For the Love of Annie

by Sabrah Huff Agee

  Starr turned and looked over her shoulder at Mary Louise. "You go on and get Annie, Honey. Me and Cooper will be just fine all by our lonesome." She grinned at Cooper. "Won't we, Sugar?"

  "Fine as frog's hair," he replied. He didn't see Mary Louise leave, but he flinched when the front door slammed.

  "Who's Miss Hoity— Toity and what's she got to do with you?" Starr asked.

  Cooper looked toward the door and then back at Starr. "It would take too long to explain," he said. Then he smiled. "Gee, it's good to see you. How was New Orleans?"

  "Wild, same as always. But I did hire a couple of new girls— real clean, pretty, too. I think you'll like them." She played with the hair on his chest. "It's been a while since you've visited Heaven's Gate or even sent for one of the girls. You haven't found a house you like better, have you?"

  Cooper smiled and shook his head. "You know there isn't a better brothel within a hundred miles of Hollisburg. I just haven't had time, lately."

  Starr arched a brow and grinned. "I remember when you used to make the time."

  Cooper chuckled. "Yeah, so do I. But I've got Annie, so I can't visit Heaven's Gate. And I certainly can't have a woman come up here. Annie could walk in and..." He shuddered. "Jeez, I don't even want to think about that."

  "I understand." Starr's gaze drifted down Cooper's bare torso. "Annie's not here now." Provocatively, She slid her hand over his chest

  Cooper picked up her hand and kissed the palm. "Thanks, Starr, but not tonight."

  Starr studied him a moment. "It's her, ain't it? Miss Hoity— Toity? You in love with her?"

  He sighed. "In love with her? Starr, sometimes I want to wring her neck and other times I want to grab her and..." He chuckled. "Most of the time I want to wring her neck. Does that sound like love to you?"

  Starr shrugged and sat up. "Damned if I know, Coop. Ain't never had the disease myself." Then she grinned at him. "How about I give you one of my special back rubs? After lying in this bed for so long, I'll bet your muscles have more knots than a sailor could untangle in a week."

  "Now that is the truth," he said, grinning. "One of your back rubs is something I could definitely use."

  "Then turn over, Baby, and let me put my magic fingers to work."

  MARY LOUISE shifted Annie's sleeping form in her arms as she came inside. Moving quietly so as not to awaken the child from her nap, she tiptoed down the hall to her room and slipped inside. She eased Annie into her ornate wrought— iron crib and pulled a light blanket over the little girl's shoulders.

  After making sure that Annie was sleeping soundly, Mary Louise headed toward Cooper's room. She reached to open the door but paused when she heard Cooper's voice.

  "Oh, God, Starr, that feels so good," he groaned in obvious pleasure. "You have no idea how much I've needed this."

  Mary Louise gasped, stepped back from the door, and covered her mouth with her hand. She stood outside the door, paralyzed with uncertainty. Then, all the while hating herself for doing something so unscrupulous, Mary Louise put her ear to the wooden panel to listen.

  "I'm always happy to be of service, Coop," Starr replied silkily. "Tell me, does this feel good, too?"

  "Oh, God, yes," Cooper moaned. "Oh, Jeez, Starr do it harder." The bedsprings squeaked noisily and Mary Louise bit her knuckle in an effort to rid her mind of the image the sound invoked. She closed her eyes when she heard Cooper groan again. "Starr," he murmured, "you're the greatest, you know that? What you can do with your hands would make a grown man cry out of sheer pleasure."

  Mary Louise heard the woman chuckle as she replied, "You just wait, Baby, you ain't seen nothin' yet. By the time I'm through, you're gonna think you died and went to heaven."

  Each time she heard Cooper moan with pleasure, Mary Louise's nether regions tingled in response. Her mouth grew dry, face became flushed, and her nipples tightened as if they'd been caressed by some unseen hand.

  She glanced down and to her horror, Mary Louise saw that the hand caressing her breasts was her own. She gasped softly and leaned against the door for support. My God, was she so desperate to be touched? It was bad enough that she was listening while Cooper made love with that...person, but that she should actually fondle herself while she listened was depraved!

  Mary Louise was about to flee to her room when the door upon which she was leaning opened and Mary Louise, to her absolute mortification, fell in an embarrassed heap at Starr Brighton's feet.

  "Weezie! Are you all right?" Cooper called and Mary Louise thought that she heard a hint of laughter in his voice.

