Edwina's Husband

by Agnes Alexander

  Where has he been and what’s he been doing?

  Easing the door open, Edwina watched as Wyatt stumbled into the wall again.

  “Hell fire. Who changed the width of this hall?” He slammed his fist into the wall, knocking down a picture hanging there.

  He turned his head and for the first time she got a good look at his face. There were bruises and dried blood from his forehead to his chin. His shirt was half out of his pants and hung open. It was splattered with blood.

  Slipping out the door, she moved toward him. “Wyatt, what in the world happened to you?”

  He gave her a drunken grin. “Edwina, my naive little beauty. I had a fight.”

  “I see that.”

  “My head hurts like hell. I need to go to bed.”

  “I agree.”

  He stumbled again. “Who’s moving the floor?”

  “Come on. Your room’s not far.”

  He leaned against her.

  “I can’t support you, Wyatt. You’re too big.”

  He laughed. “But I’m just the right size for you, aren’t I?”

  She didn’t answer as she opened the door to his room and helped him inside.

  Neither of them noticed the door leading to the servants’ quarters closing.

  Chapter 5

  Wyatt opened his eyes and groaned. His head was throbbing and he felt as though his mouth was full of cotton. Why the hell did he go into town and try to out-drink every cowboy in the saloon and fight the rancher who had his eye on the same saloon girl. Then after winning the fight, why did he take the feisty little brunette upstairs? Now, all he wanted to do was forget last night, roll over and try to sleep it all off, but there was work to be done today. Several wild horses were brought in yesterday, and he’d told the hands he wanted them broken today. He knew they expected him to be there to do his share.

  He raised up and forced his feet to the floor, wishing now that instead of sleeping, he’d go ahead and die. He knew he couldn’t feel worse if the grim reaper were sitting on his shoulder.

  It took all the willpower he possessed to stand and walk to the adjoining bathroom. He had to prop on the edge of the cabinet to pour water in the wash basin and swipe under his arms and in other necessary areas. He decided shaving would be too much effort. If anyone asked he’d say he wanted the beard to protect his face from the dust and sand he was sure would be stirred up with the rearing broncos.

  Back in the bedroom, he kicked the crumpled clothes he’d worn yesterday out of his way and took clean garments from his wardrobe. Finally he was ready to go downstairs. His only hope was that the prissy Edwina and his father were still asleep.

  He made it to the dining room and let out a sigh of relief when he found it empty. He dropped to his chair and heard the shuffling of a woman’s dress. “God, please let it be Rosalinda,” he muttered.

  “Well, if you aren’t a beautiful sight this morning.” Rosalinda came in and sat a cup of hot coffee in front of him. “Drink this. You look like you’re desperate for it.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I’ll have your plate in a minute.”

  “All I want is coffee.”

  “Well, young man, you’re going to get some food. I found your untouched plate on the table this morning. I know that means you went off to town and drank your supper.”

  “I—”

  “Don’t try to explain to me. I know you too well.” She turned back to the kitchen.

  Hell, does every woman in this house have to try to run my life? I know Rosalinda thinks she has the right, and maybe she does, but Miss Edwina certainly doesn’t. I’ve got to get rid of that woman before she makes changes around here I won’t be able to rectify.

  The door leading into the hall opened and Edwina came into the dining room. “So, you finally got up.”

  “Why are you up?” he snapped.

  “I’ve been up for two hours. I’ve fed Adam and got him back in bed for his morning nap.”

  “I guess you’ve already had breakfast, too.”

  “Of course, but I knew you’d be late this morning.”

  He raised an eyebrow and she went on. “I’m surprised you didn’t sleep the day away considering the shape you were in last night. It was bad enough to keep a man in bed for a week.”

  “How do you know what kind of shape I was in?”

  “You came down the hall in the early morning hours and I thought one of your bulls had managed to get inside. I was afraid you were going to wake Adam and everyone else in the house, so I put you to bed.”

  “I don’t remember that.”

  “That doesn’t surprise me, either.”

