Cora's Deception (9781476398280)

by Colvin, Mildred

  The way she’d latched on to him and wouldn’t let go, everyone could see. Cora hadn’t been able to get close to him for more than a few minutes all day because of Anna.

  Cora’s gaze roved over the gathering and stopped. Aaron stood across the cleared area. His eyes met hers. Her heart stepped up a beat. Would he ask her to dance? The squares were forming. Someone brushed against Cora, and she turned. “I’m sorry.”

  “No need.” Ben grinned at her. “Better find a partner if you’re going to dance.”

  Ivy clung to his arm.

  Cora shook her head. “I may wait the first one out.”

  Why did Esther have to be so self-righteous? Cora glanced across the clearing beyond those who were getting ready to dance where Esther stood close to her mother. Ben laughed at something Ivy said as they joined a group of four couples. Esther lowered her head. Cora shook hers. The anger she’d harbored toward Esther had faded.

  Esther looked up, her eyes appearing huge and dark in her pale face as they followed Ben’s every move. After seeing the hurt on Esther’s face and the way she watched Ben, Cora pitied her former friend. Why couldn’t she understand she’d done this to herself? If she truly loved Ben, she’d accept him as he was.

  Cora shrugged and turned back to find Aaron. He was gone. He couldn’t have gotten away so quickly. Where did he go?

  She swept the dancers with her gaze and didn’t find him. He wasn’t with those sitting or standing on the sidelines, either. Her breath came in a rush. There he was, leaning over his mother. He hadn’t gone away after all.

  Mrs. Stark spoke, and Aaron shook his head. She looked across the yard toward Cora. Aaron frowned and looked too. Cora’s gaze locked with his and a flush moved up his neck. Her face grew hot as blood pounded in her temples. His mother evidently wanted him to ask her to dance, and he didn’t want to.

  All at once, she understood something that had been so elusive before. Her feelings for Aaron. Love for him rushed into her heart as if it’d been waiting at the gate for her acceptance. How could this happen? Maybe because George had been standing in the way so she couldn’t see anyone else.

  Mr. Reid’s violin slowed, and Mr. Stark called for another set. “Come on, let’s go. Got room for two more couples right here.”

  Anna Hanson pranced up to Aaron and grabbed his hand, pulling him toward the sets. He held back at first but soon enough gave in to her enticement. She’d braided her thick, blond hair and coiled it at the back of her head with short curls framing her face. With a laugh, she skipped beside Aaron to join one of the sets.

  Tears blurred Cora’s vision. Aaron would dance with Anna, but not with her.

  “There’s still room for another couple. You wanna dance with me?”

  Cora turned to see Anna’s older brother smile at her. She didn’t want to dance with anyone other than Aaron, but she might as well. At least this man wouldn’t hurt her. She took his offered hand.

  “I suppose.” They moved toward the other set. “I’m sorry, but I seem to have forgotten your name.”

  “Axel Hanson.” He bowed. “I know your name is Cora, short for Cordella, I assume.”

  “Yes, that’s right.”

  “Swing those ladies to the center and back.” Mr. Stark’s voice rang out.

  Axel, a smooth, experienced dancer, guided Cora through the steps without mistake.

  “Gents swing out and Ladies swing in, and hold your holts and gone again.”

  She had no time to look for Aaron, but that didn’t stop her from thinking of him.

  “Ladies swing out and Gents swing in, you hold your holts and gone again. Break that swing and everybody swing, and on the left by your left wing. And rights and lefts all around the ring.”

  Mr. Stark kept a steady rhythm, beating out the time with both hands clapping and one foot tapping to Mr. Reid’s racing fiddle. He repeated the same call three more times until Cora and Axel met again. She was ready to stop.

  He caught her hand. “Come on, let’s sit the next one out.” He tugged her away from the group. “I’ve gotta catch my breath.”

  Cora glanced toward Aaron. Anna held his arm as if she’d grown attached to it. Looked like they might dance all night.

  She nodded. “All right.”

  Axel led her toward the house where a few women, including Mother and Vickie, sat by the front door. Several small children played near them. Lanterns hung on the front of the house, and a large bonfire blazed on an open patch of ground several yards to the side. Cora paid little attention to where she walked until Axel guided her out of the light.

