When the front door slammed, Lizzie looked at Mary Louise. "I don't reck'n I needs to be worryin' 'bout what to wear to your weddin' right yet?"
Mary Louise sighed and rested her brow on her hand. "No, I don't think you'll have to worry about that anytime soon. And if what's happening between us right now is any indication, I doubt you'll have to worry about it at all."
"Oh, now, don't go gittin' downhearted. The road to love has got to have a few bumps in it— wouldn' be interestin' if it didn'."
Mary Louise raised her head and shot Lizzie a doubtful look. "Well, if that's the case, Cooper's and my road must be awfully interesting."
Lizzie chuckled. "Law, yes, chile. Y'all's road is mighty interestin'." She stood up. "Now then, it's time we git thangs movin' again."
"And how do you propose we do that?"
"First off, it's done past time you got yourself back to the hotel. I'll be here in the mornin' jus' like always. I don't won't you nowhere in sight when Cooper gets up."
"You mean you think I should leave?"
"That's right. The sooner the better."
"B— but how will that help."
"The ol' Mister, Cooper's grand daddy, used to say, 'a body don't know he's got a good thing till he ain't got it no more.' 'Course, at the time he was talkin' bout somethin' else altogether, but it seems to me that holds true in most cases."
Mary Louise looked thoughtful. "I think I see what you mean. If I stay around here, Cooper will take my presence for granted. But if I leave— "
"He gonna miss you like crazy."
"I hope you're right, Lizzie."
"'Course I's right. Don't nobody know Cooper Matthews like' I does."
Mary Louise stood up. "All right, I'll do it. I'll go and pack my things right now and I'll be ready to leave as soon as you arrive in the morning." She started for the door and paused. "But when can I see Annie?"
"You can see her anytime you wants to. Jis' don't come to see her when Cooper's around. Let him find out how lonely he gits without you."
Mary Louise chewed her lip. "My father has a saying, too. His is, 'out of sight, out of mind.' What if Cooper forgets all about me when I'm gone?"
Lizzie shrugged. "I don't think that'll happen. Love's a gamble, Honey. But it's a gamble worth takin'."
COOPER woke up, looked at his pocket watch that lay on the bedside table, and fell back against the pillows. He still had fifteen minutes to lie in bed and think. He'd been doing that a lot since the shootout with Jesse Blake— at first, because he hadn't been physically able to do anything but think. Now, he did it because he couldn't seem to help himself. And he always thought about the same thing— Mary Louise Markham. He'd wanted to kick himself after that ridiculous argument they'd had the other day. He'd been angry, sure, when he discovered she'd lied to the doctor about their engagement. But once she explained her reasons, he should have understood— hell, he had understood. But something made him refuse to acknowledge the fact. If he didn't know better, he'd think it was because he wanted to believe Mary Louise was so anxious to get him that she'd even try to trick him into marriage. But that was crazy.
He sighed and stretched his arms over his head. At least things seemed back to normal. Mary Louise had prepared a really good supper last night— for someone who professed not to be able to cook, she'd learned quite a lot since coming to care for him. After they'd put Annie to bed, Mary Louise mended some of his socks while he'd read the newspaper to her. They'd even discussed some of the issues and he'd actually enjoyed that. Mary Louise had a sharp mind. And she had strong opinions that she didn't mind stating. What astounded him was that he agreed with most of them. But then, there were a good many things that astounded him about Mary Louise. He smiled. Yes, it was good that things had gotten back to normal.
Wanting to have a little time to spend with Mary Louise and Annie, Cooper got up and washed, shaved and dressed for work in record time. But when he entered the kitchen, he found Lizzy, not Mary Louise, putting breakfast on the table. "Well," he said as he leaned to give Annie a good morning kiss, "Does this mean you're back for good?"
"I reck'n it do," she replied. "How many eggs you want this mornin'?"
"Three, and twice as many pieces of bacon," he replied, pulling out his chair and sitting down next to Annie's highchair. He looked around. "Where's Mary Louise? Don't tell me she's still asleep. It's past seven o'clock."
