Cooper swept her into his arms. "Get the buggy, Max," he ordered as he pushed his way though the stunned crowd. "I'm afraid my bride is overtired and needs to lie down. Please stay and enjoy yourselves as long as you like." Or as long as the food holds out, he muttered under his breath. Then he looked up to find Sarah Nichols hurrying toward him. "Will you come with me?"
"Of course," she replied.
"The gig's right over here," Max called from the edge of the platform.
Cooper gently placed Mary Louise in the buggy. She had begun to come around by this time, but it was obvious that she was ill. Angus and Erik hurried up as Cooper was about to climb into the buggy. "What happened? What's wrong with Weezie?"
"She fainted. I think she's just over— tired, Angus, so don't worry. Sarah's going to examine her as soon as I can get her home."
"Shall I come with you?" This was from Erik.
Cooper shook his head. "I'd feel better if you stayed and kept an eye on Angus. He looks a little pale. It's probably just that he's worried about Mary Louise, but I certainly don't want anything to happen to my father— in— law this early in my marriage." He smiled at Angus and patted his shoulder. "I've grown quite fond of him." He turned then to climb into the buggy with Sarah and Mary Louise. When he was settled the buggy began to move and he called out to Angus, "Don't worry, Angus, I'll send word as soon as we know something."
MARY LOUISE stood in front of the mirror. "I can't believe this is happening, Sarah! It isn't fair, it just isn't fair!"
Sarah smiled wryly. "Fair or not, Mary Louise, it has happened and there's nothing you can do about it."
"But it's my honeymoon!" she wailed.
"Sarah, is she all right?" asked Cooper from outside the door.
"Don't you dare open that door, Sarah." Mary Louise whispered. "I do not want Cooper to see me like this."
Sarah sighed. "Mary Louise, he's your husband."
"I don't care. Look at me, I look like a monster. Do not let him in, do you hear me?"
COOPER paced the hall outside the bedroom. "What's taking so long?" he murmured, mostly to himself.
"It's only been a few minutes, Cooper," his brother replied. "Give the doctor some time."
"I knew something was wrong as soon as the ceremony was over. I should have insisted she forego the receiving line, I shouldn't have let her stand there so long."
Max grinned. "Though I've not seen much of her, your wife strikes me as a women who does pretty much as she pleases. Could you have made her leave if she hadn't wanted to?"
Cooper glanced at his brother and smiled wryly. "No." The door to the bedroom opened and Cooper pounced on Sarah as soon as she stepped into the hall. "How is she? Can I see her?"
"She's all right— or, I should say she's not in any real danger. But she doesn't want to see you right now, Cooper."
Cooper was stunned. "Why? What's wrong with her?"
"I'm afraid your wife has chicken pox."
"Chicken Pox! You're kidding, right?"
Sarah shook her head. "I wish I were. But there's no doubt. She's already covered in blisters."
"Well she can't give them to me, I've already had chicken pox— had 'em when I was a kid. So why can't I see her?"
Sarah sighed heavily and shook her head. "She doesn't want you to see her because of the way she looks. She's..." Cooper left Sarah while she was still speaking and strode toward the bedroom door.
He was already in the room when he said, "I'm coming in Mary Louise."
"Cooper, please don't." Mary Louise pulled the sheet over her head. "I don't want you to see me looking like a speckled trout."
Cooper walked to the bed, snatched the sheet away from her face, and grinned down at her. "I guess I never told you, Mrs. Matthews," he said softly. "But I happen to love speckled trout."
Chapter 22
COOPER kicked the door shut behind him. "I've got your supper, Weezie. Sit up, honey."
Mary Louise pushed herself up on bed. "I would have come to the table, Cooper. Sarah said that I could now that I'm nearly over these horrid chicken pox."
Cooper set the tray on a table by the bed. "I thought you might enjoy one final day of being waited on by your husband. So be warned, Wife: as soon as you're on your feet, I'll expect you to wait on me."
She arched a brow. "Oh, you will, will you?"
"Hand and foot," he replied, his grin belying the words.
