Chapter 35

Edwina placed the sleeping Adam in his crib and covered him with the blue blanket Rosalinda had made him. She glanced up as Wyatt walked into the bedroom. She put her fingers to her lips and he leaned down and took off his boots.

He sat them beside the bed and walked up beside her in his sock feet. “I was hoping to get here in time to catch him awake,” he whispered.

“I tried to keep him from going to sleep until you got home, but he couldn’t keep his little eyes open any longer.”

“I guess I have to wait until morning to play with him.”

Edwina smiled and took his arm. “You sure do. I want to get some sleep and you better not wake him up tonight.”

“Then you’re going to have to entertain me.” He winked at her.

“Kiss your son and come to bed. I’ll be waiting. I want to know what went on with the sheriff.” She removed her robe and laid it on a chair.

“I’ll be right there, my lady love, but we may do something besides talk about what went on in town.”

Edwina chuckled and climbed into bed. Within twenty minutes, Wyatt joined her.

He slid his arm around her and pulled her close to him. “Thanks for waiting up for me.”

“Did you eat something?”

“I grabbed a slice of roast and a piece of bread when I came in.”

“That isn’t enough for supper. Do you want me to go down and fix you a plate?”

“Not on your life, my love. I want you right here in my arms where you belong.”

“But—”

“No, buts.” He kissed her. “Food isn’t what I have on my mind right now.”

“Before you get anything else on your mind, tell me what went on in town.”

“Do I have to tell you before…”

“Yes, you do.”

“Oh, all right.” He snuggled closer. “Jeff says somebody’s trying to frame me. They want him to believe I killed Rusty and attacked Cora Sue.”

“That’s ridiculous.”

“I know and so does Jeff.”

“Why did telling you this make you so late?”

“There was a shooting in town. I helped Jeff clean it up.”

She sat up. “You’re not hurt are you? What happened?”

“No, I’m not hurt. There was a fight in the saloon. From what we were able to put together, old man Bullins had another fight with his wife. She burned the bread or something and he decided he was going to go to the saloon and pick up a woman who would appreciate him. Mrs. Bullins didn’t like that and she followed him into town. While he was upstairs with one of the women, Mrs. Bullins came into the saloon and proceeded to shoot it up.”

Edwina giggled and said, “Exactly what I’d do if you were to try something like that.”

Wyatt laughed. “I can see you doing that.”

“Go on with your story.”

“Well, when she found out he was with a woman upstairs, she tried to go up the steps. She was threatening to kill them both. Jeff caught her and dragged her out of the saloon and told her to go home and he’d get her husband out. She acted like she was going to do what Jeff said and the two of us started to get Bullins. A barrage of gunfire started outside and we went out to find her behind a water trough shooting at a window in the saloon. It wasn’t long until Mr. Bullins started firing back.”

“Was anyone hurt?”

“Not unless you count the window the Andersons lost or the holes in the water trough.” Wyatt chuckled. “It took a while, but we finally got them calmed down. Jeff decided it would be a good idea if they spent a night in jail.”

“I hope he put them in separate cells.”

“He did. Of course, it was a good thing he didn’t have any other prisoners since we only have a two-cell jail.”

“If we’re ever arrested, I hope Jeff lets us share a cell.”

Wyatt laughed out loud. “Oh, Edwina. You’re so wonderful. I love you more every day.”

“I love you, too, Wyatt. You know that.”

“Of course I know you do, but right now I’m through talking and if you will I want you to show me how much you love me.”

She snuggled against him. “I will.”

* * * *

It was almost dawn when a moaning noise awakened Mildred Reeson. She jumped from the cot Juan had set up in the bedroom where Cora Sue was in bed.

“Where…”

Rushing to the bed, Mildred took Cora Sue’s hand. “Are you waking up, my darling?”

“I…hurt…”

“I’ll get you something to help you, honey. It’ll help the pain.” She poured a dose in a spoon and held it to Cora Sue’s lips. “Open your mouth, sweetheart.”

Cora Sue took the medicine and swallowed.

