Abigail’s face lit up. “You would do that for us?”
“Of course I would. This is the second time your family has taken us in, and I can’t tell you what it’s meant to me.”
Then he looked at Emma Jane, who was most likely put out that he’d spoiled her plans without discussing them with her first. Even now, that was still the trouble. They both acted, thinking it was in everyone’s best interests, but never talked about it.
Which was where everything always went wrong.
“As far as helping Emma Jane with the baby, I have no objection, but I’m sure that’s something she’ll want to work out with you.” He stole a glance at Emma Jane, whose attention remained fixed on the baby rather than the conversation.
Yes, she was angry. Using the baby as something to hide behind while she gathered her thoughts. Again.
“Although I will say, in case Emma Jane has any concern over finances, that she is fully authorized to pay whatever she feels is best. I trust her completely, and you have my word that I will pay whatever sum the two of you settle on.”
He watched Emma Jane for any sign of acknowledgment that he was trying his best to give her what she wanted. That he would provide for her needs as well as the baby’s.
Finally, Emma Jane looked up. Slowly. Her face shadowed, but not so much as to hide the tears forming in her eyes.
“I had hoped to remain here for a while longer.”
“I’m afraid that isn’t a good idea,” Stephen’s voice boomed across the kitchen. “I’ve been thinking a lot about your situation, and based on Jasper’s description of the gang’s hideout, it’s not far from here. I wouldn’t be surprised if they come here, looking for you.”
The knot that had formed in Jasper’s gut clenched, nearly ripping him in two. Why hadn’t he considered the danger he might be putting others in?
“I am so sorry,” he said slowly. “I hadn’t thought of the fact that your family might be in danger. Please forgive me.”
Stephen waved his arm. “Nonsense. Of course we would help you. But if the bandits come here looking for you and find Emma Jane here, there’s no telling what danger she’d be in. I think the best move is to head back to town, where you can alert the sheriff, and everyone will be safe.”
The older man’s words made sense, if only they didn’t cause such a look of despair on his wife’s face.
His wife.
Jasper had finally gotten used to the word, and now it seemed, if Emma Jane had her way, it wouldn’t be applicable at all.
But he would find a way to change her mind and win her back. Well, maybe not back, since he’d never had her to begin with.
“You’re right,” Jasper answered smoothly, then turned to look at Emma Jane, hoping to reassure her that he’d been on her side this whole time. “I’m sure the bandits are mighty angry that we got away, and if they manage to catch my wife alone, I don’t even want to think about what they’d do.”
He reached out and took her hand. “I’m sorry, Emma Jane, but you’re going to have to come back to town with me.”
Then Jasper looked back up at Stephen. “We’d just been talking to Abigail about the possibility of bringing her and her family with us to town. We still need a wet nurse, and I’m sure we can find a position for Charles. Would you be able to spare them?”
The older man nodded slowly.
But when Emma Jane squeezed Jasper’s hand back, he had hope that things wouldn’t be as bad as he feared.
“Please say yes,” Emma Jane said, her voice steadier than it had been earlier. “I don’t know what I would do without Abigail’s help.”
“They’re both adults. If they want to go, they can go.”
“Oh, thank you,” Abigail said, tears filling her eyes as she looked from her father to Emma Jane, then her gaze landing on Jasper.
“You have no idea how much this means to me.” Then she looked up, past Jasper. “To us.”
Jasper turned his head to see Charles standing in the doorway. The poor fellow had just had his entire life rearranged, and he hadn’t been part of the conversation. Having been resentful of that type of managing his whole life, Jasper felt guilty.
“That is,” Jasper said, removing his hand from Emma Jane’s, then standing to face the other man. “If you’re in agreement. I wouldn’t want to force a man into a life he didn’t want.”
Emma Jane made a noise, and while Jasper didn’t know for sure what it meant, once again he feared having said the wrong thing. While it was true he’d felt that way about his own life, this wasn’t about him and Emma Jane.
“I appreciate it.” Charles held out his hand to Jasper. “And I’m right honored that you’d be willing to help Abigail and me. I’d rather live in town, so this is an answer to prayer. So long as we’re not putting you out, we gladly accept.”
Jasper shook on their deal, grateful that, at least in this, he wasn’t ruining someone else’s life for his own convenience. It seemed as though all of the noble deeds he’d hoped to accomplish lately only turned out sour.
He glanced back at Emma Jane, who’d once again turned her attention back to the baby. Would his efforts to make amends actually work? Or was it too late?
Chapter Sixteen
As town loomed ahead, Emma Jane’s uneasiness grew. Jasper had agreed to an annulment, but what would happen once they returned? He seemed to be just as eager as she to move on with his life. But would that change once they arrived at the Jackson mansion and Jasper