  Starr Brighton arched a brow. "Listening at the keyhole, were we, Miss Markham?"

  Mary Louise picked herself off the floor and dusted off her skirts. "I— I came to ask if you and Cooper would care for a cup of tea, Miss Brighton," she lied, studiously avoiding the other woman's amused gaze.

  "Sure you were," Starr murmured so that only Mary Louise heard it.

  "I wouldn't care for anything, thanks" Cooper said. "Starr just gave me the best back rub I've ever had."

  Mary Louise looked at Starr. "B— Back rub?"

  Starr lifted a brow. "That's right. The muscles in his back were bunched up tighter than steel coils. All I did was massage the kinks out."

  Cooper said. "And I don't doubt that I'll sleep like a baby tonight. Thanks again, Starr."

  "Anytime, Dahlin'," Starr replied, and winked at him. "You just let me know if you need another rub down, and me and my magic fingers will come runnin'." She looked at Mary Louise. "You might try giving him a back rub every night or so to help him sleep."

  "W— Would you like some tea, Miss Brighton?" Mary Louise asked as she led the way down the hall. She was ashamed of the way she'd treated the woman. "Perhaps you can give me some instruction regarding the proper way to give a back rub."

  Starr studied Mary Louise as if measuring her worth. "Do you mean that, Miss Markham, or is this some kind of a joke?"

  "I mean it, Miss Brighton. And I apologize for the way I treated you earlier. You're obviously a good friend of Cooper's." Mary Louise looked at the floor. "I don't know what got into me, I'm usually not so rude."

  "But you aren't used to associating with the likes of me, are you?" Mary Louise blushed and Starr patted her arm. "It's all right. I'm used to it. And I'll have that tea now, if you don't mind."

  As they chatted over tea, Mary Louise found herself telling Starr of her connection to Annie and the difficulties she faced in having a say in the child's life.

  "That's tough, losing your brother like that and then finding out somebody else has his child."

  Mary Louise nodded. "It has been difficult. But Cooper has been a wonderful father to Annie. I'm very grateful for that." Mary Louise poured Starr another cup of tea. "Tell me, Miss Brighton, how did you come to be a...ah..."

  "Prostitute?" Starr finished for her, and laughed when she saw Mary Louise's obvious discomfiture. "You can say the word, Miss Markham. After all, that's what I am and I make no apologies for it. I grew up with nothing and I've had to make my own way in this world. My mama left me and my daddy when I was still in diapers. And my daddy, being the shiftless, no good drunk that he was, sold me to a brothel when I was twelve."

  Mary Louise touched Starr's hand. "How terrible for you. I'm so sorry." Hearing Starr's story, Mary Louise was reminded that Cooper's intervention was all that had saved Marietta from just such a terrible fate.

  "Don't waste your sympathy on me, Miss Markham. I had it rough for a while, but I'm in high cotton now. I spent those early years learning about the business. I saved my pay...such as it was...and when I was twenty I left that brothel and opened one of my own. Heaven's Gate has made me rich, Miss Markham." She arched a brow. "And, just in case you're wonderin', I don't buy little girls. My girls work for me because they choose to. And they stay with me because I pay them good wages and I take care of them— they're like my own family."

  As their tea party chat continued, Mary Louise found, to her s
urprise, that she liked the notorious madam. In some ways, Starr reminded Mary Louise a great deal of herself. But she was caught completely off guard when Starr set down her cup and out of the blue, asked, "So, how long you been in love with Coop, Dahlin?"

  "I— I'm sure I don't know what you're talking about," Mary Louise mumbled, avoiding Starr's amused gaze.

  "Now don't go gettin' all coy with me, Honey. Your feelin's for Coop are as plain as the nose on your face." She grinned and leaned forward. "If you wasn't interested in the man, I don't believe you'd have been listening at his door."

  Mary Louise's cheeks grew warm. "I— I'm sorry about that. I hadn't intended to listen, but— "

  "Honey, if I was in love with a man and he was locked in his bedroom with another woman, do you think I wouldn't listen at the door?" She laughed. "Shoot, if it was me, I wouldn't have just listened at the door, I'd have stormed the room and dragged the woman out by her hair."

  Mary Louise grinned slowly. "I must admit, that thought did cross my mind."

