Whirlwind Bride

by Debra Cowan

  “This is thoughtful of you,” the other woman said. “Riley really likes these biscuits.”

  “I hope he’ll like the ones I make.” Susannah grimaced. “I want to thank him for driving into town every evening for my lessons. I’ve never cooked much and I appreciate you taking the time to teach me.”

  “Didn’t your mother cook?”

  “She knew how, but preferred for Minnie, our cook, to prepare the meals. I never had much interest in learning until now.”

  Curiosity burned in Cora’s eyes. “And you didn’t have to learn when you ran your husband’s house?”

  “No.” Susannah mentally caught herself. Sometimes she forgot she was supposed to be widowed.

  Cora’s slight frown made it plain she thought it odd that Susannah hadn’t learned to cook even then. “What was your life like in St. Louis?”

  “Well…” She could remember only a procession of parties, dances and picnics. Surely she’d done something other than pursue entertainment, something productive. “It was different than it is here. I don’t know how to do much of anything, which I imagine is obvious.”

  “Well, life is just a series of lessons in how to make do. Don’t you think?”

  Yes, she did. Look at her now, making a life for herself and her baby. She didn’t know anything about that, either. “Coming here has made me stand on my own for the first time. I hope I’m doing all right.”

  “You’ve got a lot of guts. That will serve you well.”

  “I do?”

  “I think so. Just look at how you’re trying to get over your fear of horses. You started a charm school, which had to be a bit daunting around here.” Cora grinned. “And you’re taking care of the chickens. You probably didn’t think you’d ever do that.”

  She laughed. “No, I didn’t.”

  They worked for a moment in silence with Susannah following Cora’s lead as she floured the table, then plopped a thick ball of dough onto the surface.

  Susannah took the rolling pin and rolled the dough to about a quarter-inch thickness, then began to cut circles with a tin cup. Though she enjoyed her growing friendship with Cora, she was nagged by an uncertainty that had been building, one she’d been ignoring. “Cora, I’m nervous about the baby. What if I’m not a good mother?”

  Her friend stopped coating biscuits with melted grease and turned to her. “Do you love this baby?”

  “Yes.” She put a protective hand over her belly. “More than I ever thought you could love another person.”

  “You’ll do just fine then.” The other woman smiled. “I don’t know if anyone ever feels they know exactly how to raise a child.”

  “I’ve never asked about your children. Do you have any?”

  Cora’s eyes misted and she glanced away before answering reluctantly, “We had one, a boy. He’s way out behind the house with Ollie. He was stillborn.”

  “I’m so sorry.” Susannah squeezed Cora’s hand. “I shouldn’t have asked. I didn’t think.”

  “It’s fine that you did. I still miss him sometimes.” She dabbed at her eyes with her apron. “I only hesitated to tell you because I don’t want you to worry. It’s not good for the baby.”

  Susannah’s throat tightened at the other woman’s pain. “I’ll try.”

  “You think about nice things. Your health is good and you’re young. Things will be fine.”

  She nodded, taking Cora’s advice and refusing to consider that something could happen to her baby. But the dark pain in her friend’s eyes reminded Susannah of something similar she’d seen in Riley’s eyes on their way to Abilene. Had he lost a child, too?

  In the days since that trip, she hadn’t been able to stop thinking about his raw look when he’d discussed the weather. Was it because of a loss like Cora’s? Susannah realized her curiosity about him was becoming insatiable and quite insistent. She knew from Adam that Riley had been married. What had happened to his wife? Had they had children?

  “My brother told me Riley’s been married before. Did you know his wife?”

  “Maddie? Yes, sure did. She was from back East, too.”

  “Where?”

  “Philadelphia, I think. He met her while he was in university.”

  “And then they were married?”

  “Uh-huh. Maddie was a sweet girl, very pretty.”

  “What did she look like?”

  “Light brown hair, brown eyes, a little thing.”

  Susannah’s gaze dropped to her protruding belly. She hadn’t felt little in quite some time. “What happened to her?”

