Amelia's Marriage

by Agnes Alexander

“For six months anyway?” She looked at him.

  He smiled back at her. “Yes, Amelia. For six months.”

  When she finished doctoring him, Jed put on a clean shirt and smiled at her. “Thanks, honey.”

  “You’re welcome.” She put the pan of bloody water on the dresser and turned back to him. “Now I have something serious to talk about.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I was thinking as we were coming into town that I have some money in Settlers Ridge Bank. First thing in the morning, I need to go see Charles Fielding and make sure all my money is in my name. If I don’t, I’m afraid Daddy will try to prevent me from getting it.”

  He raised an eyebrow at her. “How much money do you have, Amelia?”

  “I’m not sure, but my grandfather left me some and when Daddy remembers it, he’ll try to tie it up so I’ll never get it. I can’t let him do that.”

  “Then do what you think is best.”

  “Will you go with me?”

  “It’s not my business, Amelia. I don’t want anyone saying I’m messing with your money.”

  “Nobody would know. You can trust Charles Fielding. Besides, after what happened today, I’m almost afraid to go out on the street alone.”

  He grinned at her. “Of course if you’re afraid, I’ll go with you.”

  * * * *

  When they got to the bank at nine the next morning, Jed insisted he wait outside while she conducted her business. “As I said yesterday, I don’t want anyone to think I’m pressuring you to do anything with your money.”

  She nodded and stepped inside as she watched him take out a cheroot and lean against a post.

  “Well, Miss Don…I mean, Mrs. Wainwright. What can I do for you today?” the teller asked.

  “I’d like to speak with Mr. Fielding, if he isn’t busy, Mr. Blake.”

  “I’m sure he’ll be able to see you.” He motioned for her to come to the door beside the teller windows then he knocked on the office door. “Mr. Fielding, Mrs. Wainwright is here to see you.”

  For a moment Charles Fielding looked surprised, but he recovered. “Well, come on in, Mrs. Wainwright. I want to congratulate you again on your marriage.”

  “Thank you.”

  “I hope things are going well for you.”

  “Very well, thank you again.”

  “In that case, how can I help you today?”

  When the door closed behind her, she moved to his desk. “I want to check on my money, Mr. Fielding.”

  He frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean the money my grandfather left me.”

  “Oh, yes. The trust fund. What would you like to know about it?”

  “Is it really mine?”

  He chuckled. “Of course it is. When you turn eighteen…”

  “I turned eighteen last September, Mr. Fielding.”

  “Well, in that case, there’s no problem. You can do whatever you want to do with the money. I only hope you’ll decide to leave it here in the bank.”

  She nodded. “I’ll leave it here if I can put the money in an account only I have access to.”

  “You don’t want your father…”

  “No. I don’t want my mother or my father to be able to get to the money. I want it in my name only.”

  “What about your husband?”

  “He doesn’t want his name on it.”

  “Really?” Unbelief showed in Charles Fielding’s eyes.

  “Really. I do want to make an arrangement in the event something happens to me, my husband gets the money.” She took a deep breath. “He’ll probably fight it, but it’ll be a done deal and there’ll be nothing he can do about it.”

  “Very well, if that’s what you want, let’s get the paper work done.”

  “By the way, Mr. Fielding. How much money do I have?”

  “I’ll have to check to be sure, but I think it’s around twenty-five or thirty thousand dollars.”

  Amelia had an inner struggle to keep from showing her surprise. She never dreamed it would be so much. Now she wouldn’t have to worry about buying things for her new home.

  * * * *

  Rafe looked at Delores Rodriguez, their long time housekeeper, as she set a bowl of stew in front of him. “Why don’t you wait and serve when Mrs. Donahue gets here?”

  “She told me to go ahead and feed you. She isn’t feeling well.”

