Wes thought for a moment before answering. “No, I wouldn’t expect you to obey me if this was a real marriage. My Dee would never obey anyone if she thought she was right.”
Delia’s heart skipped a beat when she heard Wes call her his Dee. Would she? Could she ever be his Dee? Time would tell. Maybe Millie was right and acting married and spending enough time together pretending to be might make Wes fall in love with her or admit that he already loves her as Millie claims.
Delia took a bite of bacon before spooning some strawberry jam on a slice of bread.
“Thank you for making breakfast. I’m sure I could have made us breakfast, but I’m not sure that the fried eggs would have survived. I believe I caused our cook a few gray hairs when she tried to teach me to turn eggs without breaking the yolk. I ended up with more scrambled eggs to eat than anyone in the family. Of course, Addie would have been appalled if she knew the cook was giving me lessons. In Addie’s world ladies didn’t cook. Ladies learned how to serve tea, curtsy properly, and embroider.”
Wes sat quietly and watched his wife eat the bread and the remainder of her bacon before speaking. “Are you happy you’re here in Creede Dee or do you wish you were back in New York if Steffen was not an issue?”
“No, I think even if Addie and Steffen hadn’t conspired to force me to marry him, I would still be happier here. I never knew real freedom until I walked off the train in into Creede. I admit I was a bit frightened of being alone in a strange town, yet it was exhilarating to be free from being under Addie’s thumb.”
Wes revealed his inner thoughts, “I believe you would have managed to find happiness wherever you decided to live. You have always been the type of person to know what they wanted. It’s what drew me to you the first time we met. Well, maybe not the first time. The first time we met you weren’t old enough to talk. The first time I saw you, you were just an infant. I honestly wasn’t impressed.”
Delia smiled a bit embarrassed that Wes could remember her as a baby. “But I didn’t decide to live here. Mercy told me to come here and find my future. I still don’t know what she meant.”
“Perhaps, you’re meant to run the new library. With your education and love of books, you would do an excellent job.”
“Perhaps,” Delia sighed.
“Speaking of which, I need to see if I can talk to the mayor and Tobias. Will you be all right alone?”
“Of course.”
Wes stood and walked around the table, bent, and kissed Delia on the cheek. Their eyes met, and he briefly wondered how sweet it would be to kiss her lips. He stood abruptly, spun on his heel, and left leaving Delia to wonder the same thing—what if he had kissed her lips?
Chapter Eleven
Delia began putting supplies away and wondered went she looked through them what she would make for supper that evening. She wasn’t even sure what to make for lunch or whether Wes would be home. She picked up a package wrapped in brown paper, and someone had written ‘soup bones’ on the wrapper. She unwrapped the package and found several large beef bones. With the vegetables on hand, she knew she could make soup. It may not contain any chunks of meat, but the broth would be good, and it would be filling and warm on a cold day.
Delia filled the large pot with water and set it on the stove to boil. She dropped in the beef bones and continued to put away the supplies. She would have to remember to go to the mercantile and thank them for adding all the little things that she forgot. Delia had forgotten to add salt and other spices to her list, but they were right there on the table with the other items. Wouldn’t it be terrible if she served Wes soup without any salt?
Then again, he might decide he wanted to cook all their meals. She smiled at the thought of Wes cooking three meals a day and still trying to deal with his businesses. She found another package wrapped in paper without any writing and unwrapped it finding a lovely ivory apron with tiny green flowers scattered on the fabric. She slipped it over her head and tied it behind her back.
Delia finished putting away the supplies when the water started to boil. She let the bones simmer for a while and then added the chopped vegetables. She had onions, potatoes, green beans, and carrots to add to the soup. She said a quiet prayer that it would be tasty enough to satisfy Wes’ large appetite. She’d have to prepare a large batch of biscuits to go with it just in case the soup wasn’t filling enough. They still had the strawberry jam from Millie to go with the biscuits.
