“Yes, sir.”
Colton didn’t hesitate, and Emma wondered what was going on between him and the chief of police.
“I’ll be on my way.” He tipped his hat at Emma and gave Colton a nod.
Once he was gone, Emma couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief. “I thought I was bound for the jailhouse once again.”
Colton laughed and took hold of her arm. “I thought we both were. Let’s keep moving so that he won’t have any reason to do that again.”
A couple of hours later, Emma invited Colton to sit on the porch. She was amazed at how comfortable she was with him now. He’d talked for part of dinner about the negotiations with the Union Pacific and all that they’d agreed to. She was pleased to hear what her share of the sale would entail. Rosie was going to be a very wealthy woman. She didn’t tell Coltonher plans. She wanted to respect Marybeth’s request to say nothing for the time being. There was still concern that if he knew, he might not allow Rosie and Rob to marry. Emma hated that she felt that way. She wanted to trust Colton, but it would take a little time. Time that she had also agreed to give him.
“Thank you for this evening. I had a wonderful time just talking to you and hearing about your life,” Colton said as they sat in the darkness.
Emma had turned on the front room lights so a muted glow could be had on the porch. She could just make out Colton’s face. He was quite handsome. Where Tommy had had boyish charm and a roguish air about him, Colton was refined sophistication and ease. He knew what he wanted out of life and wasn’t afraid to risk it all to have it.
I’m a part of what he wants.The thought met no resistance in her heart.
They heard Rosie’s giggle before they spotted her with Rob crossing the street. He was saying something to her in a hushed voice, and she was laughing gleefully. As they drew closer, Rob spied Emma and Colton on the porch and pointed them out to Rosie.
“I’m so glad you two are speaking again,” Rosie said, nearly dancing her way up the walk. “I have something to show you ... to tell you.”
Emma knew without a doubt what Rosie would say next. She couldn’t help but smile and turned to Colton, who was also looking quite pleased.
“Rob asked me to marry him, and I said yes!” She laughed and gave a twirl. “Look at my ring.” She extended her hand, but it was hard to see in the dim lighting.
“Why don’t we go inside and have a better look. We can celebrate too.” Emma got to her feet and looked at Colton. She wondered if there would be any negative comment ortrouble. He had given Rob permission to marry his sister, but he might have had a change of heart.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Colton said, jumping up. “Rosie, I couldn’t be happier for you.”
She laughed and ran into his arms. “I couldn’t be happier either. My life is the very best.”
Emma couldn’t help but feel the young woman’s joy spill over and engulf them all. Rosie had endured so much in her short life. People had all but locked her away in a cage. They had decided from the start that she would be a terrible burden, a worthless and troublesome curse.
They had been so very wrong.
21
After Sunday services, where Rob and Rosie announced their engagement, Emma invited Rob’s family and hers to come back to her house for lunch. Colton had never been one to enjoy family gatherings, but with the Johnsons and the Vogels, it was quite different from the affairs his own family had endured.
These were people who enjoyed a lot of laughter and love. Colton watched their interactions and thought of how different his own life might have been if his family had been like theirs. Instead of money directing their conversations and time, the men enjoyed discussions about their families and hobbies. They talked about God and the things they were learning in the Bible. Colton had thoroughly enjoyed his time the previous day learning about the various elements of the prodigal son. He saw himself in the elder son, angry and frustrated that the younger son had demanded his inheritance and left to live his life in a reckless manner. The oldest son had remained faithfully at work, doing his father’s bidding, just as Colton had. He’d missed out on so many of the things Tommy had experienced and enjoyed, but in the end those things had, in essence, killed him. Colton hadn’teven realized his anger toward his younger brother until this study. He was able to talk to these men and listen to them share similar feelings.
Realizing his feelings about Tommy was difficult, though. Tommy’s love of life and refusal to live by rules had gotten him killed. Yet his death had allowed Colton to break free of certain self-imposed chains regarding his feelings for Emma. It created a mixture of guilt, regret, and hesitancy about the future. Did he deserve to enjoy a life with Emma when it had come at the cost of his brother?
He hadn’t shared all of this with the men in the group, but mentioned enough of it that they offered counsel that had met a certain need. Edward Vogel seemed to understand a great deal more than Colton expected. He had even told Colton about the house he lived in and how it had come to him because of the death of a good friend. For years he felt too guilty and regretful to truly enjoy it, but finally, he came to see that such feelings couldn’t bring back his friend.
Just as Colton’s feelings couldn’t bring back his brother.
Without a doubt, Tommy would have wanted Colton to live his life and to love Emma. Tommy would want her cared for, because Colton had little doubt that he had truly loved Emma. It was this thought that helped him to put aside guilt. Tommy was beyond caring, but Emma needed love and support, and Colton intended to give her both in generous quantities.
With the weather so pleasant, they had set up tables and chairs in the backyard not far from the summer kitchen. Everyone was quite impressed with what Colton and Gary had created.
“I sure couldn’t have finished it off as quick as I did without Colton’s help. For being a city boy, he can handle himself well enough,” Gary told the gathering.
“That’s good to hear,” Rich Johnson declared. “Maybe he can come out and help with the roundup.”
“I think I’d be better at attempting to juggle than rope and ride,” Colton mused. Everyone laughed.
Rich laughed more than anyone else. “I’m pretty sure we could teach a smart fella like you.”
