She frowned when she looked them over. They were deeds to land. Mildred wasn’t sure what they meant because there were no names on them, but she was sure when they were filled out they would show Cool Wood Land Company was deeding parcels of land to individuals.
There was no way the Reverend Hezekiah D. Thorn had any connection with a company with the Cool Wood name. That only left one person who could be involved. But why would Thourgood hide the papers in a table in their guest room? He always kept important things in his desk, though he knew she often cleaned the desk out. Were these papers here because he didn’t want her to find them? Did they have anything to do with the fact he kept saying they would be ruined if Cora Sue didn’t marry Wyatt?
She sighed. Whatever the reason, her husband had a lot to answer for when he got home from the Singleton’s this morning.
Before she could think any more about them, a voice called, “Mother!”
Mildred crammed the papers back in the table drawer and hurried out of the room. “Yes, Cora Sue, I’m coming.”
Chapter 44
“Asia, what kind of condition is Callie really in?” Wyatt drank the coffee Rosalinda poured them.
“It’ll take some loving care to get her over this. Not only is she bruised badly and the shoulder is going to be sore, but she needs some nourishing food to build up her resistance. The woman doesn’t eat correctly. I think while she’s been in New Mexico she’s been getting the only good food she’s had in years.”
“It won’t take Rosalinda long to see she’s eating right all the time.”
Asia sipped the coffee. “It helps that no bones were broken. I gave her something to help her rest. She should sleep for several hours. I told your wife to get Rosalinda to make her some good soup and have it ready when Mrs. Thorn wakes up.”
“No man should beat his wife the way this poor woman is hurt.” Thourgood spoke for the first time.
“You’re right about that.” Asia shook his head. “A man who would do that should have to spend some time in jail.”
Wyatt nodded as the door opened. Mrs. Kerr came in and sat plates around the table. “Miz Rosalinda is cooking breakfast. She says you’re to eat.”
“We need to get back,” Asia said. “I don’t want Mildred and Cora Sue to be alone. I’m sure Hezekiah Thorn will show up sometime this morning.”
Wyatt frowned and Asia went on to explain about him going to the Colley place with Doctor Donavan.
“But you’re going to eat first.” Rosalinda came in with a plate of ham. She handed it to Wyatt. “I’ll be right back with the eggs.”
It didn’t take long for her and Naomi Kerr to have all the breakfast items on the table.
As Naomi was leaving the dining room, Wyatt said, “Mrs. Kerr, please have your husband go into town and fetch the sheriff.”
“I will, Mr. Singleton.”
“Do you think he’ll do anything? You know not much is said when a man hits his wife,” Asia said.
“I don’t know what he can do, but I do know for sure it’ll scare the hell out of Hezekiah Thorn. He’s afraid of anyone who stands up to him.”
“Do you think you should get the sheriff involved, Wyatt?”
“Yes, I do, Thourgood.”
The door opened again. Juan pushed Ben’s wheelchair into the room. “Have they arrested the rascal?” he asked as he was put at his place at the table.
“I’ve sent for Jeff.” Wyatt put eggs on his plate and passed them on to Asia.
“Good,” Ben said. “Poor woman looks terrible. Edwina will be here in a minute. She wants to talk to Asia before he leaves.”
It was only a matter of minutes until Edwina, dressed in her green skirt and white blouse, came into the dining room with Adam on her hip. When the men started to stand, she said, “Please keep your seats.”
She moved to the chair on Wyatt’s right and put Adam in the makeshift high chair next to her. “Eat,” Adam said.
Rosalinda came into dining room with a small plate with scrambled eggs and sat it before the baby. “Here you go, sweetheart.”
Adam looked at the men around the table and his eyes got big. Then he spied Wyatt. “Dada. Eat.”
“Yes, Son. You eat all you want.”
“He’s a handsome boy, Wyatt,” Asia said.
“Thank you. We’re proud of him.” Wyatt smiled at Edwina. “Aren’t we, honey?”
“Yes, we are.”