  “Has he mentioned her?”

  “No. I just wondered.”

  Cora was silent for a moment, then said, “I don’t want to speak out of turn, but I will say she passed away. It was sudden and it really knocked Riley off his stride. That boy seemed lost for almost two years.”

  Susannah nodded, hardly able to imagine anything making Riley seem lost.

  “There was a dust storm. Maddie went to the barn to put up her horse and the milk cow. She wasn’t that far from the house, but she lost her way and tripped in a rut, broke her neck.”

  Riley’s flat-voiced explanation about dust storms rushed back into Susannah’s mind. “Where was Riley?”

  “In Abilene with his father. He thought Maddie knew not to go out in the storm. When those things hit, it turns almost as black as night. You can’t see a thing. But I think she believed she could take care of the animals quickly.”

  “How horrible!”

  “I think he blamed himself for a while.”

  “But why?”

  “For bringing her here. She was a city girl, though she tried hard to make things work.”

  Riley’s wife had been an outsider, just like Susannah. Was that why he was so convinced she didn’t belong here? “Does he ever talk about her?”

  “Not to me.”

  “Do you think…” She tried to keep her voice steady. “Does he still love her?”

  “I’m sure he’ll always have a special place for her in his heart. Just like you do for your husband.”

  Susannah’s hands froze on the biscuit dough. She couldn’t continue lying, not to Cora. “I didn’t have a husband,” she said quietly.

  The woman turned with a frown. “What do you mean? Of course you did.”

  “No. I’m not a widow. I’ve never been married.”

  “But why tell people—” Cora broke off, her gaze dropping to Susannah’s protruding stomach.

  Heat flooded her face. “I don’t want you to think poorly of me, Cora, but I can’t lie to you. You’ve become a good friend and I want you to know the truth. I wear this ring so people will think I’m widowed, so that my baby won’t be slighted because of a mistake I made. I would never want to bring shame to you. If you want me to find another place to live, I will.”

  “No, honey, I don’t.” Cora dusted the flour off her hands and put an arm around Susannah’s shoulders. “I want you to stay here with me and have that baby. Stay as long as you want.”

  Tears stung Susannah’s eyes and she gave the woman a quick hug. “I disgraced my family. That’s really why I’m here.”

  “What happened?”

  “I was swept away. I fell in love and believed we were to be married. He told me that. That’s the only reason I allowed his liberties…. It’s no excuse. I was a willing participant. When I found out I was expecting, I told Paul. He disappeared, and when my brother’s private investigator found him he wasn’t interested.”

  “Does Riley know?”

  “Yes.” She pulled nervously at her lower lip, shame filling her. She might as well tell it all. “I came here to marry him. My brother told me that Riley wanted a wife, that he wanted me.”

  “I think that’s wonderful! So, what happened? Why didn’t you two marry?”

  “My brother exaggerated—no, he lied. Riley set me straight on that right away.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  She told Cora how Riley had found out ab
out her condition and how they’d talked about it. “But it’s worked out better this way,” Susannah said. “Riley doesn’t want a wife and I want someone who will be a good father to my baby.”

  “Riley would make a good father.”

  Susannah forced a smile, keeping to herself that she thought he would also make a good husband.

  He would never believe she belonged here. No matter what she did.

  Three weeks later, Riley sat with Davis Lee in church, two rows behind Susannah and Cora. Thanksgiving had come and gone. Susannah and Cora had attended the town feast and celebration, with Susannah being more sought after than water during a drought. The next night they’d gotten their first good snow, so he’d told her they would stop their lessons with the mare until the weather warmed up. After the baby came.

  Because of that, Riley had seen Susannah only at church these last weeks. He’d been busy at the ranch, moving enough hay for the winter into the main barn, herding the cattle to the south pasture and replacing the pump part that had finally arrived.

