To Love a Stranger (22 page)

A pair of visitors arrived at the Delaney ranch the next morning while they were eating breakfast and discussing their plans for the day. They were the last people Zoey would have expected to come calling.

The loud racket at the front door brought Ryan to his feet. “I’ll get it,” he said, scraping back his chair.

Both Zoey and Chad were startled, and none too pleased, when Ryan ushered their visitors into the kitchen.

“What are you doing here?” Chad asked crossly. “Haven’t you done enough to hurt my family?”

“Don’t get your dander up,” Hal Doolittle said as he seated his sister in an empty chair without
waiting for an invitation. “Cora Lee and I are here to present you with a proposition.”

“We don’t want to hear it,” Ryan grouched.

“Let him talk,” Zoey argued. “I’m interested to hear what he has to say.”

“Listen to the little lady, Delaney. You want to get your brother off the hook, don’t you?”

Chad’s gaze settled disconcertingly on Cora Lee. “Has your sister come to her senses? Is she ready to tell the truth?”

Something flickered in the depths of Cora Lee’s eyes before her lids fell to hide them.

“Don’t jump to conclusions,” Hal warned. “Cora Lee didn’t lie. But she’s willing to change her story to save your brother. Let’s say she just forgot what really happened. You know how fanciful women can be. She’s always had this hankering to be married to a Delaney.”

“And my brother was made the scapegoat,” Chad observed dryly. “State your proposition, Doolittle.”

Hal sent Zoey a disgruntled look as he said, “Since Pierce is already married, there ain’t no use in expecting a marriage between him and Cora Lee.” He searched Chad’s face, a guileless smile curving his lips. “Cora Lee has set her heart on marrying a Delaney, so I convinced her to settle on one of the two remaining brothers.” He didn’t wait to ascertain the shock value his words had on the brothers before saying, “Ryan is a mite young, but Chad is just about the right age to take a wife.”

Since both the Delaneys were too stunned to speak, Zoey rounded on Hal. “You’re mad! Chad would never consent to such an idiotic proposal.”

“It’s not your decision, lady. Cora Lee is willing to tell both Riley Reed and the judge that Pierce is innocent. That she was confused because of what was done to her. She remembers that a stranger came around looking for work one day when I was out. When he noticed that Cora Lee was alone, he attacked and raped her. When she threatened to set the vigilantes on him, he beat her viciously. She made up that story about Pierce because she was too ashamed to admit what really happened. That’s the story she’ll stick to if Chad agrees to marry her.”

Chad glanced at Cora Lee, who still refused to look anyone in the eye. She sat dry-eyed and stoic, twisting her handkerchief in her hands. “Is that true, Cora Lee?”

Still keeping her eyes downcast, Cora Lee said, “Whatever Hal says is the truth.”

“The truth is that Pierce seduced my sister, got her with child, and beat her when she asked him to marry her,” Hal said pugnaciously. “But Cora Lee is willing to lie as long as one of the Delaneys gives her baby their name. Don’t matter which brother. Since Pierce is unavailable, Chad will do.”

“What if I tell the judge what you’ve just told me,” Chad demanded.

Hal seemed unconcerned. “Cora Lee will deny it, of course, holding to her original story. Think about it, Chad, but not too long. Agree to a marriage between you and my sister, and Pierce will go free. But not before a legal marriage is performed.”

“What a fiendish mind you have,” Ryan charged. His fists curled at his sides as he fought
the obvious urge to slam them into Hal’s mouth. “What do you hope to gain personally? I know there’s something diabolical brewing in your mind.”

“Why, I expect Chad to share some of the Delaney wealth with my sister. Which, of course, she’ll share with her loving brother.” Suddenly his expression changed from pleasant to downright nasty. “I need five thousand dollars immediately to repay gambling debts.”

“So,” Chad sneered, “it’s down to money, is it? Say I give you the money but refuse to marry Cora Lee. Will that make you happy?”

Hal scowled. “Not on your life. My sister needs a papa for her bastard. Nothing but the Delaney name will make her happy.”

“You can’t agree to this farce, Chad!” Zoey cried indignantly. “It’s blackmail.”

The accusation brought a guilty flush to Zoey’s face. It was too close to what she’d done to Pierce. She had acted out of desperation, but it placed her in the same class with the Doolittles. What Hal demanded of Chad was no worse than what she’d demanded of Pierce. That singular thought made her understand more clearly why Pierce hated the thought of remaining married to her. She had blackmailed him into a situation he could not tolerate.

