“I should have been up days ago. Hezekiah’s going to be furious. I’m surprised he hasn’t come to fetch me yet.”
“I’m sure he wanted to, but Wyatt wouldn’t permit it until the doctor said you were no longer in danger.”
“I don’t understand your husband, Edwina. He can be so violent about some things and yet I see him being gentle with you and the baby.”
“He’s only violent with those who try to harm his family.”
“But, Edwina, don’t you understand? Your uncle and I are your family. He had such high hopes of you becoming his follower and helping him lead people to the Lord. You’re mostly sweet and kind—”
“Don’t you see, Aunt Callie? I could never do the horrible things Uncle Hezekiah does.”
Callie looked shocked. “What do you mean, horrible?”
“Look at my son. Who, but an evil man, would try to take a child from its loving mother?”
“He explained that, Edwina. You’re the vessel—”
“Oh, Aunt Callie! How dense can a woman be? You’ve let your husband push you around and fill your head with so much garbage, you don’t have a thought of your own.”
“But a woman should—”
“I know the words. ‘Submit unto her husband.’ Uncle Hezekiah has drummed that into your head until you’ve become his slave. He couldn’t possibly love you the way a husband should love his wife. You’re not a wife any longer, you’re just someone to serve him.” Edwina glared at her aunt. “You may have loved him at one time, but I doubt you do now. You’re only afraid of him.”
“I…I…” Callie couldn’t finish her sentence. She began to sob.
Edwina got up and shifted Adam to her hip. She put her hand on Callie’s shoulder. “I’m sorry. I’ve said too much.”
Adam patted Callie’s bent head. “Cry,” he said.
She was startled, the sobs stopped, though tears still ran down her cheeks. Callie looked up at the little boy. As if in slow motion, she reached up and took hold of his leg. “You sweet boy,” she muttered.
Edwina hesitated, then asked, “Would you like to hold Adam, Aunt Callie?”
She nodded and Edwina put Adam in her aunt’s arms.
For several minutes, neither woman said anything. It was if they were waiting for Adam to make the first mood. He did.
“Rock,” he said and laid his head on Callie’s breast.
“He wants me to rock him.”
“Yes. He thinks if you sit in a rocking chair you’re supposed to rock.”
Callie began to move the chair back and forth. Adam smiled and she said, “I have to admit, he’s a nice-looking little boy.”
“Why can’t you call him Adam, Aunt Callie? After all, he’s your grand-nephew.”
There was another stretch of silence, then Callie looked down at him and said, “Hello, Adam. I’m sorry it’s taken your Aunt Callie so long to get acquainted with you.”
Edwina smiled, but didn’t say a word.
* * * *
“What do you mean, Thourgood Reeson came by?” Wyatt passed the potatoes to Edwina.
“He heard in town that Cora Sue was getting better and he came by to see her, Son.” Ben cut into his steak. “Don’t worry I was here all the time to see that he didn’t say anything out of the way to Edwina.”
“Actually, he was civil,” Edwina said. “He didn’t stay long, but did say the doctor told him he could move Cora Sue home in a couple of days if she kept improving as she is now.”
“Have you heard from…I mean…”
“No, Wyatt. We haven’t heard from Uncle Hezekiah.”
“I’m surprised he hasn’t come for me,” Callie muttered.
“Now, Miz Callie, don’t you worry. He’ll be here sooner or later,” Ben said.
“Eat.” Adam reached for his plate, but Edwina slid it back in time.
“I’ll feed you, sweetheart. Let’s try to keep our hands out of the food.”
“Eat,” Adam said again and Edwina mashed a carrot and stuck it in his mouth.
“He eats well, doesn’t he?” Callie said.
“He’s like his daddy. He loves Rosalinda’s good cooking,” Wyatt said.
“Ossie.”
Rosalinda was coming through the door. “Listen to that. Adam likes Rosalinda’s cooking, too.”
“You know you have him spoiled, Rosalinda.”
“What do you mean, Miz Edwina? I treat him the same way I did Mr. Wyatt when he was little.” She sat the extra bowl of corn on the table.
