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work on cutting enough firewood to see us through the winter
    She touched his hand. “I’m grateful you came along, and I appreciate what you’ve done. I was so over my head, I can’t believe it.
    “You want to drop our list off with Silas, before we go on  to the church?” she asked.
    “Good idea,” he said.
    When they pulled into the livery yard, he held her hand to assist her, and then he took Jared, and swung him around in a big circle before putting him on the ground. “He liked that,” she said, looking at the big grin on her son’s face.
    At the church, she began the introductions, “Carrie, Case, this is my new manager, Jeb Calhoun. Jeb, Carrie and Case Jamison of the Lazy J. They are about two miles northwest of us.”
    Case extended his hand. “Welcome to Helena, Jeb. Where did you come from?”
    “Pleased to meet you,” Jeb said. “Miss Emma has told me about your spread. I might call on you for some advice come breeding season.
    “To answer your question, I was with the 4 th US down in Texas. I spent a lot of time protecting the settlers.”
    “Ask any time,” Case said. “I had a little experience with the Sioux myself. One of Red Cloud’s braves put an arrow in my chest. Here, let me introduce you to my wife, Carrie.”
    Carrie said, “I’m glad Emma has some help. She’s had it rough since Caleb died.”
    Zebulon Parker walked up, and Case said, “Zeb, meet Jeb Calhoun. He’s taken over the Flying W since Sam’s health problem.”
    “Welcome, Jeb, good to have you among us. That beautiful lady talking to Emma is my wife, Charlotte. Everyone calls her Lottie.
    “How long have you been here?” Zebulon asked?
    “Almost three weeks”, Jeb said. “I wandered up from Texas and Harry Simpson was good enough to point me toward the Flying W. I look forward to picking your brains about ranching. Men I can handle, but I’m new to the ranch management business.”
    “Case is the professional,” Zebulon said. “He’s taught me what little I know.”
    “The music has started, we’d better get to our seats,” Case said. “Come see me anytime, Jeb.”
    “Thank you. I appreciate that,” Jeb said.
    As they walked toward the door, Emma linked her arm with Jeb’s. “Aren’t they nice? Case has always been a rancher, but Caleb told me Zebulon was a gold miner in Virginia City, and then struck it rich here. Both of them have mail order brides. Dr. Palmer’s wife, and Zebulon’s wife are both from Maryland, while Carrie came from Ohio, I believe.”
    “I’ve often wondered where a woman gets the courage to take a step like that,” she said. “Imagine, going all the way across the country to marry someone you never met. And it works. Those are three of the sweetest women I have ever met. They made me welcome from the first day. When Caleb died, they all came and brought food. It was unbelievable.”
    “Life itself is a risk. Case told me he took an arrow in the chest, Jeb said.
    “Rustlers ambushed some of Zebulon’s men, and killed one. They shot Zebulon too,” Emma said.
    “I think I’m going to barricade myself in the bunkhouse when I get back to the ranch,” he said. “Even then, one of the hands might shoot me, the way I’ve been working them.”
    She tightened her arm around his forearm. He became aware of the pressure of her breast on his arm, as they walked to the seat. He stepped back to allow her to enter the pew first. “Thank you,” she murmured.
    Letty’s right , Emma thought. He is one handsome man, and so self-confident. She tightened her grip on his arm and felt the contact of her breast with his arm. Even through the fabric, it gave her a rush. I’m acting like a silly schoolgirl, she thought. Well, I don’t care. It’s time I moved on.
    Jack Owens walked to the pulpit and gave the call to worship and the opening prayer. He asked the congregation to stand together and join in singing hymn number 143. Emma and Jeb both steadied the hymnal with their