Cora practically choked while trying to swallow and excused herself from the family room. She said nothing to Pearl or R.L. because they didn’t even know she had a husband, let alone the details about him. She fled to the safety of her room and picked up the telephone to call Ben and Judy. She hated to wake them if they were asleep, but she had to know.
“Hello,” called a weak voice.
“Judy? It’s Cora. Did I wake you?” Cora feared her suspicions were accurate.
“No, Sweetie. We weren’t asleep.” Her voice was sad. Silence hung heavily on the line.
“I called...because...I was watching the news...”
Judy interrupted, “Yes. It was Clark. We received the call an hour ago. We haven’t been able to call you yet.”
No longer able to hold back her feelings, Cora burst into tears. For a year, she’d expected some kind of news, but this hurt worse than she’d imagined. “How did it happen?”
“Cora, it’s Ben. Judy can’t talk any more. Clark was hiding out somewhere in Nevada, and bounty hunters tracked him down. He wouldn’t surrender, so they had to shoot him. They say he died instantly,” Ben said softly.
“Thank you for telling me. I knew when I heard the report on the news it had to be him. I need to go. I need to be alone. I’ll call you tomorrow.” Cora rushed out of her bedroom, down the stairs, and outside to the back porch.
When she sat in the swing, the floodgates opened, and she sobbed uncontrollably. If only she could run, or hide, or lean on someone, or something. Oh, she didn’t know what she wanted….
“Cora?” a familiar voice called from out of the darkness.
Cora jumped but couldn’t stop crying. She couldn’t even look up.
Rex crossed the porch and sat next to her on the swing, gently placing his arm around her shoulder. “Cora, are you okay?” Rex paused. “Well, I can tell you aren’t okay. What is it?” His voice was deep and comforting.
After several more minutes of weeping and sniffling, Cora swiped her eyes with her fingers and looked up into Rex’s dark eyes, soft for the first time. “I received some bad news from home.”
“Florida?”
“No, South Carolina.” The words choked her. “I found out my husband was shot and killed this morning.”
“Husband?” Rex stiffened but did not remove his arm.
Cora raised her hand. “Yes. I know...you didn’t know I was married. Your parents didn’t know either. We’ve been apart for over a year. He disappeared one night. He was a...” More tears fell.
“Take your time.” Rex moved closer to her and took her into his arms.
Cora relaxed against the strength of Rex’s warm, muscular body. “We’d been happily married—or so I thought—for a while, when he was suddenly arrested for smuggling drugs into the country. I had no idea if it was true or not. He got out of jail on bond, and that night he disappeared. I’ve spent a whole year hoping and praying he’d return. I couldn’t go on with my life until I heard from him. When I came to Lewistown, I was on my way to Florida to be with my parents. I still hoped Clark would come for me, but I’d nearly given up.”
“He’s been gone as long as my Patricia.”
Cora turned toward him, gazing into his face so close to her own. He was obviously in anguish too. “I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have dumped all of my problems on you.” She wiped her nose with her hand.
“You’re not dumping. I’m glad you did. It’s nice to know someone else can relate to how I feel.” He chuckled and gave her a wink.
“I’ve been expecting to hear this news for a long time. I thought I’d prepared for it and accepted it even. Not until I actually heard he was dead, though, did I realize how much it still hurt.”
“I can imagine.”
“I think what hurts the most is he just up and left me. He didn’t even say good-bye, or try to take me with him. He simply vanished. I thought our love was so strong. Finding out he’d kept things hidden from me was devastating.”
“I’m sure he didn’t want you to get dragged into his mess. He probably only wanted you to be safe.”
“I guess so. He could’ve changed his ways, though.”
“Probably easier said than done.”
“Yeah, I suppose.”
“I still grieve over Patricia, after all this time.”
“But at least you found someone else.” Cora weakly smiled.
“No, someone else found me.” He slumped.
“What do you mean?” Cora cocked her head.
