by Afton Locke
So she had bled, too, in her own way. His gut twisted as he dragged a finger through the red stain. Why couldn’t he stay away from women? All he did was hurt and destroy them.
After turning off the light and rushing outside, he checked the dock where Sadie usually kept her boat. As he expected, it was gone. Thank goodness the seas were calm tonight.
Please, let her be safe. Don’t lay another death on my conscience.
The cool air dried his sweat, making him shiver. He wandered in the dark until he found himself near the main harbor. The cheerful sight of the local restaurant, the Sapphire Crab, drew him. Its red and blue lights reflected against the water and the doors got a workout as patrons came and went.
He walked inside and headed to the telephone. His hands shook so badly, he dropped the receiver several times. When his brother answered, his knees buckled with relief.
“Caleb, I’m at the Sapphire Crab and I really need to talk to you.”
“Can it wait?” Caleb yawned. “I’d rather not leave Pearl alone.”
“I’m afraid not. Rose can look after her.”
The sleepiness left his brother’s voice. “I’m not going to like this, am I?”
“Just get here as soon as you can.”
While he waited, he chose a private table in the bar and downed a couple of beers. Numb, he let the surrounding smoke and boisterous conversations wash over him.
Caleb finally arrived, shouldering his way through the crowd of drinking, smoking men. He moved with command and perfection, the same as when he’d rescued Henry from the trouble he’d gotten into at school.
He wasn’t sure anyone could rescue him from this mess. Even Caleb.
As his brother took the seat across from him, Henry ordered him a Scotch.
“Scotch? You know I only drink that when I’m upset. This must be pretty bad.”
They discussed the oyster reseeding while they waited for Caleb’s drink.
“Since we’re talking shop, what was your profit last month?” Caleb asked.
When Henry told him, Caleb whistled. “I’m impressed. What did you do to achieve it?”
“Oh, a bit of this and a bit of that.” Henry squirmed in his chair. “The reseeding should start soon. If we’re lucky, some of the oysters will be big enough to harvest by the end of next winter.”
“Makes sense.” When his Scotch arrived, Caleb grabbed it and sipped it. “I know you didn’t drag me down here to discuss oyster beds.”
Henry shredded his napkin. “I hardly know where to begin.”
“Try the beginning.”
“It’s about Sadie,” Henry said, staring at his hands.
“Did you get caught messing around with her?”
“No, but why would you assume—”
“I noticed the way you stared at her after our fishing trip.” His brother winked at him. “How did your date with her go, by the way?”
Henry sipped his beer. Caleb was a lot more perceptive than he expected. It might make telling him the bad news easier.
“Not well at all.”
“Maybe you should go easy on the beer. You look kind of peaked.”
“It was a dime-store horror novel.” He squeezed his fingers together. “Instead of Sadie, I saw Natalie lying there. Bloody.”
“Good Lord. I bet that killed the moment.”
Henry recalled his deflating cock, unsure if it would ever get hard again. “Oh, yes.”
“Did you explain Natalie to Sadie?”
Feeling like the stupid child who’d gotten into trouble in school, Henry shook his head. Didn’t you do your homework? Did you knock the ball through the window on purpose?
“I-I ran out before we— When I returned, she was gone.”
Caleb snickered.
“This isn’t funny.”
“Sorry. You can still salvage the situation, though.” Caleb studied his glass. “Apologize to her and explain everything.”
“I doubt she’ll ever forgive me.”
“Then maybe things happened for the best.” The humor faded from his brother’s eyes. “Even if you got along with each other, you’d still have the rest of the world standing in your way.”
“That’s true.”
“But if she’s worth it, you’ll have to fight for her.” Caleb glanced at his watch. “If that’s all, I’d like to get going.”
Henry gripped his wrist. “There’s more. Sadie is…sort of…running Rockfield’s.”
The other man’s face paled to pure white. “The hell you say.”
“When those oyster pirates arrived in the area, I had to get out on the water.” Henry toyed with the shredded bits of napkin. “She’s a hell of a lot smarter than I am. She knows numbers and she’s got a knack for business.”
Caleb blinked. His pale-blue eyes looked too shocked to be angry. That would come later.
“She negotiated lower prices with the buy-boats.”
“That’s admirable, but—” Caleb slammed his glass down. “Damn it, Henry. Are you out of your head?”
“You asked me to run the plant. You didn’t say how.”
“But she’s a colored woman!”
“Lower your voice, Caleb.” Henry glanced around, but everyone else seemed too drunk to notice them. “And how would Pearl feel if she heard you now?”
“I don’t doubt Sadie’s capabilities, but if the Klan finds out, they’ll crucify both of us.” Caleb took a giant swig of Scotch. “And you just broke her heart, didn’t you?”
Unable to look at those pale, accusing eyes, Henry covered his face with his palms and nodded.
“Well, you have to fix it. Apologize. Woo her. And for God’s sake, slip the reins out of her hands before she takes revenge and destroys the plant.”
Henry held his hands out. “You’re asking the impossible.”
“Little brother, I am tired of cleaning up your messes.” Caleb drained the rest of his Scotch and stood. “I’ll soon have a child to deal with, so you need to grow up and handle this yourself.”
