Chapter 19

Denver…

Nick exited the stagecoach and stretched his legs. He turned and caught his saddle bags and saddle he had borrowed from Carl as the wagon driver tossed them to him and then walked toward the sheriff's office. He was looking for someone and knew that the sheriff would probably be able to help.

After receiving the information he needed, Nick set out to rent a horse and ride to the Shelton Ranch. It wasn't difficult to find, and Nick noticed as he rode in that some of the buildings weren't in the best of shape. He tethered his horse and went up to knock on the front door.

He heard shuffling inside and finally the door opened. An older man, probably in his 60's answered the door. Nick introduced himself and was invited in. They made small talk for a minute or two and then Nick asked the man his question.

"I was wondering if you still had a horse you bought last year. Her name was Maisy. She was chocolate brown in color."

The man's eyes misted for a moment and Nick thought that perhaps the horse had been killed. He was glad he hadn't said anything to Emma as to why he needed to make the trip.

"Maisy. She's a good horse. Bought her for my wife, Elsa." The man looked over at a picture that was hanging on the far wall. It was of Mr. Shelton when he was much younger and a lovely woman, presumably Elsa. "Elsa passed on about three months ago. Had another fella interested in buying Maisy here last month, but I just couldn't part with her. Elsa enjoyed her so much."

Nick nodded. "Would you be willing to sell her to me? You see, the woman you bought her from, sold her because she and her family needed the money. The horse had been a gift from her father who had passed on when she was younger."

"And are you here to buy the horse for her?"

"Yes sir. I want to buy Maisy back to give to her as a gift."

The older man considered Nick's words. He looked over at the picture of his wife again and nodded as though someone were speaking to him.

"Do you love her?" Mr. Shelton asked Nick, his eyes still on his wife's picture.

"Oh, yes sir. Very much."

"Is she that special one?" Nick understood what he was asking.

"Yes sir," he said softly. "I can honestly say that Emma is that special one for me."

Mr. Shelton didn't say anything for a moment, then turned back to Nick.

"I'll sell Maisy to ya. Won't even ask for more than what I bought her for. She's not doing much anyway since there's no one to ride her."

Nick smiled broadly and shook the man's hand. They walked out to the barn together and Nick recognized Emma's horse immediately. She looked as though she had been well cared for. Nick sincerely thanked the man and paid him his asking price. He then mounted his rented horse and held onto Maisy's bridle and led her down the lane. He would drop off the horse he rented and then saddle Maisy. If he started back tonight and camped out, he would be back in Boulder by lunch tomorrow. He had originally planned to stay the night and start back in the morning, but he couldn't wait to see the look on Emma's face when she saw Maisy.

Boulder…

Since Emma didn't expect Nick back until the next day, she decided to help Sam and Carl with putting in new fence posts. Not afraid of hard work, she delved right in and was soon digging holes. All three were covered in dirt from head to toe. They stopped for a quick lunch of sandwiches Mary had packed for them and then began their work again. Unbeknownst to Emma, Nick had arrived at the house, stabled Maisy and eaten a lite lunch with Mary. When Nick told Mary what he had done, she wept and thanked him. Mary tried to convince Nick to wait until the threesome returned which would be soon, but he was too eager. Mary couldn't help but smile as she watched Nick walk toward the south pasture.

When Nick saw Emma, she was a mess. Her hair was falling out of its braid and she had dirt on the end of her nose. She had dirt everywhere, but Nick thought she looked beautiful. Emma glanced up and saw him standing there, his arms folded, with a huge grin on his face. Carl and Sam noticed him at the same time. Most women Nick knew would have been scrambling to clean themselves up, apologizing for the mess. But that wasn't Emma. She had a rancher's heart and knew what had to be done and did it. Emma smiled at him, making her look even more appealing to the dark clad cowboy. Carl told her he and Sam could finish the rest and sent them on.