  Starr laughed hardily and slapped her knee. "Well, you don't have to worry, 'cause Coop ain't interested in the likes of me." She smiled wistfully. "Although, I have to say there was a time when I'd hoped..." She sighed and shook her head. "But that was a long time ago. Coop's never thought of me as anything but a friend." She arched a brow. "So, are you going to answer my question?"

  Mary Louise smiled ruefully. "Are my feelings so obvious?"

  "To me they are. I can't speak for Coop. I take it you haven't told him?"

  "No. I can't, at least not yet." Mary Louise swallowed. "I— I'm not sure how he would react to such an admission."

  "Yeah, I see what you mean. Coop's a hard person to read, that's for sure. But he's interested in you, I know that for a fact. I even asked him if he was in love with you."

  Mary Louise stared. "W— What was his reply?"

  Starr shrugged. "He sidestepped the question. Coop ain't one to talk about his feelings."

  "So I'm discovering. It's quite frustrating not to know where one stands."

  "Well," Starr said, getting to her feet. "I wish you luck, Mary Louise. Personally, I think you'd be good for Coop." She grinned. "But, unfortunately, he don't ask me for my opinions when it comes to women."

  Mary Louise smiled as she turned off the lamps and prepared for bed. I wonder, she thought with amusement, if Starr would consider sharing her vast knowledge of things other than the proper way to give a back rub? Mary Louise giggled at the thought. "Honestly, Weezie," she murmured, "you're becoming a shameless hussy!"

  AFTER THREE full weeks of bed rest and a daily exercise program, Dr. Morrison declared Cooper well enough to go back to work for short periods of time.

  "Just don't over— do it, Sheriff," Dr. Morrison warned. "When you start to feel tired, go home and rest. It's going to be a good long while before you're up to snuff. And for God's sake, don't think of getting on a horse for at least another month. Stick to the buggy. Considering the location of your injury, riding astride could do a world of damage."

  "Okay, Doc, I'll stay off my horse. And I'll rest when I get tired. Now, will you get out of here so I can dress and get downstairs to my office? I don't think I need to remind you that as an elected official, its necessary that my constituents see me on the job. If I wait much longer, they may forget about me and give the job to somebody else."

  Dr. Morrison laughed. "I hardly think that's likely, Sheriff. After all, you were injured in the line of duty."

  "I can tell you've never been in politics, Doc."

  "No, can't say as I'd care to be in politics, either. I'll leave that to folks like you and Mayor Kirkland." He picked up his black bag. "Let me know if you have any problems."

  "I'll do that, Doc."

  Dr. Morrison paused at the door. "By the way, how much longer will your fiancé be staying?"

  Cooper stared at the doctor. "My what?"

  "Your fiancé, Miss Markham. How much longer will she be staying here with you? I saw Lizzie yesterday, and now that she's recovered from the grippe there's no reason she can't come back to work in a day or two. Seeing you're sufficiently recovered, I hardly think it's wise for Miss Markham to be living under the same roof with you. Betrothed or not, it isn't seemly." The doctor pointed his finger at Cooper. "And if you want my opinion, after all the time you two have spent alone in this house, you'd better get on with the wedding as soon as you're able. Wait too much longer and your Miss Markham's reputation will be beyond repair."

  When the doctor finally left, Cooper narrowed his eyes as astonishment slowly turned to anger. Betrothed! Fiancé! So that was her game, was it? If she thought to trick him into marrying her by announcing their betrothal, then Mary Louise Markham was in for a rude awakening. He didn't care how much she may have compromised herself by staying with him— he was not going to marry a woman like her— no matter how much she suffered because of it. The more Cooper thought about the doctor's revelation and Mary Louise's temerity, the madder he became!

  "Dr. Morrison is quite pleased with your progress, Cooper," Mary Louise said, as she set a fresh pitcher of water on his night stand. She smiled with self— satisfaction. "He even conceded that bleeding you might have slowed your recovery." She pushed a loose hairpin into place and sighed. "Of course, he pretended that not bleeding you was all his idea. Typical male attitude— any good idea has to be his. But, I guess I'll have to live with it."

  Arms folded over his chest, his jaw set, Cooper glared at her. "It won't work, Mary Louise."

  "What won't work? My learning to live with men and their presumptuousness?"

  "Your trying to trick me into marrying you. It won't work."

  Mary Louise knitted her brows. "I don't know what you're talking about? I haven't tried to trick you into anything."

