Cora's Deception (9781476398280)

by Colvin, Mildred

  Eliza came out of the house. “How are you feeling?”

  She gave her little sister a smile. How many times had she been asked that question? “I’m fine. Really I am.”

  Eliza gathered her lap full of peas and began shelling them. “You really scared me, Cora.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” Cora whispered the words. What could she say? She’d let fear and hurt control her emotions until she’d lost all reason. Mother’s possessive fear had pushed her and Mother both into actions they would regret for the rest of their lives.

  “Just don’t do anything like that again.”

  “I won’t. I promise.”

  Cora’s hands kept busy while her mind relived the day before. Ben telling her what he’d learned. So George had found someone else. Her hands stilled, waiting for the sharp pang of jealousy to hit. Nothing happened. Had she so quickly forgotten her best friend, the man she wanted to marry? She brought George’s image to mind. He pulled her toward the shed in back of their house in St. Louis. She saw them running and then inside the shed, but like a magician’s trick, George’s scowling face faded, molding into the firm, lean lines that made Aaron so appealing.

  In her vision, Aaron’s bright blue eyes sought hers, and he smiled. Her heart leapt.

  “Cora!” Eliza grabbed her arm.

  “What?” Had her face betrayed her thoughts? Heat crept into Cora’s cheeks.

  “Isn’t that Ralph?” Eliza pointed toward the woods. A dark silhouette moved toward them.

  Ralph had been to dinner three times while Father and Ben were gone. Why couldn’t he ever bring his older brother?

  As soon as the thought bounced into her mind, Cora shoved it aside. Her future was as empty as a brand new slate. She needed time to learn what Ben had to tell her first then she needed to let all the changes work out in her life before she thought of what might lie ahead.

  “Oh, it is Ralph.” Eliza breathed the words. She tossed a handful of unshelled peas into the basket and stood. “Let’s walk out to meet him.”

  Cora finished the peas on her lap and reached for the few Eliza threw back. “We can if you’ll take this inside. Mother wouldn’t appreciate us leaving five pods to wilt in the basket.”

  She stripped the peas and added them to the others in the bowl. “Here, hurry now before he gets here.”

  Eliza grabbed the bowl and swung around through the door. Cora stood and shaded her eyes. It was Ralph all right. “Ben’s coming too.” Cora stepped off the porch as Eliza joined her.

  Eliza lifted her hand to wave at Ralph. “I don’t think Ben knows Ralph’s been calling on me. Won’t he be surprised?”

  Cora couldn’t help but smile. Eliza was so infatuated with the handsome young man that her happiness was contagious. “I don’t know why Ben should be surprised. If there were any other young men hidden away in this wilderness, Ralph would have more competition than he could handle.”

  Eliza’s cheeks flushed. “I don’t know about that.”

  “Well, I do.” Cora shook her head. Why had she complimented Eliza instead of throwing out a barb as she usually did? She walked beside her sister, soaking up their unusual camaraderie.

  Ben quickly caught up with Ralph, and dismounted to lead his horse. The two young men reached the girls at the same time.

  “Howdy.” Ralph’s quick grin swept the three young people before settling on Ben. “I ain’t seen you in a coon’s age. Have a good trip?”

  Ben’s smile seemed strained. Maybe he didn’t want Ralph there. He nodded. “Yes, our trip was very successful, thank you.”

  Cora met his gaze. He looked tired. Something must have happened at Esther’s. She opened her mouth to ask, but he spoke first. “As soon as I take care of Flash, I need to talk to you, Cora. Will you wait outside for me?”

  Cora nodded. “Yes, of course.”

  Ben led his horse toward the shelter that Father had turned into a barn to house the animals. Cora turned back to Ralph and Eliza. She’d find out what was wrong with Ben later.

  Ralph let out a low whistle. “What’d you do, have a tussle with someone’s fist?”

  Cora touched the bruise that covered her cheek. “I fell against Father’s chair. It’s just a bruise.”

  “Pretty good shiner from the looks of it.” Ralph grinned.

  Eliza tugged on his arm, and they walked away. Cora waited until they got ahead before going to meet Ben outside the shelter.

