“I will, Sir.”
Graham closed the door and threw the file on his desk. Again he checked to make sure Thourgood was still out, then he moved to the safe and opened it.
He decided, since he was going to have to leave, he might as well take all the available cash with him. As soon as he heard Stan leave, he moved into the front and took the money from the teller window.
Thourgood was moaning when he came back into the office. “Waking up?”
“What’s going on?”
“Nothing that’s important to you.” Graham thumped him on the shoulder. “I’m leaving town.”
“What about my ranch?”
“There’s nothing you can do to save your ranch, Thourgood. Besides, it’s not going to matter to you. You’ll be dead.”
“What do you mean?”
Graham leaned on the desk. “When I thought we could get our hands on the Singleton ranch, I was willing to go along with you, but I soon learned there wasn’t a chance in hell of getting a foot of that ranch. When you sold that parcel to the Kerrs I knew you’d blown it. Then I knew this day would come. Now, it’s here and I’m walking out.”
“But why kill me?”
“Because I’m gambling on getting out of town before anybody knows about the scam we were running.” He raised his gun. Before he pulled the trigger, he lowered it. “I think I’ve changed my mind. Why not let everyone think you were the one doing all the bad things around here. You were the one who wanted money from Singleton. You were the one who signed the Cool Wood Land Company bills. You were the one who wanted Roxy.”
“But I can’t—”
“Yeah, I think this is the best plan. I’m going to tie you up and Stan will find you when he comes in tomorrow. You’re going to get blamed with everything that’s happened.” He laughed. “Wonder what people will say when they think Thourgood Reeson attacked his own daughter.”
“You bastard.” Thourgood lunged for his gun and was able to turn before Graham shot him in the belly.
As he fell he was able to fire the rifle.
* * * *
“What’s on your mind, Jeff?” Wyatt hung his black hat on a peg inside the jail door.
“I think I’ve figured out what’s going on.”
“Good. Let me in on it.”
“I’ve been watching Thourgood Reeson and Graham Calhoun. You’d think Reeson worked at the bank as many times as he goes in there. I’ve decided the two of them are up to no good.”
Wyatt frowned. “You’re not saying that Reeson attacked his own daughter?”
“Not at all, but I wouldn’t swear the banker didn’t.”
“Then what are you saying?”
“You weren’t here when Calhoun came to town and took over when old Mr. Milton died.”
“What happened to Milton’s son? I figured he’d take over for his daddy.”
“Everybody thought so, but Kent was only a teenager at the time. Calhoun had only been here about three months when he fired the son.”
“Fired?”
“Yes. Said the men in Cheyenne who own the bank didn’t think the boy had enough experience to work in a bank.”
“He had the authority to do that?”
“We thought he did at the time, but I’ve been checking and I think Calhoun managed to take the bank away from the Milton family. My investigation doesn’t show any owners in Cheyenne or anywhere else.”
“Where’s Kent Milton now?”
“He got married not long ago and lives on his in-laws’ place. I’ve heard he would rather be back in banking.”
“Well, Jeff. What are we going to do about this? If Reeson and Calhoun are in cahoots, we need to find out what they’re up to.”
“I agree.”
“We could—”
Two shots rang out.
“That came from the area of the bank. I’ll go around back. You take the front,” Jeff shouted as both he and Wyatt got to their feet and headed out the door.
Wyatt was near the front when he heard rapid gunfire in the back of the building. He turned and with his gun in his hand, ran in its direction.
He came to a halt when he saw Jeff bending over a man on the ground. “Who—”
“Graham Calhoun. He fired at me and I fired back.”
“Is he dead?”
“Almost.”
A crowd began to gather. Wyatt looked up as Jerome Anderson stepped up. “Get the doctor, Jerome.”
He nodded and headed toward the doctor’s office.
In a matter of minutes Doctor Michael Donavan and Asia Walker ran up.
“Get back, folks. I need to work on this man,” Michael said.
After one look, the doctor shook his head. “Not much I can do, but I’ll try. Help me get him to my office.”
