by Ciana Stone
“Meeting Bryson over at the church and then going over some things with Mama.”
“Okay, I’ll call you after I speak with Coop.”
“Okay.”
Cody started for the door but paused when Hannah called her name.
“Cody? He’s not Bernice’s dad. I just know he’s not.”
“I hope you’re right. Talk to you in a bit.”
Cody left the house and went out to her truck. She didn’t know if she was wishing the same thing as Hannah. If something were to happen to Belinda, it was a given that Cooper could provide a good life for Bernice, one in which she wouldn’t want for anything.
But was that what mattered most? A vision of Bernice’s face flashed through Cody’s mind. She was such a sweet and loving child. What she needed most was to be with people who loved and cherished her. Could Cooper do that?
Stop putting the cart before the horse, she reminded herself as she pulled out of the driveway. As of now, they had only Belinda’s word to go on, and while Cody hated to admit it, Belinda’s track record at being honest was tarnished at best.
Cooper’s car was parked on the street in front of the oil company office. Cody found a place to park and then walked inside. The receptionist greeted her when she entered.
“Good morning, Cody.”
“Melody? I didn’t know you worked here.”
“Just started last week. What can I help you with?”
“I was hoping to see Cooper.”
“Well, have a seat and let me see if he’s busy.”
“Thanks.” Cody watched Melody get up and disappear around the corner. Rather than sit, Cody walked over to the window and looked out. Cotton Creek was a lot busier these days than it used to be. But there were five times more people here now.
All the houses and apartments that had been built were full and the nearby campgrounds were packed. It was amazing the way an oil strike attracted people. But then, as Bronson Weathers said, money is like a magnet and oil is nothing if it isn’t money.
“Cody?” Cooper’s voice had her turning away from the window.
“Hey Coop. You have a few minutes?”
“Sure, come on back to my office.”
“Thanks.” She accompanied him to his office. He gestured for her to precede him and followed her in, closing the door.
“Please, sit.” He gestured to the leather sofa.
“Thanks.” She took a seat and waited until he sat down in the chair adjacent to the sofa.
“I know you’re busy and I don’t want to take up a lot of your time, so I’m going to get right to the point. There are a couple of things I need to talk with you about.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“First of all, the other night this guy got pretty wasted at the bar and was throwing around a lot of cash and I mean a whole lot. He claims he got it from your father and that Lucas paid him to sabotage the rig that almost killed me and Riggs.”
“That’s ridiculous. Had it not been for my father and Mr. Pursell having those cranes brought in, you and Riggs might have died.”
“I’m just telling you what the guy said. What I want to know is do you think there’s a chance he’s telling the truth?”
“No. I don’t. Look, I know my father is a world class SOB but he wouldn’t do something like that.”
“Okay, just asking.” She wasn’t going to press it since it was clear Cooper was going to take the position of defending his father. She found that pretty interesting considering he’d shown up here, formed the oil company and had spent the last year claiming to hate Lucas Quinlan.
“Is that all?”
“No. Do you know Belinda Mae Smith?”
“Belinda…” He drew his brows together in a frown for a few seconds and then released and raised. “Belinda Smith? Yes, I do. Well, I did a long time ago. Why?”
“Because she’s here and she has a little girl, Bernice, who is almost four and who Belinda says is yours.”
“That child isn’t mine.”
“How do you know?”
“Because I wasn’t the only one Belinda was sleeping with.”
“That doesn’t mean she can’t be yours.”
“It means there’s a one in—in whatever chance.”
“But still a chance.”
“Well, what’s it to you?” His voice took on a hard edge.
“Belinda is staying with me. She said she’s sick. Kidney failure. She’s on a transplant list but if she doesn’t get one, she’ll die. She asked me to be Bernice’s guardian so that if she does die, Bernice won’t get placed in a foster home or orphanage.”
“Well, if she’s your friend then maybe you should do that.”
