“I know Wyatt Singleton is going to be interested in hearing all of this. I’m sure he’ll put her out of his house when he realizes she’s such a sinful person.”
“He’s not any better himself.” Hezekiah looked at Thourgood. “What do you think of a man who marries a woman, takes her to bed and leaves her the next day?”
“He’s not much of a man.”
“Well, that’s exactly what your friend, Wyatt Singleton did. I finally had to send for divorce papers to rid my niece of the scoundrel. He’ll burn in hell for what he’s done.”
There was a loud knock on the front door. Thourgood frowned. “Who’d be coming this early in the morning?”
“Maybe it’s Cora Sue.” Mildred jumped up. “I’ll see.”
“Let Hilda go.”
“No. I’m going to see myself.”
Hezekiah frowned. “Man, you shouldn’t let her talk to you that way. Why, I’d give Callie a slap across the mouth if she ever dared to say no to me.”
Before Thourgood could answer, Mildred’s loud scream filled the air.
Chapter 26
“Mildred, calm down. The man said Cora Sue was alive. I’m sure Wyatt Singleton will see that she gets the best of care.” He almost grinned as he slapped the reins across the horses’ back. “Good training for when they’re married. He’ll have to look after her all the time then.”
“Thourgood Reeson, I can’t believe you. Our daughter may be dying and all you can think about is her marrying an already married man.”
“He’s not married. You heard Hezekiah say they were divorced. He’s only keeping the woman there so he can get her in his bed. As soon as he realizes how the town will be talking about her, he’ll be glad to see her and the little brat go back to Virginia with her uncle. Then he and Cora Sue can be married and I’ll be able to claim some of his land in her name.”
“Is that what this is all about? You getting your hands on some of Wyatt Singleton’s ranch?”
“You have to admit, he’s got a lot of it. He wouldn’t deprive his father-in-law of a little, would he?”
Mildred stared at him. “What if Cora Sue dies? How are you going to get his land then? Are you going to force me to marry him?”
“You’re talking foolish, Mildred. Cora Sue isn’t going to die.”
“I pray to God she won’t.” Tired of talking to Thourgood, Mildred lifted her eyes heavenly and began to pray.
When they came in sight of the Singleton ranch, Thourgood said, “We’ll see in a minute how badly she’s hurt. I’m guessing it’s only a few scratches and Wyatt is being overly conscious so he can keep her there in his house.”
“I hope you’re right, but I’m afraid you’re wrong this time.”
The buggy pulled up in front of the sprawling adobe ranch house. Without waiting for Thourgood to come around and help her, Mildred jumped to the ground. She ran up the steps and saw Edwina waiting for her at the door.
“Where is she?”
“The doctor is with her, Mrs. Reeson. Come with me. I’m sure you’ll be able to see her soon.”
Thourgood crossed the flagstone porch. “Where’s my daughter?”
“The doctor’s with her.”
Thourgood pushed her aside and went into the house.
“I’m sorry he’s so rude,” Mildred muttered.
“He’s probably upset. Please come in.”
“Thank you.” Mildred followed her husband and Edwina into the foyer and then into the parlor.
Wyatt stood when they all entered.
“All right, Wyatt, lets have it. I want to know what my daughter was doing here and what you did to her that made her have to have a doctor.”
“Thourgood, calm down,” Mildred demanded.
“Excuse me and I’ll have Rosalinda bring some tea and coffee.” Edwina slipped out the door.
“Do you know what happened to Cora Sue, Wyatt?” Mildred asked.
“All I know is that when a couple who are working for me came to work this morning, they saw her buggy sitting under those cottonwood trees that grow along the creek which cuts across my back pasture. They found Rusty Palmer dead and Cora Sue in bad shape.”
“Oh no. Poor Rusty. He was always in love with Cora Sue.” Mildred wrung her hands.
“Well, she isn’t in love with him. There’s only one man for my Cora Sue, and that’s Wyatt here. Isn’t that right, Wyatt?”
Wyatt frowned. “No, Thourgood. It’s not right. I’m a married man. A happily married man.”
