“I thought you folks might be tired, so Edward and I wanted to invite you to supper tonight. You won’t have to do a thing, just show up and eat. We’d like it if you and Rich came too, Lucille.”
Lucille turned to look at Emma. “Well, whether they want to come or not, Rich and I would love to. We haven’t had a nice long visit in forever. How about it Emma? I can still fix you something, if you prefer.”
“No. Thank you both. I think after a nap it would be wonderful to share a meal with the Vogels. I’ll let Rosie know, and maybe you could tell Colton when you drive him to the boardinghouse, Lucille.”
“I’d be happy to. I think he and Rich are already in the carriage waiting for me.”
Marybeth nodded and gave Emma a smile. “It’s settled, then. Come about six. That’ll give Edward time to get home from work and change his clothes.”
“Sounds perfect.” Emma glanced at the timepiece she’d pinned to her gown. “We’ll see you in two hours.”
Emma had to admit she felt so much better after a nap. Lucille and her father had shown Colton to the boardinghouse and promised to pick him back up in time for supper. After that, they’d gone shopping for Emma so that there would be something to eat for breakfast and lunch the next day. Emma hadn’t heard them return, however, because she fell asleep almost the second her head hit the pillow.
“I’m excited to meet the neighbors.” Rosie had changed into a rather wrinkled gingham gown. She frowned as she picked at the cloth. “I tried a little water to smooth out the lines like you showed me. I didn’t know what else to do.”
“We’ll get an iron and an ironing board tomorrow, and I’ll teach you how it’s done, since we don’t have a maid to do it for us.” Emma pulled on her coat. She had told her father and Lucille that she and Rosie would just walk across the street and meet them at the Vogels’. They were picking up Colton and due back any time now.
“Do you know the Vogels very well?” Rosie asked as they made their way.
“We attended the same church, and my folks were good friends with them. They have four children, but they are younger than me and my siblings. They’re good people. Like Lucille said, he’s in law enforcement.”
“Do you think they’ll like me?” Rosie asked.
Emma glanced over at the petite young woman. She was beautiful. Inside and out. “I think they’ll love you, Rosie. Just be yourself.”
“Be myself? How do I do that?”
Chuckling, Emma looped her arm through Rosie’s as they crossed the street. “You don’t worry about impressing them or putting on airs. You just be friendly and kind. They aregood Christian folks, so they believe like you believe—like I believe.”
“But Colton doesn’t believe like that.”
“No, but Colton knows how to behave politely with others. He’s had a lot of schooling in manners and etiquette because of all his business experiences.”
They reached the Vogels’ front door, and before Emma could knock, a young man opened the door. She figured it must be the Vogels’ oldest son.
“I’m Rob,” he said, opening the screen door for them. He glanced briefly at Emma. “I know you were better friends with my sister Carrie. Do you remember me?”
“I do, but you were just a very young man when I left Cheyenne. Maybe eleven years old? It’s good to see you again. This is Rose Benton, my sister-in-law.”
He glanced at Rosie and got a strange look on his face. It was akin to the one Colton often had when looking at Emma. “Miss Benton, I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Call me Rosie. Everybody does.” She grinned and looked to Emma. “Isn’t that right?”
“It is indeed.”
“Well, come in out of the chill. The night air is starting to feel pretty damp. Pa said it might come a rain.”
Emma allowed Rosie to go first and heard the carriage pull into the drive just as her turn came. She glanced out and could see it was her father and the others.
“Perfect timing.”
Once they were all assembled in the house and the coats and hats removed, Marybeth drew the other two children forward.
“Let me introduce you to Greta and Daniel.” She looked at her daughter and youngest son. “This is Emma Johnson Benton and her sister-in-law, Miss Benton. They’re buying the Wellington house.”
“Call me Rosie.” Rose stuck her hand out as she’d seen others do. Greta shook it immediately, and Daniel followed in kind.
“They were just children when I left the area. And now they’re all grown up.” Emma had lived an entire lifetime in the nine years she’d been gone from Cheyenne.