  “Where are you going?” She stopped. They were well past the side of the house near the back yard. “There’s nothing out here.”

  He grinned. “Yeah, I know.”

  Cora’s heart hammered.

  Axel’s gaze bored into her in a way that made her skin crawl.

  “I’m not going with you.”

  Axel laughed. He slipped his arm around her waist, pulling her close. “I saw how disappointed you were when my sister got to Stark first. You should be glad she snagged him.”

  Cora struggled to free herself. Axel’s arm tightened to a painful grip as he pulled her closer into the dark. She pushed against him to no avail. Oh, why was he doing this? If she screamed someone would come, but then the party would be ruined. Father didn’t deserve this. He didn’t deserve her for a daughter. She’d caused enough trouble for her family already.

  He cleared the back corner of the house, and fear brought a squeal from her. Axel clamped a hand over her mouth. “Hey, none of that.”

  She’d bite him. Before she could open her mouth to follow through with the thought, Axel jerked away. An oath flew from his mouth as he staggered to right his balance. “What in the world was that?”

  He swung around.

  In the darkness, Cora sensed another presence. Then she saw him.

  Aaron’s fist connected with Axel’s jaw and knocked him to the ground.

  Cora hugged the corner of the house as Aaron grabbed Axel’s shirtfront and hauled him to his feet. Cora’s eyes adjusted to the dim light of the bonfire reflecting from Axel’s blond hair and Aaron’s light blue shirt.

  Aaron’s fist drew back. Axel shielded his face. “Don’t hit me again.” He staggered back, his hands up in surrender as Aaron let him go.

  He sneered. “I figured she was available when you ignored her.”

  “Ignored her?” Aaron scowled. “I ain’t ignored her from the first time I laid eyes on her.”

  “Sure you did.” Axel wiped a hand across his mouth, smearing blood from a small cut. “You should’ve seen her face when my sister came along and grabbed hold of you.” He moved farther away. “I was just trying to cheer her up some.”

  Aaron glared at Axel slinking away. “You ain’t fit to associate with the hogs. Git outta here.” He watched Axel leave before he turned to Cora.

  Cora couldn’t stop from trembling. She clasped her hands together under her chin. Aaron had come for her. He’d saved her from Axel’s evil intent.

  ~*~

  Aaron stepped close to Cora without touching her, although he longed to gather her into his arms. “Did he hurt you?”

  Even in the last glow of twilight, her pale face and wide, dark eyes filled his vision. She shook her head. “No, I’m fine.”

  Maybe so, but he wanted to hold her to make sure. He’d warm her so she didn’t shake so much, but he had no right. “He won’t bother you no more. He’s too big a coward.”

  A slow tear slid down her cheek, tearing at his heart. He caught it on his finger. After that, he simply reacted as his fingers wrapped around her upper arms. She leaned closer to him, and he felt the tremor of her fear. His hands slid around to enfold her, to bring her close against him, and to chase away anything that might hurt his Cora. Never in his life had he felt anything as wonderful as Cora next to his heart. When she melted against him without hesitation, he relished her closeness.

  He s
poke near her ear. “It’s all right now. I won’t never let anyone hurt you.”

  Her sigh brushed warmth inside his open collar. They stood together for far too short a time, but long enough for Cora to stop trembling. He didn’t want to let her go, but he had to. He lifted her chin with the crook of his finger until he could see her eyes. They were wet with tears—and beautiful.

  He smiled, coaxing a smile from her and tripping up his heart. “We’d better get back afore someone misses you and comes lookin’.”

  “Aaron, how did you know?”

  “That you needed help?”

  She nodded, and he shrugged. “It wasn’t hard to see you didn’t want to go with that ornery feller. I’d’ve come sooner, but I couldn’t get away from his sister.”

  Cora giggled “Is she as bad as he is?”

  Aaron chuckled. “Yeah, but I didn’t have to hit her as hard.”

  Cora laughed. Then her eyes narrowed. “Did you throw something at him?”

  “Just a rock.” Aaron chuckled again. “I didn’t have a snowball.”

