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Emma remembered that moment quite well. Tommy had told her that Rosie was rather shy and would probably say very little to her.

However, when Emma started asking her simple questions, Rosie seemed more than happy to give answers, and by the time Tommy returned, Rosie was telling Emma all about her routine as the only Benton female.

“Emma, do you remember the first time you read to me?”

She still didn’t want to get involved in the conversation but found she had no choice. She drew a deep breath and looked up. “I remember it very well, Rosie. It was just about this time last year.”

“Yes! I love it when you read to me.” She looked at Colton. “She still reads to me, but someday I’ll be able to read to her.”

“I feel confident you will, Rosie.”

Emma thought she would leave them to discuss the matter further. She scooted her chair back, but Rosie commanded her to stay.

“Don’t leave, Emma. Colton, you go ahead and tell Emma what you want to say. That’s only fair, Emma.”

She was surprised at the impromptu reprimand but nodded. “Very well. Say what you like.”

“I want first to apologize for not bringing this matter to your attention when Walter and Ernest first brought it up. I think hearing that Tommy had left you everything was so shocking to them and their plans for the future that they worried they would have much to forfeit. The fact is, however, I told you the truth. I’ve loved you since I met you.

I spent a great deal of time doing everything in my power not to think about you.

Even though I wasn’t a religious man then, I knew it was wrong to covet my brother’s wife-to-be.

But it was impossible to ignore my feelings once Tommy was dead.

When I saw the bloodstain on your wedding gown, I wanted only to scoop you up in my arms and rush you to the hospital.

I couldn’t bear the idea that you might die. ”

His words seemed sincere, and Emma wanted to believe him. Thinking of him caring for her even back before the wedding did perhaps explain the reason for his behavior. But coming to Cheyenne to pursue her was the problem. Not his feelings from last year.

As if reading her thoughts, Colton continued.

“I came to Cheyenne because I couldn’t stand the idea of losing you, of living without you in my daily life.

I used Rosie as an excuse to come, even though I knew the two of you would be just fine.

You were coming home, after all. I had no reason to doubt that you’d have plenty of people who would come alongside you to assist you in every way possible.

And that’s exactly what happened. But so long as Rosie was with you, I knew I could come as well, and no one would question my decision.

But I didn’t come here because Walter and Ernest insisted I do so.

Just as my decision to remain here has nothing to do with them or the railroad.

I’ve made up my mind to make Cheyenne my home so that I might convince you of my sincerity. ”

“I’m glad you’re going to stay.” Rosie’s entire expression lit up. “I want you to be here. But you should have told her the truth, Colton.”

“I should have.” Colton’s gaze pierced through the armor Emma had secured around her heart. Why did he have to stir feelings within her? Why couldn’t she just accept his apology and send him on his way?

“I’m very sorry for not telling you everything, Emma. But please believe me, my desire to marry you has nothing, nothing at all to do with my brothers or the railroad or anything else. I love you, and that’s the only reason I asked you to marry me.”

“I believe him now, Emma.” Rosie’s simple way of stating her facts always amused Emma.

Even now it was as if because Rosie believed, she expected that Emma should as well.

“Colton doesn’t lie. I think Walter and Ernest were wrong for trying to make him marry you, but since Colton really loves you, it would be all right.

I know you love him, or it wouldn’t hurt your heart so much. ”

Emma got to her feet. “Enough. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.”

“But do you forgive Colton?” Rosie asked.

Her own desires for forgiveness left her little choice. She looked at Colton and squared her shoulders. “I forgive you, but I do not trust you.”

“She said she forgives him.” Rosie had enjoyed the long walk she and Rob took out toward the lake. It wasn’t all that far, and many other people were either riding or walking toward the same destination. It seemed a perfect thing to do on a Sunday afternoon.

“That’s a start,” Rob replied, patting her arm. “We’ll have to keep praying for them.”

“Oh yes.” Rosie had been praying most fervently for Emma and Colton.

Frankly, from the first time she’d heard her brothers talk about them marrying, Rosie had thought she’d like that very much.

However, she wanted them to marry for love, not money.

After talking with Colton the last couple of weeks, Rosie was convinced of his feelings for Emma.

He really did love her. The only problem now would be convincing Emma that she, too, loved Colton.

And of that, Rosie was certain. As she had said, Emma wouldn’t be so hurt by all that had happened if not for her feelings running deep.

“Colton has changed a lot, and he plans to stay here in Cheyenne. He told me he prays now,” Rosie said, looking to Rob. “He said he put his trust in Jesus.”

“I heard that too. It’s a wonderful thing.”

“Yes. No one in my family went to church except Aunt Clementine. Well, my mama did. I remember Colton saying that she did, and that she talked about God. I wish I could have known her. Your mama is so special, and I like to think mine was like that.”

“I imagine she was.” Rob took hold of her hand.

“What was it like having your mama around all the time?” Rosie had often tried to imagine. She had known Aunt Clementine’s presence, but even then, she had spent more time alone in the nursery than anything else. It had been a very lonely existence.

“My mother is always doing things for us or other people, making treats or clothes or fixing up something. She was always busy, but not too busy to stop and listen when we needed her to. She was always there for us and made sure we knew we were loved.”

“How’d she do that?” Rosie had started to imagine the possibility of being a wife and mother one day, but she knew nothing about either job. Maybe she’d have a talk with Rob’s mother about it.

“She’d tell us every day that she loved us.

And she’d show us. There were times when one of us would get hurt, and she’d dry our tears and clean us up.

All the while, she’d tell us stories about when she was a girl.

It took our minds from our woes. And she was always so patient when she taught us things. ”

“Like you’re patient with me when we read.” She looked up at him and smiled. “You’re not like my brothers. They have no patience.”

“Rosie, you’re easy to teach, and no patience is required. I think a lot of things in life will come instinctually to you.”

“What does that word mean?”

“ Instinctually ? It means you’ll just know what to do when it’s required of you.”

“I wouldn’t know how to be a mother,” Rosie said, not really meaning to speak the words aloud. She looked at Rob and shook her head. “I was just thinking that. ... You don’t have to say anything.”

Rob raised her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss across her knuckles. “I want to hear all about what you’re thinking. I want to know everything. I love you, Rosie.”

It was the first time he’d said those words to her, and Rosie couldn’t help but stop and look at him quite seriously. “I love you, Rob.” She frowned a moment. “Is it all right that I said that?”

Rob laughed, and after a quick glance around, he gave her a quick embrace. “It’s very right, Rosie. It’s very, very right.”