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Emma smiled and dabbed the napkin to her eyes. “You’ve made me so happy. I’ll look forward to seeing how you two change the place.”

Clara folded the check and put it into her purse. “When will you leave for Cheyenne?”

“Within the next few weeks. And I hope to take Rosie with me.”

“Will the Benton brothers allow her to go?” Clara frowned and glanced toward the archway into the hall.

“I’m speaking to them about it. Colton seems positive about the idea.” Emma lowered her voice again. “Frankly, I think Walter and Ernest will be glad to have her gone. They’ve never had much time for her. I think they’re embarrassed by her, even though she’s perfectly precious.”

“How sad. Rose is a delightful young woman.”

“She is, and I think Colton realizes she’ll be better off with me. At least, I hope that he still feels that way. With Benton men, you can never tell what they’re thinking. I suppose, however, we shall all know soon enough.”

Emma was surprised when Mrs. Lansdale came to her and announced that Colton would like to talk to her in the library. She found him staring out the window, looking quite pensive.

“You wanted to see me?”

He turned and for a moment just stared at her. Emma found his study to be a bit unnerving. He had the most intense dark brown eyes, and they always seemed able to spy out the most intimate details.

“I did,” he finally replied. “I’ve been thinking about your move to Cheyenne.”

“So have I. I’d like to leave before the end of the month. I realize we can still get into bad weather, but I thought if we took the train, then there would be fewer worries.”

Colton moved closer to where she stood. His presence seemed to fill the space around her.

She’d always admired Colton and his ability to lead.

When Lawrence Benton had fallen ill, Colton kept things running without so much as a pause.

He knew the family business in detail and had a confidence of authority that none of his brothers had mastered.

He seemed to consider what she had said, then nodded. “The new line from Fort Worth to Denver would be perfect, and the family has free passes to ride anytime we like. Is Rosie still of a mind to go with you?”

“Yes, and I would very much love to have her. I figure it’s only right I spend some of my inheritance on her care, and it would honor Tommy at the same time. He loved her so ... not that you don’t, but I know how busy you are. And Rosie and I are good for each other.”

“I know you are, and that’s why I believe she should go with you. Cheyenne is a long way away, though, and it’s still rather wild. But truthfully, we’ve got our problems in Texas too. Walter and Ernest left the decision up to me, and I think the opportunity is a good one.”

Emma smiled, knowing this would please Rosie. And having her sister-in-law live with her in Cheyenne would comfort Emma as well. “Thank you so much, Colton. I appreciate the trust you’re putting in me.”

“It’s obvious you love Rosie, and she loves you. She won’t get that from Walter and Ernest, and although I try to show her my love, I’m not the best at it.”

“You weren’t allowed to practice much with your father being so very demanding of you.”

“Yes.” Colton’s expression was rather sad as he looked away.

Emma touched his arm, something that appeared to surprise them both. He looked at her oddly for a moment, and she released him. “I’m sorry. I just ... well, it’s never too late to change. Rosie needs your love more than ever after losing Tommy.”

“Maybe it would be smart for me to come along and see you two settled in. Even stay a month or two and conduct some business with the Union Pacific.”

His comment surprised Emma. Colton was seldom willing to leave Dallas even for business meetings. He always felt it was important to remain close at hand for anything that might come up.

“I can see that this surprises you,” Colton said before Emma could speak.

“However, Rose is of the utmost concern to me. I made our mother a promise years ago that I would look after my sister. She knew life would be difficult for Rose and wanted only the best for her. And as you said, it’s never too late to change.

Plus, I can attend to some railroad business.

Perhaps help you to better understand the value of what you’ve inherited. ”

“Oh, I already understand that. Maybe not what it’s worth financially, but sentimentally. Tommy once told me the railroad was the very heart of the family.”

“Perhaps at one time it was. Now ... well, not as much. Walter and Ernest are concerned about costs and such. In fact, we’re contemplating the future and whether or not to sell.”

“Oh, but you could never sell. Your father worked so hard to leave it as your legacy.”

Colton looked as though he might reply to that but then changed the subject back to Rosie. “I do hope to be a better brother to Rose. She deserves to have a good life, one of ease and comfort.”

“I intend to give Rosie the best and more. Your family has never allowed her to decide things for herself or really learn anything. Rose is smart, and despite the circumstances of her birth, I believe she can be taught a great deal.”

“Well, you’ve proven that in part. I must admit that you have a way with her.

That’s why the decision to let her live with you was rather an easy one.

I had hoped you would remain here in Dallas, but maybe getting Rosie to an entirely different place will be all the better.

What few people she’s been allowed to associate with here are not likely to challenge her or treat her as they would others.

They have it in their mind that Rosie is unable to understand what everyone else knows, and the folks in Cheyenne might allow her to prove herself. ”

“My thoughts exactly.”

“I’m going to speak to Walter and Ernest later today. I’ll let them know that I’ve decided it’s for the best that Rosie accompany you to Cheyenne.”

“And you’ll come too?” Emma was still surprised that was even being discussed.

“Yes, if that’s all right?”

“I think it would be wonderful. We can get a big house there. We can all stay together for as long as you decide to remain in town. I figured to buy a place, anyway.”

“Well, it would hardly be appropriate for me to move in with just you and Rose. You are a widowed woman, and there are proprieties. I wouldn’t wish to upset the community.”

“I’m your sister-in-law, and your sister will be living under the same roof just as we do here.”

“Yes, but there’s a staff of ten who also live here. It makes things more acceptable. I know you’ll hire someone to help you, but having just one or two people who come in to work rather than live there wouldn’t be the same.”

