The Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Collection by Robin Lee Hatcher

Author:Robin Lee Hatcher [Robin Lee Hatcher]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780310342847
Publisher: Zondervan

Cleo waited at the station until the train pulled out. God willing, the cattle in those cars would bring top price at market. They’d better or else she would keep wondering at the wisdom of selling off cows that produced good calves year after year. She hoped her father had made the right decision, and she sure hoped he hadn’t made his decision based on Woody’s urgings. What did Woody know about cattle ranching, after all? Next to nothing.

Wanting something cold to drink to wash away the dust of the cattle drive, she rode Domino into Bethlehem Springs and stopped the gelding in front of the South Fork. After dismounting, she tied him to the hitching post, and then stepped onto the sidewalk. That was when she saw Henrietta King walking toward her. She was close enough for Cleo to see she’d been crying. Her eyes were watery, her cheeks damp, and her nose red.

When Henrietta saw Cleo, she stopped and lifted her chin, as if daring her to speak.

Cleo spoke anyway. “Good day, Mrs. King.”

“Miss Arlington.” Henrietta’s chin tilted upward another notch. She knew, apparently, that Tyler had courted Cleo at the same time he was seeing her. She knew and resented Cleo for it.

Cleo felt something unexpected: sympathy. She felt sorry for the girl. Sorry in more ways than she could enumerate. “How are you feeling? Well, I hope.”

“Okay, I reckon.” Henrietta looked down at her enlarged abdomen. “I’ll just be glad when this is over. It’s no fun.”

Cleo thought of her sister, of the perpetual joy she saw in Gwen’s eyes whenever the subject of her pregnancy arose. But then, Gwen and Morgan had married first and started their family second, quite the opposite of Tyler and Henrietta King.

“You’d better keep away from him, if’n you know what’s good for you.”

Cleo felt her eyes widen. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“He’s my husband. I’m Mrs. King, and I don’t want you or Tyler forgettin’ it.” Henrietta, her face now red with anger, clenched her hands into fists at her sides. “You keep away from him.”

“I’m not sure what you mean—” That was untrue. She understood what Henrietta was suggesting. “But you’ve got my word, I’m not interested in seeing or talking to your husband. Any interest I had in Tyler King ended when the two of you got married.”

“Then why’s he always bringin’ you up to me? Throwin’ you in my face all the time. As if he was sweet on you.”

Cleo was stunned into silence. What could she say to that?

The door to the restaurant opened, drawing her gaze. She hoped Henrietta had the good sense not to repeat her insinuations in front of others. It was bad enough the two of them had had this discussion on the main street of town. All she could hope for now was that no one inside the South Fork or any other business had overheard what was said. She didn’t think their voices had been raised, but she couldn’t be sure.

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