Vin had been good friends with Emma's father. Whenever he was in town he had always come for dinner at their small cabin.
One day nearly four years ago he called unexpectedly to the house. Emma had opened the door, pale and frightened.' Oh Mr. Tanner I'm so glad to see you'. Vin recoiled in shock as the youth embraced him warmly. He hugged her awkwardly.' What's wrong missy?' he asked as they broke apart. ' Ma and Pa have caught scarlet fever Mr. Tanner', she cried in despair.
Vin had stayed with the young girl, helping her to nurse her parents. Before her father had passed on a day after her mother he had quietly asked Vin to look after his daughter. Vin had stood by Emma as her parents were lowered into the ground and comforted her afterwards. He stayed in a boarding house in the nearby town to keep an eye on her. He kept her company for at least two months, disturbed by the feelings he had for the young girl. One night after dinner he had turned to her and told her point blank that it would be more convenient for him if they were to marry and move to Texas. She was sixteen years old and knew nobody else apart from the tracker so she hastily agreed.
They were married in a small ceremony the morning after, and spent the day travelling in Vin's wagon. Emma had changed awkwardly, with her back turned to the tracker and slipped under the blanket quickly that night. Her stomach was churning, apart from giggly talks with her friends she knew nothing of men and what they got up to. Vin crawled in beside her and kissed her cheek.' Goodnight Emma' he murmured. He had used all his will power to turn away from the girl He longed to touch her like he knew nobody had touched her before but he restrained himself.' She's only sixteen' he reminded himself savagely anytime he had improper thoughts about her.
They settled in Texas and Vin found himself falling more and more in love with the girl. She was quiet and kind and the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Her eyes constantly sparkled with laughter and she had a knack of making him smile even in his most desperate times. It became harder and harder to keep from touching her, and he found himself spending more and more time away from their small cabin. He would disappear for weeks at a time muttering unbelievable excuses when he returned. When he did return he spent the better part of the day working and most of the night drinking in the saloon. It wasn't unusual for Emma to wake up in the morning and find Vin slumped asleep in the chair. She never shouted at him though; she felt too in his debt to do that. If ever she felt sad she would confide in her friend Sally whom she had met in church one Sunday. Sally was married to a hardhearted brute and she informed Emma that she was lucky Vin never touched her. Vin had stood in the doorway after returning from one of his trips and listened as his young wife poured her heart out to her friend.
' I repulse him' she cried 'he does not even sleep in the same bed as me. He would rather drink himself silly and collapse on the ground'. The tracker had never felt guiltier. That night he stayed at home with his wife and ate dinner. They stayed up until dawn sitting in the long grass talking and laughing. Emma had fallen asleep soon after dawn. Vin picked her up and carried her to their bed and laid her down gently. He slipped in beside her and covered them in the patchwork blanket Emma's mother had made. He stayed at home for a month avoided the saloon and was generally a good husband. He had given into temptation slightly, and spent many nights kissing Emma to sleep, though he still couldn't bring himself to touch her, except through her clothing. She was too good for him and he felt that if the right man came along for her he would have to let her go.
The morning of the day that neither forgot had started as all mornings usually did. Vin woke before Emma and bit his lip in an effort not to gather her in his arms and make love to her. She opened her eyes slowly and smiled blearily.' Morning' she whispered but was silenced by a kiss that seemed to last forever. Using her initiative she moved closer to Vin. The tracker stiffened. She kissed him gently and moaned as he bit down on her lip. Vin groaned inwardly, she was so damn beautiful.' I'll make breakfast' he muttered pushing her away.
'Don't forget Sally's birthday tonight', Emma called. She crawled out of bed across to the table where Vin had set down a cup of steaming coffee for her. She pulled her nightdress over her knees and Vin groaned inwardly again, the nightdress was white and almost transparent it was so old.' I remembered', he said smiling,' You've been talking about your new dress for at least two weeks'. Emma blushed at his gentle gibing.' Mr. Tanner', she said dramatically' you should never point out a ladies faults'. Vin laughed' Well Mrs. Tanner', He responded with a heavy emphasis on the Mrs.' I find your faults are what make me love you so. Emma's breath caught in her throat at his words, though Vin carried on oblivious to his slip of the tongue.
