“But you’ve always wanted to be a lawman,” she said quietly.
He shook his head. “No. I’ve always wanted to make a difference. I thought that meant being brave and being a lawman, but I’m learning that it also means being brave in the sense of standing up for what’s right and taking care of those who need it the most.”
Adjusting Moses in his arms, he set the baby at Emma Jane’s side. She’d been longing to hold him but had been afraid that, with her lack of strength, she wouldn’t be able to bear his weight. Having him lay at her side was a good compromise, and she wrapped her good arm around the baby as Jasper continued.
“There is so much good I can do with my money. Not just by donating it, as my family has always done, but also in the ways the Lord has shown me. Because of you, I know there are people in this world who need love and compassion, and that I need to keep my eyes open, serving where I am led.”
Then Jasper smoothed Moses’s hair. “Right now, that means being here for you and Moses and loving you the best I know how.”
The door opened, and Emma Jane lifted her head to see Mrs. Jackson entering her room. She closed her eyes, not wanting another confrontation with the woman.
What would she blame Emma Jane for this time? She’d been the one shot, not Jasper. Surely no one had told the older woman of the near-misses Jasper had.
“I thought I heard voices,” she said in a gentle tone that Emma Jane hadn’t known the other woman was capable of. “Jasper, I’d like a moment with your wife, if that’s all right. Perhaps you could go tell the doctor she’s awake.”
Emma Jane opened her eyes and gave Jasper a pleading look. She wouldn’t ask him not to leave her alone with his mother, not in front of her, but surely he’d not set her to the wolf when she was so weak.
“Of course.” Jasper stood. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that.”
Then he looked down at Emma Jane. “You’ll be all right for a few minutes.”
He exchanged a glance with his mother, one Emma Jane couldn’t read. Mrs. Jackson took Jasper’s place as he closed the door behind him.
“I realize this seems peculiar to you,” Mrs. Jackson began, her brow furrowed. “I have never been in this situation before, and I hardly know what to say.”
Emma Jane didn’t respond and instead focused her attention on tucking the blanket around Moses.
“I don’t know if you recall, but we had a rather difficult disagreement yesterday.” Mrs. Jackson’s voice shook, and her eyes were filled with tears.
“I do.” Emma Jane kept her response short, not knowing where this conversation was going. She didn’t have the strength to continue that argument or defend her choices.
“My son’s words hurt me deeply,” she said, a tear streaking down her cheek. “I was angry, and I’d thought for sure that I’d lost him to some gold digger.”
The words didn’t sting as much as Emma Jane thought they would. She’d heard them enough that they’d lost their power over her.
“But I spoke to my husband, and we prayed and I took a deeper look at everything Jasper said.” Mrs. Jackson shook her head. “How was I so blind to everything? To the truth?”
She looked down at Emma Jane. “I misjudged you. I’m sorry.” Jasper’s mother reached down and took Emma Jane’s hand. “I know that I have acted unforgivably toward you, but Jasper is all I have. I was scared, and I thought his life was ruined.”
Emma Jane squeezed Mrs. Jackson’s hand. “It’s all right.”
“No, it’s not,” the older woman said. “Jasper was right. Your behavior was without reproach, and I acted inexcusably.”
Mrs. Jackson pulled a handkerchief out of her sleeve and dabbed at her eyes. “I pride myself on being a good Christian woman, and I denied you basic kindness. When Jasper read to me from 1 Corinthians about love and asked me if I’d displayed those characteristics of love, I’ve never been so ashamed of myself.”
Emma Jane closed her eyes as she recalled Jasper’s words to her about his treatment of her. Of not being selfish or proud. He’d mentioned reading the Bible, and now she understood. Jasper had changed. He’d allowed God into his heart.
Warmth surged through her as she turned to look at Mrs. Jackson. “I understand. I don’t know why, but for some reason, we hear the words all our lives and we don’t live them out. It took me a long time to learn that lesson.”
She squeezed Mrs. Jackson’s hand again. “I forgive you. So now you need to forgive yourself and move forward in the new knowledge God has given you.”
At Emma Jane’s movement, Moses started to fuss. She tried adjusting him, but it only seemed to make him angrier.
“Let me.” Mrs. Jackson picked up the baby and cradled him in her arms. “There now, it’s all right. I’ve got you now.”
She adjusted his blankets. “You are a handsome little fellow, aren’t you?”
If Emma Jane hadn’t seen it for herself, she’d have never believed it. The stiff, formal woman who presided over Leadville society with a hawk-like expression had softened. She sat there, holding Moses, making cooing noises at him.
Then Mrs. Jackson turned her expression to Emma Jane. “I understand you call the boy Moses. I was wondering if you’d decided on a middle name.”
Emma Jane looked at her blankly.
“Jasper says I’m not to interfere, but I was hoping you wouldn’t mind if I made a suggestion. You see, we named Jasper after my father, who hated his given name, but I loved it, so we called him Jasper. My father, who went by his middle name, James, always thought we were trying to insult him. Even though
