There were pony rides for the children and Wyatt held Adam and let him ride one of the Shetlands. The little boy was thrilled. When they decided to put the little horses up, Wyatt negotiated to buy one to take back to the ranch for his son. Edwina made him promise Adam wouldn’t ride the pony without help until he was much older.
After folks ate again, the sun began to go down and the musicians gathered. Eventually, a few couples began to dance.
Edwina and Wyatt sat on a quilt they’d spread under a cottonwood tree. Adam was playing with a toy cow Wyatt bought at the table where an older man was carving different animals. Ben had returned and his chair was sitting by the edge of their quilt.
Rosalinda and Juan walked up. “All right, you two, I see Dena and Clem are already dancing. Now it’s your turn,” Rosalinda said. “We came to babysit so you can dance the night away if you like.”
“I’m ready to take this lady a turn around the dance floor.” Wyatt stood and reached for Edwina’s hand.
She hesitated. “I don’t think—”
“Now don’t start that. Wyatt will make sure you don’t make a fool of yourself.” Ben grinned at her. “He’s a good dancer and he’ll lead you right into it.”
“You trust me, don’t you?” Wyatt looked at her with a twinkle in his dark eyes.
“You know I do.” She put her trembling hand in his.
The dance area was becoming more crowded. Edwina was glad. If there were a lot of people, maybe she wouldn’t be noticed.
It wasn’t long after Wyatt took her in his arms that she relaxed. It wasn’t nearly as bad as she thought it would be. In fact, it was really nice to be this near him. To feel his heart beat against hers. To feel the warmth of his hands on her back and his breath against her hair.
“You’re doing great,” he whispered in her ear. “I like dancing with you like this.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “You make this easy.”
Several dances later, they took a break and went to check on Adam.
Rosalinda nodded at the baby in her arms. “He’s asleep. I think we’ll leave now and we’ll take him with us.”
“We can go, too.”
She shook her head. “No, Edwina. You and Wyatt stay here and have a good time. We’ll enjoy having him for the night. It’s been a while since a little one spent the night at our house.”
“I think I’ll go with them,” Ben said. “I’m a little tired.”
“We can take you, Dad,” Wyatt offered.
“No, Son. Rosalinda’s right. You two stay as late as you wish. You need to have this time to be together without us all around. I’ll be fine. I’m sure Juan will help me get tucked in.”
“I sure will. As a matter of fact, I’ll sleep in the servants’ quarters so your father won’t be alone. That way you can stay until this thing ends.”
“Are you sure?” Wyatt asked.
“Positive, Mr. Wyatt. Now you two have a good time.”
Edwina was torn. She would love to dance again with Wyatt, but she felt guilty letting Adam leave without her. Rosalinda must have seen her dilemma because she said, “Now don’t think about it again, Edwina. Your husband needs you here. Haven’t you seen how he almost burst his buttons when he sees the women looking at you with envy and the men looking at you with thoughts they shouldn’t be having? All Wyatt wants to do is parade you around as if he’s saying, ‘She’s mine, so don’t you dare touch.’”
Edwina blushed and Wyatt put his arm around her shoulders. “She’s right. Now kiss Adam goodnight and we’ll stop by and check him when we get home.”
“Don’t you dare come in and wake us up, boy,” Rosalinda said with a laugh. “You can check Adam in the morning.”
“If you insist.”
“I do.”
They walked with the Garcias and Ben to the wagon. “Are you sure you’re going to be all right riding in the wagon, Ben?”
“Honey, I rode in a wagon for many a year. Now, stop worrying your pretty little head and get back to the dance. My son needs a little fun in his life, and you’re just the one to give it to him.”
“You’re such a wonderful man.” She leaned down and kissed his cheek. “I’m beginning to wonder if I married the wrong Singleton.”
Ben laughed. “I know you did, sweetie, but it’s too late to talk about that now.”
Wyatt reached down and lifted his father into the wagon. “Now you two stop that. I’ve had to fight off enough of these local cowboys. I don’t want to have to flatten my father.”
Everyone was laughing as the Garcia’s wagon pulled away and Edwina and Wyatt stood waving. When it was out of sight, they dropped their arms and turned back toward the music. Wyatt said, “You’ve brought a happiness to my father that I haven’t seen in years, Edwina. You’ve made him realize life’s worth living. I thank you for that.”
“Your father’s a wonderful man, Wyatt. It’s easy to be nice to him.”
“I don’t know if you know or not, but he had a disastrous marriage a few years ago. He hadn’t been serious about a woman since my mother died years earlier, then he met Roxy. He was taken in by the woman and it was easy for her to trick him into marrying her. Everyone but my father knew she only wanted his money. As soon as he had the accident, it became well-known she’d begun turning to other men.”
“I’m so sorry. I bet that broke your father’s heart.”
“I don’t think he ever knew or if he did, he didn’t let on. Luckily, when I came home from Virginia, I was able to get rid of her.”
“Get rid?” Edwina’s eyes grew big.
“I didn’t kill her or anything like that.” He pulled Edwina into his arms and looked down at her in amusement.
“What did you do?”
