Chapter 21
After Sunday services, where Rob and Rosie announced their engagement, Emma invited Rob’s family and hers to come back to her house for lunch.
Colton had never been one to enjoy family gatherings, but with the Johnsons and the Vogels, it was quite different from the affairs his own family had endured.
These were people who enjoyed a lot of laughter and love.
Colton watched their interactions and thought of how different his own life might have been if his family had been like theirs.
Instead of money directing their conversations and time, the men enjoyed discussions about their families and hobbies.
They talked about God and the things they were learning in the Bible.
Colton had thoroughly enjoyed his time the previous day learning about the various elements of the prodigal son.
He saw himself in the elder son, angry and frustrated that the younger son had demanded his inheritance and left to live his life in a reckless manner.
The oldest son had remained faithfully at work, doing his father’s bidding, just as Colton had.
He’d missed out on so many of the things Tommy had experienced and enjoyed, but in the end those things had, in essence, killed him.
Colton hadn’t even realized his anger toward his younger brother until this study.
He was able to talk to these men and listen to them share similar feelings.
Realizing his feelings about Tommy was difficult, though.
Tommy’s love of life and refusal to live by rules had gotten him killed.
Yet his death had allowed Colton to break free of certain self-imposed chains regarding his feelings for Emma.
It created a mixture of guilt, regret, and hesitancy about the future.
Did he deserve to enjoy a life with Emma when it had come at the cost of his brother?
He hadn’t shared all of this with the men in the group, but mentioned enough of it that they offered counsel that had met a certain need.
Edward Vogel seemed to understand a great deal more than Colton expected.
He had even told Colton about the house he lived in and how it had come to him because of the death of a good friend.
For years he felt too guilty and regretful to truly enjoy it, but finally, he came to see that such feelings couldn’t bring back his friend.
Just as Colton’s feelings couldn’t bring back his brother.
Without a doubt, Tommy would have wanted Colton to live his life and to love Emma.
Tommy would want her cared for, because Colton had little doubt that he had truly loved Emma.
It was this thought that helped him to put aside guilt.
Tommy was beyond caring, but Emma needed love and support, and Colton intended to give her both in generous quantities.
With the weather so pleasant, they had set up tables and chairs in the backyard not far from the summer kitchen. Everyone was quite impressed with what Colton and Gary had created.
“I sure couldn’t have finished it off as quick as I did without Colton’s help. For being a city boy, he can handle himself well enough,” Gary told the gathering.
“That’s good to hear,” Rich Johnson declared. “Maybe he can come out and help with the roundup.”
“I think I’d be better at attempting to juggle than rope and ride,” Colton mused. Everyone laughed.
Rich laughed more than anyone else. “I’m pretty sure we could teach a smart fella like you.”
“I’m afraid Colton is leaving tomorrow after we sign papers with the Union Pacific.” Emma glanced at Colton and smiled. “He is selling his family’s railroad to the UP and then has to journey to Dallas and give his brothers the news and documents.”
“But he’s coming back,” Rosie announced in her boisterous way. “He’s going to live in Cheyenne.”
“I shouldn’t need more than a month or so to straighten everything out.”
“You’ll come back in time for the wedding and give me away, won’t you?” Rosie said, turning a concerned look on Colton.
“I’ll never give you away, Rosie,” Colton replied sternly. Then as she began to frown, he added, “I’ll share you with Rob, but I’ll never let you go all together. You’re my only sister, and I want very much for us to remain close.”
She smiled and then laughed. “We will always be close, Colton. Nothing will change that.”
“I’m glad you feel that way, because I intend to make Cheyenne my home. Hopefully, we’ll be able to see each other often.”
Rosie clapped her hands. “I’m so happy. I was praying you’d stay here. You’re happier here.”
“It’ll be great to have family all around us,” Rob interjected. “Ma has always taught us the importance of family. She lost her ma and pa when she was young. I hope we can all be close.”
Everyone murmured their agreement, and even Colton felt a warmth of unity that he’d not experienced before.
Family had always been important to him, but it was tied together with financial stability, business associations, and social standings.
