Page 27

“Morning, Colton. Gary and I were just figuring out what we need to do first.” Rich grinned. “We both agreed ... breakfast.” He slapped Colton on the back. “The ladies should just about have everything ready. They were cooking up a storm when we came out here twenty minutes ago.”

Colton gave each man a nod. He didn’t have much in the way of work clothes, so he’d chosen his oldest pair of trousers and shirt.

His hat and jacket were newer, but he could put the coat aside for the manual labor part of his day.

It had been a long time since Colton had worked with his hands in such a fashion.

When he’d been young, his father had insisted on the boys getting an education so as to benefit the business of running the Benton empire.

Physical labor was for servants and staff.

Colton had trained in law, Walter in banking and finance, and Ernest in government and politics.

Tommy was the only one to disappoint. Father had sent him off to higher education with a focus on business investments, but Tommy had no interest whatsoever.

He would have been far happier breaking horses or learning to rope.

He loved animals and had even told the family at one point that he intended to have his own horse farm where he could breed thoroughbreds for racing.

At least that was something acceptable in the upper-class society his father enjoyed.

“Come and get it,” Lucille called from the back door.

Rich laughed. “Don’t have to tell me twice.”

They sat down to breakfast and marveled at the feast created by Emma, Lucille, and Rosie.

Rosie seemed happier than usual, and Colton wondered if that was in part due to Mr. Vogel’s attention.

When he’d headed back to the boardinghouse last night, he found them sitting on the porch talking about something as if they were old friends.

It had bothered him to wonder once again if Rob was taking advantage of his sister, but he kept hearing Emma’s words of assurance that Robert Vogel was a man of good report.

Still, Colton had no intention of letting the man get too close to Rosie.

“Colton, you’ve been here about a month now. When do you plan to return home?” Rich asked him. The question was one Colton didn’t have an answer for.

“I hadn’t really thought about it, sir. I’ve been meeting with a variety of railroad people.

I’ve been eager to learn what plans the UP has for their future around here.

For example, they’ve decided that with the large number of families settling to the south of the many Union Pacific tracks, they’re going to build a viaduct over the tracks to connect the south side settlement with town. ”

“What’s a viaduct?” Rosie asked.

“It’s a road that will go over the railroad tracks on a bridge-like structure,” Colton explained. “They also plan for the streetcar line to expand and go to the south as well.”

Emma offered him a plate of flapjacks. “I read in the newspaper that the streetcar line is about to be completed from Capitol Avenue to Lake Minnehaha.”

Colton took the platter and added a couple of the cakes to his plate before passing it to his right. “They seem to be expanding the streetcar in all directions.” He had come to enjoy this casual style of family dining. Back in Texas, there had always been someone to serve him.

“We’ve definitely seen this place grow over the years, haven’t we, Lucille?” Rich said, shaking his head. “Hard to believe there was hardly anything here twenty years ago.”

“It’s true. I remember thinking then that we’d come to the end of the world,” Emma said, laughing.

“It’s always been an ambitious little town,” Lucille admitted.

“I remember when they put in some very fine dress stores not long after the town was established. They carried Worth gowns in one of them. I don’t know where they thought the women out here were going to wear them, but ladies bought them just the same. At least, the very wealthy ladies did.”

“Of course, those fancy European noblemen all wanted to have their own ranches out here. They set up those big ranches and hired folks to live there and care for them, at least until the Great Die-Up.” Rich referenced the horrible winter of 1886 and ’87.

Thousands upon thousand of livestock had died in the Cheyenne area alone.

“After that, a great many of them pulled out.”

“Takes a tough man to stand up to the weather out here.” Lucille chuckled. “My Frank used to say that all the time, and now I hear it from Rich.”

“Well, it’s true. This ain’t the place for those fancy dudes and their dreams of ridin’ the range. A fella has to work hard to make a go of it out here.”

The talk continued, and the question of how long Colton planned to stay was soon forgotten, just as he’d hoped it might be when he brought up the subject of plans for the city’s future.

When the men moved outside, the conversation was only about the chicken coop and the decision to attach it to the far side of the garden tool shed.

“The other side has the little apartment, so no sense building the coop on that side,” Rich said, already starting to walk off the space needed for the coop.

“I think this will be just right. Once the building is in place, we can attach the fence post to the wall of the coop and bring it out about ten feet. We’ll dig a trench to put the fence a little ways into and stake it down.

That will keep the critters from trying to dig under to get to the chickens. ”

Rich and Gary had obviously worked together on more than one occasion.

Colton was impressed at the way they seemed to read each other’s minds as they worked to put together a frame for the addition.

Rich took Colton in hand and had him hold the newly built wall frame in place while he and Gary nailed it to the shed. Little by little, the coop took shape.

“We’ll build some nesting boxes and roosts,” Rich said, grabbing a two-by-four.

“Once we have the roof on. Gary, you might as well start working on it. We’re going to slant it to the back, that way the snow will slide right off the back with the push of a broom.

Won’t be hard for the gals to keep up with in the winter. ”

Winter. When he’d first come north, Colton had hoped they’d be moved back to Dallas by wintertime.

Now, however, he’d been considering the benefits of staying in Cheyenne.

