Wyatt opened it and read the note. Folding it back, he said to the man, “Have you had any dinner?”
“No, sir. The sheriff wanted you to have this right away.”
“Then go out to the bunkhouse. The men should be finished eating, but there’ll be plenty left. By the time you’re through, I’ll be ready to ride back into town with you.”
“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” The man nodded and backed out of the room.
Wyatt closed the ledger he was working on, strapped on his gun and headed upstairs to his room. He grinned when he opened the door. “I thought I might find you here.”
“Da.” Adam raised his head and looked toward his father.
Edwina laughed and stopped rocking. “It’s his nap time and I thought I’d get him to sleep here where it’s quiet. Of course, now that he’s heard your voice…”
Wyatt walked over to them and lifted the baby into his arms. “I like to hear your voice, too, pal. That is when you’re not using it to cry.”
“Do you want to rock him?”
“I would, honey, but Jeff has sent word he wants me to come to town. I wanted to let you know where I was going.”
“Oh, Wyatt, do you think he’s found out something about what happened to Cora Sue?”
“I have no idea, but I hope that’s what it is.” He looked at her. “Will you be all right? I know I promised to stay at the house in case your uncle came to get your aunt.”
“I think I’ll be fine. I’m not as afraid of him as I was. You’ve given me the courage to face him.”
Wyatt reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. Pulling her close to him, he glanced at Adam. “Now, boy, your mama is the most important woman in the world to you and me. Are you going to protect her while I’m gone?”
“Ab dee doo mee so ma-ma.”
“See there, our son agrees with me. He’ll be your protector, too.”
“I see you’re wearing your gun. Please be careful, Wyatt. I worry every time you go to Cool Wood.”
He frowned. “Why?”
“I’m afraid one of those lonely single women in town will try to take my man.”
“As if any woman in town could hold a candle to you.” He leaned down and kissed her upturned lips. “That’ll have to hold you until I get back tonight.”
“I’ll wait for you.”
“You can wait for me to go to bed, but if Rosalinda serves supper, you eat. I don’t know how long Jeff will keep me. I’ll grab a bite when I get back.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” He kissed Adam’s cheek and handed him to Edwina. “Now, Son, you let Mama rock you to sleep. Maybe I’ll get home in time to rock you tonight.”
Edwina took the baby and kissed Wyatt again. “I’ll see you tonight.”
He nodded and slipped out the door.
* * * *
The Kerrs were having supper in the cabin. “These are good green beans and tomatoes, Ma,” Zack said.
“They sure are. Where did you get them, Naomi? I know we didn’t get any fresh vegetables when we got supplies at Anderson’s.” Terrence looked at her.
“I picked them in the Singleton’s garden. There were so many beans Miz Rosalinda told me to bring some home with me. There was an overabundance of tomatoes and we had to throw some away because they were beginning to rot.”
Terrence frowned. “I’m sure Mrs. Singleton wouldn’t appreciate the cook giving away their food. Besides, we don’t need their handouts, Naomi.”
“Actually Mrs. Singleton told me the garden belonged to Miz Rosalinda.”
“So she lets the help do her gardening?”
“No, Terrence. It seems that she’s been back east and has only joined her husband on the ranch in recent weeks.” When he started to interrupt, she went on. “I don’t know the whole story, but from what I gather after she married Mr. Singleton, he had to make a trip west. While he was gone her uncle held her prisoner and wouldn’t let her join her husband. Finally she was able to escape and come to New Mexico. Mr. Singleton didn’t even know he had a son until she arrived.”
“This all sounds strange to me.”
“It did me, too, but I’m glad they’re finally together.”
“Why, Ma?”
“Don’t ask questions about things like this, Sam.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why are you glad, Naomi?” her husband asked.
“You only have to be around them for a little while and you can tell how much Mr. and Mrs. Singleton love each other.”
“Like you and Pa, Ma?” Sam asked and Zach giggled.
