Emma's Wish

Sam's sense of dread grew.

"Then why are you here?"

Winston crossed to where Sam was standing. Mere inches separated them. The two men faced each other, their equal height failing to give one any advantage over the other.

"We've come to take the children back with us."

Emma gasped. Her hand flew to her mouth.

Sam's face darkened. "I told you they weren't coming. They're staying here with Emma and me."

"Don't kid yourself. They will be returning to Boston with us. We've retained an attorney in Fort Worth. Legal steps are already being taken in order for us to gain custody of the children."

***

Emma came up behind Sam later that evening when the children were asleep. They hadn't had a chance to talk since Sam had almost bodily thrown the Howards out of the house amid threats and angry words. The children, sensing the tension, had been subdued, and Emma had sent them off to bed earlier than usual with a promise of another picnic the following day.

She rested her hand on Sam's shoulder. "They won't win," she said softly.

Sam reached up and closed his hand over hers. "I wish I was as sure of that as you are."

Emma wished she were more confident herself, instead of only mouthing the words she knew Sam needed to hear. In truth, she was just as terrified as he was that Catherine's parents would indeed win the court battle and take t

he children back East.

She almost shuddered as she thought of how their lives would change. No more cavorting in the yard with Apollo. No more picnics. No more laughter around the dinner table. No more wet kisses from Becky and embarrassed hugs from Joseph. Heavens, she'd even miss the way Nathan opposed her every chance he got.

"Hell, Emma, they have everything. Money, power, important friends. How can I fight them?" Sam raked his fingers through his dark hair.

"We'll fight them together."

"How? They've hired the best lawyer in Fort Worth. I can't even afford to hire Jonas McCallum."

Jonas was Charity's only lawyer, a man who'd appeared in town a few years back and hung out his shingle. All folks knew was that he'd come from Georgia, and that he had no family. It was questionable how he supported himself, since there wasn't much call for legal advice in this part of the country, but somehow, he got by.

"Of course we can."

"Emma, we won't have any money until I sell off the cattle in the fall."

"We can use my inheritance."

Sam bounded out of the chair and turned to face Emma. His eyes narrowed and his lips formed a thin line. "We've gone through this before. And the answer is still no."

Emma eyed him squarely. "Before it didn't matter. This is important."

“I won't take your money."

Why did the man have to be so stubborn? Emma planted her hands on her hips and raised herself to her full height. "Now you listen to me, Sam Jenkins. Pride is fine, if you can afford it. Right now, you can't."

"What kind of man am I if I let a woman provide for us?"

"It's not providing--"

"Same thing."

"You're just being stubborn--"

Sam's face reddened. "I'll provide for my family."