Edwina's Husband

by Agnes Alexander

  “Sorry, Rosalinda.” He stood and threw his napkin to the table.

  “Sit back down!” she commanded.

  Wyatt thought of ignoring her, but changed his mind. He’d upset enough people and didn’t need to add Rosalinda to the list. He dropped back into the chair wondering how what should have been a pleasant meal had turned into a disaster.

  “Now, Mr. Ben, you get back over here, too.”

  “I don’t want—”

  “I know, but you haven’t had dinner in this dining room in a long time. It’s time you did. Now get back here.”

  Wyatt watched as his father rolled his chair back to the table. There was a moment of silence then he said, “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t mean to—”

  Ben interrupted him. “I’m not the one you owe an apology, Wyatt. It’s your wife you should be talking to.”

  “Dad, she’s not really my—”

  Again Ben interrupted him. “I only met that sweet woman this morning, but I know she’s the best thing that’s set foot in this house since your mama died. And little Adam is the spittin’ image of you. He’s the future of this ranch and you know it. For the first time in a long time, I feel like there’s a chance for some happiness on this ranch again.”

  Wyatt knew he should tell his father Edwina wasn’t his wife even if Adam was his son, but one look at his father’s face stopped him. He wasn’t going to break his dad’s heart again. He’d done that too many times since he sent Roxy away.

  He stood. “I’ll go apologize to her.” Before his father could stop him, he left the room.

  It took Wyatt a few minutes to find Edwina and Adam. When he saw them sitting on the front veranda in a rocking chair he paused at the door and watched. Edwina had Adam in her arms and the child was snuggled against her neck. He had his little arms hanging down her shoulder and there were dried tears on his cheeks. He couldn’t shake the feeling it gave him to watch them. Though he knew it could come to nothing.

  He stepped onto the porch and cleared his throat.

  Edwina looked up at him and Adam raised his head. “Da!”

  Wyatt couldn’t help smiling. He walked over to them and stood by the rocking chair.

  Adam wiggled and held his arms out to his father.

  “Do you mind if I take him, Edwina?”

  “Do you really want to?”

  “Yes.” He reached toward the boy and Adam jumped into his arms.

  “Da.”

  “Yes. It’s Da.” Wyatt smiled at the little boy in his arms. “I’m sorry I scared you, son. I didn’t mean to make you cry. I’m not used to a little boy in my house and I guess I get pretty loud at times.”

  “He didn’t cry long,” Edwina muttered.

  “I’m sorry I was rude to you, too, Edwina. You were only trying to please me.” He looked down into her blue eyes. “Please come back into the dining room so you and Adam can finish your meal. Dad’s waiting for us.”

  “I’m sorry I asked your father to come down for dinner, Wyatt. I didn’t realize I was doing something wrong.”

  “You didn’t do anything wrong. I should’ve been having him come to the table more often than I have.” He didn’t add that this was the first time Ben had joined him for dinner in a long time. He wasn’t sure when the last time was. “Will you come back?”

  She stood. “If you really want us to?”

  “Yes, Edwina. I want you to.”

  By the time they returned to the dining room, Rosalinda had reheated the food and had it on the table again for them. Though the adults talked very little, Adam kept them entertained. He jabbered at all of them and he continually said the word “Da” each time he looked at Wyatt.

  When the baby finished eating, Rosalinda came for him and said she was going to put him down for a nap.

  “I’ll come check on you in a little while, sweetheart,” Edwina told him and kissed his cheek.

  “You’re a good mother, Edwina,” Ben informed her.

  “If loving him with all my heart makes me a good mother, then I guess I am.” She smiled at him.

  “He’s a fine boy,” Wyatt offered. “You’ve done a good job on your own.”

  “Thank you, Wyatt. I’m sure if you’d known about Adam, you’d have been there for him, too.”

  “Well, he’s here for Adam now. That’s what counts.” Ben smiled at her.

  “Yes, Edwina. No matter what happens, you can count on me to be there for my son.”

  Chapter 4

  Callie Thorn looked down at the top of her husband’s balding head as she set the cup of tea on his desk. “Have you finished your sermon, Hezekiah?”

