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The Benton-Vogel weddings were held after church on the first of September. Rosie and Emma both wore new gowns of pale blue silk and looked very nearly like twins with their dark brown hair carefully pinned up in identical styles.

Colton had been anxious to get to this day and speak his vows.

The moment he saw Emma walking down the aisle, he breathed a sigh of relief.

This was really happening. He was really going to marry the woman of his dreams. Still, he couldn’t help but remember his younger brother’s wedding.

The tragic outcome had certainly allowed for this day to be possible, but he missed Tommy.

Missed his laughter and excitement. They had completely underestimated the young man, just as Emma had suggested.

While in Dallas, Colton had managed to speak to the man who had advised Tommy on several investments.

Listening to the man talk about his brother, Colton realized that they hadn’t known who Tommy really was, nor what he was capable of doing.

Just as they hadn’t believed Rosie was able to be anything more than a child.

Now Rosie stood at the altar, a young woman talented in so many ways.

When he thought of how they’d hidden her away as if ashamed of her, it grieved Colton.

What might she have accomplished if someone had believed in her as a child?

Of course, their father would have curtailed her education even if she hadn’t endured the circumstances of her birth.

He felt women were only good for bearing children to give a man his much-needed heirs.

The ceremony itself took very little time.

Colton slipped a beautifully etched gold band onto Emma’s finger while Rob did likewise with Rosie.

The pastor pronounced the couples married and encouraged the grooms to kiss their brides.

Colton didn’t need further urging. He pulled Emma into his arms and gave her a kiss that he hoped promised her everything his words had failed to say.

When he pulled back, he felt Emma stiffen. She turned to glance down the aisle and then back at him. Her expression was one of concern.

“There’s no one coming to hurt us,” Colton whispered. “The past is gone.”

She glanced sidewise again and then nodded. He heard her sigh. Colton took hold of her hand and gave it a squeeze.

“I’m so happy you shared this day with us,” Rosie said, coming over to give them both a hug. “Now we’re double sisters, Emma.”

“That we are, Rosie.” Emma hugged her, and then Colton did likewise.

Rob stepped up and gave Emma a hug. “Congratulations.”

“And likewise to you, Rob,” Emma replied.

Rob turned to Colton and stuck out his hand. “Now we’re truly family.”

“Then give me a hug.” Colton grabbed the younger man and embraced him. “Take good care of my sister.”

“I promise you, I will. She’s the love of my life.” Rob stepped back and took hold of Rosie. “Nothing ever felt quite right before she came to Cheyenne. Now I feel like all the missing pieces are in place.”

Colton took hold of Emma again. “As do I. It took forever to find her, but now that I have, I don’t intend on ever letting her go.”

Many of the congregants came forward to congratulate the couples before Edward Vogel reminded them that there was to be a lawn luncheon and reception at their place. It was nearly one thirty before everyone sat to enjoy a meal together.

Not everyone from church came to the Vogels’, but there were still quite a few people who wanted to join in the festivities.

Colton found the men of his Bible study and their wives were among those who gathered, as well as the folks from his boardinghouse.

A lot of the people who came for the luncheon, however, were friends of Emma’s and her family.

From here and there he heard stories about Emma’s antics when she was younger, but none of the stories were told in anger or hurt.

Even Emma was able to laugh with most of the reminiscent partygoers.

By three o’clock, the party was still going strong, but Colton managed to get Emma away from the crowd. They made their way across the street to Emma’s house. Colton carried her across the threshold.

“Traditions have never been all that important to me,” Colton said, setting her down, “and I know they really aren’t that important to you, but I will only ever marry this one time, so I figured why not uphold some of the customs.”

Emma laughed. “I think traditions are becoming more important to me. Some things are just special.” She put her arms around him and placed her head against his chest.

“I know the party is still going on, but I wanted to show you something important,” Colton began. “Come, sit with me for a moment.”

Emma straightened and met his gaze. “Something more important than holding me?”

He chuckled. “Believe me, I intend for there to be plenty of that in our days together, but I wanted to share this with you.” He led her to the sofa and sat down beside her.

“I didn’t want there to be any misunderstandings or confusion about our financial situation.

” He pulled some folded papers from his pocket.

“I actually meant to come earlier today and talk to you about them before church, but you and Rosie told me you’d be much too busy to have me here, and supposedly it’s bad luck to see the bride before the ceremony. ”

Emma shook her head. “I never said that. I don’t believe in luck anymore—bad or good. God directs my steps and future.”

