For the Love of Annie

by Sabrah Huff Agee

  "Y— Yes, of course."

  "He's been told that his medication is the reason he can't speak plainly— so, don't be surprised if he tells you that. Just smile and agree with him."

  Katybeth looked nervously from Mary Louise to her father. "I don't know if...I'm not sure that I can— "

  "Of course you can," Mary Louise interrupted. "Surely, you wouldn't want to disappoint him, would you? He's so anxious to see you, Miss Norris."

  "No," the young woman said. "I— I guess not."

  As Katybeth reluctantly entered his room behind Mary Louise, Cooper mumbled incoherently and stirred restlessly on his bed. His dark hair was plastered to his brow, he was deathly pale above the stubble of his beard, and dark circles ringed his eyes.

  Katybeth covered her lips with her fingers to stifle a cry and Rev. Norris whispered, "Dear God, he looks terrible."

  "I know. The poor man has suffered dreadfully," Mary Louise murmured. Gazing down at him, she secretly congratulated herself on her excellent handiwork. It was amazing what one could achieve with a few drops of laudanum, some water, a drop or two of mineral oil, a little rice powder, and a few smudges of charcoal. "Oh, but he looks so much better now than he did a few days ago." She leaned over and brushed Cooper's hair from his brow. "Cooper, Miss Norris and her father have come to visit with you." She gestured to Katybeth. "Come closer, so that he can see you."

  "Sorry to hear about your misfortune," Rev. Norris murmured from the foot of the bed.

  Cooper babbled something that sounded like thank you. Then his gaze found Katybeth. "Kaaaabefff," Cooper mumbled and held out his hand to her.

  She hesitantly moved to the side of his bed and took his hand. "Oh, you poor, poor, man," she whispered.

  Mary Louise took Rev. Norris's arm and led him toward the door. "Why don't we leave these two alone for a few minutes," She said softly.

  MARY LOUISE led Rev. Norris down the hall and struggled not to smile at the memory of his and Katybeth's expressions of horror when they saw Cooper. And she expected that Katybeth Norris was at this very moment imagining spending the rest of her days caring for an invalid. Given what she'd gleaned in her short acquaintance with the woman, Mary Louise seriously doubted that playing nursemaid was something Katybeth could tolerate longer than a few short minutes— if that long.

  Rev. Norris and Mary Louise had no more than taken their seats in the parlor when Katybeth appeared at the door. "Papa, I'd like to go now, please."

  Mary Louise rose. "So soon?"

  "Thank you for the tea, Miss Markham, and for your hospitality, but it's been a rather trying day."

  "I hope you'll come back and visit again." Mary Louise glanced up at Rev. Norris. "I mean both of you, of course. Cooper does so look forward to company, poor man."

  Katybeth shook her head. "I think it would be better if I did not, Miss Markham."

  "But I thought that you and Sheriff Matthews were— "

  "I'm afraid you may have misunderstood our relationship," Katybeth interrupted. "The Sheriff and I share nothing deeper than friendship."

  "Oh, dear," Mary Louise murmured. "Please forgive me. From what Cooper said I assumed— "

  "You were mistaken," Katybeth said firmly. "Come Papa, we must go."

  Mary Louise closed the door behind the departing couple and leaned on it while she stifled a giggle. She was fairly certain both she and Cooper Matthews had seen the last of Miss Katybeth Norris.

  COOPER awakened from his laudanum induced sleep just as Mary Louise entered his room carrying a basin of water. His gaze followed her as she set the basin on the table by his bed. When she walked over to his shaving stand and opened the drawer, he spoke up. "What are you up to now?"

  "I'm looking for your razor," she replied. She found the straight razor and quickly began to sharpen it on the leather strap hanging from the wooden towel rod.

  "Just what do you plan to do with my razor?"

  She glanced over her shoulder at him. "Why, I'm going to shave you, of course."

  "The hell you are. If you think I'm going to trust you with a razor at my throat, you've got another think coming."

  Ignoring Cooper's comments, Mary Louise gave the razor a few more swipes over the strap and then tested the blade against her thumb. Satisfied that it was sharp enough, she laid a towel over her shoulder and gathered up Cooper's shaving mug and brush and laid them beside the basin of water.

