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Emma glanced at the clock as it chimed six.

She was nervous about going to supper with Colton.

So many thoughts went through her mind. She had been praying about the things God would have her do.

She knew that Colton cared about her—could believe that he loved her as he said.

She was even coming to terms with her own feelings for him.

But why hadn’t he just been honest with her?

He could have just told her what his brothers wanted him to do.

She thought of his brothers pressuring him to marry her to get back the railroad stocks and other things Tommy had inherited.

She had already resolved that the family heirlooms, jewelry, and the railroad stock value would go to Rosie, but she would keep other things.

Like Tommy’s investment in a San Francisco shipping firm.

He had been so enthusiastic about that particular deal.

He had promised Emma they would sail and see the world.

The thought of his excitement brought a smile to her face.

Maybe someday she would still see the world on one of Tommy’s ships.

Maybe after she saw Rosie married and endowed with her inheritance, Emma would just quietly slip away and keep those plans.

A knock sounded on the front door, and Emma drew in a deep breath. She went to the door and opened it. Colton had chosen a navy blue suit and looked quite resplendent. He smiled and tipped his hat before presenting her with a bouquet of pink roses.

“Oh my.” She was taken completely by surprise. This was supposed to be a business meeting, not a courtship. “Thank you.”

She took the bouquet and without thinking drew them to her face to breathe in the sweet scent. She glanced up over the flowers to find Colton watching her in the way he often did. She recognized the passion in his eyes. It caused her breath to catch.

“Let me put these in water.”

“I can do it for you, Emma.” Rosie swept into the foyer and took the bouquet. “Hello, brother.” She stood on tiptoe to kiss his cheek.

Colton smiled and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll have Emma back in a couple of hours.”

A couple of hours? The thought of such a long time in Colton’s company made her knees weaken along with her resolve. What was she supposed to say to him for two hours? They would discuss business of course, but then what?

“Have a wonderful dinner,” Rosie said, giving Emma a side hug. “Try to just relax and enjoy the evening.”

Emma heard her words but felt certain relaxing in Colton’s company would be quite impossible. Especially if he started looking at her with that same impassioned gaze.

“I hope you don’t mind if we walk. I was going to rent a buggy, but it’s such a beautiful night, and the restaurant is just a few blocks away.”

“Walking is fine with me.” Emma checked to make sure her hat was straight, then drew on her gloves. “Let’s be on our way.”

She moved out the door past Colton, not even bothering to wait for him as she made her way down the walk. She felt her breath quicken and did her best to calm her anxious mind. It was just one dinner. One evening.

“You look beautiful in that green gown. I’m so glad to see you’ve stopped wearing mourning. Tommy would have hated for you to wear black.”

“I know. I thought of that every time I donned it. He would have shredded all those gowns and told me to dress in all the beautiful clothes he bought me for my trousseau. Keeping that in mind, I decided to put mourning aside.”

“I’m glad.” He sighed, and Emma took it as a sign of sorrow.

“I know you miss him.” Emma didn’t so much as glance at Colton. “Tommy said you were the only one who ever bothered to spend time with him, especially once you became adults. Tommy said at times you were the best of friends. That must have been hard to lose.”

“It was. Finalizing the railroad business today only served to remind me of him. I also thought a lot about things you have said in the past about our father’s hard work to leave this legacy.”

“Yet you’re certain selling is the right thing to do?”

Colton offered her his arm as they crossed the street. Emma took hold of him and waited for him to answer. After half a block, he did.

“I feel confident it’s the right thing to do.

There are things going on in the economy that give me pause.

I’ve heard of more than a half dozen small railroads going bankrupt, and it concerns me that such a thing could come our way as the large railroads become stronger and stronger.

None of us wanted to be railroad barons, nor to be steeped in the upkeep and regulations.

The sale will provide much-needed income for the projects that Walter and Ernest feel compelled to accomplish and will make you a very wealthy woman. ”

“I’m already a wealthy woman. I have no great needs. When the sale is done, I shall have that money put into a separate account until I decide what I want to do with it.”

