Chapter 40

Callie Thorn made most of the ride back to the Reeson ranch in silence. She answered Hezekiah’s questions with few words. She knew her husband was furious at Wyatt and she didn’t want to make matters worse.

When they reached the ranch, Hezekiah left the buggy for one of the hands to put in the barn and take care of the horse. He followed Callie into the house.

Hilda had dinner on the table and they went into the dinning room. Again, Callie kept her silence. She was hoping Hezekiah would calm down after they ate, but she didn’t get her wish.

He slid his plate back, stood and without a word, pushed her toward the stairs and followed her up. Closing the door to the room they shared, he leaned against it and stared at her.

“Now, tell me what crazy notions those heathens put in your head.”

“They didn’t put anything in my head.”

Hezekiah walked up to her and back-handed her across the mouth. “Don’t you lie to me, woman.”

Callie stumbled backward. “I’m not lying. Nobody said anything out of the way to me.”

He grabbed her shoulders and shook her. “Do you think I’m a fool? I don’t believe they wouldn’t say something.”

“They didn’t.” She began to cry.

“Don’t think tears will work on me.” He slapped her with his open hand. “Now start telling me the truth of what went on.”

Through sobs, Callie said, “They were nice to me. Edwina even wanted me to get to know the baby.”

He frowned. “What do you mean?”

“She asked me to rock Adam to sleep and sometimes she’d even have me put him to bed.”

“His name is Moses. Don’t call him Adam.” He shook her.

“Yes, I know his name is Moses. I’m sorry I failed to call him by the correct name.”

He nodded. “So she asked you to rock Moses and you did it?”

“How could I say no? I was dependent on Edwina and her husband.”

Hezekiah hit her in the stomach with his fist. “Don’t you sass me, woman.”

Gasping for air, Callie said, “I’m sorry.”

He ignored her apology. “So you know where the baby sleeps?”

“Yes. He has a room that joins his parents’ bedroom.”

He slapped her again. “Don’t call them the baby’s parents. You know he belongs to the Clarks.”

She bit her lip and whispered, “Of course he does.”

For a moment, Hezekiah seemed to be ignoring her. Then he began to twist her arm. “While you were there, you went all over that house, didn’t you?”

“Yes.” She could barely whisper.

“You’re going to draw me a map of that house. I want to know where everyone sleeps. I want to know what time they go to bed and I want to know when they get up.” He twisted her arm harder. “You can do that, can’t you, wife?”

“Oh, please. You’re hurting me, Hezekiah.”

“Then answer me. You can draw the plan, can’t you?”

“Yes. Yes, I can. Just please stop twisting my arm.” Callie’s voice showed the agony she felt.

He shoved her into a chair at the small table under the window and took paper from his satchel. Handing it to her, he ordered, “Get busy.”

It took Callie almost thirty minutes to draw the floor arrangement of the house and list each bedroom she knew was occupied. She wasn’t sure about Dena Black, but she did know her room was on the top floor.

Hezekiah snatched the paper and glared at it. “You foolish woman. You left the Mexican man and woman out. Where do they sleep?”

“They don’t stay at the main house. They go to their home at night.”

He frowned. “So they have a house?”

“Yes.”

“It ain’t fair. I know many of the good white people I’m met have no home and those Mexicans have a place to live. That makes me mad.” Without warning, he balled up his fist and hit Callie in the side of the temple.

She fell from the chair, knocked over the table by the window and landed on the hard wood floor.

He waited a minute, but when she didn’t move, he folded the paper she’d drawn, put it in his pocket and left the room.

* * * *

Edwina came into Cora Sue’s room with a tray in her hands. “I’ve brought supper for Cora Sue, Mildred.”

“Thank you. I’ll feed her and bring it back.”

“If you’ll permit me, I want to feed her. Cora Sue and I agreed to be friends a few weeks ago and I want to do something for her.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes. Now you go on to the dining room and have some supper. You need to get out of this room for a little while.”

“I would like to try to get my mind off the scene Thourgood created.”

“Go on, then. Ben and Wyatt are eating now.”

“What about that wonderful little boy of yours? I’d like to see him.”

“After you eat, why don’t you go up and tell Dena you want to rock him to sleep? You can tell her I sent you.”