When Yancy Davie started to help lift the banker, Jeff said, “Mayor, how about letting somebody else carry him to the doc’s office? You need to come with Wyatt and me. Maybe you should come too, Dr. Walker.”
Yancy frowned, but nodded.
Jeff led the way into the bank through the back door. Moans greeted the four men and they followed the sounds.
“Damn, it’s Thourgood Reeson,” Wyatt said.
Asia hurried to him. There was blood running from around the hand Thourgood held on his abdomen.
“I need something to pack in the wound.”
“How about this?” Yancy started removing his top coat.
“Don’t bother,” Thourgood whispered.
Asia ignored him. “We have to stop the bleeding if you’re going to have a chance of making it.”
“It’s no use. I’m done for.”
“Don’t try to talk,” Asia ordered.
“I have to.” Thourgood gasped for breath. “Did I get Calhoun?”
“He’s dead,” Jeff said.
“Good.” Thourgood gasped for breath and tears came into his eyes. “He’s the one who attacked Cora Sue and the others. I had to kill him because of my little girl. Tell her I did it for her and I’m glad.”
“We’ll tell her,” Yancy offered. “Now, listen to the doctor and save your strength.”
Reeson shook his head. “Wyatt, I’m sorry I tried to sell off your land. It was a foolish scheme and I shouldn’t have let Calhoun talk me into it.”
“It doesn’t matter, Thourgood.”
“I know my ranch is so highly mortgaged that it’ll be taken over. I want you to take it, Wyatt. If you see fit, please see that Mildred has enough to live on for the rest of her life.” He turned to Asia. “I know you’ll take care of Cora Sue.”
“Yes, I will. We’ll be married as soon as she’s able.”
To Jeff he said, “Please tell my wife I didn’t mean to get her in this mess and I hope she’ll forgive me one day.”
“Your wife never has to know you were in cahoots with Graham Calhoun. She’ll only know you shot the man after he pulled a gun on you.” Jeff glanced at the other men in the room.
Yancy took a breath. “That’s true. We were all witness to it. There was nothing else you could have done.”
Thourgood gave them a weak smile. “Thank you, gentlemen. Now I can die in peace.”
“I’m still going to try to pull you through.” Asia was still working on the wound.
“It’s no use, son.” He pointed a finger at Asia. “I’m sure you’ll make Cora Sue a good husband and Mildred a good son-in-law.”
Before Asia could respond, Thourgood Reeson’s finger dropped, his eyes closed and he took his last breath.
* * * *
Wyatt wrapped Edwina in his arms. He nuzzled her hair and whispered. “I’m sorry I was so late, my love, but thank you for waiting up for me.”
“I understand, Wyatt. I’m glad you went with Jeff and Asia to talk with Mildred and Cora Sue. My heart goes out to them.”
“So much has happened since you’ve come to New Mexico, I sometimes think you’re getting cheated.”
“Oh no. I’ve been blessed to find you a
nd Ben and now I have my aunt in my life. My son loves you as I do and he’s happy to be here. No woman could ask for more.”
“You may not think this is the time to talk about it, but I was serious when I said I wanted us to have a party and invite everyone we know.”
“I’d love to have everyone here, Wyatt, but out of respect for Mildred and Cora Sue, I think we should wait a while.”
“We’ll wait six weeks or so because it will take that long to get it all together.”
“You don’t think they’ll be insulted?”
“Not at all. Asia told me tonight that he and Cora Sue were going to have a quiet wedding in a couple of weeks.”
“Good. I’m glad they’re getting married.”
Wyatt took a deep breath. “There are several things that are going to have to be worked out about the Reeson ranch. As he was dying Thourgood told me he wanted me to take it over.”
“Are you going to?”
“I’ll have to see what’s involved. I hope I can work it out so Mildred and Cora Sue get something out of it.”
“You have so much on you, Wyatt. I’m sorry we’ve added to it. I know Aunt Callie’s—”
“Don’t say it, sweetheart. Aunt Callie’s family. I’ll do all I can for her.”
“Didn’t you say you had to do something with the cows?”
