Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) (12 page)

Chapter 11

Cora carefully moved herself out of her bed, unable to stay there any longer, and ambled to the terrace outside her bedroom. She chose a wicker chair as far against the wall as she could, so she could hide from anyone returning home from church. She listened for Rex coming up the stairs, too, so she could sneak back into her bed if she had to. Rex would scold her if he caught her out of bed.

The loud noise of a car racing down the driveway, spinning its tires as the gears changed, alerted Cora. She started to jump up from her seat but winced. A second glance revealed Veronica’s car. Before she had a chance to try to move again, Rex flew out the side door of the house and onto the driveway to meet Veronica. Cora pushed herself as far back into her chair as she could, trying to remain quiet.

As Veronica squealed her car to a halt, missing Rex by only a foot, he called to her, “What are you doin’ here?” The stiffness in his neck said he didn’t want to see her.

Veronica got out of the car, one long leg at a time, and removed her dark sunglasses. “Boy, what a way to greet your girlfriend. I’ve tried to call you, but you never return my calls. I assumed you weren’t getting my messages. I knew everybody would be at church, and we could be alone.”

Cora closed her eyes and tried to block out the entire conversation.

“You’re not welcome here.”

“What?” Veronica stomped over to Rex.

“I mean it, Roni, go home!”

“Why? It’s that...that...woman, isn’t it? She’s turned you against me.”

“Look, leave Cora out of this. She didn’t turn me against you. She’s an innocent party in all of this. After the way you acted Friday night...well, put it this way: you turned me against you with no help from her.”

Cora opened her eyes and peeked through the rails. Rex turned to enter the house, but Veronica grabbed his arm. When they disappeared under the terrace, Cora could no longer see them. She ducked into her room but allowed the French doors to remain open. She still wanted to hear if she could.

“What do you mean by that?”

“Veronica, you chased me away,” Rex insisted. “You held on to me so tight I couldn’t breathe. You were too pushy when it came to certain things. You’re rude to others. You refused to give me time to get over Patricia.”

“Oh, Patricia, Patricia! I’m so sick of that woman’s name. What was so great about her anyway? You act like she was a saint, when we both know she was a tramp.”

“You shut your mouth.” Rex’s voice was coldly angry. “You don’t talk about Patty like that. She was the mother of my child. She wasn’t a tramp.”

“How do you really know you’re Susie’s father? I suppose you’ve forgotten about her little affairs with the men at Wild Bill’s. And that she drank so much because of her guilt that she ran off Connors Peak and killed herself? Forget about her. You’re wasting your life worshipping her memory. And, might I add, a memory that’s seen through rose-colored glasses,” Veronica hissed.

Cora couldn’t believe it. Was this true about Patricia? How could it be? Rex acted like she could walk on water.

Rex spoke with tears dripping off his voice. “Roni, you’ve hurt me for the last time. If you loved me, you wouldn’t talk about my wife like that. You’d forgive her as I’ve done. I want you to leave, and don’t ever come back.”

“What do you know about love? You worked day and night on this stupid ranch until Patty was bored out of her mind. That’s why she’d go to Wild Bill’s. That’s why she looked for someone to love her. You didn’t meet her needs.”

“You’re such a liar! Get off my property! Get out of my life!” Rex yelled.

The door slammed shut. Veronica got in her car and zoomed down the drive. Cora’s heart ached for Rex. If only she could go to him and comfort him, but she couldn’t. She couldn’t let him know she’d overheard his fight with Veronica.

Then Rex knocked on Cora’s door. She still stood by the terrace door when he entered. “Can I come in?”

“Yes.” Cora sat on the chaise at the foot of her bed. Rex sat beside her. He buried his head in his hands and wept like a lost child. Cora said nothing. She only stroked his hair and waited patiently for him to speak.

“Cora, my life is such a mess. I’ve made a disaster out of everything. I can’t please Dad or Matt. I’m a bad father. And now…Veronica was just here.”

“I know.”

He looked up at her. “You know?”

“I couldn’t help but hear the two of you. I’m sorry.”

Rex gazed into Cora’s eyes and then collapsed in her arms. She groaned under his weight against her sore ribs, but she reached out to him anyway. “Did you hear everything?”

“Yes.”

“Then I don’t have to explain.”