After Caleb left, he stared at the shredded napkin, feeling like the biggest failure in Oyster Island. He and Sadie should be in bed now, kissing each other and whispering endearments by candlelight.
Caleb was right. He needed to fix this. Even though he’d probably fail again, he had to try.
* * *
Sadie felt even more nauseous than usual when she rowed to the Baptist church at the Crab Creek inlet the next day. She’d come because Mama insisted, but she had no desire to listen to Reverend Palmer today.
Last night had replayed in her mind as soon as she’d woken up this morning. Surrendering her body, like a ham on a platter, had been foolish. She would hate Henry Rockfield for the rest of her life. No man had ever hurt her so much, and none would get the chance again. She’d learned from her error.
She tied up the boat and helped Mama out. Joining the others in the community, they headed toward the open doors of the small, white church with black shutters. Colorful jonquils and hyacinths linked the brick pathway, announcing spring. She felt like ripping them out of the ground or trampling them with her heels.
The only thing giving her strength to draw each breath and take each step was revenge. Henry valued Rockfield’s the most, so that was exactly what she planned to destroy. Oyster by oyster.
Mama elbowed her. “Wipe that scowl off your face, girl. You look meaner than the devil himself this morning.”
Last night’s conversation with her mother was even stranger than what had happened in Henry’s cottage. No matter what, she needed to take care of her. Unfortunately, the best way to do that was to keep her secretary job at Rockfield’s. Assuming he didn’t fire her. By playing with numbers, she could strangle the company into a slow, painful death instead of destroying it all at once. The plan would give her time to find new jobs for herself and Mama.
Maybe she could have both revenge and a paycheck, at least f
or a while.
Before they reached the open doors of the church, her brother and Rose rushed toward them from the back of the crowd.
“Leroy!” Mama kissed him on the cheek. “I didn’t expect you two until mealtime.”
“I missed this church,” he said while the four of them exchanged hugs.
When Sadie embraced her broad-shouldered brother, she couldn’t help gripping him hard. She released him and turned her head when her emotions bubbled to the surface.
“What’s wrong?” he whispered in her ear.
“Nothing.”
He hooked her arm, keeping her immobile while everyone else filed inside. “Don’t lie to me. I know you too well.”
Her cheeks scalded with shame. “I don’t want to talk about it.”
“You used to tell me everything. Is it Mama?”
“No, she and I had a nice talk yesterday.”
“You look heartbroken.” He glanced around, his eyes flashing dangerously above his arrow-shaped nose. “Who is he? I’ll rip his head off.”
She clung to his arm, tempted to lay her troubles at his feet like she used to when she was a girl. If he found out what Henry had done to her, she didn’t doubt he’d rip something off. And the Klan would throw him back in jail, or worse. She couldn’t let that happen.
She patted his face. “Thank you, but I have to work through it myself.”
“Well, whoever he is, he’s not worth it, hear?”
“By the way, you need to repair the boat. It still holds water, but a piece of it splintered off last night.”
“What the hell were you doing rowing at night?”
“Come on, Leroy. We don’t want to be late for the service.”
Her brother’s love warmed the chill in her chest and gave her strength, but he couldn’t make her pain go away. After they joined the rest of the family inside, she moved her lips to the hymn they sang. When everyone sat, she plopped into the wooden pew, feeling heavier than a boulder.
She planned to pass the time by plotting the steps she’d take to cripple the Rockfield Oyster Harbor plant. The water view from the narrow windows helped her focus. Should she hide the books, alter them, destroy them, or all three?
“Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord,” Reverend Palmer began in his clear, strong voice.
Sadie rolled her eyes. Of all days, did he have to pick that sermon? She must have heard it a dozen times before, but it sounded different today. As if the reverend spoke directly to her. He sure looked at her enough times. Almost as if he knew she’d lain naked in Henry’s bed and now plotted to destroy him.
To escape his intense glances, she let her gaze wander to the other side of the church. Only to land on Buck and his new wife. Maybe she’d already died and gone to hell. Next, she glared at every man in the place, hating each one except Leroy.
Let’s see. She could notify Henry’s vendors he was willing to accept higher prices, and then do the opposite with his customers.
Mama elbowed her again and whispered, “Pay attention and stop that scowling.”
Forcing a neutral expression onto her face, she focused on the reverend’s words—how hate bred more hate. So she wasn’t pretty. Why couldn’t she stop loathing herself over it? Henry had probably not seen a black woman completely nude before. Maybe it wasn’t what he expected. His reaction might have had nothing to do with her personally.
You’re pretty when you smile.
Pearl’s words came back to her. If she could find something to smile about, maybe she would again someday. But revenge and hatred would make her even uglier. As ugly as the charred cross the Klan had burned outside this church last year during her wedding. She couldn’t help the way she looked, but she could take the high road and be a good person.
Besides, Rockfield’s meant something to her, too. After the business schools in Baltimore slammed their doors in her face, Henry had given her a chance. She’d devoured his books, the best gift anyone had ever given her. Manipulating watermen into lower prices was her highest achievement. If she erased it, she’d be a nobody again.