“You should invest it as soon as possible so that you can continue to have a flow of income. I can share with you several investments of which I intend to take advantage.”

“Thank you. I’m sure that will be helpful. One thing I’m certain of is that I want to contribute to the church’s building fund. I want to make a substantial contribution, in fact. I was meaning to speak to you about it.”

“I can manage all of that for you. How much did you have in mind?”

“Whatever remaining amount they need to fulfill the plan. I want them to be able to build the church the way they want it and have all that is needed. My folks have helped with bake sales and fundraisers since we first met for services in the schoolhouse. I want to see this church completed in grand order.”

“I want to help as well. I’ll talk to Reverend Bright and find out what is still needed and take care of it for you—for us.”

“Thank you.”

They continued to walk, but Emma had no idea of where they were going. She focused on the way ahead and did her best not to think of the man who held her arm so confidently.

After a long time of silence, Colton cleared his throat.

“I really am sorry, Emma. I never meant for you to get hurt by my not telling you about Walter and Ernest. I’m sorry, too, that Rosie overheard their conversations.

They weren’t very kind toward her. They’ve never cared about her the way I do. The way you do.”

Thoughts of Rosie always made Emma smile. “I love her as a little sister. I want to ensure that nothing, and no one, hurts her, yet I know that isn’t realistic in life. There’s always something that will come along to cause us pain.”

“And I deeply regret that I was the one who caused it for you.”

Emma knew it wasn’t fair to continue to close her heart to him. “I’d rather you be honest with me, Colton. I always felt I had that with you. You completely fooled me, and it makes me skittish to think of trusting you again.”

“I know I should have said something about my brothers, but Emma, I didn’t fool you. I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone. I don’t even know what to do with myself. You’re on my mind constantly. I wake up, and you’re my first thought. I go to sleep at night, and it’s your face I think of.”

She hadn’t anticipated his words of love but marveled at how they touched her heart.

Still, there was so much doubt. She’d done her best in life to avoid feeling too deeply, caring too much.

Emma Johnson was known for having a good time and taking nothing seriously.

But Emma Johnson had died on the day of her wedding.

At least that part of her had. She no longer felt the need to run from one thing to another looking for something that she couldn’t even explain.

Coming to an understanding of God had changed everything.

“I will do anything you ask to prove myself to you. I want only to be worthy of your love and to share my life with you, Emma.” He stopped walking and turned her to face him.

“I will sign any papers you like that protect the inheritance you have. If that will prove to you that I truly love you—not the stocks or the money you received from Tommy—I will gladly do it. There are legal means to ensure that everything remains in your protection, even after we marry.”

“Not if we marry?” Emma found that amusing. “You’re terribly sure of yourself.”

The fact that he was willing to go to such lengths spoke volumes to Emma. The Bentons were known to cherish money above all, but Tommy hadn’t cared one whit about such things. Now Emma could see that Colton was willing to cast it all aside ... for her.

He reached up to put his hands on either side of her face. “Emma, I will never marry anyone but you. I cannot ever love another. You’ve completely captured my heart. Please, please tell me that I might have a chance to convince you of my sincerity and win your heart.”

Emma swallowed the lump in her throat. His words consumed her, but even more so, the truth of it was written in his eyes. In that moment, she felt that if she didn’t give this romance a chance, she might never know what it was to love and truly be loved.

“You know we have rules here about public displays of affection.”

The man’s voice caused Emma to jump. She turned and found Edward Vogel grinning. Her heart was nearly pounding out of her chest, and all she could do was shake her head.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to frighten you, Emma.” He looked to Colton. “Nor you. Please forgive me.”

“I never wanted to punch a lawman in the nose more than I want to right now,” Colton said quite seriously.

Emma worried momentarily that there would be a fight between the two men, but she heard Chief Vogel laugh, and Colton joined in. Relief washed over her.

“We got a bit caught up in the moment,” Emma admitted. “I’m afraid I’m causing trouble in Cheyenne once again.”

