Wyatt turned toward Hezekiah. “If you can’t keep quiet, you can wait outside. I’ll not have you acting the fool in my house.”
“Then, while you’re messing with her, why don’t I go find the boy and get him ready to leave?”
Ben reached inside the bag that hung on the side of his wheelchair. He pulled out a gun and pointed it at Hezekiah. “I keep this with me in case I have to shoot a rattlesnake that’s crawled up on the veranda when I’m sitting outside. You remind me of one of those evil varmints, so if you don’t sit down over there and keep your mouth shut, I might let my finger fold around the trigger and shoot you.”
Hezekiah’s eyes grew wide. “You wouldn’t.”
“Do you want to test me to find out?”
Callie moaned.
“Good. She’s coming around. We’ll leave and come back for the boy.” Hezekiah pushed Edwina away and moved to the couch.
Wyatt grabbed his arm. “You shoved my wife, you despicable man! Nobody gets away with doing that.” Holding Hezekiah by the arm, he marched him to the front door, across the porch and threw him into the yard. “If you ever come back in this house again, I’ll let my father shoot you for target practice.”
Wyatt then turned, went back into the house and slammed the door, leaving a dumfounded Hezekiah sitting in the dust.
* * * *
“Oh, my. Where am I?’ Callie looked around the room with its pink flowered bed cover and pink walls.
Edwina moved to the side of the bed. “You’re in one of our extra bedrooms, Aunt Callie.”
“What happened?” Her eyes grew big.
“You overheated sitting in the sun and you passed out.”
“Dear, me. The reverend must be upset. What did he say?”
“He’s all right.”
“I must get up and go.” Callie had been the object of Hezekiah’s temper before and she didn’t want to be again.
“He’s gone, Aunt Callie. The doctor was here and he wouldn’t let you go. He said you needed a couple of days in bed.”
“Oh, my Lord, child. Hezekiah will never allow that.”
“Be prepared for a shock, Aunt Callie. Hezekiah can’t do a thing about it. Wyatt threw him out and he’s gone to the Reeson ranch.”
Callie Thorn put her hand on her chest, panic in her eyes. “Oh, my goodness. Oh, my dear. What’ll he do when… I mean… Oh, Edwina, he’s going to be furious.”
“Don’t you worry about it. Wyatt will see to it that he doesn’t lay a hand on you.”
“He wouldn’t…I mean… Sometimes I know I hold him back and… Well, he has to do his Christian duty.”
“Aunt Callie, open your eyes. Hezekiah Thorn is a bully and—”
“Oh dear, please don’t say those things. He’s always reading the Bible and getting revelations from the Lord. He only does what God tells him to do. He’s a saint, and—”
“He’s no saint, Aunt Callie. He’s a man who thinks more of himself than he does of anyone else in the world. You, me, Adam or anyone. He only wants to rule people’s life. He doesn’t care what we want or need.”
Tears rolled down Callie’s cheek. “No, Edwina. You’re wrong. You have to be wrong. I couldn’t have lived all those years with him if…” She slumped back on the pillows.’
“I’m sorry, Aunt Callie. I’m so sorry. Please don’t get so upset.” Edwina ran to the door and called, “Rosalinda.”
Rosalinda came on the run. “What is it, Miz Edwina?”
“I’ve upset my aunt. I think she’s having another spell.”
Rosalinda walked over to the bed. “Miz Thorn, are you all right?”
“I’m afraid God will punish Edwina for what she’s saying about Reverend Thorn. I want her to do right because I don’t want the girl to be punished. I—”
“It’s fine, Miz Thorn.” Rosalinda turned toward Edwina. “If you don’t mind, Ma’am, please go have Dena or Mrs. Kerr bring your aunt some tea. I want to have a little talk with her.”
“I’ll be right back.”
“You don’t have to rush. I have a lot to say to her and we may need a little time.”
Edwina looked puzzled, but only nodded and left the room.
Chapter 33
Thourgood pointed out the Bird Cage Café to Reverend Thorn and said, “You go on in and get dinner. I know you’re tired after your run-in with Oleen Anderson at the general store.”