“I paid her off and she left. It took Dad a while to accept the fact she wasn’t coming back, but he finally did.” Kissing the top of her head, he added, “Now, thanks to you, he’s happy again.”
“Don’t give me too much credit. I think Adam’s the real healer.”
He nodded. “I’m sure he’s a big part of it, but you’re important to him, too.”
For several long seconds they stood there, close together with their arms around each other. Then, almost in slow motion, Wyatt lowered his head and his mouth covered hers.
Edwina never dreamed his mouth would be so soft. Oh, she often thought of the night of passion they’d shared after their marriage, but this was different. She wasn’t the young innocent girl any longer. She was a woman. A woman who could now not only enjoy, but appreciate the feelings this man stirred in her.
As his kisses grew stronger, she felt his hand cover her breast, causing her to wrap her arms around his neck and pull herself closer to him. She felt his need pressing against her, but she didn’t move away.
The magic moment was broken when a woman’s voice said, “Oh my goodness, am I interrupting?”
Wyatt and Edwina broke apart. “You are, but I’m sure that doesn’t bother you, Cora Sue.” Wyatt glared at her.
“Of course not.” She threw Edwina a haughty look. “He’s a good kisser, isn’t he?”
Before Wyatt could say anything, Edwina snapped, “Yes. He’s a very good kisser.”
“Did he tell you we’ve been giving each other kisses since we were children?”
For the first time in her life, Edwina decided she wasn’t going to take the snide remarks a snooty woman made to her. With her gaze boring into Cora Sue’s eyes, she forced a smile and said, “You and he may have shared some little girl and boy kisses, but he and I shared a wedding ceremony and that has resulted in, not only passionate kisses, but a wonderful son.”
“Are you sure he wants a son to tie him down?”
Wyatt broke in. “You’re damn right I want a son. I also want the woman who gave me a son.”
“I don’t believe you.” Cora Sue threw back her head, whirled around and stalked off without another word.
“I’m sorry.” Wyatt took hold of Edwina
’s hand. “Please don’t let anything she says upset you. She’s just a spoiled girl who thought she was going to marry me for my money. I never had any such intentions.”
“She’s a little late, since you’re already married.” She snuggled close to him. “Are you sorry enough to take me back and dance with me again?”
“You bet your life, lady.” He gave her a quick kiss, put his arm around her and ushered her back to the circle of dancers.
Chapter 15
Wyatt opened his eyes to the warm glow of dawn creeping into his room through the open window. He looked down at the woman sleeping in his arms and a smile crossed his lips.
Lord what a perfect ending to a wonderful night.
Edwina came to him just as she did on their first and only night together—freely with an open heart.
And why shouldn’t she? In her mind, she was a married woman who would come to her husband whenever he wanted her. There was no regret, no shame.
Damn, what a cad I am. How can I go on letting her think we’re married? How can I use her this way?
Not that he didn’t want to be married to Edwina. To his utter surprise, he wanted nothing more. But how was he going to accomplish it? He couldn’t tell her they had to go get married because he’d tricked her into the first ceremony. She might get so upset she’d want to leave him and he was never going to let that happen. Not now. They were a family. She and Adam had become his life. There was no way he was going to ever let them leave him.
Edwina stirred and grunted. Wyatt grinned as she snuggled against his right side, then began softly breathing with her mouth open.
She had such a tempting mouth. He remembered how he’d found it so soft and inviting last night. How she responded when he began kissing her as they walked into the house. How he’d swept her off her feet and carried her up the stairs. How she’d muttered, “Where are we going?” when he stopped in front of his door.
“I think it’s time we began living together as man and wife,” he’d answered. “We’ve waited long enough.”
She’d said, “I agree.”
Their lovemaking had been gentle in the beginning, but soon turned wild and passionate. Edwina, still naïve in many ways, responded to his touches, his coaxing and his leading. She was everything a man could ask for as a lover and a wife. She was everything he’d want or need for the rest of his life. To make this dream become a reality all he had to do was figure out a way to marry her again. Legally this time.
Trying not to wake her, he slipped her head from his shoulder to the pillow, then sat up on the side of the bed. He stretched and stood. Walking naked to the bathroom area of the bedroom, he took a quick sponge bath, shaved and slipped into clean clothes. When he returned to the bedroom, Edwina was sitting up.
He walked over to the bed, leaned down and kissed her. “Good morning, beautiful.”
She blushed and pulled the sheet around her. “Good morning,” she muttered back.
“Mind if I sit here? I have something I want to discuss with you.”
“I don’t mind, but don’t you want me to get dressed?”
He winked at her. “I like the way you’re dressed now. You wear a sheet well.”
She blushed again as he sat down and put his arm around her. “What did you want to talk with me about, Wyatt?”
“Since we’re going to live as husband and wife, I’m going to have your things moved into this room today.” She nodded and he went on. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed those doors on the left wall, but they lead to a room that will be perfect for a nursery. There’s also another door that goes into the hall where Rosalinda or Dena can see to Adam’s needs without coming into our room. Do you mind if we fix it up for our son?”
