Wes explained, “Bryce Cromwell, the owner of the bank, is the only person in town who knows my true identity. As a banker, he is honor bound to keep the information private, and I needed to deposit a considerable amount in case I found an opportunity. He’s a nice man. After we arrange things at the bank and see about somewhere to live, we can be Mister and Missus Satterfield to everyone in town.”
“All right,” Delia answered still trying to catch up with all the fast-moving changes. The thought of life with Steffen was frightening, and she was grateful Wes saved her but this marriage wasn’t forever, and Delia wasn’t sure her heart could handle the pain when she was no longer Missus Satterfield.
Mister Cromwell was accommodating, and soon Delia was signing papers giving her access to Wes’ bank account and being congratulated on her marriage. When Wes asked about homes, Delia wondered if she could make a home with her marriage of convenience husband. Would people see through their secret? Could she pretend to love her husband in public and be his friend at home? What was she doing and where was Mercy? Maybe Mercy would have the answers.
Mister Cromwell’s voice brought her back to reality when he said, “I think I have the perfect home for you. It’s at the end of Mountain Road. A businessman and his wife had it built when they decided to expand his business in Creede, however, after the abduction scheme was discovered and the saloon burned down, the wife packed her teenage son and herself off back to Denver. The husband closed up the house and followed a few days later. He asked me to sell it as is. It has some furnishings and kitchen items. The family lived there for a few months and managed. You could buy whatever else you needed.”
Wes looked at Delia, and she shrugged. What did she know about buying a house?
“All right,” Wes said. “Do you have a key? We could look at it and then let you know.”
“Certainly,” Mister Cromwell said and opened a desk drawer and produced a key ring. “Just walk down Mountain Road. It’s the last house and sits a bit off by itself. It has a beautiful view of the mountains.”
Wes stood, took the key and thanked Mister Cromwell. “We’ll look at the house, and if it suits my wife, we’ll be back to purchase it.”
“Very well, good day,” Mister Cromwell added as Wes and Delia left his office.
The cold winds blew at Delia’s face when she stepped out of the bank, and she pulled her red scarf tighter around her neck covering her cheeks with the ends of the scarf.
“Would you rather stay here while I look at the house?” Wes asked.
“Is it far?”
“No, but you look cold.”
“I’ll be all right. I’d like to see where I might be living but I’ll be honest, even as a small girl I wasn’t good at playing house.”
Wes laughed. “We’ll survive just as long as you cook better than I do.”
Delia returned his smile, “I can cook.” She shivered, and Wes slid his arm around her shoulders as they hurried toward Mountain Road.
As they turned onto Mountain Road, they saw two tiny cabins and then a bit further down, a nice sized house. Not as large as their houses back in New York but certainly quite a bit larger than the two cabins.
“If it’s as nice inside as it is outside, I think we could be comfortable there,” Wes commented.
Delia agreed. “I was worried it was going to be more the size of these small cabins. I think I can take care of a house that size without maids. Can you imagine my family thinking of me doing chores, cooking and cleaning without a staff to help? I need to write Nettie a long letter and tell her about life in Creede.”
“She would enjoy that, but you can’t confide in her that we have this marriage of convenience. Not that I think she’d break your confidence, but one slipped word at a party or dance, and it could get back to Steffen. He stormed off today, so I’m not sure he knows we married. If he’s still here, he’ll hear it around town, but if he went directly back to New York, I don’t want him coming back thinking we aren’t married.”
“But we are,” Delia insisted. “We took vows in church in front of God. It may have been to protect me, but I’m not sure Pastor Theodore would see it that way. Are you sure this was the best idea? I’m worried that everything will go wrong.”
“It won’t. Trust me. This is the best way to keep you safe from that man,” Wes stated again.
Delia blew out a long breath. “All right, I’ll do my best. I suppose we should look at the house before we freeze out here.”
“It’s been empty for a while, I doubt it’s much warmer inside,” Wes said as he inserted the key in the front door lock.
“Perhaps,” Delia said, “But the walls will block the wind, and we can see if it’ll be warm enough for the winter. I was told they can be brutal here.”
Chapter Seven
Wes opened the door wide, and Delia stepped in.
Delia shivered but said, “It still feels cold in here, but I don’t feel the wind. I think we just might be able to make it through the winter in this place. What do you think, Wes?”
Wes replied, “I think you might be right, Dee. I don’t feel any wind at least not here in the parlor. Let me walk through the rest of the house.”
As Wes walked to examine the back of the house, Delia sat on one of the chairs next to the fireplace. It was comfortable, and Delia felt almost at home. The furniture was simple but well-made, and she did like the dark blue curtains on the front window.
She was sitting looking out the large window when Wes returned. “I think you’ll like this house, Dee. Come and look at this. There are two bedrooms and an office. Their son must’ve been quite tall because his bed is large enough for me. I will take that room, and you can have the master bedroom. There’s a dresser and armoire in the master bedroom.”
Delia not quite ready to check out the bedrooms wandered into the kitchen and was surprised by the bright yellow curtains on the windows.
“Wes, look,” Delia called from the kitchen.