"Lawd, Cooper, she done been up." She gestured at Annie. "Who you thank got lil' Suga— boo up and dressed?"
"Then where is she?" he asked as he buttered a biscuit.
"Gone."
Cooper's head shot up. "Gone? What do you mean, gone?"
Lizzie raised a brow. "I means gone. She left right after I got here. 'Said, now that I's well enuff to look after Annie, wasn' no need in her stayin', so she up and left."
"Where'd she go?"
Lizzie shrugged. "I reck'n she went back to the hotel. Ain't that where she was stayin' before?"
"Yeah," Cooper replied. He stared at his empty plate for a moment and then said petulantly, "Well, if that's the way she wants it, then, good riddance to her."
Lizzie frowned. "I never thought I'd say it, Cooper Matthews, but I's 'shamed of you."
Cooper stared at her. "Ashamed of me? For what?"
"That girl probably saved your ungrateful hide. Jis' look at all she done: she fed you, she bathed you, she not only nursed you, but she took care of your house and all your needs— "
"Not quite all of them," Cooper muttered under his breath.
"What you say?" She glared at him.
He avoided her eyes. "I said, she's quite a gem."
Lizzie snorted and pointed the spatula at him. "I' ain't heard you say thank you to her. All I heard was you a— fussin' and carryin' on 'bout havin' to eat oatmeal for breakfas'." She shook her head. "I thought I raised you betta." She shook her head again. "Plumb made me 'shamed."
Cooper felt like he was five years old again. Lizzie was right, of course. He had been less than civil to Mary Louise— and in ways Lizzie couldn't begin to know. God help him if she ever found out some of the things he'd said and done! He sighed and put down his fork. "I'm sorry, Lizzie. I shouldn't have acted the way I did. You did raise me to know better."
"You is preachin' to the choir, boy."
"What?"
"I mean that you is apologizin' to the wrong woman."
He unfolded from his chair and stood up. "Yeah, you're right about that, too." He kissed Annie and started for the door.
"Where you goin'? You ain't even finished breakfas'."
"I find I'm not hungry after all. I think I'll just go on to work."
After he left, Lizzie smiled at Annie. "Your Papa is mighty unhappy Suga— Boo. He lookin' like a man who jus' lost his last friend." Lizzie chuckled and shook her head. "Lawd, I specks he gonna be growlin' like an ol' bear for a couple of days."
Annie blinked her wide blue eyes. "Papa, bear?"
Lizzie laughed out loud. "Yessum, for the next few days your Papa's sho' gonna be a bear."
IT DIDN'T take long for his deputies to learn to tread lightly around their usually cheerful boss. None of them understood Cooper's grumpy mood of late— until poor Joe Bob made the mistake of asking after Mary Louise and was given a stern dressing down for his trouble.
On the fourth day of Mary Louise's defection, Cooper informed Lizzie he wasn't staying for breakfast.
"Where you goin' so early?" she asked, watching him pin on his badge and buckle on his guns.
"I'm going to take care of something I should have taken care of a while ago."
Lizzie grinned knowingly. "Tell Weezie I said hello," she said.
He frowned at her. "What makes you think I'm going to see Mary Louise?"
"Ain't you?"
Cooper stooped to kiss Annie. "Maybe," he replied. "And maybe not." He ignored Lizzie's chuckles and he stalked out of the kitchen.
He headed for the Hotel Victoria, mentally chastisin
g himself for acting a fool for the past three days. At least he'd used the time to give some serious consideration to the matter of Miss Mary Louise Markham. Mary Louise had, after all, been completely open and above board with him almost from the very beginning. She did wait longer than she should have to tell him about her kinship to Annie, but considering the circumstances, he supposed he'd have done the same thing. But as soon as she did tell him, she'd laid her cards on the table— told him she wanted to be a part of Annie's life and why, and even offered to marry him for the chance.
Yes, the more he thought about Mary Louise, the better her suggestion of marriage began to sound. Annie did need a mother and, as far as he could see, Mary Louise fit the bill better than most. Maybe she didn't love him— at least not yet. But perhaps that would change some day. The best thing about Mary Louise was that there was no guile about her, no tricks up her sleeve. He respected her honesty and— hell, he might as well admit it— he wouldn't mind sharing his bed with her.