  “I will come into the parlor when I finish as I always do, Callie.” He glanced at her over his wire-rimed glasses. “Is there something important enough for you to disturb me before then?”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, dear, but I brought the tea you called for. Since I’ve already interrupted you, I will tell you that I’ve gone over Edwina’s room again. I still haven’t found any clue as to where she has gone.”

  He reached for his tea and took a sip. “If we don’t find out where she went soon we’re going to have to let Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Clark know she has run away.”

  “But where could she have gone, Hezekiah? She had no money—”

  “I checked with the bank. She took some of the money her parents left her. The bank said they’d let me know if she came back for more.”

  Callie twisted the embroidered handkerchief she’d taken from her pocket. “I thought we were going to use her money to build our own church in the valley.”

  He frowned at her. “She didn’t take much, you foolish woman. Only what she would get in three months. Seems she told the banker she needed more since we were gone. The banker apologized for letting her have that much. He said he’d never do it again and he better not.” He sat the teacup back in the saucer. “I will still build my church in the valley. I’ve done about all I can to help the ungrateful, sinful, membership here in Richmond. They don’t want to listen to what I tell them to do and I’m beginning to think they’re a lost cause.”

  “I know the valley people will listen to you. They need someone to lead them out of their sin.” Callie still twisted her handkerchief. She was afraid she may have said too much. She didn’t want Hezekiah to turn on her this morning. She still ached from two nights ago.

  He gave her a curt nod as if he might be placated. “For once you’re right, Callie. I was meant to save the lost souls of this world, including Edwina. I don’t see why she couldn’t see that.”

  “As you’ve said so often, she must have the devil in her, my dear. Otherwise why couldn’t she realize you were only looking out for her welfare when we promised to give her child to the Clarks on his eighteenth-month birthday.”

  “You know Edwina’s got her mother’s bad blood. I wasn’t able to reach that harlot either. I know she was your favorite cousin and my dear dead brother’s wife, but it was a good thing that horrible woman died. Of course my brother had to die, too.” He sighed. “It’s just too bad my teaching didn’t reach Edwina. She could’ve had a righteous life if she’d only accepted the man she married would never return. I pronounced him divorced from her more than a year ago, but she kept saying he would come back someday. I suppose I should’ve showed her the papers I signed in her name to get the divorce.”

  “Do you think he came back and took her, Hezekiah?”

  “No, of course the heathen didn’t and he never will. He served his purpose when he married her for one day. He gave her a baby and then left. I knew he’d never come back when Edwina came home and said he’d headed back out west. I had a vision and it was at that moment I knew it was all part of God’s plan. He wanted Edwina to marry him for a short time then have a baby for the Clarks.”

  “Oh, Reverend Thorn, it inspires me so when you share your visions with me.” Callie knew he liked it when she complimented on his visions.

  He almost grinned, but checked himsel
f. “It’s too bad I could never get Edwina to see it my way. She thinks the baby is hers, and no matter how many times I told her she was only the vessel God used to make a baby for the Clarks, she wouldn’t believe me.”

  “She must be one of the crosses we must bear, my dear. I know God tests the prophets, but she’s a hard one, isn’t she?”

  “She’s a trial to me, but I’ve managed to handle her so far. I’ll continue to do what God tells me I should do. When she comes back, Edwina won’t have a choice. She’ll go along with whatever I tell her or she’ll be sorry. I’ve made her see things my way since she’s been our burden. I’ll make her see it again.” He handed the empty tea cup to his wife. “Now, get out of here and busy yourself with your duties and let me get on with writing my sermon. I have an idea I should tell the congregation about how the visions come to me.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea. I’m sure you may save many lost souls when they see how close you and God are.” She paused at the door. “And when Edwina brings the Clark’s baby home, she’s going to understand what a wonderful man you are, too.”

  When she closed the door, the Reverend Hezekiah D. Thorn leaned back in his chair and grinned from ear to ear. A sight nobody had ever witnessed. Not even his wife of eighteen years.