Wyatt chuckled. “Yes, my love. The fall roundup is getting closer, but there’s still time for other things.”
“But—”
“No, buts, Edwina.” He pulled her closer. “Everything will work itself out in time. As long as we’re together there’s nothing we can’t handle.”
“That’s so true and you know I’ll back everything you choose to do. I’ll start planning the party. I want to please you because you’re a wonderful husband and I know you’ll always do what’s right for our family.”
“I’ll always do everything I can for the family, but right now I want to do what’s right for you and me.”
“Oh? What’s that?”
In answer, his mouth covered hers and soon there didn’t seem to be anything or anyone in the world except the two of them.
Chapter 49
It hadn’t been easy for Wyatt to arrange for them to marry at the party, but it would be worth it for his peace of mind. Edwina had been the hardest to convince. She couldn’t understand his reasoning and said once you were married, you were married and there was no need to repeat the vows. Only when Ben and Callie both said they didn’t get to see the first wedding, did she finally give in and agree to the nuptials.
Wyatt’s next step was to talk with Preacher Lambert. He liked the idea of them repeating their vows and readily agreed to perform the ceremony.
Wyatt then began telling people in town that he didn’t trust what Hezekiah Thorn had said about trying to divorce the couple so he was going to marry his wife again. He wanted the world to know he loved her enough to marry her twice.
It worked. The whole town got behind the plan and insisted on helping with all the preparations. Bessie Bohannan volunteered to make flower arrangements. Lucy Davie, the mayor’s wife, knew a photographer and insisted he come to take pictures. Rosalinda and Naomi were baking a wedding cake. Oleen Anderson donated tablecloths and candles. Everyone wanted to bring food. Mildred and Cora Sue came out early to help with the decorating.
Everything was now ready. The front lawn had rows of chairs and benches for the guests. They were all waiting for the couple to come out on the front steps where an altar had been erected.
* * * *
Mildred Reeson followed Cora Sue and Asia to chairs behind the Kerr family. As they filed into the row, Mildred reached out and patted Naomi’s shoulder.
Naomi turned. “Oh, Mrs. Reeson, how are you?”
“I’m fine and please call me Mildred. I hope you’re settling into ranch life.”
Naomi looked a little scared, but nodded.
“I’m so glad Wyatt insisted you take part of the ranch to help make up for the money you were swindled out of when you thought you were buying land.” Mildred smiled. “I’m sorry my husband was the cause of you losing everything you owned.”
“It turned out to be a blessing, Mildred. The house and the five acres with it are worth more than we were owed, but Wyatt insisted we take it. We didn’t have to build and your house is lovely. It’s more than I ever dreamed we’d own, but Wyatt said he had no use for the house or the buildings. All he wanted were the pastures and grazing land.”
Terrence turned around. “I’m sure you must miss your home, Ma’am.”
“Not really. I was a city woman before I came to New Mexico. I love living in town with Cora Sue and Asia in their huge Victorian home.”
“We love having her, too.” Cora Sue squeezed her mother’s hand.
Kent Milton and his wife slid onto the bench beside Asia and Cora Sue. “Hello, folks. Have you met my wife, Darlene?”
“Hello,” Cora Sue said. “I did see you in Anderson’s General Store the other day. Have you found a house in town yet?”
“I think we’ve decided to build on the street behind your house,” Darlene said. “Kent is so busy getting the bank back on its feet, we haven’t started yet, but I hope to soon.”
“I’m so glad. It’ll be nice to have a neighbor my age in the area.”
“I’m just glad to have an honest banker in town again,” Yancy Davie’s voice boomed across the makeshift aisle.
“I second that, Yancy.” Jeff Bodger laughed. “It makes my job a lot easier.”
Vera reached up and patted her husband’s arm.
“Well, it does, honey,” he said and winked at her.
The front door opened and Ben Singleton and Callie Thorn came out, followed by Rosalinda and Juan, pushing Ben. Rosalinda was carrying Adam. After Callie was seated, Ben surveyed the crowd. “I think they’re about ready to come out.”
“I sure hope so. That food over there smells good and I’m ready to dive in,” Doctor Michael Donavan said.
