Chapter 13

Cora Sue walked down the wooden sidewalk, glancing from side to side. She knew she was supposed to attract Wyatt Singleton’s eye, and she intended to do it, but she hadn’t seen him yet. In the meantime, she was enjoying the longing looks most of the men she passed gave her. Wyatt Singleton might be the richest and best looking rancher around and since her father insisted he was the one man he wanted her to marry, she’d do all in her power to attract him even if he did scare her a little. Truth be told, she guessed to live in the lifestyle she was accustomed to, she needed to marry him because of his money. Of course, after the wedding, she planned to do little but have parties and spend his money. Beautiful clothes would be the one benefit of being his wife. Of course, she could get beautiful clothes from other men, too. But that wasn’t what daddy wanted and daddy always got what he wanted.

“Miss Cora Sue,” a voice from the corner of a building called to her.

She turned to see Asia Walker standing there. “What do you want?”

“I have to talk to you about something I think will be beneficial to both of us.”

She looked around. Other than the male stares on her, she didn’t see anyone to object to her talking to Mr. Walker. She couldn’t help being curious as to why he’d single her out, so she said, “What could possibly benefit the two of us, Mr. Walker?”

“I don’t want to talk about it here. We need privacy.”

“Then, shall we step over to one of the benches they’ve set among the trees at the next corner?”

He stepped up beside her and offered her his arm. “Shall we?”

She giggled and took his arm. She’d always thought Asia Walker was a handsome, if strange, man. Somebody told her once he’d been a doctor at one time, but after losing a patient he’d given up medicine. Now he concentrated on helping invalids. That was why he’d gone to work for the Singletons when Ben’s other caregiver died from a snake bite on his day off. Of course, the fact that everyone knew Asia had inherited a share in a still-producing gold mine in California didn’t hurt his chances with every single woman in town. Cora Sue had even flirted with him a few times, but he’d ignored her. She might have kept trying except for two reasons. One, her father demanded she set her cap for Wyatt and two, for some reason, Asia never seemed to want to have anything to do with any female.

Cora Sue and Asia settled on a bench and he looked around. “I guess this is private enough, Miss Reeson.”

“I think this is a good place. It gives me a good view of the house on that hill just on the edge of town.”

He glanced in the direction she indicated. “It’s a pretty house. Who lives there?”

“Nobody now. The man who used to live there died a year or so ago. I heard he left the place to a sister in New Orleans.”

“Wonder if she’ll move in.”

“Nobody knows.”

“That’s too bad. A house like that should be lived in.”

“I agree, but there’s nothing we can do about it.” She looked up at him. “Now tell me, what in the world is so important that we have to have privacy to talk?”

“I understand your father wants you to marry Wyatt Singleton.”

“That’s true, but what does it have to do with you?”

“I only want to find out if it’s your father’s idea you marry the man or if you’re in love with Wyatt Singleton.”

“He’s a rich man. I don’t think it would be too hard to love him. After all, his wife will be a well-respected member of Cool Wood Society.”

“I didn’t ask you that. Do you love him or not?”

“Not really, but Daddy says that doesn’t matter. He says love will come and I can spend a lot of my time traveling.”

“Is that what you want for the rest of your life?”

She dropped her gaze downward and shook her head.

“Then, Miss Reeson, I think you should reconsider even trying to take Wyatt Singleton away from his wife.”

“Does he… I mean… How does he feel about the woman?”

“From what I saw, when she first arrived, Mr. Wyatt bucked her. He didn’t like the fact she changed things so quickly, but his objections didn’t last long. In another few days he was allowing her changes to be permanent.”

She frowned. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying he treats her more and more like he’s a devoted husband.”

“Is he in love with her?”

“It looks as if he is.” He looked down at Cora Sue. “I intended to keep my job on his ranch until I had helped Mr. Ben all I could, but since things have changed, I won’t be able to.”

“What changed?”

“I decided I could do more good going back into medicine. I’ve already approached Doctor Donavan and he says he can use a partner in his practice.”

“How exciting.”

He grinned at her. “Of course, I’ll buy a house in town.”

“What are you saying, Mr. Walker? You’re confusing me.”

“I’m wondering if you might be interested in helping me find the right house.”

Cora Sue stared at him. He was so handsome and appealing. It would be wonderful to have him around and he seemed to appreciate her. But she knew she had no authority to say yes to his suggestion. “I don’t know. Daddy probably wouldn’t like it.”

“Maybe Daddy doesn’t have to know.” He grinned at her. “In the meantime maybe I can convince you that you don’t need to marry Wyatt Singleton for his money. There are other rich men around, you know. Maybe one who would appreciate you more than he would.”

“But Daddy wants me to marry him. I’m not used to saying no to my daddy.”

“If you’re set on the man of your daddy’s dreams then I’ll have to be satisfied sitting back and watching, but I’m not convinced you’ll be able to do it.”

“Why do you think I can’t get him?” Cora Sue gave him a mournful look.

“I know Dena Black is your contact at the ranch. Hasn’t she told you how the Singletons feel about each other?”

Cora Sue gasped. “How’d you know she was my contact?”

“I made it my business to know what happened on the Singleton ranch.” His gaze bored into her eyes. “I was mistaken about one thing, though.”

“What was that?”

“I thought Singleton wanted to marry you, so I resisted returning your interest in me.”

“Wyatt hasn’t actually asked me.”

“He’s not going to, Cora Sue.”

“How do you know?”