Naomi Kerr came in with a cup of coffee and a plate for Edwina. “I sent Terrence for the sheriff, Mr. Singleton.”
“Thank you.”
“Oh, Wyatt, I’m so glad you did that. Aunt Callie didn’t deserve what her husband did to her.”
“You’re right about that, honey,” Ben said. “We’ll see that nothing like that ever happens to her again.”
“Shouldn’t somebody be with her?” Wyatt asked.
“Dena’s with her. I told her I’d come and relieve her as soon as I fed Adam.”
Naomi paused at the door. “I’ve had breakfast, Mrs. Singleton. I’ll go sit with Mrs. Thorn as soon as Rosalinda is finished preparing breakfast.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Kerr.” Edwina turned to Asia. “Now, please tell me what I can do to help my aunt.”
* * * *
Hezekiah Thorn was five minutes into a prayer that would have probably gone on much longer if Doctor Donavan hadn’t interrupted and said, “And I say Amen. Now, Preacher I think it’s time you and I left this family to mind their work. Mr. Colley is resting well and with his wife’s tender care, I’m sure he’ll be up and around soon.”
“Thank you so much, Doctor.” Mrs. Colley wiped the corner of her eye with her apron. “Are you sure you won’t stay for some breakfast?”
“I need to hurry back. I may have patients waiting. You take care of Herman and don’t worry too much about the work around here. Just do what you need to.”
“I’ll help Ma, too,” her son said.
“We all will,” a young girl of about thirteen added.
“Remember,” Hezekiah said, “you need to be mindful of the things I’ve told you. Make sure your husband gets on his knees more often and there won’t be so many accidents. The devil is out to get him, you know.”
“My husband’s a good man.” She eyed the doctor.
“Of course, he is,” Michael Donavan said. “He provides well for you and the children.”
“Yes, but his spiritual life is—”
Again the doctor interrupted. “We all know what you think of the spiritual life, Thorn. Let’s go.”
Without giving Hezekiah time to answer, Donavan ushered him to the door. He turned back to Mrs. Colley. “I’m sorry I brought him. I didn’t realize what an irritant he could be.”
“It don’t matter, Doctor. All I want is for Herman to get well. I guess a few extra prayers can’t hurt.”
The doctor nodded and went out the door before Hezekiah could speak to the woman. He climbed into the buggy and waited for the preacher to get in, too.
“I don’t see what the big rush is. I’m hungry and the woman said she’d cook breakfast. Why didn’t you let her?”
“She’s got enough to do. She don’t need to be waiting on two able-bodied men at a time like this.”
“Women are supposed to wait on men,” Hezekiah snapped. “I’ve met too many women in the west who think they’re as good as the men. At least my wife knows her place.”
“I don’t know your wife, but I pity the poor woman. One would have to be a saint to put up with you.”
Hezekiah frowned, but before he could speak, the doctor went on. “I’ve heard enough of your preaching tonight. I’ve worked hard and long setting Herman Colley’s bones and I’m tired. I want you to sit there and keep your mouth shut. It’s a long drive back to town and I don’t want to put up with your mouth. I might just put you out of this buggy and leave you to the rattlesnakes and the scorpions.”
Hezekiah gasped. “You wouldn’t do that!”
“
As much as I’d like to, as a doctor, my conscience won’t let me do it. Of course, if you push me too far, I may just forget I’m a doctor.”
Hezekiah started to speak, then seemed to think better of it. Without another word, he crossed his arms across his chest, sat back and stared at the open prairie.
As soon as they reached town, the doctor stopped the buggy in front of the Bird Cage Café. “Get out,” he demanded.
Hezekiah hesitated.
“If you keep sitting there, I’ll have to shove you to the street.”
* * * *
Hezekiah stepped out of the buggy and his hat fell to the ground. Without bending for it, he stared as the doctor drove off. He couldn’t believe this treatment. Though he’d been rebuffed and yelled at and even made fun of, he’d never been so rudely treated.
Well, maybe at the Singleton ranch.