"Well, we'll just see about that." Mary Louise picked up her fork and speared a vegetable. "I received a letter from Papa today." She handed him the folded vellum. "He said Annie loved the things we sent her for Christmas."
Cooper quickly read the letter and smiled. "Sounds like Annie had a wonderful Christmas with her Grampa."
"I just wish....I feel so bad that because of me you weren't able to spend Christmas with her."
Cooper shook his head. "It isn't as if you planned to get Chicken Pox. Besides, we have the rest of our lives to spend with Annie at Christmas. I think it's nice that your father got to have his grandchild all to himself for this one."
Mary Louise reached for a handkerchief and daubed at her eyes. "Cooper Matthews, you are, without a doubt, the sweetest man I've ever known."
"If it's going to make you cry, perhaps I'd better try something different," he teased, feeling a little embarrassed by her sudden declaration.
"Don't you dare!" She paused and studied him a moment. "How do I look today?"
"Beautiful."
Mary Louise rolled her eyes. "You've said that every time I've asked. If I'm so beautiful, why have you made certain there are no mirrors within reach."
"Wouldn't want a vain wife," Cooper teased.
Mary Louise's expression grew serious and in a small voice, she asked, "Are there many scars?"
The question wasn't unwarranted. Unlike Annie's case, Mary Louise's chicken pox had been severe. Hardly an inch of skin was left untouched by the ugly sores. It didn't matter to him if she were scarred from head to foot, just as long as she was going to be all right, Cooper thought, but he understood her concern and he replied honestly. "Not many. Only two or three that are of any consequence. One's on the back of your neck, another's on your shoulder, and a third, the worst, is in the center of your back. They're all a little pink right now, but Sarah says that most of them will fade to nothing."
"You aren't just saying that?"
"I'll bring a mirror if you like."
Mary Louise shook her head. "No, I don't think I'm ready to see my face yet. Maybe when all the scabs are gone."
"Okay. Whatever you say."
"Cooper?"
Cooper heard the plaintive note in her voice. "What's wrong, Weezie."
"How much longer must we wait before we can..." she flushed and didn't finish the thought.
He grinned. "Until Sarah gives the go— ahead, Weezie, and not a moment before." Since the disease was worse in adults, Sarah had, to Cooper's relief, insisted on staying in Hollisburg until Mary Louise was fully recovered.
"I feel wonderful, really I do. I expect Sarah will be giving me the all clear very soon."
Cooper studied her for a moment. "Are you sure you'll be all right while I'm away? I could get Joe Bob to take the prisoner to Montgomery."
"Don't be silly, Cooper. I'll be fine. I'll have Lizzie here spoiling me the whole time. You're the Sheriff, and you have your job to do. What kind of a wife would I be to stand in your way?"
"I just hate to leave you when you're ill."
"But I'm not ill, not really. I'm over the worst of the chicken pox and maybe, if I'm lucky, by the time you get home, I'll be clear of all these ghastly sores."
He smiled. "Okay, you win." Then he pointed to her plate. "Now, eat your supper and when you're finished I'll give you a back rub."
"I'd rather have a front rub."
Cooper feigned shock. "Why, Mary Louise Matthews! You've become a shameless hussy."
She laughed again and kissed the tip of his nose. "Well, I do try
, darling."
MARY LOUISE drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly as Sarah listened to her chest. "Well," Sarah said as she returned her stethoscope to her little black bag. "Your bout with Chicken Pox doesn't seem to have done any permanent damage. As far as I can tell, you're as fit as a fiddle."
Mary Louise buttoned the front of her gown. "I've been telling you that for a week, Sarah Nichols," she teased. "If only you had listened."
"I wanted to make sure there were no complications. Chicken pox can be dangerous for a woman in your condition."
Mary Louise bit her lip. "Do you think it's hurt the baby?"
Sarah shook her head. "I won't lie to you, Mary Louise. It's possible, of course. An illness within the first trimester of pregnancy can cause problems. Only time will tell." She snapped her bag shut. "I still think you should have allowed me to tell Cooper— "
"We've already discussed this, Sarah. I'll tell Cooper when I think the time is right. When he gets back from Montgomery day after tomorrow, I don't want anything to mar my first night with him as a healthy bride."