“I hope this doesn’t upset you, but I asked if he was going to marry you and he told me in no uncertain terms that he was married and he intended to stay married to Miz Edwina.”

Several people began to walk toward them and she whispered, “I still have to make Daddy think I’m trying to get him interested in me.”

He smiled at her. “When are you next meeting with Dena?”

“We meet every Tuesday.”

“Where?” She told him and he went on, “I’ll try to be there next Tuesday, but if I’m not, I’ll see you soon.”

Before she could answer, he stood and took her hand. “I’ll leave you now, but I’ll be back later. Save me a dance.”

Cora Sue took a deep breath. “I will.”

What’s happening here? Will Daddy handle it if Asia Walker becomes the important man in my life?

Voices became audible around her and she began filtering the conversations in her mind.

“Lord, I wondered if he’d ever bring her to town,” said Mrs. Oleen Anderson, who owned Anderson’s General Store with her husband, Jerome.

“She’s beautiful, Mama,” Teresa Anderson, Oleen’s unmarried daughter said.

“Yes, she’s beautiful. That’s too bad. I was hoping Wyatt Singleton would take a shine to you.”

“Oh, Mama. He’d never do that.”

“Look at that dress. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Bessie Bohannan looked at her husband, Sol, the feed store owner.

“Me either. It sure didn’t come from Miss Sprinkle’s shop. All her dresses look alike.” Lucy Davie and her husband, Yancy, the mayor, walked up.

“I know. Look around here. All those fancy gowns she made are from the same pattern,” Edna Rogers said. She was the single school teacher who had hopes of catching Wyatt’s eye, though everyone in town knew she never would.

“Even Cora Sue’s,” Lucy continued.

Bessie said, “Yes, Cora Sue’s, but not this woman’s. I bet it came from some fancy shop in Santa Fe or St. Louis or maybe even New York.”

Shaking herself back to reality, Cora Sue turned to see who they were talking about. Coming down the board walk was Wyatt, carrying his son. A beautiful woman with her blonde hair piled on her head and wearing a blue silk dress, the likes of which Cora Sue had never seen, was holding his arm.

Cora Sue was stunned. She knew immediately there was probably no way in the world she could entice Wyatt’s attention away from this woman. Daddy was going to be so disappointed. Tears filled her eyes as she dropped back to the bench. “For your sake, I’ll try, Daddy, but I don’t think it’s going to work.” She wouldn’t admit, even to herself, she hoped it wouldn’t. She wanted to see what she could do about catching Asia Walker’s eye.

* * * *

Edwina’s grip on Wyatt’s arm tightened. “I feel like everyone’s looking at us,” she whispered.

“Of course, they are. They’re all wondering how in the world I managed to attract a wife as beautiful at you.”

“I don’t believe that.”

“Wait until they start meeting you and you’ll see.”

A voice boomed from a doorway. “I think it’s time you brought your wife to meet the folks in town, Wyatt Singleton. Of course, after taking a look at her, I understand why you wanted to keep her hidden. Every man in a hundred-mile radius is going to be panting like a mad dog when they see her.”

“They better keep their panting to themselves.” Wyatt grinned. “Edwina, this is Sheriff Jeff Bodger and the pretty lady coming out behind him is his wife, Vera.”

Jeff tipped his hat and Vera said, “I’m delighted to meet you, Mrs. Singleton.”

“Please call me Edwina.”

“I’d be delighted to. You’ll call me Vera.” Vera looked at Adam. “Now tell me about this beautiful young man.”

“This is my son, Adam,” Wyatt said.

“Hello there, Adam.” Vera reached out and touched his arm.

He reacted by throwing his arms around Wyatt’s neck. “Da.”

Jeff laughed. “Well, I guess he knows who to turn to when he’s unsure.”

“He’s his daddy’s boy, that’s for sure,” Edwina explained.

Jeff and Vera turned to speak to Ben and the Garcias.

Wyatt urged Edwina on and they stopped and spoke to different people on the way to where the women had set up the tables of food. Rosalinda added the basket of goodies Juan was carrying and she introduced Edwina as the lady of the Singleton ranch to the women there.

For the next hour, Edwina and Wyatt walked around and she met hoards of people, few of which she would remember by name. Adam went to sleep on Wyatt’s shoulder about the time the food was served. They found a spot near the shade trees and parked Ben’s wheel chair near a bench. Edwina took a seat and Wyatt put Adam in her lap. “You keep Dad company and I’ll get us all a plate.”

“Thank you, Wyatt.”

When he was gone, she turned to her father-in-law. “It’s been nicer than I thought it would be.”

“I agree. I’m glad you talked me into coming.” He grinned. “An old friend asked me to join him in a card game when the competitions start this afternoon. I decided to go.”

“I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.”

“I will and you’re going to enjoy more of the celebration, too.”

She frowned. “I don’t know. I kind of dread the dance.”

“Why in the world? You look beautiful and I’m sure Wyatt can’t wait to show you off on the dance floor.”

Edwina leaned toward him. “I can’t dance, Ben.”

He patted her arm. “That’s the least of your worries, my dear.”

“What do you mean?”

“I bet you’re going to be asked to dance more than any other woman here.”

“Oh, dear, what will I do?”

Ben didn’t answer and she eyed him. “What do you see, Ben?”

“That Reeson slut.”

Edwina turned her head. A woman with bright auburn hair with red streaks and wearing a green dress was clinging to Wyatt’s arm. Edwina was sure she felt her heart fall to her toes.