The couple walked back hand in hand. Emma asked Nick about his trip. He said it was successful and just left it at that. When they arrived back at the house, Emma excused herself to clean up. She would take a quick bath and then change into the pretty yellow dress her mother had just finished making for her. It was feminine, yet not overly frilly. It suited Emma well. Her slim form was accentuated in the dress and Emma not only looked beautiful, but she also felt beautiful. She decided to let her hair fall down her back. She had no combs with which to pull up the sides and she didn't want to put it back into its braid.

When she walked into the kitchen, Nick had been speaking with her mother but stopped as soon as he saw her. He had thought she was beautiful covered in dirt, he found her breathtaking now. Mary sensed the two wanted some privacy and said she was going to bring in some wash off of the line.

"You look wonderful," Nick said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Emma bit her lip and smiled. "I'm sure it's a vast improvement over what I looked like an hour ago."

"Actually, I was just trying to decide which I liked better."

Emma couldn't look away because of the intensity of Nick's gaze. He walked over and stood close.

"Would you mind if I kissed you, Emma?" He asked softly.

Emma shook her head no. Nick leaned in and gently placed his lips on hers. His arms came around her slim waist. Emma melted in his embrace, overcome with emotions and sensations she had never known before. Their kiss became more intense, and Nick pulled away before he could give in to his desire to pick Emma up and take her away with him.

"That was nice," she said. "We'll have to try that again."

Nick smiled. "Oh, I plan on it. I plan on it." He tugged on her hair gently and said, "I have wondered for a long time how long your hair was. I've only ever seen it in a braid."

The two sat at the kitchen table with cups of coffee talking in soft tones. Mary peeked in the window from time to time. She had seen them kissing and smiled softly to herself. When she saw them sitting at the table, she decided to give them some more time. She hoped Emma was telling Nick she was going to go back to Stockton with him. Although she hated to see her daughter leave again, she wanted so badly to see that spark back in her eyes and knew Nick was the one to do that.

Carl and Sam arrived a while later. Mary had finally come in from outside and shooed the couple onto the front porch. When Carl and Sam had cleaned up and joined them, Emma excused herself to help her mother with supper preparations.

"We saw Maisy. Did you have any problems?" Carl asked in a whisper.

Nick grinned. "Nope. Mr. Shelton gave me a great deal. Guess he bought Maisy for his wife, but she passed on a few months back. When I told him I was wanting to buy the horse back for Emma, he was glad to sell her to me."

"When are you going to tell her?" Sam asked.

"I was going to wait until after supper, but I don't know if I can!"

The three men laughed. Emma and her mother chose that moment to walk out.

"What's so funny?" Mary asked. She went over to sit on her husband's lap. Such affection was shown often in their home and Sam and Emma were not embarrassed. Neither was Nick especially since he longed to pull Emma into his lap as well.

"I've got a little surprise for you, Emma. Would you like it now or after supper?" Nick asked. He half expected Emma to jump up and down like Audra would have. Audra loved surprises and couldn't wait for them.

Emma looked at him seriously and said, "I can wait until after supper. Ma made my favorite: Roast with carrots and potatoes. Everyone ready to eat?"

The four sitting on the porch looked at Emma as though she had grown a third eye. When she couldn't take it anymore, she burst out laughing.

"Of course I want to see it now!" she said and everyone laughed with her.

The group made their way to the barn, Emma wondering why Nick had put whatever it was in there. Carl, Mary, and Sam all held back as Nick led Emma in, his hands covering her eyes.

"Ready?" he asked.

"Ready," she responded. Nick took his hands off her eyes and Emma looked around. In the stall before her was Maisy. Her breath caught in her throat and she let out a little sob. She gently stroked her beloved horse, saying words of love to the animal that had been so special to her. She turned to Nick finally and put her arms around him. Neither one had seen Carl motion for Mary and Sam to follow him back into the house.

"Just saying thank you seems so inadequate, Nick," she said. She put her hand behind his neck and drew his face close to hers. She kissed him with such passion that Nick felt he was going to burst.

When they parted, Nick said, "You can thank me like that any time you want."