  As church was dismissed, he admitted he’d missed seeing her. Missed the look of surprised pleasure that stole across her features when she mastered each new step he taught her about the mare. She felt comfortable grooming the horse now and checking the animal’s hooves. After their trip to Abilene, Susannah had driven a couple more times, but she still needed a lot of practice there.

  He and Davis Lee walked out of the church. Gray clouds hung low in the sky and the chilly wind swept unhindered across the plains. The two of them moved down the three steps, joining a small group of men gathered a short distance away from the white clapboard building. From the corner of his eye, Riley caught a flash of silvery-blond hair and knew by the hum in his blood that Susannah had come outside.

  He heard J. T. Baldwin speak to her, and she laughed, the sound playing over Riley’s nerves like a secret touch down his spine. He had missed her laugh. And even from here, he thought he could smell the soft vanilla of her scent. He glanced over, jamming his hands in the pockets of his trousers as Russ Baldwin tucked her hand in the crook of his arm and carefully helped her down the steps.

  Russ left her standing with Cora, Pearl Anderson and May Haskell, before sauntering over to join Riley, Davis Lee, Jake Ross and Miguel Santos. Pete and Creed Carter walked up. They discussed the deer hunting this season and the possibility of more snow. As the boys and men drifted away, Cora and Susannah came over.

  “Hello, ladies.” Davis Lee doffed his hat, smiling broadly. “How are the two prettiest women in Texas?”

  “Oh, you do go on, boy,” Cora said with a smile.

  “We’re fine.” Susannah answered Davis Lee, but her gaze met Riley’s. “How are you?”

  He nodded. “Just fine. Good morning.”

  “It’s a beautiful day,” Davis Lee said. “May we walk you ladies home?”

  “No, thank you,” Cora said. “But we did want to invite y’all to share Christmas dinner with us. It’s only a week away.”

  “We accept,” Davis Lee said, before Riley could even blink. “I would never turn down any dinner at your house, Cora.”

  “Wonderful. We’ll plan on it then.” Cora glanced at Riley with a secretive smile.

  He winked to let her know he was nearly finished with her gift for Susannah. So that Susannah wouldn’t catch the silent communication between them, he eased closer to her. “How are your hands?”

  “They healed nicely. I don’t think I’ll have a single callus.”

  “Good.” He couldn’t help admiring her dewy skin, the way her blue eyes sparkled. “How’s your school going?”

  “I’m encouraged. The entire class promises to make passable waltzers.”

  “Now, that’s something I’ll have to see.” He grinned.

  “We’d better let you boys get to your lunch,” Cora said.

  “Do you need anything done at your place?” Davis Lee asked.

  “Not at the moment, but thank you.”

  “Let us know,” Riley said.

  “Will do.” Cora waved goodbye, then started walking slowly with Susannah toward the other end of town.

  Riley walked beside his brother, his gaze on Susannah’s gently swaying skirts ahead of them. Remaining just friends with her was the right decision, but it hadn’t stopped this ache inside him. An ache that grew and deepened every time he saw her.

  A couple of times during their lunch at the Pearl, Riley caught Davis Lee contemplating him as if trying to figure out a puzzle. They forfeited conversation in favor of eating their roast and potatoes. As they finished their apricot pie, Davis Lee took a long sip of coffee, then leaned back in his chair, still studying him.

  After a long moment, he said, “I’ve got something for you at the office.”

  Riley laid the money for their meal on the table. “Okay.”

  During their short walk to the jail, he wondered what was on his brother’s mind.

  Once inside the office, Davis Lee pulled a small brown paper package from his middle desk drawer. “Haskell had to go pick up his mother-in-law and wanted me to give this to you, since the store won’t be open until Tuesday morning.”

  Riley took the package, not liking the knowing look on his brother’s face.

  “He asked me if you were courting someone.”

  His grip tightened on the package, the crackle of paper loud in the small space. “Why would he ask that?”

  “Because those gloves you ordered are for ladies.”

  “So what?” Riley unwrapped them and examined the pair carefully. The sturdy tan leather gloves were well-constructed.

  “Who are they for?”

