Chapter 22 #2
Emma sank onto the porch at his feet. “I want to live a better life and do what is pleasing to God and to you. I know if I please you and God, then maybe Mama will be happy too.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Emma, no matter your behavior, you were always loved. Your ma and I were blessed to have you as a daughter. Sure, there were some times when you were a little difficult, but it never stopped us from loving you. Seek to please God. That’s all that really matters.
But just remember, it won’t guarantee an easy life.
If anything, the devil will fight you all the harder and try to steal your attention and loyalty. ”
Emma knew he was right. She reached up and grasped his hand. “I know, and it terrifies me.”
“Now, you don’t need to go being afraid of old Nick. He has no power over you that you don’t give him. When you belong to the Lord, He’ll help you to flee the devil. The Bible tells us that God didn’t give us a spirit of fear.”
“But of power and of love and of a sound mind,” Emma murmured. “I remember that Bible verse from Second Timothy, one.”
“Exactly so. It was a favorite of your mother’s when we first came to live in Cheyenne. She was so afraid.”
“I remember some of those times.” Emma looked up at her father. He seemed to be looking past her at nothing in particular.
“She tried to hide it. She didn’t want you children to know because she didn’t want you to be afraid like she was.
She feared Indian attacks. She’d experienced such things when she was young, and it worried her that you’d go through that as well.
Remember how nervous she was when we heard about Custer being killed by the Sioux? ”
“I do remember. But everyone was afraid. We had no idea of what might come our way or where those Indians might show up next. I remember you and Mama told us where to hide if there was trouble, and you made that secret room up in the attic.”
“I did. I figured better safe than sorry. Still, the best thing we did was pray.”
“I remember. I wasn’t walking with the Lord, and I wished I could feel close to Him. But I figured that He’d given up on me. I was fifteen and should have known better than to act the way I did.”
“I recall you weren’t so critical of prayer time during those days,” her father said, giving a bit of a laugh. “Sometimes God has to let things go the way they do in order to get our attention.”
“Well, He’s got mine now. Colton’s too. I’m so glad he changed his mind toward God.”
“He’s a good man, Emma. Smart too. Just like you. I figure you two would work well together.”
Emma pulled back a bit. “What do you mean, Papa?”
“I think you know. The man is in love with you, and I think your feelings for him run in the same direction.”
She heaved a sigh. “They do. I never expected it.”
“Folks seldom expect love.” He chuckled.
“I sure never figured to fall in love with a shy, pigtailed preacher’s daughter, but I’m mighty glad I did.
When I lost her, the emptiness of our house liked to swallow me whole.
Lucille was a healing balm to me. I know she’d tell you I did the same for her after she lost Frank.
God just has a way of puttin’ folks together at the right time. ”
Emma leaned her head on her father’s knee. “He does.”
“I’ve never been to a dance,” Rosie said as she and Rob took a moment to themselves. “I’m glad you taught me how to two-step. I’m not very good at it, but it was fun to try.”
“I was never all that interested in dancing. Seemed like most of the girls I knew were excited for it, though, and so I let my ma show me how.”
“Well, we don’t ever have to dance again if you don’t want to.”
“Tomorrow night is the firemen’s ball, and it’s fancy dress. I heard that you have a mighty pretty dress all ready for the affair. I can’t let that go to waste.”
Rosie shook her head and walked a few steps to distance herself even more from the others. “I’m afraid of that dance. I’m not very good at waltzing. You know that.”
Rob came up behind her and pulled her back against him, wrapping her in his embrace.
“I don’t care if we dance or don’t. I’ve never been in love like this.
You are all I’ve ever wanted in a wife, and I’ve planned to marry me a gal since I was a little fella.
I’m not exactly sure why, but I always knew I wanted to marry and have a family. ”
“I didn’t figure I could have that, and it was so lonely. It wasn’t until Emma came that I had a chance to do much of anything. I thank God for Emma.”
“I do too,” Rob whispered again in her ear before giving her a quick kiss on the cheek.
Rosie had never known such happiness or excitement for the future. There had been so many bleak moments in her life when she had asked God why she was even alive. Why had He bothered to bring her back to life if she was only going to be a burden to everyone around her?
She turned to face Rob. “I didn’t think anyone would love me. My own family only tolerated me. They sure didn’t want to spend much time with me. We’ve only known each other a short time, Rob. Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your life with me?”
He surprised her by roaring with laughter.
Rosie was glad they were standing away from everyone else.
With the music playing again, no one seemed to have heard.
If they had, people might wonder what in the world she’d said to make him laugh so much.
It would be embarrassing to admit what she had asked him.
