Page 74 of Colorado Bride

ChapterTwelve

Emily swallowed hard.She backed up just a bit and then held her ground.

“You’re wrong, Doris.Wrong about Ben.But then you were wrong about his father, too, weren’t you?You sent him into Ava’s arms with your denial of him.”She watched Doris’ face and saw her flinch.“That’s it.You denied him.That’s when he left, isn’t it?”

“We had two children.That was enough.I wanted no more.”

“What’s between a man and his wife is more than the begetting of children.It’s closeness, understanding and being able to share everything.You made him look for all of that in another woman’s arms.And then, when their love produced a son, you made him give her up or you would destroy that boy.But he got you in the end.He left everything to Ben, knowing his son was a good, honest man.”

“No.You’re wrong.You don’t understand.You love Ben.I never loved Joseph.Never.I could never love any man.You don’t know what my life was like before I married.The things that happened to me.I had no control, but now, Ben will listen to me.”

Doris picked up a knife from the counter.

“Nothing will keep my Ben from me.”

She plunged toward Emily, holding the knife above her head.

“No, Mother!”

Ben stood in the doorway from the living room, Rory behind him, the carpets in the hallway having muffled their footsteps.

Wild-eyed, Doris turned toward Ben.

“She must die.Nothing can come between me and you.You’re mine.Have always been mine.”

She blinked and a strange look came over her face.

“You’re father wanted to send you away to school.I couldn’t have it.Nothing will take you away from me.”

Emily backed away and ran into a chair at the table.

Doris heard the noise and turned her attention back to Emily.She ran at her.

Emily moved the chair to between them.

Ben ran forward and grabbed his mother from behind, pinning her arms to her sides.

Doris dropped the knife.

Rory picked it up.

She slumped against Ben and then dissolved into tears.

“No…no…no.”

Ben looked over at Emily.

“Are you okay?”

Emily nodded, not trusting her voice.Then she collapsed in the chair she’d put between her and Doris.

“Emily go upstairs—”

“I’m staying here.”She stood.“I have work to do.She didn’t hurt me.Take her upstairs and put her to bed.”

“Are you sure?”asked Ben.He cocked his head and furrowed his eyebrows.

“I’m sure.Go.”