Emma shook her head. “I don’t want to ever see you again. Just go.”
It was impossible to tell exactly what Colton was thinking, but Emma no longer trusted him to speak the truth. She looked down once again at the telegram and felt her heart break into a thousand little pieces. She had believed him. She had thought him worthy of her confidence, and all this time he’d merely been after her money and stocks.
Rosie led him out, and through the open window, Emma could hear them talking on the porch. “You did a bad thing, Colton.”
“But I didn’t, Rosie. Walter and Ernest have their ideas for getting things done, but it wasn’t my plan. You know me, Rosie. I wouldn’t marry someone without love. That’s why I’ve never married. I haven’t found that love until now.”
Emma came around the rocker and felt her knees grow weak. She sat for fear of fainting.
“If you weren’t doing what Walter and Ernest wanted, then why did they send you a telegram?”
“It’s not what it seems, Rosie. They do want me to sell the railroad, and Emma agreed we could do that. Look, Ireally do have feelings for her. I love her.” Colton sounded desperately sincere.
“Emma is a good person, and I won’t let you hurt her. You should never have kissed her.”
“No, you should never have kissed me,” Emma murmured, tears filling her eyes.
She had just begun to believe that they might have a future together. She had been especially touched that he’d come to apologize for his behavior the day before. Emma shook her head and closed her eyes. The Benton men seemed to have a special affinity for betrayal.
The conversation between Rosie and Colton ended, and Emma heard Rosie return to the house. She glanced up to find the young woman watching her from the foyer.
“I’m sorry, Emma. Colton was wrong to hurt you like that.”
“I’ll be fine, Rosie.” She forced a smile and got to her feet. “I suppose this means we need to go shopping ourselves to get you that split skirt.”
“You don’t have to,” Rosie said, coming to Emma. “I know he hurt your feelings. He hurt mine too. I was hoping he wasn’t going to listen to Walter and Ernest. They’re mean and don’t care who they hurt.”
Emma patted her arm. “I just want to forget about them all. Shopping will be a good way to put my mind on something else. Let me go change my clothes, and we’ll head out.” She dabbed her eyes with the back of her sleeve and got her emotions under control.
Rosie gave her a hug, and it was nearly Emma’s undoing. She gave Rosie a squeeze, then pulled away and hurried upstairs before she burst into tears. For all the pain Tommy’s betrayal had caused her, why was it that Colton’s hurt so much more?
16
Two weeks passed with Colton coming to see Rosie and Emma making herself scarce. She couldn’t bear to dwell on his betrayal and knew she’d fall apart if forced to speak to Colton. She had been unable to sleep or eat much after learning the truth. Every day she hoped Rosie would come and tell her that Colton was heading back to Texas, but at the same time she feared that if he did, Colton would insist on taking Rosie with him.
Emma knew she couldn’t allow that to happen. Rosie and Rob were in love, and she fully expected Rob to ask for Rosie’s hand in marriage. They seemed perfectly suited to each other despite Rosie being a little older.
When Reverend Bright came calling that Tuesday morning, Emma was thankfully the only one at home. She had refused to go to church the last two weeks in order to avoid Colton and knew that sooner or later someone would come to check on her. Thankfully, her folks were busy at the ranch and hadn’t been attending either, or they would have been demanding answers. She had instructed Rosie just to tell folks she was under the weather, which she was as far as her emotions were concerned.
“Reverend Bright, please come in,” Emma said, welcoming the man. “I’ll put on the kettle for tea.”
“No need to serve refreshments, Mrs. Benton. I’ve just come from one of my other parishioners, and believe me, I couldn’t drink another cup of anything.”
“Well then, let’s just enjoy the morning. Perhaps here on the porch.” She motioned to the arrangement of chairs.
“Perfect.” He went to be seated, and Emma followed.
“I thought since I was already in the neighborhood, it would be good to stop by and see how you were doing. You’ve not been at church lately.”
“I know. I’ve just not been feeling up to coming.” She shifted her gaze to the Vogel house, where she knew Rosie was busy helping Marybeth with a project. Hopefully, she’d stay put and give Emma a chance to speak privately with the reverend.
“I hope you are now a little better?”
Emma nodded and gave him a smile. “Yes, of course. I do have to say that I’ve very much enjoyed your teachings.”
“Thank you. Someone told me you’ve been gone from Cheyenne for nine years. Have you found it much changed?”
“I have. Things are vastly different, and there are so many more people. When I was a child, you could walk about town and recognize most of the people passing by. Now that’s not the case. But I’m happy to be back in Cheyenne.” Emma took the white wicker chair opposite him. She arranged her black gown, then looked up with a smile. “I’ve actually planned to come speak with you. First, to welcome you to the church, and second, to get your advice.”
