PluckingthePearl

by Afton Locke

  He loved the way her body responded to his seductions and how her petite breasts and ass just filled his hands. But it was more than that, a lot more.

  Let her go. Don’t mess up her life any more than you already have. But something stronger than his conscience surged through him.

  He lifted her arms away and turned around to face her. “Go boating with me this Saturday.”

  “What?” She shook her head. “We can’t. I have chores.”

  “We have to say goodbye, Pearl.” He took her hands in his and squeezed them. “And I’m not ready to do it now. Not in this room at the end of the day when we’re both exhausted. My God, you just now told me the news. I’m still in shock.”

  Her voice was raspy with tears. “I understand, but—”

  “We have so much to talk about, such as how our lives will be after you marry.” He winced. Just saying the words punched him in the stomach all over again.

  “After all, we’re still going to be living on this small island,” he continued. “We’re bound to run into each other from time to time, especially if you and Jimmy continue working here.”

  When she blinked and staggered back a step, it was clear she hadn’t given much thought to these things. Neither had he.

  “Meet me on the unloading dock an hour before sunrise. I don’t relish sneaking around in the darkness but it can’t be helped.”

  “I-I don’t know,” she said. “Won’t being alone out on a boat tempt us?”

  Electricity surged through Caleb’s cock. Oh, he’d be tempted all right, especially in such a romantic setting. He’d never suggested such a foolish undertaking in his life.

  He was a business owner. Until now, he’d only taken calculated risks. She’d changed all that.

  “We’ll fight it,” he said, trying to convince himself as much as her. “Haven’t I always kept my word to you?”

  She nodded.

  His hand shook when he reached out to touch her chin. “Let us have that one day to say goodbye. What’s one day compared to the rest of our lives?”

  “I’ll try,” she said.

  “That’s all I can ask.” Whether she agreed to see him Saturday or not was irrelevant anyway.

  He’d already lost her.

  * * * * *

  On Friday evening, Pearl forced a smile on her face as she helped Wilma and Sadie bring platters of food to the temporary tables set up outside. It had been a hot, sunny day and the summery warmth still lingered, making the jersey fabric of her best blue dress stick to her skin. Fish breaded in cornmeal sizzled on a large grill someone had lent them, filling the air with the mouth-watering scent of seafood.

  She couldn’t stop picturing Caleb bent over the shucking table last night looking defeated and not terribly far from tears. If only they hadn’t developed such strong feelings for each other. He was at the restaurant tonight. They were living their separate lives as they always had.

  While laughing children ran past her, Leroy and Jimmy played ball with some other boys from the neighborhood. They’d been painting the cottage and still had spots of blue on their arms.

  If she’d never met Caleb, she’d probably be happy right now.

  Instead, her stomach ached and her heart hammered so fast she thought she might collapse in front of everyone. Tonight was the night—the night Jimmy would ask her to be his wife.

  To take her mind off it, she helped Sadie slice garden tomatoes at one of the tables.

  “Thank you for your help, cousin.” The girl smiled just as she had for the past two days at work.

  Pearl smiled back. “Your face must be tired.”

  Sadie sighed and set down her knife. “I hate to admit it but you were right about smiling. For some reason, it makes me feel…pretty.”

  “You are pretty when you smile,” Pearl replied. “Aunt Wilma has been in a better mood too.”

  Buck Jackson, one of the young men from the neighborhood came over and snitched a piece of tomato. Pearl suppressed a giggle as she watched Sadie’s frown change to a smile.

  “Can I sit with you, Sadie, when we eat?” he asked.

  She batted her lashes. “I suppose you can, Buck.”

  “He’s handsome,” Pearl said after he left. “Does this mean you’ll stop hating me now?”

  “I guess so,” Sadie replied.

  Then Pearl followed Sadie’s gaze across the yard to where a cluster of girls stood around Jimmy.

  “You’d better leave these tomatoes to me and go claim your man before someone else does.”

  Although Pearl didn’t feel jealous, uneasiness walked down her spine. If she wasn’t careful, her chance at a secure future could disappear right before her eyes. When she walked over, the other girls scattered. Jimmy took her by the hand and walked with her to the creek’s edge. The tide was high, hiding the smelly marsh mud.

  “Couldn’t be a better night for a party,” Jimmy said. “I like these gatherings, don’t you?”

  She nodded even though she’d rather be alone with Caleb tonight.

