His comment surprised Emma. Colton was seldom willingto leave Dallas even for business meetings. He always felt it was important to remain close at hand for anything that might come up.
“I can see that this surprises you,” Colton said before Emma could speak. “However, Rose is of the utmost concern to me. I made our mother a promise years ago that I would look after my sister. She knew life would be difficult for Rose and wanted only the best for her. And as you said, it’s never too late to change. Plus, I can attend to some railroad business. Perhaps help you to better understand the value of what you’ve inherited.”
“Oh, I already understand that. Maybe not what it’s worth financially, but sentimentally. Tommy once told me the railroad was the very heart of the family.”
“Perhaps at one time it was. Now ... well, not as much. Walter and Ernest are concerned about costs and such. In fact, we’re contemplating the future and whether or not to sell.”
“Oh, but you could never sell. Your father worked so hard to leave it as your legacy.”
Colton looked as though he might reply to that but then changed the subject back to Rosie. “I do hope to be a better brother to Rose. She deserves to have a good life, one of ease and comfort.”
“I intend to give Rosie the best and more. Your family has never allowed her to decide things for herself or really learn anything. Rose is smart, and despite the circumstances of her birth, I believe she can be taught a great deal.”
“Well, you’ve proven that in part. I must admit that you have a way with her. That’s why the decision to let her live with you was rather an easy one. I had hoped you would remain here in Dallas, but maybe getting Rosie to an entirely different place will be all the better. What few people she’s been allowed to associate with here are not likely tochallenge her or treat her as they would others. They have it in their mind that Rosie is unable to understand what everyone else knows, and the folks in Cheyenne might allow her to prove herself.”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“I’m going to speak to Walter and Ernest later today. I’ll let them know that I’ve decided it’s for the best that Rosie accompany you to Cheyenne.”
“And you’ll come too?” Emma was still surprised that was even being discussed.
“Yes, if that’s all right?”
“I think it would be wonderful. We can get a big house there. We can all stay together for as long as you decide to remain in town. I figured to buy a place, anyway.”
“Well, it would hardly be appropriate for me to move in with just you and Rose. You are a widowed woman, and there are proprieties. I wouldn’t wish to upset the community.”
“I’m your sister-in-law, and your sister will be living under the same roof just as we do here.”
“Yes, but there’s a staff of ten who also live here. It makes things more acceptable. I know you’ll hire someone to help you, but having just one or two people who come in to work rather than live there wouldn’t be the same.”
“Perhaps I shall hire live-in staff. It is nice to have someone available at a moment’s notice. But I see your point. No sense upsetting the old ladies of the church now that I’m trying to make amends for the past.”
“The past? What could you possibly have to amend for in the past?”
Emma shrugged and hugged her arms to her body. “The same wild young lady who stormed Dallas was storming Cheyenne before that.” She smiled. “I didn’t rob a bank, but I did occasionally take items from the store without paying.” She bowed her head. “I’m not at all proud of my behavior.Stealing was often a challenge that my friends and I thought fun. I had no regard as to how I was hurting the store owners. I was obnoxious and devious and only concerned about myself. I offended a great many people, and I’d like to make that right.”
Colton surprised her by laughing. “I cannot imagine you offending anyone.”
She raised her head. “You didn’t know me then, Colton. With your serious nature and no-nonsense attitude, you would have quickly cast me aside.”
“I doubt that. There’s always been something about you that I ... well, that I find quite appealing.”
Emma could see that look on his face once again. No one ever looked at her the way Colton did. Most of time, people considered her with disdain or at least caution. Colton’s gaze was one that, for the life of her, Emma didn’t understand.
“Well, so long as you’re warned about it. I have no idea of what I’ll face once I’m there. I haven’t been home in a long, long while.”
“Maybe folks will forget about what you were like and give you a chance to prove who you’ve become.”
Emma swallowed the lump building in her throat. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”
“So I’ve agreed to let her take Rose to Wyoming, and I plan to go with them, at least for a few weeks, maybe longer.”
“And you’ll do your best to court Emma and get her to marry you so that we can keep the railroad stock and other investments in the family?”
Colton shook his head. “I don’t intend to do that.”
“But you must,” Walter insisted. “She’s not going to understand business. If she decides against the sale, thinking,for example, that we shouldn’t sell off what our father worked so hard to create and build, then we’ll be in a most difficult place.”