The way he said it didn’t sit well with Cody. In fact, his demeanor annoyed her. “Well, if she’s your daughter, it should be you who takes care of her if her mama dies. In fact, if she’s yours then you should already be taking care of her.”
“I don’t think I care for your tone.”
“And I know I don’t care for yours. So, here’s the deal. Volunteer to have a DNA test done. If it proves you’re not Bernice’s dad, then you’ll have my sincere apology. But if you are—well, then you’re gonna have to man up and do what’s right.”
“And you think it’s up to you to tell me how to man up?” He stood and glared at her.
“I think it’s up to someone.” She said and stood to face him. “Look, this affects my sister too, and you know I’d do anything to keep her from being hurt. So be the decent man I know you to be and have the test done.”
“She’s not mine.”
“Then the test will prove that, won’t it?”
“Yes. But have you considered your sister and what this will do to her?
“She’s a big girl, Coop. She can handle it, whatever the outcome.”
“Yeah? Hell, she can’t even handle a wedding.”
“That’s a mean thing to say.”
“Well, it’s true. I mean god almighty how much does it take to get married? You’d think we were the damn royal family or something the way she’s going on. An ornamental fish pond, symbolic bridge and gazebo in the backyard of the church? Do you have any idea what this wedding is costing?”
Cody had not considered that. “No. What?”
“I’ve already laid out twenty-eight thousand dollars and will owe Weathers another sixteen on completion, plus the cost of the landscapers which is twelve, and then there’s the cost of filling the pond, fish, filtration, flowers—planted and cut, plus the food and champagne and—“
“Good lord.” Cody had no idea Hannah was spending that kind of money. Hannah had told her that Cooper and his father had offered to pay for everything; Cody had never imagined that Hannah would go spend crazy.
“I know. My father offered a way out. He’d give us use of his Gulfstream and pay all expenses for us to fly to Paris, be married and start our honeymoon there, one that would be an around the world tour.”
“And Hannah said no to that?” Cody already knew what Hannah had said, since Hannah had told her about the offer, but she didn’t see the point in letting Cooper know that.
“Yes, she did. Well, not entirely. She said she wanted the wedding she had always dreamed of and didn’t want to give it up, but we could take him up on the offer for after the wedding and make it the start of our honeymoon.”
Cody didn’t quite know what else to say. Cooper made Hannah sound like a gold-digger.
“So, can I ask you something, Coop?”
“Yes. What?”
“Do you want to marry Hannah?”
“Yes, of course I do. She’ll be the perfect wife. I know that.”
“Perfect?”
He smiled. “As close to perfect as it gets. She’ll be a wonderful hostess and companion—a woman I can take with me anywhere, be it to a dinner meeting with an investor or a weekend with a sheik. She knows art, wine, great food and she’s drop dead gorgeous.”
Cody nodded. “Yep, she
’s pretty damn special. Well, I better get a move on. I made appointments for you and Bernice today so I’ll see you at Doc’s at one?”
“Fine. And Cody? Sorry about being such an ass. It’s just that I went through all this with Belinda once and—and well, I just didn’t want to have to do it again.”
“I understand. But this will put it all to rest.”
“Yes, it will.”
“Okay, see you at one.”
She left and headed out to her truck. She’d arrived here to see Cooper, worried about Bernice being his child and she was leaving even more worried about it, and now fretting over his marriage to Hannah.
He’d said some nice things about Hannah, things Cody agreed with, but the one thing she’d expected to hear was the one thing he’d never said. That he loved Hannah. And in Cody’s mind, that was the only real reason to get married.
So what did she do with those concerns? Take them to Hannah and possibly start a fight or sit on them and hope things worked out?
Damn, now was one of those times she really needed someone to talk to.
Cody pulled out her phone and placed a call. “Riley? Hey. Are you busy later today? Well, I’ll be happy to help you round ‘em up if you’ll spare a few minutes to give me some advice. Okay, I’ll be there around three.”