  He frowned and scratched his head. “Pearl, something’s been on my mind.”

  Her stomach dropped to her feet. Was he going to ask her now, before they even ate? Or was he about to tell her he’d changed his mind?

  “What is it?” she asked quickly.

  Jimmy gazed at a spot across the creek while children laughed in the background. “Well, sometimes I’m not sure how you feel about me.”

  Pearl opened her mouth. She hadn’t expected this last chance to dissuade him or encourage him. Pushing Caleb out of her mind, she looked back at the party. This was her family, her life and her future. She couldn’t have Caleb. There really wasn’t a choice.

  “My feelings confuse even me sometimes,” she said, “but I do know they’ll grow with time.”

  “That’s all I need to hear,” he replied.

  Wilma banged a metal spoon against a pan to announce it was time to eat. Jimmy took Pearl by the hand and led her to her family’s table where he sat beside her. The fish, corn and tomatoes were delicious but Pearl barely tasted any of it.

  When the meal was almost over, Jimmy stood up. “I have an announcement to make.”

  Pearl gripped the edge of the table, her head swimming with nausea. Not now, Jimmy. Not in front of everyone! She watched without breathing as he bent down on one knee and took her hand, which had gone numb.

  “Pearl Wilson, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  Her jaws worked but she’d either lost her voice or forgotten how to talk.

  Wilma glared at her from across the table. “Well?”

  “Yes!” she yelled loud enough for everyone to hear.

  It was a good thing she was sitting or her legs would have given out. The sounds of clapping and whoops of joy surrounded her and echoed across the creek.

  Aunt Wilma raised both arms in the air. “Hallelujah!”

  Uncle Charlie beamed at them. “Congratulations, you two.”

  Even Sadie was smiling.

  “My older brother got grandma’s ring,” Jimmy admitted, “but I plan to buy you a real nice one.”

  It was done, Pearl thought. Now that it was, she almost felt relieved. No more indecision and feeling torn to shreds. She’d made the right choice. From now on, her life would be easy and good.

  So why did she feel so hollow inside? And why did she keep seeing Caleb’s face out on that yacht?

  The boat, she suddenly remembered. He wanted her to go boating with him early tomorrow morning. To say goodbye. She owed him that much, didn’t she? But what would all these people think of her if she snuck off with a white man after getting engaged?

  Engaged. She was engaged to marry Jimmy Clark. None of this could be real. She would wake up and see Caleb’s face…

  The next thing she remembered was lying on her back on the ground. A dozen concerned faces hovered over her.

  “She’s comin’ around. Give her some air,” Wilma grumbled.

  “P
earl, are you all right?” Jimmy asked.

  Pearl sat up, realizing she’d fainted. “I’m so embarrassed. It must be the heat.”

  “You sure gave us a scare,” Jimmy said.

  Wilma clapped. “She’s so happy to be gettin’ married it knocked her over like a feather.”

  Pearl sat at the table, feeling as weak as a kitten. After assuring Jimmy she would be fine without him, he went off to play more ball with Leroy and the other men.

  Wilma glared at her after he’d gone. “You ain’t with child, are you?”

  Blood rushed to Pearl’s cheeks. “Of course not.”

  Thank goodness she and Caleb hadn’t made love. That would have complicated her life beyond belief. She’d saved herself for marriage and could marry Jimmy with a clean conscience.

  “Now we got to make you a dress. We’ll have to find some flowers for the church.” Wilma ticked off her fingers one by one as she made wedding plans. “Sadie, who’s that lady who makes real good cakes?”

  At that moment, Jimmy came back and put a possessive hand on her shoulder as he stood behind her.

  “Am I missing the wedding plans?”

  Pearl held up her hands. Stop! Just make it all stop. “We don’t need a big, fancy wedding. It would cost too much.”

  When Wilma’s face sobered, Pearl realized she’s said the magic words.

  Jimmy sat beside her. “Whatever you want is all right with me, sweetheart.”

  Guilt hovered over her like a rain cloud. Jimmy was such a nice person. He deserved a bride who was excited to marry him.

  The way she would feel if she were about to marry Caleb.

  “Let’s have the ceremony in a week. Two at the most,” Pearl said.

  Jimmy raised his eyebrows. “That’s awfully fast but I’m not complaining.” Then he whispered in her ear, “I’m looking forward to the wedding night.”

  Something painful squeezed Pearl’s belly so hard she nearly fainted again. She’d forgotten about the wedding night. Jimmy would touch her body as Caleb had and he’d go further, making love to her.