  He frowned. “I’m sorry I’ve kept you waiting so long. I know you’re anxious to hear about George. I should’ve stayed home and talked to you.”

  Something was wrong with him. He looked so dismal. “It’s all right, Ben. I had some work to do, anyway. Were you able to see Esther?”

  An expression she couldn’t read flitted through her brother’s eyes. He nodded. “Yeah, I saw her. So are you ready to hear all about George?”

  “I suppose.” Cora sighed. The weight of a boulder seemed to press against her soul. She’d caused this sadness by her inane actions, but must she continue to carry the load of her foolishness? At the moment, she didn’t care if she ever heard George’s name again.

  Ben leaned against the shelter. “I went to see the Merrills while we were in St. Louis. They send their love. They both said they miss us.”

  “That was nice of them.” Cora watched a beetle cross in front of her toe.

  “Do you remember Flanna Murphy, Cora? She worked as a maid for the Merrills.”

  Cora looked up. “You mean the little, shy, redheaded girl?”

  “Yes, you do remember her then.”

  Cora nodded. “She was always so quiet. She seemed more like part of the furnishings than a real person. She’d slip from one place to another as if she didn’t want anyone to see her.”

  Ben jammed his hands into his pockets. An angry light shone from his eyes. “George saw her.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I’m sorry, Cora.” Ben’s expression softened, and he shook his head. “I shouldn’t tell you this. It’s isn’t proper, but you need to know.”

  He looked into the distance behind her. “The Merrills have a new maid. She came in while I was there. She’s an older woman. Mrs. Merrill told Father and me she had to let Flanna go. I found out later it was because she was with child.”

  “I didn’t know Flanna was married.” Cora frowned.

  “She isn’t.”

  “Then who—”

  Ben met the question she couldn’t ask with a frown. “I heard rumors—not at the Merrill’s, of course—but from some old friends.” He looked away again as if he couldn’t bear to see her reaction. “George’s mother threatened to put Flanna out in the street to make her own way. Mr. Merrill took pity on her and sent her to his brother’s family in Philadelphia. They agreed to see to her care and that she has a job with them after the baby’s born.”

  The little Irish girl had been so shy. She couldn’t have . . . Surely she wasn’t so sinful. Flashes of memory told Cora what Ben didn’t want to say. George watching Flanna, following her from the room. Flanna’s fear of George, how she always avoided him. Flanna running away with tear-filled eyes once when Cora came upon her and George unexpectedly.

  Cora gasped. How had she been so blind, always believing George’s excuses? Flanna carried George’s baby. Ben didn’t need to tell her more. She stiffened her back. “I’m surprised George didn’t come here, anyway.”

  “According to the talk, his mother insisted he go to law school back east.” Ben turned anguished eyes on Cora. “I didn’t know all this when I sent your letter on to him. Believe me, Cora, if I’d known, I wouldn’t have sent it.”

  Cora shrugged. “Oh, well, it doesn’t really matter.” But it did matter. It bothered her that George would read her words of love.

  She looked at the distant woods, the cedar-lined creek, the green crops growing in the fields, and the simple log house. Her heart filled with gratitude that she’d been spared a life with George.

&
nbsp; She turned back to find Ben staring at her. “Are you all right, Cora?”

  She smiled. “Of course I am.”

  But was she? She felt numb, without emotion. Didn’t she care anymore? Since yesterday she felt as if she faced a brick wall with no place to move forward. Maybe her life had truly stopped when she took the laudanum.

  She shook off the maudlin thoughts. “Tell me about Esther. How is she?”

  Ben’s expression grew hard, his jaw clenched. “What’s to tell? She’s fine.”

  “Something’s wrong, Ben. I can see it.” Cora touched his arm and he flinched.

  He shook his head. “No, there’s nothing wrong. Esther just went back on her word, is all.”

  “Went back on her word?” Cora frowned. What did he mean? All at once, she knew. “Oh, Ben. Do you mean she broke your engagement? Why?”

  Ben’s short, bitter laugh tore at Cora’s heart. “That’s the interesting part. I haven’t the faintest idea why.”

  “Surely she said something.”

