Wes slowed his walk and silently crept onto the porch. When he peered into the window, his heart nearly stopped. Addie Warrington was sitting in the parlor holding a gun on Delia, and they were talking. He knew if he barged through the front door, Addie might shoot Delia. He’d have to enter through the back door. He prayed Delia didn’t lock it this morning after he left.
Delia stood and said, “I think a cup of tea will do both of us some good. I also have biscuits and honey left from breakfast. Come on, you look hungry.”
“I have to admit I am. I suppose we can wait until after I eat,” Addie said as she followed Delia.
Delia knew she had to act quickly. Addie meant to shoot her. If only Wes would come home. Delia stopped suddenly, and when she heard Addie stop directly behind her, she turned quickly and swung at Addie’s arm and hit it with her heavy cookbook.
A shot echoed through the house and Wes’ heart nearly stopped.
Chapter Fifteen
Wes didn’t stop to check to see whether or not the back door was locked. He kicked the door with his foot, and it banged against the kitchen wall. Rushing in, he was met with silence, and he dreaded looking in the parlor to see what he would find. When he stepped around the corner into the parlor, he saw Delia lying on the floor, and his first thought was that Addie had shot her.
Then he heard Delia ask him, “What took you so long? I didn’t think you’d ever get here.”
That was when he noticed that Delia was lying on top of an unconscious Addie. “What did you do to her?” Wes asked.
“Nothing, I hit her with my cookbook going for her hand and the gun. I think she must’ve hit her head on the floor or chair because she hasn’t moved. I didn’t have any rope available, so I just decided to lay on top of her to keep her from moving until you came back.” She smiled up at Wes, and he thanked God that she wasn’t injured.
“I can’t imagine why Addie is here. Did she tell you why she came all this way?”
“Yes, she came here to kill me to make my father suffer. According to her, he threw her out of the house. She’s living in some tiny apartment with barely enough money to subside on, but I know my father wouldn’t be that cruel. She may be living in a tiny apartment, but I know he has given her enough money to take care of herself, but, of course, it’s not in the area of town she’s accustomed to.”
Wes nodded. “That sounds like something your father would do. I don’t believe he would throw her out in the cold with nothing either, but anything less than a large townhouse with available servants and seamstresses to suit her taste must mean poverty to her. We should try to wake her up. I can tell she’s breathing.”
Wes held out his hand to help Delia to her feet. He bent over and snatched the derringer off the floor and slipped into her pocket.
“What are we going to do with her?” Delia asked. “I don’t want to see her go to prison. I think she’s unstable and needs a doctor’s help.”
“That big heart of yours is going to get you into trouble one day,” Wes insisted. “But I suppose we can ask the sheriff and see what he suggests without asking him to take her into custody.”
Before Wes and Delia had a chance to pick Addie up off the floor, three loud knocks sounded at the front door.
“Now what?” Wes said as he opened the front door and came face-to-face with Leer the stocky Irishman who had previously accompanied Steffen when he tried to abduct Delia.
“What brings you here, Leer,” Wes asked.
“I was following Addie Warrington and somehow lost her, I believe she is here to do your wife harm. Come all the way from New York to find her, and from the description, I gave to the desk lady at Hearth and Home, I believe she has been staying there for the past two days. However, she’s not in her room now. She’s missing. Have either of you seen her?”
“Come in and see for yourself,” Wes suggested.
Leer stepped in and took off his hat, but before he could greet Delia, his eyes widened as he caught sight of the unconscious Addie lying on the floor.
“What happened to her?” Leer inquired.
Wes explained that Addie had arrived unannounced that morning and pulled a gun on Delia. Before he was able to help, Delia had managed to disarm Addie, and in the ensuing struggle Addie fell to the floor and hit her head.
“I was just going to lift her up and place her on the sofa while Delia and I decide what to do. Delia doesn’t want the sheriff involved because she won’t let Addie be arrested or serve time in prison.”
