Okay ladies here it is. Sorry so delayed, I really need to get my mojo back (plus I have terrible tendinitis in my arm which makes writing difficult).
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Lily greeted folks at the doors. She¡¯d invited a handful of people for supper at the saloon after Josiah¡¯s service. She couldn¡¯t remember the last time she¡¯d sat through a church service. It had been long since she¡¯d felt comfortable inside a church.
¡°Josiah,¡± Lily smiled at the older gentleman, ¡°it was a lovely service.¡±
¡°Thank you.¡± He ducked his head, his cheeks turning warm. Josiah motioned to the woman at his side. ¡°You¡¯ve met Ms. Chandler?¡±
¡°I have not.¡± Lily extended her hand. ¡°Our new mercantile owner, correct? It is nice to meet you.¡±
¡°Thank you. Nice to meet you as well. I hope that I¡¯m not intruding,¡± Belle gestured toward the long table set up in the saloon.
¡°Absolutely not. You are most welcome to join us.¡±
¡°Josiah seems enamored by our new mercantile proprietress.¡± Ezra remarked as he removed his boots.
¡°I noticed that.¡± Emma looked at him in the mirror reflection. She sat brushing her hair. ¡°I wonder how Cheyenne feels about that. She is quite protective of him in her way.¡±
¡°You are missing your family tonight are you not?¡± Ezra had seen her it in her eyes.
¡°I suppose I am.... I do miss my brother. I hate thinking of him believing that I¡¯m dead.¡±
¡°While I can do nothing to about that,¡± Ezra pulled a white box from the wardrobe; a dark blue silk ribbon wrapped around it. ¡°Merry Christmas.¡±
¡°Oh Ezra,¡± Emma slowly undid the ribbon and opened the box. Under delicate white tissue paper sat gorgeous pale blue silk brocade fabric. ¡°I.... this is beautiful.¡±
¡°Lily assisted me in procuring it from a dressmaker she knew in New Orleans. I made the assumption that you prefer to make your own dress with it.¡±
¡°It is the most beautiful fabric I¡¯ve ever seen.¡± Lily pulled a small box from the pocket of her robe. She handed it to Ezra. ¡°I¡¯m not sure this compares to your gift but...¡± Ezra took the box and opened it. Inside sat a pair of gold cuff links inset with a dark green stone. Emma sat next to him on the bed. ¡°They were my father¡¯s.¡±
¡°Emma... I...,¡± Ezra found himself speechless; something that rarely happened.
¡°I never wanted to give them to...¡± she was unable to say her husband¡¯s name. ¡°But I want you to have them.¡±
