“What fun is that?” Rosie asked, pouring herself a glass of lemonade. “I like doing things for myself.”
Emma wanted to laugh at the look on Colton’s face. When he glanced at her, she quickly lowered her gaze back to her plate. The Bentons never had to fend for themselves. She had grown up in a family who didn’t rely much on servants to do their chores. Papa had always had a team of cowboys to help with the herd and a foreman to watch over those men, but he was quite capable of doing most things for himself. Mama had always taken care of the house, even though she did have a hired cook to help during calving season. She and Clara were also responsible for the household duties, garden, and chores like milking and gathering eggs. Emma had helped hang wallpaper when she was twelve and Mama had wanted to spruce up her bedroom. They settled on a flower print, and together, the three of them mastered the work. There were certainly no hired paperhangers.
Things got quiet, and Emma glanced up to find Rosie frowning at her. She knew Rosie had tried to get her to cheer up. She hadn’t mentioned the incident with Colton and the telegram, as if it were already dealt with and had no further influence. That was Rosie’s way. She was usually very quick to drop a matter and move on. It was one of her childlike charms.
“Colton, I think it’s time for you to go back to Texas. You’re still making Emma sad.”
Emma’s eyes widened. She hadn’t expected that. Shereturned her focus to the food and hoped that the matter would resolve itself. She had no desire to get caught up in the conversation.
“I would love to help Emma not be sad,” Colton said. “But, Rosie, she won’t talk to me. You can’t work things out with someone unless they’ll talk to you.”
“You lied to her, Colton. That hurt her feelings.”
“I didn’t lie to her at all. You heard our brothers encourage me to come to Cheyenne so that I could talk Emma into marrying me. You saw the telegram they sent, and I could even show you letters from them demanding I get Emma to marry me, but I never agreed to that. I didn’t come here to deceive Emma.”
“They sent letters too?” Rosie shook her head. “Walter and Ernest only care about money. They don’t know how Emma feels. They never care about anybody but themselves. Aunt Clementine used to say that, and it’s true.”
Emma kept her head bowed. She was so embarrassed that she wanted to run from the room. How dare Colton talk about her as if she wasn’t even there. Tommy had once told her that the only thing that really mattered to his brothers and father was money and the railroad. She had to admit she had seen Colton as the exception. He cared deeply about Rose and her comfort. He was also kind to the staff, although he didn’t offer to alleviate their burdens like Tommy might. She had once seen Tommy help the old gardener trim trees and carry away branches. None of the other Benton men would have done that. Still, Colton had helped her father and Gary with building the chicken coop. She supposed a lot of his hesitation might be a lack of knowledge as to how the work needed to be done. He’d never been taught such things, so how could she fault him for not doing them?
“If Emma would allow me to speak with her about all ofthis, I feel we could come to an understanding. I hate that things got out of hand.”
“I think that you should just go home. You hurt Emma’s feelings, and there’s nothing you can do to make it better.”
“I can tell her the entire story. The whole truth of what happened in Texas and why I came here. See, what you don’t know, Rosie, is that I fell in love with Emma way back when Tommy first brought her to meet us all. Do you remember that day?”
“I do. Emma brought me flowers.”
“That’s right. As I recall they were hothouse roses. Pink ones.”
Rosie’s voice took on an excited tone. “Yes! Yes, they were pink, and they matched my favorite dress.”
“I remember. Emma was very kind to bring them, and as I recall, the two of you sat together and talked for a long time while Tommy was busy with Father.”
“We did. Emma asked me to tell her about my life. Nobody had ever done that before.”
Emma remembered that moment quite well. Tommy had told her that Rosie was rather shy and would probably say very little to her. However, when Emma started asking her simple questions, Rosie seemed more than happy to give answers, and by the time Tommy returned, Rosie was telling Emma all about her routine as the only Benton female.
“Emma, do you remember the first time you read to me?”
She still didn’t want to get involved in the conversation but found she had no choice. She drew a deep breath and looked up. “I remember it very well, Rosie. It was just about this time last year.”
“Yes! I love it when you read to me.” She looked at Colton. “She still reads to me, but someday I’ll be able to read to her.”
“I feel confident you will, Rosie.”
Emma thought she would leave them to discuss the matterfurther. She scooted her chair back, but Rosie commanded her to stay.
“Don’t leave, Emma. Colton, you go ahead and tell Emma what you want to say. That’s only fair, Emma.”
She was surprised at the impromptu reprimand but nodded. “Very well. Say what you like.”
“I want first to apologize for not bringing this matter to your attention when Walter and Ernest first brought it up. I think hearing that Tommy had left you everything was so shocking to them and their plans for the future that they worried they would have much to forfeit. The fact is, however, I told you the truth. I’ve loved you since I met you. I spent a great deal of time doing everything in my power not to think about you. Even though I wasn’t a religious man then, I knew it was wrong to covet my brother’s wife-to-be. But it was impossible to ignore my feelings once Tommy was dead. When I saw the bloodstain on your wedding gown, I wanted only to scoop you up in my arms and rush you to the hospital. I couldn’t bear the idea that you might die.”
His words seemed sincere, and Emma wanted to believe him. Thinking of him caring for her even back before the wedding did perhaps explain the reason for his behavior. But coming to Cheyenne to pursue her was the problem. Not his feelings from last year.
As if reading her thoughts, Colton continued. “I came to Cheyenne because I couldn’t stand the idea of losing you, of living without you in my daily life. I used Rosie as an excuse to come, even though I knew the two of you would be just fine. You were coming home, after all. I had no reason to doubt that you’d have plenty of people who would come alongside you to assist you in every way possible. And that’s exactly what happened. But so long as Rosie was with you, I knew I could come as well, and no one would question my decision. But I didn’t come here because Walter and Ernestinsisted I do so. Just as my decision to remain here has nothing to do with them or the railroad. I’ve made up my mind to make Cheyenne my home so that I might convince you of my sincerity.”
“I’m glad you’re going to stay.” Rosie’s entire expression lit up. “I want you to be here. But you should have told her the truth, Colton.”
