by West, Everly
Shock radiated through August, but he didn't want the damn cash.
"Grandfather," he said stunned, knowing suddenly there wasn't a thing he needed or wanted except for the man not to leave. "I'd rather you stayed here with me. Thank you, I love you."
"Son, I have no choice. I love you too. Now get your grandmother," he said, his voice growing weaker. "I want to say goodbye to my love."
August ran to the door. "Grandmother."
Cora glanced up from her needlepoint, her eyes large. Slowly she put her needlework down and moved toward him, her eyes never leaving his while she hurried into the room and knelt by the bed. "Isaac, don't leave me."
As his grandmother leaned over his grandfather, he pulled her lips to his, and kissed her one last time. "Bessie, it's my time. Our boy is going to make certain you're all right. Since that day at the train station where I first laid eyes on you, you've been my love, my sweetheart"
Crawling in beside her husband, Bessie held Isaac, telling him how much she loved him and what a wonderful life they had together. Holding him until he was gone.
Cora slipped her arms around August as they stood in the doorway and watched as his grandfather slowly departed this world, leaving an empty void.
When he took his last breath, August laid his head on Cora's shoulder as his heart broke and tears flowed. The one man in life he trusted and looked up to was no more. The one man whose advice he understood and agreed with could help him no more.
Chapter 9
Cora couldn't believe his grandfather was gone. It happened so quickly, so suddenly, and she couldn't imagine him dying with only Bessie here alone. Thank goodness they had been with her when he went.
The funeral had been held two days later, but the burial of his body would have to wait until spring.
The morgue in Doggett could hold his remains in a cold underground cellar until the ground was no longer frozen.
The ride home from the church had been quiet with his grandmother sitting stoically in between them.
"Over fifty years with that man," she said softly. "How am I going to live without him?"
"It's not going to be easy," Cora said, wishing with all her might if she ever loved anyone it would be how August’s grandparents loved. Gazing at her husband who focused on driving the team and getting them home, she wondered if he could ever love her like his grandfather adored his grandmother.
"As much as I want you two to stay at the ranch, I'll be all right if you need to return to Cheyenne," she said.
"No, we're not going anywhere," Cora told her, thinking she would not let August go off and leave Bessie. Not now. Maybe not ever.
August glanced at his grandmother. "We're not leaving."
"Thank you," she said. "Your grandfather told me he told you everything, August."
What had his grandfather revealed to August? Not that it mattered. It was their business, not hers, but she was curious.
"Yes, he made his wishes known to me," he said with a sigh. "But I still didn't believe he was really dying. What if we hadn't come? What if I hadn't married Cora and decided I'd had enough of my father's manipulating?"
One good thing had come from their marriage. She stole a look at her husband. She wished more would come from this union but didn't know how to tell him.
His grandmother reached over and patted his arm. "Things happen for a reason." She glanced between the two of them. "I realize you two newlyweds are still trying to figure things out, but maybe God had a hand in you falling out of that window and August catching you, Cora. Could the two of you be meant to be married and for you to come here?"
He gave her a quick glance, his eyes searing her as she stared at him. A spiral of warmth skittered up her spine, leaving her hungry for more. Were they being foolish not to recognize their marriage was real?
They pulled in front of the house and August halted the horses, tying the reins around the brake. He jumped out of the wagon, and then turned to help his grandmother alight.
"This old woman has said too much already and now if you'll excuse me, I think I want to be alone for a while. Without your grandfather by my side, sleeping is difficult, and I need some time to adjust to my new life."
At the sadness in the older woman's voice, Cora felt her heart clinch in pain. How did you get over losing the love of your life?
"Good night, Grandmother," August said, kissing her on the cheek as she hurried toward the house.
Looking up at Cora, tears filled his eyes as he wrapped his hands around her waist and placed her on the ground next to him.
"Do things happen for a reason?" Cora asked. "Are we meant to be married?"
Silence from August and then she noticed the tears running down his cheeks and her heart squeezed her chest splintering in two.
"How do I know? Right now, I don't understand anything, except the man who I admired the most in this life is gone."
A pang of hurt gripped her chest as she thought of the pain her husband was feeling. Her hand reached out and lifted his face as she raised his head and looked deeply into his sapphire eyes.
The womanizer, the governor's son, the man who had teased her was gone and in his place was a hurting soul that she cared so much about. A man she was falling in love with.
Timidly, she lifted her mouth to his, trying to express her sympathy to him. An ache built inside her as she tried to show him she was concerned about his feelings.
His hands grabbed her face as he held onto her, moving his lips over hers like a starving man. Desire surged through Cora at the desperate kiss, her legs trembling. Finally they broke apart, their breathing ragged as they stood in the yard, their foreheads touching.
"Cora," he said breathlessly.
With a woman's intuition she never knew she possessed, she understood what her husband needed. Without a doubt, she realized what she must do. And she wanted him as badly as he craved her.