  “I’m glad because a rock probably hurts more than a snowball.”

  Aaron nodded. “Yeah, you’re right. He’ll have a bruise and a split lip, but I had to get his attention so’s I could knock some sense into him.”

  When she smiled, he knew he’d never seen a sweeter, prettier girl than Cora. Then she spoke. “When I said you are wonderful, I meant every word. You are. Thank you for rescuing me.”

  Could a man’s heart bust right out of his chest for love of a woman? Warmth crept up Aaron’s neck with every beat. “I reckon any decent feller would’ve done the same.”

  Cora pulled back from him and slammed her fists against her hips. “Well, you’re the one who came, and that isn’t what I’m talking about, anyway.”

  Aaron let his hands drop to his sides. What was she talkin’ about? He’d sure said somethin’ wrong.

  “I like you, Aaron Stark. I like you a lot.” Her blue eyes shone in the moonlight. She tilted her head to one side. “Don’t you like me, even a little?”

  He almost melted down at her feet. ’Course he liked her, more than a little. Thing was, he didn’t have no right to be likin’ her at all. He shook his head. “It don’t matter how I feel if you’re already spoken for.”

  “Spoken for?” Cora’s eyes grew wide. Was that fear that flashed through them? “She staggered back a half-step. Her hand spread across her chest. “What do you mean by that? Because it isn’t true.”

  “I heard there was a feller from your old home comin’ to—”

  “Oh.” Cora slumped as if the air had been let out of her. “You mean George.” She shook her head. “No, George isn’t coming. I’d never marry him even if he did. He isn’t good and kind. He isn’t a gentleman like you.”

  Hope sprang up in Aaron’s heart even as he ran his hand through his hair. Cora was free. He’d think on that later. But why’d she call him a gentleman? She didn’t look like she was makin’ fun. “You sure you know what you’re sayin’?

  Tears sprang to her eyes, and she turned to walk away. “Yes, I’m making a fool of myself.”

  Aaron caught her arm. “Wait, Cora. I’m sorry. What’d I say wrong?”

  She meant what she’d said. The realization slowly took root within him. Cora liked him, and she was free for him to love. He couldn’t let her walk away now. He turned her back to face him. “I’m the fool, Cora. Look at me. What you see here is nothin’ but a dirt-poor farmer. That’s all I know. All I’ve ever known. Shoot! I’m so poor I couldn’t buy hay for a nightmare.”

  Cora stared into his eyes, her lashes still damp from her tears. She shook her head. “There’s nothing wrong with farming.”

  She meant it. Every word of it. His heart sang with joy and the wonder of Cora’s acceptance. Courage grew inside. “Can I come callin’? I mean, iff’n your pa’ll let me.”

  Aaron held his breath as a smile bloomed across her face.

  “Ralph comes to see Eliza, doesn’t he?”

  He grinned. “That’s right. I ain’t seen no bullet holes in him yet. I’ll ask permission tonight afore I leave.”

  He took Cora’s smaller hand in his and brought it to his lips for a gentle kiss. “Sounds like another dance astartin’. Come on afore your pa catches us back here and does shoot me.”

  Once he had her hand in his, he didn’t let it go. Joy such as he’d never known before, filled him. If only she never regretted her words, because he didn’t intend to ever let her go.

  ~*~

  Cora sang as she went about her work. Father had given permission, and Aaron was coming to visit that evening. She dusted the corner cabinet a second time.

  “Cora, what’s the matter with you? You’ve been nervous all day.” Vickie lay her knitting aside.

  Cora closed the glass doors and turned toward her sister, warmth filling her cheeks. “I guess I’m being silly.” She crossed to the other chair and sank into it, keeping her voice low so Mother couldn’t hear from the kitchen end of the room. “Aaron said he’d come by tonight.”

  “Oh, so that’s the way it is.” Vickie nodded and lowered her voice. “That must mean you’ve forgotten George.”

  At the mention of his name, a flush of anger brought Cora straight in her chair. “I know he’s your brother-in-law, Vickie, but I don’t think George is—”

  “Kind, considerate, gentlemanly. . .need I go on?” Vickie smiled and picked up her knitting again.