“I’d like that, Edwina. It’s been a long time since I rocked a baby.” Mildred kissed Cora Sue’s cheek and left the room.

When they were alone, Edwina reached down and touched Cora Sue’s arm. “Cora Sue,” she whispered, “can you wake up?”

Cora Sue’s eyes opened. “Hello, Edwina.” Her voice was raspy and barely audible.

“I’ve brought you some chicken soup Rosalinda made especially for you. Do you think you could eat a little?”

“I think so. I’m hungry.”

Edwina lifted Cora Sue’s head and put two more feather pillows under it.

“I don’t want you to choke when you eat.”

Cora Sue grinned. “I appreciate it, but if you did I wouldn’t blame you. Not after the way Daddy has acted.”

Edwina sat back and picked up the tray. Putting it across her knees, she lifted a spoonful of soup to Cora Sue’s mouth. “Why does your father still believe you will marry Wyatt?”

“I don’t know, but he has always been the type of man who couldn’t take no for an answer.” Cora Sue opened her mouth for more soup. After swallowing, she added, “I kept telling him I was in love with another man, but he doesn’t care.”

“I wonder why it’s so important to your father that you marry Wyatt.”

“I guess he thinks if we marry, he’ll be able to get his hands on some of Wyatt’s money. I can’t think of any other reason.” She sipped some more soup. “In fact, I don’t think he actually likes Wyatt very much.”

Edwina smiled, but didn’t tell Cora Sue she thought the feeling might be mutual between Wyatt and Thourgood Reeson.

After a few more sips of soup, Edwina spoke. “You said you were in love, Cora Sue. Would you tell me who the lucky man is?”

Because of the bandages it was hard for Cora Sue to smile, but she managed a little. “Asia Walker. We’re going to get married. Daddy had a fit when I told him today, but I don’t care. We love each other and we want to be together.”

“I think that’s wonderful. Doctor Walker’s a good man. He’ll make a fantastic husband.”

“I think so, too.” Cora Sue dropped her head. “I don’t know what kind of wedding we’ll have, but I want to ask you something.”

“Of course.”

“I don’t have a lot of friends. Most of the women in town are jealous of me.” She sighed. “And it’s my fault.”

“Why is it your fault, Cora Sue?”

“I was lucky because I was born with better than average looks. I used my looks to attract men and many of them fell for me. It made the other women mad, but at the time I didn’t care. I loved the attention.”

“You’re a young beautiful woman, Cora Sue. Most any of us would’ve done the same thing.”

“I don’t think so. You didn’t and you’re beautiful.”

“I certainly didn’t think so. Nobody ever told me I was even pretty until I met Wyatt.”

“He loves you, Edwina, and not just because you’re beautiful. He loves the person you are inside as well as outside.”

“I love him as much. We’re happy together.”

“I know. Mama and I kept trying to convince Daddy of that, but he kept saying the preacher said you weren’t married. Daddy believes him.”

“Well, we are married and we have the certificate to prove it.”

There was another pause and Cora Sue finished the soup. She closed her eyes. “That was good. Thank Rosalinda for me.”

“I will.” Edwina sat the tray on the table and sat down. “Is there anything else I can get you?”

“No, but I did say I wanted to ask you something. As I said, I have no friends who will be honest with me. Neither will Mama. Daddy would even lie to me.”

“What is it, Cora Sue?”

“I know there are bandages on my face. How bad are the injuries there?”

“I’m not sure. I saw blood on your face when they brought you in. I helped Rosalinda clean some of it away while we waited for the doctor. You had some cuts on your face, but that’s all I know.”

“Will I have scars?”

“I don’t know how deep the cuts were so I have no idea about scars. Maybe the doctor will tell you.”

She shook her head. “Does Asia know?”

“I’m sure he does. He’s been here several times.”

Cora Sue smiled. “Really? Did he say anything?”

“Not to me. Ask your mother.”

“I’m afraid he won’t love me if I have a scarred face.” Cora Sue looked worried.

“I’m sure that’s not so.”

As if on cue, there was a tap on the door. It opened and Asia Walker came in. “I hear there’s a talking patient in here.”

Edwina stood and picked up the tray. “Come in, Dr. Walker. Our patient has finished her supper and I’m sure she’s anxious to see you.”