Leer smiled, “That’s kind of you Missus Satterfield, but Addie needs help. Mr. Warrington hired me to follow Addie when she began to act strangely in New York. She was knocking on the doors of friends and strangers asking for food and money even though Mr. Warrington assured me that Addie had adequate money for her needs. He decided she needed a doctor’s care and when he suggested it, she flew into a rage and stormed off into the night. He asked me to find her and follow her since he had arranged for her to receive doctor’s care at a hospital just outside New York.”
Delia’s hand flew to her mouth, and she exclaimed, “My father really isn’t thinking of sending her to an asylum, is he? Remember what Steffen wanted to do to me? I can’t imagine that happening to anyone even Addie.”
Leer answered, “No, the hospital your father has in mind is run by a friend of his and Addie will get the kindest and best treatment available. Her attempt on your life is proof that she does need some help. If you don’t want to involve the sheriff, I can send a telegram to Denver and ask that the nurse and orderly we hired to assist me in returning Addie to New York come to Creede.”
Delia responded with a slight smile. “I think that is the best idea and she does need help. I know she never cared for me, but she has been the only mother figure in my life for nearly ten years. I hate the thought that she might end up in a cold, damp prison cell somewhere. It seems that moving out of my father’s townhouse and into a small apartment caused her to lose touch with reality. I hope she gets the care she needs but what do we do with her between now and when the nurse arrives? We need to send for the doctor since she isn’t waking up.”
Addie moaned as if in response to Delia’s suggestion and her anger flared immediately, “What did you do to me and why does my arm hurt?”
“You fell,” Wes said. “You tried to shoot Delia, and we’re not going to let you try again. Just lie there and be quiet for a while.”
Addie’s eyes hardened, but her lips snapped shut.
“Listen, Wes, I can keep watch over her to make sure she doesn’t run away. The only problem is if we return to Hearth and Home, everyone in town will know.”
Delia thought for a moment and asked, “How long will it take for a nurse and orderly to arrive?”
Leer said, “I have them waiting for me to contact them in Denver. When I followed Addie to Colorado, I had a feeling she was coming to Creede. As soon as they arrive on the next train from Denver, Addie and I can leave.”
“Then you will stay here,” Delia said. “I don’t believe she will give us any trouble if the two of you stay here because knowing Addie, your size alone will convince her to listen to your suggestions until the nurse arrives.”
Wes added, “That sounds like a good idea. Why don’t you go and send your telegram and I will keep an eye on her while you’re gone.”
Leer nodded, “It will only take me a few minutes to send the telegram. Will it be all right if I ask that the reply is sent here?”
“Of course,” Wes said. “I don’t think Addie will be going anywhere.”
Delia turned to Addie, “How are you feeling? Do you want us to send for the doctor?”
“No, I insist you let me leave,” Addie spat back.
“That’s not going to happen,” Wes explained. “You tried to kill Delia. If you insist on leaving, I’ll arrange for you to wait in a jail cell.”
Addie sat up and crossed her arms over her chest, “Could I at least have the tea Delia offered me?”
>
Wes dropped onto a chair across the room from Addie, “If Delia wants to make you a cup of tea, she will, but you’re not going to move until Leer gets back from sending his telegram.”
Addie nodded, and Leer placed his hat back on and said, “I’ll be back as fast as I can. I doubt she’ll give you any trouble. You still have her gun.”
Wes smiled, and Addie scowled.
“You know you can’t just turn me over to that man. Who knows who he is sending for? My husband would pay to have me fall off the train in some remote area. Please don’t let that happen,” Addie pleaded.
Wes shook his head. “I know Mister Warrington, and he’s not the type of man to have you thrown off a train. You’ll be safe with Leer on your way back to New York.”
“But…” Addie began, and Delia decided she was done listening to Addie’s complaints and went to the kitchen to prepare tea. Maybe it would calm her stepmother, and Delia certainly could use a cup.