  * * * *

  Dena Black tied the small gelding to the branch of the huge cottonwood tree on the boundary of Wyatt Singleton’s and Thourgood Reeson’s ranches and watched as the black buggy pulled up beside her. This was their usual meeting place.

  Cora Sue didn’t bother to greet her, but blurted, “All right, Dena, tell me what’s going on.”

  Dena noticed Cora Sue Reeson was wearing one of her pretty summer dresses. It was an off-white color and had blue flowers on the full skirt. She picked up a matching parasol and twirled it around over her shoulder. Dena knew she wanted to let the maid know she was only a servant. One being paid to spy on the Singleton household.

  She pushed the thought away and said, “It seems the woman really is Mrs. Singleton. I saw their marriage certificate in his office. They were married about two years ago in Richmond, Virginia.”

  “How did you come to see it?”

  “Today after dinner, Mr. Wyatt rode out on the range and Rosalinda went home for the afternoon. Mrs. Singleton was on the veranda with Mr. Ben Singleton. They were watching the little boy play. I slipped into Mr. Wyatt’s study and found it in the top drawer of his desk.”

  Cora Sue frowned. “Do you think it could be a fake?”

  “I’d have no way of knowing that.”

  “Have you found anything in her room?”

  “I haven’t had a time I could search it. I’ll do it the first chance I get, but I know I’ll have to wait until she’s out of the house and Rosalinda is gone.”

  “Do it as soon as you can. Daddy says we’ve got to find a way to get rid of this woman so Wyatt can marry me. It’s the only way he can get this ranch.” Cora Sue giggled. “Of course I’m not so excited about the marriage, but I do look forward to getting my hands on Wyatt’s money.”

  “Weren’t you all set to marry him before this woman came along?” Dena couldn’t help needling her.

  “I sure was. I think he was about to propose when she showed up.” She looked at Dena. “How does Wyatt act around the kid? Does he like it or is it a bother?”

  Dena looked away, wondering if she should tell Cora Sue how much Mr. Wyatt seemed to care about the baby. “He seems to like the little boy a lot. The child is calling him Da and Mr. Wyatt is eating it up.”

  “Damn!”

  “I’m sorry, Miss Cora Sue, but you wanted me to tell you the truth. We promised to be honest with each other.”

  “I know, Dena. I’m not upset with you. I’ve just got to find a way to neutralize his feeling for the kid.” She flipped back her hair. “Maybe I could spread the rumor that the child isn’t his, and the woman is trying to use somebody else’s baby to keep Wyatt married to her.”

  Dena knew she was taking a chance to disagree with this volatile woman, but she said anyway, “I don’t think that’s a good idea, Miss Cora Sue. If Mr. Wyatt found out you had started the rumor he’d be mad at you. It would make it harder for you to get him to marry you.”

  Instead of getting mad, as Dena had expected, Cora Sue nodded. “You’re probably right. I’d better keep a low profile like I’ve been doing.”

  Dena smiled. “I think you’re doing things right.” She knew it didn’t hurt her position to play to the woman’s ego. “Everything is going to work out just the way you want it to.”

  “Yes, I know you’re right.” She smiled at Dena. “When my marriage to him becomes a reality, you won’t have to work as a maid there any longer. You’ll be my personal maid and we’ll travel all over the world, just like I promised when Daddy got you this job.” She sighed. “I know he’s handsome and rich and every woman around wants him, but once he’s married to me he won’t be tempted by them.”

  “I’m sure he won’t. You’re a beautiful woman, Miss Cora.”

  “That’s why I wonder if I really want to marry... Never mind. Daddy wants me to marry Wyatt and to please him, I will.”

  “And you’ll continue to see that my family doesn’t suffer, after you’re married, won’t you?”

  “Of course they’ll be taken care of. Daddy had one of our hands deliver a big wagonload of vegetables from our garden for your mama to put up for the winter. Your family will be fine.”

  “Thank you, Miss Cora Sue.”

  Cora Sue nodded and closed her parasol. She picked up the reins. “Now if you don’t have anything else, I’d better get back. Cook will be serving supper in a little while. I’ll meet you here on Tuesday.”

