“Come along, Rose,” Clara said, taking hold of her. “Emma needs to sleep now.”
“I’ll come back with Colton. He promised we could see you when you’re better. He said I could help take care of you.”
Emma nodded and gave a wave. The pain was starting to feel more pronounced. Once Rosie had gone from the room, she turned to Clara. “I’m hurting.”
“I’ll tell the nurse. They said they would give you something when you needed it.”
With Clara gone, the room seemed so very silent. Emma couldn’t help but think back to Tommy lying dead on the floor. She had been pronounced a wife, and just as quickly, it was taken from her.
“Emma?” Her father peeked at her from the open door.
“Come in, Papa.”
He smiled and crossed the room in two long strides. “I’m so thankful to see you awake. Clara said you were in pain, so I won’t stay long. Lucille wanted me to make sure you had everything you needed. Can I bring you anything from Clara’s?”
She had moved most of her things from the ranch to the Benton house. She and Tommy planned to get their own place soon, but for the time being, they were moving Emma in to share Tommy’s room. Rosie had been so excited.
“I don’t know what I need.” She moaned and pressed her hands to her stomach.
“Doc says you’re very lucky. I told him you were blessed, since we don’t believe in luck.”
“I know. I’d be dead if I’d taken the bullet while facing the gun.” She could still see the hopelessness in the expression of the young woman who’d shot them. “What happened to her?”
Her father immediately understood. “They took her to the jail. She’s there now. Won’t say another word. Just sobs.” He moved closer to the bed. “Did you know ... I mean, was it a shock to learn that ... well...”
“That Tommy had another woman?” Emma had avoided thinking about that revelation. “Tommy never told me.”
“He betrayed you.”
“I suppose that’s true. I don’t know what to make of it all. I can’t really even think clearly.” She rubbed her eyes and tried to eliminate the image of the woman who’d ruined her wedding.
“I’m so sorry, Emmy.” It had been a long time since anyone had called her by her childhood name. “This was supposed to be your happiest day.”
Emma nodded, but in her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder if justice had been served. They’d made vows to God without either of them meaning a word. They’d even laughed after the rehearsal. Tommy had said he’d never expect her to stay with him if times were bad, and although the thought had troubled Emma for a moment, she’d assured him that she felt the same way.
Clara had known Emma and Tommy’s feelings on the matter. She’d asked Emma why they bothered with a wedding, then.
“Because everyone expects it. You can’t go setting up house together or travel together and such without a ring and piece of paper to say it’s legal.”
That had been Emma’s answer. Now as the words cameback to her, she was stunned by the coldness and heartlessness of them. What was wrong with her? Why had she ever agreed to marry Tommy that way?
Nearly dying was awakening feelings and thoughts that Emma had fought for years to bury deep inside.
The nurse came in just then carrying a small bottle of medicine. “I’ve brought something to help you sleep and numb the pain.”
Numb the pain. Hadn’t that been what Emma had been doing all of her life? Perhapspainwas the wrong word. It was more of a void. Her life had always seemed so empty, and yet no matter how she tried, she couldn’t find a way to fill that abyss. She was always sure that one day she would find something out there in the world that would make her feel whole and happy.
“Here you go.” The nurse handed her a shot glass with a reddish-brown liquid.
Emma lifted her head and reached out for the glass. She instantly regretted her actions and grabbed her waist. “Oh, the pain is so bad.”
“Just drink this and you’ll feel better in a couple of minutes,” the nurse insisted, helping Emma to put the glass to her lips.
The medicine tasted foul, but Emma swallowed it and eased her head back against the pillow. Once the nurse was gone again, Papa stepped forward and took hold of Emma’s hand. The look on his face betrayed his own pain.
“I thought I’d lost you.”
“I’m so sorry, Papa. This day wasn’t what any of us wanted or expected.”
