Chapter 34

“Come in,” Wyatt said when there was a knock on his study door.

Rosalinda entered. “Mr. Wyatt, there’s a man here to see you. He said the sheriff sent him.”

“Show him in, Rosalinda.”

She turned and motioned an older man to come into the room. He entered with his hat in his hand. “Mr. Wyatt, the sheriff sent me to see you. He wanted me to give you this.” He handed Wyatt an envelope.

Wyatt opened it and read the note. Folding it back, he said to the man, “Have you had any dinner?”

“No, sir. The sheriff wanted you to have this right away.”

“Then go out to the bunkhouse. The men should be finished eating, but there’ll be plenty left. By the time you’re through, I’ll be ready to ride back into town with you.”

“Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.” The man nodded and backed out of the room.

Wyatt closed the ledger he was working on, strapped on his gun and headed upstairs to his room. He grinned when he opened the door. “I thought I might find you here.”

“Da.” Adam raised his head and looked toward his father.

Edwina laughed and stopped rocking. “It’s his nap time and I thought I’d get him to sleep here where it’s quiet. Of course, now that he’s heard your voice…”

Wyatt walked over to them and lifted the baby into his arms. “I like to hear your voice, too, pal. That is when you’re not using it to cry.”

“Do you want to rock him?”

“I would, honey, but Jeff has sent word he wants me to come to town. I wanted to let you know where I was going.”

“Oh, Wyatt, do you think he’s found out something about what happened to Cora Sue?”

“I have no idea, but I hope that’s what it is.” He looked at her. “Will you be all right? I know I promised to stay at the house in case your uncle came to get your aunt.”

“I think I’ll be fine. I’m not as afraid of him as I was. You’ve given me the courage to face him.”

Wyatt reached for her hand and pulled her to her feet. Pulling her close to him, he glanced at Adam. “Now, boy, your mama is the most important woman in the world to you and me. Are you going to protect her while I’m gone?”

“Ab dee doo mee so ma-ma.”

“See there, our son agrees with me. He’ll be your protector, too.”

“I see you’re wearing your gun. Please be careful, Wyatt. I worry every time you go to Cool Wood.”

He frowned. “Why?”

“I’m afraid one of those lonely single women in town will try to take my man.”

“As if any woman in town could hold a candle to you.” He leaned down and kissed her upturned lips. “That’ll have to hold you until I get back tonight.”

“I’ll wait for you.”

“You can wait for me to go to bed, but if Rosalinda serves supper, you eat. I don’t know how long Jeff will keep me. I’ll grab a bite when I get back.”

“Are you sure?”

“I’m positive.” He kissed Adam’s cheek and handed him to Edwina. “Now, Son, you let Mama rock you to sleep. Maybe I’ll get home in time to rock you tonight.”

Edwina took the baby and kissed Wyatt again. “I’ll see you tonight.”

He nodded and slipped out the door.

* * * *

The Kerrs were having supper in the cabin. “These are good green beans and tomatoes, Ma,” Zack said.

“They sure are. Where did you get them, Naomi? I know we didn’t get any fresh vegetables when we got supplies at Anderson’s.” Terrence looked at her.

“I picked them in the Singleton’s garden. There were so many beans Miz Rosalinda told me to bring some home with me. There was an overabundance of tomatoes and we had to throw some away because they were beginning to rot.”

Terrence frowned. “I’m sure Mrs. Singleton wouldn’t appreciate the cook giving away their food. Besides, we don’t need their handouts, Naomi.”

“Actually Mrs. Singleton told me the garden belonged to Miz Rosalinda.”

“So she lets the help do her gardening?”

“No, Terrence. It seems that she’s been back east and has only joined her husband on the ranch in recent weeks.” When he started to interrupt, she went on. “I don’t know the whole story, but from what I gather after she married Mr. Singleton, he had to make a trip west. While he was gone her uncle held her prisoner and wouldn’t let her join her husband. Finally she was able to escape and come to New Mexico. Mr. Singleton didn’t even know he had a son until she arrived.”

“This all sounds strange to me.”

“It did me, too, but I’m glad they’re finally together.”

“Why, Ma?”

“Don’t ask questions about things like this, Sam.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Why are you glad, Naomi?” her husband asked.

“You only have to be around them for a little while and you can tell how much Mr. and Mrs. Singleton love each other.”

“Like you and Pa, Ma?” Sam asked and Zach giggled.

Naomi blushed and Terrence reached over and patted Sam’s shoulder. “I’m sure she means just like your ma and pa. Love is a very important thing to a family.”

“Gee whiz.” Sam looked embarrassed.

“I love you and Ma, Pa. Sometimes I even love Sam.”

“That’s good. You need to love your brother.” Naomi smiled. “Now if we’re through passing the love around, please pass me those green beans. I have to admit, these vegetables taste wonderful after all the mush and stew we’ve been eating.”

* * * *

Wyatt couldn’t believe his eyes as he read the note. “Jeff, you know damn good and well, I didn’t have anything to do with this.”

“I know that, Wyatt. I also know somebody’s out to get you.”

“Do you have any idea who?”

“The only two I know of who seem to hate your guts are Thourgood Reeson and Preacher Thorn.”

“True, but I don’t think either of those would stoop to framing me for murder.”

“As much as I’d like to pin this on the preacher, I agree with you. Neither would be that low.”

“It has to be somebody who knows me. They chose to commit the crime on my land. Now they’ve tried to finger me for the deed.” Wyatt frowned. “You don’t think this could have anything to do with finding the homesteaders on my property, do you? After all, it was the Kerrs who found Cora Sue and Rusty.”

“Have you had a chance to check them out?”

“I sent a wire to their hometown in Kentucky. Haven’t had an answer, but I don’t really think they’re involved in anything. Naomi Kerr’s been a wonderful help with Adam and Terrence and his boys have worked hard. He’s also been a great help with Dad. If they wanted to hurt me, they sure have a strange way of showing it.”

Jeff nodded. “And to top it off, they’re strangers. Unless they’ve been studying the Singleton family, I don’t see how they could make plans to set you up using Cora Sue.”

“So that’s a dead end.” Wyatt took a drink of the coffee Jeff had given him.

After a brief silence, Wyatt added, “Have you seen any more of Roxy? She could be behind all of this. She hates me more than anyone else I know.”

“Why if—”

A shot rang out, interrupting Jeff.

He immediately dropped his feet from the desk, stood, grabbed his hat and headed out the door. Wyatt was on his heels.