Mary Louise chewed her lip. "I promised Willie I'd take care of his baby and I can't do that unless she's in my custody," she murmured. "There must be a way."
Perry leaned back and knitted his fingers over his ample belly. "Well, Miss Markham, there is one way."
She planted her palms on the attorney's desk and leaned toward him. "There is? Then you must tell me. I'll do whatever it takes to get custody of my niece."
The elderly attorney smiled. "You could marry Sheriff Matthews."
Mary Louise stared. The man must have taken leave of his senses! "What? Why, that's insane!" she sputtered. "I have no desire to marry anyone, but I'd as soon die as to be tied to that...that...pig in sheriff's clothing."
The attorney covered his mouth with his hand and then cleared his throat. "It was just a suggestion. You did say you'd do anything."
"Then let me amend my statement. I'll do anything but that."
"As I said, it was only a suggestion."
She turned her back to him and crossed her arms. "Well, sir, it was a preposterous one."
Lawyer Wilcox signed. "Yes, I suppose it was. After all, Sheriff Matthews probably wouldn't want to marry you, either."
This gave Mary Louise pause. She looked over her shoulder at the attorney. "And what, pray tell, wrong with me? I'll have you know just because I'm unwed does not mean I haven't had offers. On the contrary, Mr. Wilcox, I've had more offers than you could count. There are plenty of men who'd give everything they owned to marry me. Why, I'll wager— "
"Hold!" The attorney raised his hands in surrender. "You misunderstand me, Miss Markham. I did not mean to suggest that Sheriff Matthews would find you lacking. Why, it's easy to see that any man would be proud to make you his wife."
Mollified, Mary Louise allowed her hackles to settle. "Thank you, Mr. Wilcox. That's kind of you to say."
"However," he continued. "Considering your recent run— in with the Sheriff, I hardly think he'd find you quite as attractive as would other, less prejudiced, gentlemen."
The image of Cooper's angry face rose to her mind's eye and Mary Louise grimaced. "No doubt about that."
Perry Wilcox rose from his chair. "Besides," he said as he took her arm and began leading her from his office. "You just insisted that you'd as soon die as marry him, so his feelings about you are moot at this point, aren't they?"
"I suppose they are." But even as she said it, she realized that she wasn't quite so certain as before. The truth was, she rather liked the idea of Cooper Matthews thinking she was attractive. Heaven knew, she certainly found him so. Then she mentally shook aside the perfidious thoughts and returned her attention to what the attorney was saying to her.
"....some investigating into the matter, Miss Markham," he said. "And if I find anything that I think can help in your pursuit for custody, I'll contact you at the Victoria. All right?"
"Yes," she said absentmindedly. "You do that."
PERRY WILCOX, either knowingly or unknowingly, planted a seed of an idea in Mary Louise's consciousness and it quickly took root. For the rest of the day, Mary Louise paced in her hotel room trying to come up with a reasonable solution to the problem of obtaining her niece. When she finally concluded there was no solution outside kidnapping the child, she began, albeit grudgingly, to consider Lawyer Wilcox's suggestion.
Marriage was something Mary Louise never thought she'd even contemplate. She'd been only six when her mother died, and her father had never re— married; so the only marriages she'd been able to observe where those of a few of her friends— and she certainly hadn't been inspired to follow their lead. As a matter of fact, they'd had quite the opposite effect. After seeing the plight of some of her married friends, Mary Louise had sworn she'd remain single all her days before taking vows that insisted she "obey" some man just because he was her husband. To Mary Louise's way of thinking, marriage was a fate worse than death. Or, it had been until now.
Mary Louise continued to pace. It was obvious that if she wanted to be a part in Annie's life, she would have to make some sacrifices. But marriage? She sighed. Though the thought of marriage was unsettling, she grudgingly admitted that it would certainly make her father happy. Papa worried incessantly about her single status— and now that Willie was gone he was even more anxious as to what would happen to his only surviving child. Mary Louise smiled wryly. Never mind that the child was nearly thirty years old.
