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Lucille, Emma’s stepmother, spoke up. “You think this will require surgery?”

The doctor straightened. “I can’t tell just yet. I’ve got the wound covered, and I’ve slowed the bleeding.”

“The pastor sent for an ambulance.” This came from Clara, who moved to Emma’s side. “Oh, Emma, I’m so sorry this happened.”

Emma closed her eyes as the pain became more evident. She supposed the shock of everything had kept her from feeling it too much, and she couldn’t help but moan.

“As soon as we get to the hospital, I’ll give you something for the pain.” The doctor pressed the bandages tight to her body.

It was all too much. Emma could hear the pandemonium and shouts of someone in the other room. Once again, her vision began to blur, and rather than fight it, she gave in. She could hear the doctor telling someone that she was losing consciousness from the loss of blood. After that, nothing more.

When Emma woke up the second time, she was tucked away in a hospital bed. She felt her waistline. A thick layer of bandages was beneath the overly large white cotton nightgown she wore. Her vision was somewhat hazy from whatever medicine they’d given her.

“Emma?”

Was that her sister? “Clara?”

“It’s me, Em.” Her sister took hold of her hand. “The doctor said you’re going to be just fine. The bullet sliced across your abdomen. A little deep where it entered. He had to put in quite a few stitches but said if you’d been standing straight on instead of sideways, you would be dead.”

“Tommy?”

Clara’s brow scrunched together. “Don’t you remember?”

Emma had a vague recollection, but she hoped she was wrong. “She shot him in the head.”

“Yes.” Her sister’s tone was so matter-of-fact. “I’m so sorry, Emma. He’s dead.”

The finality of the words hit Emma harder than she’d expected.

Tommy was dead. His life was over. Just like that.

In the blink of an eye. Blink of an eye.

.. Why did that phrase ring in her ears?

Oh, it was like a twinkling of an eye. She had once asked her father about the phrase after he’d read a passage in Corinthians, and he had told her a twinkling was like a blink.

Just that fast. Why had that stayed in her memories?

“I know he’s dead. I saw him.” She heard herself say the words, but still they made no sense. “Did someone take care of him?”

“Yes. Colton and his brothers arranged to have him taken to the funeral home.”

“Who was that woman?”

Clara patted her arm. “It’s not important now. Rosie wants to see you. She’s beside herself.”

Emma nodded. “Please let her come to me.”

Her sister left, and Emma closed her eyes. How could so much have changed so quickly? In a blink ... a twinkling. She was being kissed, and then Tommy was dead. Why didn’t the thought bring tears? She cared for him deeply ... even loved him in her own way. So why couldn’t she cry over him?

The door opened, and Rose Benton rushed in. For all her twenty-three years, she was in so many ways so innocent of life. How this must have devastated her. She adored Tommy. She was even set to come live with Emma and Tommy after they returned from their wedding trip.

“Oh, Emma, I’m so glad you’re alive.” Rosie bent over and kissed Emma’s cheek. “Colton said that Tommy probably didn’t even know what hit him, so he didn’t have any pain. But now he’s dead.” Tears came to her eyes. “She shot him dead.” She began to sob.

“I know. I’m ... so ... sorry.”

Rosie stifled her tears. “Oh, Emma, what are we going to do?” She didn’t wait for an answer but hurried on. “Does your stomach hurt? I saw the blood on your dress. Your beautiful dress was ruined.”

Emma forced a smile. “It’s going to be all right, Rosie. It was just a dress. As for the pain, they gave me medicine. I’m sure I’ll be fine.”

“I was so scared that you had died too. I prayed and asked Jesus to save you, and He did. I would have prayed for Tommy, but Colton said God doesn’t bring people back from the dead anymore.

I was one of the last ones. But I’ll keep praying for you.

” She sniffed and wiped her face on the back of her sleeve.

“Thank you.” For once, the words pierced Emma’s heart. Mama had told her so many times that she was praying for Emma to yield her life to God. Clara had sometimes mentioned in passing that she was praying for Emma to learn the truth before it was too late.

Was it too late?

A wave of guilty conscience washed over her. Tommy knew about Jesus. They had scoffed at religion and the rules that God laid out for man. Emma had agreed with Tommy that the Bible wasn’t for them. Maybe they’d reconsider when they were old and close to death. Now he was dead.

“Emma?” Rosie stroked Emma’s cheek with her slender fingers. “Are you scared?”

“I was. I was so scared I couldn’t move.” Visions of what had happened began to trickle back to mind. The young blond-haired woman all dressed in black—like someone attending a funeral instead of a wedding. A specter of death.

“I screamed. I couldn’t help it.”

Emma saw the fear in Rosie’s eyes. “It’s over now, and you’re safe.”

