Damn, I was a cad. How could I have done it?
A knock on the study door pulled him from his thoughts. He crammed the certificate back into the desk and said, “Come in.”
He was surprised when Asia Walker stepped into the room because he half-way expected it to be Edwina. “Is my Dad…”
“Your father’s fine, Mr. Singleton. I have him in bed and with your permission, I would like to speak with you.”
“Of course, Mr. Walker. Have a seat.”
“Thank you.” Mr. Walker sat down.
“What did you need to speak to me about?”
“It’s about my duties, sir.”
“Oh?’
“Yes, sir.” Asia took a deep breath. “When you explained to me what I was to do, you said I’d be taking your father’s meals to his room and we’d seldom be in the lower part of the house because Mr. Ben didn’t want to be downstairs or to be with the rest of the family.”
“I remember.”
“Well, sir, it seems things have changed since your wife and child showed up. I’m now required to bring your father down the stairs for three meals a day and often at other times when he wants to play with the child on the veranda or when he wants to sit on the front porch with Mrs. Singleton.”
“And you’re objecting to making those trips up and the down stairs with my dad?”
“Oh, no. I’m not complaining at all, Mr. Singleton.” When Wyatt frowned, he went on, saying, “Please don’t misunderstand. You know with my medical background, I thought maybe I could help your father begin to want to live again.”
“I hired you because you said you weren’t ready to go back to practicing medicine again. I think you’ve been great with my father.”
“I’ve enjoyed Mr. Ben, but I haven’t helped him. That strange woman and child have been the medicine he needed. Not me.”
Wyatt’s eyebrows worked upward and there was anger in his eyes. “Walker, that strange woman and child happen to be my wife and child. I don’t appreciate you referring to them as otherwise.”
“I’m confused. I thought you were in love with Miss Reeson, sir, then this wo… I mean…your wife shows up and things start to change.”
“Things may change further.”
“That’s good, Mr. Singleton. The changes that have happened here have made me realize I could be more help around sick people. Mr. Ben sure isn’t sick any longer and any man can bring him downstairs. I’ve heard the rumor that Doctor Donavan could use a partner.”
“Are you saying you don’t want to work here any longer?”
“Yes, I think I am. Of course, I’ll give you plenty of time to find someone to take my place.”
Wyatt thought a minute. “I’m not sure we will replace you, Mr. Walker. Juan is capable of getting Dad downstairs. I may look for someone to help him with his baths and to keep him company at times, but I don’t think he’ll need anyone who has medical training.”
“I appreciate that, Mr. Singleton. Then if you have no objection, I’ll leave as soon as possible.”
Wyatt reached for his bank book. “I’ll write you a bank draft and you can discontinue your employment tonight if you wish.”
Wyatt wrote the draft. “I’ve included a bonus, Mr. Walker. I know you don’t need the money, but you’ve done a good job and I want you to know I appreciate it.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“I suppose you want to leave in the morning?”
Mr. Walker said, “Yes, in the morning will be fine. I do want to have time to say goodbye to your father.”
Wyatt nodded and stood. He handed Walker the money receipt. “If you need him, Juan will be available to help you pack and give you a ride into town in the morning.”
“I have my horse, but I guess it’ll take a wagon to get my belongings to town.” Asia took the draft. “I’ll be happy to bring your father down for breakfast before I leave. I know the family will expect him to be there.”
Again, Wyatt nodded. He watched Mr. Walker head up the stairs and went to the kitchen to let Juan know what was taking place. On the way, it hit Wyatt maybe he shouldn’t put off finding someone to service his dad when he needed it. In the meantime, he’d work it out with the staff. Maybe there was a cowhand he could put on the job until he was able to find someone permanently. Of course, he’d ask Juan if he’d help. He knew how close his father and Juan were so he knew Juan wouldn’t refuse to help. It wouldn’t be long until they had a new routine in place.