Edwina raised an eyebrow and grinned at Wyatt. “I can’t add anything to that. Look at him now. He’s still spoiled.”
He winked back at her. “Of course I expect you to take over where Rosalinda left off.”
“You do, do you?”
“Yes, but of course, I’ll be loving you all the more for it.”
Callie blushed.
“Miz Callie, don’t let them embarrass you. They carry on like this all the time. I’ve already gotten used to it.” Ben laughed. “Of course, sometimes they pay so much attention to each other that they forget how quickly Adam can get his hand in his plate.”
Edwina whirled around to see Adam smearing more potato and gravy on his face that he was getting in his mouth. “Oh, baby, look at you.” She grabbed a napkin and began to wipe his mouth.
“Eat.”
Wyatt laughed. “That’s right, Son. You eat all you want.”
Rosalinda came to Adam’s aid. “Why don’t you come with me and I’ll get you cleaned up.”
He reached his arms up to Rosalinda.
“Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“Not at all Miz Edwina. I’ll see he gets all he wants to eat.”
“Before you give him a cookie?”
Rosalinda chuckled. “Of course.”
As soon as the door closed behind them, Edwina said, “She’ll probably stuff him full of cookies and he’ll be up with a stomach ache all night.”
“Then I’ll help you rock him until he goes to sleep.”
“Thank you, dear.”
Ben laughed and Callie only stared at her niece and the man she’d married.
Chapter 37
They were sitting at a late breakfast the next morning when Thourgood said, “I don’t think you should go to the Singleton ranch, Preacher. Wyatt’s not above shooting you at this point.”
“But I’m going to get Callie. She’s shirked her duty as my wife long enough.”
“I’ll be picking up Cora Sue tomorrow. Why don’t you wait until then?”
“I will not wait. That woman needs to be here to look after me.”
“Hilda is feeding us well and if I’m not mistaken, she’s keeping your laundry done.”
“It’s a matter of principal, Mr. Reeson.” Hezekiah stuck out his skinny chest. “A wife should be serving her husband. That’s what the Bible says and I intend for her to keep the word of the Good Book.”
“I guess you’re right. Maybe if I was a little more demanding of Mildred, she’d be here nursing our daughter instead of at the Singleton ranch.”
“You’re too lenient with your wife. She needs to learn her place. Don’t spare your hand with her. A woman needs a good whipping now and then. It’s the best teacher there is. When she knows what her role in the marriage is and obeys you, you won’t have any more trouble out of her.”
“I don’t think I could get away with that with Mildred. She’d probably hit me in the head with a pot or something.”
“You’re a weak man, Thourgood Reeson. Any woman can be bent to her man’s will. It’s only a matter of using the right force.”
Thourgood frowned. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive. Look at Callie. I’m sure she’d already be back with me if that no-good niece of ours and that overbearing man who claims to be her husband weren’t holding her captive.”
“Do you really think they’re holding her?”
“Of course. There’s no way she’d stay there if they weren’t. She
knows I wouldn’t permit it.”
“Then if you’re set on going after her today, I guess I’d better go with you,” Thourgood replied and chuckled. “I don’t want to hear Wyatt has shot you.”
“The man wouldn’t do that, would he?”
“Who knows? I thought he’d be married to my daughter by now, but he’s still pretending to be married to your niece.”
“Why would you want a man like him to marry your daughter?”
“Can I be honest with you, Hezekiah?”
“Of course. I’m a preacher after all.”
“I want to be Wyatt Singleton’s father-in-law so I can get my hands on some of his land.”
Hezekiah frowned. “Land? Why not money?”
“I can make more money if I have the land.”
“Then, Mr. Reeson, I suggest we go get my wife. And if you really want your daughter to marry that terrible man, I’ll help you any way I can.”
“I appreciate that and if you can get your niece and her child to leave Wyatt, everything should work out for the best.”
“I’ll get them if we have to drag them away.”
Thourgood grinned. “Any way you manage it is fine. I’m sure in your case it wouldn’t be kidnapping. It would be saving your niece for a higher purpose.”
“You’re absolutely correct.”
