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Rena’s cheeks filled with pink at the words.
Scott didn’t like seeing her uncomfortable. “Thanks again, Cyrus. We’ll come by later.”
Cyrus made a motion like he would leave, but he stopped with his hand on the door. “You know, I never noticed the two of you showing much interest in one another. Don’t seem like you were even courting, and now you’re married.”
Scott moved from behind his desk and came to stand beside Rena. He put his arm around her shoulders and felt her stiffen at his touch. A glance at her face showed her determination to protect their privacy.
He spoke to the mercantile owner. “Sometimes these notions come on a man sudden like.”
Cyrus rubbed a hand across the stubble on the side of his round face. “Sudden like, huh?”
“Yes.” Scott wanted to laugh at the man’s puzzled expression, but that would ruin the effect. “If you’ll excuse us, I promised my wife lunch over at the hotel.”
“Sure.” Cyrus went out the door slowly.
Rena stepped away from Scott as soon as Cyrus left. “Was that necessary?”
Scott chuckled. “I have probably just made short work of an explanation to the townsfolk for our sudden marriage.” He pushed his hat on and opened the door for her. “With Cyrus’s need to know and share everything he learns about anyone’s business, I dare say most of Gran Colina will be talking about our whirlwind romance over their evening meals tonight.”
“Oh, I see.” The sadness that had shrouded her features at the homestead lifted just a bit. “You are right. I only hope Charlotte is as easy to convince. I just finished packing my things and haven’t had a chance to see her yet.”
“I imagine she’ll be in the restaurant when we go. You can tell her then.”
At Green’s Grand Hotel, Charlotte was indeed working. She showed them to a table by the window and promised to return for a chat as soon as she’d helped to serve the lunch crowd.
Rena ate the special with more enthusiasm than he’d seen from her in the last two days.
“Are dumplings a favorite of yours?” He cut into his steak and took a bite.
She dabbed the corners of her mouth with a fancy napkin. “Yes. Charlotte’s mother is an amazing cook.”
He lowered his voice. “I’m glad to see your appetite restored.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“Did you have an opportunity to speak with your father?”
“Yes. We had a good talk.”
She cleared her throat, so he decided to change the subject. “I want to stop at the livery and see if Russell Henderson knows anyone who has a cow for sale.”
Rena buttered a slice of bread. “Are you certain you won’t let me ask Papa about that? I’m sure he’d be glad to help with the expenses you’ll be burdened with on my account. You could think of it like a dowry of sorts.”
“I will provide what we need. You know me well enough to know that I speak my mind.” He lifted his glass of tea. “And that I rarely change it once I’ve made it up.”
“I do.”
Charlotte came to the table. “It’s been so busy today.” She rested a hand on Rena’s shoulder. “But I have time for you to tell me all about how you managed to get married without any clue of your courtship to me—your dearest friend in the world.” Charlotte put both hands just below her throat and pressed. “Why, I may never get over the hurt.” Her wink at Rena revealed her teasing nature.
“Charlotte!” Mrs. Green’s voice came from the open kitchen door. “I need your help.”
“Oh well. Maybe I’ll get a minute soon. Enjoy your lunch.” Charlotte waved her fingers and rushed to help her mother.
“Seems as though Charlotte isn’t opposed to our arrangement.”
Rena folded her napkin and took a drink of her tea. “It’s not in her nature to think poorly of anyone. She always looks for the best and believes it. Sometimes even after she’s learned otherwise.”
The next few minutes seemed like an hour. He ate his steak, but it wasn’t as satisfying as the last time he’d eaten at the hotel. No doubt, his appetite was as affected as Rena’s had been by the changes in their lives. But he wasn’t about to leave a good steak on the plate, even if she did sit in silence with her mind on unknown thoughts.
Charlotte came back to the table as he finished his meal. She carried two small plates and put them on the table in a flourish. “Tea cakes. Mother sends her blessings and congratulations on your marriage. She also apologizes for being so busy. She’ll try to stop by your table if she can.”
A smile crossed Rena’s face. “How very kind. Thank her for me.”
“I will.” Charlotte indicated an empty chair. “May I?”
“Certainly.”
Charlotte sat and rested her elbows on the table. “Tell me everything.” Her wide eyes made Scott know he didn’t want to be at the table for this conversation.
“Rena, I’m going back to the office. You enjoy your visit with Charlotte.” He pushed his chair back and stood.
“Please don’t leave on my account,” Charlotte said.
“You ladies have your talk. I’ve got work to do.” He dropped a hand on Rena’s shoulder. “Come to my office when you’re done.” Again he felt her tense at his touch. He hated to add to her discomfort, but he didn’t intend his wife to be the subject of gossip when her pregnancy became obvious. It was best he show her the kind of attention a husband would be expected to show to prevent undue attention from others later.