  “Oh, she said plenty. The best I can figure, I’m not good enough for her.”

  “You most certainly are.” How could anyone think otherwise?

  “No, I’m not.” Ben sounded angry. “I have to confess my sins. I have to fall down before God and ask Him to forgive me for every wrong I’ve ever done. Then I might be good enough for Miss Perfect Esther.”

  “She said that?” Anger burned within Cora toward the girl she’d thought was so wonderful. How could she think Ben was not good enough for her? He was far better than Esther Newkirk ever would be.

  Ben nodded. “Yeah, more or less. She told me to read John and Romans in the Bible.”

  “Whatever for?” Cora frowned. Something was wrong with that girl.

  Ben started walking toward the house. “How should I know?”

  Cora hurried to catch up with him. “Are you going to?”

  “Going to what?”

  “Read what she told you to.”

  Ben shrugged, and Cora fell into step with him. He acted as if he hadn’t heard. She started to ask again when he spoke. “Maybe.”

  Cora looked at the brother she’d adored since infancy. He stared ahead, lost in his own thoughts. Her heart went out to him. Esther had seemed so perfect for Ben. She wasn’t though. She wasn’t even close, or she wouldn’t have found fault with him.

  “I don’t think I ever want to get married.” Cora broke the silence just before they reached the house.

  “I know how you feel. We’re a sorry pair of rejects, aren’t we?” Ben’s quick grin appeared to be back to normal, but Cora wasn’t fooled.

  Life had a way of knocking a person down sometimes. She could handle being knocked off her feet. What she didn’t like was seeing her brother hurt. Esther had better not show her face around here anymore.

  Chapter 16

  Cora stepped inside ahead of Ben as Father pulled a chair back from the table and sat down. He picked Nicholas up and settled him on his lap. “People are coming into the area now the weather’s warming up.”

  Cora looked at her father. What people? How many? Where were they settling? Questions flashed through her head even as Mother asked them.

  He grinned. “Across Cedar Creek not far from Bill Reid’s place. We’ll be helping put up a new cabin in a few days. Reid says a family moved in a couple of weeks ago. Been camping there ever since.”

  Cora’s heart grew heavy at the mention of Bill Reid. So Father had gone to see the man. To tell him she wouldn’t be marrying him, no doubt. She glanced about the room, but no one looked at her. Her breath came easier. Maybe she could move beyond what had happened and even forget about it in time.

  “We got new neighbors just a hoot and a holler from us too.” Ralph spoke from across the room. “Folks is sure crowdin’ in.”

  Only a few months ago, Cora had hated the isolation of the wilderness. Now, she smiled at Ralph’s comment. This was her home. She loved the waving prairie grass that stretched out from their log home. The small cabin was wonderful, built by labor from their generous neighbors and her family. She loved the proud cedar trees lining the banks of the creek down the hill from the house. She loved the quiet sanctuary of the woods, and she especially loved her beautiful spring meadow near the hollow tree.

  Father caught her eye and smiled. He knew her better than she knew herself when he said she’d get used to this place, because she had to agree with Ralph. Sounded like way too many people were crowdin’ into their neck of the woods.

  ~*~

  Cora shaded her eyes against the next day’s morning sun as Esther drove her family’s wagon into the yard and stopped. What did she think she was doing, showing her face as if nothing had happened? She climbed down and walked toward Cora.

  Cora crossed her arms and waited. Esther’s normally light complexion was even more pale than usual with dark circles under her eyes. When she spoke, her voice held tears. “Ben said you got hurt. I came to see how you are.”

  “I’m fine.” And now you can go home and leave us alone. Cora stood straight without moving.

  Esther bent her head and clasped her hands under her chin. Her lips moved, but no sound came out. Was she praying? She lifted her head and held her hands close to her chest. “Oh, Cora, I’m so sorry for everything. Could we talk? Please?”

  She was sorry? For hurting Ben? The hardness in Cora’s heart softened under the pain-filled gaze of her former friend. Maybe she really was sorry. “All right. We can walk down by the creek. The men are working in the field on the other side of the house, so we won’t disturb them.”

  At Cora’s less-than-tactful words hurt flashed through Esther’s eyes. She caught up with Cora and they walked in silence for several yards until they reached the creek bank.

