“And is that what you’ve done?” Mead asking, his mouth dropping open.
“Lord no, that’s nearly always irreversible. We haven’t gone that route, but Cara manages the contraceptive end of things.”
“So, you could change your minds?”
“Yes, I suppose we could, but I doubt Cara would. She’s always been adamant regarding that part of her life.”
“I’m sorry, Witt,” Mead offered sadly. “I’m not familiar with all of those methods to prevent a child, but it seems to me that a man should keep his options open. What he wants at twenty, or even thirty may not be the same thing as he grows older. A man likes to know there is someone to carry on his name, someone to inherit all that he’s worked for.”
“I agree, most men do,” Witt acknowledged, “but I can’t change the rules in the middle of that game. I agreed, and I’ll keep my word. It’s the only fair thing to do but…”
“But you’re not certain you didn’t make a mistake.”
“Marrying Cara was not a mistake. I love her with all of my heart, and she’s made my life so much more fulfilling than it was. However, there are times when she drives me to distraction. At times I’m still not sure if I spank her because she needs it, or if I need it,” he continued with a laugh.
“I don’t think that’s exclusive,” Mead said with a chuckle. “Sometimes it’s something you both need.”
Witt nodded and rose.
“Another?” he asked holding up his glass.
“Sure, why not,” Mead replied with an affirmative nod. “After what Heidi put me through this afternoon, I deserve a little respite.”
“She’s tough, but one of the best from what I’ve been told,” Witt stated as he poured a little bourbon into each of their glasses. “Do you like her?”
“Very much, but I have to say I’ll be happy when the therapy is over.”
“It won’t be over. You’ll still have exercises you have to do when you return home,” Witt informed him honestly.
“Any idea how much longer before that can happen?”
“Not really anything definite,” Witt answered. “Cara is still working on the details. I can see that you’re exceedingly anxious. Any particular reason why? The family knows you’re away getting treatment. Surely, they don’t expect you back yet.”
“No, they don’t. In fact, getting back too soon is a concern. The story has to be believable, or I’ll have to pretend to be in far worse shape than I am, which would be uncomfortable and might actually do damage to some of the rapid ground I’ve already covered. No, it’s more than that. I’m concerned about the girls, more specifically Marilee.”
“She’s pretty special to you, isn’t she?”
“Yes. There’s something about her that makes me want to protect her, shield her from life’s trouble. I know she’s had her share already and she’s so young and vulnerable.”
“Well then, I guess we’d better do our best to make sure you get home before anything happens to your little southern belle,” Witt said with a smile. “I’m going to go and start dinner. Why don’t you take a nap. The bourbon should have taken the edge off any aches and pains from therapy and maybe Cara will have good news for us when she gets home.”
“I appreciate you taking some time off while I’m here, Witt,” Mead said as he slowly got to his feet and took hold of his cane. “I imagine I would have been pretty lonely.”
“No problem, Mead. I was due for a break anyway, and happy to do it. Lie down and put your legs up. I’ll wake you when Cara gets home and in plenty of time for dinner.”
“Thanks. A nap sounds good about now, and I will miss that bourbon when I go home, along with a lot of other things,” Mead said with a chuckle.
CHAPTER10
1880
Lillian Piersal paced her small parlor, wringing her hands and stopping now and then to straighten a doily. She was furious, incensed, so irate she could hardly think of enough words to describe her rage. Frustrated, she could only grit her perfectly straight teeth and mutter every swear word it had ever been her misfortune to overhear. How dare they! How dare they lie to her and everyone else? Morgan promised The Duchess would be shut down, at least while he and his new bride enjoyed a honeymoon and Lilly had been looking forward to it. No more raucous drovers raising cain across the street from her darling little shop. No more smoke rising up from behind the saloon, filling the air with choking fumes as the girls heated water for the men to bathe, a totally inappropriate and deplorable situation in itself. Hell, she had to keep her windows tightly closed lest the smoke ruin her millinery creations. It was untenable and Mead, her soon to be husband, was away in Maryland hoping to get better treatment for his severe leg injuries. And just when she needed him the most. Not that he would be much good to her either physically or supportively. He actually liked Callie Mae Walker, now Whittaker, and he liked those saloon girls too!
Even The Duchess was of no concern to him, and somehow he managed to overlook the detrimental influence it had on the entire town. Men were spending their wages over that polished mahogany bar and filling Callie Mae’s pockets instead of supporting their children. Instead of being at home with their families, they were listening to that red-haired witch, Fancy, sing her heart out and some were even tossing her money. She was as good as a whore as far as Lilly was concerned. They all were, and something had to be done.
Oh, she’d heard about the argument the Whitakers had in the sheriff’s office earlier. A real man would have taken his wife in hand, grasping her arm, and smacking her bustle all the way back to the wagon, but Morgan hadn’t. Morgan, who could put fear in the heart of a woman just by sending her a stern look, had buckled beneath the weight of his bride’s opinion. It was appalling to even think about. Morgan had a reputation for not putting up with nonsense from any man, or woman, but it would be in ruins once word spread how he’d begun to cater to his new wife. Soon, no one would take him seriously at all, and it was all the little bitch’s fault. She never should have been allowed to buy a saloon, let alone open it and hire cheap girls to help her run it.
Everyone said they weren’t whores, weren’t selling their bodies for a few coins, but Lilly knew better. Why else would nearly every man in town flock to The Duchess night after night? Yes, something had to be done, and soon, before the entire town was marked as sinners of the most repulsive kind. Many of the women were outraged, but they dared not say much to their husbands lest they risk the wrath of God for not honoring their vows. But she wasn’t afraid, Lilly assured herself. She was, as yet, unmarried, and that meant she answered to no man.