Chapter 9
It was getting late—Wyatt put away his ledgers and headed up to his room. Yawning, he went down the hall quietly. He didn’t want to disturb Edwina or the baby. As he neared her door, he heard Adam fussing. He paused and listened. The child continued to cry. Without hesitation, he rapped on the door.
He heard feet crossing the floor, then the door opened. Edwina had Adam on her shoulder. Her hair was in disarray and her wrapper was open, showing the high-necked cotton gown she wore. There was exasperation in her eyes.
“I’m sorry if Adam disturbed you, Wyatt. I think he’s cutting teeth and he doesn’t feel well tonight.”
“Could I help you try to comfort him?”
She looked as if she was going to say no, but must have changed her mind. “I’d appreciate it. I’ve walked him, rocked him, tried to sooth him and I admit I’m getting tired.”
He stepped into the room and took the boy into his arms. “Come on, Son. Let’s give your mother a break.”
Adam continued to snuff, but he buried his head on Wyatt’s neck.
Edwina pulled her wrapper around and tied the belt. She then reached up and smoothed her hair. “I must look a fright.”
Wyatt looked at her, but he didn’t dare tell her she looked pretty to him. He wanted to reach out and hug her to him, too. Instead, he said, “You look fine, Edwina.”
“I can’t believe it. He’s the calmest he’s been.” She smiled. “You have a wonderful way with him, Wyatt.”
“He seems to be settling down a little. If you don’t object, I’ll rock him a while. Maybe he’ll drift off.”
“I appreciate anything you can do.”
Wyatt sat in the rocking chair and began to move it back and forth as he talked soothingly to Adam.
Edwina moved to her bed and sat on the side of it facing them. “I pray this works. It’s going to be a rough day tomorrow if the both of us don’t get a little sleep.”
Adam cried softly. Wyatt held him tightly, but gently, against him. “I think he’s getting sleepy. He yawned.”
“Wonderful.”
“Talking about things being rough tomorrow, something happened tonight that will probably make it hard on all of us.”
“What in the world happened, Wyatt?”
“Mr. Walker will be leaving tomorrow.”
Edwina dropped her head and he would have sworn she suppressed a smile. “Does your father know?”
“Not yet. He’ll tell him in the morning.”
“I could tell he didn’t think he was needed any longer, but I wonder why he didn’t go to your father.”
“I’m the one paying him, so he came to me.”
“I hope this doesn’t mean you’ll not let Ben come down to be with us. Adam and I both enjoy him and I think it’s good for him, too.”
“I can tell the trips downstairs have done wonders for his spirit.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry I confined him to his quarters so long. I was too blind to see how much it meant to him to be downstairs.”
“Now that you know, you won’t make him stay upstairs, will you?”
“No, Edwina. I have plenty of men around here to bring him down for every meal.”
“Good. Rest assured, I’ll look after him when he’s with Adam and me. I’m sure Rosalinda will help us, too.”
“I’m sure she will.”
“It may be even better. Mr. Walker wasn’t the most pleasant person to be with.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “Did he say something to
you, Edwina?”
“Oh, no.” She acted nervous. “I…I…”
“Don’t be afraid. Tell me.”
She took a deep breath. “He seemed to stare at me a lot and he didn’t like Adam. I was sure of that. He never once called him Adam. It was always ‘the boy’ or ‘the child’ as if Adam wasn’t a person.”
“I’m sure he didn’t mean to offend you. It was probably his background.”
“Background?”
“Asia is a doctor. He came to Cool Wood about six months ago. Oleen Anderson at Anderson’s General Store told me he was trying to find a place to get his mind off losing his wife and baby.”
“Oh, I didn’t know.”
“Few people do. His wife died in childbirth and the baby died, too. Even with his medical background he couldn’t save either of them. He blamed himself and decided to give up doctoring.”
“That’s too bad. People can always use more doctors.”