Naomi blushed and Terrence reached over and patted Sam’s shoulder. “I’m sure she means just like your ma and pa. Love is a very important thing to a family.”
“Gee whiz.” Sam looked embarrassed.
“I love you and Ma, Pa. Sometimes I even love Sam.”
“That’s good. You need to love your brother.” Naomi smiled. “Now if we’re through passing the love around, please pass me those green beans. I have to admit, these vegetables taste wonderful after all the mush and stew we’ve been eating.”
* * * *
Wyatt couldn’t believe his eyes as he read the note. “Jeff, you know damn good and well, I didn’t have anything to do with this.”
“I know that, Wyatt. I also know somebody’s out to get you.”
“Do you have any idea who?”
“The only two I know of who seem to hate your guts are Thourgood Reeson and Preacher Thorn.”
“True, but I don’t think either of those would stoop to framing me for murder.”
“As much as I’d like to pin this on the preacher, I agree with you. Neither would be that low.”
“It has to be somebody who knows me. They chose to commit the crime on my land. Now they’ve tried to finger me for the deed.” Wyatt frowned. “You don’t think this could have anything to do with finding the homesteaders on my property, do you? After all, it was the Kerrs who found Cora Sue and Rusty.”
“Have you had a chance to check them out?”
“I sent a wire to their hometown in Kentucky. Haven’t had an answer, but I don’t really think they’re involved in anything. Naomi Kerr’s been a wonderful help with Adam and Terrence and his boys have worked hard. He’s also been a great help with Dad. If they wanted to hurt me, they sure have a strange way of showing it.”
Jeff nodded. “And to top it off, they’re strangers. Unless they’ve been studying the Singleton family, I don’t see how they could make plans to set you up using Cora Sue.”
“So that’s a dead end.” Wyatt took a drink of the coffee Jeff had given him.
After a brief silence, Wyatt added, “Have you seen any more of Roxy? She could be behind all of this. She hates me more than anyone else I know.”
“Why if—”
A shot rang out, interrupting Jeff.
He immediately dropped his feet from the desk, stood, grabbed his hat and headed out the door. Wyatt was on his heels.
Chapter 35
Edwina placed the sleeping Adam in his crib and covered him with the blue blanket Rosalinda had made him. She glanced up as Wyatt walked into the bedroom. She put her fingers to her lips and he leaned down and took off his boots.
He sat them beside the bed and walked up beside her in his sock feet. “I was hoping to get here in time to catch him awake,” he whispered.
“I tried to keep him from going to sleep until you got home, but he couldn’t keep his little eyes open any longer.”
“I guess I have to wait until morning to play with him.”
Edwina smiled and took his arm. “You sure do. I want to get some sleep and you better not wake him up tonight.”
“Then you’re going to have to entertain me.” He winked at her.
“Kiss your son and come to bed. I’ll be waiting. I want to know what went on with the sheriff.” She removed her robe and laid it on a chair.
“I’ll be right there, my lady lov
e, but we may do something besides talk about what went on in town.”
Edwina chuckled and climbed into bed. Within twenty minutes, Wyatt joined her.
He slid his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “Thanks for waiting up for me.”
“Did you eat something?”
“I grabbed a slice of roast and a piece of bread when I came in.”
“That isn’t enough for supper. Do you want me to go down and fix you a plate?”
“Not on your life, my love. I want you right here in my arms where you belong.”
“But—”
“No, buts.” He kissed her. “Food isn’t what I have on my mind right now.”
“Before you get anything else on your mind, tell me what went on in town.”
“Do I have to tell you before…”
“Yes, you do.”
“Oh, all right.” He snuggled closer. “Jeff says somebody’s trying to frame me. They want him to believe I killed Rusty and attacked Cora Sue.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
“I know and so does Jeff.”
“Why did telling you this make you so late?”
“There was a shooting in town. I helped Jeff clean it up.”