“Oh, Wyatt.” She flung her arms around his neck. “I think you’ve the most wonderful man in the world. I can’t get over all the things you keep surprising me with. Having Adam this near us will be good. Especially since he’s still so young.”
“I’m glad you like the idea. I’ll go into town today to pick up some furniture and later in the week we’ll go together and you can decorate it any way you like. You can also change some things in our room if you like. I know it’s kind of manly-looking now. I don’t mind if you pick up a few fancy things.”
“I love you, Wyatt Singleton.” She leaned up and kissed him.
“I love you, too, Edwina and I’m going to be forced to show you how much if I keep sitting here and holding you while you’re wearing nothing but a sheet.”
“Maybe I should get up and put my clothes on.”
“Want me to wait while you get dressed?”
“Oh, I just thought of something. I can’t get dressed. My clothes are in the other bedroom.”
“That’s what you think.”
She frowned. “What does that mean?”
He stood and walked over to a chair where there was a big box. “I didn’t want to overwhelm you yesterday, so I kept these in here. When I got the party dress for you in Santa Fe, I picked up a couple of other things for you to wear during the day. Not that you’re not beautiful in anything, but I was a little tired of those plain brown dresses you said your aunt and uncle insisted you wear.”
“If I had some other type material I could make some different ones. I’ve always wanted to make things out of pretty cloth, but Aunt Callie said a woman shouldn’t draw attention to herself. Uncle Hezekiah said it was a sure sign of a loose woman.”
“My sweet Edwina. You’ve had to put up with a lot of stupid notions from them, haven’t you?”
“They were good to me, Wyatt. They could’ve put me in an orphanage, but they took me in when my parents died. I’m grateful to them for that.”
He shook his head. “I don’t understand their reasoning. They should have counted their blessings daily just to get to raise a wonderful woman like you, but there’s nothing to be done about it now.” He put the box on the bed. “We’ll go into town for you to pick out material and decorating items, but here are a couple of things you can wear in the meantime.”
Edwina’s eyes got big as she looked into the box. “Oh, Wyatt, how beautiful!” She pulled out a yellow dress. It was trimmed in white lace and had tucks down the front beside a row of covered buttons. The other garments were a green skirt, a blue skirt, a white blouse and a blue striped blouse. The white blouse had ruffles around the cuffs and neck. There was a green striped sash to tie at the waist. “These are too pretty to wear for every day.”
“No, they’re not. How about wearing the green skirt and blouse today? I think it will look pretty on you and I want you always looking pretty, even when you’re only around the house.”
She looked up at him with tears in her eyes. “You’re the best husband a woman could have. I always knew when we were together again you would be.”
“And you’re a wonderful wife.” He leaned and kissed her again. “I’ll wait for you in the dining room. I want to see everyone’s eyes when they see how pretty you look this morning.”
“I wonder if Adam will call me Mama again.”
“I’m sure he will.” He winked at her and headed to the door. “See you downstairs.”
* * * *
“Please don’t fuss at me, Daddy. I did my best.” Cora Sue dabbed her eyes with a lace handkerchief.
“I don’t believe he would’ve turned his back on you, Cora Sue. How could he? You looked so beautiful.”
“Daddy, he told me he wanted his wife and nobody else.”
Mildred spoke. “She was lovely. I thought they made a good-looking couple.”
“You stay out of this, Mildred,” Thourgood snapped. “When I want your opinion, I’ll ask you to give it to me.”
“Mama’s right, Daddy. Wyatt’s wife was a pretty woman. I didn’t want her to be, but she was. And she had on a dress that every woman at the dance envied. I know I did.”
“I don’t see why. I put out a wad of money for the dress you wanted. You said it’d be a sure thing to entice
Wyatt.”
“I didn’t know his wife was going to show up looking like she did. I’d been told she was a drab little woman who wore old brown dresses and kept her hair in a knot on the back of her head.” Cora Sue frowned. “Then she shows up looking like one of those fashion women from back east.”
“Well, we’ve got to do something to get rid of her.”
Mildred gasped and Cora Sue stared at her father.
“Don’t look at me like that. She has to go so Cora Sue can marry Singleton.” He took a cigar out of his pocket and put it between his teeth.
The women still didn’t say anything. He shook his head and said, “Damn it. Neither of you know how important it is that Cora Sue marries him. I’ll be ruined if she doesn’t.”
“How will you be ruined, Daddy?”
“Don’t worry about it. Just get the man to leave his wife and marry you. Now, I’m going to town to take care of some business.”
He turned and stalked out of the room.
Cora Sue turned to her mother. “I don’t understand.”
Mildred reached for her hand. “Neither do I, honey. I know it’s more his idea than yours that you break up Mr. Singleton’s marriage, but I don’t understand why he’s so set on the idea.”
“At first, I thought he only wanted to have me marry him so he could convince Wyatt to combine his ranch with ours, but now I wonder if it isn’t something else.” Cora Sue lowered her head. “It’s almost as if Daddy has done something that my marrying Wyatt will cover up.”
“But what?”
“I have no idea, Mama, but after last night I don’t care what Daddy says, I know Wyatt Singleton is never going to give up his wife for me. He loves her and he’s never loved me.”
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