Winter. When he’d first come north, Colton had hopedthey’d be moved back to Dallas by wintertime. Now, however, he’d been considering the benefits of staying in Cheyenne. It seemed with each passing day he was becoming more and more invested in the city, and Emma and Rosie certainly seemed content here.
They continued the work. They were nearly finished when Emma announced it was time for lunch. At her father’s bidding, she came out to see what they’d accomplished.
“It’s looks really great. You men are quite the team.” She smiled at them all and kissed her father’s cheek. “I am so glad you decided to do this.”
“After lunch, we’ll get the fence in place to quarter off your chicken yard. I saw that your neighbors let their flock run around free, but yours need to learn their home first. Get them settled and penned in. After a while, they’ll be okay to let out. It won’t take any time at all.”
Colton helped Rich collect the tools while Emma took Gary aside to talk. He caught bits and pieces of the conversation. It seemed she wondered if he’d like to have a job taking care of her yard and overseeing the place.
In a hushed whisper that Colton could barely hear, she told the older man that she’d feel so much safer if she had someone around who she knew she could trust.
“Let me show you the apartment here. It’s not much at all, just a large room, but the last owners fixed it up nicely.” She led him into the room, and Colton found himself staring after them.
“I didn’t know she didn’t feel safe.”
“She’s helping me out,” Rich said in a low voice. He motioned for Colton to follow him. Once they were nearly back to the house, Rich explained. “Gary’s an old cowhand, and his body isn’t letting him do his job anymore. I’ve offered to let him sit around and just fill space, but he won’t abide such laziness. Insists that he can pull his weight, but he’sbecoming a liability. He’s always adored Emma, and if she makes it clear to him that he’s needed here, then I think he’ll be willing to give up the ranch and come help her. The duties will be much less difficult and definitely not so dangerous if he slips up.”
Colton glanced back at the building, where Emma and Gary Price were just coming out. She looked happy and gave the man a hug. “Looks like she talked him into it.”
“She has a way of winnin’ folks over.”
“She’s a good woman. I saw that the first time Tommy brought her home. She was so patient with Rosie. She treated her like she was no different from anybody else.”
Rich nodded as Colton met his eyes. “She’s finally come around to right thinkin’. Her mama always said she would in time. It’s taken a long while, but I think my Emma is ready to settle down and live a life that’s pleasin’ to the Lord.”
Later that afternoon, Rosie oversaw her chickens while Emma said good-bye to her family. Gary Price had agreed to come and live with her but headed back to the ranch with the others to retrieve his things.
“I don’t have much, Miss Emma, but what I have is dear to me. I’ll ride back in tomorrow and get settled.”
“Tomorrow is soon enough. I can’t fault you for wanting your things around you.” She waved to them as her father put the horses in motion.
“We should be home by dark,” Lucille called back. “So don’t worry about us.”
Emma gave a wave. “I’ll try not to worry.” She didn’t say it loud enough for her family to hear. She also didn’t bring up the fact that the paper carried a story about a man being attacked by Indians only about twelve miles to the west ofthe ranch. The man could have been telling a tall tale, but the account mentioned the editor witnessed the horse that had taken several arrows in the attack.
She headed back to the house, exhausted from the long day and still confused by everything that Colton had said. There’d been no chance for the two of them to discuss the matter, but now that they were alone, she felt almost certain he would say something.
Hoping not to give him much of a chance, she went straight into the house and into the kitchen. There were plenty of leftovers for supper, so she couldn’t even occupy herself by cooking.
“Rosie seems pretty happy,” Colton said, joining her in the kitchen.
“The chickens will become special friends for her. They were for me when I was young.” Emma put away a few things that had been left out from their earlier preparations. “She’s already started naming them.”
Colton chuckled and turned. “What good is it to name them? They won’t come when they’re called.”
“No, but the more time she spends with them, the more they’ll know her and come whenever they see her. Especially when they know she’s the source of food. Naming them is more for her benefit than theirs.” Emma wiped down the countertop. “Will you be staying for dinner?”
“No.”
Emma startled when Colton spoke. He was standing right behind her now. She turned, pressing her back against the cabinet and counter. She looked up into his eyes.
“You’re, uh, welcome to stay.”
“I want to stay, but I think I should go. You know how I feel, and I want you to have some time to consider what I’ve said without me being here to further complicate matters. I care so much about you, Emma.”
His look was almost pleading, as if begging her to understand. She gave only the slightest nod, knowing that if she tried to speak it would be all muddled and confused, because that was how she felt.
“I just want to say ... well ...” He stopped speaking altogether and took her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers. Emma could scarcely draw breath. Tommy had kissed her a hundred times, but never like this. Never with the passion and desire that she, too, felt in that moment.
