die. On the other hand, why hadn’t she at least talked to him? Why hadn’t she asked his opinion? One more decision about his life that was made for him without his consent.

  Worse, Emma Jane had to have known that he wouldn’t have said no to rescuing the baby, even if it did make escaping more difficult. Which meant he shouldn’t be mad, except he felt as though she was taking advantage of his good nature and making assumptions about what he wanted without discussing it first.

  And yet...how could he resist the warmth of the woman pressed against him, who would stand up to anyone who would harm an innocent child? He was mad, yes, but how could he stay mad knowing that Emma Jane was only acting in accordance with her good nature?

  The snow started falling harder. No, falling wasn’t the right word. It was as though the snow was coming at them like a train barreling down the mountain with no brakes. Faster, faster and still faster, with no end in sight.

  He could feel Emma Jane shiver against him.

  “We’ve got to be close,” he shouted back at her. A half truth, because he really didn’t know how close they were, and traveling against the wind, he’d had to slow the horse’s pace to a walk.

  The truth was, they could be miles from town yet. Worse, with the whiteout conditions, they could have veered far off course.

  Why had he been such a fool as to think he could outrun both a gang of bandits and a storm?

  “I hope so,” Emma Jane shouted back. “I can’t feel my legs.”

  A quick glance behind him reminded Jasper that, riding astride, Emma Jane’s legs were partially exposed. Her thin stockings would yield little protection against the cold.

  He gritted his teeth. Why hadn’t he thought this plan through? He’d thought he had, and yet, the farther they went, the more he realized that Emma Jane might have been right to be more cautious.

  “Let’s pray we find shelter soon.”

  God had never bothered with such trivialities in Jasper’s life. Why would He? After all, he had pretty much everything a body could want. Then again, Jasper had never asked.

  But it seemed like Emma Jane’s faith was different. She talked to God about these things and seemed to believe that God was real in His actions toward her.

  He couldn’t hear her words, but the soft murmur of her words echoed against his back. It was like all the time she’d spent reading her Bible to Daisy in the cabin. Emma Jane had spoken quietly enough that Jasper couldn’t hear the words, and yet he’d felt a greater peace than he imagined would be possible given the circumstances.

  Even now, Emma Jane’s hands around his waist felt warmer, even though he was pretty sure she was in danger of frostbite.

  Frostbite.

  One more thing he hadn’t thought of in planning their escape. He could only hope that they’d both survive long enough for Emma Jane to forgive him for being so...

  Wait. Were those lights in the distance?

  At first it was hard to tell with the snow swirling around them, but then Emma Jane spoke.

  “Is that what I think it is?”

  Jasper nudged the horse to go faster. The animal also seemed to sense they were close to civilization as it lifted its head. Soon, he could smell smoke on the air, and the horse picked up its pace.

  The lights weren’t bright enough to be Leadville, or even one of the small neighboring towns. More than likely, they’d come upon a ranch or some other outpost.

  “What if we’ve just gone in a circle and returned to the bandits?” Emma Jane’s query chilled him far more than the swirling ice and snow.

  Had they come all this way for nothing?

  “We’d have seen the rock formations.” But as soon as the words came out of his mouth, he knew that with such low visibility, they could have easily mi
ssed them.

  Surely the answer to Emma Jane’s prayer wasn’t to return them to the bandits?

  But even so, at least they’d be warm.

  A gust of wind sent the snow swirling past them, revealing a sign up ahead. There were no signs in front of the gang’s cabin. Which meant they were safe.

  As long as the owners of the building ahead were friendly.

  They got closer to the sign.

  “I know where we are,” Emma Jane shouted just as Jasper was able to read what it said.

  Spruce Lakes Resort.

  If there was a place worse than arriving back at the bandits’ hideout, this would be it. Not because it wasn’t a nice place, or the owners weren’t welcoming and friendly, but because he wasn’t ready to deal with the memories associated with the place.

  After he and Emma Jane had been trapped in the mine together, they’d been brought here. The resort was closer to the mine than town and had the advantage of having a doctor there, who could tend their injuries. Emma Jane had been unconscious, and Jasper had feared for her life.