“No, you don’t. You don’t have to talk at all.”

For more than ten minutes, Rex rested in her arms. He shook with emotion, and Cora’s heart opened to him. She couldn’t go if Rex needed her.

“It’s all true, what Veronica said.” Rex sat up straight and wiped his eyes. “I wasn’t home enough for Patty. She did start goin’ to Wild Bill’s. She became a drunk and didn’t come home every night. She usually came back the next morning. It was no secret. One night, after we’d had an argument about her lack of work around the house and caring for Susie, she left. That night she didn’t return. The next morning, I got a visit from the sheriff sayin’ she died at Connors Peak. She was drunk, and her car went over the cliff. We don’t know whether she planned it, or if it was an accident. People at Wild Bill’s said she was pretty rowdy that night, complainin’ about marriage and motherhood.” Rex rubbed his face vigorously and then looked up at Cora.

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say.” Cora placed her hand on his shoulder.

Rex stood and walked over to the terrace. “You’re sayin’ everything I need to hear.” He turned and faced her. “You’re just bein’ here for me. You aren’t passin’ judgment.”

“Who am I to pass judgment? My husband was a drug dealer. A bounty hunter shot and killed him. Who am I to judge someone else’s spouse?”

Then Rex laughed. He came back inside to where she stood.

“I didn’t mean to spoil the mood. I wasn’t trying to be funny, Rex.”

“You’re amazing. Did you know that?”

“No.”

“I’m glad you said what you said. You made me forget about her.”

“Patricia?”

“Veronica....and...Patty too. I feel much better.”

“They ought to close Wild Bill’s.”

Rex chuckled. “Do you feel like joinin’ the family for lunch? They’ll be home soon.”

“I’d like that. It’ll take me awhile to get dressed, though, so you’d better find something to do with yourself until I come down.”

“You yell at me when you’re ready to come down, and I’ll help you down the stairs. I’ll be workin’ in my office. Okay?” Rex insisted.

“You got a deal. I’ll be ready in a few.” Cora pushed Rex out the door and shut it behind him. She definitely had to leave as soon as she was healed. That man was not over his wife yet, and if she stayed, she’d only get hurt. And so would Susie.

Cora dressed for lunch, wincing as she did. Then she called to Rex, and he came to help her down the stairs.

Cora cooed at Susie’s stories from church and her interpretation of the Bible story of David and Goliath. She hated to leave this place, but maybe her mission was complete. She had successfully brought a father and his child closer together.

“Cora, I’m glad you feel like playing again.”

“Me too, Susie.”

“I missed you while you were sick.”

“I missed you too.”

“Cora? How long have you been here?”

“Let’s see, it’s August 24th. I think that would be seven weeks now.”

“Seven weeks?”

“Yes, almost two whole months.”

Cora had secretly planned her trip home to Florida. She’d leave in another week or two. She almost had enough money saved to fly home instead of driving. She wasn’t up for another road trip, even one that only lasted a few hours. It would be good to see Mom and Dad. After the events of the last week at the ranch, Cora appreciated them more than ever before. She needed to attempt to restore her relationship with them.

While the family ate breakfast, and discussed the events of the past week, the doorbell rang. Juanita, the housekeeper, answered the door and then called to Cora. A courier waited on the porch for Cora to sign for a registered letter.

Cora puckered her mouth. Who would send her a letter of this type? She excused herself and went into the study. The sender was the law firm she’d worked for outside of Columbia. When she opened the envelope, a letter from an attorney in the firm slipped out.

When Cora came to, everyone was crowded around her, calling her name. Rex sat beside her on the floor and held her hand. “What happened?”

“You passed out.”

“I did?” She rubbed her head.

“What is it? Bad news from home?” Rex squeezed her hand.

Still clasping the letter in her other hand, she sat up with Rex’s help. He moved her to the wingback chair near the window and made sure she was comfortable. “No, it isn’t bad news.” She looked at the letter again. “Oh boy.” She grasped her forehead with the palm of her hand. “It’s shocking news, I guess. I don’t know what to think.”

“Tell us, if you don’t mind,” R.L. said.

“This is a letter from Clark’s attorney in Columbia, South Carolina. He had a will I didn’t know about. He left everything he owned to me and to his parents and had a life insurance policy for $500,000.00. It’s kind of bittersweet, but I’m rich!” The pain from the past, the struggles to make ends meet, suddenly disappeared.

