Emma regarded Jimmy solemnly. “What do you want to do?”

“I have to go to her,” Jimmy replied, looking at Emma in surprise. Why was Emma looking at him like that? Did she think he was a dirt bag too?

“Why?” Cody interjected. “She’s leaving, your problems are over.”

“Cody,” Emma said impatiently, “go -”

Suddenly Cody clapped a hand to his forehead. “Oh!” He looked at Jimmy. “Should I saddle up a horse for you?”

Jimmy nodded. “I’ll go clean -”

“Now hold up,” Emma said loudly. “A few minutes ago you wouldn’t even talk to her and now if you go to her, what will you say?”

“She’s got to be expecting, that’s what we are talking about, right?” Cody looked at her in confusion. “What else is there to do?”

“That’s my point,” Emma said sharply. “Now you will defy Michael Washington? Do you think Priscilla will even care at this point?”

“If she is expecting my baby then I shouldn’t marry her?” Jimmy was thoroughly mixed up now.

“I am not saying that,” Emma told him patiently. “Do you love her?”

“I don’t know,” Jimmy replied quietly. He smiled. “But that time on the farm.” His mind drifted, remembering better times. “I was happy.”

Emma smiled at him. “I’m glad. But the truth remains, you still let her go,” she sad sadly.

“Her father asked me to.” Jimmy paused. “Cill didn’t come to me either.” He hated the way his voice sounded, so pathetic. But a large part of him had hoped Priscilla would come to him, even to yell at him. He had told Michael he would have pushed her away, but the truth was he knew he could not.

“Oh, Jimmy,” Emma sighed. “Sometimes I forget how young you are. And Priscilla is younger than you are. Getting married because of a baby.” She shook her head. “How will you live? Where will you live?”

“He has a job, Emma,” Cody declared.

Emma shook her head sadly. “The Express wants orphans not a man with a wife and a baby on the way.”

“I’ll find work,” Jimmy said resolutely. “What else should I do? Let her go? Let her raise a baby on her own? Is that fair? Should I pretend my baby doesn’t exist?”

“People get married all the time because of a baby,” Cody interjected.

“True enough,” Emma agreed. “I don’t know what the right thing is for you here, Jimmy. I just want you to know what you are getting into. We will help you but you have to know you can’t live here, you can’t be a rider.”

“Can he work with Sam?” Cody asked.

Emma smiled. “I don’t know, but that is a good thought.”

“Is the boarding house expensive?” Jimmy asked.

“I don’t think it’s unreasonable,” Emma replied. She appeared to be pleased with the responses she was receiving.

Emma touched Jimmy on the arm. “You’re sure about this? I know Priscilla Washington. She is a difficult girl, but she works hard and she seems to be fiercely loyal.”

She’s actually a big softie, Jimmy thought. Emma also forgot to mention that she was funny, interesting and he was irresistibly attracted to her. But he did not voice those thoughts. Emma thought he did not know Priscilla but the more her father talked, the more Emma talked, the more Jimmy realized, he did know her.

“Wait here,” Emma said. She hurried to her room and appeared a few moments later. She placed a gold band in Jimmy’s hand.

“Emma.” Jimmy’s eyes grew wide. “This is yours. I can’t take it.”

“Do you have one?”

“No, but I can buy one.”

“Save your money,” Emma said, gently scolding him. “Babies aren’t cheap. Besides, it might help you woo Priscilla.” She gave him a faint smile. “I think your biggest battle is about to happen.”