When the service ended, Mama studied her face as they walked outside into the sunshine.
“Looks like that sermon did you some good.”
“Maybe. All I want to do is get home and sleep for the rest of the day.”
When Mama halted in her tracks, Sadie bumped into her.
“Well, look who’s here,” her mother said.
The blood drained from Sadie’s face, making her forget everything she’d decided during today’s service. At the edge of the churchyard, with a clump of jonquils in hand, stood Henry Rockfield.
Henry’s heart pounded in his throat when he spotted Sadie walking down the brick pathway with her mother. Even though she wore the plainer black dress, she looked even more beautiful than she had last evening. Her intelligent eyes wore something different today, too—haunted beauty and dignity.
He had no idea what she’d do to him, but she couldn’t get too violent with her friends, family, and neighbors around.
“Sadie, I need to talk to you.”
“There’s nothing to say. I’ll see you at work tomorrow.”
“Please.” He held the flowers toward her, but she didn’t take them. “Can we sit on that bench over there?”
It had a nice view of the inlet. More importantly, it was private.
Her brother, Leroy, nodded a greeting at him while draping a protective arm around her. Had she told him anything? Having Caleb angry at him was bad enough. He didn’t care to tangle with Sadie’s overprotective brother.
“You all go on back to the house in Leroy’s boat,” she said. “I’ll be there soon.”
He held her elbow to escort her to the stone bench, but she shook off his hand. When they sat, he laid the flowers between them.
“I’m so very sorry.” The words choked out of him in a whisper.
“Thank you for your apology.”
Why was she so calm? He half expected her to punch him hard enough to send him rolling down the hill into the creek.
“I know why you’re here,” she said, gazing at the sea. “You’re afraid I’ll ruin your company.”
“The notion did enter my mind, but that can wait. Sadie, there’s something I need to tell you.”
“I’d rather not discuss last night. Please, let’s forget it ever happened.”
He gripped her wrist, too tightly for her to slip it free. “I need to tell you about Natalie. Should have done it before we…”
“Another woman. Again.” She squeezed her eyes shut. “A pretty white one, I’m sure.”
“Well, yes. I met her—”
She managed to pull her wrist free and held up her hand. “I don’t want to know any more.”
A winter’s worth of cold seeped from the stone slab into his legs.
“She’s dead. Has been a long time. Until yesterday evening.”
Curiosity flickered across her face. Enough to encourage him to go on.
“When I was sixteen, I roamed the river in my boat. Looking for somewhere to stick my hard cock, I guess.” He swallowed. “Okay, I’ll leave out the details. I got her with child.”
Sadie’s eyes widened. “Is that how she died?”
“Yes, she had a miscarriage.” He dug his fingertips into his palm. “Her family didn’t think I was good enough to marry her. They were right.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.” She picked up one of the jonquils between them and twirled it. “Have there been any women in your life since?”
“Not until you.”
He watched her intelligent eyes, processing what he’d told her. The hurt in them didn’t go away, though.
“I saw her lying there instead of you. Dead. Like a ghost. Th-there was even…blood.”
“You’ve got some imagination, Mr. Rockfield.” She crossed her arms, and the flower dropped to the ground. “Just tell me you’re not interested in me a
s a woman. Don’t insult me by making up some horror story.”
“It’s not a story,” he insisted.
“I’m not stupid. You can’t expect me to believe such a wild explanation.”
“It’s the truth.” He gripped her arms. “Ask my brother. He knows all about it.”
“So you were afraid if you made love to me, the same thing might happen?”
He nodded. “And you mean even more to me than she did.”
She patted the sides of her hips. “I think I can handle childbirth.”
“I’m so relieved you understand.” He interlaced his fingers with hers. “When do you want to try it again?”
She stood and dropped his hand. “I can’t go through that again, seeing disgust on a man’s face when he looks at me.”
“It won’t happen again. I promise to get a better hold on myself next time.”
She eyed him with cool wariness. “I can’t take that chance.”
“How can you even question how desirable you are?” he asked. “On my fishing trip with Caleb, I climaxed inside my trousers from thinking about you.”
Her eyebrows rose. “You did?”
“That’s why I rushed home.”
“Thanks for telling me, but my mind is made up.”
“All right. We don’t have to do…that.” He picked up one of the flowers and held it out to her. “You can still be my girl. As I said, I care about you.”
“I know what this is about.” She plucked a petal off his flower, releasing its sweet scent. “You’re trying to butter me up so I’ll keep running your company.”
“Not at all. I wouldn’t even blame you if you quit.”
Her eyes blazed. “Are you firing me?”
“No!”
“Good. I’ve decided not to destroy your business, but from now on, it’s going to be strictly business between us.”
Sadie might be sassy, but she’d always been honest. He looked at her eyes and the church behind her, and knew she meant every word.
“Absolutely. Thank you.”
She rubbed her arms. “If that’s all, I’m anxious to get home.”
“Did you get home all right…afterward?”
“Actually, I got caught in some line and almost capsized the boat. Leroy needs to fix it.”