  At the time, Jasper had said that he’d be willing to do anything, if only Emma Jane would survive. He’d made that promise before he knew that getting compromised by him had been Emma Jane’s plan all along.

  “It will be so good to see the Lewises again,” Emma Jane said, her teeth chattering. “They were so helpful the last time we were here. I can’t think of a better place to wait out a storm. I have so many pleasant memories of our time here.”

  Jasper swallowed the bile that rose up in his throat. He, too, had pleasant memories of their time here. At least until they’d been tainted by overhearing Emma Jane’s mother congratulate her on finding such a masterful way of compromising herself.

  Jasper snorted, then choked on the snow. Just how much of the friendship they’d developed while at the resort had been real?

  He’d like to think that they were starting to become friends again, but could he trust those feelings? What emotions could he trust when it came to Emma Jane?

  As if to echo his tumultuous thoughts, the baby let out a small cry. Weak, thready, almost as if he, too, was cold and weary.

  “It’s all right, Moses, we’re almost there,” Emma Jane said gently, the wind having shifted so that it carried each and every word straight to Jasper’s heart. So gentle and loving, the tenderness made him yearn for some of that directed towards him.

  But how could they ever hope to find common ground when Emma Jane seemed determined to do everything her way? She hadn’t even asked him what he’d thought of the baby’s name. Jasper shivered, forcing his hands to maintain their grip on the reins. He had so many reasons to be angry with her, yet as he felt Emma Jane tremble against him, he found it easier to hold on to the icy reins than to count them.

  They reached the hotel, and Jasper slid off the horse, his body half-frozen, then helped Emma Jane down. She landed, unsteady, but never losing her grip on the baby.

  Jasper pounded on the door.

  Stephen Lewis opened the door. “Jasper?”

  “We got lost in the storm. Emma Jane is nearly frozen through.”

  Stephen ushered them in quickly as Mrs. Lewis came around the corner. “Olivia, put some water on.”

  “Oh, my!” Mrs. Lewis scurried off, and Stephen helped them get settled by the fire.

  Emma Jane’s lips had turned blue, and her normally pale skin had turned such a deathly pallor that Jasper feared they’d gotten her inside too late.

  Stephen handed her a thick buffalo robe.

  But Emma Jane, fool that she was, said, “Wait, we need to be sure the baby is all right first. Help me untie this shawl.”

  Another woman scurried over and quickly helped Emma Jane with the bundle.

  “It’s a baby.”

  “Yes,” Emma Jane said, the exhaustion in her voice obvious. “I’ve done everything I could for poor Moses, but I’m afraid...”

  As much as Jasper resented Emma Jane taking on the baby without his consent, it didn’t mean Jasper wished him ill. Just as he started to say a prayer that the baby would be all right, the woman took Moses in her arms.

  “Oh, the little dear. He is chilled to the bone. But he’ll be fine. Nothing a little of his mother’s milk and a good cuddle won’t fix.”

  The woman held the baby out to Emma Jane, and she shook her head.

  “His mother is dead. I’ve been taking care of him.” She turned to Jasper. “His bottles and milk are in the saddlebags. Hopefully, it’s not too frozen for him to drink.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” the woman said, pulling the baby closer to her. “I’ve a baby of my own and plenty of milk. I’ll just take him in the other room and feed him.”

  “Could I...” Emma Jane’s fatigue was more visible now, and she closed her eyes for a moment before continuing. “That is, I know you need your privacy, but I’ve been caring for him like my own, and I just need to be sure he’ll be all right.”

  “Of course. We’ll sit by the stove in the kitchen, where it’s warm. Perhaps Mother will have some warm broth ready for you to drink.”

  Emma Jane seemed to gain more strength with the woman’s words, and Jasper watched as the two women exited the room.

  “Don’t you worry none about the wee one. Abigail is my daughter, and a fine mother, if I do say so,” Stephen said, smiling as his wife reentered the room, carrying a tray with a pot of tea and a bowl of steaming broth.