Delia wondered if she could purchase butter or if she would have to buy a butter churn and try to make butter. If only her stepmother could see her now. Making butter? She doubted her stepmother knew the butter came from milk much less how to make it.
A knock sounded at the door, and she dried her hands on her apron before she peeked out the curtains to see who was standing on the porch. It was a young man she didn’t know but had seen around town. He stood holding a yellow slip of paper in his hand that Delia thought was a telegram.
Delia opened the door and heard the young man say, “Good morning, ma’am. I have a telegram here for a Missus Satterfield.”
“I’m Delia Satterfield,” Delia told him and handed him a coin after he gave her the telegram. She felt a bit of trepidation before she read the telegram. It was from her father who wished her well and was happy she and Wes were married. She breathed a sigh of relief when she read that her father had charges brought against Steffen and he was going to be arrested. The telegram also stated that her father was considering visiting Colorado in the Spring. Would she still be there in Spring? Possibly, since she had yet to discover her future.
Feeling her frustration growing, Delia called out, “Mercy, if you can hear me, please tell me why I’m here.”
Mercy didn’t appear, but Delia knew the answer as if it had been shouted from the heavens. She was here to secure her future. Delia dropped onto a kitchen chair and bit her lip. She didn’t want to think about what her future was because if she didn’t find the answers before, why would she find them now. “Please,” she said aloud. “Just let me understand how to find it.”
The front door opened, and Wes said, “I’m home. Something smells good. I have good news.”
Was it that easy? Was Wes her future? How Delia wished he was.
Wes hung his coat and hat on the hook near the door and walked into the kitchen holding some papers.
He waved the papers at Delia. “Good news,” he told her his hazel eyes sparkling with excitement.
“What good news?” Delia asked feeling some of Wes’ excitement.
“I spoke with the mayor and Tobias. The mayor is backing the idea of a library, and Tobias can’t wait to start helping us. I stopped at the bank and bought a plot of land just at the edge of town. It will be an easy walk for anyone wanting a book. We can’t start building until Spring, but for now, we can order some of the books and use an empty storefront I rented.”
Delia stood and poured a cup of coffee and set it on the table in front of Wes. “You certainly have been busy, and you look half frozen.”
“It is cold out there. Colder than I remember in New York. I think out here there isn’t much to break the wind from howling through you. Back home there was always a building or doorway to step into and get warm. All that bright sunshine doesn’t help a bit,” Wes explained as he wrapped his hands around the cup before taking a sip.
Delia poured her own cup and sat across from Wes. “I can’t wait to help you. What will we do first?”
“Tobias is making a list of books to order. I sent a telegram to my bank to have them transfer the money needed to the bank here. As soon as I have the money and Tobias makes his list, we’ll send for the first shipment of books. Oh, I did learn something interesting. It seems there is some counterfeit money circulating in town.”
“Counterfeit? Why would someone do that here? I’d think it would be easier to do in a big city where a lot of money changes hands.”
Wes shrugged. “I have no clue. A con man can be found anywhere. Wh
at did you make for lunch.”
“Soup, but it isn’t quite ready, and I need to make some biscuits. I wasn’t sure when you’d be home. If the books will be arriving soon and the library will be built in spring, do you know when you’re leaving Creede?” Delia’s heart broke at the words, but it seemed Wes’ plans were working out well.
“I hadn’t given it much thought. My father would like me to see what business might be needed in San Francisco but the longer I stay here, the more I like Creede.”
Delia nodded. “But at some point, we have to let people know about us. What will happen when we’re both in the same town?”
“I think you’ve asked me this before,” Wes answered wishing he could tell her he didn’t want either of them to leave.
“I know, but I’m worried. I don’t know what to do. It’s all confusing. I won’t return to New York. It’s too big. I love it here. I have friends, and the people are kind, but I suppose I’ll need to move somewhere new once people know I’m a umm a divorced woman. It carries a disgrace regardless of the reason.”
Confusion etched Wes’ face. “Why? If I’m the cad. I take the blame.”