It seemed with each passing day he was becoming more and more invested in the city, and Emma and Rosie certainly seemed content here.

They continued the work. They were nearly finished when Emma announced it was time for lunch. At her father’s bidding, she came out to see what they’d accomplished.

“It’s looks really great. You men are quite the team.” She smiled at them all and kissed her father’s cheek. “I am so glad you decided to do this.”

“After lunch, we’ll get the fence in place to quarter off your chicken yard. I saw that your neighbors let their flock run around free, but yours need to learn their home first. Get them settled and penned in. After a while, they’ll be okay to let out. It won’t take any time at all.”

Colton helped Rich collect the tools while Emma took Gary aside to talk. He caught bits and pieces of the conversation. It seemed she wondered if he’d like to have a job taking care of her yard and overseeing the place.

In a hushed whisper that Colton could barely hear, she told the older man that she’d feel so much safer if she had someone around who she knew she could trust.

“Let me show you the apartment here. It’s not much at all, just a large room, but the last owners fixed it up nicely.” She led him into the room, and Colton found himself staring after them.

“I didn’t know she didn’t feel safe.”

“She’s helping me out,” Rich said in a low voice.

He motioned for Colton to follow him. Once they were nearly back to the house, Rich explained.

“Gary’s an old cowhand, and his body isn’t letting him do his job anymore.

I’ve offered to let him sit around and just fill space, but he won’t abide such laziness.

Insists that he can pull his weight, but he’s becoming a liability.

He’s always adored Emma, and if she makes it clear to him that he’s needed here, then I think he’ll be willing to give up the ranch and come help her.

The duties will be much less difficult and definitely not so dangerous if he slips up. ”

Colton glanced back at the building, where Emma and Gary Price were just coming out. She looked happy and gave the man a hug. “Looks like she talked him into it.”

“She has a way of winnin’ folks over.”

“She’s a good woman. I saw that the first time Tommy brought her home. She was so patient with Rosie. She treated her like she was no different from anybody else.”

Rich nodded as Colton met his eyes. “She’s finally come around to right thinkin’. Her mama always said she would in time. It’s taken a long while, but I think my Emma is ready to settle down and live a life that’s pleasin’ to the Lord.”

Later that afternoon, Rosie oversaw her chickens while Emma said good-bye to her family. Gary Price had agreed to come and live with her but headed back to the ranch with the others to retrieve his things.

“I don’t have much, Miss Emma, but what I have is dear to me. I’ll ride back in tomorrow and get settled.”

“Tomorrow is soon enough. I can’t fault you for wanting your things around you.” She waved to them as her father put the horses in motion.

“We should be home by dark,” Lucille called back. “So don’t worry about us.”

Emma gave a wave. “I’ll try not to worry.

” She didn’t say it loud enough for her family to hear.

She also didn’t bring up the fact that the paper carried a story about a man being attacked by Indians only about twelve miles to the west of the ranch.

The man could have been telling a tall tale, but the account mentioned the editor witnessed the horse that had taken several arrows in the attack.

She headed back to the house, exhausted from the long day and still confused by everything that Colton had said. There’d been no chance for the two of them to discuss the matter, but now that they were alone, she felt almost certain he would say something.

Hoping not to give him much of a chance, she went straight into the house and into the kitchen. There were plenty of leftovers for supper, so she couldn’t even occupy herself by cooking.

“Rosie seems pretty happy,” Colton said, joining her in the kitchen.

“The chickens will become special friends for her. They were for me when I was young.” Emma put away a few things that had been left out from their earlier preparations. “She’s already started naming them.”

Colton chuckled and turned. “What good is it to name them? They won’t come when they’re called.”

“No, but the more time she spends with them, the more they’ll know her and come whenever they see her. Especially when they know she’s the source of food. Naming them is more for her benefit than theirs.” Emma wiped down the countertop. “Will you be staying for dinner?”

“No.”

Emma startled when Colton spoke. He was standing right behind her now. She turned, pressing her back against the cabinet and counter. She looked up into his eyes.

“You’re, uh, welcome to stay.”

“I want to stay, but I think I should go. You know how I feel, and I want you to have some time to consider what I’ve said without me being here to further complicate matters. I care so much about you, Emma.”

His look was almost pleading, as if begging her to understand. She gave only the slightest nod, knowing that if she tried to speak it would be all muddled and confused, because that was how she felt.

“I just want to say ... well ...” He stopped speaking altogether and took her in his arms, pressing his lips to hers. Emma could scarcely draw breath. Tommy had kissed her a hundred times, but never like this. Never with the passion and desire that she, too, felt in that moment.

And then as quickly as he’d begun the kiss, Colton stopped and pulled back.

“I’m sorry if I surprised you, but I’m not sorry that I did that.” He left her then.

Emma stood there unable to move for several moments. She heard his boot steps as he passed through the dining room and down the hall. She heard the screen door open and close, and only then did she draw in a gasping breath.

She touched her lips, still not able to reason all that had happened. Colton’s kiss had ignited something deep within her. Something completely unexpected. It was like coming awake after a long sleep. Coming awake to a world she’d never known existed.

She wasn’t sorry that he’d kissed her. She was sorry that he had stopped.