Everyone laughed and several people agreed with him.
Ben laughed, then continued, “Folks, a lot has happened in the last two months and from what I can see it’s all going to work out for good. I know Adam and Edwina coming into our lives has been good.”
“Gapa!” Adam yelled and everyone laughed.
“Yes, boy, I’m your Gapa and I love it.” Ben laughed. “As you can tell, Adam and I are close. Now what I started to say is, my son is so thrilled with his wife and son, he’s decided he wants to put on another wedding just for all of us. I have to admit, I’m glad since I missed the first one.”
“I figure he really loves Edwina or he wouldn’t marry her a second time,” Yancy called out.
“It’d probably be hard to get out of a marriage you’ve committed to twice,” Jerome Anderson said.
Dena Black came out and nodded at Ben. She then sat down at the organ which had been moved to the front porch. A group of other musicians moved to join her and Teresa Anderson stood to sing.
“Well, folks, it looks like they’re ready. Now we’re going to enjoy Wyatt’s second wedding, then along with Doc we can all eat that wonderful food we’re all smelling.” Ben grinned and turned around.
* * * *
Edwina came down the stairs wearing a cream-colored gown trimmed in light pink flowers. Her hair was piled on her head with the same kind of pink flowers entwined in the layers.
Wyatt reached up and took her hand and his eyes became moist in spite of his resolve not to show his emotions. He couldn’t believe he was finally going to legally marry the beautiful woman he loved and in front of his friends and family.
He wondered if someday he’d tell her what this day meant to him. But not now. Probably not anytime soon. And maybe never.
Tucking her arm in his, he whispered, “You’re the most beautiful bride in the world.”
“Thank you, my husband.”
He looked into her eyes. “I wish I could make you know how m
uch I love you, Edwina.”
She looked into his eyes and he wondered if she could see his love there. He knew she must have when she said, “I think I have an idea, Wyatt. What man would go to this length to make sure he was legally married to a woman if he didn’t love her with all his heart?”
For a moment he was taken aback. Did she suspect they weren’t married? Had he been a fool to keep this knowledge from her? Would she have understood the deceit?
He got his answer when she went on, saying,“I couldn’t help wondering about it sometimes. Especially when Uncle Hezekiah kept saying he’d signed divorce papers, but I knew there was no way he could do it without my signature. In my heart I know we’ve been married for almost two years.”
He breathed a sigh of relief. She didn’t know. Kissing her forehead, he whispered, “Let’s not think about anything your uncle said or did. Let’s go out there and let all our friends see I’m marrying the woman I love for the second time just because I want to tie her up so tight nobody will every be able to get her away from me.”
She pulled his hand to her lips. “As if they ever could, but if it makes you happy, I’ll marry you in every town we go to for the rest of our lives.”
He chuckled. “I like that idea. Then nobody anywhere could ever say I was anyone in the world except Edwina’s husband.”
“Oh, Wyatt, I love you so.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her as the door opened.
Reverend Lambert cleared his throat and said, “That’s supposed to come at the end of the ceremony, Wyatt, not at the beginning.”
Wyatt laughed, Edwina blushed and the crowd broke into laughter and a round of applause.
“I think it’s okay for a kiss to come before and after, Reverend.” Wyatt plastered on a big grin and locked Edwina’s arm in his.
“It looks like your guests agree. Now, come along.” Ira chuckled then led the way to the altar. When the crown got quiet, he said, “Dearly beloved, we’re gathered here…”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Agnes Alexander is the pen name of mystery and romantic suspense author, Lynette Hall Hampton. She turned to writing western historical romance in 2011 because she has always loved reading in the genre. Edwina’s Husband is her fourth novel for Whiskey Creek. The previous novels are: Fiona’s Journey, Quinn’s Promise and Rena’s Cowboy. Camilla’s Daughters is scheduled to be published in 2014. Her plans are to write a book using a woman’s name until she has completed the alphabet. Though she loves traveling, she still lives in her home state of North Carolina. She loves to hear from her fans and can be contacted through her website: AgnesAlexander.com.
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