“No, I’ll help her after Gary and I get the chairs and table back in the house,” Colton said, getting to his feet. “You go enjoy the afternoon with your family.”
“They’ll probably all have something else to do. Greta was already busy with the Deckers, and Daniel mentioned fishing.” She tousled her son’s brown hair. “Of course, fresh fish for supper sounds just fine by me.”
“Hopefully, I’ll catch a whole string.” The sixteen-year-old got to his feet. “But I’ll help you with the chairs and taking stuff inside.” He started gathering plates, evidently much to his mother’s surprise.
“There, you see, we have it all resolved. Maybe you and Edward can enjoy a nice quiet afternoon alone,” Lucille said, collecting silverware.
Once everyone was gone and the things brought inside, Colton went to the kitchen and found Emma with her sleeves rolled up and hands busy at work in the soapy water. He took up a dish towel and began taking clean dishes from her as soon as she finished rinsing them.
“That was a lot of fun. I’ve never really enjoyed family gatherings,” Colton began, “but I never had family like those folks.”
“They are all such good people. I must admit, however, they make me miss my mother even more. Those were the kind of gatherings she loved best. Roundup was her favorite time of the year because there would be multiple families all together in one place. Families whom we were all very close to.”
“I’ve never known anything quite like it. Coming here has opened my eyes to how family life ought to be. Everythinghas changed for me in so many ways.” He dried the plate and set it aside before taking another Emma offered.
“I never appreciated family when I was young. They were just people who interfered in my life. My folks always had chores and a list of rules. I couldn’t see then how they were trying to teach me responsibility. Their rules stifled my desires, but now I see how they were trying to keep me safe. I look back and see myself for the rebellious and ungrateful child I was, and it breaks my heart.”
“But, Emma, you didn’t act as you did in order to fulfill your desires to be rebellious and ungrateful. You were merely trying to experience life and try new things. You wanted something different for yourself.”
“But what they wanted for me was far better than what I wanted for myself. I was too blind to see it. If I’d have lived as directed by my folks—been obedient and refined as they wanted me to be—I’d have never had a shootout at my wedding.”
“You don’t know that.” Colton added another plate to the stack and turned to face her. “We can’t know how things might have been, only how they were ... how they are now. If you hadn’t been the kind of person you were, I might never have met the only woman I’ll ever love.”
Her cheeks flushed as she turned abruptly to concentrate on the dish in her hands. Colton wanted so much to take her in his arms and hold her, but he held himself back and focused instead on the bowl he was drying. He had to give her time to rethink her feelings toward him. He knew she cared for him. He could tell by the way she looked at him that her previous anger and sense of betrayal were fading. She’d had time to reason things in her thoughts. Their time together Friday night had been a clear indication that she felt love for him.
“I’m sorry if that made you uncomfortable. It’s just that I’ll be leaving tomorrow and gone for a few weeks. I don’twant you to forget about me and how important you are to me. I would hate for some other suitor to seek you out and try to win you over while I’m gone.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. No one is going to come seeking me out.” She started washing the silverware.
“So you might be willing to promise to wait for me?”
She stopped washing the dishes and turned to him. “What exactly are you asking?”
“I’d ask you to marry me if I thought you’d say yes. I’m guessing it’s too early for that, though. I know you don’t yet trust me, and I understand why.” He put the dish towel aside. “I just don’t want someone else to get ahead of me in trying to win your heart.”
“That won’t happen.” She barely whispered the words.
Colton took hold of her wet hands. “Do you promise?”
Emma studied his face for a long moment. “I promise.”
He grinned, feeling real hope. “Will you kiss me as a pledge?”
Again, she looked at him as if searching for something. Colton was almost convinced she’d say no when she finally nodded her consent.
Tenderly, he took her face in his hands and gazed into her dark brown eyes. He prayed she’d recognize his sincerity and honesty. Prayed that God would let her see his heart and know the truth. Pressing his lips to hers, Colton pulled Emma close, marveling at the way they fit together so perfectly. They were made for each other.
Emma couldn’t contain her elation as she gazed at the check given her by the Union Pacific official. It was her share of the Benton family railroad. There was enough money here to keep Rosie and Rob for the rest of their lives.
“This envelope contains the Union Pacific stock certificates.” The man handed her the envelope and then gave one to Colton. “Yours are here with your brothers’ stocks, and the checks are included. Each are written out as you directed.”
“Thank you. That concludes our business together, and now I’ve a train to catch.” Colton took the envelope and placed it into a leather satchel. He got to his feet and offered his hand to Emma. She was still rather dumbfounded by the amount of money that had just been exchanged. She allowed Colton to help her to her feet, nevertheless.
She offered the UP man a smile and put the check in her purse. “It was a pleasure to meet you.”
Once they left the office and headed out into the depot, she realized anew that Colton would soon be leaving Cheyenne. His train to Denver was due shortly. He’d already checked his trunk.
“I hope your brothers are pleased with the transaction. I don’t see how they couldn’t be, but given all that you’ve told me about them, I suppose they could be upset when they learn that we didn’t marry.”