  "Did you hear me, Mary Louise? I'm not going to let you shave me."

  "Oh, hush Cooper," she said as she placed a towel under his chin. "I know what I'm doing. I've shaved Papa hundreds of times, and I shaved Willie, too, when he was sick."

  "Well, you're not going to shave me. I tell you, I won't allow it."

  She arched a brow. "I don't recall asking your permission." And while Cooper sputtered, she left the room.

  She returned with a steaming pot of water and set it on the floor beside the bed. With a pair of tongs, she lifted out a hot towel, let it cool for a moment, and then twisted most of the water from it.

  Cooper glared at her. "Mary Louise, I meant what I said. I do not want you to— " Mid— sentence Mary Louise slapped a steaming towel over his face. In a voice muffled by the hot towel, he yelled, "God Damn it, Mary Louise, what are you trying to do, kill me?" He reached to remove the towel but she slapped at his hands.

  "Cooper, I'm trying to soften your whiskers."

  "And you had to scald me to do it?"

  "Stop being such a baby. The towels aren't that hot. I wrung them out with my bare hands."

  "The hell they aren't. I'm afraid to think how my face is going to look when you take off that steaming towel. I'll probably have blisters," he grumbled.

  Mary Louise ignored his complaints as she wet and then swished the shaving brush in the mug of soap. When she'd worked up a thick lather, she removed the towel from Cooper's face and brushed the lather on his cheeks. "If you'll just lie still this won't take more than a few minutes," she said as she reached for the straight— edged razor.

  Cooper lay frozen with dread as Mary Louise leaned over him and applied the razor to the skin just below his side— burn. Her face was a study of concentration, and if he hadn't been so afraid she was going to slice him to bits, he would have been amused. Instead, he tried to prepare himself for the sting he knew would come when she lacerated his tender skin. He closed his eyes as he heard the first hiss of the blade sliding over the heavy stubble. No sting. He opened his eyes in time to see Mary Louise wipe the blade on a towel over her wrist. Then she leaned over to make another pass at his face.

  "Twist your mouth," she demanded.

  She seemed to be hovering above him. "Do what?"

  "Twist your mouth." She demonstrated. "Like this."

  Cooper grinned at the sight of her facial contortions.

  "Don't smile, you'll make me cut you."

  At this warning, his smile vanished and he did as she asked. After a moment he began to relax. It appeared that Mary Louise told the truth when she said she knew what she was doing. Now that he wasn't in fear for his life, Cooper decided to enjoy himself. He was intensely aware of the faint scent of violets each time Mary Louise leaned over him. Looking up, his mouth watered as he wondered if the pale skin above her collar would taste as sweet as it smelled.

  "There you go, all finished." Cooper's musings were interrupted when Mary Louise slapped another towel on his face. When she'd wiped off the residue of lather from his cheeks and chin, she rinsed the razor and brush and returned them to their place in the drawer of the shaving stand. "Now, be honest, don't you feel better?"

  Cooper rubbed his smooth face. "Yes, I feel much better. Thanks, Mary Louise."

  She smiled. "You're welcome." Humming, she began to gather up the basin and kettle.

  "Why are you doing this?" he asked as he watched her.

  "Why am I doing what?"

  "Why are you taking care of me?"

  She looked at him as if his question were ridiculous.
"Because there was no one else to do it."

  "I'm sure Joe Bob or Charlie could have found someone to do it. People are always looking for ways to make extra money."

  She paused. "I suppose that's true. No one thought of it at the time. Besides, I didn't have anything better to do, and well..." She shrugged, as if that were answer enough.

  "I want to thank you for everything."

  "You've done that. You're welcome." She carried the things to the door. "Yell, if you need me," she said as she headed toward the door.

  Oh, I need you, Cooper thought, watching the sway of her skirts as she moved across the room. I definitely need you, Miss Markham, but not in the way you meant the offer. He rubbed his temples as if rubbing them would erase her presence from his mind. He had to stop thinking about her, he had to keep his head. Mary Louise Markham was not the type woman he wanted. In fact, Mary Louise Markham was the embodiment of women he'd sworn to avoid. He must not forget that. Sighing, Cooper reached for the stub of a pencil and paper that lay on the table by his bed. It was time he rekindled his relationship with Katybeth.