  It then dawned on him he’d awakened butt naked.

  Did this little woman take my clothes off? No. She wouldn’t do that. She’s too…too…well, too something. I must have undressed myself.

  Rosalinda came in and put a plate with eggs, ham, and potatoes in front of him with her right hand. She produced a basket of biscuits with the left. “Now eat up and get out of here. I don’t want you in my dining room when I’m getting ready to set the table for dinner.”

  “I told you I only wanted coffee.”

  “I know what you told me, but I’m telling you to eat.”

  “Damn it, Rosalinda, I—”

  “Don’t use that language to me. Eat.” She smiled at Edwina. “Would you like some coffee, Miz Edwina?”

  “Yes, but I think I’ll come in the kitchen to drink it. I’m sure you’ll be more pleasant company than this bear.” She started toward the kitchen door.

  “Stay here,” Wyatt barked.

  “Why?”

  “I want to talk to you.”

  “I’ll bring you some coffee, Miz Edwina.”

  Edwina took the chair to Wyatt’s right. “What do you want to talk to me about?”

  “This so-called marriage of ours.” He looked at her and wished he hadn’t. Those blue eyes reminded him of pools of water and for an instant he wanted to dive in.

  “I figured you’d get around to that.”

  He frowned. Did she know the marriage was false? Was she going to admit she’d been trying to play him for a fool? He couldn’t help hoping this wasn’t so. He wanted to believe she was the same innocent girl he’d conned into thinking she was his wife.

  He cut a piece of ham and said, “I think it’s time we talked about what happened between us in Richmond.”

  Rosalinda brought Edwina’s coffee and he quit talking. When they were alone again, she spoke first.

  “I know it was fast and you didn’t want to marry me, but when you did the right thing, I thought you were happy with the arrangement.”

  “For the moment, I was, Edwina. It’s just that…well, a lot of time has passed…”

  “Don’t you think I know that? I spent nine months carrying your child and I had everyone in Uncle Hezekiah’s church praying that you would soon return to us. Then when Adam was born and you still hadn’t showed up, they were all saying you’d deserted us.” She sipped her coffee.

  “I’m sorry it was hard for you.”

  “Oh, don’t get me wrong, Wyatt. I’m not complaining, but you’re right, it was hard and it got harder. Uncle Hezekiah and Aunt Callie started badgering me to divorce you for leaving me alone with a baby. Of course, I refused. I took my marriage vows seriously and I knew if I could ever find you, you’d live up to your responsibility to Adam and me.”

  “But, Edwina, I’m not sure you and Adam are going to fit on the ranch.”

  “It is different from Richmond, I agree, but I’ll get used to it in time. Adam will grow up here and he’ll never know the difference.” She shrugged. “Then when we have another child, he’ll have a playmate.”

  Wyatt was stunned. He’d been wrong thinking Edwina knew the marriage was a scam. Here she was talking about raising Adam on the ranch, an idea he liked, but what was this about another baby? Did she expect him to become a loving husband to her? Lord, he hoped not.

  �
��You’re not saying anything, Wyatt. Don’t you want to have other children?”

  He couldn’t speak, so he shook his head. Then he saw tears form in her beautiful eyes and found his tongue. “What I mean is, I want to get to know you and Adam better before adding another child.”

  Relief showed on her face. “Oh, I understand now and you’re right. We should wait before adding to the family.”

  Wyatt knew if he didn’t get out of here, he’d be promising this woman to give her all the children she wanted. “I’ve got to get out and work with the new horses. We’ll talk later.”

  Before he could stand, Edwina said, “There’s one more thing, Wyatt.”

  “What?”

  “How often do you go out and get drunk?”

  “You sure do get to the point, don’t you?”

  “I need to know. I don’t want Adam to be raised by a drinking daddy. My father was a drunk and I know how hard it can be on a child.”

  Hell. She’s thinking of taking Adam away from me.

  He took a deep breath. “I hadn’t been drunk like I was last night in more than a year. I’m a good businessman and a drunk can’t run a ranch.”