  Cora stopped under a large cedar tree. She stood with her arms folded, watching Esther. “What is it you want?”

  Esther flinched, but met Cora’s unfriendly gaze. Her eyes were blue pools of tears. She brushed at them with her hand. “Ben said you were hurt really bad.”

  Cora turned her head with the large purple bruise toward Esther. “As you can see, it’s only superficial.”

  “I didn’t know. I was so worried, Cora. I was afraid you might die, and I hadn’t told you about Jesus.” She clutched the front of her dress at the neck with trembling fingers.

  Cora stared at the other girl. She was so beautiful—on the outside. But inside something was wrong. What made her think she was better than anyone else? Cora’s jaw clenched. “I know about Jesus.”

  “Yes, but do you know of His saving power?” A tear slid from Esther’s eye, and she wiped it away. “You told me you all are believers, Cora. But I found out yesterday that Ben has never been born again. I don’t think he even understood what it means. Please, let me tell you how you can be saved.”

  Cora jerked and took a step back. Esther’s words were a verbal slap that stung. She glared at her. “How can you say such a thing to me? I am not a bad person. And neither is Ben. In fact, you’ll never find any man better than my brother.”

  Tears freely ran down Esther’s cheeks now. “All have sinned, Cora. I don’t mean you are bad. Of course not. But even good people must come to God and confess their sins.”

  All at once Cora understood. Why hadn’t she seen it before? Esther’s beauty hid a nature that was ugly and hurtful. Maybe because of her looks, Esther thought she was better than normal people. She had a superior attitude. Ben was better off without her. A smirk tugged at her lips. She certainly didn’t have to stand here and listen to this nonsense.

  “I’m sure you’re right, Esther.” Cora forced her facial muscles to relax into what she hoped was a believable smile. She turned to leave. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to the house before my mother worries. I don’t think she saw us leave.”

  Cora walked away as quickly as she could with her head held high and without a backward glance. She went into the house and didn’t watch Esther leave, b
ut she heard the wagon rumble away. Esther was gone, but her words remained. Cora thought of little else the rest of the day. She lost George and now she’d lost Esther. Pain, deeper than she expected, cut through her heart and stayed as a raw wound even into the next day.

  Midmorning, as Cora shook out the rug, she saw Aaron walking between Ralph and Ivy as they made their way out of the woods. Her heart leapt at the sight of the tall, handsome young man who stirred her in ways she shouldn’t allow. They were too different for more than friendship.

  A wooden crate hung between the two men. Whatever could they be bringing? Cora took the rug inside and announced the arrival of their guests. Eliza looked up from the oven. “Oh, no! Ralph usually comes in the evening.”

  Cora laughed. “It doesn’t look like a social call. Aaron and Ivy are with him, and they’re bringing something in a crate.”

  Eliza jerked off her apron and ran to the loft.

  “Where are you going?” Mother called after her youngest daughter’s skirts as she swished up the ladder.

  “I can’t let Ralph see me this way. I’ve got flour all over me.” Eliza’s voice drifted downstairs.

  Cora laughed along with Mother and Vickie, then went to the door.

  Ivy was alone. She stared at Cora a moment. “You look as bad as Ralph said.”

  Heat rose in Cora’s cheeks, but she managed a laugh. “Thank you, Ivy. Won’t you come in?”

  Eliza brushed past them and peeked out the door. “Hello, Ivy. Where’re your brothers?”

  “You’re right real taken with Ralph, ain’t you?” Ivy’s hands rested on her hips.

  “Taken?” Eliza turned and looked at her.

  “Sure. Taken.” Ivy repeated. “I don’t rightly see how a body could be, but I reckon we all have the right to hanker after whoever we fancy.”

  “Ralph’s very good-looking.” Eliza almost whispered the words.

  Ivy grinned. “Ralph and Aaron are round back with your menfolk. They brung a pig for y’all.”

  She turned toward Cora. “Aaron had to come see for himself if you’re all right. He’ll be around in a little when he gets the pig settled.” Her voice turned mocking. “We figured you wouldn’t let it in your house.”