Chapter 12

Edwina nervously held up the best of her dresses and glared into the mirror. Though Aunt Callie had been telling her for three years now that she didn’t need a new dress, this one was showing a lot of wear. Probably from the fact she’d worn it for church every Sunday and Wednesday night as well as any other church function for the last three years.

Edwina frowned as she continued to study the garment. It was the best thing she had, but it was still ugly. The plain brown material was rough, the black buttons were shiny and cheap-looking and the skirt always dragged the floor when she had it on. There was nothing she could do to make it look better. She’d look horrible at the dance.

Why in the world did she agree to go to the community celebration with Wyatt? It would only shame him to be seen with a woman who looked as she did. She was sure the other women would be in light and frilly summer frocks—the kind of dresses she’d seen displayed in the windows of the shops in Richmond. The kind of dresses she’d never owned.

There was no question. She’d have to tell Wyatt she couldn’t go to the dance with him.

There was a knock at her door. She tossed the dress on the bed and crossed the room to answer it. “Rosalinda, come in.”

Rosalinda smiled at her and came into the room carrying a box. “I’ve come to help you get ready to go to the party.”

“I can’t go, Rosalinda. Look at that dress, and it’s the best I have. There’s no way—”

“Forget that thing.” Rosalinda pushed the dress aside, sat the box down and removed the lid. She pulled out a beautiful sky blue silk dress. “This is what you’ll be wearing to the dance.”

Edwina’s eyes grew big. “But… Where… How?”

“Mr. Wyatt bought it for you. I’m sure he wants you to look lovely.”

“But… I mean, why?”

“Just what I said, now don’t ask any more questions, Miz Edwina. Let’s get you dressed and ready. Ben and Adam are waiting downstairs for you and Mr. Wyatt.”

“Wyatt’s back?”

“Of course he is. He’s headed to his room to bath and get ready. Now, you don’t want him to get ready first, do you?”

“No, but—”

“I do declare, you’re sure stuck on the word ‘but,’ aren’t you?”

Edwina laughed. “I guess I am, but I—”

“There you go again. Now, stop it and let’s get you ready.”

* * * *

There were footsteps on the stairs and Wyatt turned to look. He couldn’t help it—his mouth fell open and his eyes widened. To top it all, his heart began to pound. He’d never believed in fairy princesses, but he’d been wrong. One was giving him a shy smile and descending the stairs toward him.

Unable to speak, he handed Adam to Ben and moved to the bottom step. Reaching up a hand, he took hers and kissed it. “You are beautiful, Edwina,” he finally managed to say.

“Thank you for this lovely dress. I’ve never had anything so nice.”

“It won’t be the last one you have.” He slipped his arm around her shoulder. “Look at Mama, Adam. Isn’t she the prettiest woman you’ve ever seen?”

Adam grinned, showing his two teeth. “Ma-ma,” he said.

Edwina’s hand flew to her throat. “He called me Mama.”

“Of course he did. He’s known all along who his mama is. He only waited until he saw you dressed this way to acknowledge it.” Adam smiled down at her.

“You look nice, too.”

“All right, you two. You can admire each other later. The food is in our wagon and Juan has the two-seated buggy ready for you folks.”

Rosalinda passed them in the entry and reached for Adam. “You’re going to ride with your mama in the buggy so you can help Grandpa keep an eye on them. Your daddy might look at her too much and run out of the road unless you and Grandpa keep him straight. Your daddy thinks your mama’s pretty, you know.”

Wyatt grinned. “He sure does.”

Ben frowned. “Well, I still don’t think I should be going to this shindig.”

“Stop complaining, Mr. Ben. Miz Edwina said if she went the whole family had to go, and the last time I looked, you were a part of this family.”

“She’s right, Dad.”

“What’s a man in a wheelchair going to do at a dance?”

“You’re going to talk to old friends and eat lots of food and hold your grandson when his parents want to dance,” Rosalinda said.

“Why can’t you hold Adam?”

“I plan to hold him some, but Juan might want to take me out for a turn or two on the dance floor.”

“Where’s Dena? She can hold him.”

“Dena left this morning with Clem Dockery. They’re probably already at the festivities.”

“You might as well not argue with her, Ben.” Edwina smiled at him. “Besides, I need your support. I don’t know anyone except the family and I want all of you around me.”

“Since you’re the prettiest thing I’ve seen around here in a long time and it doesn’t look like I’m going to be able to talk my way out of this, I guess I’ll go.” He shook his finger at Rosalinda. “If I don’t have a good time I’m going to give you a hard time next week.”

“As if you don’t already.” She took Adam from his arms and handed him to Edwina. “Let’s go and get him in the buggy before he changes his mind.”

“There’s not room in the buggy for my wheelchair.”

“We’re going to put it in the wagon.”

“All right, let’s go. This woman has an answer for everything so I’m not going say anything else.”

“That’s why all of you love me so much around here.” Rosalinda opened the door and they followed her out.

Wyatt put Ben in the back seat of the buggy, turned and took Adam from Edwina and sat him on his grandpa’s lap.

“Gapa,” Adam blubbered.

“I sure am Gapa, son. Now let’s you and me get comfortable so we can watch your parents drive us to the dance.” Ben grinned. “We might fool all of them and do a little dancing ourselves when we get there, won’t we?”

Wyatt shook his head and turned to Edwina. Offering his arm, he helped her into the seat, then moved around the buggy to pull himself up beside her. “Shall we go?”

“I’m like Ben, I guess if I can’t get out of going. I’m ready.”

“You better not back out on me now. I can’t wait to show my beautiful wife off.”

Edwina blushed. “I’m not beautiful, Wyatt. It’s this wonderful dress you bought me.”

“No, Edwina. It’s you. Your hair up and this dress are only the trimmings to bring out your natural beauty. A man couldn’t ask for more.”

“Does that mean you’re beginning to like me again?”

He reached over and squeezed her hand. “I’ve always liked you. I’d only forgotten how much.” Letting her hand go, he snapped the reins over the horse’s rear and they were off.