“She’s a wicked woman. I’m afraid there’s no hope for her soul.”
“Maybe not.” Thourgood turned toward the bank. “I’ll join you at the cafe as soon as I take care of my business.”
“Thank you, Brother Reeson.” Hezekiah looked toward the restaurant, but inside he was fuming. “I’ll be able to witness to the people working here. I hope they’ll be more receptive than the people in the general store. Of course, if my wife was here, I’m sure…well, it doesn’t matter. I’ll wait for you there.”
“I’ll be there as soon as I can. It may take a little while. I have several financial matters to discuss with the manager.”
Hezekiah nodded and walked away. He didn’t like the fact that Callie was still at Wyatt Singleton’s ranch and not beside him to back up his story when he talked with the workers in the restaurant. He was sure they needed to hear his message and he wasn’t going to hesitate about talking even if he did have to do so without her support. How could she be so thoughtless anyway? Just because she got a little hot didn’t mean she could laze around in bed. Of course, Singleton was encouraging her to disobey her husband, but she needed to get up and do what a wife was supposed to do. Singleton and the doctor were only two of the heathens he’d encountered in this god-forsaken place. He had never seen a town in such a need of a man like him.
Opening the café door, he encountered a boy of about twelve and a girl around eight who were trying to exit the establishment.
“Why don’t you hellions watch where you’re going? You almost knocked me down,” he barked at them. “Children of this day and time have no manners.”
A big burly man came up behind the children. “Sorry, old man. My kids were only going out the door as you were coming in. They didn’t mean to run into you.”
“Maybe if you took your responsibility as a parent more seriously, you wouldn’t have such hellions.”
“What’s that man saying about our children, Bart?” An overweight woman in a blue gingham dress moved beside her husband.
Hezekiah frowned at her. “I was merely saying, if you’d spend less time stuffing your faces and get down on your knees and asking for forgiveness for cheating your children of a good raising. You’re not living a life God would—”
“Oh, lord, Bart. I wonder what preacher Lambert will say when he hears we have one of those hell and damnation so-called preachers in town.” She reached out and touched her husband’s arm.
Bart grabbed Hezekiah’s collar. “I don’t care who he is, if he insults my family again, he’s going to find himself in the middle of the road with his teeth in his belly whishing he’d never run into the Moores.”
“You wouldn’t hit a man of God.”
“No, I wouldn’t, but you’re no man of God. I bet if Jesus Himself come up and tapped you on the shoulder, you wouldn’t even recognize him.”
The door opened and the sheriff walked in. “What’s going on here?”
“This man insulted my wife, Jeff.” Bart let go of Hezekiah’s collar. “Since you’re here, I guess I won’t hit him this time. But if he says anything else about my Maggie, I won’t be so nice.”
“Since he insulted Maggie, I’ll look the other way if you do hit him.”
“I can’t believe a sheriff would sanction violence.” Hezekiah shook his head. “This is the most sinful town I’ve ever seen.”
“Haven’t traveled around much, have you?” Bart snapped at him.
Bart’s wife took her turn. “For your information, this is a wonderful town. If you’d take the time to get to know the people instead of
making enemies, you’d see that.” Maggie took her son’s hand. “Now, before your father gets mad again, let’s get out of here. I want to go to the general store and get you young’uns a peppermint.”
“Really, Mama?” they said in unison.
* * * *
“Well, why don’t you go find a table in this sinful place and let these good people be on their way home?” Jeff actually put his hand on Hezekiah’s shoulder and edged him away from the door.
“Thank you, Sheriff,” Maggie said. “I’m glad you came in. It would’ve been a shame if Bart had hit the man. It’s my birthday and I wanted it to be a nice day.”
“Well, happy birthday, Maggie.” Jeff turned to Bart. “Nice of you to treat your wife to dinner out.”
“We liked it, too,” the boy said. “Pa decided it would be a treat for Ma not to have to cook her birthday meal.”
“I think your pa was right about that.” He reached out and patted Maggie’s shoulder. “Happy birthday, sweet lady.”
