Page 67 of Colorado Bride

Doris’s eyes narrowed.

“Now he’ll never leave you.I am finished.”

“You were done long before this.I would always have chosen Emily over you.She is my wife, the future mother of my children.”

Doris dissolved into tears.

Emily watched the woman, destroyed by her own machinations, and felt only pity.

“Ben, perhaps she can stay here.She is no longer a danger to me.I know her for what she is and so do you.Besides, I believe she is sorry, truly, for her horrible treatment of me and even of Rory.Aren’t you Doris?”

Doris looked up at them.Her eyes watery with tears.She seemed older.Emily saw every line, every wrinkle.Doris’s gaze held no more hatred.Her eyes just seem tired…old.

“I am very sorry for my behavior.Believe me, please, I don’t want to hurt anyone any more.I’m done with vengeance.”

Ben looked at Emily with an eyebrow lifted.

She nodded.

Then he faced his mother.

“Very well.Since Emily thinks you are to be trusted, you may stay.But you do anything to make us regret this decision and I won’t be able to build that house fast enough to put you in it.I might even build you a room in the barn to live before the house is finished.”

Doris looked up at Emily.

“Thank you.I don’t deserve this kindness, but I thank you for showing it to me.”

“Please, don’t make me regret it.”

Emily wrapped her arms around Ben’s waist.

“Let’s go back upstairs.We have more things to discuss.”

He shook his head.

“Not right now.We have to go get Rory out of jail.”

“You’re right, of course.How could I forget so soon?”

He hugged her.

“We’ve had a few other things on our minds.”

“That may be true, but we need to get him out and bring him home.You know he may not want to be part of the ranch.He may just want his money and to get out of Golden for good.The town doesn’t exactly hold good memories for him.”

Ben plucked her coat off a kitchen peg and held the garment for her to put on.

Then he grabbed his own coat and donned it.

Sheriff Robert Wayburn was well aware of the animosity between Rory and Ben so he was somewhat surprised when Ben and Emily showed up and requested to talk to Rory before deciding whether or not to press charges.

“Here he is,” said Wayburn as he opened the cell door for Ben.The sheriff locked the door after him.

Emily stood outside the cell.

Rory got off the cot and looked over at her.

“I’m sorry Emily.I never should have did what I done.”