Though Mrs. Haggerty’s words were meant to shame the other two girls, guilt nibbled at the corner of Mary’s heart. In all of her fury at not being able to search for Emma Jane during the night and her fretting over what might have happened, not once had it occurred to Mary that the most useful thing she could be doing was to be praying.
“We could do so now,” Mary suggested, but Mrs. Haggerty shook her head. “Josiah is loading up the wagon. Those going back to town need to gather their things and join him.”
The barn erupted with activity as the others scurried toward the doors. Only Mary and Mrs. Haggerty remained.
“None of them want to help?” Mary didn’t need to ask the question, not really. Her words fell on the empty air.
Polly reentered the barn. “You’re not coming?”
“I can’t leave Emma Jane out there alone. She’s so sensitive that I think having a familiar face will ease her discomfort, having endured such difficult circumstances.”
Polly scowled. “What’s it to you? Emma Jane is an odd woman at best, and she spurned the friendship you offered. You’ve done your Christian duty by her, so shake the dust off your feet, and let’s go home to our family.”
If only Polly hadn’t reminded her of her Christian duty. The truth was, Mary hadn’t done her Christian duty by the other girl. And maybe if Mary could help find Emma Jane and spend time with her, it would somehow help her.
“Weren’t you the one who argued that we needed time away from them when we first left for the picnic?”
But Polly seemed ill-inclined to show kindness toward Emma Jane. “I’m sure Daniel is wearing on Maddie’s nerves, and even my mother hasn’t got the patience to mind him for long.”
“I know. But something deep inside me says that helping Emma Jane is the right thing to do.”
“What of your reputation?” Polly’s eyes narrowed.
“What of it? Mrs. Haggerty will be with us, so no one can accuse me of impropriety.”
Her words didn’t erase Polly’s frown. “Impropriety with Will is the least of your worries. The other girls are spitting mad that you’d take up for Emma Jane when she is clearly—”
“And you would put their good opinion over doing what’s right?”
That, at least, had an effect as Polly winced. “They can make life in town difficult.”
Before Polly’s father had been put in charge of Joseph’s mine, many of the prominent women in town had mocked Polly and her family’s lower circumstances. Mary would think that, of all people, Polly would understand what it was like to be in Emma Jane’s position. Perhaps, though, it was such a relief to no longer be in Emma Jane’s shoes, she wasn’t willing to risk it.
Mary, too, understood that feeling. “When we lived in Ohio with Aunt Ina, the other girls mocked us for being poor. For our scandalous family and no-account father. I could barely hold my head up high walking through town. I had no friends.”
Perhaps that was why she’d so easily fallen into Ben’s trap. He knew that she wouldn’t have anyone to talk to, to find out that he was not the man he claimed to be. He’d made her feel special when no one else acknowledged she existed.
She stared hard at Polly. “The reason I could hold my head up high, though, was that I had done nothing wrong. If I go home without trying to find Emma Jane, the ladies in town will think more of me, but will I be blameless? I let a defenseless woman suffer.”
“You almost make me want to stay.” Polly’s face softened. “But it doesn’t change the fact that someone needs to manage Daniel. I can admit to not nearly being as good a Christian woman as you.”
Arguing that she was hardly the picture of a good Christian woman would mean that Mary would have to own her other flaws. The things Ben still held over her head.
Perhaps someday she’d be able to be so open about her flaws. However, she couldn’t forget that Ben held evidence that could put her in jail. Maybe even... Did they still hang thieves?
“Last call to leave for town.” Will’s voice broke through any decision Mary might have made to be open with her friend.
“You should go,” Mary said.
Polly gave her a quick hug. “I still think you’re crazy, but I respect what you’re doing. I’m sure we’ll get on fine without you.”
As Polly walked away, Mary’s conscience nagged. Surely she was doing the right thing in searching for Emma Jane. Her family could do without her for another day.
* * *
Will still didn’t like it. He watched the wagon head back to town.
“Can we go now?”
He shouldn’t have minded her forceful tone. He’d already seen that Mary was a doer. But it was starting to feel as if Mary didn’t trust him to do the right thing. He’d already fouled up an important job. If there was anything she could count on, it was the fact that he wouldn’t rest until both Jasper and Emma Jane were found.
But his reasoning? Well, that was something he couldn’t share with her. The good Lord wasn’t going to lend a hand, that he knew already. If something was to be done, it was up to him to do it.
Josiah and two of his sons approached. Mrs. Haggerty had pulled Mary aside, and they were talking quietly. Hopefully, the older woman would find a way to talk some sense into Mary. Even with a chaperone, it wasn’t a good idea for Mary to be wandering the wilderness. Ladies such as she weren’t familiar with the survival skills needed. Even if she was, Will’s heart wasn’t safe around her.
Maybe that was the most dangerous part of the proposition.
Hopefully, this detour in finding Jasper and Emma Jane wouldn’t be a setback in his quest for justice against Ben.