Of course, Emma said a person didn’t have to tell everything just because someone demanded an answer.
How was it she told Rosie to answer when people pried?
Oh yes, she remembered. “That is a private matter .”
She realized just then that Rob hadn’t answered her question. Tilting her head, she fixed him with a look. “Well?”
He grew serious. “I am very sure, Rosie. I know I’m just twenty years old, and some folks might think that’s too young for a man to know his mind, but like I said, I’ve been planning to marry since I was five. I used to talk to my ma about it. You can ask her if you don’t believe me.”
“Why wouldn’t I believe you? You’ve always been good to tell me the truth.”
“And I always will, Rosie.” He touched her cheek. “I won’t ever lie to you, even when the truth is hard. I promise.”
She smiled and nodded. “I promise you the same thing.”
“Don’t ever doubt my love for you.”
“I don’t doubt it. I mean, not really, but I know I’m not like everyone else. I might embarrass you.”
He pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. “I doubt that, but I might embarrass you. You can never tell.”
“I would never be embarrassed by you.” She paused for a moment. “Well, maybe if you were teasing me in front of a bunch of people. Sometimes that scares me.”
“Then I never will. Rosie, I don’t care what anyone else thinks about you, although if they say anything bad, they might get a fist in their face. You’re perfect for me, and I like to think I’m perfect for you. There’s a lot we have yet to learn, but we’ve got time.”
Rosie knew he was right. She’d already learned so much, and who knew what else she might be able to do? No matter what, she had promised God she would always seek His help when she felt particularly unable to meet the demands of the people around her.
The dance music ended, and partners were being exchanged for the next dance. Rosie glanced back up at Rob. He was smiling again. He really did love her, and he was always so patient with her when teaching her things.
We’re going to have a good life together. I just know we will . There might be hardships at times, but we’re going to work through it, and God will show us what to do.
“What’s going through that pretty head of yours now?” Rob asked. “You look like you’re plotting something.”
Rosie laughed. “I’m not plotting at all, just thinking about how happy I am and how happy we’re going to be once we’re married.”
“I don’t have to wait until then. I’m already the happiest man in Cheyenne.”
Colton was already tired of traveling, and yet he was still at least two days’ train ride from home.
It seemed that the journey was taking forever.
The darkness of western Kansas made the trip seem never-ending.
He imagined that Emma and her family were celebrating in grand style at the Firemen’s Tournament.
He’d heard at the Bible study that Cheyenne would spare no expense, and that it required two days of celebration just to fit in all the events.
How he wished he could be there instead of on this train.
Not to share in the festivities, but because he longed for Emma’s company.
The idea of the town filling with hundreds of eager firemen did not exactly comfort him.
Between the influx of firefighters and cowboys, the already high number of single men would no doubt leave the single ladies with more attention than they could manage.
Still, there was nothing to be done about it.
Had it taken less time to arrange for the sale of the house, he might have already been home and able to stake his claim.
But did he really have a claim to Emma? She had promised to wait, but did she take it as seriously as he did?
Colton tipped his hat down over his eyes, hoping to sleep.
There had been no available berths in the sleeper car, so he would have to attempt to sleep sitting up.
When they reached Denver in the morning, he had a meeting to attend with several men who hoped to interest him in investing in a new method of food processing and packaging.
It appeared to have merit. If food could be preserved for longer periods of time, it was to everyone’s benefit.
It would delay him another day, but he’d promised Emma he’d give her good investment ideas, and this one looked promising.
The rhythmic rocking soon lulled Colton to sleep and filled his dreams with images of Emma.
He always seemed to find himself taken back to her wedding.
He had been helpless to keep her or Tommy safe.
Watching his little brother take a bullet to the head had been the most horrific thing he’d ever experienced.
That was, until he saw that Emma had been hit as well.
Knowing he might well lose them both was more than he could bear.
He rallied himself briefly to clear those images from his mind.
Falling back asleep, Colton tried to refocus his thoughts on better times—times when he and Emma had happily shared each other’s company.
How he hated the separation. Hated knowing that she was still struggling to really believe he loved her.
His dreams once again turned darker, and he saw Emma waving good-bye as she boarded a train.
He ran after her, but she disappeared into the mist that seemed to swallow up everything.
He woke with a start, surprised to find it was daylight outside.
He pulled out his pocket watch and checked the time. They’d be in Denver in a very short time. He’d check into a hotel and clean up a bit, maybe even have some breakfast be fore his meeting. He wondered how long the meeting would take and when the next train to Cheyenne might be.
“Next stop, Denver!” the conductor called as he made his way through the car.
Denver wasn’t home, but it was that much closer.