"Come to bed, August. Come to bed and let me heal your sorrow."
* * *
Cora woke to an empty bed. Glancing around the room, she realized August had already gone down to breakfast. She lay in the bed, staring up at the ceiling, tears filling her eyes. Last night had been the most beautiful night of her life.
After they came upstairs, her husband tenderly undressed her, taking his time, leaving her eager for the next step. With the removal of her clothing, he made her feel like a precious piece of china as he brought her to the brink of desire.
Her mother's explanation of what happened between a man and woman was nothing compared to the magic of what they created together. When the moment came and he took her virginity, he'd been gentle and soothing, and once she recovered, showed her the delights of what occurred between two people in love.
Afterward he held her in his arms like he never wanted to let her go and that was the problem. She didn't want to go anywhere without August.
How could she go to New York and leave this man behind?
In the last month, August captured her heart, and she knew without a doubt, she loved him deeply. From the time they married, he had taken care of her. Making certain she was warm when they traveled. Worried about her getting ill and caring for her in her sickness. Admitting to her how he did everything to keep from marrying someone like his stepmother. Showing her his grief and letting her comfort him.
Yes, he had a cad's reputation he used to hide the gentle, considerate man he truly was inside and that's what she'd fallen in love with. That loving, sweet man who even now longed to make his grandmother's life a little easier since the death of his grandfather.
And yet loving and being with him would mean sacrificing her dream. Could she give up the one thing she’d wanted all her life? Or should she give up August?
The thought left her chest aching and tears welling up in her eyes.
Last night, or at any other time, August had not revealed his feelings toward her. Several times he hinted at them remaining married, but was that to ward off the debutantes
or because he loved her?
Only if he told her he loved her would she stay. But to remain here knowing he never would fall for her, she couldn't take. For the kind of marriage she dreamed and wanted was the one his grandparents had shown them.
A love that spanned over fifty years, where each spouse was always looking out for the other. Where his grandfather asked August to watch over his grandmother. Where his grandmother mourned the loss of her husband. That was the marriage Cora longed for.
A love that transcended the years and death. One that your dying breath was wanting your partner to be cared for.
With a sigh, she threw back the covers. They were here until spring. Before then, hopefully, she would know the answers to her questions, her doubts. Soon, she would tell August she loved him, and he would love her back.
If not, she would be on a train to New York. For she couldn't live with August if he didn't love her.
* * *
August sat in the kitchen with his grandmother, his mind on what they'd done last night. His wife was beautiful, tempting and gorgeous and she also had a way of letting him know when she thought he was being foolish.
How many women had he seen that went along with everything he said, trying to hang onto him? Like any man, August liked a woman who challenged him, made him think, who was ambitious and had dreams.
But if they remained married, what about Cora's dream? What about how she had wanted to attend fashion school since she was a little girl?
Could he go to New York with her? No, that wouldn't be possible, because he wasn't leaving his grandmother. In fact, he was certain he would never return to Cheyenne.
Living here this last month, he'd been happy. He enjoyed working on the ranch and seeing his hard work come to fruition. Before his grandfather died, he showed him the books and what all he needed to do to keep Riverbend going.
The idea of selling the place created an ache August never felt before. Like someone was cutting out his heart and feeding it to the wolves.
"And life goes on," his grandmother said solemnly, lifting her coffee cup to her mouth. "It went on after your mother died and now your grandfather. And life will go on, once I'm gone."
The words were not comforting, but realistic. Today he had to get out and feed the cattle in the north pastures. They would be running low on hay and his grandfather would not approve of him letting them go hungry.
"Yes, but it's hard. Any moment, I expect him to come through the door and say ‘let's go boy.’ This moment doesn't seem real. We were going to work on the barn together. Grandpa was going to show me when and how to move all the expectant cows to the birthing barn this spring. There was so much more I needed to learn from him."
August regretted not coming here directly from college. It took him months to realize his father didn't have his best interest at heart, but his grandfather did.
She nodded. "You're a smart man and I think he'll be watching over you to make certain you do things right. No need to worry, son, you can run this ranch if that's what you want to do."
Lying awake last night after his wife had fallen asleep, he made his decision. There would be no returning to Cheyenne.
"Can I tell you something," he said, leaning closer to his grandmother across the table, picking up her hand. "Right now, only something drastic happening could make me leave this place. The only thing that would make me happier is if Cora stayed with me."
Bessie smiled at him. "Give it time, son. We're planting seeds. The wedding dress will be a great example to all the people in town of what she can do. With a little water, I think her business will grow to include people in the next town over. While that may not be what you want for her, it would fulfill her love of fashion."
Hope spiked in his chest, seizing his lungs as he thought of Cora. Yes, he wanted her happiness, but he also wanted her here with him. If a dress shop fulfilled her dream, he would not stop her.
"Oh no, I want her to be happy and if she enjoys creating dresses, then she should open a ladies’ boutique."
