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.