Wes walked in and frowned, “I really don’t care for yellow. I like the blue in the parlor better.”
Delia chuckled and said, “You best get used to it because I love the yellow. It’s bright and cheerful. I think I can cook nice meals in here. It would be a sad thing if I was unhappy in the kitchen and cooked badly.”
Wes threw his hands up in surrender. “It’s your kitchen. You can have what you want, but please refrain from adding more yellow touches to the house.”
“But I was thinking of ordering wallpaper with bright yellow sunflowers for the parlor,” Delia answered her brown eyes dancing with mischief. “Maybe we could order yellow paint, and I could paint the walls of your den a nice sunny yellow.”
Delia couldn’t help but laugh out loud at the grim expression on Wes’ face. “I’m teasing you. The yellow will stay in the kitchen.”
Wes sighed, and a broad smile crossed his face. Life was going to be interesting with Delia for as long as it lasted. He sat at the kitchen table and asked her to join him.
When Delia sat, Wes said, “I want you to feel safe all the time. You can feel safe not only because you carry my name, but you are safe from me. You have one room I have another. No one else needs to know that, and I promise I will not brag around town about my new wife the way some men might. This is our secret. When the time is right, I will play the role of the cad and end the marriage. Your reputation will still be flawless, and you can return home or go anywhere you wish. I will always assure that you have enough funds to take the best care of yourself wherever you live. I promise.”
Delia nodded slowly doing her best not to let the sadness she felt show. “Thank you, Wes. I do appreciate what you’ve done for me. If not for you, I wouldn’t be looking at a home to live in. I’d most likely be on a train with Steffen to who knows where.”
“I couldn’t let that happen, Dee. Little Bit would shoot me if I allowed anything to happen to you and I would never be able to live with myself. Now, check out your bedroom to see i
f it suits you. If it does, we’ll go back to the bank and buy the house.”
“All right, what will we do after you purchase the house?”
“First, we’ll stop at the bookstore and let Mister Redfern know we’re married and then I’ll take you back to Hearth and Home. You can pack your things, and I need to get a bath and shave. I have new clothes, but I won’t put them on until I’m clean. You can dress for supper if you like. We’ll eat at the Hearth and Home and then come back here with your things. We’ll let everyone know it’s our wedding supper. Millie will be excited, so I think you’ll need some time to talk to her.”
“I will,” Delia said. “She’ll be surprised, but it helps that we knew each other back in New York. People won’t think our marriage is anything but a real marriage. I hope Steffen doesn’t come back.”
“Go take a peek at the bedroom and then we’ll go back into town. I’m glad this house is close to town. You won’t need a buggy to get around, but if you feel the need for one, I’ll buy one,” Wes offered.
“No need,” Delia said as she rushed off to see the bedroom. She was all smiles when she returned. “The room is perfect.”
“Ready to go then, Missus Satterfield,” Wes asked as he stood and offered his hand. “Let’s go and buy our home.”
Delia pulled her scarf tightly around her again and took Wes’ hand. “I’m ready, Mister Satterfield. Let’s see if we can convince people that we’re happily married.”
Delia’s smile melted Wes’ heart, but he couldn’t tell her how he felt. This was going to be difficult at best and impossible at worst living under the same roof as the beautiful Delia.
On the way back to the bank, Wes mentioned that someone had made sure there was wood in the wood box and matches near the fireplace and the kitchen and bedroom stoves.
“It seems someone is taking care of the place,” Delia said. “It’s clean with very little dust. I was worried I’d spend the next week cleaning.”
“What will you do now that you don’t have so many domestic duties?”
Looking up at Wes, Delia scrunched her nose. “Have tea with Penny and burn your suppers.”
“Suppers? That reminds me. I don’t believe we have any food at the house.”
“I think I can ask Millie for some bread or rolls to feed you in the morning before I go to the mercantile and buy everything they have.”
“Maybe we should go to the café for breakfast. I plan on having a big meal tonight. Maybe I won’t be hungry too early tomorrow.”
“I’d like to see the day that Wes Satterfield isn’t hungry. I remember you at dinner parties. I think you embarrassed your mother more than once.”
Wes was still laughing at Delia’s comment when they arrived back at the bank. Mister Cromwell was so sure they’d like the house, he had the papers ready to sign. Wes bantered a bit over the price and finally signed the slip to allow for the transfer of funds and Mister Cromwell signed the sales papers. Delia and Wes now owned a house. Would it ever be a home Delia wondered?
After stopping to share their news with Mister Redfern who was happy for them and gave Delia a cookbook as a wedding gift, they stopped at the mercantile. Wes suggested that it might be a good idea if Delia purchased all she thought she’d need, and have it delivered in the morning. It would save her from the chore later and Wes from morning starvation.
Delia wasn’t quite sure what she’d need to start out, but the proprietor’s wife was helpful and assured them that they’d have the goods delivered early the following morning. Wes also purchased three new sets of clothes and some other personal items.
Wes caught Delia trying to hide a yawn on the walk back to the Hearth and Home.
“Why don’t you take a nap while I get cleaned up and shaved. I need to check to see if we received any telegrams back and I’ll come by in two hours. We’ll have supper, and I’ll take your things to the house. It’ll also give me time to see if I can warm the house a bit before I bring you home.”
