"Mr. Jenkins, will you marry me?"
"What did you say?"
"I asked you to marry me."
Marry? She was serious. She wanted to marry him. The realization hit him hard, and for a few moments, he just stared at her, trying to figure out what her game was. Surely there were plenty of men in town who'd be more than happy to oblige her. Why would she want to marry someone she didn't even know, and take on a ready-made family?
Well, it didn't matter anyway.
"I'm not marrying anybody."
"Please, think about it before you refuse."
"I don't mean to insult you, and it's nothing personal, but I don't want to get married again. I had a wife. She's gone now, and I can't see myself caring for another woman the way I did for her."
"I'm not suggesting a marriage based on anything other than mutual respect and perhaps, eventually friendship. A marriage which would be beneficial to everyone concerned."
"Do you realize what you're saying?"
Emma's voice was soft when she answered. "Yes, I know exactly what I'm saying."
"Why?" Sam asked. "Why would you want to marry me and raise my children?"
"I have my reasons. I'd be a good wife to you, and a good mother to your children. Right now, that's what's most important. The children don't want to leave, and I suspect you don't want them to go.
I'm offering you a solution."
Sam stared at her. She was so tense she looked like she'd break in two if anybody touched her. Her fists were clenched around the strap of her reticule, and she began to nibble on her bottom lip while she waited for his answer.
Could it work? Fred gave her a glowing recommendation, and he did value Fred's opinion. Could they really form a family? Hell, he needed time to think.
"Last call." The conductor's voice boomed through the station. "Two minutes. Next stop Denver, Colorado, with connections to Boston, Philadelphia and New York City.”
Two minutes. Two minutes to make a decision that would affect the rest of his life.
He tunnelled his fingers through his hair and shifted his gaze to his children. At the other end of the platform, Fred was sitting on a bench with Becky on his knee. Nathan sat on one side and Joseph on the other. Fred was talking, and the children were engrossed in whatever tall tale he was telling.
Sam caught Fred's gaze. Fred's head nodded slightly, as if he was telling Sam to listen to the woman standing before him. He couldn't know what Emma was offering, but he apparently thought enough of her to suggest that Sam pay attention to what she had to say.
"I appreciate the offer, but I can't let you do this."
Her eyes filled with tears. "Why not?"
"You haven't thought this through. You don't even know us."
"I've thought about little else."
"You'd have to give up your home, your friends, your life here in town."
"I'm prepared to do that."
"What about a family of your own? You prepared to give up having a real husband and babies of your own?"
Emma nodded. "I am."
"I don't know ..."
Emma's heart began to race. He was going to agree. She just knew it. She could barely conceal her excitement.