“Are you cold?” Jasper rubbed her arm gently. “It’s not far now. We’re almost to Harrison Avenue.”
“I’ll be fine,” she told him, wishing she had the strength to move out of his embrace but feeling proud that she hadn’t snuggled any closer. At least it was progress.
As they pulled up in front of the hotel, Emma Jane’s confidence sagged. Too many people were there, watching. Waiting to see who had arrived in such a spiffy sleigh.
Jasper alighted first, ignoring the crowd, and held a hand out for Emma Jane. She took it, careful to hold Moses against her as she stepped down.
As soon as she set foot on the sidewalk, she heard the familiar screech.
“Jasper, darling! Is that you? Everyone has been so worried since your disappearance after your unfortunate wife ran off on you.”
Emma Jane took a deep breath, telling herself it didn’t matter, yet straining to hear Jasper’s response.
“Hello, Flora. My wife did not run off on me, as you can see by her standing beside me. I’m sure you’re very eager to spread gossip about our return, and I won’t waste your time with the truth. If you’ll excuse us...”
He took Emma Jane by the arm and bustled her into the hotel.
“Is that a baby?” The words echoed behind Emma Jane, but Jasper did not stop to answer the question. He’d have to at some point, but she appreciated that they didn’t have to deal with the confrontation so immediately.
He continued on to the front desk, where a brief discussion with the clerk confirmed that the Jackson suite was empty and Jasper was given a key.
“I’m sorry Flora was so ugly to you when we arrived,” he said as they made their way to the room.
“It’s not your fault. I’m glad you didn’t turn it into a long conversation.”
He stopped and looked at her. “Why would I? I thought you’d understand by now that I can’t stand the woman. I owe her nothing, and given her penchant for gossip, I’m not telling her anything that would get to my parents before I have a chance to talk to them.” Blowing out a sharp breath, he went on to say, “As it is, I can only hope the messenger I had the clerk send over gets to the house before she does.”
He continued down the hall and stopped at a door, which he opened. “Here it is. Home sweet home.”
The room, far larger than any of the modest rooms at the Spruce Lakes Resort, was a sitting room, as finely appointed as anything at the Jackson mansion. Emma Jane recognized the furniture as carved by the same hand that had done the intricate pieces she’d seen in Jasper’s home. A crystal vase sat on a table, filled with delicate silk flowers. Even the wealthiest families couldn’t get fresh flowers this time of year in Leadville, but the reproduction astounded her.
Abigail and Charles entered behind them.
“Oh, my,” Abigail breathed, stepping inside.
“Mother decorated it,” Jasper said with a sigh. “Father helped finance the hotel, and Mother asked that she be allowed to decorate our suite. It’s not very practical, but it made her happy.”
As Emma Jane’s eyes swept the room, she couldn’t help but feel pity for her mother-in-law. Imported lace was draped over every surface, and she was certain that the crystal chandelier hanging from the center of the room had to have come from a far-off place.
But had any of this stuff really made the other woman happy?
They quickly sorted out the rooms, and Emma Jane insisted that Abigail and Charles take the larger of the two bedrooms. Jasper had thoughtfully gone to find a basket for Moses to sleep in, and when he returned, Emma Jane quite happily began filling it with the blankets Olivia had sent her home with.
“He’s going to grow up well loved, isn’t he?” Jasper’s deep, masculine voice came from the doorway.
“I’d like to think so.” Emma Jane stood and stretched out her back, stepping away from him. Even at a distance, he was too close.
Jasper stepped into the room, looking around. “I hope you have everything that will make you comfortable.”
“It’s far more than I would have expected.” Emma Jane smiled at him. “I hope you know how much I appreciate all of this...”
He seemed to not hear her words, taking a step toward her, then reaching out and touching her cheek. “You are so beautiful when you smile. I know it makes you uncomfortable when I say it, but I wish you could accept how much I love your smile.”
Emma Jane’s face warmed. “I...I don’t know what to say.”
“Thank you would be a good start.” He gave an impish grin, and for a moment, Emma Jane thought he might lean down to kiss her. Her heart fluttered at the prospect. Instead, he straightened, then took a step back.
A knock sounded at the main door, but before either of them could answer it, the door opened and Mrs. Jackson walked into the suite.
“I believe you owe me some answers.”
* * *
Jasper winced. He should have known it wouldn’t be enough to send a message to his father informing him of the circumstances. His father would wait, just as Jasper had requested. But his mother was an entirely different matter.
“Hello, Mother.” He stepped forward and kissed her on the cheek. “I assume you read the note I sent Father.”
“Note? What note?” She glared at him with enough ferocity to melt all of the snow in Leadville. “I was just at the dressmaker’s, where I heard the most awful story from Flora Montgomery.”
Jasper groaned. “Every story from Flora Montgomery is awful.”
“How dare you speak of such a fine young lady in that manner? Her family is...”
“I don’t want to hear it.” Jasper shook his head,