He pulled money from his pocket and gave it to Rena. “Settle the bill for us, please.” He picked up a tea cake and took a bite. He lifted it in salute to thank Charlotte and headed for the door.
He had his hand on the door when Charlotte’s father called to him.
“Sheriff, can I trouble you for a minute?”
Scott ate the rest of his cookie as he walked to the registration desk. “Afternoon, Charles. What can I do for you?”
“Well, I hate to say anything, but I think I should, seeing how close my Charlotte is to your wife. And her being the mayor’s daughter and all.”
The hair stood up on the back of Scott’s neck. Had their plan already been discovered? “If you have knowledge of something I need to know, I’d be grateful if you’d share.” He kept his voice calm but braced himself for what might be coming next.
“I was in the post office a few minutes ago. Cyrus Busby was in there, too. He was asking Miss Alexander if she’d had any inkling of your romancing Miss Livingston before yesterday.”
He’d have to answer carefully. It was one thing for Cyrus to spread the news that they had a whirlwind romance. It was another thing entirely for him to question whether there was a romance. “He asked me the same thing in my office just before lunch. You know he’s always looking for something to talk about.”
Charles chuckled. “Like a woman on a wagon train.”
Scott laughed. “I told him our relationship was sudden. You know how we men are. Once we make up our mind about a thing, there’s no need to dally over it.”
“That’s true. Just the same, I think you should know what was said.” Charles looked around and lowered his voice. “Miss Alexander said that Jack Jefferson asked her about the two of you this morning. He seemed to be hinting that there was some unknown reason for your sudden nuptials. He told her that one day he’d prove to Gran Colina that you and the mayor weren’t the best leaders for our town. He said to watch what happened in the election. She didn’t like the sound of it and told Cyrus as much.”
“Jack Jefferson has been on the hunt for a reason to discredit me since I took his nephew’s job. Never mind that Gilbert never lifted a hand to slow the tide of crime in Gran Colina.” Scott didn’t like the sound of this gossip. Not one bit. “Thanks for letting me know. I suggest you ignore Jefferson. Just like I have to on almost everything.”
Charles nodded. “Thanks for bringing your missus here for lunch. I expect we won’t be seeing as much of you now that you’ll have someone at home to cook for you.”
“Rena is a fine cook, that’s for sure and certain.” He slapped the counter with his palm. “I’ll try to stop in for lunch sometimes.”
As he stepped onto the sidewalk, he noticed Jack Jefferson coming out of the bank with Thomas Freeman. The two men were often together. Jefferson owned the largest ranch in the county. He was probably the biggest depositor at Freeman’s bank.
When Jefferson saw Scott, his usual sneer became a twisted grin. Nothing Jack Jefferson wanted for Gran Colina was good for the town. And he seemed determined to fight Scott and the mayor at every turn.
Scott would pray for the man again tonight. Prayer was the thing that kept him from allowing anger to build up inside and turn him to the same kind of bitter person that Jack Jefferson had become. Prayer had brought him through his broken engagement to Louise. He knew it would bring him through the coming election and help him to build a solid, if not loving, marriage with Rena.
His personal values made Scott want to live a good life, but now he must take extra care to remain above reproach. Or marrying Rena would only serve to provide him with a cook and a housekeeper. Something he wouldn’t need if Jefferson found out the truth and used it to destroy Rena’s reputation, ultimately costing him and the mayor their jobs.
With the election set for April, whatever Jack Jefferson had planned would soon come to light.
Chapter Four (#u0789b8b7-a1fc-5ec8-af7e-31e46775ef59)
Rena picked up a tea cake. “I love these. I wish your mother would share the recipe.”
Charlotte laughed. “You know how she guards her recipes. She’s only shared them with me because she needs my help in the kitchen. I had to promise never to breathe a word of any of the ingredients before she would let me see her recipe box.”
“They are delicious.” Rena finished off the tea cake, but she knew Charlotte would not be hindered in her pursuit of the story of how Rena and Scott came to be together.
“You have to tell me all about how you got married.” Charlotte leaned forward in her chair. “I can’t believe you kept this from me for so long. Or was it that long?” Her eyebrows lifted in a teasing fashion.
“I will tell you that it was very sudden, but Scott is private about these things. He wouldn’t be comfortable with me talking about it.”
“But I’m your best friend, and you used to tell me everything.” Charlotte’s lighthearted voice let Rena know she wouldn’t push for answers.
“You are a dear friend, Charlotte.”
Charlotte leaned close and lowered her voice. “You won’t tell me just a little bit?”