She tapped her chin with a fingernail as she considered her options. If she didn't marry Sheriff Matthews, she would lose any hope of having a hand in raising Willie's child— if she'd ever doubted it, Cooper's reaction last night confirmed her fears. However, if she took Mr. Wilcox's suggestion and found a way to become Sheriff Matthews's wife, she'd be Annie's mother, would have a say in Annie's rearing, and Papa would be able to see his grandchild whenever he wanted. He was an old man now, over sixty, and he deserved the right to spend his last years bouncing his only grandchild on his knee.
Mary Louise chewed her lip. Cooper Matthews was obviously a wonderful father, but that didn't mean he'd be a wonderful husband— if there were such a thing. If he had been a good husband, Etta wouldn't have left him, would she? Why had Etta left, she wondered. Had she been abused by the seemingly mild— mannered sheriff? Mary Louise shook her head, dismissing the thought immediately. Though she'd only recently met the man, she knew instinctively that he wasn't the sort to do violence to a woman. There had to have been some other reason, though she couldn't imagine what that reason could be.
Mary Louise tried to imagine what it would be like being married to the handsome sheriff. She was attracted to Cooper Matthews, she couldn't deny that. And the man did have his good points. He obviously adored Annie, he had a good sense of humor, he seemed honest, he wasn't boring, and thus far he'd behaved like a gentleman— even when he'd been angry enough to strangle her with his bare hands. But to be married to him ...he would have the right to touch her, to kiss her and to...Mary Louise closed her eyes as warmth swirled in her stomach, and her face flamed at the direction her thoughts were taking. "Stop it!" she admonished. "Think only of Annie. Nothing else matters."
She continued to ponder the situation. As things stood now, Sheriff Matthews held all the cards. Annie was legally his child and he had complete control of her life. He could, if he so chose, prevent Mary Louise or her father from even seeing her. And, after observing Cooper's anger last night, that possibility seemed more than a little possible. Mary Louise paused from her pacing. "I simply cannot let that happen," she muttered.
COOPER WAS in a foul mood. He hadn't slept well, having been awakened several times by nightmares having to do with losing Annie to the Markham woman. His jaw muscles were stiff and sore from grinding his teeth, and his eyelids felt as if they were lined with sandpaper. He'd reminded himself a thousand times that there was no way Mary Louise could take Annie from him, but his gut tightened every time he thought of her shocking revelation. Damn the woman! Why'd she have to come here and try to ruin his life? He wished he could think of a legitimate reason to run her out of town. His musing was interrupted when the focus of his anger and fear calmly walked into his private office.
"What do you want?" he growled.
Miss Markham appeared not to have noticed his hostile greeting for she smiled at him before closing the door. "I want to talk with you."
He shook his head. "I'm done talking. Annie is my child and that's all there is to it."
Without waiting for an invitation, Mary Louise sat down across from Cooper's desk. "I didn't come here to argue about that. I spoke with an attorney and he agrees with you." She sighed. "There's no denying that Annie is legally your child."
At this, Cooper's anger diminished slightly— but not his distrust. Even so, he was struck anew by the woman's extraordinary beauty. Damnation, he thought bitterly. One look at those big, blue eyes made a man want to give her anything she asked for. He tore his gaze from her face and focused on a spot on the wall above her left shoulder. "If
you're here to try to convince me to give her up anyway, you're wasting your time."
Mary Louise shook her head. "I'm not here to do that, either. However, I would like to hear you concede the fact that Annie's my niece." When he didn't answer right away, she pleaded, "Can't you at least give me that?"
Cooper sighed and leaned back in his chair. "All right, I'll admit it's possible she's really your niece."
"Not exactly an endorsement, but I suppose it'll have to do," Mary Louise muttered drily.
"Take it or leave it. After the way you've lied, that's the most you'll get from me."
"I haven't lied to you."
"Withholding the truth is the same as lying."
Mary Louise leaned forward. "All right, I apologize for withholding my reason for coming to Hollisburg. But won't you try to understand my feelings in this matter? Willie was my only brother and Annie is his child. She's all my father and I have left of him. Surely you can see what Annie means to Papa and me?"
