Husband By Arrangement. Angel Moore

Thank her for me.”

      “I will.” Charlotte indicated an empty chair. “May I?”

      “Certainly.”

      Charlotte sat and rested her elbows on the table. “Tell me everything.” Her wide eyes made Scott know he didn’t want to be at the table for this conversation.

      “Rena, I’m going back to the office. You enjoy your visit with Charlotte.” He pushed his chair back and stood.

      “Please don’t leave on my account,” Charlotte said.

      “You ladies have your talk. I’ve got work to do.” He dropped a hand on Rena’s shoulder. “Come to my office when you’re done.” Again he felt her tense at his touch. He hated to add to her discomfort, but he didn’t intend his wife to be the subject of gossip when her pregnancy became obvious. It was best he show her the kind of attention a husband would be expected to show to prevent undue attention from others later.

      He pulled money from his pocket and gave it to Rena. “Settle the bill for us, please.” He picked up a tea cake and took a bite. He lifted it in salute to thank Charlotte and headed for the door.

      He had his hand on the door when Charlotte’s father called to him.

      “Sheriff, can I trouble you for a minute?”

      Scott ate the rest of his cookie as he walked to the registration desk. “Afternoon, Charles. What can I do for you?”

      “Well, I hate to say anything, but I think I should, seeing how close my Charlotte is to your wife. And her being the mayor’s daughter and all.”

      The hair stood up on the back of Scott’s neck. Had their plan already been discovered? “If you have knowledge of something I need to know, I’d be grateful if you’d share.” He kept his voice calm but braced himself for what might be coming next.

      “I was in the post office a few minutes ago. Cyrus Busby was in there, too. He was asking Miss Alexander if she’d had any inkling of your romancing Miss Livingston before yesterday.”

      He’d have to answer carefully. It was one thing for Cyrus to spread the news that they had a whirlwind romance. It was another thing entirely for him to question whether there was a romance. “He asked me the same thing in my office just before lunch. You know he’s always looking for something to talk about.”

      Charles chuckled. “Like a woman on a wagon train.”

      Scott laughed. “I told him our relationship was sudden. You know how we men are. Once we make up our mind about a thing, there’s no need to dally over it.”

      “That’s true. Just the same, I think you should know what was said.” Charles looked around and lowered his voice. “Miss Alexander said that Jack Jefferson asked her about the two of you this morning. He seemed to be hinting that there was some unknown reason for your sudden nuptials. He told her that one day he’d prove to Gran Colina that you and the mayor weren’t the best leaders for our town. He said to watch what happened in the election. She didn’t like the sound of it and told Cyrus as much.”

      “Jack Jefferson has been on the hunt for a reason to discredit me since I took his nephew’s job. Never mind that Gilbert never lifted a hand to slow the tide of crime in Gran Colina.” Scott didn’t like the sound of this gossip. Not one bit. “Thanks for letting me know. I suggest you ignore Jefferson. Just like I have to on almost everything.”

      Charles nodded. “Thanks for bringing your missus here for lunch. I expect we won’t be seeing as much of you now that you’ll have someone at home to cook for you.”

      “Rena is a fine cook, that’s for sure and certain.” He slapped the counter with his palm. “I’ll try to stop in for lunch sometimes.”

      As he stepped onto the sidewalk, he noticed Jack Jefferson coming out of the bank with Thomas Freeman. The two men were often together. Jefferson owned the largest ranch in the county. He was probably the biggest depositor at Freeman’s bank.

      When Jefferson saw Scott, his usual sneer became a twisted grin. Nothing Jack Jefferson wanted for Gran Colina was good for the town. And he seemed determined to fight Scott and the mayor at every turn.

      Scott would pray for the man again tonight. Prayer was the thing that kept him from allowing anger to build up inside and turn him to the same kind of bitter person that Jack Jefferson had become. Prayer had brought him through his broken engagement to Louise. He knew it would bring him through the coming election and help him to build a solid, if not loving, marriage with Rena.

      His personal values made Scott want to live a good life, but now he must take extra care to remain above reproach. Or marrying Rena would only serve to provide him with a cook and a housekeeper. Something he wouldn’t need if Jefferson found out the truth and used it to destroy Rena’s reputation, ultimately costing him and the mayor their jobs.

      With the election set for April, whatever Jack Jefferson had planned would soon come to light.

       Chapter Four

      Rena picked up a tea cake. “I love these. I wish your mother would share the recipe.”

      Charlotte laughed. “You know how she guards her recipes. She’s only shared them with me because she needs my help in the kitchen. I had to promise never to breathe a word of any of the ingredients before she would let me see her recipe box.”

      “They are delicious.” Rena finished off the tea cake, but she knew Charlotte would not be hindered in her pursuit of the story of how Rena and Scott came to be together.

      “You have to tell me all about how you got married.” Charlotte leaned forward in her chair. “I can’t believe you kept this from me for so long. Or was it that long?” Her eyebrows lifted in a teasing fashion.

      “I will tell you that it was very sudden, but Scott is private about these things. He wouldn’t be comfortable with me talking about it.”

      “But I’m your best friend, and you used to tell me everything.” Charlotte’s lighthearted voice let Rena know she wouldn’t push for answers.

      “You are a dear friend, Charlotte.”

      Charlotte leaned close and lowered her voice. “You won’t tell me just a little bit?”

      Rena shook her head. “I guess it’s part of growing up. There comes a time when there are things you just can’t share.” She smiled and patted her friend’s hand. “I’ve learned that over the last few months.”

      “Promise me this won’t be the end of our sharing.”

      “Of course not, we’ll always be close.”

      “I am very happy for you.” She looked around the room and back at Rena. “But I must confess that I’m jealous. In a good way. My mother will never let me court anyone who catches my fancy.”

      Rena loved her friend and hoped that she would never know the depth of pain Rena had endured over the last two months. “Your mother is only protecting you. Remember the time you thought you were in love with Nathan Taylor? You thought he was so handsome.” They both dissolved into giggles.

      Charlotte tried to catch her breath. “I can’t believe that boy put a frog on my head, and then thought I’d want to eat my lunch with him.”

      “And you had to endure his teasing until the day he moved away.”

      “Five years later! I’ve never been happier to see someone leave town. But I was right about one thing. He was handsome.” Charlotte grew serious. “You’re right though. Momma was looking out for me. She still does.”

      “You are blessed to have a mother who loves you so.”

      The agreement on Charlotte’s face was sincere. “You’re right.” She giggled. “My