The grandmother glanced at him. "More importantly is the love between the two of you. If you don't love her enough to want what's best for her, what will make her the happiest, then you need to let her go. Your grandfather took me from a one room schoolroom where I taught kids in Cheyenne."
So many memories were here in this house, this home, and August wanted to create some of his own with Cora.
Shaking her head, her face softened in the pre-dawn light. "My papa believed your grandfather was a wild man with no money who couldn't provide for me."
"Did he approve once he became successful?"
"No, Papa never forgave us for running off together, but frankly, your grandfather was the best thing that ever happened to me. That's what I want for you," she said, staring at August.
"Your grandfather always put me first. Even when I didn't want to move to that one room cabin, he asked me to just look at it."
Maybe he should ask Cora to go with him to the cabin and propose to her there. After all, they hadn't had a courtship, a proposal, or anything that gave them a choice. Before she left for New York, he would give her what every woman dreamed of, a proper proposal.
A smile crossed his grandmother’s face. "The moment I saw where it was located, I fell in love with that little cabin and later didn't want to move to this house. When your mother started walking, we needed two bedrooms at least."
"You and grandfather had a special love."
"No, we loved the way a marriage is supposed to be. Each putting the other’s needs before our own and wanting our partner to be happy. By doing that, we were both happy." She sighed. "To make a union work, you need to decide to put each other first."
"I'm trying, but I don't want her to go to New York and I can't go with her."
"By letting her go, if she loves you, she'll come back to you. This is hard, but if she truly loves you, she won't be able to go. You have to give her the chance."
With a sigh, August squeezed his grandmother's hand and released it. "Love you, Grandma, and I'm not leaving you here alone."
"Regardless, I want you to be happy."
August stood and walked toward the door. "Time to go to work. Hungry cows are waiting on me."
"Have a good day, son. Know, your grandfather is riding by your side."
* * *
Later that day, Cora helped Bessie clean out the closet with her husband’s things. While she wanted to comfort the woman, she kept thinking it was too soon to get rid of his clothes. The man was a huge part of her life and this just seemed too early.
"Are you sure, Grandmother, you want to toss his clothes?"
"Honey, he's not coming back, and looking at them hurts too much. Every time I see them, I remember him wearing the outfit."
The pain in her voice reached inside Cora and squeezed her heart. Still, the idea of tossing them out, hurt Cora. Right now, she just couldn't do it and she'd only known his grandfather for a month.
"Why don't we put them in trunks and when you're ready we can carry them into town. Plus, maybe I can go through his shirts and make something with the fabric."
For a moment, Bessie halted and glanced at Cora, her face sincere. "That would be wonderful. We can take the material and make a quilt."
"Good idea," Cora said, as they laid the clothes on the bed. "That way he would keep you warm at night."
With one of the shirts, she would make Bessie a special pillow to put on her bed. Something when looked at would remind her of him.
"This morning, I spoke to August and I'm going to tell you as well, Isaac and I were blessed with a happy marriage. He actually spirited me away from a job I had teaching. My father didn't approve of Isaac, but all that mattered was the love we had for each other."
The older woman turned and spoke, her voice strong. "That's what I want for you and August. Isaac always put me and my needs first and the two of you should consider that with your marriage. If you don't love him enough to place
his needs above your own, then let him go."
The memories from last night spiraled through her, warming her, and all she wanted to do was grab her husband and tell him she loved him. That she didn't want to leave him.
Tears welled up in Cora's eyes. "Thank you," she said. "I've been struggling, not knowing what to do—"
The sound of a wagon pulling up outside had Bessie glancing out the window. "Oh my, it's Governor Grover and that floozie he calls a wife."
Cora chuckled and wiped her eyes. "You mean Della, the stepladder?"
Bessie looked at her strangely. "There's some meaning to that name that you're going to have to explain to me later. Come on, they're at the door."
What brought the governor all the way to outside of Doggett, Cora wondered. Could he have heard about the death of August’s grandfather or was he here for some other reason.
Bessie opened the door. "Grover, how wonderful to see you and your lovely wife Della."
"Hello, Bessie. Is August here?" The man stepped inside and then he saw Cora. "Nice to see you."
"Governor," she said and walked to the stepmother who wore the latest fashionable dress and carried a matching parasol. Cora held out her hand. "Mrs. Moonlite, we've not met. I'm Cora, August’s wife."
The woman glanced down her nose at her and refused to take her offered hand. "You're that girl he was forced to marry."
Stunned at the woman's rudeness, Cora stepped back and didn't say anything.
"Where's my son?"
"He's out in the fields," Bessie told the man. "The cattle in the north pasture needed fresh hay, so he's taking care of them."
The man in the suit shook his head and wrinkled his nose. "Ugh, such disgusting work, feeding livestock."
Della walked around the room, her eyes drifting over the room. "Homey."
"I guess, he's working with Isaac?"