  Rafe worked his jaw. Was she going to stay mad at him forever? After Amelia rode off yesterday, Elizabeth went to their room and closed the door. He expected her to cry a little and then come down for supper, but she’d sent word she didn’t feel well and wasn’t eating supper. When he went up to bed, she turned her back to him and pretended to be asleep. He decided to let her get over her pouting before he said anything to her. He knew she wanted him to apologize for his actions, and he had no intention of doing that. After all, he’d been right. Amelia was the one being unreasonable.

  This morning when he got up, Elizabeth refused to get out of bed, saying she had a headache.

  “Crying will do that to you,” he’d said in a flippant way and went down to breakfast.

  Now he was having his mid-day meal alone and he didn’t like it. It was time for Elizabeth to straighten up and accept the fact Amelia would be home in a few days. She wouldn’t like living the sparse life her bounty hunter could offer her. She was like all women. She wanted and needed pretty things in her life. A pretty new dress occasionally, a new fancy hat every few months, and a man who could provide those things were what it took to keep a woman happy. Since Amelia had never gone without anything she wanted, she wouldn’t take lightly to giving them up. She was mad now, but she’d be back soon. There was no doubt in his mind about it.

  Rafe finished his meal and pushed back his chair. He started out the door, but changed his mind. He turned and headed toward the stairs. He was going to make sure Elizabeth didn’t spend the rest of the day in bed. He had no intention of eating supper alone.

  Pushing the door open, he was surprised to see the bed made and his wife’s clothes piled on it. He frowned and stepped inside. “What the hell is going on here?”

  Elizabeth turned from the wardrobe and looked at him. She moved to the bed and laid down the clothes she had over her arm. “I’m packing,” she said in a terse voice.

  “Why?”

  “I’m going on a trip.”

  Rafe frowned. “The hell you are.”

  She stared at him. “Are you refusing to let me go?”

  “Damn right I am. You just got home from St. Louis and you’re not leaving again. I want you here.”

  “Why, Rafe?”

  He frowned again. “Because you’re my wife and you belong here.”

  She turned back to her wardrobe. “You don’t need me anymore.”

  “Elizabeth, what’s got into you?” His voice grew irritated. “You’ve never acted like this in all the years we’ve been married.”

  She paused and gave him a weak smile. “Neither have you, Rafe.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I never thought I’d see the day you’d throw my daughter out of our house.” Tears came to her eyes. “You were mean and cruel and I don’t know what you’ll do next. I’m afraid you might turn on me at any time.”

  “You’re being ridiculous, woman. Amelia will soon see what a mistake she’s made. She’ll be home and marrying Vince before you know it. Why next year this time she and Vince will present us with our first grandchild. I’m sure of it.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “No, Rafe. You’re wrong. I looked into Amelia’s eyes. She’ll never come home.”

  “Oh yes she will. I’ll see to it.”

  “Rafe, how can you be so obstinate? I don’t know why, but I know you and Amelia have never had a good relationship. Now you’ve pushed her to the limit and there’s no way to repair things between you.” She shook her head. “Maybe you were jealous of how close she was to my father instead of you.”

 
“That’s a stupid thing to say.”

  “I don’t think so. You’ve always thought of Amelia as another piece of your property, not as an intelligent person with feelings and opinions of her own. My father knew she was a smart human being with a good business head on her shoulders.”

  “That’s ridiculous. Amelia’s only a girl, Elizabeth. She needs my guidance.”

  “No, Rafe. She’s not a girl. She’s a grown woman now and she doesn’t need your guidance. She needs your love.”

  “Of course…”

  “No you don’t. I’m not sure you know what love is or how to love anyone.”

  Rafe became angry. He stalked toward her. “How can you say that, woman? We’ve lived together for over twenty years and I’ve given you everything a wife could want.”

  “No you haven’t.”

  He frowned. “Whatever else you want, buy it. I can afford it.”

  “What I want can’t be bought with money. I want the same thing Amelia wants from you.”

  He looked confused. “What are you talking about?”

  “I’m talking about respect and love, Rafe.”

  “For God’s sake, Elizabeth. You’re talking crazy. Of course I love you and believe it or not, I love her. Why, I’d give Amelia the world if she’d only use her head and do what I want her to do.”

