Love Me Again (15 page)

“I do find humor in the fact you will be settling down. One thing I learned about you is you have enjoyed bachelorhood. Another is you love trudging all over creation seeking revenge. Have you found out the whereabouts of Bart Langley?” Smoke from the cigar swirled around his head, and Taylor swiped his hand through the air to clear it away.

“No, regretfully I admit I know not where he is. It is as if he disappeared off the face of the earth.”

Taylor scolded gently, “I do not understand why you gave up your search for him. My sources divulged you were
hot on his trail. Why didn’t you take the man out when you had the chance? Not until the man is dead will you have peace.”

Cord swirled the brandy, staring at the amber liquid. Every time he heard the name Bart Langley it ruined his good mood. “My heart just wasn’t in it anymore. All I could think about was Abby. I decided to spend Christmas with her. I returned to her farm to be informed by Jacob she had married Andrew. I was devastated and wanted to go home.”

“Have you told Abby you love her?” 

Annoyance in his voice, Cord answered, “Of course I have. She still believes I had sex with that whore in Tarboro. And before you ask, I did not have sex with her.”

“Abby will begin to trust you again. It may take time. She has been through a lot. That pious bastard, Jacob, forced her to leave home. She misses Nick. Her life was turned upside down because she fell in love with you.”

Draining his glass, Cord sat it on the oak desk. “I know I screwed up. I should have thought of the consequences of my actions towards Abby, but I
didn’t. If I could go back to the day I left her farm, I would have taken her with me. I plan to make up for everything. I will make her happy.”

Taylor told him bluntly, “You did the right thing leaving her behind. If you would have tried to leave with Abby, it would have been over Nick’s dead body. I have seen first hand how much he cares for his sister.”

“Yes, they are unusually close. I guess you are right. If I would have harmed Nick, Abby would never have forgiven me.” 

Both stood when Abby entered with Daniel, now completely satisfied that his stomach was full. Making his way toward the door, Taylor stated, “I’ll leave you three alone.”   

“Good-night, Uncle Taylor.”  Taylor kissed Abby’s cheek, and squeezed Daniel’s chubby leg before disappearing through the door.  

Cord took Daniel from Abby. His son’s big gummy smile warmed his heart. With his free hand, he fished into his pocket and pulled out a silver rattle. “Daniel, I brought you a little something.” The child wrapped his fat little hand around the rattle, shook it and cooed.

It still made him angry Abby had kept him from knowing about his son, but he controlled his temper. He didn’t want to ruin their connection.

His eye’s still fixed on Daniel he pleaded, “Let’s get married tomorrow, Abby. I want to return home with you and Daniel. I’m tired of this nonsense.”

“It will not hurt you to wait a little longer, Cord. You never courted me. I would like to know there is more to our relationship than just lust.”

His tone brusque, Cord replied, “I have told you I love you. What more do you want from me?”

Abby sighed in exasperation. “Prove you love me. Give me time to get to know the real Cord Sutton. We talked tonight at the restaurant. I found out more about you in one hour than I did in the weeks we were living under the same roof. I am not marrying a man that I know nothing about.”

“Fine, have it your way. As much as I hate to waste anymore time apart, I will have patience and court you.” Cord peered into the face of his son and his heart warmed. He would do whatever he could to make Abby happy. They would be a family.

****

It didn’t take long for Abby to change her mind about courting Cord. It was not as much fun as she thought it was going to be. The time away from Daniel made her feel guilty. Now here she was at another party. Hopefully, once they were married she would not have to attend another blessed social function.

It did not help matters any that her Uncle Taylor agreed with Cord and convinced her to tell everyone she married Cord a year ago. The deceit and lies made her extremely uncomfortable. She stood by Cord’s side, her arm tucked into his and let him do most of the talking. It bothered her to no end that he was so adept at deceit. The lies rolled off his tongue so easily, as if he lied everyday. 

Abby whispered in Cord’s ear, “How can you lie to everyone like this. I don’t feel well. I have already broken several commandments since meeting you and here I am breaking another one. What if God strikes us dead for our sins?”

Cord quirked a brow, and replied sternly, “I am lying for Daniel’s sake. I am glad Taylor convinced you to go along with my plan. I guess when we have disputes I’ll have to get him to make you see things my way.” Miffed, Abby pinched Cord on the arm. “Ouch, that hurt.” His fingers rubbed the skin under his suit jacket.

“The next time you go to my Uncle Taylor to get your way, your punishment will be much worse. I am not happy with you at this moment.”

Cord laughed. “At least act happy, honey. Everyone is looking at us.”

His rich laughter caused Abby’s heart to flutter. He was positively mesmerizing, his body sturdy and masculine. By far the most handsome man in the room, his black suit looked spectacular.

Hearing someone giggle, Abby turned toward the sound and saw a group of young ladies staring at them. She felt like a fish out of water as people whispered and openly stared at them. It didn’t take long for the gossip to spread Cord Sutton married the mysterious Abby Henley over a year ago.

Not stopping until they were on the dance floor, Cord pulled her close and whispered in her ear. “You look lovely tonight, Abby. I still think I like my little farm girl better. I had to imagine what your breasts looked like in those demure homespun dresses. That dress shows too much cleavage.” His dark eyes peered at her bosoms. “Every man here can picture what they look like.”

Abby’s face turned red with embarrassment remembering Cord’s outburst when she came down stairs in the pink dress. Judith had to convince him every dress she owned looked revealing because her breasts were huge. He had been adamant they would not leave the house until she changed into something more sensible, but Abby flat refused. His temper had been simmering ever since.

“Did you just stomp on my foot on purpose?”

Abby said tight lipped, “No, I don’t know how to dance very well. Remember simple farm girl.”