  “Oh, what a relief. When I put you to bed last night, I thought I was re-living my childhood while my daddy was alive.”

  “You put me to bed?”

  “Somebody had to.”

  “But I was… I mean I didn’t have any clothes on this morning.”

  “Of course not. You were bloody and smelled like a mule. I had to strip you before I washed your bruises and got you fit to put in a clean bed.”

  “Weren’t you embarrassed?”

  She grinned. “A little, but after all, I’m your wife. It’s my duty to help you when you need me. Besides, I’ve seen you naked before.”

  Wyatt stood and pushed back his chair. “I’ve got to get to work.”

  “I’m sorry if I delayed you.”

  “That’s fine.” He paused at the door and looked at her.

  She’s a pretty woman. If she had the right clothes and…

  He pushed the thought away and said, “I’ll be in around one for the midday meal. If you and Dad want to wait that long, we’ll eat together.”

  All the way to the corral, where the wild horses were penned, he kept wondering why in the world he’d told her he wanted her and his Dad to join him to eat dinner when he meant to tell her they weren’t married and she was going to have to go. It must be his throbbing head. He never thought clearly when his head hurt.

  Chapter 6

  “What do you mean, I can’t have a new gown made?” Cora Sue Reeson stomped her foot and stared at her father. “I can’t wear an old gown to the party.”

  “Old? Child, you had a gown made a couple of months ago.”

  “But I wore it to Wyatt’s dinner the other night. He’s seen it and I can’t let him see me in it again so soon. Not if you insist he be the man I have to marry.”

  “What difference does a gown make?” He looked confused.

  “Oh, Daddy, don’t you understand anything? When a woman is trying to attract a man, she has to always look her best.”

  His wife interjected, saying, “My word, you two, the man has a wife.”

  “I know that, Mildred. I know Cora Sue can’t openly go after him until he’s rid of her. Of course, you and I both know if she works her charms right, it won’t be long until his wife is out of his life.”

  “Daddy, if you insist I go after Wyatt I have to set the ground work and a new dress is part of that. When Wyatt’s free again all the single women in town will be after him just like they always were. He’s known as a good catch, you know.”

  In her chair in the corner of the parlor Mildred looked up from her embroidering and spoke again. “What if he doesn’t want to be free, Cora Sue?”

  “How can you say that, Mildred? I’m sure he wants the woman gone. Otherwise, he’d have told somebody he had a wife.”

  “Mama might be right, Daddy.”

  “No, she’s not, Cora Sue,” Thourgood said. “I think the man was as surprised as everyone when she showed up the other night. He hasn’t taken her into town, so I bet he’s been trying to divorce her quietly so nobody would ever know she existed. Anyway, when you work your charm on him, he’ll forget that woman ever existed.”

  “What about the baby?” Mildred asked.

  Thourgood frowned. “What baby?”

  “I heard she had a little boy with her. It must be the reason Wyatt hasn’t divorced her already. I’m sure he would be the type of man who’d take his responsibility of a child seriously. Maybe he doesn’t want to lose his son.”

  “When he has me he probably won’t need a son. I’ll keep him happy without children, won’t I, Daddy?” Cora Sue was frowning.

  Mildred looked shocked. “Are you saying you don’t want to have children, Cora Sue?”

  “Having a child makes you fat and ugly. I don’t want to ever look like that.” She tossed her shiny auburn hair over her shoulder. “If we were married, Wyatt might turn to another woman if I let myself go.”

  “I’m sure Wyatt will want an heir to leave his ranch to.”

  “Now Mildred,” Thourgood butted in. “You know as well as I do that Cora Sue will change her mind about giving you a grandchild once she’s married. There’s no need to discuss it now. The important thing is to get her married to the right man and Wyatt Singleton is the right man for her.”

  “I’m not going to change my mind about having a child. I’ll marry Wyatt because you want me to, Daddy, but you can forget about children.” Cora Sue changed the subject. “Now about that new party dress? The community dance is in a month. I’ve got to get my order in with Miss Sprinkle’s dress making shop if I want to get it made in time.”