“I met Veronica at Wild Bill’s, and she’s wild all right. She drinks and smokes too much and uses the worst language. She’s quite different from my Patricia.”
“How appealing…” Cora shuddered. “Why do you date her?” How could he date a woman with eyes so cold they cut right through anyone she disapproved of?
“She takes my mind off things. She’s only out for a good time. I don’t have to worry about her trying to lasso me, if ya know what I mean.” Rex chuckled again and smirked, not seeming to notice Cora’s condescension.
“I see.” Cora moved away from him. “Well, thanks for hearing me out. You have a good shoulder for crying.”
“Did I say something to offend you?”
“No, not at all. I’m frazzled right now. I think I’ll go inside and tell your folks my news.” Cora stood from the swing.
The fact that Rex chose to be with this type of woman and that he was blind to Veronica’s obvious plan to snare him weighed on her like a backpack full of rocks on a mountain hike.
“What will you do now?”
“I’ll stay a little longer, if it’s okay. I really love Susie. Spending time with her now will take my mind off things.”
“I understand. I’m glad you’re staying. I think it’s better for Susie that you’re here right now.” Rex smiled.
Cora turned to leave. “Thanks.” She needed to get past her obsession over Rex’s lifestyle. She was his daughter's caretaker, not his keeper.
She returned to the family room and told R.L. and Pearl about Clark. They offered to fly her to Columbia for the funeral if she needed them to.
Soon after, she retired to her room and called Mom and Dad. “Hey, Mom.”
“Cora.” The ice in Mom’s voice chilled her all the way through. “I wondered when you would call.”
Cora wiped at a tear that slid down her cheek. “I’ve been busy at my new job.” She didn’t tell her about the kidnapping. “Did you hear the news about Clark?”
“Yes, I did. Are you planning to return home?”
“Not yet, Mom. I’m going to South Carolina for Clark’s funeral. The Buchanans will need me to be there for them.”
“I see.”
Cora closed her eyes. “I’ll be home soon.”
“I understand. They are important to you.”
Cora groaned under her breath. Here came the guilt. “You’re important to me too, but I need to get this behind me. Tell Dad I said hello.”
“Sure.” Mom hung up.
Cora cried herself to sleep, praying for God to bring her peace.
* * *
“Ms. Bellamy, I don’t understand.” Cora propped her cell phone up one her shoulder and squeezed it tight to her ear while she packed the last of her things. This was probably the strangest phone call Cora had ever had—the Assistant District Attorney from Perkins County north of there investing Clark’s business dealings. Weird.
“Please call me Kathryn. Cora, your husband had ties to some drug dealers in New York who are doing everything in their power to get rid of anyone who might have information about them.”
“Okay…I can guarantee you I don’t know anything about any of Clark’s dealings. He never shared anything with me about his export business, if you want to call it that.”
“We just want you to be safe. We’re investigating everything your husband was involved in, and it’s bound to dredge up a lot of ugly business.”
“Please call me if you have any questi
ons, but I really don’t see how I can help. Do I need to hire someone to protect me from these people? I’ve already had a run-in with a kidnapper since I left South Carolina.”
“Yes, I heard about that. That’s an entirely different matter though. The missing women are not tied to this drug family.”
“You’re sure?”
“Positive. I may call you though if I come up with any information that leads me to believe they are connected. Are you somewhere safe?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’m staying with a family in Southern Hope at their ranch.”
“Okay, good.”
“Thanks for trying to put this matter with Clark to rest. I hope it gets settled soon and can stay buried with him.”
“That’s what we’re hoping for here in Perkins County.”
***
Cora entered the terminal of the Columbus Metropolitan Airport after exiting the airplane. Her driver should be waiting for her. She longed to be back at the ranch after being gone for two days to Columbia for Clark’s funeral. That morning Pearl had assured her someone from the ranch would pick her up. So Cora sat in a chair to wait as people rushed by on their way to undisclosed destinations.