Maggie blushed. “Why thank you, Sheriff Jeff. No wonder Vera’s such a happy lady. She has a nice husband.”
The family left and Jeff turned around to see Hezekiah at a table near the window. He decided he’d try to find out how long the man was going to be in town. He hoped it wasn’t going to be long. The man had upset everyone he’d spoken to this morning.
Oleen Anderson gave him an earful when he went by the general store. Then he ran into Bessie Bohannan on the street and was again bombarded by complaints. No wonder Edwina Singleton didn’t want her uncle around her or her son.
“May I join you?” Jeff walked up to the table.
“If you insist. Mr. Reeson will be joining me after he finishes his business at the bank.” He looked around the room. “I guess we’ll get some food sometime.”
“They’re busy, but nobody’s ever left here hungry.”
“It’s a wonder.”
The waitress walked up. “Would you gentlemen like the special?”
“I’ll only have a big mug of strong coffee, Ada. Vera will kill me if I eat with her home cooking supper.” Jeff smiled at her.
“How about you, sir? Do you want the special?”
“It would help if I knew what the special was, young lady.” Hezekiah frowned at her.
“It’s boiled beef and cabbage with potatoes and green beans.”
“It doesn’t sound too appetizing, but I assume it cost less than your regular dishes.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Then let me have it.”
Without answering, Ada turned and headed toward the kitchen.
“Well, Mr. Thorn, may I ask you a question?” Jeff said.
“It’s Reverend Thorn and go ahead and ask your question.”
“All right, Reverend Thorn. I was wondering how long you plan to be in Cool Wood.”
“Let me assure you, as bad as this place needs me, I’ll be here no longer than I’m required to be. I can’t wait to leave this evil town.”
“Do you know when that will be?”
“Unfortunately, I don’t. That fool Singleton is holding my wife hostage. Edwina refuses to come home with us and to top it all, she won’t let me have the Clark’s child.”
“Why is Wyatt holding your wife?”
“He has some fool notion that because she passed out from the sun, she needs to stay in bed.”
“What did the doctor say?”
“What difference does it make? I’m sure he’s in cahoots with Singleton.” Hezekiah shook his head. “Wait until I get Callie out of there. She’ll answer for listening to him instead of me.”
“Aren’t you concerned that the doctor could be right?”
“No. When she’s passed out before she always got over it. Why should this time be different?”
Jeff shook his head. “Has it ever occurred to you that people would take your ministry seriously if you weren’t such an unfeeling person?”
“What do you mean, unfeeling? I feel deeply for all the sinful people who need to hear my teaching.”
“Maybe you do, but how about someone like your wife? Don’t you think she should have some care and understanding, too?”
“She knows I’m doing God’s work and it’s her duty to support me in that.”
Ada arrived with the food and coffee.
Jeff took a drink as Thourgood Reeson came into the room and moved to their table. “That looks good,” he said eyeing Hezekiah’s place. “How about bringing me one just like it, Ada?”
“I sure will, Mr. Reeson.”
“Hello, Jeff.” Thourgood turned to him.
Jeff nodded. “I guess Mildred is still staying with Cora Sue at the Singleton ranch.”
“She is. I don’t see the sense in it, but you know women. They’re going to do what they want to do.”
“You men don’t understand how to keep your women in a wife’s place. The Bible says a woman shall submit unto her husband. Seems you need to do a little more Bible reading.”
Neither man answered him.
Thourgood’s food arrived and he began to eat.
“How’s Cora Sue, Reeson?” Jeff asked.
“Better, but the doctor still won’t let me take her home.”
“I’m sure he will, when she’s able to go.”
“I’ll be getting Mrs. Thorn soon, too. She’s going to pay for listening to the doctor instead of me,” Hezekiah said again.
Jeff frowned. “I’m warning you, Thorn. If you lay a hand on your wife, be prepared to spend some time in jail for it. We don’t cotton to men who beat up on women in Cool Wood.”
“You wouldn’t dare. A man has a right to strike his wife if she forgets her place.”
Jeff shook his head and stood. “You sure are a mixed-up man, Thorn.” Nodding at Thourgood, he added, “I leave him to you, Reeson.”