“He said he was thinking of joining Cool Wood’s Doctor Donavan in his practice.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Before Wyatt could say anything else, Adam aroused and began to cry again. Wyatt rubbed his back and Adam let out a big burp. At the same time he spewed spit-up along the front of Wyatt’s shirt.
Wyatt held him out. “Maybe you better take him. I don’t want him to get this on his bed clothes.”
Edwina grabbed a towel and handed it to him as she took Adam. “If you’ll take your shirt off, I’ll wash it out so the smell won’t set in.”
He stood and removed his shirt as Adam started crying again.
Edwina shook her head. “He wants his daddy.”
Wyatt took another towel and placed it on his chest. “Let me have him. He can rest against this.”
Edwina’s hand shook as she took the shirt and handed over the baby. She moved to the wash basin and poured water to wash out the stain in the shirt. By the time she finished and hung the shirt on the bed post, Adam had settled down and was close to going to sleep.
Thirty minutes later he drifted off and Wyatt said, “To make sure he’s sound asleep, I think I’ll rock him a little longer.”
Thirty minutes later, he slipped out the door and went down the hall. For some reason he was in a good mood. This was unusual since his typical reaction after working on his books was to be mad and upset the rest of the evening.
* * * *
“Well, Son,” Ben said at breakfast. “I must say, I’m surprised Mr. Walker quit, but it’ll be for the best I’m sure.”
“I think it will be, too, Dad. He told me this morning watching Edwina and Adam made him realize there could be other mothers and children he might be able to help.”
“That’s a good reason to quit.” He grinned at Edwina. “Now that our family’s getting back to normal, thanks to my daughter-in-law and my wonderful grandson, I’m sorry I’ll become a burden on you again.”
“Thank you, Ben, but you’re no burden. You’re such an easy man to get along with and nobody minds helping you.”
Wyatt seemed to ignore their mutual admiration. “Juan has volunteered to be your helper until I hire someone else, if that’s all right with you.”
“I couldn’t ask for anybody better than Juan. He and I go back a long ways. We should have a lot to talk about.”
“You know Adam and I will be here to help you spend your day.”
Before Ben could answer her, Wyatt said, “Speaking of Adam, where is he this morning?”
“He was still out of sorts and Dena offered to rock him. She said Rosalinda didn’t want any help cooking breakfast and she was going to make the beds. I told her to bring Adam to me before she started with the beds.”
Rosalinda came in. “Ready for more coffee?”
Wyatt held up his cup and she poured for him.
Ben looked concerned. “What’s the matter with the boy?”
“He’s fine, Dad. Cutting teeth. Edwina tells me it’s normal for a baby to be fussy when he cuts teeth.”
“I’m going to make little Adam a sugar-tit today.”
“A what?” Wyatt looked at Rosalinda.
“Don’t look so surprised, boy. You had many of them when you were a baby.” She poured coffee for Edwina and Ben. “When you cut your teeth, I was afraid the people on the next ranch would come over and check because they thought we was killing you.”
Wyatt chuckled. “I was that bad, huh?”
“You sure were. Little Adam is a charm compared to the way you acted.”
Ben grinned. “Rosalinda, I think you’re stretching it a bit.”
“Now, Mr. Ben, how would you know? You were out on the range chasing those cows.”
“I guess I was at that.”
“Now that we’ve settled the fact that I was a little monster, I’d better get out on that range and let you folks deal with my son.” Wyatt pushed back his chair and stood. As he went behind Edwina’s chair he put his hand on her shoulder and said, “While Dena’s watching Adam, why don’t you try to get a little rest?”
“I might do that. The terrace is inviting and I may go out there and enjoy this beautiful morning.”
“Sounds good.” He turned back to Rosalinda. “Make sure she gets some rest. Adam kept her up most of the night.”
“I’ll do it.” She grinned at him. “Now go on with you and we’ll see you about twelve-thirty for dinner.”
He went out the door and Edwina turned to Ben. “Well, how does it sound? Would you like to spend the morning on the terrace with me?”
“How can I say no when a beautiful woman like you invites me?”