* * * *
It was almost ten when Cora Sue looked up at her mother. “What happened to me?”
“Oh, sweetheart, you’re awake.”
“I feel awful, Mama. What happened?”
“You’ve been hurt, Cora Sue, but thank God, you’re going to be fine.” Mildred couldn’t restrain herself. She grabbed her daughter’s hand and kissed it gently. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
“Why, Mama?”
“You were attacked, darling. Somebody tried to kill you.”
“Kill me?”
“Yes, dear.”
“But who would want to do that?”
“It doesn’t matter. It’s only important that you’re awake and you’re going to be fine.” Mildred jumped up and ran to the door. Flinging it open, she shouted, “Edwina, Rosalinda, Mrs. Kerr, somebody. Cora Sue’s awake.”
In a matter of minutes, Mrs. Kerr and Dena appeared in the room. They moved to Cora Sue’s bed.
“Hello, Dena,” Cora Sue muttered.
“You’re awake,” Dena said.
“Oh, thank the good Lord. I’ve been praying for you,” Naomi Kerr said.
“I’ll find Mrs. Singleton.” Dena turned and ran down the hall.
“I’ll go have Rosalinda make some broth for your daughter.” Naomi slipped out of the room.
A short time later, Rosalinda brought the broth for Cora Sue and sat down to feed her. She sipped it slowly, but said it was good.
Edwina, with Adam in her arms walked up at the open door. Mildred patted Cora Sue’s hand and went to the door to talk with her.
“Oh, Edwina. I can hardly believe it. She’s really awake.”
“That’s wonderful, Mildred. I’m so happy for you.”
“Thank you for everything you’ve done.”
“No thanks needed. I sent one of the Kerr boys to get Wyatt and I asked Mr. Kerr to get the sheriff,” Edwina whispered to Mildred.
Callie walked up to them. “Can I help with anything?”
“Yes, you can, Aunt Callie.” Giving Adam to her aunt, she said, “Please take Adam upstairs and rock him to sleep for his morning nap. I sent Mrs. Kerr up to change his sheets so just put him in bed when he goes to sleep and then sit with him. I’ll be up shortly to check on him, but if you need me before then, send Mrs. Kerr.”
“I will and I’ll be happy to rock him, Edwina. Thank you for letting me.”
Rosalinda walked up. “She ate several bites, but fell back asleep before she finished. I’ll get more in her when she awakes again.”
“Thank you, Rosalinda. I’m still so excited that I probably couldn’t feed her without spilling it all over the bed.”
“I’ll go back to the kitchen and keep this warm. Cora Sue is going to need to eat more of it as soon as she can. She has to get back her strength.”
“Thank you, Rosalinda. As soon as Wyatt gets to the house, tell him I’m sitting with Mildred.”
“I’ll do that. In fact, I’ll bring you ladies some tea. You look like you could use it.”
Chapter 38
Cora Sue awakened again and Jeff arrived to question her. Knowing she needed strength for the meeting, Rosalinda was crossing the entryway with another bowl of broth when there was a knock on the door. She sat the bowl on a side table and moved to open the door.
“I’ve come for my wife.” Hezekiah’s voice was sharp.
Rosalinda stiffened her back and snapped, “Wait on the porch and I’ll tell her you’re here.”
“Do I have to wait out here, too, my good woman?” Thourgood eyed her.
“You might as well.” Rosalinda slammed the door in their faces, picked up the broth and headed to the kitchen. “Those infuriating men can pick the worst times to pop up. I wish they’d both get lost.”
“What are you muttering about, Rosalinda?” Juan asked.
“I was taking Cora Sue something to eat when Mr. Reeson and that no good preacher knocked on the door. He said he came to get his wife.”
“Who? The preacher or Reeson?”
“The preacher said it, but I bet both of them are here for the same reason.”
“Don’t be snide, wife. I’d come for you if you’d been shut up in someone else’s house for days.”
“That’s different and you know it.”
“Of course it is, my love.” He patted her behind.
“Juan, behave yourself. Mr. Wyatt and Miz Edwina are in the room with Cora Sue. Will you go tell him those men are here?”
