And then as quickly as he’d begun the kiss, Colton stopped and pulled back.
“I’m sorry if I surprised you, but I’m not sorry that I did that.” He left her then.
Emma stood there unable to move for several moments. She heard his boot steps as he passed through the dining room and down the hall. She heard the screen door open and close, and only then did she draw in a gasping breath.
She touched her lips, still not able to reason all that had happened. Colton’s kiss had ignited something deep within her. Something completely unexpected. It was like coming awake after a long sleep. Coming awake to a world she’d never known existed.
She wasn’t sorry that he’d kissed her. She was sorry that he had stopped.
14
It was the busy season for the ranch, and Emma knew she’d see very little of her father and Lucille. With that in mind, she planned ways for her and Rosie to keep busy at their own place. Rosie was more than content with her chickens and Rob Vogel’s daily visits to help with reading. Emma had bowed out altogether with the reading lessons, knowing that Rob was fully capable of teaching Rosie. She knew they were caught up in each other’s company, as well, and felt like she was in the way.
She had a certain longing for the happiness that she saw in Rosie. Emma wasn’t entirely sure she could ever be that carefree. She had seen too much and experienced the ugliness of a life lived in self-indulgence and irresponsibility. Rosie was innocent of all of that. Maybe having been sheltered all of her life was a blessing that none of them quite appreciated.
Emma focused on the gardens and yard. She planted flower starts and seeds near the front porch and spoke often with Gary about plans for planting some additional trees. After twenty years, it was impressive to see how much of a difference trees were making in the town. Most of the women belonged to the Cheyenne Arbor Society, whichfocused hard on the beautification of Cheyenne through trees. Just the year before, Cheyenne had passed an Arbor Day Law and pledged to celebrate Arbor Day every April to note the importance of planting new saplings in their territory. Emma was impressed with the short but well attended celebration they’d had at the end of the previous month. Cheyenneites knew well the importance of beautifying their town.
Uppermost on her mind, however, was Colton and his feelings for her and, frankly, her own growing feelings for him. Knowing how he cared for her, Emma had allowed herself to consider a life with Colton. The thoughts that came to mind weren’t at all unappealing. Colton Benton was a handsome and thoughtful man. He was highly intelligent, and she truly admired that about him. When he was interested in a topic, he did whatever was necessary to learn about it and better understand. He’d spent numerous days over the last month with representatives from the Union Pacific regarding their desires to expand their lines north and even south, and often spoke of what he’d learned over supper. She had no idea to what degree he was involved, but it kept him busy enough that she’d not seen that much of him lately.
That was why it was so surprising when Colton showed up an hour later for lunch. Emma hadn’t really planned anything at all. Rosie was spending the day with Marybeth and Rob. The threesome were painting and papering the Vogels’ upstairs, and Rosie was so excited to participate that Emma didn’t have the heart to tell her no. Not that she really had any reason to refuse her. Colton was less than pleased, however, to hear about the activities.
“I don’t like that she’s doing common laborer jobs.”
Emma looked up from slicing bread. She had decided to make sandwiches, since Colton’s surprise arrival. “But sheenjoys participating in just about everything. Your family kept her from experiencing much of anything, and now she’s making up for lost time.”
“We would have kept her from common labor even if the circumstances of her birth had been different. You weren’t raised with a staff to care for you as we were.”
“That’s true.” Emma tried not to think of the fact that she was alone with Colton in the same room where he’d given her their first kiss. “But there’s nothing wrong with working and working hard. You helped to build a chicken coop and set up fence. It didn’t hurt you a bit.” She smiled and went back to slicing bread.
“That’s different. I’m a man. Men are often called to participate in a variety of tasks that are often assigned to common workers.”
“My point is, that it doesn’t hurt either men or women to try their hand at a variety of jobs. Rosie is happy. She’s blooming just like the flowers around here. I’ve known her a short time, but you’ve been with her a lifetime. Wouldn’t you agree that she’s happier than ever before?”
Again, she glanced up to catch Colton’s serious expression. He drew a deep breath and let it go. “She is happier. Smarter too.”
“She enjoys learning, and I’ve no desire to take that away from her. Whether it’s reading, sewing, or painting a room.”
“It’s taking me some time to adjust to this new Rosie.”
Emma stacked the slices of bread and put them on a plate. Next, she went to the icebox and took out the leftover ham, butter, and roasted pears. She brought this to the table, then went back for plates, silverware, and napkins.
“She’s not just happy; she feels she has a life worth value. Everyone needs to feel that way. Would you like coffee or something else?”
“Coffee is fine.”
“Good.” Emma went to the stove, where she’d put the leftover brew from breakfast. “I doubt it’s all that hot, but it is warm. I could heat the stove more and get it hot.”
“No, it’s fine as it is. I really don’t care. Water would serve me just as well. I didn’t come here with lunch in mind.”
Emma poured him a cup of coffee and then set it in front of him. “Then what did you have in mind?”
Colton looked anxious, and rather than answer immediately, he picked up two slices of bread and began to slather butter on each piece. “I ... wanted to make sure you were both doing all right. I know I haven’t been around a lot. At least, not as much as I maybe should have been.”
Emma took a seat at the small kitchen table opposite Colton. She took a slice of bread and a piece of the ham. Without bothering to butter the bread, she plopped the piece of ham on top and cut the whole thing in half.
“Would you like me to offer grace?” she asked.
Colton nodded and bowed his head. Emma wondered how things were going for him spiritually speaking.