Cord burst out laughing. He kissed Abby gently on the lips. “There is nothing simple about you. I love you, Abby. You are a gem.”

Surprised, Abby looked up into his face. His dark eyes sparkled sensually. In an instant, his mood could change. She found it difficult to read him when he was all blustery one moment and sweet the next. “I love you too, Cord. I guess I always have.” 

“I like this courting stuff. You are entertaining.” The music ended and Cord escorted Abby to the refreshment table to get something to drink. Abby paled when she saw James McDonald approaching. Worried what James would say caused the hairs to stand up on her arm. James slapped Cord on the back and shook his hand.

“Congratulations, Cord. She is beautiful. You are a lucky man.” Abby felt like crawling under a rock when he looked directly into her eyes. It was obvious he didn’t understand why she told him she wasn’t married, then she was getting married, and now she had been married for a year. Of course he had questions.

“Thank you, James. What brings you to Durham?”

“My father and I have a little business to tend too.” Abby wondered why James told Cord he was in Durham on business, when he told her he was visiting friends.

Frosty blue eyes peered down at her, and Abby shuddered. “Abby, may I have this dance?”

Even though she was nervous, Abby attempted to smile. “Didn’t you get enough punishment the last time I stomped all over your feet?”

Surprised, Cord asked, “You two have met?”

Before James had the chance to explain, Abby spoke. “We met at the Lewis’ party.” She tucked her arm into James’ and led him toward the dance floor not giving Cord a chance to ask anymore questions. Over her shoulder she replied without slowing, “I’m sure he will not want to dance with me long, Cord, especially after I step on his feet a few times. We’ll return shortly.”

The moment they were on the dance floor, James took her into his arms and baldly asked, “I thought you were not married. Now I hear you have been married for over a year. Which is the true story, Abby?”

Her cheeks reddened as she replied, “I’m not married.” Abby hesitated not knowing how to proceed. Her whisper was so low James had to lean in close to hear. “I have a child, his name is Daniel. It is Cord’s son. To protect my reputation he made up the story we are already married.” Disappointment showed on his face. “I like you and hoped you would understand.”

The anger in his eyes intensified along with his grip on her waist. “What I don’t understand is why did Cord not marry you before now? Why wait until after your son is born?”

Unable to look James in the face, Abby looked at the floor. “Cord was shot and we took him into our home. We fell in love. You can figure the rest out for yourself. He had no idea I was expecting a child when he left Tarboro to search for some man named Bart Langley.” Abby looked directly into his eyes and pleaded, “Please don’t tell anyone our secret. We will be married in another week.”

Still upset with her, his voice was firm. “Why won’t he marry you now? Does he doubt the child is his?”

Tired of trying to make him understand, she snapped, “No, of course not. I insisted on waiting. I would like to know him better before I marry him. Even though he was in our home for over two weeks, he told me nothing about himself.”

“It looks as if you have no other choice now, especially because of your son.”

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Cord weaving his way through the dancers. She tried to read his expression, but wasn’t sure what he was feeling.

“May I cut in?” The strain in his voice caused Abby to worry.

With a short bow, James released his hold on her. “Of course, she is your wife.” She wanted to slap James’ face for his sarcastic remark.   

Cord pulled Abby into his arms. Her eyes met his, and she saw the distrust. “Should I be jealous? It seemed you two were sharing secrets.”

Abby snapped, “Secrets are for little children. Do I look like a child?”             

“How well do you know James?” The tension was so thick she could have cut it with a knife. He had some nerve being jealous of James when she found him in bed with a whore. However, this was not the place to air their differences. 

“I told you I met him at the Lewis’ party. A week ago he came to Uncle Taylor’s while I was out riding Sugar. While we were riding I told him I was marrying you. Then he hears we are already married. I had no other alternative but to tell him the truth. I explained what I could of our relationship, and that we would be getting married in a few days.” Her belly curled as his eyes became more intense.

Abby felt Cord stiffen and knew he was not happy with the fact she confided in James. “Don’t you fear he will spread gossip about us and ruin our ruse of already being married? Think of the implications of confiding in a man you hardly know.”

“No, Cord. For some reason I trust him. I feel close to him.”

In an uneasy voice, he asked “Has he been courting you, Abby?”

“No, Cord. He is just a friend. He is only two years older than I am. I don’t think he is ready to settle down. I like him. He is very nice and someone I feel I can talk to without it making its way around the gossip mill. He showed no signs of jealousy when I divulged we would be getting married. I think he also considers me nothing more than a friend.” Abby doubted Cord believed her. His demeanor led her to conclude he was jealous of James. 

****

“What do you think, Daddy? Is she Ellie?”

Ian McDonald stood watching the young lady James mentioned from the moment she walked into the ballroom. Could she be his daughter that was taken from them over nineteen years ago? “I’m not sure, James. She does have our auburn hair and blue eyes, but how many times have we been devastated in the past? I am too scared to believe it is her.” 

“She is the right age. I feel it is her, Daddy.”

“You want it to be her, James. We need to tread carefully.”

Ian thought of all the times young girls with auburn hair and blue eyes showed up on their doorstep claiming to be Ellie. His wife, Grace, could not take any more disappointment. When he received the telegraph from James asking him to come to Durham to see Abby Henley, he almost declined. It was just too painful to look into her face and wonder if she was Ellie. He would be absolutely sure before he brought this one into his home. This time there would be no doubt her intentions were not greed as had been the other imposters. 

As he watched her, she smiled and butterflies tickled his stomach. A dimple cut into her cheek, and in that moment he thought she resembled his wife Grace. Ian prayed, Oh, God, please let it be her. Nothing would give him greater happiness than to know this beautiful woman was his daughter. Then maybe they could all begin to live again.