Over the next several months, their lives fell into a predictable pattern. Angel Eyes took as many jobs as possible, while Emma stayed home with their quickly growing son.
Domestic life did not usually appeal to him; too much of it made him feel claustrophobic. It was bearable in small doses, however, especially when he'd had too many jobs in a short space of time. And it was nice to have Emma looking out for him when he needed to rest between jobs or had to lie low for awhile.
Every now and then, a more than perfunctory search would be made for the killer of one of his targets, making it necessary for him to stay out of sight for an extended period,which meant he couldn't go into town to the saloon. It was during those times that he was able to bond with his son.
Whenever he could, Angel Eyes tried to bring something home for his boy after completing a job. One time shortly after Lee had learned to walk, he brought home some books for small children he'd found in a mercantile in a larger town. He'd gone in for pipe tobacco and happened to notice the books.
Emma had been cooking supper and had gone to ask Angel Eyes what he wanted as a side dish. Before she reached the doorway, she heard his deep, velvety voice: "Look, Lee. There's a picture of a dog. What does a dog say? Woof! Woof!" This was followed by Lee's delighted giggles.
She peeked around the corner and took in the sight of her son on his father's lap, while he read a book to him. Seeing them gazing at each other with love in their eyes made her heart swell, with tears coming to her eyes. This was a memory she would carry with her for the rest of her life.
As Angel Eyes was away from home more often doing jobs, Lavinia spent increasing amounts of time with Emma and Lee. The toddler adored his grandmother and looked forward to her almost daily visits.
Because she spent far less time working in the mercantile than previously, her husband called on his father to help out. The old man was bored, so he agreed readily enough.
The two often had idle moments in the store, and they filled the empty times with conversation.
"Lavinia's place is here in the store helping me to make a living for our family," Thomas Baker, Sr complained. "She shouldn't be spending all that time with Emma and that bastard child of hers. That's only encouraging her to continue sinning."
"The child is innocent, regardless of how he came into the world," his father pointed out. "How old is he now, anyway?" Have you been out to see him?"
"I suppose he must be close to two years old by now," the younger man estimated. "And, no, I've not been out there to see him."
"You need to go out there as soon as you can," the old man advised. "If something bad happened to either of you before you got to see him, you'd never forgive yourself. Trust me, I know what I'm talking about. I'll go with you."
"All right," Thomas relented, releasing a gusty sigh. He knew his father wouldn't leave him alone if he continued to resist the idea. Better to just get it over with and be done with it.
"I ought to confront the miserable scoundrel who did this to Emma and force him to marry her and make an honest woman out of her," he continued. "I really need to give him a piece of my mind."
"From what young Tom has told me about him, he'd wipe up the floor with you," his father reported, chuckling. "He's likely some sort of outlaw, so I'd advise you to tread lightly with the man."
For his son's sake, Ezra Baker hoped his great-grandson's father would not be at home when they called, but kept those thoughts to himself
"Eh," his son scoffed. "I'm not afraid of him."
His father knew better than that, but let the matter go. Ezra loved his son, but knew he didn't have what it took to go up against the man. He was a storekeeper, not a fighter. He couldn't say the same about his granddaughter, however. Emma had enough sand to hold her own with the one she'd chosen to father her child and to give as good as she got.
Three days after this conversation, the two men set out for the home Angel Eyes had provided for Emma and their child, after getting directions from Lavinia. She was astonished that her husband was finally going to visit his grandson, but suspected her father in law had something to do with it.
It was a Sunday, so the two men went right after Thomas had returned from church. Ezra hadn't been to church since losing his wife, so he'd waited at the mercantile for his son to return. Thomas had offered to take the carriage out of respect for his father's age, but Ezra had turned him down.
"I've been riding Caesar for fifteen years," the old man said. "No reason to stop now."
Truth be told, Thomas preferred the carriage for himself, but would have never admitted it to his father. He hated riding horses.
A short time later, he approached the front door of Emma's new home with trepidation, not knowing how she'd receive him. His father, standing behind him, urged him forward.
"Go on, knock on the door," Ezra said."Young Tom hasn't been sleeping at home the last two nights, so that man won't be here."
Thomas knocked softly, half hoping Emma wouldn't hear it.
Emma Sentenza had just finished feeding Lee and was tidying up in the kitchen when she heard a hesitant knock at the front door.
Picking up the small revolver Angel Eyes insisted she always keep near her when he was away and slipping it into her apron pocket, she headed to the door.
"Lee," she called to her son. "Stay close to Mama and be quiet until I see who it is."
Emma looked out a small window that Angel Eyes had installed that allowed her to see who was at the door without having to open it.
She was astonished to see her father and grandfather standing there, accurately suspecting that it had been her grandfather's idea to pay her a visit.
"Pa," she said after slowly opening the door. "I'm surprised that my son gets to meet his grandfather before he grows up." Looking back at her grandfather, she said in a warmer tone, "I'm guessing this was your idea, Pops."
As she moved aside to allow the two men to come inside, her father peevishly said, "I don't ever see you coming to town to see me."
"Angel Eyes prefers that I not go to town unless he is with me, unless it's absolutely necessary," she told him. "Surely Ma has told you that."
She did not explain why; it was merely a precaution in case someone gunning for him might use her to exact their vengeance. The odds were very low that such a thing would ever happen, but he would rather be safe than sorry.
"Angel Eyes!" her father exclaimed. "What the hell kind of a name is that?"
"It's what I call him," she told him, not explaining further.
"I don't need to know your pet name for him," he snapped. "What's his real name?"
"If he wants you to know, he'll tell you himself," she retorted. "Come inside and meet your grandson while I put on a pot of coffee."
Ezra Baker didn't pay any attention to his son and granddaughter as they continued to bicker. His attention was focused on the toddler boy hovering around the adults.
Looking down at him, the old man sat at the kitchen table and said to the little boy, "Come on over here and sit in my lap. I'm your great-grandpa."
Little Lee looked at the unfamiliar man and then at his mother. She nodded her head, letting him know it was all right. He walked over hesitantly to Ezra, who picked him up and set him on his lap.
"You're a handsome little fellow," Ezra told him. Noting the child's dark hair and olive-green eyes, he added, "You must look like your father."
"He does," Emma confirmed. "He's going to be handsome like his Daddy."
Her father continued to scowl, still in a foul mood.
"I can barely show my face in church because of you, living in sin with someone you're not married to and having his bastard child," he told, fuming. "I ought to come back here when he's home and demand he marry you."
Emma laughed harshly. "If he ever heard you call our sweet, innocent child a 'bastard', you'd be leaving here in a box." Shaking her head, she added, "Some Christian you are."
Standing, she said firmly, "I think you ought to go now." Turning to her grandfather, she told him, "You're welcome to visit any time."
After the two men had left, she gathered her young son into her arms and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry you had to hear that.