Chapter 21 #3
“I see you got my telegram,” he declared, entering the room with his satchel in hand.
“I’ll make this brief.” He went to his desk and opened the satchel.
He took out the checks and handed one to each of his brothers.
“Your share of the sale.” Then, without waiting for them to comment, he pulled out the envelopes.
“Inside are your shares of stock in the Union Pacific.”
“Right to business, as always,” Walter said, laughing. “But you won’t get away without telling us of your success with Tommy’s widow.”
“My dealings with Tommy’s widow are none of your concern.
” Colton gave him a hard look. “However, Emma and Rosie are both doing well. Our sister is to marry a police officer who has spent the last few months courting her and teaching her to read and ride horses. He’s an exceptional young man who loves our sister dearly, and I’ve given him permission to marry her.
They will do so on the first of September. ”
His brothers looked at him as if he’d just announced his ability to fly.
Ernest regained his thoughts first. “Marry her? He wants to marry a mindless ninny like our sister?”
“You would rethink that comment if you had spent time with Rosie these last few months. In the short time since we’ve been gone, she has flourished like no one I’ve ever seen. Emma has taught her many skills, including cooking. Although Mrs. Olson had a fair hand in that as well.”
“Who in the world is Mrs. Olson?” Walter questioned.
“Emma’s cook. Now, if you don’t mind, I’m sweltering and would like a bath.”
“You can’t leave us without telling us whether or not you married Emma.” Ernest looked at Colton with narrowed eyes. “This is most important.”
“Why? If I had married her, the money and stocks would be mine, not yours.”
“You know why it’s important. There is more to do with it than just money and stocks. There are other investments that Tommy inherited.”
“Furniture and jewelry, as well,” Walter added.
“Not to mention paintings and other art pieces.” Ernest was starting to sound angry. “We have a right to know what’s going on.”
“Nothing is going on. I did not marry Emma, although I plan to. Certainly not for the reasons you would like, but for real and true love. The money is in her account, and her share of the Union Pacific stocks are in her safekeeping. I intend to sign a prenuptial contract that will allow her to keep whatever she has prior to our marriage.”
“But that money should have come to the three of us,” Walter insisted. “That’s why we sent you to Cheyenne.”
“You didn’t send me, Walter. I went of my own desire to oversee the safety of Emma and Rosie. Your interference and scheming in all of this nearly caused me to lose the woman I’ve loved since Tommy first brought her into this house.”
Ernest chuckled. “That’s a marvelous scheme. I suppose you told Emma that and delighted her with hours of conversation about how you pined away for her even as she planned to marry our brother.”
“That is quite the perfect game, I must say. You no doubt had her panting after you.” Walter grinned in such a way that ended any patience Colton might have shown him.
“The truth is that I care deeply about Emma and am very much in love with her. I won’t have you speaking ill of her, nor suggesting anything untoward.
You have your money and stocks and should go.
I will be in Dallas only long enough to arrange the packing and shipping of Tommy’s, or rather Emma’s things, as well as my own.
Oh, and the sale of this house. You might recall I’ve already paid you for your share of the place, so there is nothing you will gain by the sale.
I plan to arrange for my other business dealings as well, some of which will benefit you.
So I advise you to stay on my good side.
Once this is completed, I will return to Cheyenne, where I intend to make my home until my death. ”
He looked at them both, feeling rather satisfied at their shocked expressions. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
“But you cannot just walk away,” Walter said. “We wanted you to come in on several projects with us.”
“That may well be, but I’m not at all interested.”
“But you haven’t even heard what they are,” his brother protested.
Colton shrugged. “My values in life have changed. I’ve made my peace with God, as our mother used to encourage us to do.
I, in turn, encourage you to follow my example and explore that path for yourself.
I have never known such peace and satisfaction as I’ve experienced in turning to God rather than my own devices. ”
“You can’t be serious.” Ernest looked at him with great disdain. “Religious nonsense has no room in the life of a businessman. Let the women in our lives seek solace in such things.”
“Church is a social obligation,” Walter offered. “Nothing more.”
Colton had no interest in arguing the matter. “All I can say is that seeking God has given me great peace of heart and happiness. I hope you’ll give it a try for yourselves because, frankly, I’ve never known two more miserable beings than you.”