“No, you won’t. Yes, you’ll be known as a cad, but I’ll be known as a woman too stupid to know you were a cad and not, well, not woman enough to keep you.” Delia stood to stir the soup and hide the tears she couldn’t keep from falling.
“Would an annulment be better?”
Delia choked back her tears, “We can’t. We’ve lived together.”
“My dad knows a lot of judges back home. It can’t be that hard.”
Delia spun and looked at Wes her unwanted tears spilling down her cheeks again. “Yes, it can. Just do whatever needs to be done, and I’ll move somewhere they never heard of me.”
“Everyone has heard of the Warrington and Satterfield families. Where would you go?”
Delia stiffened her spine. “I don’t know. I’ll be Dee Field. It worked for you, it’ll work for me. If a business tycoon can disappear so can a woman who doesn’t want to be found.”
She ran off to her bedroom leaving Wes more confused than before.
While Delia did her best to cry out her frustration and pain, Wes stood by the stove and stirred the soup. He’d never understand women. Wes thought he helped Delia by marrying her, but maybe he made the situation worse. He could tell her he didn’t want a divorce or annulment, but to hear her laugh at his proclamation of love or to see her turn and walk away would be too much for his heart to deal with. It would be best just to wait and see what the next few weeks and months brought.
Chapter Twelve
The scent of sugar cookies filled the house as Delia hummed in the kitchen. Grateful to the cook that worked for her father for taking the time to offer cooking lessons, she was happily baking. Wes seemed to enjoy the breakfasts she cooked, and she was also pleased she hadn’t burned anything this morning or in the two weeks since they moved into the house. A knock at the door surprised her. She wasn’t expecting anyone. Perhaps it was Penny coming to visit.
Delia wiped her hands on her white apron and opened the door then tried to slam it again. Steffen’s boot in the door stopped her, and she ran backward calling for Wes as the door flew open, and Steffen and two hulking strangers stepped into the parlor. Steffen appeared more like a scrawny teen dressed in a blue pin-striped suit and an oversized bowler atop his small head standing with the two large men that flanked him, but he was no less frightening to Delia.
“You thought you could hide from me out here on the edge of town. Silly girl. You might have hidden better in town. Now, I insist you come along quietly, or my friends here will assure your cooperation. Addie has arranged for a doctor in Denver to place you under his care in a sanitarium until you come back to your senses and marry me,” Steffen sneered as he spoke to Delia.
Wes, who had been just out of sight in the short hall off the parlor, stepped out and Steffen’s eyes grew dark with anger.
“So, you think hiding here with this man is going to make things easier? It just gives the doctor one more reason to hold you until you regain your senses. No need to gather your things. I was told you will be given appropriate attire at the sanitarium.”
Delia’s hands shook with fear until she saw Mercy standing in the corner. Mercy was smiling, as usual, giving Delia courage she never dreamed she’d have.
“I’m not leaving,” Delia asserted. “This is my home, and you are not welcome. If you don’t leave immediately, I will notify the sheriff.”
Steffen laughed and said, “The sheriff will side with me. You are my fiancé. I am here to ensure your wellbeing.”
Wes stepped further into the room and spoke directly to Steffen, “Rivers, you have carried this a step too far. Delia is not now nor has she ever been your fiancé. She is my wife, and I want you and your friends out of my house now.”
“Wife?” Steffen sputtered.
The taller of the strangers with a shock of red hair and a short beard looked at Steffen. “You said this lady was your fiancé and you needed help taking her to Denver because she was…uhh what did you say again?”
The shorter man answered in a deep baritone voice, “He said she was mentally unstable.”
Wes’ anger seethed, but he did his best to keep it in check. “Gentlemen,” he began. “I believe Mister Rivers has brought you here under false pretenses. He cares nothing for Delia except for her inheritance which he intends to spend on himself while hiding her away from her family and friends.”
The red-haired man spoke again, “He didn’t say that. Is she truly your wife?”
“Yes, my name is Wes Satterfield, and we were married two weeks ago. If you help Rivers by removing Delia from her home, you will be arrested and imprisoned for abduction.”
