Page 43 of Colorado Bride
“What happened to you is terrible, but I’m glad it happened, or you wouldn’t have married me.I’m happy to be married to you…despite your mother.”
Ben raised an eyebrow.
“But?I hear a ‘but’ coming.”
“No, buts.I’m happy.I hope we’ll have children right away.I want babies of my own.I was the oldest child in the orphanage and there were always babies and little ones to care for.I miss that.I enjoyed being a governess because of the children.Most were good, but ignored by their parents.They just wanted someone to love them.”
“I’m not one of your children.I’m not looking for someone to love me.”
“Don’t be silly.Of course, you are.We all are.That is a fundamental need along with food, clothing and shelter.We all need love to flourish.”
“I have all the love I need.My mother loves me, such as it is, and Jane loves me.I don’t need or want you to love me.”
She looked forward, sat up straight and put her hands in her lap.
“Very well.If it is your desire that I don’t love you, I won’t.Never let it be said that I give you something you don’t want.”
He gave her a sidelong glance.
“I feel like I’m missing something.”
“You’ll know when the time is right.I’m an optimist.I prefer to see the glass as half full.You are the kind of person who sees the glass as half empty.”
“Well, it is half empty.You’re just confusing things.”
They pulled off the road to the long drive that took them to the Black’s ranch.
“Tell me what I need to know.It’s Maggie and Caleb.What are their children’s names?”
“Katy and Larry.”
“How old are they?”
“I don’t know for sure.Katy is probably ten or eleven, Larry is three and they have a baby that is a few months old.A girl I think, name of Anne.”
“Oh, a baby.How wonderful.”
Ben shook his head.
Emily continued to smile.