Cooper shifted uncomfortably. He preferred to think of Mary Louise and her father as the enemy. He didn't want to think about how they might feel where Annie was concerned. He didn't want to know how much losing her would hurt them. "I suppose I can," he reluctantly conceded. "But it won't make me change my mind. I love Annie as much as you loved your brother— probably more. I'm sorry for what's happened to your family, but Annie is mine and nothing you say or do will change that fact."
Mary Louise nervously licked her lips. "There is one possible solution to consider. What if she were both yours and mine?"
Cooper narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "What are you getting at?"
"I asked you a simple question. What if we raised Annie together?"
Cooper abruptly straightened. "And just how would you suggest we do that?"
Mary Louise rolled her eyes and then let her gaze return to his face. "You're going to make me spell it out, aren't you?"
"I think you'd better."
"All right, I will." She squared her shoulders and pinned him with her gaze. "Sheriff Matthews, will you do me the honor of becoming my husband?"
Chapter 7
COOPER stared at Mary Louise, disbelief making his features slack. "That's the most...I think you're either crazy or...or...Hell, you're just crazy, that's all."
Mary Louise leveled her gaze at him as she slowly removed her gloves and stuffed them in her caba. "I'm not crazy," she said calmly. "I'm desperate. I want a hand in raising my niece and you have legal custody of her. Since you won't give her up, marriage seems the only solution to our problem."
"We don't have a problem. You have a problem."
She shrugged. "Whatever. I won't argue semantics with you. I came here to propose marriage, and now that I've proposed I'd like to hear your answer."
Cooper leaned back and studied her. "You expect me to marry you just so you can have a say in Annie's upbringing? You'd actually be willing to do that?"
She seemed to be mentally evaluating his office; her gaze drifted over the cluttered desk, the scuffed wooden floor, and the cracked plaster walls before coming back to Cooper. She arched a brow and, seeming somewhat amused, said, "I'm not talking about a real marriage, Sheriff. I'm talking about a business arrangement— a merger of sorts. Believe me, I have no desire to marry you or anyone else. If not for Annie, I wouldn't even consider it."
Her words surprised him. "No? And why is that?"
"Why should I?" She chuckled without humor. "Frankly, Sheriff, I don't understand why any woman would knowingly and willingly give up her freedom, her property, and her name for the dubious honor of becoming some man's unpaid servant."
"What about love?"
Mary Louise gave an unladylike snort. "Love? What has that got to do with marriage?"
Cooper smiled crookedly. "I was under the impression that most folks get married because they love each other and want to spend their lives together."
Mary Louise picked at a piece of lint on her skirt. "Not from what I've observed. Oh, I'll grant for the most part men and women pretend that love is the reason for their marrying." She lifted her gaze to his. "But their real motives become apparent soon after the ceremony."
Cooper cocked his head. "The real motives?"
"Yes. For women, it's a simple matter of security. For the men, it's convenience— their convenience, mind you— and, of course, to get an heir."
Cooper arched a brow and gave her an amused smile. "And you aren't interested in security, I take it?"
There was a trace of hauteur in her voice as she replied, "Not in the least. I have my own income. My mother left me a good deal of money when she died, money which my father wisely invested for me. The interest alone will keep me quite comfortable for the rest of my life." She touched the hair at her nape in what seemed to Cooper an insolent gesture. "I'm also my father's only surviving heir— except for Annie, of course. So you see, I don't need a man to take care of me, I'm quite capable of taking care of myself." She eyed him speculatively. When Cooper didn't respond to her assertion, she snapped, "Well, aren't you going to say anything?"
Cooper was taken aback by the question. "What do you want from me— a medal? Admiration? Praise? Fine, I salute your independence."
She rolled her eyes. "That's not what I meant. Look, will you stop all this nonsense and simply answer my question?"
A smile hovered around Cooper's lips. "What question was that?"
She spoke through clinched teeth. "Will you marry me?"
Cooper let the question hang for several beats. Then, when it appeared she was going to explode, he gave her his answer: "No."
The fire seemed to go out of her as she slowly sat back and gazed at him. "Do you find me so unappealing that you can't even consider it?"