  MARY LOUISE opened the draperies and sunlight poured into the bedroom. "I want them closed," Cooper growled.

  She glanced over her shoulder and frowned. "It's entirely too dreary in here, Cooper, you need sunlight."

  "I said, close them, damn it! If I want sunlight, I'll ask for it."

  "Fine!" She snatched the draperies together. "They're closed. Satisfied?"

  "Yes. Now, get the hell out of here and leave me alone." He turned his face toward the wall.

  Mary Louise frowned again, this time with worry. "Cooper, what's the matter? Has this black mood of yours got something to do with Miss Norris' not replying to your notes?"

  "That, Miss Markham, is none of your damned business," he snapped.

  She bit her lip. "You love her that much?"

  Cooper turned to look at her and his eyes were flashing with anger. "I believe I asked you to leave. I need some time to think and I can't do it with your fluttering about."

  Mary Louise left without another word and went down the hall to Annie's room where she'd slept since Cooper had been strong enough to leave alone. She sat down on the cot next to Annie's ornate crib and put her face in her hands. She was feeling unbearably guilty about scaring off Miss Norris. She hadn't realized that Cooper actually cared for the young woman. Mary Louise closed her eyes in resignation. She should have known. After all, Cooper had told her in no uncertain terms how he felt about loveless marriages. Hadn't it been the reason he refused her proposal? If he were contemplating marriage to Miss Norris then he must care a great deal for the young woman.

  Mary Louise fell back on the bed and pulled a pillow over her head. And now she'd gone and ruined the poor man's chance at happiness because of her own selfishness.

  COOPER'S black mood had nothing to do with Katybeth Norris and everything to do with Mary Louise Markham. Over the past week, his attraction to her had grown in leaps and bounds. Being unrelieved of her presence all this time had taken its toll— so much so that he'd actually begun to reconsider her marriage proposal — and that realization frightened him. As for Katybeth's defection, his only disappointment stemmed from the fact that she could no longer serve as a distraction from the real object of his interest.

  He clenched and unclenched his fists. Damn it, he didn't want to feel this way about the infuriating woman. Mary Louise Markham couldn't care less about him. She'd made it quite plain that she was only interested in getting custody of Annie and she'd do anything to have that— even marry a man she didn't love. He'd already suffered through one marriage of convenience, he didn't want to go through another. And it would be worse if he married Mary Louise— because he could easily fall in love with her.

  At least Katybeth Norris cared for him— or at least he thought she had. Now, he was beginning to wonder. Why hadn't she been back to see him? Or, failing that, why hadn't she at least answered his notes? Damnation! He needed to get out of this bed and get to work. His job was the only thing that he could be sure about these days.

  Cooper managed to push himself into a sitting position. Then he eased his legs over the side of the bed until he was sitting with his feet on the floor. His head pounded and his groin throbbed with every beat of his heart, but he didn't care. He was determined to get out of bed. It was the only way he would ever get his strength back. He bellowed for Mary Louise and he was rewarded by the sound of her running down the hall. She was gasping as she threw open the door.

  "Cooper Matthews, what do you mean yelling like that?"

  "Bring me some clothes."

  He saw her mouth settle into a stubborn line. "And just what do you think you're doing?"

  He narrowed his eyes. "What does it look like? Bring me my clothes, I'm getting out of this bed and on my feet."

  "Over my dead body!"

  Cooper looked pointedly at Mary Louise. "Don't tempt me," he retorted. "Either bring me some clothes or I'm going to get up just like I am. Stay where you are and you'll have the opportunity of seeing me in my all together." When she didn't move, he grasped the knob of the bedpost and attempted to pull himself to his feet. As he moved, the sheet, which was merely thrown over his lower body, slipped a few inches.

  "Stop right there! I'll get your clothes." Grumbling under her breath, Mary Louise searched his bureau until she found a pair of his trousers. "Can you dress yourself?" she asked as she tossed them to him.

  His scowl changed to a wicked grin and he drawled,. "Why? Would you like to stay and help me?"