  Dena nodded, but didn’t answer. She was thinking she had to hurry back. Though supper was cooked and ready, she wasn’t sure what Rosalinda would say if she wasn’t there to help serve it. Before she pulled away she watched Cora Sue’s black buggy turn toward the Reeson ranch. “You’re a fool, Cora Sue Reeson. Wyatt Singleton is never going to marry you, but I’ll never tell you that. You’ll find out soon enough,” she muttered, then she mounted her horse and turned him toward the Singleton ranch house.

  * * * *

  Wyatt came into the dining room expecting to see Edwina, his father and Adam. Instead the dining room was empty. There was one place setting on the table.

  “Rosalinda!” His voice boomed throughout the house.

  She came from the kitchen. “Yes, Mr. Wyatt?”

  “Where the hell is everybody?”

  “Well, let me see.” She rolled her eyes at him. “Mr. Ben wanted to eat his supper in his room. Miz Edwina said he shouldn’t eat alone so she’d have her supper sent there, too. Of course little Adam went with her. They figured you’d want to eat in the dining room.”

  “They did, did they?”

  “Yes, they did. Do you want me to serve you now?”

  “Hell, no.” He strode across the dining room and up the stairs toward his father’s suite. Jerking open the door, he was ready to have a confrontation with Edwina.

  The bedroom was empty, but he heard a laugh come from the terrace which led off the sitting area. He stomped to the French doors and came to a halt. He couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

  Adam was sitting on a stool and his grandfather was holding a brightly colored wooden horse in front of the little boy.

  “See the horse dance,” Ben said and wiggled the toy.

  Adam giggled and reached for it.

  Ben handed him the toy and leaned back. “He likes it, Edwina.”

  “Yes he does. I’m so grateful to you for getting it out. Adam has never had pretty toys like this and nobody has ever played with him this way.”

  “I made this horse for Wyatt when he was a little boy. His mother painted it and he spent hours playing with it.”

  “I can’t believe you kept it all these years.”

  Ben nodded. “When he grew too old to play with it, he asked m
e to put it away. He said if he ever had a son he wanted him to have the horse.”

  Edwina touched his arm. “And you want Adam to have it.”

  “Of course. I’m sure Wyatt would want that, too.”

  “Da!” Adam squealed and with the horse in his hand he ran toward the doors where Wyatt stood.

  The smiles faded from Ben’s and Edwina’s faces, but Adam was delighted to see him.

  Wyatt squatted in front of the little boy. “What have you got there, son?”

  Adam placed the horse in Wyatt’s hand and muttered something nobody understood.

  “That’s right. It’s a horse.” He fingered the toy then handed it back to Adam. “It used to belong to me, but it’s yours now. I hope you like it.”

  Again Adam babbled with a big grin on his face.

  Wyatt picked him up and stood. He looked at Edwina. “I think it’s time to go to the dining room for supper.”

  “I decided to eat in my room, son,” Ben said. “Edwina and Adam joined me. I’m sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about, Ben,” Edwina said. “I chose to come eat with you because I wanted Adam and me to have a pleasant supper.”

  “Then I will leave so you and Adam can continue to have a pleasant time with my father.” Wyatt handed Adam to Edwina.

  “You could—”

  He ignored her, whirled around and left the room.

  Without stopping downstairs, Wyatt slammed out the back door and headed to the barn.

  “Can I get your horse, Mr. Wyatt?” Cleveland asked.

  “I’ll get him myself.”

  Throwing his saddle on his black stallion, Wyatt climbed on his back and raced out of the barn.

  * * * *

  It was in the middle of the night when Edwina was awakened by a noise in the hall. She got out of bed and checked the child’s bed Rosalinda had set up for Adam. Her son was fast asleep.

  Moving to her door, she listened to the commotion which seemed to be getting louder. There was a bump on the wall followed by a loud curse.

  She recognized the voice as Wyatt’s.

  What’s he doing in the hall this time of night?

  She knew he hadn’t come home by the time she and Adam went to bed, but she figured he came in sometime later. It was almost morning.