“I want to take the skills you taught me, that Grandfather taught me, and use them to create beautiful pieces of jewelry as well as repair watches and sell what others create.
“I used that desire, and the opportunity for such a large important commission that came at the same time as Pearl’s and my marriage, to put off writing to tell you of the great change in my life. I rationalized that I was too busy to write. It was cowardly of me and wrong. It was not how I was raised: to be open and honest in all my dealings. That includes those with family. I am sorry I did not trust that, in your love for me, you would support my choices.”
Pearl squeezed his hand. He looked at her. She smiled and squeezed his hand again. Though they’d never said the words, Will could feel her love for him. He hoped that was what she was trying to convey. At the least, she was showing her support and acceptance of his explanations.
“Will,” his father said, “though I dislike how you handled all of this.” He waved his hands in an encompassing motion. “I’m proud you have owned your errors. Whether the choices you’ve made recently will bring you and Pearl happiness remains to be seen. You’ve made a covenant before God and will need to keep that in mind when things get rough in your marriage. We—“ he indicated Luella and himself, “will support you. You are an adult and have made your choices. Time will tell if they will were the correct ones.”
His father’s face showed acceptance. His mother’s still held disapproval. Will hoped she would come around and give Pearl the support he knew she needed.
~~~~~
Pearl watched her steps as they walked from the trolley stop toward their home. Several concerns warred within her heart. Will had made choices that estranged him from his parents whom he was very close to. He had omitted telling her about the legacy of the shop. He had deeper feelings for her than he’d let on. The burden of all those weighed heavy on her heart.
She glanced at Will. His countenance was somber. She could tell he felt guilty. Maybe he should, since his choices were what had brought them to this point. A verse from Romans came to mind. There is no condemnation in Christ. If there was none in Him, then she should not condemn Will either.
Pearl moved her point of view from herself to him. He loved his parents. He knew their way of thinking. They were very old school. Matthew had been raised on traditions that went back generations. Her child threatened that tradition. She could pray the baby would be a girl, but she figured that had been decided a long time ago, and God probably wouldn’t change that at this late date.
Will’s declaration of his feelings for her had been surprising. She’d known he was attracted to her, liked her, enjoyed her company. Pearl hadn’t realized the depth of his feelings. Though he hadn’t used the word, it had seemed as if he was declaring he loved her.
Pearl mulled over how she felt. Were her feelings as strong for Will as his seemed to be for her? She didn’t think so. Patrick still held a vast portion of her heart. He always would. She still missed him daily. Her grief was constant but wasn’t all consuming as it had been for weeks after he died.
Will took her arm as they stepped off the curb to cross the street. He was occupying more of her heart each day. He treated her so well. Took care to see to her safety and comfort. He had ever since they’d met.
Even before he knew of her condition, Will had always done small things to demonstrate his thoughtfulness. Adding the sewing chair to the work area. Rearranging the space so it wouldn’t be as crowded with the three of them all back there.
Recently he’d had more electric lights installed. Will claimed it was so he could see to work better. Pearl realized most of it illuminated the place where she sat.
They’d agreed before they married that they would live as the Bible instructed a marriage to be. The husband was to love his wife sacrificially, the way Christ loved his bride. Will was doing that. He was doing what he could to lift her up, to help her to bring out the best in herself. To help her feel loved, worthwhile, and respected. By doing so, it made the choice to accept his leadership in their home easy. That was a much higher, harder responsibility than her duty to submit. Will was fulfilling that responsibility.
Was he perfect? She looked down and grinned. No, far from it. His mistakes brought out today proved that. He also tended to leave his dirty socks under the bed, and he’d forgotten to resize her wedding ring. But those were small issues. He was very busy working at the shop and creating the pieces of the commission. The ring was a small thing that could be done once the project was complete.
Will placed his hand on Pearl’s back, guiding her to precede him up the walk to the house. They’d barely spoken to one another as they journeyed home, both lost in their own thoughts. The silence continued as they got ready for bed.
Pearl lay on her back next to Will as the last of the summer evening faded into darkness. She remembered Luella’s face as they said their goodbyes. Pearl wasn’t optimistic that her mother-in-law would welcome her into the family. All she could do was be as cooperative and friendly as she could.
Pearl remembered how both her own mother and Patrick’s had pushed to be a large part of the newlywed’s lives. It had gotten so bad they had moved from Ohio to Missouri. And both of the mothers had approved of their marriage. Will’s mother didn’t. That was obvious.
Pearl decided Will would never hear her complain about how Luella, as Matthew had instructed her to be called, treated her. He felt bad enough about how he’d handled the situation and the hurt he had caused both his parents. Pearl wouldn’t become more of a wedge between mother and son than she already was.
~~~~~
“I never did it that way.”
Pearl fought to keep from rolling her eyes. It had to be about the millionth time she’d heard Luella say that same phrase. And it was only the second Wednesday after the elder Millers had returned from their trip.
Luella had shown up early the first Monday morning shortly after Will left for the shop. She’d claimed to want to spend time with Pearl getting to know her. Instead, it had become a daily few hours of critical statements.