“I agree.” He handed Emma the papers. “The first one is my agreement that everything you brought into the marriage will remain yours to do with as you please. The second is a revision of my will leaving everything I own to you upon my death. Keep them in a safe place for the future.”

“I’m truly touched that you would concern yourself with such matters on our wedding day.” Emma glanced at the papers momentarily, then folded them up. “I have something of my own that I wanted to show you before we give it to Rob and Rosie because I want it to be from both of us.”

Emma went to the little desk and rolled up the top. She opened a drawer inside and pulled out an envelope.

“I had this prepared and have something to admit to you. I didn’t tell you my plans because ... well, I didn’t want you or your brothers to give Rosie difficulty over it. Now I know that you wouldn’t have done such a thing, but when I first decided it, you and I were rather at odds.”

“What is it?” He couldn’t imagine what she was talking about. Why would he give Rosie difficulty over anything?

She held the envelope up. “I want us to present this to Rob and Rosie when no one else is around. I changed the name on that bank account you set up for the Union Pacific money. It’s Rosie’s money now. The stocks will also be hers, as well as all the family jewelry that I was left by Tommy.”

“Emma, that’s a lot of money and valuables. You don’t need to do that. Tommy wanted you to have it.”

“But we don’t need it, and Rosie should have been made an heir. Now she’ll have her own inheritance, and she certainly deserves your mother’s jewelry more than I do. This can be our wedding present to them.”

Colton was deeply touched that Emma would give up a fortune to his little sister. He was also ashamed that she should have to. “You are the most generous person I’ve ever known.”

She smiled. “I still have plenty. Tommy’s other investments are doing quite well.

In fact, if you feel up to the task, I would just as soon have you take them over for us.

I know nothing about investments and finance.

I don’t want to keep my accounts separate, Colton.

I am your wife and proud to be so. Furthermore, I trust you completely. ”

He took her into his arms and held her close. “I love you more than life itself, Emma.”

She raised her face to his. “And I love you, Colton Benton.”

“I don’t understand,” Rosie said, looking to Emma. “What does this mean?”

The party was finally over, and the foursome was getting ready to head off to the train station to catch the evening passenger service east for their wedding trip abroad. Colton had managed to arrange a private car for them to travel in style.

“It means you are a very wealthy woman, Rosie,” Colton replied. “Emma wanted to make sure you got your fair share of the Benton inheritance. It was important to her and Tommy, and to me.”

Emma looked to Rob. “I know that you aren’t an overly prideful man, Rob. I think you can see for yourself that this is my way of righting a wrong. Nothing more. Nothing less. Rosie deserves a share of her family’s fortune, and I am quite well provided for.” She looked at Colton and smiled.

“I’m just as shocked as Rosie,” Rob said, glancing at the papers Emma had given them. “I never figured to be married to an heiress. It’s going to take some getting used to.”

“Well, there is one more aspect of this that Emma and I discussed.” Colton looked at Emma.

“That’s right. We know you two haven’t had much luck finding a house and wonder if you’d like to have my house. Especially since Colton and I have our new house being built over on Ferguson.”

Rob put his arm around Rosie. “What do you think?”

“I love this house. I think we should buy it with some of this money Emma gave me.”

He nodded and looked to Emma and Colton. “It would be ideal with the house just across the street from my folks. That way when I work evenings or nights, Rosie will have someone close by if she needs them.”

“Our place should be completed by the time we all get back from our trip abroad, so we could even arrange for your things to be moved in while we’re gone.” Emma noted the time. “For now, we’d best get the rest of our things and get to the train station. Our adventure is about to begin.”

“I’m so happy,” Rosie said, hugging her husband.

Emma laughed and did likewise with Colton. “I’m looking forward to our grand adventure and all the fun we’re going to have. This time with a balance of responsibility with the good times. And hopefully, none of our pleasures will cause pain to anyone else.”

“I promise you we’ll see the world and dance and do whatever pleases you. I like that you are so full of life, and I want to have a good time with you.”

“And I want to enjoy life with you, Colton. Like Rosie, I’m so happy. Maybe for the first time in my life.”

“But certainly not the last time, if I have anything to say about it,” Colton whispered in her ear.

Emma grinned and gave him a quick kiss on the lips. “I’m sure you will.”