9
The church services were much as Emma remembered them. The pastor was different from the one she’d known as a child. In fact, the church was changing pastors, as the pastor they’d heard today was ending his time there. Reverend Bright was to take over, and everyone seemed quite enthusiastic about the man.
The congregation had grown considerably since Emma had attended. The little white church was full to overflowing. There were already plans being drawn up to build a larger church on the same grounds. Emma supposed she would be a part of that new church. Maybe she’d even help pay for the building now that she had plenty of money. Wouldn’t that be something? Tommy would have laughed but told her to do what she liked. He didn’t have a problem spending money on things like that. Money had meant very little to him, except as a means to have fun.
“Sure good to see you here,” her father said, coming to give her a hug outside the church.
“I sometimes wonder if Mama knows how I’ve changed.” Emma looked heavenward. “I hope she does.”
“I figure she does.” He looked upward as well.
“What are you two doing gawking up into the sky at?” Charlotte Hamilton asked.
Emma lowered her gaze and smiled. “Just enjoying the day.” She had little desire to explain, lest Charlotte think her odd. She noticed the man at Charlotte’s side. “Micah?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled. “Haven’t seen you in ages, Emma. Sure sorry to hear about all you went through in Texas.”
Emma glanced down at the black dress she wore. Perhaps she should stop wearing mourning clothes. It only served as a reminder of what had happened. “Thank you. I must say it has been a lot to undergo.”
“Well, I’m glad you were able to move back to Cheyenne. I know your pa missed having you here.”
“He’s got that right.” Emma’s father nodded. “A man ought to be able to have his family close around him.”
“Emma Johnson?” a woman asked.
Emma turned and met the stern gaze of a matronly woman. She knew the woman well. She was the mother of the young man Emma had once been engaged to marry. She had broken the engagement without thought or concern to the plans being made for their wedding or to her fiancé’s heart.
“Mrs. Stevens, I’m glad I ran into you.” Emma decided there was no time like the present. “I owe your family a big apology.”
This took the woman by surprise. “I ... what is that, now?”
“I owe you a big apology for the way I acted in the past. I owe Thane one as well. I can’t believe how thoughtless and cruel I acted. I am so very sorry. I wasn’t walking with the Lord back then. In fact, I was running from Him as fast as I could. Still, it’s no excuse for hurting people. I hope you’ll find it in your heart to forgive me.”
The older woman stared at Emma for a long moment, then looked at the others, who were trying hard to seem otherwise occupied.
“I never figured to hear those words from you, Emma.” The woman straightened her shoulders. “You did cause a powerful lot of hurt. I wasn’t sure my Thane was ever going to get over it, but he did. God gave him another woman to love, and she’s been the best of daughters-in-law. Gave me two grandchildren as well.”
Emma smiled. “I’m so glad. Thane deserves the best. He is a wonderful man.”
Mrs. Stevens nodded, clearly still stunned by Emma’s words. She narrowed her eyes a bit, then relaxed her expression. “I’ve known God to work a wonder of miracles in my life. I guess this is just one more. When I saw you, the pain came back despite the happiness God has given. I guess I let the devil get the best of me. I was all set to give you a piece of my mind, but now I find myself compelled to offer you forgiveness instead.”
“Thank you. I know I don’t deserve it, but I cherish it.”
“This is gonna be a surprise to Thane, but I’m thinking he’ll be glad to hear it too.”
Emma found her heart just a little lighter. “Hopefully, I’ll have a chance sometime to seek his forgiveness too.”
Rosie was surprised when Robert Vogel stopped her outside of the church. She didn’t know where Emma or her brother had gotten off to and wasn’t at all sure how to act with this man who was very nearly a stranger.
“Rosie, I’m so glad to see you here at church. Did you enjoy yourself?”
“I did.” She frowned but said nothing more. Rob seemed like a nice enough man when they’d shared dinner at his folks’ house.
“I hope you liked the preaching. We’ve only had this pastorfor three months. I kind of thought he’d stick around a while, but maybe we’ll get more time with the new one. I’ve heard good things about Reverend Bright.”
“Have you always gone to this church?” Rosie asked.
Rob smiled and gave a nod. “I have. My ma and pa started here when they first came to Cheyenne. I was actually born in Cheyenne.”