Pearl didn’t use the correct laundry soap. She didn’t fold socks the way Will was used to. Shouldn’t the eggs be kept in a bowl in the icebox rather than a box? Surely that wasn’t enough milk to get them through until the milkman came again in two days. Luella always dusted on Wednesday, not Tuesday. The peaches should be sliced thinner for the pie. That’s not the way I do it.
Pearl learned quickly not to reply or try to defend her method. Her views were neither accepted or appreciated. She simply kept silent and plugged away at her tasks. As soon as possible, Pearl would finish her chores and inform Luella she was needed at the shop. Then, she would escape for a few hours of peace before Will’s mother made her daily trek to check in with her son and daughter at the family business. That Pearl was normally there didn’t impact Luella. She was sweet, kind, and feigned interest in Pearl’s conversation or work.
Pearl never mentioned Will’s mother’s attitude or words to him. She’d made the vow to herself that she would not criticize her mother-in-law. She wondered how long it would take before her frustration with how she was being treated turned to anger and then to an explosion the likes of which St. Joseph had never seen before. Pearl turned her head slightly so Luella couldn’t see her face and grinned wickedly. Not that she wanted that to happen, but the thought of the shock on Luella’s face just might be worth it. Then again, nothing would be gained, and Will would find out and be placed in the middle between his wife and mother.
“Luella,” Pearl said as she untied her apron. “I’m sorry to cut our visit short, but I am delivering the lace wedding gown to the Clary’s this morning. From there I will need to come right back and fix Will’s lunch. He comes home for lunch every Wednesday, you know. I need to change and be on my way. I’m sure you understand.” She glanced at the clock. “Let me see you out. The trolley will be along shortly if you don’t want to walk the entire way home.”
Luella never had chance to say a word as Pearl escorted her to the front door, closing it as soon as the woman stepped past the threshold. Pearl breathed a sigh of relief and went to change. Now, she just hoped Guy Clary wouldn’t be around.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Pearl couldn’t believe her luck. The obnoxious son of the house hadn’t been in evidence either before or after she met with Mrs. Clary and Daisy. Not only was Pearl’s lace over-gown complete, but the designer and creator of the silk wedding gown was there so Daisy could finally wear her wedding gown to see if any final alterations were needed.
Daisy looked lovely and would make a beautiful bride. She was so very excited. It would be one of the highlights of the fall season. September was a superb time for a wedding as the humidity of summer was past and yet the days were warm.
Pearl hung her handbag in the closet, giving it a pat. She would deposit the check Mrs. Clary had given her in the bank when she accompanied Will back to the shop after they ate lunch. She was excited to show him the amount. Mrs. Clary had added an additional amount as a ‘tip’ for a job well done. She had also promised to give Pearl a photograph of Daisy wearing the gown so it could be used as a reference for the ‘absolutely gorgeous’ gown she had made for her beloved daughter.
Pearl was in the kitchen preparing lunch when she heard the front door open. “I’m in here, Will,” she called. “I’m so excited. Mrs. Clary and Daisy loved the dress. She looked so lovely in it.” She turned around to face him and stepped back with a gasp.
Will wasn’t standing in the doorway to the hall. It was Guy Clary. Dressed in an off-white linen suit complete with vest and blue four-in-hand tie, he smiled. “I’m glad to know my mother and sister liked the gown. Now that your business with my family is completed, there can’t be any reason why you can’t move from the protection of the watch repairman to mine. I can certainly set you up in a much better house than this.” He looked around with a sneer.
“How dare you come into my home without knocking. Just who do you think you are?” Pearl was shocked at the rudeness of the man.
“Come on, Mrs. Ward, Pearl. Such a lovely name. A gem of a name and one I’ll be whispering as I make love to you tonight.” He stepped forward, his arms lifting to embrace her.
Pearl stepped back, bumping into the counter. She whirled around, grabbing the knife she’d been using and held it up. “Step back, Mr. Clary.”
Instead of being terrified, she was mad. Furious. He’d not taken her refusals as fact, even after she told him she was remarried. Her frustration at being at the mercy of her mother-in-law’s treatment added to the anger she felt toward Guy Clary.
“I’d step back if I were you, Mr. Clary. I will tell you one more time. I have made it clear on a number of occasions that I am not interested in being anything of yours. I told you I have remarried and am now Mrs. Miller. I want you to leave now and not return or ever come into my presence again. I’ve kept my peace about your behavior since I don’t want to come between mother and son, but I will if you ever approach me for even a hello. Now get out.”
“You heard my wife, Mr. Clary.” Will’s cold steel hard voice had Pearl looking past her tormentor and Guy turning around. Will stood in the doorway looking angrier and more dangerous than she’d ever seen him before.
“I believe my wife,” Will emphasized the word, “asked you to leave. I suggest you do as she requested. At the moment I’m holding my temper in check. If you want to walk away, don’t say anything, as a single word might cause me to lose control and pound you into the floor.”
Guy looked Will up and down. “You can’t blame me for the mistake in not realizing she was married. She wears no ring. A jeweler whose wife doesn’t wear a wedding ring?” He lifted an eyebrow in question.
