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.”
“He could.” Tears swam in the woman’s eyes and Susannah’s heart went out to her.
Behind Cora, Riley shook his head at Susannah, clearly not wanting her to pursue the topic. Her lips tightened. She hadn’t lost a husband, but she had lost her home and family. “How long were you married?”
“Thirty-five years.”
Riley’s frown deepened and he gave a more violent shake of his head. His features twisted as if he’d been seized by a cramp. Susannah shot him an irritated look. Why did he keep interrupting the widow every time she talked about her husband?
“We met in Dallas and came out here as newlyweds.”
“My goodness. Did he always drive the stage?”
“Yes.” Cora turned to Riley, her voice cracking. “Remember how you boys used to beg to drive it?”
“Yes, ma’am.” He shifted from foot to foot as if the floor had suddenly gone hot. “I think I’d better check on the chickens.”
His boots thudded heavily across the wooden floor as he walked out.
Cora wiped at her eyes and a smile touched her mouth. “He doesn’t want me to be upset.”
“Would you prefer not to talk about it?”
“I’d like to, since you asked. It’s nice having a woman around. These kinds of things make those boys uncomfortable. His brother, Davis Lee, is the same way.”
“I know what you mean. My brother can’t take his leave fast enough when subjects like this come up.”
The other woman smiled. “Let me get you some tea. You look like you could sit a spell.”
“That would be wonderful.”
Several minutes and one cup of tea later, Susannah had reached an arrangement with Cora about the room. She’d also learned that Ollie Wilkes had been killed the same day she’d arrived. A band of outlaws called the McDougal gang had been responsible not just for widowing Cora, but also for robbing other stages and a train in Abilene, and killing people throughout Texas.
Cora was obviously hurting, but going on with her life. Susannah hoped she herself could be as strong in her present circumstances.
She paid for the first week’s room and board. “I’d like to help around here. I’m afraid I don’t know how to cook, but maybe I could help with the chickens?”
Cora tucked the money into an old tin. “No offense, dear, but do you know anything about chickens?”
“No.” Susannah smiled brightly, swallowing her uncertainty. “But I can learn. Don’t you think?”
“Of course. Let’s go out and have Riley show you.” She followed Cora out a side door hidden in the corner next to the sink. A fence squared off a large area. A barn stood several