As she started the truck, she saw Cooper hurry out of the building. She wondered if he was headed over to talk to Hannah. If that was the case, chances were Cody would hear about it before the day was over.
She pulled out of the parking place and headed out to take care of what she needed to do before the doctor’s appointment.
*****
“Thanks for making lunch earlier,” Cooper said to his father.
“It was no trouble, but back to Cody. Did she say who this man is?” Lucas asked.
“No, she didn’t mention a name.” Cooper looked at his father. “I told her it wasn’t true. You’d never sabotage a rig.”
“Precisely. What would possibly motivate me to do such a thing? I came here to bridge the gulf between us, not widen it.”
“Exactly.”
“I’m sure it was simply a matter of a man who’d had too much to drink trying to impress the pretty barmaid.”
“The bar owner,” Cooper corrected.
“Whatever. So, did Hannah accept my offer?”
“Use of the jet and an all expenses paid honeymoon, yes. Cancel the wedding, no. At least not to elope to Paris. Now, she might want to in a couple of weeks.”
“Why? What happens then?”
Cooper quickly told his father about Belinda. Lucas listened without interruption until Cooper fell silent.
“Is there any chance the child is yours?”
“Well, I guess there’s some chance. I mean I did sleep with her.”
“You had unprotected sex with her?”
“I don’t know,” Cooper said, then added, “Honestly, I don’t remember.”
“Then have the test. If it turns out the child is yours we will arrange for her to be placed in a boarding home in Europe where she’ll be well protected and feel no want.”
“She’s not mine.”
“I hope not, but should it happen that she is…”
“You’re right.” Cooper agreed and meant it. So what if the child was his? It wasn’t like he knew her. And she could grow up with the best of everything, just like his father said. She didn’t have to interfere with Cooper’s plans.
“Have you given any more though to the venture I mentioned?” Lucas asked.
Cooper knew exactly what his father wanted to hear. Lucas and Herbert Pursell had proposed that Cooper and Wes throw in with them to buy up what remained of the mineral rights in this area.
Wes wasn’t all that keen on the idea, but his father and even his mother were pressuring him to do it. Cooper was leaning toward saying yes. While he and Wes were shareholders in the Cotton Creek Oil Company and were paid handsome salaries, they would never enjoy the kind of profits they could earn if they teamed up with their fathers.
Lucas had already snatched millions of dollars worth of rights out from under them and could continue to do so. If Cooper and Wes pulled out of the Cotton Creek Company and left Bronson and Jasper to manage, along with Pressley and even Liz, they could not only recoup their initial investment, but potentially make millions.
While he wouldn’t admit it to his sister, Cooper wanted to have a relationship with his father. Before their falling out, Lucas had treated him badly and Cooper had not felt appreciated. Now his father treated him with respect and that was what Cooper had wanted his entire life.
He didn’t want to give it up, or give up on his father, even knowing all of Lucas’ faults. And it never hurt to have Lucas Quinlan on your side, particularly in matters like the one with Belinda. He’d paid her off once and she’d agreed, in writing that the kid wasn’t his when she took the money. So what kind of game was she playing? Surely she had to know that she’d never get another dime out of him?
She was trying to hurt him, for whatever reason and he had to stop her. His father had the power to keep her from hurting Cooper or derailing his wedding plans. So while his sister, Liz, might not want a relationship with Lucas, Cooper saw the benefit. And one thing Lucas had taught him was to never cut a tie that was beneficial.
In some ways, Cooper truly was like his father.
*****
Cody took off her hat and used her bandana to dry off her face. The ranch hands drove the last of the cattle into the corral. Riley rode up and stopped beside Cody. She looked over at him. He was as just as dirty and sweaty as she.
“Damn if I’m not about ready to see the end of summer,” she said
“Amen to that,” Riley agreed and waved at his ranch hands. “Great job guys. Make sure they have feed and water and call it a day. Trucks will be here at six in the morning.”