  Elizabeth shook her head. “You think you love her, but you don’t. You’re like a lot of men. You have no idea of a woman’s feelings or how to love her. You think possessions are what she wants, when that’s far from her mind.”

  “If I’m so wrong, what has the last twenty years been about?”

  “There were moments when you seemed to care. And of course, I had Amelia to love. Now you’ve taken her away from me and I have nothing.”

  “You’re not making a damn bit of sense, Elizabeth. You have everything you’ve ever wanted. More, in fact. I’m probably the richest man in Wyoming. You can have anything you want.” He shook his head. “Why don’t you go into town and buy yourself the most expensive hat Mrs. Purdy has in her shop. A new hat always seems to make your problems go away.”

  “Oh, Rafe.” She stared at him and tears ran down her cheeks. “You’re such a fool.”

  “We’ll discuss this when you can be more reasonable.” With a bewildered look, Rafe turned and left the room, wondering if his wife had lost her mind as had his daughter. He knew Elizabeth was still crying, but he chose to ignore it.

  * * * *

  After they left the bank, Jed led Amelia into Brown’s Mercantile. “I think we better get started on gathering the supplies we’ll need. Curt may be here this afternoon or in the morning.”

  She knew he was trying to keep her busy so she wouldn’t dwell on the incident at her father’s ranch. She went along with him, because she did need a distraction and they needed supplies.

  She was busy selecting linens and household items they’d want as soon as they got to the ranch when Jed walked up to her.

  “I’ve picked out all the tools in here I’ll need right away. I’m going to step out back with Stanley to look in the storage shed where he keeps the larger things.”

  “Fine. I’ll be a while. I never dreamed we had to buy so much and I haven’t even started on the food.”

  He nodded and went through the store to the back door.

  Amelia carried the supplies she’d gathered to the counter. “Do you mind if I put these here, Andy? I still have more shopping to do.”

  “Please do, Miss Donahue.”

  “It’s Mrs. Wainwright now. How about using my correct name?”

  “I know you married him, but since he’s not watching, would you like for me to help you escape?”

  “Escape from what?” Amelia frowned at him.

  “The half-breed, of course.”

  “Andy Brown, don’t you dare refer to my husband in such a way. His name is Jed Wainwright.” She slapped a pillow down on the counter.

  “Oh, come on, Miss Donahue, your daddy said you’d be happy to get away from him.”

  “My daddy now knows differently. He found out when I chose my husband over coming back to the Double D to live.”

  Andy looked confused. “When Vince Callahan was in here he said you and him was going to get married as soon as you got away from the half…bounty hunter.”

  “He’s a fool. Even if I wasn’t married to Jed, I wouldn’t marry Vince Callahan if he was the only single man in Settlers Ridge. I’d rather marry the town drunk.”

  Andy laughed.

  “What’s so funny?” Amelia stared at him.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Donahue, but I can’t picture you married to Kemp Newton.”

  “I told you to call me Mrs. Wainwright. If you call me Miss Donahue again, I’ll dump all the supplies I’ve collected on the floor and insist my husband take me to another town to buy our supplies.”

  “No.” Andy’s eyes grew large. “Please, Miss…I mean, Mrs. Wainwright. If I let this big order…I mean Mama and Dad would kill me.”

  “Then you need to stop listening to people like my father and Vince Callahan. They have their own agendas, and believe me, they don’t care who they step on to get their way.”

  “Are you saying you don’t trust your father or Vince?”

  “I used to trust my father, but I’m not sure I can anymore. I’ve never trusted Vince Callahan.”

  Andy still looked confused. “But you’re going to marry him.”

  “Andy Brown, if you say that one more time, I’m going to hit you over the head with this curtain rod. I was never going to marry Vince Callahan, and I certainly will never marry him in the future. I can’t stand the man.”

  “But how’ll he get the ranch?”

  “What?”

  “Uh…nothing…Why don’t you go on with your shopping, Miss…Mrs. Wainwright?”

  “Andy Brown, what did you say about Vince getting the ranch?”