As she flipped through a magazine, Cora reflected on the past two days. Her heart had soared when she'd seen Ben and Judy, although it'd been under terrible circumstances. Much of their grieving had been done before Clark’s death, though, so his funeral seemed nothing more than a formality. Seeing Clark’s body had been one of the most difficult things Cora had ever done. How much he’d changed in only a year. Fifty pounds heavier, he wore his hair long to his shoulders and dyed black. He was hardly the same man.
Ben and Judy tried to convince her to return to Lake Murray, but she declined. She’d possibly found a new life in Southern Hope.
Was there a mission for her at the ranch? Or in the town somewhere? Was there a calling for her higher than working for the O’Reillys? She needed God to reveal to her what he wanted her to do. If this was a time of rest and renewal for her, then she needed to prepare the family for her departure when the time was right.
Cora glanced up from her magazine to watch a couple saying their good-byes as the gentleman prepared to board a plane. She smiled slightly at them. Would they ever see each other again? There were no promises of such things. Her heart ached over not seeing Clark one last time and over the realization that the last time she’d seen him, she’d had no idea it would be the last. She didn’t get to say good-bye. It was probably for the best anyway.
“Cora?” a deep voice called. Rex stood in front of her.
“Rex? What are you doing here?” Cora stood, her stomach flipping. She straightened her shirt and fidgeted with her purse strap on her shoulder.
“I came to take you home.” Rex shuffled his boots and straightened his Stetson.
Rex’s smile warmed Cora’s heart. He said “home.” “You didn’t have to do that. I know you were probably busy.”
One of the airport personnel rode by on a motorized cart, and Rex shifted out of the way. “I volunteered to come after you, Cora.” Rex stared directly into her eyes.
There was something about the way he spoke her name. It rolled off his tongue like melted butter. Cora’s heart pounded in her chest. The air left her lungs. “That’s very kind of you.” She tried to control her reaction. Rex was the most handsome man she’d seen in a long time, and her loneliness threatened to push her toward compromising her values.
“My pleasure. Let me have your bag.” Rex took her bag from her. “Do you have any more luggage?”
“Yes, just one small suitcase.”
“Okay, let’s go get it. Then we can be on our way. Cook will be holding breakfast for us.”
Cora smiled at Rex and followed him to the baggage claim then out to the truck. His friendliness kept her eyes glued to him.
It took almost an hour to get back to the ranch with traffic, but Cora didn't mind. The time passed while they shared their tastes in music, movies, literature, and food. Rex's stories of the ranch happenings while she was gone balanced out her dreary events from South Carolina. It was like they were old friends.
The decision to come back to the ranch had been a good one. Tomorrow held promise.
When they arrived home, R.L., Pearl, and Susie greeted them on the porch. Cora breathed a sigh, glad to be back. Then the front door open and someone stepped out from the doorway. Cora's eyes landed on the shoes first then moved upward. Veronica stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, dressed like she’d walked out of a fashion magazine.
“Hello, Cora. I see you’ve found your way back to the ranch.” She sized Cora up, her translucent eyes reducing her to nothing more than a peasant.
“Hello, Veronica.” Cora’s elation changed to dejection, as if someone had punched her in the stomach. “Yes, I’m back.” She smiled curtly.
Rex’s neck stiffened, and he moved away from Cora, creating obvious space between them. He didn’t even offer to help her with her bags. Like a direction shift of a spring wind, he went to Veronica and took her into the house.
Cora’s mouth gaped as she stood beside Susie, her hand on top of the child’s head, watching the two lovers. Why had he changed so around Veronica? Maybe he was trying to have both of them. Maybe he only wanted Cora for conversation and companionship, and he wanted Veronica for the most obvious of reasons.
“Cora? How was your trip?” R.L. came down from the porch steps to help with her bags and frowned in Rex’s direction.
Susie skipped behind her grandpa’s heels.
