Page 17 of Scarlett

“Please call me Emmett.”

Scarlett nodded. “Of course. Please call me Scarlett. It’s best we use our first names given the situation.”

“Very well. Scarlett, thank you for asking. I feel better than last week. If it were up to me, I’d be out of this room, but my brother plans to remain until the end of the week to ensure I don’t.”

Unsure of what to say, she looked around the room. Would this be their bedroom? If so, it was large and accommodating. Whoever had designed the house was knowledgeable and had planned it well.

“I like your house. It’s perfect.”

“Thank you, my brothers and I built it. We each wanted a large bedroom so we didn’t end up in daily fights. You’ve met Evan, he is the level headed one. Our youngest brother Elias is more of an impulsive type.”

“And you?” Scarlett smiled when the corners of his mouth lifted, just a bit.

“I suppose I’m the stern brother.”

Stern was a good way to describe him. Despite the fact soon she’d get to know him well, a part of her wondered how close he would allow someone.

There was a distinct air of standoffishness about him. An invisible fort carefully built kept people at a distance. And yet, he was not unfriendly. As a matter of fact, Scarlett was perfectly comfortable to sit with him and talk.

“Have you ever been sick like this before?”

Emmett frowned in thought. “A long time ago, when we first arrived, I became very sick. It was the worst time, as we didn’t know anyone, and the only place we could find a room for me to sleep was in the saloon.”

When his eyes rounded in realization of what he’d revealed, Scarlett shrugged. “It was a good thing you did. Someone so sick remaining outdoors could easily catch their death.”

He nodded. “Very true. I felt as if I was knocking on death’s door.”

There was a soft knock on the open door and Aurora entered with a bowl of food and a glass of water on a tray. “Time to eat Emmett. You haven’t eaten today.” She placed the tray on the side table and smiled at Scarlett. “He can be stubborn about things.”

“Thank you.” He looked to the food with dispassion and lifted the glass of water. “Is Evan at the clinic?”

“Yes. Gladys came to fetch him a few minutes ago.”

Aurora looked to Scarlett. “If you would remain here and ensure he eats, I’ll see about starting supper. If you’re hungry, there is bread and cheese in the kitchen.”

Scarlett waited for Emmett to sit up straighter and then helped him place the tray on his lap. Brows drawn together, he looked up at her. “You shouldn’t be this close. Evan will scold you.”

She wasn’t sure if he jested or not, but she smiled at him anyway. “I’ll be fine. I have a strong constitution.”

While he ate, Scarlett told him of her travel to Laurel and about the two women she’d befriended. When she mentioned Fern opening the seamstress shop, he looked to her, but didn’t say anything.

It was quite interesting to get to know him, Scarlett thought. With him too ill to do much more than remain in bed, it gave her the opportunity to get to know him and also gauge his personality.

Her first impression of him was that Emmett Jones was a quiet man. Although he described himself as “stern”, she would describe him more as reserved.

Once he finished, she took the tray. “I’ll go see about helping Aurora with supper. Please call me if you need anything.”

“I will, but you should rest. You’ve only just arrived. Thank you. Nice to meet you Scarlett.”

She smiled at him unsure of what to say. “You’re welcome.”

With the tray in hand, she looked at him one more time. “Is there anything else you require right now?”

It seemed as if he was taken by surprise by the slight widening of his eyes. “No and please don’t feel as if you have to wait on me. I plan to be out of bed in the next day or two.”

She bit her bottom lip in consternation. Did he not know they were getting married in two days exactly? “Very well,” Scarlett said turning to leave. It was best to leave the conversation to Evan, as she wasn’t sure how to phrase it.