  “Susannah.” He rewrapped them and stuffed them in the pocket of his coat.

  Davis Lee cocked his head. “Are you courting her?”

  “Hell, no. I’m teaching her how to drive the wagon. She tore up her only pair of gloves doing it, so I bought her a pair of driving gloves.”

  “That was nice,” his brother said cautiously.

  Riley scowled. “They’re for Christmas. She needs them. I’m not declaring intentions or anything. It’s just a gift for a friend.”

  Davis Lee crossed his arms and eased down onto the corner of his desk. “I think there’s something going on with you two. I’ve seen the way she looks at you.”

  “She doesn’t look at me like anything.”

  “What’s the problem? If you say you haven’t noticed her, I’ll know you’re lying.”

  “I’m not blind, but I’m not stupid, either.”

  “Stupid? She’s a beautiful woman.”

  It didn’t matter that she heated Riley’s blood faster than any woman ever had, didn’t matter that she ignited a desire so fierce she needed to be protected from him. She couldn’t be more wrong for him or for life here.

  “Neither one of us is interested in anything more than friendship.”

  Davis Lee shrugged. “Hope she doesn’t get the wrong idea about those gloves.”

  Riley frowned. “She won’t.”

  They had an understanding. Which was none of Davis Lee’s business.

  “I think she’s getting to you.”

  “She doesn’t belong here. She doesn’t even know what kind of gloves to wear to drive a wagon.”

  “That can be learned. And I think she’s trying hard to learn all she can. I mean, you said she’s really applied herself during her lessons with Cora’s mare.”

  Riley agreed, but he also knew this land, this life could be the death of her. “It would be better for her and the baby if she were back in St. Louis. She knows it.”

  “Maybe she thinks she belongs here,” Davis Lee said quietly.

  “Then she’s a fool.”

  “She seems to be making a place for herself just fine.”

  “I imagine her family will want her home with them after the baby comes.”

  “Or her husband’s family,” Davis Lee offered offhandedly, then gave Riley a quizzical look. “How can her la
st name still be the same as her family if she’s a widow?”

  “Oh. She…married a distant cousin.”

  “Hmmm.” Amusement sparked in the other man’s eyes. “I could swear I’ve noticed something going on with the two of you.”

  “There’s nothing.” Restlessness sent him stalking to one end of Davis Lee’s desk and back.

  His brother raised an eyebrow. “You’ve been spending time with her. You have to like her a little.”

  “I like her fine. Doesn’t mean I want to marry her.”

  “Whoa, I didn’t say anything about getting married.” He chuckled. “Well, well, little brother.”

  “Shut up.” Riley couldn’t stop pacing.

  “What’s the problem? You admire her.”

  “Doesn’t mean I want to stake a claim on her.” Which was exactly what he wanted to do right now. “We’re friends. That’s all.”

  Davis Lee was silent for a moment. “Is it because of Maddie? Aren’t you ready to move on?”

  “I might be ready with the right woman. Susannah Phelps isn’t the right woman,” he said flatly, his shirt collar choking him.

  “Well, if you’re just friends then you won’t mind if I ask her to church next Sunday.”

  “No, I don’t mind.” His jaw was clenched so hard he thought his teeth might break.

  Davis Lee chuckled and shook his head. “I won’t ask her.”

  “I said I don’t mind.”

  “You’re lying. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.”

  Riley’s temper flared. Davis Lee could get him riled faster than anybody.

  “It wouldn’t hurt you to think about getting married again.”

  That cinched it. “You’re a fine one to talk. You’ve never been married at all.”

  Silence descended like a weight, and Riley bit back a surge of regret. They both knew why his brother hadn’t married. During his job as sheriff of Rock River, Davis Lee had fallen in love with a woman who had conned half the townspeople out of their money, then left. It was his ultimate humiliation and had caused him to lose his job there. The brothers never spoke of it.

  Davis Lee held up a hand as a gesture of a truce. “All right, I’ll mind my own business. But I think there’s something going on.”