He studied her for a moment, then leaned forward and rested his elbows on his desk. "If it'll make you feel better, my refusal is not because I find you unattractive, Miss Markham. As a matter of fact, you have a great many qualities I'd like in a wife— if I were looking for a wife. You're beautiful, you're smart, and I believe I have even detected a sense of humor behind that haughty facade."
She seemed not to have heard his less— than— flattering last remark. Confusion clouded her blue eyes. "Then why— ?"
He shrugged. "Unlike you, I don't think people should marry unless they love each other. I don't love you, it's as simple as that. I married the first time for reasons other than love. It was a mistake I don't intend to make a second time."
"You never loved Marietta Blake?"
"Not the way a man should love his wife, no." He held up a hand when she started to say something. "Let me explain about Marietta and me." He smiled bitterly. "Not that I feel I owe you any explanations, but I'd like to set the record straight in regard to my first marriage. When I married Marietta I was twenty years old and she had just turned thirteen."
"Thirteen! Why, that's...that's— "
Cooper interrupted, "Before you jump to any conclusions about my character, let me finish. Until she married me, Marietta lived with her parents and two brothers in a shack a few miles from Rose Hill. The family was considered 'poor— white— trash' by those more fortunate. Lucy Blake, Marietta's mother, took in laundry and supported the rest of her family on her meager earnings. Dooley, Marietta's father, was a drunkard who often beat her and her mother. Marietta's brothers, Elmer and Jesse, are lazy and good— for— nothing. Neither they nor their father ever did an honest day's work in their lives. They lived on Lucy's earnings and what they could steal from their neighbors.
"When Marietta was thirteen, her mother died. I'm not sure of the cause, maybe she worked herself to death, or, more likely, Dooley gave her one beating too many. I learned of her death when I dropped by the shack to pick up some laundry. By then she'd been in the ground several days.
"While I was there, Jesse Blake asked me for money. He said he'd let me take his little sister into the bedroom as payment. He said both he and Elmer had been anxious to sample Marietta's
charms, but they decided to wait and let a paying customer take her innocence— at least that was the gist of his words. Jesse put it a bit more crudely."
"Oh, my God." Mary Louise murmured. "That poor child."
"My feelings exactly. I'd watched Marietta grow up. She was an adorable baby and a pretty little girl— she looked very much like Annie. The thought of what Elmer and Jesse could force her to endure made me sick to my stomach. It was all I could do to keep from wrapping my hands around Jesse's throat and choking the life out of him. But instead, I asked to speak with Dooley. When the old man staggered outside, I told him I'd give him two hundred dollars in cash if he'd sign the necessary papers giving his consent for Marietta to marry me.
"The old man practically drooled at the mention of money. The moment he agreed to the marriage I loaded him and Marietta into my wagon and drove straight to the County Courthouse. Dooley made his mark on the papers, I gave him the money I promised, and Judge Kyle Jeeter performed the ceremony. By noon I was a married man and Marietta was safe from her depraved kin."
Mary Louise leaned forward so that she could rest her arms on Cooper's desk. "That's an incredible story. What did your family have to say about your marriage to Marietta?"
Cooper leaned back at looked at the ceiling as he relived that fateful day twelve years ago. "My ma died when I was eight and my pa, well, Pa's mind wasn't right. He lived in a world of his own. I'm not sure he even understood what I'd done. My older brother, Maxwell, was livid. He said marrying her was the stupidest thing I'd ever done. Maxwell couldn't understand why I should care what happened to a girl who was nothing more than white trash. We argued, I packed my belongings and moved with Marietta into a boarding house in town. I haven't spoken to my brother since. I saw him only once after that, at our father's funeral."
Cooper sat up then and glared at Mary Louise. "My marriage to Marietta wasn't a real marriage. She was more like my younger sister than my wife. She stayed with me four years and during that time I taught her to read and write. I taught her how to dress appropriately, how to use a knife and fork, how to speak properly. She grew into a beautiful, self— assured woman, but even so, I couldn't bring myself to..." He dropped his gaze to the top of his cluttered desk and began shuffling papers. "Like I said, she was like my little sister."
For the Love of Annie Page 7