Home. There was that word again. Delia prayed it would be home someday.
When they entered the Hearth and Home, they caught Millie’s watchful eye. Wes whispered, “I’ll leave you to give Millie the good news, but I need to show people you’re my wife. Don’t slap me now when I kiss you.”
With that, Wes gave Delia a tiny peck on the lips and hurried back out the door leaving Delia standing in the lobby clutching her new cookbook to her chest. She turned toward Millie and smiled.
“Do you have something to share?” Millie asked.
“I certainly do.” Delia hated not telling her new friend the entire truth, but she could say she was married and that was true. She could say she married the man she loved. That was also true. She hoped Millie didn’t ask too many questions.
Chapter Eight
Delia wasn’t sure where to start so she started at the beginning. “You remember I left New York because my stepmother planned to marry me off to her brother, Steffen?”
Millie nodded listening intently.
“Steffen showed up today.”
Millie let out a little gasp. “Are you all right? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, he didn’t have a chance. I was walking with Wes who is also from New York, and his sister is my best friend. I think he scared Steffen away at least for now and decided that the best way to keep me safe was to marry me. He says it’s a marriage of convenience.”
Millie nodded and stared into Delia’s eyes, “But it isn’t for you. I think you might love him.”
“Since I was twelve and maybe earlier,” Delia confessed and smiled. “I used to dream that Wes would sweep me off my feet and we’d have a huge wedding in a cathedral with all my friends and family. My friends would be jealous, and the wedding would be the talk of the town. I sort of got my wish, but I didn’t expect being swept off my feet meant rushing down the streets of Creede to the church and convincing Pastor Theodore that we were meant to be married. Oh, by the way, the church is getting a new organ and stained-glass windows. I’m still not sure how Wes managed it, but he and Pastor Theodore seem like friends now.”
Millie laughed, “It must have been an interesting wedding. I wish I’d have been there. You weren’t alone, were you?”
“No, Penny was there, and some man named Syd that Wes knew from the mining camp. It might not have been my dream wedding in a cathedral, but I married the man of my dreams.”
“Where did he go? I saw the kiss he gave you.”
“To get cleaned up and shaved. He bought new clothes. He’s coming back later for us to have supper. Everyone knows him as Wes Field. He’s here to learn about new businesses for his father’s company, well, it’s also his company now. His real name is Satterfield, and I guess mine is, too now.” Delia said in a long breath.
“I do wish you the best,” Millie said. “I’ll see if the cook can make up a small cake for your supper.”
“Oh, no, please don’t go to any trouble. I forgot to tell you we bought a house. I’ll be checking out right after supper.”
Millie smiled a knowing smile, “That is wonderful. Maybe having your own home and some privacy, you’ll convince that man he loves you, too.”
“I can only hope. I need to rest a while and then change for dinner. I brought one gown with me. I’m going to wear it. After all, it is my wedding day,” Delia winked. “Maybe Wes will be happy he married me yet.”
“You never know what the heart will feel moment to moment. I’ll pray for you that your heart gets what it wants and needs,” Millie advised.
Delia smiled as she hurried up the stairs to her room. She would lay down for a while, but she doubted she’d sleep. Too many thoughts raced through her mind.
Closing her room door behind her, Delia looked around the small room. She had stayed in hotel suites in New York, and her bedroom at home was three times the size of this comfortable room, but none of them felt like home. The small room at the Hearth and Home was more home then she’d felt since her
mother passed away. Oh, how she missed her mother now. She would know what to tell Delia, but if her mother were alive, Delia wouldn’t be in Creede running from her stepmother and married to Wes.
As much as Delia loved Wes, she wished she was back in New York with her mother and father. Laughter used to ring through the house. When her father married Addie, the laughter ended. It wasn’t proper according to Addie. Young ladies did not show overt emotion. Perhaps that’s why her father never seemed happy now. She said a silent prayer that when her marriage ended, it didn’t affect her family. To be honest, she only worried about her father since she was sure Addie would make his life miserable. Enough worries, she was married to Wes and would make the best of whatever time they had together.
Delia realized she’d spent over an hour lost in thought of what might and what might not be and hurried to pack her bags. She removed the blue dress and folded it placing it on top of one of the bags and took the gown she brought with her out of the small closet. It was her Christmas ball gown, but today it would serve as her wedding dress or at least her wedding supper dress. The satin gown the color of ripe raspberries fit her perfectly, and she smiled when she looked at herself in the mirror. She brushed her hair and twisted it into a soft bun then decided to let some of it hang loose. Her hair hung just past her shoulders after deciding she didn’t want waist length hair much to the chagrin of her stepmother.
Delia spun in front of the small mirror doing her best to see all of her. Yes, she would do, and perhaps Wes would see her as more than Nettie’s best friend and the girl who used to spy on him whenever she had the chance. She blew out a deep breath and jumped when she heard the knock at her door.
Doing her best to calm her heart, she opened the door expecting Wes but saw Millie standing there.
Trusting the Tycoon: Cowboys and Angels, #29 Page 4