Rena shook her head. “I guess it’s part of growing up. There comes a time when there are things you just can’t share.” She smiled and patted her friend’s hand. “I’ve learned that over the last few months.”
“Promise me this won’t be the end of our sharing.”
“Of course not, we’ll always be close.”
“I am very happy for you.” She looked around the room and back at Rena. “But I must confess that I’m jealous. In a good way. My mother will never let me court anyone who catches my fancy.”
Rena loved her friend and hoped that she would never know the depth of pain Rena had endured over the last two months. “Your mother is only protecting you. Remember the time you thought you were in love with Nathan Taylor? You thought he was so handsome.” They both dissolved into giggles.
Charlotte tried to catch her breath. “I can’t believe that boy put a frog on my head, and then thought I’d want to eat my lunch with him.”
“And you had to endure his teasing until the day he moved away.”
“Five years later! I’ve never been happier to see someone leave town. But I was right about one thing. He was handsome.” Charlotte grew serious. “You’re right though. Momma was looking out for me. She still does.”
“You are blessed to have a mother who loves you so.”
The agreement on Charlotte’s face was sincere. “You’re right.” She giggled. “My pa could’ve married a mean old lady after my mother died. I’m so glad he married Momma instead.”
“God will bring you the right person in His time. Be patient and prayerful. I promise you’ll never be sorry if you wait on the person God has for you.” If only someone had given her that advice. In truth, Rena knew her stubbornness would have prevented her from listening. How she wished she had never met Eugene Rodgers.
The smile on Charlotte’s face let Rena know that her friend had no inkling of the true situation Rena was in. “Well, I hope He doesn’t wait too long. I’m three months older than you, and you’re already married.”
Rena spent a few more minutes with her friend, and then made her way to Scott’s office. When she climbed the steps, she could hear Jack Jefferson’s raised voice carrying through the closed door.
“I don’t know what’s going on here, Braden, but I’ll get to the bottom of it. You act all high-and-mighty, but this town was better off before the likes of you came.”
Rena reached for the door, but it flew open, and Jack Jefferson stormed out. She stumbled backward.
Scott was right behind the man and caught her elbows in his strong hands. He helped her gain her balance. “Are you hurt?”
“No, just startled.” Rena took a step away from him. He was too close.
“Jefferson, you’d be wise to calm down and take care. I won’t let you bring harm to my wife or anyone else in this town.”
Jack Jefferson’s only acknowledgment of his words was a raised hand flung outward in indifference.
“I heard him as I came up the steps.” Rena stared after the man. She lowered her voice. “Was he here because of me?”
“You know Jefferson well enough to know that he doesn’t need a reason for anything he does. He’s motivated by the anger that rules his heart.”
She lowered her gaze to his boots. They needed a good brushing, and his pants could do with a good laundering. She had a lot of work to do. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s not your fault.” He pushed open the door to the office and held it for her to enter. “Will you come sit by the stove and let me finish some work? I won’t be long.”
Rena sat in a chair on the opposite side of his desk and looked around at the worn furnishings while he made notes in a journal. The two cells on the back wall were empty. The afternoon light spilled into the room through the small barred windows on the back wall.
“Is there anything I can do for you?”
He shook his head and held up one finger but did not look up from his work. The pencil in his hand flew across the page in short, deliberate strokes. At the end of the page, he made a forceful dot and swirled the tip of the pencil in a quick signature. “All done.” He closed the journal and locked it in the drawer of his desk. “Let’s go by the livery and get your cow.” He grabbed his hat from the peg near the front window and pushed it onto his head. “I stopped in earlier and Henderson had one for sale.”
“That’s welcome news.” Rena stepped onto the porch and waited while he locked the door. “Is there anything else we need to do while we’re in town?”
“No. We can pick up your trunk first, and then we’ll get the cow on our way out of town.”
The afternoon sun was deep in the sky when they turned down the lane toward their cabin. Everything she would bring from her past into her future was in the trunk that sat in the bed of the wagon. Scott had removed the cow’s bell and tied her so she’d follow along behind them.
“How are you feeling?” Scott glanced at her as she looked behind them to check on the cow.
“Tired. It’s been another long day.” She didn’t want to complain, but the fatigue was like none she’d ever known.
He pulled the wagon in front of the porch and set the brake. She moved to the edge of the seat. “Wait, and I’ll help you down.”
“Thank you.” She put her hand in his and stepped cautiously out of the wagon. “I’ll figure out a way to do that by myself soon.”
“No need.” He picked up the cowbell and reattached it to the cow’s harness. “If you don’t mind, I’ll take care of the animals and bring your trunk in later.”
