“Well, of course, you knew Carrie best.” Mrs. Vogel looked to Rosie. “She’s the oldest and a doctor now. She lives in Chicago. Greta, here, is eighteen, and Daniel is sixteen. He’s already finished with his secondary classes and is heading off to college in the fall. Greta has a beau, and I believe we’ll be hearing news of a wedding before the summer’s out.”
“Mother! You don’t speak of those kinds of things with company,” Greta protested.
“Why not?” Rosie asked. “Isn’t it true?”
They all looked at Rosie for a moment as if to figure her out. Their confusion triggered Rose to speak up. “I’m being myself.” She glanced at Emma, then back to the others. “I’m different from you. I sometimes forget, but I’m different because I died when I was born.”
“What in the world are you talking about?” Greta asked. “How could you die and be born at the same time?”
Rosie didn’t appear to be at all offended. “I had the cord wrapped around my neck. Three times. It choked my air, and when I was born, I wasn’t alive. My mama thought I would stay dead, but I didn’t. God decided to breathe into me, and I came back to life.”
“What a wonderful story,” Marybeth declared.
Rob stepped forward. “That is a wonderful story. God must have a very special plan for your life.”
Rosie smiled and looked from person to person. “He does. But then, He has something special for you too.”
“That’s so true, Rosie,” Marybeth said, glancing at herhusband as he came to join them. “This is my husband, Edward. He’s the police chief, an elder at the church, member of the volunteer fire department, and part-time carpenter.”
Rosie extended her hand once again. “Jesus was a carpenter.”
“He was indeed,” Edward said, taking hold of Rosie. “I’m pleased to meet all of you, but especially you.”
Emma was proud of the way Rose handled herself. There was something childlike in the way she comported herself, but no one here seemed to mind. In fact, if she wasn’t mistaken, Rob Vogel was rather intrigued with her.
“Dinner is ready if you are,” Marybeth said. “Shall we go in?”
“Of course,” Edward said, looking to the others. “We’re mighty glad to have you with us.”
“Did your sister take it hard that you were leaving Texas to come home?” Mrs. Vogel asked Emma.
“No, I think she’s much too busy to miss me. Besides, her girls are old enough that they keep Clara occupied in their training. She intends to see they know everything about keeping a house, especially a ranch house.”
“And what of your brother? He’s not been back to Cheyenne since leaving years ago.” Mrs. Vogel continued her questioning.
“James graduated college and settled in Boston. He married and is his father-in-law’s right-hand man in a manufacturing company,” Rich Johnson answered for his daughter. “I’m not sure he’ll ever come back to Cheyenne. He loves the city life.”
“And what is it that you do, Mr. Benton?” Edward Vogel asked as dessert was served.
Colton took the offered slice of carrot cake, then answered. “I am a lawyer by trade and education. I am also heavily involved in the railroad. My father established a line many years ago that started in Missouri and ended in Texas. He and his sister invested their inheritance and created the Missouri-Texas Railway. I serve on the board as legal counsel and handle other family investments as well.”
“Sounds like you’re a very busy man.”
“He’s always busy,” Emma declared. “That’s why I was especially touched that he would take time away from business to see that Rosie and I were settled here. I was told that Colton hasn’t been out of Texas in years.”
He chuckled. “It’s true, but I felt I owed it to my deceased brother, as well as Emma and Rosie, to see them settled safely. My family is very important to me, and there are always those who would take advantage of women who seem to have no man to watch over them.”
“Well, they have me,” Rich declared. “And even when we are out at the ranch, I’ve a good number of friends here in Cheyenne who will also aid in keeping an eye on them.”
“It’s true. I’m one of them,” Edward Vogel said, pouring himself more coffee. “We do that here in Cheyenne, look out for each other. We’re like one big family.”
Colton had never known people like the Vogels and Johnsons. Growing up, his father had taught him to be wary of people.
“Everybody is after something, Colton. You must always be cautious of people and question their every motive,”his father had told him since he was in knee pants.
Marybeth handed her husband the cream. “You can rest assured, Colton, that your sister and Emma will have a good many people looking out for them.”
Colton knew the woman was sincere in her assurances. She didn’t strike him as ever being pretentious. These weregood people. He’d discerned that the moment he met them. Still, even good people could have bad motives. He would be vigilant and cautious, lest his sister and Emma get hurt or taken for granted.