“Don’t hand me that line, Wyatt. Everybody knows her uncle has proven her claim to your name is false. You need to get rid of her before your reputation’s ruined, too.”
“Thourgood Reeson, if your daughter wasn’t lying on a bed down the hall barely clinging to life, I’d throw you out of my house bodily. I’ll not have you or anyone else coming in here and disrespecting my wife.”
“But Preacher Hezekiah said she wasn’t married to you and that kid wasn’t hers.”
“I don’t give a damn what he says. It’s a lie and anyone who believes him is as big a fool as he is.”
“But—”
“Besides that, Reeson, why are you more interested in my marriage than whether your daughter is going to live or die?”
“Oh, please don’t say that, Wyatt. I hope and pray she’ll be all right.” Mildred's eyes pled with him.
“I’m sorry, Mildred. I didn’t mean to upset you. We’re all hoping Cora Sue will be all right.”
“She’ll be fine, Mildred. I told you that.” Thourgood stuck out his chest.
“Thourgood, she could’ve been killed like Rusty and you act like it’s nothing.”
“I told you—”
“I feel so sorry for his mother.” Mildred turned when the door to the parlor opened.
Edwina came in with a tray of tea. Rosalinda followed with the coffee. “I didn’t know which you liked, Mrs. Reeson.”
“I’d love a cup of tea. Thank you, Mrs. Singleton. Maybe it will calm my nerves a little.”
“I’ll have coffee,” Reeson snapped.
Rosalinda served the coffee and slipped out of the room.
Edwina handed Mildred a cup of tea and indicated they should move to chairs near the round table in the corner of the room.
“Thank you. I need to sit down.” Mildred smoothed her skirt. “You’re very thoughtful.”
“Are you going to stay in here?” Thourgood stared at Edwina. “I’d think maids would—”
“Shut up, Reeson.” Wyatt’s eyes told everyone he wasn’t going to let Thourgood get away with being rude to Edwina.
Reeson did get quiet. He took his coffee and sat on the sofa. “Got anything strong to put in this?”
“It’s a little early for that, don’t you think?” Wyatt was still angry and everyone knew it.
“I guess you’re right.” As if he was trying to sooth Wyatt, Thourgood said, “Who are the new hands working for you?”
“A couple I found homesteading on my land.”
“What?” There was a surprised look on his face.
Before anything else could be said, Doctor Michael Donavan walked in. “I have Cora Sue’s bleeding stopped and she’s resting well. You can go in now if you like, Mrs. Reeson.”
Mildred jumped up. “Thank you.”
“I’ll show you where she is.” Edwina stood and the two of them left the room.
“I’ll be right there,” Thourgood said. “I need to have a word with Wyatt.”
* * * *
As soon as the women were gone, Wyatt gave Thourgood a hard look. “I’m surprised you’re not anxious to see your daughter.”
“I am anxious, but I don’t know if I’ll get another chance to talk to you.”
Wyatt wasn’t sure what could be more important than one’s child’s health, but he said no more about Cora Sue. “So what’s so important that you had to speak to me alone?”
“Tell me about those homesteaders. When and where did you f
ind them?”
“If it’s important, I found them yesterday on my north pasture.”
“It is about time for you to turn your cows on that field, isn’t it?”
“I’ll be doing it in the next few days.”
“What about the homesteaders?”
“Reeson, why the hell is this so important to you? Your daughter is lying in there in a bed, maybe dying and you want to talk about the homesteaders? I can’t believe you’re that uncaring.”
“Don’t you dare call me uncaring, Wyatt Singleton. I’m only trying to look out for Cora Sue’s welfare.”
Wyatt lost his patience. “Hell, Thourgood, what does this have to do with Cora Sue’s welfare?”
“I’m only thinking of when you get rid of the woman you’re living with and you and she get married—”
Before he could stop himself, Wyatt grabbed Thourgood’s shirt collar and shoved him backward. “You damn idiot! There’s no way in hell I’ll ever leave my wife and marry your daughter. If you so much as mention it again, I’ll make you wish you hadn’t.”