Chapter Sixteen
By the time Addie finished her tea, Leer had returned. “I sent the telegram. We should receive an answer shortly. With any luck, they should be here the day after tomorrow or the day after that. Depends on the train route and how many stops it makes.”
Wes nodded, “I think we can keep Addie here and quiet until the nurse arrives. I can help watch her so you can get some sleep.”
Panic gripped Delia, and she walked back into the kitchen calling, “Wes, could I see you for a moment?”
Wes walked into the kitchen and asked. “What’s wrong. You look pale.”
Delia threw her hands into the air. “Everything. We only have two bedrooms. Addie is going to have to sleep in your room since it’s supposed to be the extra bedroom. I suppose you and Leer will take turns sitting outside her door. Then Leer can sleep in the parlor, but…”
Wes held up his hand. “I understand. This is what we’ll do. You make a bed on the floor in your room with the extra blankets we have. I’ll come into the bedroom when it’s my turn to sleep and sleep on the floor. No one will know, I promise.”
Delia wanted to pace and work out her anxiety, but she couldn’t with Leer and Addie in the next room. “I’ll know. It just isn’t proper.”
Wes stepped closer to Delia and took her hand. “We are legally married. If we sleep in the same bed, it wouldn’t be improper at least according to the law. I’m not asking to share the bed, just the room. You know you’re safe with me.”
“I know,” Delia whispered, “But what about after? When you divorce me or whatever you have to do people will know.”
“How will they know? Leer won’t be here, and no one would believe anything Addie has to say back home. Besides, the entire town knows we’re married, and I imagine everyone thinks we share a bed.”
Delia blushed and groaned. “I know, I’m just, I’m not sure what I am. It’s been a difficult day.”
“You should rest.”
“I’m all right,” Delia insisted. “I started stew earlier, and I need to check on it, so it doesn’t burn before supper. There’s enough for all of us.”
Wes grunted when he looked at the kitchen door he kicked in. “I need to fix this now. You take care of the stew.”
She smiled when she thought of how quickly Wes’ mind could change from one subject to another.
Delia walked off to her bedroom. She returned in a few minutes with a book which she handed to Addie. “This may help you pass the time.”
“Thank you,” Addie said quietly. She seemed resigned to sit there and not cause any trouble.
“You’re welcome, and if you’re tired, I have a bed for you,” Delia added.
Addie didn’t say anything. She just opened the book and stared at the pages.
~ * ~
Two days later a nurse and orderly arrived at Wes and Delia’s home. Addie had been remarkably personable and quiet during her stay. She smiled at the nurse and greeted her as if she was an old friend.
Delia, somewhat confused, asked, “Does Addie know you?”
“No,” the nurse known only as Miss C explained, “I have seen patients react this way before. When they resign themselves to the fact that they will receive help, they become calm. I expected Missus Warrington to get to know me first and then trust me on the way once I explained about her new home.”
“I see,” Delia answered. “I know my father wouldn’t want any harm to come to Addie and neither do I. Does the facility where you are taking her offer kindness. I have heard of brutal conditions.”
“I understand, and Addie will receive gentle and caring treatment. The doctor has a large home outside New York, and he only cares for ten patients at a time. We don’t have bars on the windows, and no patient is ever shackled with chains. We do have a night guard to assure no one tries to leave through the unbarred windows, but they are not allowed to hit or harm a patient. The doctor believes kindness cures more than cruelty. The home has gardens, the patients go on picnics, we have a room where they can paint or draw. It’s meant to help them find the beauty their lives seem to be missing.”
Delia looked at Addie quietly reading a book and nodded, “I think that will be good for her.”
“We will leave shortly, I need to speak to Addie and prepare her for travel,” Miss C said before leaving Delia to her thoughts.
Wes spoke to Leer, “Now that your job of guarding Addie is over, will your return to New York or head further West?”
