Chapter 47

The next morning Roxy was buried in the cemetery outside of Cool Wood. It was often used for strangers and for people who lived in town and didn’t have land to bury their family.

Only Wyatt, Ben and Jeff Bodger along with the town’s undertaker and Reverend Ira Lambert were in attendance at the burial.

Later in the afternoon, the Reverend Hezekiah D. Thorn was laid to rest in a remote corner of the family cemetery a quarter of a mile from the main house on the Singleton ranch. It was a private affair with only the family and the minister attending. Wyatt had made arrangements for his men to dig and close the grave so the undertaker wouldn’t have to come out.

When they arrived back at the house, Wyatt lifted Callie from the carriage and carried her up the steps. Juan was waiting on the porch to help Ben inside.

They settled in the parlor where Rosalinda had tea and coffee along with food for them.

From her place on the sofa, Callie said, “Thank you for letting Hezekiah be interred here, Wyatt. I know you didn’t like him.”

“I didn’t like the way he treated you and Edwina, Callie, but I’m sure he wasn’t always bad.”

“He wasn’t. In the beginning, he was a good husband.” She sighed.

Edwina poured tea for her aunt. “I think he became mixed up in his mind as he grew older. He wasn’t that bad when I first came to live with you.”

“Well, that’s all in the past.” Ben took the coffee Rosalinda handed him. “We have to look to the future now.”

A tear rolled down Callie’s cheek. “I’m not sure what I can do. Hezekiah has always made all my decisions for me.”

“What do you want to do, Aunt Callie?”

“I don’t know. I don’t have any money. I guess I’ll have to go back to Richmond and get a job.”

“What can you do, Callie?” Ben asked.

“I can clean houses and I can sew. I might be able to work in a dressmaking shop.”

“What about your house, Callie? Is it paid for?” Wyatt looked at her.

“The house belongs to the church. I suppose I’ll have to move out. I guess—”

“All right, let’s quit dancing around what we want to say.” Wyatt sat his coffee cup down. “Callie is family and family stays together. I’ll take care of any business she has in Richmond and she’ll never have to go back there. We have plenty of room in this house and if she thinks she’ll be happy here, she’s welcome to move in with us.”

Edwina moved behind her husband’s chair and put her arms around his shoulder. “Thank you, Wyatt. You’re a wonderful man.”

Callie stared at him. “I can’t believe you want me here.”

“Of course he wants you.” Ben grinned. “So do I. You and I will see that these two raise Adam right.”

“Speaking of Adam, where is he? Aunt Callie hasn’t seen him since she’s been back.”

Rosalinda walked to the door. “I’ll bring him to you, Miz Edwina.”

“It will be such a pleasure to watch that little boy grow up.” Callie smiled. “I hope he turns out just like his daddy.”

“I’m sure he will.” Edwina held out her arms as Rosalinda came in with Adam.

“Ma-ma.”

“Yes, darling, it’s Mama.”

“How about me, boy.”

Adam turned toward Wyatt and held out his arms. “Da-da. Horsie.”

Edwina shook her head. “Every time he goes to Wyatt, he wants to ride a horse.”

Wyatt took Adam. “Well, Edwina, what do you expect a cowboy to do? They seldom use buggies.”

Ben reached over and touched Callie’s arm. “See what I mean. They need help raising that little boy.”

“I don’t know, Ben. Looks like they’re doing a pretty good job.”

Wyatt walked over to his father. “Son, how about playing with Gapa. Daddy has to go to town for a little while. If I get back before dark, we’ll play. If I don’t, we’ll go for a ride tomorrow.”

“Gapa,” Adam said as Wyatt sat him on Ben’s lap.

“Are you not going to be here for supper?” Edwina asked.

“At the funeral this morning Jeff asked me to come in. I told him I’d come later.”

“I understand. I’ll keep your supper warm.”

“Good. Now walk me to the door.”

At the door Wyatt took Edwina in his arms. “I think things are beginning to settle down a little. As soon as Jeff can figure out who attacked Cora Sue and the others, we’re going to have a big party and dance together again like we did at the festival.”

“I look forward to dancing with you, my husband.”

He kissed her, then backed away. “Go ahead and eat your supper, but don’t you dare go to sleep. I’m looking forward to a night with you in my arms.”

“We’ll have supper together and then be in each other’s arms no matter how late you are.”

“You’re the best wife in the world.” He kissed her again and headed to the barn to get his horse.

On the ride into town he made a plan. Not only was he going to see what Jeff wanted, but he was going to make a stop at Preacher Ira Lambert’s house. It was time to marry Edwina legally, even if she didn’t know what was happening. Someday he might tell her, but in the meantime, he’d know everything between them was as it should be.