"All right," Sarah said. "It's your decision." She began pulling on her coat. "Since I'm no longer needed here, I'll be going home tomorrow. If I don't see Cooper before I go, will you tell him goodbye for me?"
"Of course I will." Mary Louise took her friend's hand. "I can't tell you how much I appreciate your staying with me through this. I know it must have been difficult to be away from your family at Christmas."
"No worse than for you and Cooper to be away from Annie." Then she smiled. "Besides, I'll be home for New Year's Eve, and that's more important."
"Oh? And why is that?"
"Because," she said slyly. "Eric's invited me to the Sanderson's New Year's Eve Ball."
Mary Louise gasped excitedly. "You and Eric? I had no idea. How long has this been going on?"
"Not long. We'd only begun seeing each other a few days before your wedding."
Mary Louise stood and hugged her friend. "I can't believe you haven't mentioned this before now! I'm delighted, though. I can't imagine anyone I'd rather have as my uncle's wife."
Sarah laughed. "Slow down, Mary Louise. Don't start calling me Aunt Sarah, yet. We've only just begun to get to know each other."
MARY LOUISE smiled as she hurried down the steps. At the bottom she stopped to breathe in the crisp December air. She's received a wire from her father saying that he'd be bringing Annie home in three days. Cooper would be so happy to see his little girl again. She tried to imagine how he would react when he she told him about the baby. He wanted another child, she was certain of that. And now she would give him a healthy son. She put her hand over her belly and smiled. She didn't know how she knew it, but she was absolutely certain the baby she carried was all right— despite Sarah's dire warnings.
Cooper was due back this afternoon, and tonight the two of them would finally have a real wedding night. Her heart leapt as she contemplated what her husband had promised would happen once Sarah declared her completely recovered. Tonight. She could hardly wait.
Cooper wasn't expected back from delivering the prisoner to Montgomery until later in the day, so Mary Louise decided that now was a good time to take care of a matter she'd been thinking about while she convalesced. She'd decided to set up a trust for Annie with the money she's inherited from her mother. Part of that money should have been Willie's and so, by rights, it should go to his daughter. Which was why she was going to see Eli Davis to discuss the idea. Mary Louise didn't think Cooper would object to her plans; however, her husband was proud. And as papa used to say, men sometimes let pride stand in the way of good sense. So rather than taking the chance of offending her new husband, Mary Louise decided to let Lawyer Davis advise her on the matter.
She headed down the street and saw a familiar figure walking ahead of her. "Why, there's Lizzie," she murmured. Knowing the elderly woman would be glad to hear that her Lil' Shuga— Boo would soon be coming home, Mary Louise was anxious to tell her the good news. She quickened her pace in an effort to catch up to her old friend; but before she could reach her, Lizzie walked into Davis & Lang's office. "How fortunate," Mary Louise muttered. "I'll catch up with her there."
MARY LOUISE entered the waiting room of Eli's office and quietly closed the door. She'd expected to see Lizzie already inside, but the room was empty. Eli's young law clerk wasn't at his desk, so Mary Louise sat down to wait. She was adjusting her skirts when she heard Eli's voice coming from his private office.
"I just can't keep the secret anymore. You know that I haven't felt right about this from the start. If anyone except you had asked me to lie to my own client, I'd have immediately shown them the door. I'm going to come clean, Lizzie. If Cooper finds out from someone other than me, there's no telling what he would do. For that matter, there's no telling what he'll do when I tell him. But whatever it is, it won't be anything I don't deserve."
Mary Louise chewed her lip guiltily. She was not in the habit of eavesdropping on someone's private conversation, but when the topic of the conversation happened to be one's husband, well, really, what woman wouldn't listen? After glancing around the empty office to assure herself there was no one about, Mary Louise moved her chair closer to the door and leaned forward to listen.
"HOW IS Cooper gonna find out from somebody else? Don' nobody know about it 'septin' you and me, and I ain't gonna tell him. 'Sides, what's tellin' him gonna help? It ain't gonna change nothing. We done what we thought needed to be done, and that's all it is to it."