Leer shook his head. “I don’t have any plans. I think I’ll take some time to decide. Your father offered me a position, but I didn’t want to stay back East. He also said if he begins a shipping business in San Francisco that I would have a job, but he didn’t know when that might happen.”
“I have a suggestion,” Wes said. “If you are still in Creede in the Spring, I could use help for the new library we’re planning to build. You could work here while you decide what to do or for my father to decide about opening a new business. I was supposed to travel to San Francisco to investigate the possibilities and I might later, but right now I plan to stay in Creede for the foreseeable future. At least until the library is built.”
“I’ll think about it,” Leer said offering his hand. “Thank you.”
Miss C was helping Addie with her coat when Delia entered the parlor.
Delia spoke to her stepmother. “Be well Addie, and God bless you. You will be in my prayers.”
Addie looked at Delia and the hatred that Delia had seen countless times before returned and she launched forward grabbing Delia and did her best to reach for her neck screaming, “I hate you.”
The orderly wrapped his arms around Addie and gently moved her away from Delia. Miss C reached into her bag and removed a small bottle and spoon. She managed to convince Addie to try a spoonful and Addie complied although she complained about the bitter taste.
Miss C turned to Delia, “She’ll be all right. It was just a small dose of laudanum. We usually use it for pain, but it will help calm someone. Addie will be all right now. We’ll leave now and get Addie back to New York. Don’t worry about her.”
Delia nodded as she watched Addie, Miss C, and the orderly leave.
Leer said, “I’m going to follow them to be sure they get onto the train, and the train leaves Creede.”
Wes closed and locked the door after Leer left and walked back to Delia, “Are you hurt?”
The courage that Delia felt earlier now eluded her, and she burst into tears. She sobbed against Wes’ chest imagining the cruel and hateful person her stepmother had become and the distant look in Addie’s eyes.
Wes stroked her hair and whispered over and over that she was safe. As her tears began to subside, she heard him say, “You’re safe now, my love.”
Delia looked up at him without leaving his arms and asked, “What did you say?”
I said, “You’re safe.”
“No, after that.”
Wes thought for a minute and then stammered, “I umm I don’t remember.”
“I did, you are. Please don’t hate me for saying what I feel. I can’t help it. I loved you before I left New York but couldn’t tell you. I had business to take care of, and there were so many men that wished for your hand. I wanted you to be happy and left without a word,” Wes said as he stared into Delia’s brown eyes.
“You should have told me. I would have waited for years. I have loved you since I was twelve and I always will,” Delia confessed.
Wes lowered his head and kissed Delia. Her hands slipped around his neck, and she kissed him back. When Wes broke the kiss, he said, “We have both been foolish.”
“I agree, but I think I was meant to come here for you. You’re my future. You protected me. That’s why I needed to find you even if I didn’t know I was looking for you.”
Epilogue
Wes woke to the aroma of coffee and something he couldn’t quite place. He heard Delia’s humming before he entered the kitchen. He watched Delia for a minute swaying to the sound of her voice before he walked up behind her and pulled her to him.
“Good morning, my love,” Wes whispered.
“Good morning, you slept late,” Delia said without moving.
“I was tired. What are you doing up this early? The sun isn’t up yet. We don’t have eggs to gather or any outdoor chores.”
“Making cinnamon rolls for my husband,” Delia answered.
“Why? It isn’t my birthday or Christmas,” Wes mumbled as he buried his face in her hair.
“We’re celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?”
Delia turned in his arms and gazed up into the hazel eyes she loved and loved her back. “Us,” she told him. “You and me. The reason I came to Creede. No longer having a marriage of convenience. Take your pick. I think we should celebrate all of them.”
“All right. We can do that, but first I need coffee.”
Delia stepped away and poured Wes a cup of coffee and prepared tea for herself. “Breakfast should be ready soon.”
Trusting the Tycoon: Cowboys and Angels, #29 Page 8