  "Haven't you?"

  Suddenly she remembered part of her conversation with Starr. Surely Starr hadn't said anything to Cooper about what they'd discussed! She mentally shook her head— of course not, the woman hadn't been near Cooper since her last visit. But the mere thought of the possibility caused Mary Louise's cheeks to flame and Cooper obviously noticed.

  "I think I've just gotten my answer," he sneered.

  Mary Louise put her hands on her hips. "I don't know where you got the idea I was trying to trick you into marrying me, Cooper Matthews, but nothing could be farther from the truth."

  "Then why did you tell Dr. Morrison that we were going to be married when we both know it's a bald— faced lie?"

  Mary Louise sighed. She should have known that secret would have come out eventually. "It certainly wasn't to trick you into marrying me."

  "Wasn't it? Then why don't you explain to me why you felt compelled to lie?"

  "If you weren't such a knuckle— headed nincompoop, you'd remember that there was no one else to take care of you." She held up her fingers and ticked off the reasons. "Number one, Lizzie was sick; two, Joe Bob faints at the sight of blood; three, Charlie had responsibilities at home; and four, Bubba was too upset over being the one who shot you to do anything other than cry. That left number five— me— and Dr. Morrison wasn't about to allow a maiden attend to you. So I told him we were betrothed to salve his conscience. Believe me, Cooper Matthews, I have no desire to marry you!" Mary Louise silently prayed that the lie sounded more convincing to Cooper than it did to her own ears.

  "Is that so? Well, I seem to remember your proposing marriage a month ago."

  She rolled her eyes. "You would remember that." Then she glared at him. "If you remember the proposal, then you must remember why I offered it— and it had nothing to do with any feelings I had for you. I didn't even know you. If I had, I would have never been so stupid as to think I could ever be married to you— even for Annie's sake." She spun around so he couldn't see the tears brimming in her eyes. "I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth."

  "Well, that's good to hear, 'cause I wouldn't ask you to marry me if you were the last woman."
>
  There was a long pause before Mary Louise could reply. Then, very softly, she said, "It appears that we're finally in agreement about something." She stepped into the hall, pulling the door closed behind her.

  She didn't hear Cooper's deep sigh nor his discouraged, "Damnation."

  THE NEXT morning Cooper found Mary Louise in the kitchen having coffee with Lizzie. The women were sitting with their heads together and didn't notice Cooper standing in the doorway.

  But Annie did. She held up her oatmeal— covered spoon and with an oatmeal— covered grin, announced, "Papa up!"

  Cooper grinned and kissed the top of Annie's head as Mary Louise looked up. "Oh, good morning, Cooper. Did you rest well?"

  "Well enough," he replied without looking at her. "'Morning, Lizzie." He kissed her brown cheek. "You're looking chipper."

  "Mornin' Cooper. I's feelin' quite chipper, thank ye for noticin'."

  He limped to the stove. "Any breakfast for me?"

  "There's half a pot of oatmeal left and some toast in the oven. You're welcome to as much as you want."

  He made a disgusted face. "I hate oatmeal. I'd rather have eggs and bacon."

  "I'm sorry, Your Highness, but you'll have to eat oatmeal the same as Annie and I."

  Cooper frowned. "Today is my first day back at work. Doesn't that mean anything to you?"

  Mary Louise arched a brow. "Should it?"

  "Hell yes, it should. I need a fortifying breakfast— and oatmeal doesn't fit the bill."

  "Oatmeal is very fortifying."

  "Lizzie?"

  "Don't look at me. I ain't come here to cook, I's jus' visitin'."

  With a muttered curse, Cooper got a bowl from the cupboard and spooned up some of the beige mush. Still grumbling, he sat down at the table and slammed the bowl before him.

  "Cream and Sugar?" Mary Louise asked. "Toast?" The twinkle in her eyes was triumphant.

  Cooper didn't reply as he poured the cream and spooned sugar into his oatmeal.

  "Mmmm, oatmeah" Annie said and patted Cooper's arm. "Papa like oatmeah?"

  "Love it," he replied. Then, without looking up again, he began to shovel it into his mouth. When he'd scrapped the bottom of the bowl, he slid back his chair and, mindful of his injury, carefully stood up. Then he kissed Annie goodbye, mumbled something to Lizzie and, without a word or so much as a backward glance at Mary Louise, he limped out of the kitchen.