Chapter 13
SHE WAS sealing a letter to her father when Mary Louise heard a tapping at the door of her hotel suite. Thinking it was the boy whom she'd asked to post the letter, she quickly opened the door. She was taken aback, totally unprepared to receive any callers— especially this particular caller.
"Cooper?"
Cooper glanced at his feet and then looked at her with a sheepish smile. "I've...er...come to say some things to you."
Mary Louise gripped the edge of the door fame to keep from throwing herself in his arms. Since leaving Cooper's home she'd been more lonely and miserable than she had ever thought possible. She had slept little, worrying if Cooper were all right, wondering if he missed her the way she missed him. And now, like an answer to her prayers, he was here! She hoped her voice wouldn't betray her pleasure at seeing him. "Yes?" she said, trying to sound calm.
He glanced around and then looked back at her. "If you don't mind, I'd rather not say it here in the hall. May I come inside?" He must have noticed her hesitation, for he smiled again and said, "I only want to talk, Mary Louise."
Mary Louise stepped back and when he entered she led him into the sitting room of her suite. "I was just having a cup of tea, will you join me?"
"No, thanks."
Mary Louise nervously smoothed her skirts and then gestured for him to sit down. She reached for her tea cup, noticed her hand was trembling, and quickly hid her hands in the folds of her skirts. She cleared her throat. "You look well," she said.
Cooper nodded. "Thank you. I'm feeling fit these days."
Mary Louise waited and when he didn't continue, she prodded. "There was something you wanted to say to me?"
He leveled his gaze on her. "Yes, but first I'd like to know why you left Annie and me without saying good bye?"
"Well, I...you were sleeping and I didn't want to wake you."
"Couldn't you have waited until I came in to breakfast? What was the all fired hurry to leave?"
Mary Louise looked at her hands and clasped them together as she struggled to think of an feasible excuse. She couldn't very well tell him Lizzie's scheme. "I— I thought it best that I leave as soon as possible. After all, I couldn't forget Dr. Morrison's dire prediction of the ruination of my reputation."
"Oh."
Mary Louise waited for him to say more and when he didn't, she said, "Is that the only reason you came here? To find out why I left in such a hurry?"
"No." Cooper, his expression serious, leaned forward and rested his elbows on his knees. "No, I came to apologize for the way I've behaved these past few weeks. If not for you, I don't know what might have become of me and I repaid you by behaving like...well, like a complete ass."
Suddenly Mary Louise had the urge to laugh, but she schooled her face to appear as serious as Cooper's. "Oh, I wouldn't say you behaved like a complete ass" she said, finding it difficult to keep the laughter out of her voice.
He arched a brow. "You wouldn't?"
"Certainly not." Her lips twitched in spite of her determination to appear earnest. "As I recall, you only behaved like half of one."
Cooper looked surprised and then he chuckled. "I don't guess I have to ask which half, do I?"
"No," she said with a teasing smile, "I expect you already know."
"Am I forgiven?"
Without thinking, she reached over and caressed his cheek. "Of course you're forgiven." Then, realizing what she'd done, she snatched her hand away and stood up. "I almost forgot," she said breathlessly. "When I was unpacking, I found one of your books in my valise. I must have picked it up with some of my things. I'll go and get it."
Cooper grabbed her arm as she turned to leave. "I don't care about the book, Mary Louise."
"But it'll only take a moment..."
He pulled her into his arms. "I'd rather spend that moment some other way."
Mary Louise stared up at him. "W— What way?"
He smiled down at her. "Has anyone ever told you what a beautiful mouth you have?"
Her voice caught in her throat and she merely shook her head.
"No? I can't imagine why not. I've never seen any lips that look quite so...delectable. Plump and pink and...delicious." Cooper's mouth was only inches away and Mary Louise could feel his breath mingling with hers. Unconsciously, she licked her lips.
"Did I ever tell you that I adore your lips?" he murmured.