  "I was going to call for Joe Bob, but you can forget that!" She whirled and started for the door. "I hope you fall and break your insufferable neck, Cooper Matthews!"

  Cooper chuckled to himself as he carefully pulled on his trousers. The deed wasn't easy, the bandage over his groin was thick, but he was finally able to maneuver them over his hips and, with some effort, he got them fastened.

  He'd managed to pull himself to his feet by the time Mary Louise reentered his room. He swayed slightly and she rushed to wrap an arm around his bare waist. "All right," she said. "If you're determined to do this, at least let me help you."

  Her hair smelled of violets and Cooper closed his eyes and breathed in the scent. Then he mentally shook himself. "Just help me walk to the door and back," he said brusquely.

  Walking took more effort and was much more painful than he'd imagined it would be, so that by the time Mary Louise helped him walk back to the bed Cooper had broken into a sweat. "I think you've done enough for one day," she said as she eased him on to the edge of the mattress.

  His groin felt as if it were on fire and he grimaced against the pain. "Just let me rest a minute and we'll do it again."

  "For God's sake, Cooper, you've done enough for now. Wait until tomorrow— "

  He glared at her. "One— half hour," he snapped. "I want you back in here in half an hour, understand?"

  "Fine! I'll be back in half an hour." She slammed the door as she left the room.

  A HALF— HOUR later Mary Louise returned and they repeated the exercise, then again in another hour. The fourth time Cooper made the trek from bed to door and back, Mary Louise could tell that he was very near collapsing. He groaned as she helped him to lie down.

  "That's it, Cooper. I don't care what you say, I'm not going to let you do this again today."

  Cooper closed his eyes. "We'll start again first thing in the morning."

  Mary Louise looked at Cooper's wan features. In spite of his bravado, he was obviously in great pain. "I hope you know what you're doing," she said softly.

  Cooper opened one eye. "Be in here at six o'clock sharp."

  Mary Louise bowed at the waist. "As you wish, Your Royal Highness."

  Chapter 11

  MARY LOUISE reported to Cooper's room at six o'clock. "Are you sure you want to do this again so soon?" she asked when she saw he was still quite pale.

  "I'm sure. Come help me to sit up."
/>   She sighed. "Yes massa'."

  "Your sarcasm is unbecoming," he said, frowning.

  "So is your beastly mood."

  "Perhaps I wouldn't be beastly if you weren't such a harpy," he snapped, clearly angered by her judgmental remark.

  Mary Louise rolled her eyes and grumbled, "Just shut up, Cooper, and walk."

  Smirking, Cooper arched a brow. "See what I mean?"

  Moving at a snail's pace they made the trek to the door, then turned and slowly made their way back. "Let's go again," Cooper said as soon as they'd reached the bed.

  Mary Louise shook her head. "You haven't rested."

  "I don't need to rest. Let's go." His tone said there was no use in arguing, so against Mary Louise's better judgment, they made the second trek.

  This time, just as they reached the bed, Cooper's knees buckled and he fell forward. Mary Louise tried to stop his fall, but the forward motion of his body was too much for her slight frame and before she knew what was happening she was lying on the bed with Cooper's entire weight pressing her into the mattress.

  "Cooper, I can hardly breathe." Mary Louise gasped and tried to wriggle out from under him.

  "Oh, Jeez, Weezie," Cooper groaned in her ear, "Don't do that."

  "Did I do something?" she asked anxiously. "Are you hurt?"

  His mouth was at her ear and she felt him smile. "Yes, I'm hurt, and yes, you did something. But it has nothing to do with my injuries."

  She tried to ignore the pleasant tingle caused by the warm puffs of his breath at her ear, but in spite of it her voice trembled ever so slightly when she asked, "W— What are you talking about?"

  "Did you know that your hair smells like violets?"

  "Why Cooper, what a sweet— " Mary Louise had been about to thank him for the lovely sentiment when she suddenly became aware of something hard against her belly. Maiden or no, she had studied enough Gray's Anatomy to know exactly what that 'something hard' was. She gasped with indignation— and then punched his arm. "Cooper Matthews get off me this instant!"

  Chuckling, Cooper carefully rolled to his side. "Don't be mad, Weezie, I didn't— "