Sally's party had gone on without a hitch. Emma had never looked more beautiful in an off-shoulder gown that emphasised her gentle curves. Vin had gotten quite tipsy on the punch provided. They had stumbled home laughing and giggling like young lovers do. Vin lit the fire to boil some water for coffee and Emma made sandwiches. She set them out on the table and walked over to her bed to fetch her nightdress. Vin watched as she struggled to undo the unfamiliar buttons on her new dress.' Here let me help you', he said walking over to her. She stiffened as he began to undo the buttons one by one.
Vin knew he wanted to wait for Emma to be older before they' lay down together'. But as each button opened to reveal more skin he felt his reserve slip. They had been married for nearly four months, he reasoned as he hastily opened the buttons with shaking fingers. He spun Emma around so she was facing him and kissed her passionately. He allowed the dress to fall to the floor and pushed her roughly onto the bed. He tried to slow down, to relax and allow Emma to go at her own pace, but she made no objections. She was excited, Sally told her a great deal and informed her that if she was lucky it would be very pleasurable… It was quite pleasurable she reasoned afterwards, although painful at first. Vin lay sleeping beside her. After they had finished he had looked disgusted. He was disgusted- with himself, for having no will power, for plucking her virginity so viscously. Emma woke up the next morning to an empty bed. She peeked over at Vin who was sitting at the table his brow drawn angrily..' I'm going out', he spat as she crawled out of bed. He hadn't returned. Although she had seen the wanted posters and heard from the townsfolk that Vin was a fugitive, she couldn't help feel that maybe it was she who had driven him away.
*****
'I'm going to get some coffee'. Emma heard Vin tell a woman who had come into the room an hour before. She waited quietly for five minutes after the door had closed before sitting up. The blonde woman sitting in a chair beside her bed smiled.' How can I thank you Mrs. Tanner?' she asked. Emma stared at her in confusion.' Pardon?' She asked. The blonde woman smiled again ' You saved my son, how can I thank you?' she repeated. Emma slipped out of the bed onto the floor and walked over to the dresser where her clothes were laid out.' You can stay quiet'. She murmured pulling on her trousers. Mary gaped at her 'But you're hurt', she cried, 'And Nathan said you're running a fever.' Emma ignored her and pushing the window of the room open.' Please' she locked eyes with the woman' I need at least ten minutes.' Mary knew Vin very well and she hated to deceive him but she owed this woman her son's life. Mary nodded her head' Hurry' she urged and watched as the girl slipped from her sight.
Night had fallen on Four Corners, and the town was calm for one. Vin gazed up at the sky absently. It was clear with a bright full moon. He gulped down his coffee and left his mug on the window ledge. Then he stood, stretched and walked back towards Nathan's clinic. From the door he could hear raised voices. They were Nathan's and Mary's he registered with shock. He pushed the door open to see the healer and the editor at each others throats.' Where's Emma?' he questioned. Nathan glared at Mary.' She let her go'. Mary stared at the floor.' Sorry' she whispered but Vin was already gone.
Emma gasped out in shock, she had not made it more than a hundred meters before she collapsed with dizziness. Her head was throbbing and her body itched. She tried to stand up but fainted on the ground, everything swam before her eyes, and she fell unconscious. That was where Vin found her, on his way to get his horse. He picked her up and brought her back to Nathan's clinic. Nathan forced her to drink a mixture of herbs and by morning her fever had dropped and she was wide-awake. Vin looked down at her sadly as she opened her eyes. The same old desires were there, but stronger than ever.' Hey' he whispered softly. Emma stared past him blankly.' Emma, I'm sorry,' he whispered taking her hand in his. ' Get away from me', she said pushing him away with all the strength she could muster.' I'm sorry' he repeated as Nathan walked in. Emma glanced up pleadingly at the healer 'Please' she begged' I'm tired'. Nathan nodded, 'Vin let the lady have some rest'. Vin stood up and spoke quietly to Emma so only she could hear.' I'll still be here later on, you're still my wife, I'll always come after you'. Emma rolled her eyes. 'Leave me be Tanner' she said after a while. And he left her be.