“I didn’t care if I was safe. I was scared for you and Tommy. I love you so much, Emma.” Rosie bent over her once again and pressed her cheek to the top off Emma’s head.

“Come along, Rose,” Clara said, taking hold of her. “Emma needs to sleep now.”

“I’ll come back with Colton. He promised we could see you when you’re better. He said I could help take care of you.”

Emma nodded and gave a wave. The pain was starting to feel more pronounced. Once Rosie had gone from the room, she turned to Clara. “I’m hurting.”

“I’ll tell the nurse. They said they would give you something when you needed it.”

With Clara gone, the room seemed so very silent. Emma couldn’t help but think back to Tommy lying dead on the floor. She had been pronounced a wife, and just as quickly, it was taken from her.

“Emma?” Her father peeked at her from the open door.

“Come in, Papa.”

He smiled and crossed the room in two long strides. “I’m so thankful to see you awake. Clara said you were in pain, so I won’t stay long. Lucille wanted me to make sure you had everything you needed. Can I bring you anything from Clara’s?”

She had moved most of her things from the ranch to the Benton house. She and Tommy planned to get their own place soon, but for the time being, they were moving Emma in to share Tommy’s room. Rosie had been so excited.

“I don’t know what I need.” She moaned and pressed her hands to her stomach.

“Doc says you’re very lucky. I told him you were blessed, since we don’t believe in luck.”

“I know. I’d be dead if I’d taken the bullet while facing the gun.” She could still see the hopelessness in the expression of the young woman who’d shot them. “What happened to her?”

Her father immediately understood. “They took her to the jail. She’s there now. Won’t say another word. Just sobs.” He moved closer to the bed. “Did you know ... I mean, was it a shock to learn that ... well...”

“That Tommy had another woman?” Emma had avoided thinking about that revelation. “Tommy never told me.”

“He betrayed you.”

“I suppose that’s true. I don’t know what to make of it all. I can’t really even think clearly.” She rubbed her eyes and tried to eliminate the image of the woman who’d ruined her wedding.

“I’m so sorry, Emmy.” It had been a long time since anyone had called her by her childhood name. “This was supposed to be your happiest day.”

Emma nodded, but in her heart, she couldn’t help but wonder if justice had been served.

They’d made vows to God without either of them meaning a word.

They’d even laughed after the rehearsal.

Tommy had said he’d never expect her to stay with him if times were bad, and although the thought had troubled Emma for a moment, she’d assured him that she felt the same way.

Clara had known Emma and Tommy’s feelings on the matter. She’d asked Emma why they bothered with a wedding, then.

“Because everyone expects it. You can’t go setting up house together or travel together and such without a ring and piece of paper to say it’s legal.”

That had been Emma’s answer. Now as the words came back to her, she was stunned by the coldness and heartlessness of them. What was wrong with her? Why had she ever agreed to marry Tommy that way?

Nearly dying was awakening feelings and thoughts that Emma had fought for years to bury deep inside.

The nurse came in just then carrying a small bottle of medicine. “I’ve brought something to help you sleep and numb the pain.”

Numb the pain. Hadn’t that been what Emma had been doing all of her life?

Perhaps pain was the wrong word. It was more of a void.

Her life had always seemed so empty, and yet no matter how she tried, she couldn’t find a way to fill that abyss.

She was always sure that one day she would find something out there in the world that would make her feel whole and happy.

“Here you go.” The nurse handed her a shot glass with a reddish-brown liquid.

Emma lifted her head and reached out for the glass. She instantly regretted her actions and grabbed her waist. “Oh, the pain is so bad.”

“Just drink this and you’ll feel better in a couple of minutes,” the nurse insisted, helping Emma to put the glass to her lips.

The medicine tasted foul, but Emma swallowed it and eased her head back against the pillow. Once the nurse was gone again, Papa stepped forward and took hold of Emma’s hand. The look on his face betrayed his own pain.

“I thought I’d lost you.”

“I’m so sorry, Papa. This day wasn’t what any of us wanted or expected.”

“I am sorry about your husband. It’s hard enough to lose someone to death, but to have that kind of treachery exposed ... it’s a lot to bear.”

“He wasn’t treacherous. Tommy just enjoyed life to the fullest. He’d tell you that he had no regrets.”

“I wonder if he still feels that way.” Her father shook his head.

“I know neither of you had much use for God, but maybe now you can see where that gets you. Emma, you have another chance to make things right with God, but that young man of yours ... well, he made a bad choice, Emma. I’m hoping you won’t make the same one. ”

The medicine was starting to take effect, and Emma could feel herself drifting away. She looked at her father, unable to tell him that his words pierced her heart. Without Jesus, Tommy would go to hell. If she died now, she would go there too. She didn’t want that ... not for either of them.

It’s too late for Tommy.

Too late.