“Do you swear Pierce will go free if I marry Cora Lee?” Chad asked. His voice was far too calm and controlled for such a reputedly volatile man, and Zoey waited for the explosion.

“Dammit, Chad, use your head!” Ryan blasted. “Pierce wouldn’t want you to sacrifice yourself for
his sake. He’d hate the idea and you know it.”

“Pierce has no say in this,” Chad said tightly.

“You’re a smart man, Delaney,” Hal said, sending Chad a mocking smile.

“How long would I have to stay in this marriage?” Chad wanted to know.

“Forever, if I had my way. But being realistic, I’d say you should remain married at least until Cora Lee delivers her child. There are no bastards in the Doolittle family, and there ain’t gonna be none if I have my way. If and when you divorce, Cora Lee will expect a generous settlement, of course.”

“You’re wrong, Doolittle,” Ryan spat. “There already is a bastard in the Doolittle family. His name is Hal.”

Hal appeared unfazed by Ryan’s insult.

Zoey glanced at Cora Lee and decided to attack the problem from another angle. Cora Lee had remained quietly submissive through all this, saying little beyond agreeing with her brother. Zoey decided to appeal to Cora Lee’s sense of right and wrong.

“Don’t you have anything to say, Cora Lee?” Zoey asked, hunkering down to confront the pale woman. “Do you really want a husband who doesn’t want you?”

“My baby needs a name,” she said in a low voice. She sent a wary glance at her brother before continuing. “Hal loves me, he wants what’s best for me.”

“You really were raped and beaten by a stranger, weren’t you?” Zoey challenged, going directly to the heart of the matter.

“I … I … No, it didn’t happen like that. Please, don’t ask me any more questions.”

“Coward!” Zoey hissed.

“Quit harassing my sister,” Hal warned. “Can’t you see she’s in a delicate condition?” He turned back to Chad. “Well, Delaney, do we have a deal?”

“Pierce wouldn’t condone this,” Zoey reminded him.

Ryan was more forceful in his objection. “Don’t do it, Chad! The bastard thinks he has us over a barrel, but he doesn’t. It’s all up to the judge.”

“No, it ain’t,” Hal hinted slyly. “Rumor has it Riley Reed has convinced the vigilantes to lynch Pierce before the judge gets here. They’re gonna take him out of the jail tomorrow night.”

Zoey cried out in dismay. “We’ve got to do something!”

“You can’t do a damn thing,” Hal contended. “The townspeople are with Reed. You don’t have enough hands on the ranch to the stop the whole town.”

“He’s right,” Ryan admitted grudgingly. “Reed hates Pierce. Ever since Polly …” He sent an apologetic look at Zoey. “Ever since Pierce took Polly away from him. Reed knows the judge is just as likely to fine Pierce or give him a light sentence as he is to hang him, and he can’t accept that. Judge Walters may have earned his reputation as the hanging judge, but he’s not going to hang an innocent man.”

“You mean there’s nothing you can do to stop an illegal lynching? It’s a travesty of justice!” Zoey’s voice was shaking so, she could barely speak.

“There is something I can do,” Chad said, his voice dull with resignation. “Ryan, go into town for the preacher.”

Ryan paled. “You can’t!”

“Do—as—I—say, Ryan.” The words were drawn out, hard and distinct.

Ryan could tell from Chad’s implacable tone and hardened features that his brother was utterly committed to this folly. Nothing he could do or say would change Chad’s mind. Still, he had to try. “Are you sure, Chad?”

“Get going, Ryan.”

Ryan slammed out the door. Chad waited until Ryan was on his way to the barn for his horse before saying, “Don’t expect me to live with my little bride, Doolittle. I wouldn’t insult my brothers by bringing her into our home. I’ll give her my name and the money you want, but nothing else. If you don’t agree to my terms, then the hell with you both.”

Hal eyed Chad narrowly, then turned to his sister. “Is that agreeable to you, Cora Lee?”

As if she was startled to be included in the decision, Cora Lee’s head rose sharply. “Is it my choice to make, Hal?”

“Of course, dear.” His voice held a hint of menace. “Just make sure you say the right thing. You can’t have Pierce. But Chad is a Delaney, too. And a better choice in some ways. Your baby will still be a Delaney.”

“You’re as corrupt as your brother, Cora Lee,” Zoey charged. “Everyone in this room knows Pierce would never beat a woman.” What she didn’t say was that there was a very real possibility
that Pierce was the father of Cora Lee’s baby. Try as she might, Zoey couldn’t help thinking that Pierce could have seduced Cora Lee. He was so good at it.

“Well, sister,” Hal prodded, “will you accept Chad’s terms and have him in place of Pierce?”

