She kissed her father on the cheek. “The front door will be open, just lock up when you come in for the night.”
“I’ll walk you back,” Colton told her. “Just let me find Rosie.”
They located her helping to wash dishes. She was so happy, and Colton didn’t have the heart to demand she join them.
“I can walk her back when she’s ready to come home,” Rob offered.
Colton had watched him throughout the evening with Rosie. He was very considerate of her and never overstepped the bounds of decency.
“I think that would be wonderful, Colton,” Emma whispered. “It will give Rosie a feeling of independence.”
If it hadn’t been for the fact that Colton wanted to talk to Emma alone, he might have found a reason to say no, but instead, he nodded. “Thank you, Vogel. That would be fine.” He offered Emma his arm. “Shall we?”
“Of course.”
They walked at a leisurely pace, leaving the revelry behind them as they made their way to the house.
“Would you like to come in for some coffee?”
“Yes, I’d like to come in for a few moments to talk, but no coffee. I’m still quite full even though I ate hours ago.”
They made their way inside, and Emma turned on the front room lights. “It was quite the party. I think most of Cheyenne was there.” She took a seat in the rocking chair and sighed. “I’m glad to just sit and relax a bit. Tomorrow will certainly be very busy, so I plan to go to bed early. What did you want to talk to me about?”
Colton sat on the sofa and leaned forward. “I hope you weren’t offended by my gift this evening. Rosie made it clear that she thought it was inappropriate, and I was worried that I might have made you uncomfortable.”
“Not at all.” Emma fingered the broach that she’d pinned to her dress. “I thought it was quite special. I was really touched by it, in fact. Thank you.”
“I thought it only right. You deserve beautiful things. I know Tommy was always lavishing them on you.”
“He did. That is certainly true. I was always telling him to stop. I didn’t want anyone thinking I was with him for the fancy baubles and gowns. I told him you and your brothers were going to think very poorly of me, but he didn’t care. He said, ‘I want to deck you out in a way that will make everyone stop and look.’” Emma laughed. “He said his friends were going to be so envious, because he’d ...” She fell silent as hercheeks reddened. “It’s not important. I’m not that woman anymore.”
“But you are an amazing woman, and were even then.”
Emma nodded. “I just want to be done with the old Emma and all her hurtful attitudes and actions. Though I still find myself wanting to have a good time. I loved the party tonight. The people were happy and full of life, and I felt truly cared about.”
“You are cared about, Emma.”
“Oh, I know. My father loves me; there’s no doubt about that. My stepmother has turned out to be a surprising influence in my life, and I can honestly say that she loves me as well. And of course, I know Rosie loves me.”
“And I love you.”
He hadn’t meant to speak the words aloud, but now that he had, he watched to see what Emma’s reaction might be. She looked at him for a long moment and then smiled.
“That’s good of you, Colton. I know you care. I’m your sister-in-law.”
“It isn’t that, Emma. I had no intention of telling you this tonight, but...” He tried to organize his thoughts so that he wouldn’t make a fool of himself. “From the time Tommy first brought you home to meet me, I was ... well, for lack of a better word, I was dumbstruck.”
She said nothing, so Colton hurried to continue. “I never believed in love at first sight, but it happened to me with you. There was something about you that spoke to my soul. I wanted to take you aside and tell you how I felt. I wanted to woo you, but you were with Tommy, and I couldn’t intrude on that. He was my brother, and I would never hurt him by betraying him that way.
“I honestly figured he’d play out his time with you and then be off to someone else. Then after a bit of time, I couldseek you out for myself. But instead, he really loved you—at least in the manner of love you both chose.”
She shook her head. “I don’t know what to say.”
“I know, and I’m not trying to cause you further grief. But I wonder if you could think about a future with me. We wouldn’t have to marry right away, but I can’t go on not being honest with you. I overheard Rosie speaking to someone at the party about how much she hates lies, and I knew that I was living a lie. I came with you two to Cheyenne because I couldn’t bear the idea of letting you get away. I saw the way the men looked at you tonight, and it worried me. I figured if I didn’t say something soon, you might well take up with one of them. I need you to know that I care about you ... that I love you, and I always will.”
13
Emma found sleep impossible that night. She tossed and turned and dozed a little from time to time, but never found restful sleep. Colton’s declaration of love had totally taken her by surprise. Looking back on when she first met him, she had thought his standoffish behavior was due to his dislike of her. Now she knew it was because he had feelings for her. It was admirable that he didn’t act on them or challenge Tommy’s place in her life, but at the same time, it was a strange feeling to imagine him desiring her for himself.
