She turned to face Rob. “I didn’t think anyone would love me. My own family only tolerated me. They sure didn’t want to spend much time with me. We’ve only known each other a short time, Rob. Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with me?”
He surprised her by roaring with laughter. Rosie was glad they were standing away from everyone else. With the music playing again, no one seemed to have heard. If they had, people might wonder what in the world she’d said to make him laugh so much. It would be embarrassing to admit what she had asked him. Of course, Emma said a person didn’t have to tell everything just because someone demanded an answer. How was it she told Rosie to answerwhen people pried? Oh yes, she remembered.“That is a private matter.”
She realized just then that Rob hadn’t answered her question. Tilting her head, she fixed him with a look. “Well?”
He grew serious. “I am very sure, Rosie. I know I’m just twenty years old, and some folks might think that’s too young for a man to know his mind, but like I said, I’ve been planning to marry since I was five. I used to talk to my ma about it. You can ask her if you don’t believe me.”
“Why wouldn’t I believe you? You’ve always been good to tell me the truth.”
“And I always will, Rosie.” He touched her cheek. “I won’t ever lie to you, even when the truth is hard. I promise.”
She smiled and nodded. “I promise you the same thing.”
“Don’t ever doubt my love for you.”
“I don’t doubt it. I mean, not really, but I know I’m not like everyone else. I might embarrass you.”
He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “I doubt that, but I might embarrass you. You can never tell.”
“I would never be embarrassed by you.” She paused for a moment. “Well, maybe if you were teasing me in front of a bunch of people. Sometimes that scares me.”
“Then I never will. Rosie, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about you, although if they say anything bad, they might get a fist in their face. You’re perfect for me, and I like to think I’m perfect for you. There’s a lot we have yet to learn, but we’ve got time.”
Rosie knew he was right. She’d already learned so much, and who knew what else she might be able to do? No matter what, she had promised God she would always seek His help when she felt particularly unable to meet the demands of the people around her.
The dance music ended, and partners were being exchanged for the next dance. Rosie glanced back up at Rob.He was smiling again. He really did love her, and he was always so patient with her when teaching her things.
We’re going to have a good life together. I just know we will. There might be hardships at times, but we’re going to work through it, and God will show us what to do.
“What’s going through that pretty head of yours now?” Rob asked. “You look like you’re plotting something.”
Rosie laughed. “I’m not plotting at all, just thinking about how happy I am and how happy we’re going to be once we’re married.”
“I don’t have to wait until then. I’m already the happiest man in Cheyenne.”
Colton was already tired of traveling, and yet he was still at least two days’ train ride from home. It seemed that the journey was taking forever. The darkness of western Kansas made the trip seem never-ending. He imagined that Emma and her family were celebrating in grand style at the Firemen’s Tournament. He’d heard at the Bible study that Cheyenne would spare no expense, and that it required two days of celebration just to fit in all the events. How he wished he could be there instead of on this train. Not to share in the festivities, but because he longed for Emma’s company. The idea of the town filling with hundreds of eager firemen did not exactly comfort him. Between the influx of firefighters and cowboys, the already high number of single men would no doubt leave the single ladies with more attention than they could manage. Still, there was nothing to be done about it. Had it taken less time to arrange for the sale of the house, he might have already been home and able to stake his claim.
But did he really have a claim to Emma? She had promised to wait, but did she take it as seriously as he did?
Colton tipped his hat down over his eyes, hoping to sleep. There had been no available berths in the sleeper car, so he would have to attempt to sleep sitting up. When they reached Denver in the morning, he had a meeting to attend with several men who hoped to interest him in investing in a new method of food processing and packaging. It appeared to have merit. If food could be preserved for longer periods of time, it was to everyone’s benefit. It would delay him another day, but he’d promised Emma he’d give her good investment ideas, and this one looked promising.
The rhythmic rocking soon lulled Colton to sleep and filled his dreams with images of Emma. He always seemed to find himself taken back to her wedding. He had been helpless to keep her or Tommy safe. Watching his little brother take a bullet to the head had been the most horrific thing he’d ever experienced. That was, until he saw that Emma had been hit as well. Knowing he might well lose them both was more than he could bear.
He rallied himself briefly to clear those images from his mind. Falling back asleep, Colton tried to refocus his thoughts on better times—times when he and Emma had happily shared each other’s company. How he hated the separation. Hated knowing that she was still struggling to really believe he loved her. His dreams once again turned darker, and he saw Emma waving good-bye as she boarded a train. He ran after her, but she disappeared into the mist that seemed to swallow up everything. He woke with a start, surprised to find it was daylight outside.
He pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. They’d be in Denver in a very short time. He’d check into a hotel and clean up a bit, maybe even have some breakfast beforehis meeting. He wondered how long the meeting would take and when the next train to Cheyenne might be.
“Next stop, Denver!” the conductor called as he made his way through the car.
Denver wasn’t home, but it was that much closer.
23
“Did you read the newspaper this morning?” Mrs. Olson asked Emma as she passed through the kitchen to go out the back door.
“I was lucky to finally finish reading yesterday’s paper. I wouldn’t have even taken time for that, but I wanted to double-check the schedule for the cornerstone ceremony. We should probably be ready to leave here at eight if we’re to get a decent place to watch the parade. My folks already left to go to a Stock Growers Association meeting. We’re going to meet near Armstrongs’ Emporium. I was just on my way to tell Rosie.”
“She’s out with her chickens. Goodness, but I never did see a girl dote over a flock like she does.”