“Yes, Rosalinda. I’ll do it.” He reached out and pinched her cheek. “Only because I love you.”
She swatted at his hand. “I love you, too, you old goat. Now scoot.”
Juan chuckled and left without answering.
* * * *
Jeff took a drink of the coffee Rosalinda had served when he arrived. “So, the last thing you remember is leaving the preacher’s house with Dusty?”
“That’s right. I went to meet…” she hesitated then said, “a friend. Afterward, Rusty was going to drive me home.”
“Who was the friend?”
“Does that matter?”
“Yes, Cora Sue. Anything about that evening is important.”
Mildred reached for her hand. “Go ahead and tell them who it was, Honey. He’s already told me.”
“Really?”
“Yes, Cora Sue.”
“Do you mind, Mama?”
“Of course not, darling, and I want you to know I approve wholeheartedly.”
Jeff broke into the mother and daughter conversation. “I think we’re getting away from the issue.”
“I went into town to meet Asia Walker. Though I knew Daddy wouldn’t approve, I’ve been seeing him for a while.”
Edwina and Wyatt had been sitting by quietly, but she couldn’t help it. She blurted, “Why would your father object to Asia Walker? He’s a fine man.”
“I think he still had the crazy notion that Cora Sue would marry Wyatt.” Mildred shook her head. “He won’t accept the fact that she loves Asia or anyone else.”
Wyatt shook his head. “I’ve told him over and over Edwina is my wife and there’s not another woman on earth I’d have in place of her.”
“Did Daddy do this to me because I refused to try to come between Edwina and Wyatt?”
“Of course not, dear.” Mildred frowned. “At least I don’t think… No. Thourgood might go to lengths to make you do what he wanted, but he’d never hurt you, Cora Sue. In spite of everything, he loves you dearly.”
“Please, folks, let’s get back to the attack.” Jeff looked back at Cora Sue. “If you came to town to meet Asia, why was Rusty driving you home?”
“I didn’t want Daddy to know I wasn’t at the preacher’s house and Rusty happened to come by when I was arguing with Asia about going home alone. Rusty volunteered to take me. Asia finally agreed and we headed for the house.” Cora Sue shook her head. “That’s all I remember.”
“That means I have to talk to Asia right away.”
Jeff sat his cup down on the bedside table.
“When I sent for you, I sent Sid to get the doctor. Both of them were out of the office, but he left a message. I’m sure Dr. Walker will come as soon as he learns Cora Sue’s awake.”
Edwina reached for Wyatt’s hand and squeezed it. “I’m sure you’re right. He’ll be here soon.”
There was a tap on the bedroom door and it opened a crack. “I’m sorry to disturb you folks, but I need to see Mr. Wyatt and Miz Edwina,” Juan said.
Chapter 39
“What’s going on, Juan?” Wyatt pulled the bedroom door closed and paused in the hall beside Edwina.
“That preacher is here for his wife. Mr. Reeson is here, too, Mr. Wyatt.”
“Damn,” Wyatt said.
“I guess I better go tell Aunt Callie her husband is here.” Edwina looked sad. “I was hoping he’d wait a while longer.”
“Why, honey?”
“I think I almost had her convinced she didn’t have to live as a slave to him. A few more days, and I could’ve been sure of it.”
“What should I tell them, Mr. Wyatt?”
“I’ll go talk with them. Please see if Dad is in his room and bring him down. The preacher seems to be afraid of him.” He turned and winked at Edwina. “Make sure your aunt takes her time.”
She nodded.
Collecting his thoughts, Wyatt flung open the front door and stepped outside. “Good morning, gentlemen. What can I do for you?”
“I’ve come for my wife, of course,” Hezekiah snapped.
“I guessed as much.” Wyatt forced himself to smile. “I’m sure you miss that kind lady. We’ve certainly glad we’ve had the privilege of her company the past few days.”
“She should’ve been with me, not lazing around here.”
“If we’d left her in your care, she’d probably be dead.”
“How dare you say I don’t know how to take care of my wife.”
“From the looks of her, somebody has done a poor job of it. I don’t think the lady has had a square meal in years.”
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