“Her words should be good enough for you. I heard her say she’s told you before of her marital status. You insult her by your actions and words and also by your considering her a liar. Get out now, before I change my intent to allow you to leave under your own power, beat you senseless for your lack of respect and insults, and toss you out into the street like the garbage you are.” Will stepped forward, lifting his fists.
“My pardon, Mrs. Miller.” The sneer in his words belied their sincerity. Guy tried to brush passed Will who had had enough of the rake’s insinuations toward his wife.
Will grabbed him by his blue tie and hauled his face close. “You better heed my words and change your attitude before I change my mind about allowing you to leave unscathed.” Will kept hold of Guy’s tie and dragged him out the front door. Letting the man go at the edge of the porch, Will lifted his foot and landed a swift kick to the seat of Guy’s pants, sending him sprawling across the lawn. When he rose and faced Will the front of his suit was stained green from the grass.
Will looked down at Guy from the porch. “I wonder how you are going to explain those grass stains to your mother. She’s quite a fan of my wife and her talents. So is your sister. How do you suppose they would react to how you’ve been treating her?”
Guy paled a little, turned on his heel, and stalked away, not looking back.
Will found Pearl still standing in the kitchen. The knife dropped to the floor and Pearl covered her face with shaking hands. Then, she was embraced against Will’s chest.
“Are you all right?” Will pressed her to him, and she wrapped her arms around his waist.
“I’ll be fine in a few minutes. Just let me stay here. Hold me. I’ll quit shaking in a moment, I’m sure.”
Once she’d calmed, Will leaned back so he could see her face. “Why didn’t you tell me he had been bothering you?”
“Mrs. Clary paid me today when I delivered the dress. I thought that was the end of it.”
“He’s been doing this all the while you’ve been going there, hasn’t he?”
Pearl searched Will’s face. She could tell he was angry but couldn’t tell if it was at her or Guy. “Yes, I thought he’d just give up once the gown was done.”
“That sort of man doesn’t give up unless someone lets him know there will be dire consequences to their actions.”
“I figured that out. That’s why I had the knife. Will, I’m sorry. I should have told you. If he comes back I’ll let you know immediately.”
“Be sure you do,” Will said with conviction, then he chuckled and kissed the top of her head. “You certainly were ferocious with that huge knife. I’m sure you could have done quite a bit of damage.”
Pearl looked down at the knife on the floor. The paring knife’s blade was only about three inches long. “Even a knife as small as that could have been deadly with the anger I had toward him at that moment. He’s been a thorn in my side ever since the first day I met him. The stupid man wouldn’t take no for an answer even when I told him I was married.”
Will tipped her chin up with his finger. “Why aren’t you wearing your wedding ring?”
“It’s too large and keeps falling off. I’m afraid I’ll lose it.”
“I failed you, Pearl. I’m sorry. I knew the ring was too large when we married. I promised to correct the size and forgot to do so. I’m sorry. You should have mentioned it.”
“You’ve been so busy with your commission pieces. They are much more important than my wedding ring.”
Will kissed her. “No, sweetheart. You are much more important than the commission. I’ll work on the ring this afternoon. By supper you’ll have the ring on your finger with no fear it will be lost.”
“Will, it’s not important. It can wait.”
“No, you are the most important person in my life and a priority over everything else. I’m resizing your ring today.”
Rather than telling him how much she appreciated his insistence, she pulled his mouth to hers and showed him.
~~~~~
Pearl lay snuggled against Will and held up her left hand. Not only had he resized her wedding ring, but he had given her an engagement ring. Both were yellow gold. The wedding ring
was a plain wide 18 karat band. The engagement ring had a peridot stone surrounded by small pearls. He’d chosen the pale green stone to represent the month when they married. The pearls were an obvious choice.
“I know we didn’t truly have a betrothal, but I want you to have a ring.” He’d placed the rings on her finger, kissed her hand, then her mouth.
Pearl had shown her appreciation in the way most meaningful to men. Now, they lay together in the semi-darkness, a candle burning on the bedside table.
Something fluttered across Pearl’s low abdomen. She stilled, waiting. There it was again.
“Will.”
He gave her forehead a sleepy kiss. “What?”
“I felt it.”
“Felt what?”
“The baby. I just felt it.”
He jerked away, letting her head drop onto the pillow. “You what? Is it okay. Do I need to call a doctor?”
Pearl laughed. “No, silly. It’s just getting big enough to where I can feel it.”
“Can I feel it?”
“You can try but I doubt you will be able to yet. Wait a few weeks and maybe you’ll even be able to see it. I’ll be fatter then.”
He lay down facing her and stroked her hair that streamed over her shoulders. “Not fatter, just more beautiful.”
A yawn stretched Pearl’s jaw. “I’m sorry. I’m just so tired.”
“You should sleep in tomorrow. I can get breakfast for myself.”
“I’ll be fine. It’s just been a long day.” There was no way she was going to be still in bed when Luella came in the morning.
“Do I need to give you an order?” Will used a false authoritative tone.
“No, if I’m too tired I’ll stay home and rest or maybe come home early and take a nap. I don’t want to miss making you breakfast. It’s one of the parts of the day I like best.”
“What, looking at the back of the newspaper I’m reading?”
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