Edwina moved behind his wheelchair and they went toward the terrace doors.
Neither noticed the big grin on Rosalinda’s face.
Chapter 10
Cora Sue Reeson flounced around the parlor in her new green satin gown. She knew it looked good with her auburn hair and was a perfect match to her beautiful green eyes. “Won’t all the men’s eyes pop when they see me at the dance, Mama?” She twirled again. “Of course, Daddy wants Wyatt to be really bewitched.”
“I don’t think you should be so brazen around a married man, Cora Sue.”
“For heaven’s sake, Mama, Daddy said he didn’t think Wyatt was actually married to that plain little woman from Virginia and I agree with him. Like Daddy said, she’s probably only here to try to get his money and she’s using her brat to do it. Lord only knows who that boy belongs to. Daddy’s sure it’s not Wyatt’s child. I’m sure Daddy’s right.”
“Wyatt says it’s his son. A man doesn’t claim a child that doesn’t belong to him.”
“She’s drawn him in, but don’t worry, I’ll make him forget all about her and that kid.”
Even though Dena told her she saw Wyatt leaving Edwina’s room and going to his bedroom without his shirt and then finding it on Edwina’s bedpost the next morning, Cora Sue still didn’t think she’d have trouble turning his head. After all, he was a man and he needed a woman now and then and he wouldn’t be above turning to the plain type like his so-called wife, if there was nobody else available. Of course Cora Sue knew he’d probably jump at the chance to sleep with her, but she had no intention of going to his bed until she had to. He was too big and scary.
“How are you going to do that, my dear?”
“Do what, Mama?”
“Make Wyatt Singleton forget about his wife and child.”
“Not that I need the help, but I sent a telegraph to her hometown the other day. I should hear the whole story before the dance.” She tossed back her head again. “Mama, do you think it’d look better if I pulled the front down a little. I know Wyatt likes to see me in low-necked gowns.”
“I think you need to grow up, Cora Sue. Every man isn’t interested in how a woman looks. They want her to be kind and gentle and to give them children.”
Cora Sue giggled. “Mama, you’re so funny. I know more of what a man likes than you do. Just look at how many want to come by to court me
.”
Thourgood came in and smiled at his daughter. “Well, well, baby girl, you sure look pretty. Ain’t no man alive that can resist your beauty. Now go out there and catch Wyatt Singleton for both of us.”
“Don’t tell her that, Thourgood. You know the man’s married.”
“It that’s true, it’s a mere technicality. One look at this beautiful girl and he’ll be sending that plain little wife of his back to Virginia.”
“How do you know she’s from Virginia?”
“Where else would she be from? That’s where Wyatt was when they sent for him when his pa got hurt.”
“I still say—”
“Don’t pay any attention to your mama, honey. She doesn’t think it’s worth the effort for you to marry Wyatt, but she doesn’t know the whole story.” He leaned over and kissed Cora Sue’s cheek. “Now go put that pretty dress away before you get it dirty. You know I paid more for it than it was worth. That damn dressmaker charges way too much.”
“Oh, Daddy. Miss Sprinkle is really reasonable. You just don’t understand how complicated it can be to sew a gown.” Cora Sue kissed his cheek, made one more twirl and left the room.
Mildred shook her head. “Why do you insist on encouraging her, Thourgood? She’s going to get in trouble if she doesn’t—”
“Don’t worry about it, my dear. I know how to handle Cora Sue.”
“What if you’re wrong? What if Wyatt Singleton doesn’t fall for her charms?”
“How can he resist?”
“I’m only saying, you and Cora Sue both will be devastated if he doesn’t leave his wife for her. What are you going to tell her then?”
“That won’t happen. He’ll marry Cora Sue then the rest of my plan will fall into place.”
“What plan is that, Thourgood?”
“Don’t worry about it. You’ll see when it all turns out to be the best thing that ever happed to us.”
She took a deep breath. “Is this another of your gambles, Thourgood?”
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