Cleaned stalls.
Noticed an infected scrape on a mare before he did.
Rehung a gate that had sagged for months.
And reorganized the feed room without asking.
Jack leaned against the barn entrance.
“You work harder than three men I've hired.”
Emma kept stacking grain sacks.
“I told Walter that in every letter.”
Jack’s jaw tightened.
“He never deserved those letters.”
Emma stopped.
The statement hit differently from insults about Walter.
Jack did not call him a fool because he rejected a desirable woman.
He called him undeserving because Emma had trusted him.
She looked toward the mountains.
“For the first time since yesterday, I believe that.”
The arrangement meant to last one night became a week.
Then two.
Jack paid Emma wages.
She objected to the amount.
He refused to lower it.
“I’m not taking charity.”
“You aren't.”
“You're paying me more than the ranch hands.”
“You do more than half of them.”
One hand overheard.
Jack raised his voice toward the barn.
“Yes, Eli, that includes you.”
Laughter followed.
Emma began eating supper at Jack’s house because cooking separately made no sense.
Then breakfast.
Eventually she moved from the bunkhouse table to Jack’s kitchen during meals.
Not his bedroom.
Not yet.
The boundaries remained clear.
That mattered to both.
Willow Creek noticed.
Every Saturday they went to town for supplies.
Whispers followed them.
Walter Briggs found them in the general store during the third week.
Emma was comparing flour prices when his reflection appeared in the glass jar behind the counter.
“So this is where you've been.”
Emma turned.
Walter wore the same gray hat.
His face looked less confident now.
“Working.”
Walter looked toward Jack.
“I hear you moved into his place.”
Jack remained several steps away.
He let Emma answer.
“I sleep in the bunkhouse.”
Walter laughed.
“Of course.”
Emma’s eyes narrowed.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
Walter glanced around.
Customers were listening.
He had an audience again.
That seemed to give him courage.
“I suppose you found somebody willing to overlook…”
He paused.
Emma waited.
“Your size.”
The store became silent.
Emma looked Walter directly in the eyes.
“My height never frightened decent men.”
Walter’s jaw tightened.
“It frightened a fool.”
A woman near the counter covered a smile.
Walter reddened.
Jack finally stepped forward.
“You've said enough.”
No threat.
No raised voice.
That made it stronger.
Walter looked around for support.
Nobody moved.
Even the storekeeper came from behind the counter.
“Mr. Briggs.”
“Yes?”
“I believe it's time you left.”
Walter stared.
Then slammed his hat onto his head and walked out.
Emma released a breath.
Jack approached.
“You all right?”
“I didn’t need you to defend me.”
“I know.”
Emma looked at him.
Jack smiled faintly.
“I was reminding him who he is.”
They finished their shopping.
Outside, the storekeeper followed them carrying a wrapped bundle.
“For you.”
Emma frowned.
“I didn't buy anything.”
“I know.”
The woman handed it over.
Inside was a handmade quilt.