  “Indeed she is.” Mrs. Lewis smiled back at her husband. “I was thinking it was too early for the two of you to have a baby already, but knowing your generosity in taking in a foundling child, oh, how it does my heart good.”

  She handed Jasper the bowl. “This’ll warm you right up. You’re a good man, Jasper Jackson, and we are so pleased to once again be of service to you. The world needs more people like you.”

  He tried sipping the broth, but his throat was too clogged with emotion for it to go down. The Lewises might think he was a good man, but Jasper had his doubts. His desire to be a good man and bring justice to poor Mel was what had landed them in this situation. He’d nearly killed himself, Emma Jane and an innocent child.

  As for his generosity in taking in the baby, how could it be considered generosity when it had been foisted upon him? He’d never agreed to raise the child, and despite what Emma Jane said on the matter, he wasn’t sure he was going to. Jasper had done his duty by saving the baby, but now...now they could find the baby a real home, with a real family.

  Chapter Twelve

  The next morning, Emma Jane held Moses as the women sat near the fire, working on some embroidery. He hadn’t fussed at all since coming to Spruce Lakes Resort. Abigail said that, most likely, the goat’s milk had been upsetting the baby’s stomach. She’d said she had plenty of milk for both her baby, who was nearly weaned, and Moses. And so, since their arrival, Abigail had been feeding the little boy.

  “I declare, I haven’t seen a baby fill out so fast in all my life,” Olivia Lewis said with a smile as she handed Emma Jane an embroidered cloth. “Just look at those chubby cheeks.”

  “What’s this?” She looked at the fine stitching and held it up to the light.

  “Those rags you came with for him are disgraceful. I’ve made so many diapers for my babies and grandbabies that putting together a few things for little Moses was simple.”

  Emma Jane warmed at the older woman’s generosity. For the second time, she felt so loved and well nurtured by this virtual stranger. And yet, Olivia felt dearer to her than her own mother.

  “Thank you. Your kindness means the world to me. I know nothing about babies, just that they’re darling little creatures. But I promised his mother I’d care for him as my own before she died, so I hope you’ll teach me everything I need to know.”

 
“You’re a natural. Isn’t she, Abigail?”

  Abigail smiled as she reached forward and tickled Moses under his chin. “Indeed. You’d think he really was your own child. Had you not explained the circumstances of his birth, I wouldn’t have known he wasn’t yours.”

  The compliment gave Emma Jane more confidence than she thought it would. Until now, she hadn’t realized her own fears in becoming a mother. Yes, she’d always loved babies, but her own mother had never done any of the motherly things she saw happening between Olivia and Abigail. The unmistakable affection between the two women sent a twinge to Emma Jane’s heart.

  Jasper and Stephen entered the room, flanked by Charles, Abigail’s husband.

  “Jasper!” Olivia smiled up at the men. “I was just telling Emma Jane what a fine boy you have. He’ll be such a credit to you and your family.”

  A dark look crossed Jasper’s face, and it pained Emma Jane to see that he was still resistant to the idea of taking in Moses.

  “He’s not my boy.”

  Stephen clapped him on the shoulder. “It’s hard to form an attachment so soon, but mark my words, you’ll love him like your own before you know it. Olivia and I have taken in more than our share of children needing homes—none as babies, mind you—but each and every one is as precious to us as if they were our own.”

  Jasper’s scowl only deepened. Didn’t he realize that this may be the solution to their problem? Both of them despaired of ever having children, so in taking in other children who needed homes, they could have a family of their own. Surely with all of Jasper’s money, he could afford plenty. Perhaps he just needed a little time and the encouragement of how it had worked for the Lewises before he was sold on the idea.

  Emma Jane turned to Olivia. “I had no idea that you’d done that. I’d love to hear more about how you were able to take in other children.”

  Jasper grunted, and the look he gave her made Emma Jane wonder if she’d made a mistake in asking the older woman to share her story. But the happy glow on Olivia’s face was enough to convince Emma Jane that she’d made the right decision. After all, Olivia had been so good to them, it seemed only right to show support for Olivia’s endeavors.