“I don’t understand, Wyatt. I thought you loved Cora Sue.”
Shaking his head, Wyatt looked at Thourgood in disbelief. “I am not in love with your daughter. I never have been and I never will be.”
“But you were so nice to her when we came around.”
“I was only doing that because she’s a beautiful woman and I wanted to take her to bed. Marriage was never in the picture.”
Thourgood looked confused. “You mean you’d compromise my daughter just to…to…”
“I would have never forced her, but before my wife arrived I would’ve certainly taken her if she’d been willing. Now that I have Edwina, there’s not a woman in the world I want besides her. I’d never take the chance of losing the only woman I’ve ever loved.”
“But you’re not married to her.”
“You’re wrong. I am married to her and if you let the lies that uncle of hers tells you make you think otherwise, you’re not nearly as smart as I thought you were.” Wyatt pointed toward the door. “Now get your ass down the hall and check on your wife and daughter.”
When he was alone, Wyatt almost poured himself a drink, though it was still morning.
How am I going to back up the lies I’m telling?
He knew he wasn’t legally married to Edwina, but in his heart she was his wife. And he wouldn’t let her be shamed or ridiculed because of his selfish stupidity when he falsely married her in Richmond. Some way, somehow, he’d find a way to make it right without her or anyone else ever knowing about the sham he’d pulled.
Edwina came through the parlor door. “Cora Sue’s parents are both with her now.”
“Has there been any change?”
She shook her head. “It looks bad, Wyatt.”
“I’m sorry for that.”
“You know her better than I do. Do you know anyone who would have wanted to hurt her?”
“No, honey. I don’t. A lot of men were interested in her and several would have married her on the spot if she’d been willing. I don’t know of any who would want to hurt her like this.”
“She was a beautiful woman.”
“It’s going to be hard for her to accept the way her attacker messed up her face. She was always proud of the way her looks turned heads.”
Edwina walked over to the chair where he was sitting and put her hand on his shoulder. “She was in love with you wasn’t she, Wyatt?”
He took her hand and pulled her down on his lap. “What makes you say that?”
“She was attentive to you at the town dance. I could tell she would like to get you away from me that day.”
“Let me assure you, Cora Sue doesn’t love me. I think she might like my money or if she doesn’t, her father does. Neither is important, though.”
“Oh?”
“I love one woman in this world and she happens to be sitting on my lap at the moment.”
Edwina put her arms around his neck. “And I love only one man.” She leaned down and kissed his forehead. “I think I could search the world and I’d never find another who would be such a wonderful husband and father as you.”
“There’s only one way to show you how much I appreciate your words.”
“How’s that?”
Wyatt turned her face to his. “Like this,” he whispered and kissed her long and hard.
Chapter 27
Rosalinda took the bread from the oven and sat it on the shelf beside the stove. There was a knock on the back door.
“Hello, Mr. Kerr and Sheriff Bodger.”
Jeff Bodger tipped his hat and Terrence Kerr said, “Mr. Wyatt told me to bring the sheriff.”
“I’ll let him know he’s here.”
“Thank you, Miz Rosalinda. I’ll head to the barn and see how the boys are doing, helping Cleveland clean the stalls.” He put his hat on and headed down the steps.
“If you don’t mind coming in the back door, Sheriff, I’ll take you to Mr. Wyatt.”
“Thank you, Rosalinda.”
He followed her through the kitchen and down the hall to the parlor.
“Mr. Wyatt, the sheriff's here to see you.”
“Thank you, Rosalinda.” He smiled at Edwina. “Come in, Jeff. Your timing’s not very good today.”
“I see it’s not.”
Edwina blushed and got up from Wyatt’s lap. “Hello, Mr. Bodger.”
“Mrs. Singleton.” He grinned at her. “It’s good to see you.”
“Thank you.” She turned to Wyatt. “I’ll go check on Adam. Mrs. Kerr had him on your father’s terrace. I think the three of them were playing horsie.”
“Thanks, honey.”
Jeff watched her leave the room, then turned. “You’ve got yourself a nice wife, Wyatt.”
“That’s true. She’s a wonderful woman.”
