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“Let the poor work and make their way as we did.” Colton could hear them saying that even now. They didn’t understand or bother to consider that they had been born to wealth and luxury, and hard work had never been put upon them.

And hopefully never would be, but the economy had started showing signs of problems. Colton was grateful for an education that allowed him wisdom in catching hold of signs that suggested trouble.

His real concern was to protect Emma from loss, as well as himself.

His brothers could fend for themselves as they always had.

The meeting with the UP went well, and Colton had to admit they had come up with a better offer than he’d originally thought they would make.

He shook hands and agreed to sign all the paperwork on Monday.

He had his brothers’ proxies and hoped that Emma was still of a mind to cooperate with the sale. He planned to talk to her that evening.

It was hard to believe they were giving up the railroad, and yet Colton felt as his brothers did that there were other investments that might be more worthy of their consideration.

He still didn’t know the extent of Tommy’s other investments.

Emma had indicated that he had taken it upon himself to invest in quite a few other things.

Colton was eager to see if those choices had paid off.

Perhaps in time, he could earn Emma’s trust. He could still hear her saying that she forgave him but didn’t trust him.

How could he blame her? And yet it troubled him deeply to have lost her faith in him.

He hurried back to the boardinghouse and changed into his work clothes.

These were the same older pieces that he’d worn to help build the chicken coop.

He had to admit his life had taken on a different turn when he moved to Cheyenne.

And he could also allow that he enjoyed the changes.

He wouldn’t want to have to work at a physical job every day, but lending a hand now and then had been beneficial in more ways than one.

Together, Gary and Colton worked on the outdoor kitchen until Emma and Rosie returned from the ranch. The ladies came to see how things were going, and both were surprised to find Colton helping and the kitchen mostly built.

Rosie gave him a big hug and immediately began to talk about the Johnsons’ roundup.

“Emma and I are going to go and stay for several days and help. I’m going to help cook and clean up, and Emma too.

There are going to be about fifty cowboys to feed, and they’re going to brand the calves and do other things. I’m so excited to see it all.”

“Well, that will be something completely different for you to experience.” Colton glanced at Emma, who was still inspecting their work on her outdoor kitchen.

“I think it will be fun.”

Emma gave an unexpected laugh. “I told her that it’s hot, dirty work that never seems to end.

You fall into your bed each night exhausted and praying that morning won’t come too soon.

” She straightened from her inspection and turned to meet Colton’s gaze.

“She’ll learn soon enough. Life isn’t always what you expect. ”

“It’s going to be fun.” Rosie headed for the back door. Colton noticed a tin box in her hands. “I’m going in to show Mrs. Olson our new recipes.” She slipped into the house, leaving Colton and Emma alone, since Gary had also disappeared from the group.

“I’m glad I have a moment to talk to you. Would you consider going to dinner with me tonight? I have a great deal of business to discuss with you. I met with the Union Pacific officials today and have their final proposal. They’d like us to meet with them on Monday and sign the papers of transfer.”

Emma’s expression sobered. “Why do we need to go out to dinner? We could discuss it here. I’m sure Mrs. Olson has already started supper and has included the both of us.”

“I’d just like some time alone with you, Emma. Please?”

She seemed to consider this a moment. “I suppose we can go to dinner. What time?”

He pulled out his pocket watch and did his best not to appear too excited. “I’ll come for you at six. Will that be acceptable?” He closed the lid of the watch and returned it to his pocket before allowing himself to look at her again. “That will give me time to get cleaned up.”

Emma’s stoic expression did nothing to reassure him. “Very well. I’ll look for you at six.”

“Thank you, Emma. I promise to be on my best behavior.” He smiled, hoping it might lighten the mood.

She shook her head. “I still think we could manage it all here, but if this is what you want, then I’ll come.”

“I promise you we’ll have a wonderful evening.”

She gave him an odd look as her eyes narrowed. “You shouldn’t promise things that might well be out of your control.”

Colton said nothing. Gary soon rejoined them, and Emma spoke to him about the kitchen while Colton gathered his things.

“I can come by tomorrow, Mr. Price. I have nothing planned.”

“We’ve worked side by side enough now that you should just call me Gary. I’d be happy for the help.”

“Good. I should be able to get here first thing.”

“Just come for breakfast at seven, Colton.” Emma offered him a hint of a smile.

Colton gave Emma a nod. “I’ll pick you up at six tonight.” He didn’t wait for her reply but kept on walking in case she changed her mind.

He was halfway back to the boardinghouse when it dawned on him that he should get Emma some flowers.

It was a rather bold move, but he knew she enjoyed them and hadn’t had any since those he and Rosie had brought her in the hospital.

He wasn’t used to going downtown in such a slovenly manner, but there wasn’t time to go home and change. The flower shop would close by five.