She sat up. “You’re not hurt are you? What happened?”
“No, I’m not hurt. There was a fight in the saloon. From what we were able to put together, old man Bullins had another fight with his wife. She burned the bread or something and he decided he was going to go to the saloon and pick up a woman who would appreciate him. Mrs. Bullins didn’t like that and she followed him into town. While he was upstairs with one of the women, Mrs. Bullins came into the saloon and proceeded to shoot it up.”
Edwina giggled and said, “Exactly what I’d do if you were to try something like that.”
Wyatt laughed. “I can see you doing that.”
“Go on with your story.”
“Well, when she found out he was with a woman upstairs, she tried to go up the steps. She was threatening to kill them both. Jeff caught her and dragged her out of the saloon and told her to go home and he’d get her husband out. She acted like she was going to do what Jeff said and the two of us started to get Bullins. A barrage of gunfire started outside and we went out to find her behind a water trough shooting at a window in the saloon. It wasn’t long until Mr. Bullins started firing back.”
“Was anyone hurt?”
“Not unless you count the window the Andersons lost or the holes in the water trough.” Wyatt chuckled. “It took a while, but we finally got them calmed down. Jeff decided it would be a good idea if they spent a night in jail.”
“I hope he put them in separate cells.”
“He did. Of course, it was a good thing he didn’t have any other prisoners since we only have a two-cell jail.”
“If we’re ever arrested, I hope Jeff lets us share a cell.”
Wyatt laughed out loud. “Oh, Edwina. You’re so wonderful. I love you more every day.”
“I love you, too, Wyatt. You know that.”
“Of course I know you do, but right now I’m through talking and if you will I want you to show me how much you love me.”
She snuggled against him. “I will.”
* * * *
It was almost dawn when a moaning noise awakened Mildred Reeson. She jumped from the cot Juan had set up in the bedroom where Cora Sue was in bed.
“Where…”
Rushing to the bed, Mildred took Cora Sue’s hand. “Are you waking up, my darling?”
“I…hurt…”
“I’ll get you something to help you, honey. It’ll help the pain.” She poured a dose in a spoon and held it to Cora Sue’s lips. “Open your mouth, sweetheart.”
Cora Sue took the medicine and swallowed.
“Oh, darling, you don’t know how long I’ve prayed you’d wake up and speak to me.”
Cora Sue muttered something Mildred didn’t understand.
“Oh, thank God. You’re going to be all right.”
Cora Sue didn’t respond. She’d fallen back asleep.
“It’s all right, my dear daughter. You rest. I know now you’re going to be well once again.”
There was a tap on the door.
Mildred grabbed her robe and opened the door. Wyatt was on the other side.
“I thought I heard talking in here. I was just checking to see if everything was all right.”
“Oh, Wyatt, Cora Sue spoke to me. She’s going to be all right. I just know it.”
“That’s wonderful, Mildred. Did she say who hurt her?”
“No. She only said she hurt and she muttered a little more, but then she fell back to sleep.”
“I’m sure she’ll be talking soon.”
“I believe that, too.” She smiled at him. “You’re up awfully early, Wyatt.”
“I had to spend some time in town yesterday and we’re behind on breaking some horses. I decided to get an early start.” He reached out and patted Mildred’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you, Mildred. I’ll send one of the men for the doctor, if you like.”
“That would be good. Thank you, Wyatt.”
He nodded and headed down the hall toward the kitchen.
* * * *
“Good morning, Mr. Singleton,” Naomi Kerr said as he entered. “I have the coffee made.”
“Great. I figured I’d have to go to the bunkhouse and have coffee with the men.” Wyatt took the cup she held out to him. “You’re sure here early this morning.”
“Terrence wanted to start on the fence you wanted replaced at the corral, so we came as soon as we got up.” She pulled out a pan. “Would you like me to fix you some breakfast?”