He shook his head and muttered, “I sure will be glad to get back to Virginia where my congregation and my wife treat me like a man of God should be treated.”
He picked up his hat, dusted it off and headed into the café. Though he didn’t like spending the money, he was hungry and he wanted to eat before he figured out how to get back to the Reeson ranch.
Inside, he nodded at the sullen waitress and took a seat near the window. The place wasn’t crowded, though there was a man sitting two tables away. He looked like a businessman, but Hezekiah didn’t speak.
No need to try to help these fools any longer. They’re just going to ignore my teaching. I’ll simply turn my back on the lot of them.
In a gruff voice, he ordered eggs and bacon. As the waitress started to move away, he asked, “Do you happen to know anyone who’s going to go to the Reeson ranch this morning?”
“No, sir, I don’t.”
Hezekiah shook his head, but said nothing else. Why bother trying to find anyone to help him. He’d just wait around a while. Maybe Thourgood would come into town. He did most every day.
The preacher was so intent on his own thoughts he didn’t notice the businessman pick up a plate of food and head out the door with a wide grin on his face.
Chapter 45
Roxy pulled the buggy down the street as the man standing by the door tipped his hat. Hezekiah came out of the café and headed in the direction of the livery stable.
“Reverend Thorn,” she called when she stopped the buggy beside the plank sidewalk.
He turned and looked at her. “Yes.”
“I hear you need a ride to the Reeson ranch.”
“That’s true, but I don’t think it would look right if I went with a lady like—”
“Oh, Reverend,” she cooed. “I wasn’t asking to take you alone. I’m picking up my mother and sister because they’re going to visit Cora Sue Reeson with me.”
He grinned. “Well, in that case. I’d be delighted to travel with you. I was going to have to rent a horse to get there.”
“Then please climb in. I don’t want to keep Mother waiting.”
Hezekiah got into the buggy and sat beside her. “How in the world did you know I was looking for a ride to the Thourgood’s ranch?”
“A friend of mine was in the Bird Cage Café when you announced what you needed. He came to me because he knew I was going out there.”
Hezekiah frowned. “But why didn’t he say anything to me?”
“Reverend, you sure are inquisitive. He didn’t say anything to you because he wasn’t sure I was still in town. He thought I might have already left.”
“I see.”
Roxy hid her smile. It was certainly easy to fool him. She was going to have to keep doing it until they got out of town.
Taking a big breath, she asked, “How are you enjoying your visit to Cool Wood, Reverend Thorn?”
It was the perfect question to divert his attention. He began a thirty-minute tirade and she had to only grunt an agreement now and then.
* * * *
Mildred and Thourgood sat at the dining room table. Hilda served the roasted chicken and vegetables and went back into the kitchen before either spoke.
Mildred was the first to break the silence. “Did you get things straight at the bank, Thourgood?”
“I still have some things to work out.”
She handed him the peas. “Is it because of the money you lent your niece and her husband?”
“That has a lot to do with it.” He served himself. “Mildred, why have you suddenly become interested in business?”
“Maybe I should have been interested a long time ago.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
She ignored his question. “Tell me about Cool Wood Land Company.”
Thourgood’s eyes widened and he stared at her. “How did you find out about that?”
“Does it matter?”
“Of course it does. Now, tell me.”
“So it wasn’t something Hezekiah Thorn’s involved in?”
“Of course not. It’s only a company I set up to try to get some of my money back.” He seemed to regain his confidence. “It’s nothing for you to be concerned about, my dear. I’ll get us out of the tight financial predicament we’re in. I’ll always take care of you.”
“Then why did you hide the papers from me?”
“I didn’t—”
He was interrupted by a high-pitched scream.
Both he and Mildred shoved their chairs backward and headed toward Cora Sue’s room. Hilda followed them.
Shoving open her door, Mildred ran to her bed and put her arms around her shaking daughter. “I’m here, sweetheart. What’s the matter?”
“I remember, Mama. He shot Rusty and he grabbed me and hit me in the face, then he…then he… Oh, Mama.” She dissolved into sobs.
