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Chapter 12
TRIGGER WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS DISCUSSION OF MISCARRIAGE. IF THIS IS A SENSITIVE TOPIC FOR YOU, YOU MAY WISH TO SKIP OVER THAT PORTION OF THE STORY. I WILL PLACE *** WHERE IT BEGINS AND ENDS
Emily POV
It was getting late and Johnny walked through the house to my bedroom. I watched as he entered, no doubt, looking for any escape routes we may have. I heard him close the window and then he walked back out to the main living area.
“What do you do to lock up the house for the night? I don’t want your man to come in and get the drop on me while we are sleeping,” he jeered at me.
“We bolt the front door and then close the window panes. That’s all,” hoping he wouldn’t notice the large beam that we used to bolt the sliding doors on the side of the house.
He nodded, “then get it done. I need to get some sleep before he gets back. I’m gonna be sleeping outside your door,
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Joseph POVWhen we had Johnny subdued, I quickly moved to pull Emily from Thomas’s arms. He had done as I asked and kept her sheltered from the scene. I didn’t know exactly what would happen and I didn’t want her in harms way. Unfortunately, almost immediately after I gathered her in my arms, she began to retch all over both of us. It seemed as though she was going to retch forever, but finally it ceased.I gathered her up into my arms and carried her bruised and battered body into our room. I whispered to her words of comfort, hoping to calm her, for she was shaking from the aftermath of their abduction. I sat her on the edge of the bed and helped her to change into a fresh night dress. As I helped her to change, I took note of the bruises on her body. Bruises that I guessed came from the madman that I assumed was now tied up in the barn.I had to keep my anger in check as I helped her to slide into th
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Christmas 1866 Emily POV There were days that I just couldn’t breathe. And other days, I was able to almost forget what I had done. But every day, I rose from our bed, put a smile on my face and did everything I could, to get through the day. I was alone in my guilt, but I wasn’t alone in my grief. I knew the others were grieving our loss, but I didn’t know how to help them, when I couldn’t even help myself. The first few days, it seemed like everyone was being extra gentle with me. As if, they didn’t know how to act or what to say. I asked Clara about it, and she told me that they were giving me space so I could rest. My body would need to heal before I could begin to allow my heart and soul to join the healing process. I was grateful and within a few days, my body felt as though it was back to normal. I was glad to see the jail wagon pull away, taking Johnny with it. His presence had kept m
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April 1867Joseph POVChristmas day was a wonderful time for us as a family. The light was returning to Emily’s eyes more and more each day. She and Mum created a wonderful meal and we spent the day making plans. But the best part of all was having Emily back with us. Fully engaging in conversation, laughing and teasing. It was evident that her breakdown just days before was much needed. I was grateful for the letter that arrived a few days prior, even though it was a difficult day.After everyone left, we made our way to our bedroom once more. I was desperate to make love to my wife, but I didn’t want to push her. Sex meant babies and I wasn’t sure if she was ready for that. And with all of the progress she had made, I refused to be the reason that she sank into her depression again. I knew from talking with Mum and Da that she would have bad days for quite some time and I vowed that I would be there f
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July 1867Emily POVI had known for a couple of weeks that I was pregnant, but I hadn’t said anything to Joseph. He had told me before that he paid attention to my woman’s cycle. I kept waiting for him to mention it but he never did. So, I decided to tease him the morning that he and Thomas were headed to St. Louis. I also wanted to give him another reason to hurry home.Clara hugged me to her side as we watched them ride away. “Another bairn?” she whispered, her voice beginning to crack.I leaned my head on her shoulder as Joseph and Thomas faded into the forest. “Yes. Another baby.” I caressed my still flat tummy in wonder and joy.“Praise the Lord!” she exclaimed.Brody had come up behind us and pulled us both into a hug. I giggled as he said, “Aye! Thank the Lord, another grand-bairn for us to love.”We walked back into the house to clean up the breakfast dishes. As we re
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Joseph POVThree weeks after Thomas and I returned home from St. Louis, we sent Thomas back down the river to fetch the additional window panes. We made plans for me to meet him at the fort in eleven days. This allowed us to no longer need to pay the livery for boarding. This would also be a test run for Thomas, to see if he could make it to St. Louis and back without any problems.Before leaving the fort, I paid for the work horses that the livery owner had found for me. I was happy to find that the two horses came from the same horse ranch and they were sturdy horses. The livery owner assured me that not only were they harness broke, they were also saddle broke, which was a plus here in the mountains. I paid the livery owner for the horses and then Apollo and I made our way back up the mountain with Dakota and the two new horses in tow.Eleven days later, I met Thomas at the fort as promised, this time with the work ho
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August 20, 1867 Emily POV About a week after Clay left for St. Louis, the courier brought another telegram: Agreed. Delayed slightly. Should arrive 12 August 1867. Jamie Finally, Jamie was on his way. The telegram confirmed that Joseph’s estimate was correct. It would take about three weeks for them to arrive from Dodge City, Kansas. It was a long distance, made even longer when herding stubborn cattle. We had begun to worry because we had not received any word. Joseph and I had considered sending a telegram to Paris and Dodge asking if anyone had seen him. As the weeks passed and my tummy grew, I found that loved being pregnant. Sure, being tired more easily was no picnic and I could do without the swollen ankles, but I loved the sensation of feeling my baby move in my womb. The baby was active, constantly on the move and now that I was over two thirds of the way to
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September 1867 Joseph POV Jamie and Hannah’s visit was enjoyable. Mum said later that Jamie was salt of the earth, meaning he was honest, sincere, and an all-around good man. I couldn’t agree more. It was plain to anyone who wanted to see, just how much he adored his wife. Hannah stood just a couple inches taller than Emily and while she gave an air of sweetness and timidity, she was anything but. She was tenacious about her family and she fiercely loved those she considered to be her family. She and Jamie were perfect for one another and they fit in well with our family. Jamie had told me that if it wasn’t for his ranch in Texas, he might consider moving here. He and I had been out checking the traps one morning, as he had wanted me to show him exactly what we did with our game. He was genuinely interested and was able to follow along with my explanations. We were standing on one of the ridg
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Chapter 20 February 1868 Emily The day Annabeth was born, Joseph sat with me the entire time. While it’s not traditionally done, I needed his presence and support. I told him later that he was to always be with me during those times. Having the ability to lean against him while his arms surrounded me, his hands massaging my belly, had such a calming effect on me. I decided that I wanted that every time. Clara had initially frowned on his being in the room, but finally relented when she realized that it actually helped me. The moment that Annabeth was in my arms, tears of joy fell from my eyes. I leaned my head back against Joseph’s shoulder so he could look at her too. My shoulder became wet from the tears that fell from his eyes. His arms encircled mine and together we cradled our daughter in our arms. Her little eyes flitted open and as she took in the world around her, she began to cry. Clara helped me to teach her how to suckle at my breast. Once she had latched on, Joseph’s a
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