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They served the men some coffee and got busy making supper. Cora fried chicken and Willa made the mashed potatoes. Cora had corn on the cob, and fresh green beans all that was left was biscuits and gravy.
Within an hour they were all sitting at the table. It was a happy time for them even though the cabin burned.
After the dishes were done, Clay and Willa went for a walk and Charlie and Cora played with Elan and talked.
"It's nice of you to open your home to us, Cora." Charlie told her.
"I have a big home and it's been kind of lonely for a while Charlie. The sound of a baby in the house, the look of love between Clay and Willa, and lots of conversation between us kind of awakens this old house." Cora chuckled.
"Cora I been thinking." Charlie ran his finger over the top of his coffee cup. "I might sell the property. Might even sell out to Ed, if he'd agree in a contract to let his neighbors' water their stock. I would insist that be put in the contract. It might end some bitterness around here."
"Sell out, why Charlie, where would you go, what would you do with yourself?" Cora looked worried now.
Charlie smiled and took her hand. "It's been a long time since my Beth died, and your Sam. We've done well in that time, but we are both lonely people. And we like each other a lot, I think, don't you?"
"Well sure we do." Cora agreed. "Of course, we do, maybe even more than like." She stared into his eyes now seeing a light there that made him look years younger.
"I been thinkin'. When that preacher comes, what would you say to marrying me?" Charlie stared into her bright eyes. "We could marry, live here, and with the money I'd get from my place we could make improvements here. With all of us working together, this place could be a show place."
Cora studied him, "Are you proposing to me, Charlie?"
"Kind of in a round about way, if you don't mind. I didn't want to seem too forward, but you know we got a spark between us. Maybe more than a spark."
Cora blushed, "I never thought you'd ask me." She shook her head. "Oh Charlie, do you mean it?"
"I been encouraging Clay all along to marry, but what was eatin
g me was my own loneliness. You are a wonderful woman, with a big heart, and I've always had a soft spot for you, Cora. Even when I was married to Beth, I thought of you often. I can't be telling Clay that as he wouldn't understand, but I hope he understands what I'm feeling now. We are at an age that neither of us should be alone, and we do have feelings for each other. We could make this place shine, Cora. I could move our cattle over here. Stock up what crops of hay we have left in your barn. We could be happy, Cora. With all of us working together, we could make this place something grand again. But, I gotta admit, I love you Cora, I always have. And don't say nothing about Beth, as I loved her in my fashion."
She looked a bit breathless, "You mean that, Charlie?"
"With all my heart, Cora."
"You don't have to sell me on it. I'd always kind of hoped after I got over my husband that maybe you and I could get together. We get on so well. And there is a spark, Charlie. Since we are admitting things, I should tell you that I've had feelings for you for some time too."
He leaned to kiss her lips and smiled as he hugged her. "I'll take that as a yes, then."
"Charlie, it could be so wonderful." She chuckled.
"It will be, Cora, I promise you that. I just wish it had been sooner." He chuckled and took her hand and held it in his lap. "I love you, I have all along."
"All along?" She twisted her head.
"Beth was a good wife, and I loved her, but Sam married you before Beth and I got married. I was sweet on you too back then. And I have never gotten over it."
"Why Charlie!" she smiled. "I have to admit, there were times when I looked at you that I thought I saw something. Did Beth ever know?"
"No, I'd never have hurt her."
"I'm glad. Sam didn't know that I'd looked at you too, many times. Sam was a good man, and he loved me, but we didn't talk much. The man had set ways about him. You, you were always so easy to talk to. And there was many a time I wished I could have danced with you! You're a great dancer. That time you almost drowned saving the young boy who fell in at the pond at the annual picnic, I was so afraid for you. Beth seemed to handle it quite calmly, but my heart was tripping so. That was the first time I ever admitted to myself that there was more to you and me than I could say. When you came out of that water, I wanted to run and kiss you. I nearly did. Wouldn't they talk that up?"
"I was jealous of Sam, that's why we didn't get along well."
"I always wondered about that too."
"You know I'd never hurt Beth. I loved her in my fashion, but I just couldn't get you out of my head. She was a good woman, she gave me a son, and I was happy, but when Sam died, I wanted to come over and see you, but I knew you wasn't ready for that. I thought if I rushed over, people would talk, and I didn't want that for you."
"Sam was a good man, and I loved him, but he's gone, and I have room in my heart for you too Charlie. I think I always have." She sighed leaning into him now. "I fought the feelings I had for you. I didn't want to start a scandal. I didn’t' want to hurt Sam or Beth, but there's always been something between us, hasn't there."