“Who was the bastard, Cora Sue?” Thourgood sat down on the side of the bed. “I’ll kill the son-of-a-bitch.”
Cora Sue only cried louder.
“Don’t badger her, Thourgood. She’ll tell us when—”
“I can’t see his face. I think I knew him, but…” She hung to her mother. “I can’t remember.”
“It’s doesn’t matter, darling. You’ll be able to see his face later.” Mildred soothed her daughter. “Try to relax. You’re going to be all right.”
Thourgood reached over and patted Cora Sue’s arm. “Your mama’s right. Whenever you can see his face I want to know who he is. No man should—”
“I will, Daddy.”
Mildred looked at Hilda standing in the door wringing her hands. “Please bring Cora Sue some tea, Hilda. I think she needs it.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll bring it right away.”
“Oh, Daddy, it was horrible. Poor Rusty. Is he dead?” She reached out her hand to him.
“Yes, darling.” He squeezed her hand.
“I’m sorry. He tried so hard to protect me.”
“He was a good boy. His parents were glad you weren’t killed, too.”
Hilda returned with a cup of tea and a plate of small tea biscuits. “I thought Miss Cora Sue might like something to eat.”
“Thank you, Hilda.”
There was a knock on the front door.
“I’ll get it.” Hilda handed Mildred the food and headed to the front hall.
In a short time, she returned with Asia Walker following her. “Miss Cora Sue has company.”
Cora Sue reached her arms to him. “Asia, I’m glad you’re here.”
Mildred moved from the bed and put the tray on the table beside the bed. “We’ll leave you alone with Asia, dear.”
Thourgood frowned, but didn’t protest when Mildred took his arm and led him from the room.
* * * *
Edwina looked at her aunt’s bruised face and wondered how she’d failed to notice what was going on between her aunt and uncle. Of course, she knew about the one time he’d hit her, but Callie convinced her it was her fault and it’d never happen again. She didn’t question her aunt though she knew the couple didn’t always get along and she’d seen bruises on
Callie, but most of the time the older woman said she hit a wall or dropped something on her head. It never occurred to Edwina to question these excuses.
Now she knew the truth of what was happening. There was no way she was going to let her aunt go back to her cruel husband.
Jeff Bodger would help them think of something when he got here. She knew Wyatt had sent for him this morning, but so far the sheriff hadn’t shown up. He must have been out of the office or busy with other things. Edwina had no doubt he would come as soon as he could.
She was jarred out of her thoughts when a soft voice said, “Edwina.”
She leaned toward the bed. “Yes, Aunt Callie.”
Callie’s trembling hand reached for Edwina. “Where am I?”
“You’re at my house. You’re safe. There’s no way Wyatt or I will ever let you be hurt again.”
“I don’t matter, child.”
“Of course you do.”
“No. You and Adam. You have to be safe.”
“We are safe, Aunt Callie. Wyatt will never let anything happen to us.”
“He’s coming to get Adam when you’re asleep.”
“What?”
“Get Wyatt.”
“But—”
“Please, Edwina. I need to talk to Wyatt.”
“I’ll get him.” Edwina left the room and met Naomi Kerr in the hall.
“Will you please send one of your boys to get Wyatt. He’s working in the north pasture.”
“I’ll send him right away, Mrs. Singleton.”
Thirty minutes later Wyatt sat by Callie’s bed and Edwina stood behind him. “I hear you wanted to talk to me.”
She nodded. “You have to protect Edwina and Adam.”
“I’ll protect them with my life, Callie.”
“I know, but Hezekiah has a plan.”
Wyatt frowned. “What plan?”
“He made me draw a sketch of your house. He’s going to slip in tonight and grab Adam. He’s determined to take him back to Richmond.”
“Then I’ll make sure he doesn’t get in the house.”
“I tried to draw it backward so he’d get confused and go to the wrong room.”
“Is that why he beat you, Aunt Callie?”
“No, Edwina. He has no idea I drew it wrong. He beat me because he was mad.”
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