  Cora laughed. “Then you understand.”

  “Yes.” Vickie nodded. “I’ve known him as long as you have. I also know he’s spoiled rotten by his doting mother. It amazes me a woman can treat her two sons so differently.” She looked at Cora, her expression stern. “I hope you’re not playing with Aaron Stark’s affections. From what I’ve seen, he’s a fine young man.”

  “Yes, he is.” Cora shook her head ready to confess her feelings for Aaron when Ben came in from outside.

  “How long until supper?” He turned to the kitchen where Mother sat at the table peeling potatoes.

  She looked up. “At least half an hour.”

  Ben glanced around the large room. “Where are Father and John?”

  “In the south field.” Mother tossed a potato in the pot and stood. “I think they’re hoeing corn this afternoon.”

  “Okay.” He nodded and stepped back outside, leaving the door open. Cora watched until she couldn’t see him anymore. If anyone was playing with a Stark’s affection, it was Ben. Surely he didn’t care anything about Ivy, yet he’d turned to her as soon as Esther tossed him aside.

  She lifted her eyes to the distant line of trees. Two figures stepped out into the open pasture. Aaron and Ralph. They’d be at the house in minutes. She jumped up and tore off the stained work apron she’d been wearing all day. With it and the dust cloth clutched in her hand, she ran for the ladder.

  “Cora, what’s the matter?” Vickie sat up straight in her chair.

  “Aaron and Ralph are coming. Eliza’s out back, I think. Do you mind telling her?” Cora scrambled over the last rung of the ladder and ran into her room, throwing the apron and dust cloth into a basket of laundry. As she pulled her hairbrush through her hair, Eliza climbed into the room.

  “Vickie said Ralph’s coming. Look at me. I’m a mess. I was feeding that fat, old pig he gave us. I don’t know why he didn’t say something at the party.” Eliza grumbled as she fumbled with her dress.

  Cora smoothed the hair above her braid. “He probably smelled the corn bread baking.”

  “Cora!” Eliza’s dress dropped to the floor, and she grabbed another from a hook on the wall.

  “I’m only teasing.” Cora lifted her long braid and coiled it in a knot at the back of her head. “It’s just that I figured Ralph could smell food a mile away.”

  Eliza stuck her tongue out. “It’s nice to have you back to normal. I was getting tired of you being nice and sweet to me.” Her grin disappeared when she pulled her clean
dress over her head.

  They might as well have taken their time. Cora helped set the table and watched out the door every few minutes, but the men all came in together for supper. Aaron glanced at Cora with a quick smile, but that was it. No acknowledgement she was even in the same room except for the occasional meeting of their eyes, which brought warmth to her cheeks each time.

  After they ate, Cora and Eliza helped clean while the men went outside to sit on the porch and visit. The open door created a frame for the slanted bright rays bathing the countryside in patches of sunshine and shadows. Low voices added music to Cora’s waiting heart. At long last, Cora followed her mother and Vickie outside. She shared a smile with Eliza, understanding the brightness in her sister’s eyes. Her heart pounded out its own special beat of anticipation.

  Mother and Vickie took the only chairs. Cora sat on the edge of the porch beside Eliza and watched Lenny try to teach Nicholas to catch a ball. Ralph leaned against a post a few feet from Eliza. Cora looked past Eliza, Ralph, and Ben to Aaron. His eyes met hers and the distance between them disappeared. Excitement surged through her body in a way she’d never felt before.

  Cora pulled her gaze from Aaron. She couldn’t sit and stare at him, but oh how she wanted to. He talked to her father and Ben about raising corn, but she had no idea what they said. She listened to his deep voice. Every time he glanced her way, her heart lurched.

  Finally, Vickie stood. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go in. It’s been a long day.”

  John picked up his yawning son and followed her inside as Ben hopped off the porch. “I’m going out to check on Flash.” He stretched out a hand toward Aaron. “Good to see you again.”

  “Thanks. You too.” Aaron shook his hand, and Ben turned toward Ralph.

  After they shook hands, he strode off whistling. The shadow of the house loomed large on the ground almost swallowing him in the darkness. He seemed happier tonight. More content. Maybe he was getting over Esther.