“Oh, my, you’re rich!” Pearl exclaimed.

“What are you gonna do with all of the money?” Clarice spoke to Cora for the first time since the fiasco after Wild Bill’s. Laughter filled the room at this expected question from Clarice.

“First of all, I guess I’ll make that trip back home to Florida. I need to spend some time with my parents.” Cora looked from one face to another, trying to read their expressions.

The sun hid behind the clouds, and the room darkened, as did the mood. Susie burst into tears. She ran to Cora and threw herself into Cora’s lap. “No. Don’t go. I love you.”

Cora hugged Susie. “I have to go, Susie. Only for a short time, though. I need to be with my friends in South Carolina and then my mommy and daddy for a bit. I’ll be back, because I’ll have to get my car.”

Cora glanced at Rex for help. He abandoned her side and avoided making eye contact. He shuffled his boots on the floor and appeared more devastated than Susie. The bridge they’d begun to build that crossed the chasm crumbled before Cora’s eyes.

“No. I need my mommy too. You’re my mommy now.” The child clung to Cora.

Cora looked at Rex once more, surprised by his child’s statement, but he stalked from the room without so much as one word. The front door slammed then Rex’s truck sped away. She glanced at Pearl and R.L. for understanding, and they smiled sympathetically.

Cora’s head throbbed the entire day. She tried to read her Bible and pray, but she couldn’t concentrate. She sent Anne another email before taking a hot shower to relieve the tension in her neck.

Hey, Anne. You’ll never believe what happened today. I got news that Clark left me half a million dollars. Yep, I’m rich. For some reason, I’m not super happy, though, and I’m more confused than ever. Now what I’ve been planning for weeks can happen, but I’m not sure I’m doing the right thing. I know in my heart if I leave, I probably won’t return. I should be fine with that. I was only passing through anyway. But now I’m attached to Susie. She’s so precious. And, yes, I also know that all little girls are precious. I should cut my ties now and go home for good. But I want to stay. Yet if I stay, I’ll fall for Rex completely. I know I will. Since I’m so unsure about his beliefs, and know he’s not completely over his wife, staying has to be out of the question. I can’t stay just because Susie needs me. Please pray for me. I don’t know what to do. Cora

Cora called Ms. Lottie to tell her how much she appreciated all she’d done for her and that she’d miss her. She prodded Ms. Lottie for a hint about Rex’s feelings, but the older woman never betrayed his confidence, if he’d confided in her at all.

Cora stepped out onto the back porch for a cup of coffee that evening. Would Rex join her there? She sipped from her cup and waited. As she relaxed, the familiar sound of the meadowlark’s song filled her ears, and her heart sank. She’d really miss the tranquility of this place and the soothing song of the bird. Anytime she ever heard a bird sing for the rest of her life, she’d think of Rex...and how they had surprisingly grown close to one another.

Although she sat for a long while that evening, Rex never came.

The next day, the last Friday in August, Cora packed her jeans and shirts into her bag, getting ready to fly to Columbia again, this time for the reading of the will and to receive her insurance check. From there, she’d go straight to Florida. As she put her shoes in her suitcase and stuffed her socks in the pocket on the top flap, she sighed. Susie had continued to ask why Cora had to leave. Cora repeatedly explained to her the reasons. She told her she’d try as hard as she could to come back and reminded Susie how important it was to take care of her daddy. If Susie felt responsible for him, she’d draw closer to him and not concentrate as much on Cora’s departure.

“Is everything coming together for the trip?” Pearl stood in her bedroom doorway. Her perfume floated in and warmed Cora’s soul.

“I guess I’m almost packed. If it’s okay with you, I’m going to leave my car here.” She met Pearl’s eyes. “I’ll probably come back before heading to Florida. I’ll drive home, I guess.”

“That’s fine. Do whatever you need to do. If you decide to fly straight to Florida and stay, just call. We’ll get Rex to drive the car back.” She winked.

“Okay. But I don’t think that will be necessary, and I don’t think he’ll want to do it anyway.” Cora searched the dresser drawers for the last time. “How is Rex, by the way?”

“Oh, he’s just being Rex.”