“Satterfield, Satterfield, that name sounds familiar. I think I heard it on the docks when my brother and I worked in Boston. He’s still there, and I came out West to find my own fortune. The Satterfield’s were well respected. Are you part of that family?” the man asked.
“I am half-owner in Satterfield Enterprises, Mister? I didn’t get your name,” Wes answered hoping to end this without any physical confrontation.
“People just call me Leer short for O’Leary, and this here is Burke,” Leer said as he pointed to the black-haired man.
“You seem like a reasonable man, Leer. Now that you understand the situation, I think we can come to an agreement that my wife should not leave this house with you or Mister Rivers,” Wes answered.
Leer nodded, “I agree. I am not a man who hurts women. I helped Steffen here because he convinced us his fiancé was in dire trouble.”
Steffen realizing that his plot was falling apart tried to back up slowly toward the door, but the big, meaty hand of Burke grabbed his shoulder and guided him back into the room.
Wes continued, “Did Steffen pay you already or are you waiting for payment?”
Leer nodded, “He paid us. I don’t know him and wasn’t going to trust him, but I’m not sure what to do now.”
“Good,” Wes said and then offered a solution to the problem. “None of you has broken any laws. Steffen did lie to you, but that isn’t a crime. You didn’t break in here or force Delia to go with you. However, Steffen is wanted by the authorities back in New York. Delia’s father filed the charges against him. They are minor charges having to do with collaborating with his wife to steal Delia’s inheritance but will see Steffen serve some prison time. They aren’t severe enough to cause the authorities to hunt for him. I could use your help in this matter.”
“Yeah, we can help you since we nearly caused you and your missus harm,” Leer replied.
“Excellent,” Wes continued. “I will pay you double what Steffen paid you and your train fare if you will escort Steffen back to New York and make sure he arrives at Delia’s father’s offices. I know he’ll be pleased and will offer you a bonus. I will send Mister Warrington a telegram explaining the circumstances and your help in the
matter. Now, I don’t want Steffen injured in any way. I want your assurance that he will arrive safely and uninjured.”
Leer nodded, “We can do that. He’s too small and skinny to get far if he runs. I doubt he’ll take the chance. It would be better if he rides in a passenger car with us rather than the stock car with the animals. He has a choice.”
Wes held up his hand, “I’ll be right back.” He hurried off to his office and returned shortly with the money he offered Leer and Burke. Handing it to Leer, he said, “This should cover everything including Steffen’s ticket and meals. Also, my card will assure that you get a quick, if not immediate, appointment with Mister Warrington.”
“Thank you, Mister Satterfield. I do apologize for nearly abducting your wife. It is kind of you not to report us and cause us any difficulty. We’ll assure that Steffen arrives safely at Mister Warrington’s offices and we’ll wait with him if necessary until the authorities arrive. Then I’ll head to Boston and see my brother,” Leer promised a smile breaking across his previously stoic expression.
Wes continued to explain that his father was opening a shipping business in San Francisco the following year and if Leer and his brother were interested, Wes would ensure their employment. While Leer and Wes spoke, Delia noticed an unwanted odor coming from the kitchen.
“My cookies,” she said as she hurried to the kitchen in time to save her cookies from complete ruin although they were slightly overly brown around the edges.
Burke spoke up and said, “Those don’t smell burned to me. They remind me of my Ma’s cooking. She always forgot to take them out on time, too.” The big man laughed.
“Would you like them?” Delia offered.
“Yes, ma’am, I surely would.”
Delia slid the cookies onto a napkin, folded it, and then handed it to Burke. “Thank you. I look forward to eating these. It’s very kind of you.”
Steffen groaned at the way his plans turned around so thoroughly. He couldn’t believe his hired men were speaking pleasantly with Delia and Wes. A scowl shot his way by Leer quieted Steffen, and he stood staring at his boots.
Trusting the Tycoon: Cowboys and Angels, #29 Page 6