To a chorus of “yes, sir,” “thanks Riley,” and “woo hooos,” Riley smiled and turned to look at Cody. “Treat you to a cold beer at the house?”
“I won’t say no. But let’s take care of the horses, first.”
“I hired some college kids for that and they’ve only got another week before they head back to school. Let’s not cheat them out of a minute of the experience.”
“In that case…” Cody turned her mount in the direction of the bar. Sure enough, she’d no more than dismounted when two young men rushed out of the barn.
“Hey.” She greeted them and offered the reins to the closest. “I’m Cody.”
“Tom Washburn.”
“Nice to meet you Tom.” She smiled and looked at the other one.
“Tanner Wilson.” He stuck out his hand.
“Nice to meet you, Tanner.”
“You boys take care of these horses?” Riley asked as he dismounted.
“Yes sir, Mr. Riley.” Tanner piped up.
“Thank you. Cody? Ready for that beer?”
“You know it.” She cut a parting look at the young men. “Thanks. Have a good one.”
Riley chuckled as they started for the house. “Ten dollars says they’ll be asking for your number before moonrise.”
She laughed. “Damn, you gonna make it that easy for me to take your money?”
“Oh we’ll see.” He kicked mud off his boots then mounted the front steps. “Wanna come in or sit out here.”
“I’m filthy. Let’s sit out here.”
“Okay, let me grab the beer.”
Cody sat in the porch swing to wait. It was only a minute before Riley returned with two beers. He handed her one and took a seat beside her. After taking a long drink from his beer, he spoke. “So, you wanted to talk and now that I’ve worked you half to death, what’s up Half Pint?”
“I’m afraid there’s trouble coming.”
“What kind of trouble?”
“To my family.” Cody paused to take a pull from her bottle. “People I care about. A girl I went to school with—Belinda—showed up a couple of w
eeks ago with a little girl, Bernice. God, that kid is adorable. But Belinda says she’s dying if she doesn’t get a kidney transplant.”
“The kid?”
“No. Sorry. Belinda. She wants me to sign papers to be Bernice’s legal guardian.”
“And you don’t want to?”
“Oh, it’s not that. I would in a New York minute. She’s the cutest, sweetest thing in the world. But I encouraged Belinda to find Bernice’s father. If he’s alive, he deserves to know about Bernice and to decide if he wants her.”
“That sounds like good advice. What’s the problem?”
Cody looked at him. “The problem is she claims that Cooper Quinlan is the father.”
“Cooper? Oh damn.”
“Yeah, right?”
“You’ve told Hannah?”
“I have and she pitched a damn fit, called Belinda a bunch of names and refuses to believe it’s possible.”
“Well, is it?”
“Yeah. I went to see Cooper and he knows Belinda. And he slept with her. But he says the child isn’t his because Belinda slept with a lot of men.”
“Well, there are ways of finding out.”
“Yeah and I took Belinda to Doc’s today to get a DNA swab thing done. Cooper met me there to have one done and Doc’s sending both to a lab in San Antonio. We should know in a few weeks.”
“And your friend Belinda?”
“She headed up to Rock Ridge to see a specialist and had to go into the hospital for dialysis. She’ll be back tomorrow.”
“Then it seems like you have things in hand.”
“Maybe, but then there’s the deal with Quinlan.”
“What deal?”
She quickly told him about the drunk and his claim about being paid by Quinlan to sabotage the oil rig that nearly killed Riggs.
Riley scowled as he listened. “Did you talk to the Chief or Tom about this?”
“Not yet. That’s what I wanted to ask. Do you think it’s enough to take to the police? I don’t even know who that drunk fella is. I mean, I got his name but that’s all.”
“Well, I’m guessing that’s at least a start for them to go on.”
“Yeah, maybe but I was thinking I’d just keep my eyes open and if the guy comes back to the bar, I’ll try and get him to talk more about it.
“Or just call Tom and tell him. You know he’s even more gung ho since he got promoted to Assistant Chief of Police and they hired four new Deputies.”