“Since the day I heard the news, he’s stayed away from me. I know he’s avoiding me because he even eats his meals at the cabin.” Her mind flashed back to the days, one after another, that she’d seen Rex in the pasture working. If she waved, he turned his head. If she came down the stairs, he went out the front door. If she waited outside his office, he never came out. Cora shook her head, and her thoughts came back to the present.

“I wish I knew what to say, Cora. I don’t know what’s going on with Rex.”

“I know he’s mad at me because I’m doing exactly what he asked me not to do on the first day I was here. I never said I wouldn’t come back. But he shut me out, and now I feel like I can’t come back.” A tear slid down her cheek.

Pearl entered her room and embraced her. “It will be all right, Cora. You’re always welcome here regardless of how Rex feels.”

With mixed feelings, Cora now finished packing her suitcases, set them by her bedroom door, and descended the stairs for breakfast. Susie had spent the morning with Pearl, so Cora could finish getting ready. When she was halfway down the curving staircase, she caught a glimpse of Rex heading out the front door, his Levis and Stetson hat burned into her memory. She called to him, but the door shut anyway. She had to talk to him. They hadn’t spoken in a week.

She rushed down the stairs and headed out the front door, passing the aromas of bacon and pastries and the family in the dining room without saying a word. “Rex!”

He didn’t acknowledge her. The summer sun hit Cora square in the face. She held her hand up to shade her eyes. “Rex O’Reilly, you stop right where you are!”

He turned to look at her. “What?”

“What? Is that all you can say? I’m leaving in an hour, and that is all you can say?”

“What do you want me to say, Cora?” Rex’s eyes blazed.

“What’s wrong? Why are you shunning me like this? I had hoped we were closer.” Cora tried to make eye contact.

“Me shunning you? You don’t get it, do you? You’re leavin’, goin’ home, never returnin’. You’re no longer a part of our lives.” Rex glared at her.

“So, it’s over and done with, huh? Like I never existed?” She put her right hand on her hip.

“Why should I try to make you stay? You’re gonna go anyway. Nothin’ I could do would make you stay.” Rex turned and walked away.

“Really? I guess you don’t know me like I thought you did.” She followed him down the steps.

Rex stopped and turned toward her. “I don’t know you at all. In the grand scheme of things, this was just—it—you’re—” He grunted. “Look, we both helped each other out when we needed someone. We’re friends, that’s all. Nothing ever happened between us. You made sure of that.” Rex turned to head for his truck.

“Wait, Rex! Why are you mad at me? If you say we’re just friends, then you should be happy for me that I got the money so I could move on with my life. I’m closing one chapter and starting another. Like you said, you can’t go to the grave with them. Besides, I never said I wouldn’t be back. You didn’t even give me the chance to tell you my plans and help me decide if I had a reason to return.”

Rex fell silent and stared at the ground. Then he stiffened his neck. “I’m mad because you’re hurtin’ Susie. I told you two months ago I didn’t want you here if you were only gonna turn around and leave. You stayed anyway, and now you’re leavin’. It doesn’t matter if it’s only for a little while. You’re doin’ exactly what I didn’t want you to do. You hurt Susie, you hurt my family, and...”

“And what, Rex? Say it.”

“There’s nothin’ more to say—except have a nice life.” Rex walked to his truck and jumped in.

“Have a nice life? What? I thought you’d take me to the airport. I thought we could spend a little time together before I had to leave.”

“Why? I don’t want to be around you anymore. Go find someone else to chauffeur you around.” Rex slammed the door to his truck and cranked the engine. He sped off so fast that Cora fell backwards in the drive trying to avoid his truck and the flying gravel.

Cora sat on the drive for a few minutes, the sting in her heart worse than the sting in her hands. Why was Rex so angry? It had to be more than Susie. He had to be bluffing, like he did when she first came. Why couldn’t he show his true emotions? She held her head high and refused to let the tears flow, blinking them away. She got up off the ground, dusted her clothes and her hands off, and walked back into the house.

During breakfast, Cora tried to hide her hurt from her argument with Rex by talking with everyone and sharing how she’d miss them all. Susie would be the hardest to leave.

Cora could drive her car to the airport since Rex had left, but she called a cab to come pick her up instead. She didn’t want anyone else to take her. It would be easier to say her good-byes at the ranch.