These people held together out of pure love for one another.
There was no expectation of performance or increasing the family coffers.
“So, you two have decided to get married in September?” Lucille questioned.
Rob answered before Rosie could speak. “Yes. We figured September first. It’s the first Sunday, and that gives us a couple of months to prepare. We need to find a house of our own and make plans for the wedding.”
“Don’t forget you’ll have lots of help,” Marybeth Vogel spoke up. “I can’t imagine anything happier than working with you to plan a wedding and reception.”
“We don’t need anything fancy,” Rob said, looking to Rosie. She nodded. “Rosie and I talked about it, and we just want a simple ceremony after church. We can have a big party afterward, if you like.”
“That sounds perfect. We can hold a big celebration at our place, if you want,” Marybeth told her son.
Colton found himself envious as discussion about the party continued. He’d like very much for them to be talking about his and Emma’s wedding reception.
“Emma,” Rosie interrupted, “I want you to stand with me. You’re my sister and dearest friend.”
Emma appeared genuinely touched. “Of course I’ll stand with you Rosie. I’m so happy for you and Rob.” She glanced at Rob. “I think you’ve found yourself a wonderful man to marry. The two of you are going to be ever so happy.”
“So long as you put Jesus at the center of your marriage,” Rich Johnson added. “I can’t stress that enough. When things go wrong or you bicker and fight, looking to Jesus will get you through.”
“It’s so true,” Marybeth and Edward said in unison. They glanced at each other and laughed. It seemed they were of one mind.
Talk continued, and mention was made of a couple houses for sale nearby.
Colton figured to offer the couple a house as a wedding present.
He had more money than he knew what to do with anyway and would have even more after tomorrow.
He didn’t want to bring up such a thing in the company of everyone, however, and figured he’d wait until later to discuss it.
Since he needed to figure out a place of his own to live, maybe he’d just set out seeing houses on the pretense of buying one for himself.
“I’d like to see some houses too,” he finally said. “Perhaps I could accompany you and Rosie as you make your search. I’m going to need some place to live.”
Rob gave him a smile. “That would be great, Mr. Benton.”
“Call me Colton. We’re about to become family.”
“Thanks, Colton. I think it’d be good to have you along on the search. Pa, it’d be good for you to look things over too. You’re good to spot problems.”
“None of the places around here are all that old. Some were built with better materials than others, to be sure, but I’d be happy to do what I can.”
When lunch was concluded, Rosie and Rob announced their desire to go for a horseback ride. Rob said that Rosie had taken to it like she did most things, and he felt she was going to be a fine horsewoman.
Once again, Colton marveled at the thought of his sister’s accomplishments.
She had overcome so much. It was still obvious that she worked at a slower pace than others when it came to details like reading and math.
Maybe she always would, but the important thing was she was learning every day and doing quite well.
Emma convinced her stepmother and father that they didn’t need to help with clean up. “I have everything under control. Gary and Colton will manage the tables and chairs, and I can get the dishes.”
“I’ll stay and help you,” Marybeth said.
“No, I’ll help her after Gary and I get the chairs and table back in the house,” Colton said, getting to his feet. “You go enjoy the afternoon with your family.”
“They’ll probably all have something else to do. Greta was already busy with the Deckers, and Daniel mentioned fishing.” She tousled her son’s brown hair. “Of course, fresh fish for supper sounds just fine by me.”
“Hopefully, I’ll catch a whole string.” The sixteen-year-old got to his feet. “But I’ll help you with the chairs and taking stuff inside.” He started gathering plates, evidently much to his mother’s surprise.
“There, you see, we have it all resolved. Maybe you and Edward can enjoy a nice quiet afternoon alone,” Lucille said, collecting silverware.
Once everyone was gone and the things brought inside, Colton went to the kitchen and found Emma with her sleeves rolled up and hands busy at work in the soapy water. He took up a dish towel and began taking clean dishes from her as soon as she finished rinsing them.
“That was a lot of fun. I’ve never really enjoyed family gatherings,” Colton began, “but I never had family like those folks.”