“No, thanks. I’ll grab a bite with the men. Why don’t you go see if Mrs. Reeson could use some coffee? She’s awake.”
“I’ll do that.” Naomi left the kitchen.
Wyatt finished his coffee, put the cup on the sideboard and went out the back door. He hurried to the bunkhouse where the men were eating breakfast.
“Got enough for me?” he asked as he entered.
Shifty, the cook, laughed. “Sure, Boss. Come on in. Did you have a fight with the missus and get yourself run out of the big house?”
Wyatt chuckled. “The missus is still asleep and I decided I’d come see if you men were lazing around or getting ready to go to work.”
“Now, Wyatt, you know us better than that,” a slim cowboy wearing a bright colored shirt said. “I intend to break at least three horses before you get through eating some of Shifty’s burnt ham.”
“Instead of breaking a horse, Sid, how about heading into town and getting the doctor. Cora Sue Reeson seems to be waking up and her mother wants the doctor to come check her this morning.”
Sid stood and headed for the door. He slapped on his wide-brimmed hat and said, “I’ll get him here and still be able to break those horses.”
“Since Terrence Kerr is working on the corral fence today, we’re going to wait a day or two to break the rest of the horses. I want to move the cows into the north pasture today.”
The men began to file out. “We’ll get the horses saddled,” someone said as the door closed.
“Want me to help Mr. Kerr today?” Shifty asked. He sat a plate of ham and eggs in front of Wyatt.
“Make sure he has a good dinner and see that he has plenty of water. It’s going to be a hot day. Other than that, see if you can find something for his boys to do. They’ll probably help in the barn this morning, but when they finish they may join their father. They could get hurt hanging around the corral.”
“I’ll do that, Boss.”
Wyatt ate quickly and pushed back his plate. “Thanks, Shifty.”
“Anytime you want my cooking instead of Rosalinda’s come on by.”
“I’ll do that.” Wyatt nodded.
Outside, he joined the men, climbed on the horse his men had saddled for him and headed to drive the cattle to the North pasture. It was then he let his mind go back
to last night as he held Edwina in his arms.
After he’d made love to her it was all he could do to keep from confessing their marriage wasn’t what she thought it was. After she fell asleep he’d spent most of last night worrying about it and he purposely got up and left before she woke up. He didn’t feel he could face her this morning without her knowing something was wrong. His conscience was eating away at him and he knew he couldn’t keep deceiving her for much longer. He loved her too much for that.
Chapter 36
“It looks like I’ll be able to take Cora Sue home in a few days, Graham. The doctor says she’s improving.”
“That’s good news, Thourgood.” The banker leaned back in his desk chair and slid his pipe in his mouth. “Now about the money.”
“I’m working on it. I received some yesterday and I’ve brought it in.”
“How much?”
“A thousand.”
Graham Calhoun nodded. “It’s a start. When do you expect the rest?”
“The letter said it would be about three months.”
“That sounds good. Did you hear from anyone else?”
“Not yet, but I expect more soon.”
“In the meantime—”
“I know. I’ll keep you posted.”
Again, Calhoun nodded. “You know, Reeson, I think it might be a good idea to see how we could use that wild preacher man to our advantage. He’s still spewing the word that Singleton and his niece aren’t married. If he says it enough people are going to start believing it no matter what Wyatt says or does.”
“I hadn’t thought of it that way. I was only thinking of how I could get Cora Sue married to Singleton.”
“You may be able to do it yet.”
Thourgood eyes grew large. “Do you really think so?”
“Sure. If the preacher can convince enough people.”
“Then I guess I have to keep putting up with the Reverend Thorn.”
Graham Calhoun chuckled. “Looks like you’re going to have to do just that. In the meantime, I’m working on a plan I think will be of benefit to both of us.”
* * * *
Edwina was on the back terrace rocking Adam. She looked up as her aunt came through the door. “Are you sure you should be up, Aunt Callie?”
Edwina's Husband Page 20