  “Nothing. I figured he’d get it if he married you.”

  Amelia glared at him. “Has Vince talked to you about getting my father’s ranch?”

  “No. Of course not. He’s the foreman, ain’t he? I guess he thinks he can do things there.” Andy was turning red and his brow was beginning to sweat.

  She wasn’t about to let him get away with what he said. “What things?”

  “With you as his wife…”

  “I told you there was no chance I’d ever marry that snake.”

  “Even if your husband was dead?”

  Amelia leaned across the counter and took hold of Andy’s shirt. “Does Vince Callahan plan to kill my husband?”

  “I don’t know.” Andy looked as if he was going to cry. “All I know is I wanted a job working on the ranch and Vince said he’d give me one when you was married to him and he was running everything. That’s all I know.”

  Amelia twisted the material of his shirt in her hand and said in a low voice, “You’d better tell me all you know because if something happens to my husband, I’ll see to it you spend the rest of your sorry life in a dirty prison somewhere. Do you understand?”

  He nodded and a tear appeared in his eye. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Good.” She let go of his shirt. “If you hear Vince say anything about my husband or me, you’d better let me know right away. If I find out later you don’t…”

  Jed and Stanley came back into the store and she turned toward them. “Oh, dear. You’re faster than I am. I still have things to pick up.”

  “Do you need help?” Jed walked up to her.

  “Sure. You can carry things to the counter.”

  Stanley spoke. “Andy, why don’t you deliver Reverend Ellsworth’s order? I put it on the shelf in the storeroom. I’ll help Mr. and Mrs. Wainwright.”

  “Sure.” Andy rushed toward the storeroom before anyone could say anything.

  “I think he was in a hurry.” Jed took hold of Amelia’s arm.

  “I know he was.” She pulled Jed to the other side of the store. “I’ll tel
l you about it later. Now, help me finish gathering the stuff we need.”

  As Amelia chose the things she wanted, Jed carried them to the counter for Stanley to begin adding. When they finished with the household items, she said, “I’ll make a list of the food items we want and drop it by in the morning. I’m sure we can get it all together before Curt comes with the wagon.”

  “That’ll be fine, Mrs. Wainwright,” Stanley mumbled. “Or we could deliver it for you.”

  Jed shook his head. “I appreciate it, but we’ll take what we can get in the wagon with us. If we need anything delivered, I’ll let you know.”

  “I hope you’re going to like ranching, Jed.”

  “I’m sure I will, Stanley. I never intended to be a bounty hunter all my life. Ranching was what I always wanted to do.”

  “I’m glad you were the one to buy the Lawson place.”

  “I think we’ll like it there.” Jed placed the last of the items Amelia had chosen on the counter.

  “I was surprised to hear the Lawsons left so quickly.” He glanced at Amelia then turned his head back to Jed. “They all went didn’t they?”

  “Yes,” Amelia said. “Wilma didn’t want to go, but she had no choice.”

  “She didn’t want to go?” Stanley looked surprised and turned a little pink.

  “No, but her mother insisted she go with them. It wouldn’t surprise me if she came back, especially if someone gave her a reason to return to Settlers Ridge. A reason Gladys wouldn’t fight.”

  Stanley blushed and Jed looked confused, but he didn’t say anything.

  * * * *

  Vince Callahan was riding into town when he saw Andy Brown leaving Preacher Ellsworth’s house. Andy was waving frantically to him.

  “What the hell does that kid want?” Vince muttered and turned his horse toward the mercantile wagon. Reining in, he pushed his hat back. “I don’t have much time. I’ve got to send a wire to some cattle buyers for Donahue and then get back to roundup.”

  “I wanted to let you know Mrs. Wainwright came in the store today to…”

  “Hold it. Why are you calling her Mrs. Wainwright?”

  “She made me.”

  He shook his head. “Go on.”

  “She said she wasn’t ever going to marry you.”

  “She’s dead wrong.” Vince’s eyes grew cold. “I’ll get her one of these days.”