Cora Lee peeped at Chad through lowered lids. His fierce visage frightened her. She’d be perfectly happy not to have to live with such an angry man, not that she could blame Chad for being angry. Hal was like that sometimes, but he kept his brutality under control, except when … She shook her head, fearing to allow those unpleasant thoughts into her mind. If she refused to acknowledge them, she could almost believe Pierce Delaney really was the father of her child.

“I don’t mind if Chad doesn’t want to live with me. My baby will still have the Delaney name.” She looked hopefully at Hal, as if seeking his approval. He gave it to her, blessing her with his smile.

“Very well, we’ll just all sit here and wait for the preacher. Miz Delaney and Ryan can act as witnesses, and I’ll give my sister away in Pa’s absence.”

“What does your father think about this mess?” Chad asked curiously. “He can’t help but notice Cora Lee is increasing.”

“The old man is too feeble to think anything,” Hal sneered. “He believes what we tell him. I mentioned today before we left that Cora Lee will soon have a husband for her child, and that seemed to satisfy him.”

“Pretty sure of yourself, weren’t you?”

“Damn right! I know how you Delaneys stick together.
One way or another, Cora Lee was going to bear the Delaney name. And you’d be wise to let her keep it. Once Cora Lee drops her brat, you might find some use for her.”

“If Pierce’s life didn’t hang in the balance, I’d throw you both out of here,” Chad growled. His temper dangled by a slim thread. He was nearly driven to madness and didn’t know how long he could keep his fists out of Hal’s face.

Trying to defuse the explosive atmosphere, Zoey urged Chad to sit down and relax. It would be a good two hours or better before Ryan returned with the preacher.

“Chores waiting for me,” Chad said, heading for the door. “See to our guests, Zoey.”

“Don’t get no ideas about lighting out of here,” Hal called after him.

“He’s not going anywhere as long as his brother’s life is at stake,” Zoey said. “I’ll get us some coffee while we’re waiting.”

Two hours later, Ryan returned with Reverend Purdy, a short, balding man with small, beady eyes and a bulbous nose. They were accompanied by another man.

Reverend Purdy was expected, Riley Reed was not.

“I wanted Reed to hear the truth about Pierce, so I brought him along to hear what Cora Lee had to say,” Ryan said as he ushered the men into the house.

“Not until after the wedding,” Hal reminded him. “Shall we get on with it, Reverend?”

“Where’s the groom?” Reverend Purdy asked,
casting about anxiously. Ryan Delaney had paid him hard cash to comply with his odd request, and he wasn’t about to lose more money than he’d seen in a good long time. He had no idea why Cora Lee was changing brothers in midstream, so to speak, but he wasn’t being paid to ask questions. His job was saving souls, even if in his estimation those souls were beyond redemption.

“Right here, Reverend,” Chad said, stepping into the parlor. “Shall we begin?”

Reverend Purdy took one look at Chad’s fierce countenance and the color drained from his face. He cleared his throat noisily. “If you and your bride will step in front of the fireplace, I’ll begin immediately. Who are the witnesses?”

“Here,” Ryan said, stepping forward. “Zoey and I will act as witnesses.”

“And I’ll give the bride away,” Hal added.

It was over in five minutes. Chad repeated his vows in cold, clipped words. Cora Lee’s voice trembled but didn’t falter as she spoke her vows.

The papers were duly signed and witnessed. Reverend Purdy made a hasty departure, richer by a hundred dollars.

“Now that the wedding is over, what in the hell is this all about?” Reed asked. “I know I wasn’t dragged out here for a celebration. This has all the makings of a shotgun wedding. Do I have the wrong brother in jail?”

“Sit down, Reed,” Chad invited. “My little
bride
has something she wants to get off her chest. Go ahead and tell him,
darling
.”

Cora Lee sent a look of such terror at Chad that Zoey almost felt sorry for her.

“Go ahead, Cora Lee,” Hal urged, “you’re married now. It’s all right to tell the truth.”

For a moment Cora Lee looked confused. “The truth, Hal?”

“You know,” Hal rasped. “Just tell Reed what we talked about earlier. Just before Chad so gallantly offered for your hand.”

Chad gave an inelegant snort.

“Pierce didn’t do those things I accused him of,” Cora Lee said, looking to Hal for support. Then she proceeded to tell Reed the story Hal had concocted about the man who raped and beat her, and why she’d made up the story about Pierce. “I was so ashamed,” she said as she ended her fabrication. “Being raped and beaten by a strange man must have done something to my mind. And … and I fancied Pierce.”