Wide eyed, still unable to speak, she shook her head, again.
"When I look at them, I have this inexorable urge to taste them. Like now, for instance." His mouth closed over hers and his tongue darted across and between her lips, tasting, probing. He gathered her closer into his arms and deepened the kiss.
Mary Louise felt her insides go liquid as her eyelids fluttered closed. She had been kissed before— but not like this. No kiss had ever made her heart slam against her ribs as if it were trying to escape. Nor had a man's tongue ever glided sweetly between her lips like thick, warm honey. And no man's hands had gently kneaded her breasts like..."Cooper!"
He moved his roving hands to her waist and kissed his way to her ear. "Yes, Weezie?" he murmured.
She closed her eyes again. "I...forget." She felt the muscles in his cheek flex and knew that he was smiling.
"You smell of violets," he whispered, his warm breath on her ear sending ripples of pleasure down her spine. "Did I ever tell you that I'm crazy about violets?"
"No." The word was hardly more than a sigh.
"When I'm near violets, I want to bury my face in them— like this." He nestled his face against her neck and his tongue touched the sensitive skin just below her ear. Meanwhile his hands roved over her back.
Mary Louise felt as if all her senses were being assaulted and she was awash with unnamed pleasure, drowning in sensations she'd never known existed. "Oh, Cooper," she sighed.
Suddenly Cooper groaned and stepped away. Mary Louise had to grab the back of a chair to keep from sagging to the floor.
"I'm so sorry, Mary Louise," he said, breathing as if he'd run a long distance. "I had no right to...do that."
"No...no, it's all right, Cooper, I should have...I shouldn't have..." She let the words trail off. She wasn't sure what to say. She knew she should at least pretend to be indignant, act offended by his behavior— but Mary Louise was never good at feigning something she didn't feel. And she wasn't offended— in fact, she was delighted. If she had any regret at all, it was that he had stopped his tender assault.
"Will you have supper with me tonight?" he asked abruptly.
Her emotions were in turmoil, she felt unbalanced, as if she were teetering on the edge of something. His sudden invitation caught her off guard her and she couldn't answer immediately.
He appeared to have misunderstood her hesitancy, for he began apologizing. "I swear that I'll behave. I'll keep my hands to myself, I promise. We can even dine here, if you like."
Mary Louise looked around. "H— Here?"
He grinned, displaying his delightful dimple. "
I was referring to the dining room."
She flushed. "Oh, yes, of course." Then she smiled at him. "I'd be pleased to have supper with you, Cooper."
"Then I'll come here for you at eight?"
Her mind flew to her wardrobe. What could she wear? How should she wear her hair? She needed a manicure. Abruptly she realized he was still awaiting a reply to his invitation. "W— why don't I meet you downstairs?"
COOPER'S mood was buoyant and he was smiling as limped through the lobby of the hotel. He'd actually kissed Mary Louise Markham and she'd responded exactly as he'd hoped she would. He could hardly believe what was happening between them, what was happening to him. As he moved past the dining room he met up with Katybeth Norris and her father.
"Why, Cooper Matthews, as I live and breathe," Katybeth exclaimed. "I can't believe it. You look perfectly wonderful."
Cooper grinned. "Thank you, Miss Norris. I feel pretty good, too."
Rev. Norris eyed the young sheriff. "I must say, you've made a remarkable recovery."
"I've still got a ways to go, still got this limp and I have to rest more than I'd like. But I'm coming along. Doc says I ought to be good as new in a few more weeks."
"Weeks!" Katybeth's eyes flashed angrily. "Did you hear that Papa? And to think that Miss Markham had us believing that you might never recover."
Cooper's smile disappeared. "Excuse me? She what?"
"Miss Markham told Papa and me that your head injury was so severe that you would probably be an invalid the rest of your life." She opened her fan and fluttered it near her anger— flushed face. "And just look at you. You're the picture of health."
The muscle in Cooper's jaw twitched and he narrowed his eyes. "She actually said I was going to be an invalid for the rest of my life?"
"She most certainly did."
For the Love of Annie Page 17