“Oh, darling, you don’t know how long I’ve prayed you’d wake up and speak to me.”

Cora Sue muttered something Mildred didn’t understand.

“Oh, thank God. You’re going to be all right.”

Cora Sue didn’t respond. She’d fallen back asleep.

“It’s all right, my dear daughter. You rest. I know now you’re going to be well once again.”

There was a tap on the door.

Mildred grabbed her robe and opened the door. Wyatt was on the other side.

“I thought I heard talking in here. I was just checking to see if everything was all right.”

“Oh, Wyatt, Cora Sue spoke to me. She’s going to be all right. I just know it.”

“That’s wonderful, Mildred. Did she say who hurt her?”

“No. She only said she hurt and she muttered a little more, but then she fell back to sleep.”

“I’m sure she’ll be talking soon.”

“I believe that, too.” She smiled at him. “You’re up awfully early, Wyatt.”

“I had to spend some time in town yesterday and we’re behind on breaking some horses. I decided to get an early start.” He reached out and patted Mildred’s shoulder. “I’m happy for you, Mildred. I’ll send one of the men for the doctor, if you like.”

“That would be good. Thank you, Wyatt.”

He nodded and headed down the hall toward the kitchen.

* * * *

“Good morning, Mr. Singleton,” Naomi Kerr said as he entered. “I have the coffee made.”

“Great. I figured I’d have to go to the bunkhouse and have coffee with the men.” Wyatt took the cup she held out to him. “You’re sure here early this morning.”

“Terrence wanted to start on the fence you wanted replaced at the corral, so we came as soon as we got up.” She pulled out a pan. “Would you like me to fix you some breakfast?”

“No, thanks. I’ll grab a bite with the men. Why don’t you go see if Mrs. Reeson could use some coffee? She’s awake.”

“I’ll do that.” Naomi left the kitchen.

Wyatt finished his coffee, put the cup on the sideboard and went out the back door. He hurried to the bunkhouse where the men were eating breakfast.

“Got enough for me?” he asked as he entered.

Shifty, the cook, laughed. “Sure, Boss. Come on in. Did you have a fight with the missus and get yourself run out of the big house?”

Wyatt chuckled. “The missus is still asleep and I decided I’d come see if you men were lazing around or getting ready to go to work.”

“Now, Wyatt, you know us better than that,” a slim cowboy wearing a bright colored shirt said. “I intend to break at least three horses before you get through eating some of Shifty’s burnt ham.”

“Instead of breaking a horse, Sid, how about heading into town and getting the doctor. Cora Sue Reeson seems to be waking up and her mother wants the doctor to come check her this morning.”

Sid stood and headed for the door. He slapped on his wide-brimmed hat and said, “I’ll get him here and still be able to break those horses.”

“Since Terrence Kerr is working on the corral fence today, we’re going to wait a day or two to break the rest of the horses. I want to move the cows into the north pasture today.”

The men began to file out. “We’ll get the horses saddled,” someone said as the door closed.

“Want me to help Mr. Kerr today?” Shifty asked. He sat a plate of ham and eggs in front of Wyatt.

“Make sure he has a good dinner and see that he has plenty of water. It’s going to be a hot day. Other than that, see if you can find something for his boys to do. They’ll probably help in the barn this morning, but when they finish they may join their father. They could get hurt hanging around the corral.”

“I’ll do that, Boss.”

Wyatt ate quickly and pushed back his plate. “Thanks, Shifty.”

“Anytime you want my cooking instead of Rosalinda’s come on by.”

“I’ll do that.” Wyatt nodded.

Outside, he joined the men, climbed on the horse his men had saddled for him and headed to drive the cattle to the North pasture. It was then he let his mind go back to last night as he held Edwina in his arms.

After he’d made love to her it was all he could do to keep from confessing their marriage wasn’t what she thought it was. After she fell asleep he’d spent most of last night worrying about it and he purposely got up and left before she woke up. He didn’t feel he could face her this morning without her knowing something was wrong. His conscience was eating away at him and he knew he couldn’t keep deceiving her for much longer. He loved her too much for that.