“Perhaps I shall hire live-in staff. It is nice to have someone available at a moment’s notice. But I see your point. No sense upsetting the old ladies of the church now that I’m trying to make amends for the past.”

“The past? What could you possibly have to amend for in the past?”

Emma shrugged and hugged her arms to her body.

“The same wild young lady who stormed Dallas was storming Cheyenne before that.” She smiled.

“I didn’t rob a bank, but I did occasionally take items from the store without paying.

” She bowed her head. “I’m not at all proud of my behavior.

Stealing was often a challenge that my friends and I thought fun.

I had no regard as to how I was hurting the store owners.

I was obnoxious and devious and only concerned about myself.

I offended a great many people, and I’d like to make that right. ”

Colton surprised her by laughing. “I cannot imagine you offending anyone.”

She raised her head. “You didn’t know me then, Colton. With your serious nature and no-nonsense attitude, you would have quickly cast me aside.”

“I doubt that. There’s always been something about you that I ... well, that I find quite appealing.”

Emma could see that look on his face once again. No one ever looked at her the way Colton did. Most of time, people considered her with disdain or at least caution. Colton’s gaze was one that, for the life of her, Emma didn’t understand.

“Well, so long as you’re warned about it. I have no idea of what I’ll face once I’m there. I haven’t been home in a long, long while.”

“Maybe folks will forget about what you were like and give you a chance to prove who you’ve become.”

Emma swallowed the lump building in her throat. “Wouldn’t that be nice?”

“So I’ve agreed to let her take Rose to Wyoming, and I plan to go with them, at least for a few weeks, maybe longer.”

“And you’ll do your best to court Emma and get her to marry you so that we can keep the railroad stock and other investments in the family?”

Colton shook his head. “I don’t intend to do that.”

“But you must,” Walter insisted. “She’s not going to understand business. If she decides against the sale, thinking, for example, that we shouldn’t sell off what our father worked so hard to create and build, then we’ll be in a most difficult place.”

“Besides that, there are other things Tommy inherited that belong to our family. His share of Mother’s jewelry, for example,” Ernest joined in.

“Those things are Emma’s now. Besides, I think she’s sensible and will listen to me when it comes to the railroad.” Colton took a seat behind his desk. “I feel confident that she’ll receive my direction and adhere to it.”

“I still think you should marry her. For pity’s sake, Colton, you need to marry and produce an heir.”

“Why?” He gave a laugh. “If I died tomorrow, you two would inherit my entire fortune.” That brought to mind that he’d not changed his will since Tommy died.

“Well, controlling Emma is the most important thing, and we need to make sure she doesn’t sell those stocks to someone else,” Ernest declared. “Let her have Rose, but perhaps tell her she must sign legal papers to allow you to be the proxy in all railroad votes in return.”

Colton shook his head. “I’m not going to sell our sister for stocks. I’ll let Emma know how Tommy felt about selling off the railroad and investing elsewhere. I’m sure she’ll listen.”

“And you’ll not even entertain the idea of getting her to marry you?” Walter asked.

“I don’t see that it’s required for what we want. I think Emma will cooperate and do whatever I say.”

Colton didn’t intend to make any problems for Emma or Rosie, but he was certain that by stating this his brothers would feel more confident of the situation.

Walter appeared less than convinced. “She could change her mind soon enough. Especially if one of her old acquaintances happens to take an interest in courting her. Once the men in Cheyenne learn that she has money, they’ll line up to wed the Widow Benton.”

Colton didn’t like to even imagine such a thing, but Walter’s words hit him hard. Emma was beautiful and young. She must have had plenty of suitors in Cheyenne. No doubt there would be men aplenty seeking her affection and attention. Well, just another good reason for him to go along with her.

“Look, Colton, you’ve always been forthright with us, and we’ve listened to you,” Walter began.

“Ernest and I have talked about this and feel it’s critical that you listen to us.

You have to marry Emma. There’s just too much at stake.

It’s not just that she has majority control of our railroad, but she also owns a percentage on all the holdings we inherited from our Father.

We can’t risk that going astray. You need to put aside your desire to remain single.

This is something Ernest and I must insist on. ”

“You must insist, eh? Since when did you decide I was obligated to take orders from the two of you? I will marry when and whom I desire to marry. You two aren’t going to bully me into anything.”

“You owe us this much, Colton. We rarely ever question your desires for the family businesses.”

“And I’ve made you plenty of money, haven’t I?”

“Yes, but this time we can’t risk Emma going back to her people and picking up with someone from her past. If she did that and married a man with lofty ambitions, we’d have little control over anything. We don’t need a stranger coming in to wreak havoc on our affairs.”

Colton had to admit they made a good point. He hadn’t previously considered Emma finding an old beau and remarrying. However, she did have a new sense of purpose in going back to Cheyenne. She wanted to amend for her past wrongs, and who knew where that might lead her.

“You need to do this for us—for the family—Colton.” Ernest fixed him with a stern gaze.

“And do it quickly,” Walter added. “Don’t give her time to consider anyone else. Marry Emma as soon as possible. We need things settled immediately.”

“She hasn’t been widowed that long. It wouldn’t even begin to be appropriate for me to approach the topic.”

“Forget what’s appropriate or acceptable by social standards. Just find a way to endear yourself to her and for her to need you. It shouldn’t be that hard.” Walter shook his head and gave an exasperated sigh.

Colton wanted to walk away from both of them and leave well enough alone.

He cared for Emma and would be delighted to court her, but now wasn’t the proper time.

He’d keep with his original plan and build first on friendship and their connection as family.

Emma was the kind of person who had been brought up to cherish those things.

And truth be told, so did Colton. He wanted very much for Emma to desire his company, just as he did hers.