By Mystic
We come to know Emma Shannon in the first episode of The Young Riders as the Stationmistress of the Sweetwater Waystation who is a very strong and self-willed woman who isn't afraid to speak her mind. Her toughness likely stems from her wild, adventurous past which she herself admits was leading her on a self-destructive path.
Emma had many deep scars that ran through her quiet, reserved soul. She kept these quite hidden; guarded under her self-sacrificing spirit as she focused attention on the needs of others.
It seems that Emman's father had a strong influence in her life as noted by her unpleasant encounter with hired gun Longley, no doubt recalling memories she'd soon forget. Her attachment to her father's gold watch seems to indicate that she was close to her father and loved him dearly.
Her first marriage to Evan Cramdell began as happily as any marriage but turned bad after their only child died of the pox when very young. Emma was abandoned by her husband and her feelings of guilt over the death of her child possibly developed in her a very caring, nurturing spirit towards the riders, taking them into her bosom as if they had been born from her very womb.
She seemed especially close to Lou and Jimmy. I think because they shared some very personal issues. Her closeness to Lou probably stemming from their mutual attempts to survive in a man's world and her connection with Jimmy possibly from the brutality and danger she had seen in her former lifestyle, wanting to aid him in avoiding that same road to destruction.
Her sense of loyalty at time brought her into contentions with those close to her; Sam, Jimmy and Teaspoon which also possibly came from her inability to detach herself from hurtful situations.
Emma could be very demanding at times especially from Marshal Sam Cain. She knew what she wanted in a man and from a man no doubt again from her past experiences with men. She likes matters to be handled without hesitation at her command.
She is very protective of her Express family and doesn't hesitate to take up a defense on their behalf like a mother hen guarding her young chicks.
Though she'd experienced much hurt in her life, she didn't allow that to surpress the outward display of love she felt for her riders and Marshal Cain.