Chief Vogel laughed all the more. “Oh, Emma, I used to get such a laugh out of your antics. I think a lot of folks did. You were a wild one, but such a sweet thing. We used to converse among the deputies as to what outrageous thing you might try next. I think some even bet on it.”

She felt her cheeks grow hot and looked at the ground to calm her nerves. “It’s rather humiliating to imagine anyone taking bets on what act of disobedience I might try next.”

“Well, you’ve proven yourself a changed woman,” Chief Vogel assured. “I think most everyone I know is glad to have you back.”

She drew in a deep breath to steady her nerves. “I’d like to think that’s so.”

“Then think it. You’ve grown up a lot in the last nine years, Emma.

God’s working on you just the same as He’s working on the rest of us.

None of us achieve the perfection of Jesus, but we keep aiming for that.

He’s the only one we need to concern ourselves with.

Keep your eyes on Him, and you’ll do just fine.

” He paused, and Emma glanced up to see him fix his gaze on Colton.

“You do right by our Emma, or you’ll have me to answer to.”

“Yes, sir. You and her pa. I wouldn’t want to challenge either one of you.”

“It’s a good thing you feel that way. Now, I’ll see you in the morning. Seven sharp.”

“Yes, sir.”

Colton didn’t hesitate, and Emma wondered what was going on between him and the chief of police.

“I’ll be on my way.” He tipped his hat at Emma and gave Colton a nod.

Once he was gone, Emma couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief. “I thought I was bound for the jailhouse once again.”

Colton laughed and took hold of her arm. “I thought we both were. Let’s keep moving so that he won’t have any reason to do that again.”

A couple of hours later, Emma invited Colton to sit on the porch.

She was amazed at how comfortable she was with him now.

He’d talked for part of dinner about the negotiations with the Union Pacific and all that they’d agreed to.

She was pleased to hear what her share of the sale would entail.

Rosie was going to be a very wealthy woman.

She didn’t tell Colton her plans. She wanted to respect Marybeth’s request to say nothing for the time being.

There was still concern that if he knew, he might not allow Rosie and Rob to marry.

Emma hated that she felt that way. She wanted to trust Colton, but it would take a little time.

Time that she had also agreed to give him.

“Thank you for this evening. I had a wonderful time just talking to you and hearing about your life,” Colton said as they sat in the darkness.

Emma had turned on the front room lights so a muted glow could be had on the porch.

She could just make out Colton’s face. He was quite handsome.

Where Tommy had had boyish charm and a roguish air about him, Colton was refined sophistication and ease.

He knew what he wanted out of life and wasn’t afraid to risk it all to have it.

I’m a part of what he wants. The thought met no resistance in her heart.

They heard Rosie’s giggle before they spotted her with Rob crossing the street. He was saying something to her in a hushed voice, and she was laughing gleefully. As they drew closer, Rob spied Emma and Colton on the porch and pointed them out to Rosie.

“I’m so glad you two are speaking again,” Rosie said, nearly dancing her way up the walk. “I have something to show you ... to tell you.”

Emma knew without a doubt what Rosie would say next. She couldn’t help but smile and turned to Colton, who was also looking quite pleased.

“Rob asked me to marry him, and I said yes!” She laughed and gave a twirl. “Look at my ring.” She extended her hand, but it was hard to see in the dim lighting.

“Why don’t we go inside and have a better look. We can celebrate too.” Emma got to her feet and looked at Colton. She wondered if there would be any negative comment or trouble. He had given Rob permission to marry his sister, but he might have had a change of heart.

“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Colton said, jumping up. “Rosie, I couldn’t be happier for you.”

She laughed and ran into his arms. “I couldn’t be happier either. My life is the very best.”

Emma couldn’t help but feel the young woman’s joy spill over and engulf them all. Rosie had endured so much in her short life. People had all but locked her away in a cage. They had decided from the start that she would be a terrible burden, a worthless and troublesome curse.

They had been so very wrong.