“God is good to teach you what you need to know as you go along. My mother died when I was young, and I didn’t really have an example to learn by. I found, however, that by seeking the Bible, I learned a great deal. I also learned to humble myself and ask the women around me for help. They’re all so good to lend a hand or show you the way. I used to rely a lot on a woman we called Granny Taylor. She was like a grandmother to everyone. She’s passed on now, but oh, that woman was pure love.”
“My mother was that way,” Emma said, looking at the floor. “Only thing is, I didn’t appreciate it at the time. I wasted a lot of years.”
Melody took hold of her hand, and Emma couldn’t help but face her. “Emma, if there’s one thing I know God can do, it’s restoration. He won’t give you back the years with your mother, but He will restore your heart and give you something else. You have a lot of people around you who knew your mother well. Your stepmother, for instance. I know she would be happy to help you in every way if you just reach out to her.”
Emma nodded. “I know that you’re right. Lucille is a treasure, to be sure, and she knows stories about my mother that will help me to remember her. She can also tell me about the years I spent away from her.”
“Exactly.”
“What an excellent meeting,” Marybeth said, coming to join them after all the other ladies had gone. “Those who couldn’t make it in told me at church on Sunday what they would like to make. Sounds like we’ll need a dozen or more tables to hold it all.”
“We have plenty of tables at the school you can borrow, and what we don’t have, the fellas can make. You know how they are. Just give them a task, and they’ll find a way to master it.”
“It’s true.” Marybeth reached out to touch Emma’s arm. “I really was touched at your offer. I know several women who didn’t come today who can’t afford to spare extra supplies. I’ll let them know that you donated supplies if they would be willing to do the labor. I know they’ll want to join in. I’ll even arrange with Edward to see to it that they have plenty of wood or coal for their stoves.”
“Rosie was more excited about this than just about anything else. Of course, she’s excited about most things thatinvolve a new challenge or way that she can help. Mrs. Olson has been so good to help her learn things in the kitchen.”
Marybeth glanced over her shoulder before turning back to Emma. “You know that Rob has lost his heart to her. He plans to ask for her hand.”
Emma had anticipated that he would but had no idea of how Colton would react. “I didn’t know, but I think it’s wonderful. He cares for her so tenderly and never loses his temper with her. I only hope he can convince her brother.”
“He already has.” Marybeth exchanged a conspiratorial look with Melody and then back to Emma. “Rob sought him out one day and told him how he felt. Your father was there at the time. Rob said having him there gave him extra courage.” She chuckled. “I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall.”
“Rob has already spoken to Colton?” Emma was surprised Colton gave Rosie’s hand to Rob after the way he had spoken out against the young man.
“Yes. He made it clear to Rob that Rosie has no inheritance, so if he was marrying her for money, he should know there wasn’t going to be any. What Colton doesn’t realize is that such things mean very little to Rob. He’s industrious and will earn whatever they need. But from the moment he laid eyes on Rosie, he’s spoken of little else. He lost his heart at first sight of that girl.”
It touched Emma deeply to hear of Colton’s change of heart. He loved Rosie dearly, and his willingness to let Rob marry her was proof that he wanted only her happiness.
“Don’t say anything to Rob, but I plan for Rosie to have plenty. I’ve made up my mind that she deserves a cut of the family inheritance. Tommy got more than his share because of his aunt, and I plan for that to go to Rosie. She’ll be quite wealthy.”
“Oh my.” Marybeth’s eyes widened a bit. “Maybe don’t tellanyone else just yet. If Colton and his brothers know that their sister is to be rich, they may be less inclined to let her go.” She shook her head. “I know that sounded ungracious. Forgive me. I just don’t want anything to happen that will cause trouble for Rob and Rosie. They are so perfect together, and I very much want her for a daughter-in-law.”
“I understand. I think maybe you’re right. I’ll hold off. The Bentons plan to sell their railroad. I can go ahead and let that happen and set the money aside for Rosie. Maybe give it to them as a wedding present.”
“Yes, do that rather than give it to her now. Please. I just have a feeling it will only complicate matters for them. Better that they be wed and face it together than separately.”
Melody nodded. “I agree. Money can cause the worst of problems. Men will say and do almost anything for it.”
“You don’t think Rob would—” Marybeth started, but Melody put her hand up.
“Not Rob. The Benton brothers.”
“She’s right. I’ve told you both enough for you to know that money is the thing they love most.” Emma paused. “At least it is with Walter and Ernest. I think perhaps that though it might have been taught to Colton that way, he’s different from his brothers. Tommy was too. Although Tommy loved the adventure and lavish lifestyle that money could buy.”
“It sounds like you’ve had a change of heart regarding Colton in the last few weeks.”
Emma realized she was defending the man she had accused of greed and deception. “I suppose I have, although until just now, I hadn’t realized. He is different, and he’s made his peace with God, so I must allow for that as well. Still, I think it’s best to wait until Rosie and Rob are married to give her the money. Who can tell what it might stir up.”
“But I didn’t think the federal government was interested in Wyoming statehood at this point,” Colton said as he stood talking with other men in a special reserved room at one of the men’s clubs.
After hearing that Colton planned to make Cheyenne his home, Charlie Decker had invited him to join the important gathering. Colton hardly knew any of the several dozen men but figured it would be wise to get to know them. These were the men who would make things happen in Cheyenne, and he wanted to be among them.
“The government might not be ready for Wyoming statehood,” Charlie replied, “but the men and women of Wyoming are. Tell us no, and we just get all the more muleheaded.”
“It’s true,” Henry Hay, cattleman and banker, declared. “We’re going to be a state, and that’s all there is to say about that. Should have been one ten years ago, but we’ll settle for this year or next.”
The men nodded and gave their unanimous agreement.