At the florist’s, Colton quickly selected some pink roses, just as Emma had given Rosie the first time they met.

He remembered her commenting on how much she liked pink roses and hoped she had been sincere in her statement.

As he made his way from the shop, he was surprised to hear someone call his name. He turned and found Edward Vogel.

“Mr. Vogel. How nice to see you again.”

“Mr. Benton.” Vogel smiled. “I’ve been meaning to come see you. I wanted to thank you for giving Rob permission to marry your sister. I know that meant a lot to them both.”

“I appreciated that he would ask. I know I wasn’t overly kind to him when I first met him, but ... well, I guess you could say God’s been changing my heart about a lot of things and people.”

“He has a way of doing that when we give ourselves up to Him.”

“It’s all new to me. My mother, who passed away when I was young, was a Christian, but my father was decidedly not. He had turned me pretty much against religion, but I guess God wanted something more from me.”

Vogel chuckled. “Indeed. I have to say in all my years of following Him, God still manages to surprise me on occasion. I think, however, you’ll find that walking with Him is far better than walking without Him.”

“I feel at a complete loss sometimes. Short of going to church, I really don’t know what else to do.”

“Praying and studying the Bible has helped me most. There’s a group of us men who meet to study God’s Word on Saturday mornings. We meet at various places. Tomorrow we’ll be at my house. Why don’t you come?”

Colton glanced away. “Truth is, I don’t own a Bible.”

“That’s easy enough to resolve. Come with me.”

Vogel glanced to his right and then left before crossing the road. Across the street was Armstrongs’ Emporium, and that was where he seemed to be headed. Colton had no choice but to follow him.

“I want to buy you a Bible,” Vogel said as they went inside the store. “Armstrongs’ carries a nice selection.”

“You don’t need to do that. I can buy my own.”

Vogel reached the counter where the Bibles were displayed. “I know you can, but I want to do this. You’re soon to be family, and it would be my honor to purchase you your first Bible.”

A clerk came to join them. “How can I help you gentlemen?” she asked.

“I’d like to see that Bible with the black leather binding,” Vogel said. He turned and smiled. “Just wait until you start reading. We’re studying in Luke, and tomorrow we’re ready for the story of the prodigal son. You’ve heard that one before, haven’t you?”

Colton could only smile. “I’ve heard of it. Never read it.”

Vogel nodded and opened the Bible the clerk had handed him. “It’s all right here.”

Rosie had watched Colton and Emma earlier from the upstairs window. She couldn’t hear what they had said, but at least they were talking. She had been thinking about ways to get them to open up to each other, and one thing that came to mind was to give them plenty of time alone.

After Colton left, Rosie watched as Emma spoke with Gary. They seemed to measure something out, and after a while Emma finally started back for the house. Rosie hurried downstairs and came into the kitchen just as Emma came in from the mudroom.

“Mrs. Olson,” Emma said, removing her sunbonnet, “Colton and I won’t be here for supper. I’m sorry I couldn’t give you more warning. Some business matters have come up, and Colton feels they would best be discussed over supper elsewhere.”

“That’s quite all right. I made a big roast, and it should take you through tomorrow.”

“I’m glad you’re going to dinner with Colton,” Rosie said, trying to think about each word before she spoke.

She didn’t want to mess things up by saying the wrong thing.

“I hate it when we talk about business at our meals. My father and brothers always did that, and it was so boring for Tommy and me.”

Emma smiled. “I can understand that. I remember a few of those dinners with your father and brothers. We should make a rule to never talk business at the table.”

Rosie nodded, but already she was trying to think of what other encouragement she could offer. “I’m glad you wore your old dress out to the ranch. It’s pretty dirty now. Would you like me to help you clean up?”

“I suppose I do look a sight. It’s probably too late to take a bath and wash my hair.”

Rosie looked at the clock. The hour hand was on four and the minute hand on the six. She smiled. “It’s just four thirty. I can get your bath ready while you gather your things. You’ll feel so much better afterward since it’s been so hot. I can lay out clean clothes for you while you bathe.”

Emma nodded. “That sounds too good to pass up. “Would that be all right with you, Mrs. Olson? I wouldn’t want us to be in the way since the bathing room is just off the kitchen.”

“It’s perfectly fine. I have everything under control here. I can help Rosie prepare the bathwater.”

Rosie was already headed for the bathroom. She imagined Emma all cleaned and dressed up meeting Colton for supper.

Lord, I want them to be friends again. More than friends, if possible.

I never want to lose Emma as my sister, and I want Colton to stay here in Wyoming, like he says he’s going to do, but he might not want to stay if Emma doesn’t like him again.

He’s different now, and he wants to know more about You. Please help him.