“Even though you can’t do anything about them?”
A hint of a smile teased the corners of Jasper’s lips. “Seems to me we just had this conversation.”
“Then why are we having it again?” She kept her voice light at first but then looked at him with enough seriousness that she hoped he’d understand. “Why aren’t you letting God take control of your worries?”
“I suppose you’re right,” he said slowly, his brows furrowing back into the expression he’d worn while reading the paper. “I’d like to think that God is in control, but if that indeed is the case, how can He let these bandits continue plaguing our town?”
“Have you tried asking Him? Have you prayed about the direction to take in pursuing the bandits?”
Abigail gave an approving murmur, and while it felt good to have her support, Emma Jane was grateful she stayed out of the conversation. This matter was something that needed to be settled between Emma Jane and Jasper, and while it wasn’t ideal to have this talk among other people, Jasper needed to know the importance of trusting God.
Jasper looked at her as though she were daft. “What good does that do? God doesn’t give a person a battle plan.”
Emma Jane frowned. “Maybe not literally, but it’s amazing how God is present if only you just look.”
Jasper didn’t appear to hear her words, staring sullenly off into space, as though he wasn’t even seeing her despite his face being turned toward her. “I’ve spent my whole life ignorant of the plight of others around me, and now that it’s been brought to my attention, all of my attempts to do something about it seem to fail. I look, and I see nothing but problems.”
Finally his gaze fixed on her. “I know you want me to make the best of being trapped here in the hotel, but I can’t.”
He gave Abigail a halfhearted smile. “No disrespect to you, ma’am. Your family’s hospitality has been among the best I’ve ever experienced.”
Once again, he frowned. “But what good is being a Jackson when I can’t make a difference? What good is having all this information about the bandits when I’m stuck here and can’t use it?”
“At least you can take heart in knowing that the bandits are also trapped in the storm. As for making a difference, you’ve made a difference to me,” Emma Jane said softly. “Because of you, I have a home. My sister isn’t married to Amos Burdette. And I’m able to do things that matter.”
She should have known that Jasper’s expression wouldn’t lighten. Not when she knew what a burden she was to him.
“What kind of things?” A start. At least in that his curiosity was piqued. He wanted to see the impact his actions had for the good.
Emma Jane smiled. “Like helping with Pastor Lassiter’s ministry. I’d always wanted to do more, but Mother was constantly harping on me for the time I spent at church. I’d have to sneak away, and then I felt guilty for disobeying her. Mary says I’ve been a great help to the ministry and that she has no idea how they’d have managed after the brothel fire without me.”
Even now, with everyone else in town thinking Emma Jane worthless, she couldn’t help the feeling of satisfaction in knowing her contribution to the community. She’d have also liked to have mentioned how Jasper’s wealth would enable her to care for Moses, but given that they were finally communicating, it seemed wrong to bring up a topic that would only make him shut down again.
Jasper nodded slowly, like he was considering her words. And, if Emma Jane were to be so bold as to read his thoughts, like he was seeing her in a new light.
“Will said that Mary counts on you tremendously. You two weren’t friends before?”
Emma Jane shook her head. “I would have never imagined I could be friends with someone as good as Mary. But when she reached out to me, and was kind to me, even when I least deserved it, something in me changed. I can’t explain it. Because of Mary’s kindness, I realized that all of the words in the Bible that I so cherished...they weren’t just God’s promises to the worthy. They were meant for someone like me.”
“That is so beautiful,” Abigail said, looking up from her knitting. “I don’t mean to intrude on a somewhat-private conversation, but I cannot help but be thankful for what a marvelous work the Lord is doing in you.”
Emma Jane smiled at her. “I’m thankful, too. I had no idea how miserable my life was, and while I knew how to bear through all things, I had no peace in my heart. Now I have nothing but joy, knowing that I can bear all things through the love of God.”
Even as she spoke the words, all of her frustrations over her marriage to Jasper disappeared. The Lord had been with her through everything, and now, even with the future so uncertain, He would be with her still.
Moses gave a small cry, and Emma Jane started to get up to get him. She’d left him sleeping in the other room. Had she been wrong to leave him alone?
Abigail set a hand on her knee. “Give him a few moments. He needs to learn patience.”
Patience? But he was just a baby. Moses began to wail.
“The baby’s crying,” Jasper said in the same dull voice he always used when mentioning Moses.
“Why don’t you see what he needs, Jasper,” Abigail suggested in a singsong voice.
The look on Jasper’s face was almost worth all the trouble he’d been giving her. You’d have thought she’d asked him to pet a snake.
“Uh, I don’t know anything about babies.” He looked imploringly at Emma Jane, but Abigail set a hand on her knee.
“Sounds like the perfect time to learn,” Abigail said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Every man needs to know how to take care of his children.”
The weight of everyone’s stares hung heavily on Emma Jane. She