Eli frowned and shook his head. "But, Lizzie, telling Cooper that his marriage to Marietta wasn't valid just so he'd marry Miss Markham— "
"Now, you listen to me," Lizzie snapped. "Cooper Matthews needed a mama for that baby girl. He knowed it and I knowed it. And I knowed that Weezie Markham was the right woman to be that baby's mama, even if Cooper was too hard— headed to admit it. Maybe some folks would say what we done was wrong. But I don't care. I wasn' 'bout to let Cooper marry up wid that mealy— mouthed little tit— mouse, KatieBeth Norris."
"I don't think Cooper would have married Katybeth, Lizzie, he— "
"He told me hisself that he was gonna axe her, Mr. Davis. 'Said it just as clear as day. And he would have, too, if you and me hadn' done somethin' to stop him. Why you think I come to you that night and begged you to help me stop him? I ain't sorry for it, neither, no suh, I ain't sorry a bit. It all turned out jus'— " She paused. "What was that?"
Eli shrugged. "Sounded like the front door closing. I think somebody may have come in. My clerk isn't here today, so wait while I check to see who's here."
Eli walked into his waiting room and looked around. Then he shrugged and returned to where Lizzie waited in his office. "Must have been mistaken," he said, "Didn't see a soul out there. Now then, where were we?"
MARY LOUISE wiped her streaming eyes with the back of her hand as she hurried away from Eli's office. Everything had been a lie. Cooper had courted her, married her— and even said he loved her— because he thought it was the only way he could keep Annie. Another lie— but not Cooper's. The whole time he'd held all the cards and hadn't known it. So the joke was on him, too.
She entered the depot and walked straight ahead, looking neither left nor right. She couldn't bear to look around, to remember the way this building had looked the last time she'd seen it— on her wedding day. Taking a deep breath, Mary Louise lifted her chin. "I must not think about that," she murmured under her breath.
"Howdy, Miz Matthews. Good to see you out and about again," The station master greeted when he saw her.
Mary Louise forced a smile. "Thank you, Claude Earl. It's good to be out again."
"What can I do for you, Ma'am?"
"I've...I've just received word that my father is ill. I wonder when there's a train going to Memphis?"
Claude Earl frowned. "Golly gee, I'm sorry to hear about your daddy, Miz Matthews." He pointed toward the platform. "Ain't but one train going to Memphis, and it's
that one. But I'm afraid it's leaving in about five minutes."
Mary Louise fumbled in her handbag and pulled out several bills. "Here's my fare, Claude Earl. I'll need a ticket in a hurry it seems."
"But Miz Matthews..."
"I don't have time to wait, Claude Earl, this is an emergency. I'll send for my clothes once I get to Memphis." She held out her hand. "My ticket, please."
Claude Earl handed her the ticket and before he could say another word she was running for the train.
COOPER smiled in anticipation as he mounted the steps leading to his living quarters. He was sure that by now Dr. Sarah would have pronounced Mary Louise completely recovered. If he were right, then tonight he would make love to his wife for the first time since their marriage. If he were right, he might not even wait until tonight, he thought as he quickened his steps. Hell, if he were right, he might not wait fifteen minutes.
Cooper was halfway up the stairs when he heard someone call his name. Looking over the railing, he spied Claude Earl Dozier across the street. "Sorry to hear about your daddy— in— law," Claude Earl hollered. "Hope he's gonna be all right."
Cooper frowned and retraced his steps. He crossed the street to where Claude Earl was about the enter the town's only tavern and asked, "What about my father— in— law?"
Claude Earl looked surprised. "You mean you don't know? Miz Matthews said she got word that her daddy'd taken ill. She took the first train out this morning— didn' even take no baggage with her."
Cooper looked confused. "I've been out of town and haven't heard anything about this. How'd she get word from her father? Did you deliver a telegram to her?"
Claude Earl scratched his head. "Naw, onliest wire that come in today was for John Beale."
"And you say she didn't take any bags?"
"Naw, not a one. All she had was a little ol' handbag."
For the Love of Annie Page 29