  “Are you sure a new dress is essential?”

  “Yes, Daddy. After all, you’re the one who wants me to marry Wyatt Singleton. To do it, I have to use all the tricks I know to get him and that means a new dress for the party.”

  “Do you not want to marry Wyatt Singleton, Cora Sue?” Mildred looked at her daughter.

  “Not particularly, but Daddy wants me to and I’ll do it for him.” She grinned at her mother. “Besides as rich as he is, as his wife, I’ll be able to have all the dresses I want.”

  “Are you really sure a new dress is necessary, Cora Sue?”

  “Yes, Daddy, it is.”

  He sighed. “Then I guess you’d better make arrangements to get that dress made. Just don’t be extravagant. I’m a little low this month”

  Mildred shook her head and went back to her needle work.

  * * * *

  Edwina reached over and took Ben’s hand. “I’m nervous. What if he falls?”

  “Don’t worry, dear. Wyatt isn’t going to let his son fall.”

  “But he’s too little to be riding a horse. He’s not even two years old.”

  Ben chuckled. “He’s not riding the horse, Edwina. Wyatt has him in his arms. He wants the boy to grow up comfortable around horses.”

  “I know…but…”

  He squeezed her hand. “Now relax, honey, and watch them. Wyatt’s riding slowly and he’s talking to the boy all the time. Everything will be fine.”

  Edwina tried to calm her fears. Adam did look happy sitting there in Wyatt’s lap. He was laughing and waving his little arms around.

  Rosalinda walked out on the porch. She dabbed her eyes with the corner of her apron. “I had to take a peek. I remember when you rode little Wyatt around like that, Mr. Ben.”

  “Seems like yesterday, doesn’t it, Rosalinda.”

  “It sure does.”

  “Oh, where has the time gone?”

  “It ain’t gone nowhere, sir. It just went by as we were floating through life, not noticing it was slipping away.”

  He smiled up at her. “As smart as you are, woman, I don’t understand why you’re not out there somewhere running part of this country instead of waiting on an old man like me and an
ornery boy like Wyatt.”

  “I guess putting up with the two of you is all the challenge I can handle.”

  Edwina looked at Rosalinda and smiled. “You’ve done a wonderful job with both of them.”

  “Thank you, honey, but now you’re here and I’m gonna turn part of the job over to you. I’ll help some. Especially with that precious little Adam.”

  “Adam will benefit from your guidance, Rosalinda. I’m so glad you’re here to help him.”

  “Well, here comes the boy. He looks happier than a bear with a newfound honeycomb.” Ben was all grins.

  Wyatt reined his horse up at the porch. Slinging a leg over the saddle, he dismounted without even jostling his son. He was grinning almost as much as his father. “I think he liked it.”

  “From the look of that smile on his face, I know he did, Son.”

  Edwina took an easy breath. “I, for one, am glad to see Adam come back to the house.” She glanced at Wyatt. “I do thank you for doing it, though. It was probably good for both of you.”

  Wyatt nodded. “Yes it was. Thank you for letting me take him.”

  “He’s your son, Wyatt. You have a right to do things with him, but you’ll have to accept that I’m an overprotective mother. That gives me the right to be nervous.”

  “I don’t think you’re any more overprotective than you should be. In fact, I can tell already, you’re a good mother. Adam is lucky to have you.”

  “I agree, Son. Maybe you should teach Edwina to ride. That way she could see that it’s really not a dangerous thing to do.”

  “That’s not a bad idea, Dad.” Wyatt sat Adam down and started to leave, but the little boy grabbed his arm and began babbling.

  “Da’s got to go back to work, Son,” Wyatt squatted beside him and said softly. “I’ll be back for supper and we’ll play with your horse.”

  Again when he started off, Adam held his arms up to his daddy and began to cry.

  “Come on, Adam. Let Rosalinda find you a cookie.” The housekeeper reached for the little boy and he looked torn.

  Before he could start crying again, Rosalinda scooped him up and hurried into the house.