“You know the rumor about her marriage to you that was circulating around town is beginning to die out.”
“Good. I hope people think I have sense enough not to pretend to be married to the woman.” Wyatt indicated the chair in front of his desk, hoping his lie didn’t show on his face.
“You might do it, but I doubt she would.” He took the chair. “Now tell me what happened to Cora Sue Reeson.”
“You probably know more than I do. The Kerr family found her and brought her to the house on their way in to work this morning. They also brought the deputy. Of course, you know that because I had Kerr take his body into town when he came for you.”
“He was shot. Twice, actually. Mr. Kerr said it looked like somebody had beaten Cora Sue and messed up her face with a knife. He didn’t know if she’d been shot and he wasn’t sure what else had been done to her.”
“I’m not sure either. The doctor has been with her most of the morning. He only came out to drink coffee and go back. Her folks are here now.”
“With Thourgood starting those awful rumors, I’m surprised you allowed him in your house.”
“I wouldn’t if it wasn’t for Cora Sue and her mother. Mrs. Reeson is very upset and nobody’s sure yet if Cora Sue is going to live or die.”
“Then I guess I should talk with her parents. Maybe they know someone who would want to hurt her.”
There was a noise at the door and they both looked up as Thourgood Reeson came into the room. “I needed to get out of there,” he muttered and sat on the sofa.
“Do you want something to drink, Reeson?”
“I sure do, Wyatt. How about whiskey?”
Wyatt cocked an eyebrow, but without saying anything, he moved to the liquor cabinet and poured whiskey into a crystal glass. He looked at Jeff, but the sheriff shook his head. He handed the whiskey to Thourgood and sat down. “How’s Cora Sue?”
“Oh, my god, Wyatt. Somebody cut up my beautiful daughter’s face. Why would they want to do that?”
“I have no idea.”
Jeff turned to Reeson. “Has Cora Sue been seeing anyone who would want to hurt h
er?”
“Hell, no. She was going to marry Wyatt, but I’m sure he won’t want her now that she’s marked up like she is.”
“You’re talking crazy, Thourgood. I told you I never had any intention of ever marrying Cora Sue.”
“You might have weakened. All she had to do was to keep flirting with you. Men can’t resist my beautiful daughter.” He took a swig of his drink. “You would’ve had my grandchildren and we could combine our ranches and—”
Jeff eyed the man, who appeared to be obsessed. “I don’t think Wyatt is interested in your daughter, Mr. Reeson. He has a beautiful wife.”
“Yeah, but he’s not married to her. Her uncle told me so.”
“I thought—”
“I know what happened. Your false wife went out there and shot the deputy and beat up and cut my daughter. It has to be the answer. She’s the only one with reason to kill Cora Sue. She wants to pretend to be married to you so you won’t marry my beautiful daughter.”
Both Wyatt and the sheriff stared in silent unbelief as they watched Thourgood take another drink. He continued his tirade. “Arrest her, Bodger. Put her in jail for the rest of her life or hang her. That’s what she deserves. Hanging.”
Wyatt shook his head. “Thourgood Reeson, you’re talking out of your head. My wife has no reason to hurt Cora Sue.”
“Yes she did. She didn’t want you to throw her out and—”
Jeff could see things getting out of hand. “Reeson, I think you’d better get hold of yourself. Mrs. Singleton didn’t have anything to do with your daughter’s injuries.”
“Don’t you see? She can be hanged and the Thorns can take the baby away and Wyatt can marry Cora Sue and we’ll—”
Wyatt stood. “I’ve heard all I want to hear from you, Thourgood Reeson. I won’t have you here spewing your venom. Get the hell out of my house or I’ll throw you out.”
“Wait, Wyatt.” Jeff stood. “Come with me, Reeson. Let’s go out on the porch.”
“No. I want to be here when you arrest the false Mrs. Singleton.”
“I’m not arresting anyone, especially Mrs. Singleton. She hasn’t done a thing.”
“Of course she did, she—”
“You’re an idiot if you believe that.”
“Let me have one more drink, Wyatt.”
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