Emma's Wish

Sam considered that for a moment. Yes, he supposed she had. She treated them much the same as any mother would, except that he'd never seen a real mother heap as much loving on her children as Emma did.

And they were coming around, he had to admit. Even Nathan. Slowly but surely she was breaking down the wall he'd built around himself since Catherine died. He'd even caught the little boy laughing once or twice.

"Marrying Emma was the best thing you could have done for those children," Libby went on.

And for me. The thought sped through Sam's brain with the speed of a lightning bolt.

Libby screwed the lid back on a jar of sweets. "But you don't need me to tell you that."

"No, you don't." He knew that, but he wasn't going to discuss it with Libby Connor. Once he figured out his feelings in his own mind, he'd talk to Emma. Nobody else.

"So where are these pups?"

"Orville made a pen out back in the barn. Why don't you go on back and have a look at them? They're ready to leave their mama, so you can take one with you now if you want."

"Good. I'll head back there and pick one out." Sam turned to go outside, then paused in front of a mannequin in a display near the front window. It was wearing a pale blue silk gown the same shade as Emma's eyes. The neckline was low, and it had no sleeves. He could picture Emma wearing it, with her hair piled on her head the way it was for their wedding. The creamy skin of her neck and arms would be bare, and the neck dipped low enough that the swell of her breasts ...

He felt his blood heat as it rushed low in his belly. Damn! He had to stop thinking about that!

"It's pretty, isn't it?" Libby came up to stand beside him. "It's the style all the ladies are wearing in Paris, France these days."

"Really? Do you think Emma would like it?"

"I know she would. In fact, she looked at it last time she was in and said how beautiful it was."

He shouldn't even think about buying it for her. He couldn't afford to throw his money away on something like this. Hell, he could probably buy a couple head of cattle for the price.

"Would it fit her?" Sam asked.

"Perfectly."

It was a waste of money. When would Emma ever wear a dress like this? She sure wouldn't be wearing it while she was collecting eggs or scrubbing their clothes. And since they didn't have a social life to speak of, there was no special occasion for a dress so fancy. Unless ... she could wear it for him ...

"Wrap it up for me, Libby."

Libby smiled. "She'll love it, Sam."

"I hope so."

Sam wandered around the store as Libby carefully folded the dress and wrapped it in brown paper, then tied it loosely with string.

"Here you go," she said a few minutes later, handing Sam the package.

Sam tucked it beneath his arm, said goodbye, then went outside and tucked the parcel beneath the wagon seat.

His heart began to beat a little faster. Emma loved surprises, and he couldn't wait to see the look on her face when she unwrapped his gift. Her excitement might be just the thing to change their relationship - in more ways than one.

"Orville?" he called out a few minutes later as he rounded the back of the building and headed towards a weathered barn-like building. "You out here?"

Orville appeared in the doorway, a harness in one hand and a rag in the other. "Well, howdy, Sam. What brings you into town on a Thursday?"

"Looking for a dog," Sam replied. "Emma has their heart set on getting one for the kids."

Orville laughed. "Well I got a whole pack of 'em right in there." The harness dangled from his hand as he lifted it and pointed towards the barn behind him. "Help yourself."

"Thanks."

With Orville behind him, Sam went inside.