Once on the sidewalk, Jeff headed to the office. He had some thinking to do. He wasn’t happy that he’d had no clues in his deputy’s murder and Cora Sue’s attack. He knew the rest of the town wanted answers, too.
As he reached to open the door to his office, he frowned. Tacked by the door handle was a red kerchief folded in a triangle. Beside it was a note.
Jeff pulled it off the door and carried it inside. He hung his hat on the rack beside the door and moved to his desk.
The note read:
Don’t dismiss Wyatt Singleton’s involvement in the murder and attack. The contents of this kerchief belongs to him.
Untying the kerchief, he was surprised when a bloody knife fell out.
* * * *
Callie turned her head as Edwina came into the room. “I’ve brought you a visitor, Aunt Callie.”
“Who is it?” She looked behind Edwina, expecting to see Hezekiah. Instead a tall man with light brown hair followed her niece inside.
“Mrs. Thorn, I’m Ira Lambert. The preacher at the Methodist church in Cool Wood.” A handsome man who looked to be in his forties smiled at her. Even his soft brown eyes seemed to smile.
Callie was too surprised to return the smile, but she did nod. She wondered if she should tell him she was a married woman and she’d already been saved and was washed in the blood.
Before she could gather her wits to speak, he went on. “I came by to see Cora Sue Reeson and Mrs. Singleton told me you had suffered a seizure. I hope it’s all right that I asked to step in to see you, too.”
“Of course,” she managed to mumble.
Edwina said, “The doctor said Aunt Callie was recovering nicely and she should be up and around in another day or two.”
“That’s good news, I’m sure.”
Callie nodded. “I’m looking forward to getting out of bed.” She knew she should have added she wanted to hurry back to her ministry with her husband, but she didn’t.
“I’m sure you are. Mrs. Singleton tells me you’re from Virginia. New Mexico is quite different from your home in the east.”
“It sure is. We have lots more trees, but there are so
me lovely areas around here, too.” Callie tried not to frown. Why isn’t he getting to the business of trying to save my soul? Isn’t that the reason preachers call on the sick? Of course, I’m not sick now.
“I know you’re looking forward to feeling well enough to spend time with your niece and her lovely family.”
“I think Aunt Callie only wants to get well so she can go home.”
“You’ve been very nice to me, Edwina,” Callie muttered.
“Mrs. Singleton seems to be the type who’s nice to everyone.”
Callie didn’t know what to say. Hezekiah had spent almost ten years convincing her Edwina was a hopeless sinner and she’d believed him. Now everyone in this house seemed to think she was a saint and according to Rosalinda, Edwina had pulled the Singleton family back together. It was confusing.
“Well, Mrs. Thorn, I don’t want to tire you. I only wanted to speak to you and let you know that I’ll ask our congregation to pray for your speedy recovery.”
“Thank you.”
“If you like, we can have a prayer now.”
“I’d like that.” Callie moved to a comfortable position because she knew how long prayers for the sick could get.
Ira stood and placed his hand on Callie’s arm. “Dear Lord, please bless this lady and spread your healing hands across her body. I ask you this in the name of your son, Jesus. Amen.”
Callie was so stunned at the briefness of the prayer, she was barely able to bid the preacher goodbye.
“I’ll see you to the door, Reverend Lambert,” Edwina said. She turned back to Callie. “I’ll have a tray sent in soon, Aunt Callie.”
Callie watched them leave, still wondering what kind of preacher Ira Lambert was. He was certainly nothing like Hezekiah and Callie wasn’t sure if that was a good thing or a bad thing.
Chapter 34
“Come in,” Wyatt said when there was a knock on his study door.
Rosalinda entered. “Mr. Wyatt, there’s a man here to see you. He said the sheriff sent him.”
“Show him in, Rosalinda.”
She turned and motioned an older man to come into the room. He entered with his hat in his hand. “Mr. Wyatt, the sheriff sent me to see you. He wanted me to give you this.” He handed Wyatt an envelope.
Edwina's Husband Page 19