“It was as expected.” She crossed her arms across her chest, giving herself a squeeze. “I’m glad it’s over. Now, finally, I can start my life over.” Bending down, Cora opened her arms to receive Susie and to give her a doll she’d purchased in South Carolina. This child would be the lifesaver she needed. Susie hugged Cora’s neck so tightly she could hardly breathe, but she loved it. A hot breeze blew across them. An airplane flew overhead, and Susie pointed at it, eyes widening in wonder.
“Come inside for breakfast. You must be hungry,” Pearl said.
“Yes, I am, and tired.” Then she turned to Susie, who held her hand as they walked into the house. “How about we take a nap after breakfast?”
“No way!” Susie shook her head dramatically, and everyone laughed.
“We’ll see about that.” Cora grinned at the child.
* * *
Two days later, on Sunday, Cora’s rest reservoir still measured below empty. She’d been unable to pull herself away from Susie on Friday after her return, and Saturday had been almost as bad. She needed a bit of time to herself, so she stayed home from church. Pearl and R.L. took Susie into town for church and for lunch at Ms. Lottie’s.
Cora stayed in bed and rested until her stomach wouldn’t let her wait any longer. Then she put on her robe and went downstairs.
Jimmy cleaned up the breakfast dishes as Cora entered the kitchen. “Good morning, Cora.”
“Morning, Jimmy.” Cora sat at the breakfast table, gazing out the bay window at the ranch. The early morning sun beamed on to the porch.
“How are you feeling?” Jimmy turned to study her.
“I’m getting back to normal. After the kidnapping and the loss of my husband, I’m definitely ready for life to be boring for a while.” She laughed.
“I sure hope life calms down for you. Can I get something for you? I was about to head out for church, but I’d be glad to get you something,” Jimmy offered.
“Oh no. I wouldn’t want you to be late. I’m staying in today. What did you serve for breakfast?”
“Bacon, eggs, toast, fruit, and coffee.”
“What’s left?” Cora’s stomach growled.
“Some bacon. How would you like a BLT? It isn’t quite lunch time yet, but sometimes a BLT is good this time of day.”
“Jimmy, you’re a genius. That sounds great. I’ll get everything, though. You go on.” Cora fluttered her hand at him and started for th
e refrigerator.
“Thanks. I hate to be late for church.”
“See you at lunch.”
Cora prepared the sandwich but couldn’t eat much of it. Her nerves held her stomach hostage. She couldn’t eat or sleep much lately. She headed upstairs and passed Matt’s, Clarice’s, and Rex’s bedrooms. Their doors were shut, so she couldn’t tell if they had gone to church or not.
Once in her room, Cora slipped her swimsuit on and headed back downstairs to take a swim before Susie returned. She hadn’t been able to swim laps since she’d arrived at the ranch. Susie didn't swim well, and Cora had to watch her constantly in the pool.
Cora put her thick towel down on the chair and smoothed sunscreen on her skin. She breathed in the aromas of coconut and lime. “Ahh...” When the sweat puddled in her navel and on her chest, Cora jumped into the pool to cool off. She swam about a half-hour, smiling up at the sun and lavishing the peace and quiet.
Then Rex’s truck pulled into the driveway. Had he been to church? She calculated the time. He wouldn’t have had time to return home from the city. Why did she even care what he was doing, after the way he’d treated her? Best to avoid him all around.
As Cora splashed in the pool, Rex came around the house to enter through the back door. When he saw her in the pool, he stopped in his tracks and gave her a bright smile. “Good morning.”
It wasn't morning anymore. “Are you coming in from church?” Judging by the way Rex looked, the answer to her question was clear.
“No.”
Cora said no more. His behavior after her return home from the airport had cut her, and she refused to set herself up for more disappointment. She swam to the other side of the pool to get away from him.
“What’s up with you? Why’d you swim over there?” Rex squinted in the sun, his hair tousled and his shirt untucked.
“I just wanted to swim. Nothing’s up,” Cora dodged and nervously kicked her feet. It was clear what he’d been doing the night before. He’d probably been with Veronica, and that was why he hadn’t returned home until now. Cora remained at the opposite end of the pool and played with her hair.
Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) Page 6