Whirlwind Bride

Susannah followed his gaze down a gentle slope to a small house behind the shed-size building that served as the stagecoach stop. She hadn’t noticed the house when she’d arrived in Whirlwind, but then she’d been more than preoccupied with the thought of marrying Riley. “Oh, I see.”

A few minutes’ walk brought them close enough for Susannah to see the house was made of rough, unfinished wood. The well-kept home had a certain charm for all its sturdy practicality.

Riley pointed to the side of the house where a wall protruded. “Ollie built on an extra room there. I thought it would be nice for you. It’s not large, but it’s private.”

Touched at his thoughtfulness, Susannah reminded herself that he was looking after her out of a sense of obligation to Adam. And that was fine. Soon she’d be able to take care of herself.

She lifted her skirts to climb the two rough-hewn porch steps. Riley swiped his hat from his head and knocked. She barely had time to smooth her hair before the door was opened by a slender woman.

At least six inches taller than Susannah’s five foot three, the woman smiled, though it didn’t reach her hazel eyes. “Good afternoon, Cora.”

“Hello, Riley.” Patting her neat brown hair, Cora turned to Susannah. “You must be Mrs. Phelps.”

“Yes.” Susannah shook Cora’s hand, marveling at the strength in her long fingers.

She stood straight and tall, putting Susannah in mind of her posture lessons from Miss Wentworth. The sun picked up an occasional gray thread in Cora’s sleek bun. Her slightly lined face bespoke someone who usually met life’s challenges with a smile.

Susannah’s heart tightened at the woman’s recent loss. “I appreciate your seeing me.”

“I welcome the company. Gettin’ a little sick of my own.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your husband. If this isn’t a good time, we can come back later.”

“No, no, come on in. Now is fine.”

Riley put a hand to the small of Susannah’s back, sending a burst of warmth through her as he guided her into the house. She stepped away once they were inside.

“Let me show you the place.” Cora closed the door behind them. “It’s not much.”

A colorful rag rug warmed the rough pine floor in front of a dormant fireplace where a kettle hung. Savory scents of meat and bread lingered in the air. “This is the kitchen and back there is our bedroom. We have a room built onto the side. Ollie did it so we’d have an extra if we ever needed one.” Her voice drifted off.

Susannah caught a flash of pain in the other woman’s eyes.

“Sometimes stage passengers rent the room,” Riley explained.

Sunlight streamed through plate glass windows on either side of the front door and two windows along the wall to her left, giving the small space ample light. Oil cloth tacked above each window could be let down for privacy.

A deep sink, complete with pump handle, stood against the far wall next to the center fireplace. From what Susannah could tell, this front room served as a gathering place for visitors and meals. She speculated that the door behind Cora led to a bedroom. On the wall to her right was a doorway covered with a long, blue calico curtain.

Cora walked over and pushed aside the fabric. “Ollie was always thinking ahead.”

“It’s a nice room,” Riley stated.

“It’s private.” The older woman patted the door frame. “If you’d like, Susannah, I can probably talk Riley into putting on a real door.”

“I’m sure this will be fine.” She moved over to stand next to Cora and look into the room that would be hers. “I don’t want to be any trouble.”

Across from her, a narrow bed stretched against the long wall. Within arm’s reach to her right, a wide washstand with two drawers held a pitcher and basin on top. A window near the foot of the bed drew Susannah. She walked over to stare out at the prairie grass. The throaty cluck of chickens sounded from behind the house. She turned, spying a wooden-framed mirror over the washstand. The three hooks on the wall beside the mirror weren’t nearly enough to hold her clothes, but she would make do.

“It’s very nice. I’m definitely interested.” The bed was half the size of hers at home, but it looked sturdy and comfortable and clean.

“Wonderful,” Cora said. “We can work out the terms in the other room.”

“I think you should know that there will be two of us.” In an effort to still the sudden trembling in her hands, Susannah placed them on the slight swell of her stomach. “A baby?”

She nodded, carefully keeping her gaze from Riley, who leaned one shoulder against the jamb and watched with that unsettling intensity.

“Wonderful!” the other woman exclaimed. “When do you expect the little one?”

“Sometime in February. You don’t mind about another person?”

“Goodness, no.”

“I’ll pay extra, of course.” She’d figure out a way.

“We’ll talk about that if we need to.”

“Yes.” Susannah slid a look at Riley to see if he might say anything about the baby. He stood silent, a message in his eyes that told her this was her decision.

Cora laid a comforting hand on Susannah’s arm. “Riley told me you’re recently widowed yourself. I’m sorry to hear it.”

“Thank you.”

She looked down, her conscience twinging. She didn’t like deceiving people, but she wouldn’t allow her child to be treated badly because of her foolish belief in a man who didn’t love her. “How long has it been, dear?”

Susannah froze. She hadn’t given a single thought to when she’d lost her fictitious husband. Or how. “Uh, n-not too long,” she stammered, a flush working under her skin.

“I’m sorry. The memories are probably too fresh for you to want to discuss it.”

“Yes, I’m afraid so.” At least Cora’s kindness would gain her some time.

“Susannah was supposed to meet her husband in Abilene, and arrived there to find him ill,” Riley said. “Unfortunately, he didn’t make it, but she came on to Whirlwind, where they’d originally planned to settle.”

Susannah struggled to keep the surprise from her face. She certainly hadn’t expected him to help her with her deception. His explanation was simple and easy to remember, thank goodness.

“Bless your heart,” Cora said. “You don’t have to talk about it. That will come in its own good time.”

“Thank you.”

Tears glimmered in the other woman’s eyes and she glanced down quickly. Susannah threw a grateful look over her head to Riley.

He gave a small nod.

Cora ran a hand along the edge of the washstand. A simple scroll pattern bordered both sides and was burned into the top. “Ollie made this washstand. And that bed.”

“Is there anything you need done around here, Cora?” Riley asked. He was obviously trying to change the subject.

Susannah glanced at him before saying, “Seems like Ollie could do just about anything.”