  How could she bear having another man touch her?

  “We could have a small ceremony here a week from Saturday,” Wilma suggested.

  “That sounds just fine, Aunt Wilma,” Pearl said.

  Quick, set the date before I change my mind.

  * * * * *

  After wrestling with sleep all night, Pearl awoke in darkness. It was Saturday morning, about an hour and a half before sunrise. In half an hour Caleb would be at Rockfield’s unloading dock waiting for her.

  Dare she show up?

  When she’d gone to sleep last night, exhausted from an evening that had drained every bit of emotion from her soul, she’d decided she wouldn’t. She planned to sleep late. So why was she wide awake and needing to see him more than life itself?

  We’ll just say goodbye, she told herself as she washed up and put on her yellow dress quietly so as not to wake Sadie. She couldn’t move on with her life until she said goodbye to the old one.

  The wrenching sadness filling her chest reminded her of the day she’d left Annapolis after her mother died. Why was her life filled with so many endings?

  She went into the other room and shook Leroy awake.

  “I need you to take me to Oyster Island,” she whispered.

  He yawned and pushed his pillow aside. “What? Why?”

  “I’ll explain later. Come on or I’ll take the boat myself.”

  “No you won’t. I-I’ll meet you outside in a few minutes.”

  Minutes later, he appeared holding a lantern, his plaid cap askew, and she all but dragged him to the tied boat.

  “You’re going to see him, aren’t you?”

  Pearl looked up at the sky that wouldn’t stay dark for long. There wasn’t enough time to invent excuses.

  “I have to say goodbye to him. We’re just going for a boat ride.”

  “You are engaged to marry my friend.”

  “I know that.” She reached for the tree, untying the knot herself.

  Leroy’s face looked cold and disgusted in the lantern light. “Jimmy’s a good man. He deserves better.”

  Pearl bit her lip. “I know.”

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” Leroy said as he grabbed the line from her hands and pushed the boat toward the water, “but I won’t have you goin’ off by yourself and getting drowned.”

  She got into the boat. “Thank you.”

  He started rowing. “When will you be back?”

  She blinked, wondering why she’d never thought to ask Caleb something so important. The shorter their goodbye, the better. Being alone with him would be too tempting to risk for very long.

  “I don’t know,” she finally answered, “but I’ll figure out how to get home myself.”

  “And just what am I supposed to tell the others?”

  So many questions and Pearl didn’t have any answers. She put her hands to her head and shook it.

  “I don’t know. Tell them I’m making secret wedding preparations.”

  Leroy snorted in disgust and rowed harder than he ever had before to fight the waves knocking the small rowboat around. Or maybe he just couldn’t wait to be rid of her.

  “Stormy weather’s coming,” he said. “You be careful on that boat.”

  When he pulled in to the dock behind Rockfield’s, she got out of the boat but didn’t see anyone. Had Caleb changed his mind? The thought sent disappointment and relief flooding through her.

  Within moments, a familiar figure emerged from the darkness.

  “You came.”

  Chapter Ten

  Pearl’s heart pounded in tune to the thumping of Leroy’s oars as he rowed away. In the dim light, she could barely make out the words Rockfield II on the stern of Caleb’s boat. It was a good thing he took her hand and helped her into his boat because she couldn’t seem to move by herself.

  I shouldn’t be here.

  The boat engine started, churning the water and vibrating the wooden seat she sat on near the stern. Caleb manned the wheel behind the windshield and they eased down the tributary, slowly and quietly like thieves in the night.

  Although they had so much to say to each other, neither spoke. All that seemed to matter was getting away from Oyster Island. As she squeezed her hands in her lap, she wondered how their final goodbye would be said. Would there be strength or tears?

  The dim green lights from Rockfield’s slipped farther away until she could no longer see them. When they reached the inlet to the Patuxent River, Caleb opened up the motor, kicking it from a purr to a roar as it ate up the waves. Pearl gripped the side of the boat, shivering from the cool spray kissing her fingers.

  It was too late to turn back now.

  Dawn arrived with a luminous gray glow that made Caleb’s face look as pale as an oyster shell.

  “Where are you taking me?” she finally asked.

  She was afraid the wind from their speed would blow her words away, but he lifted his chin in acknowledgment.

  “Away from everything and everybody,” he called out.

  “We can’t go too far,” she called back. “I told Leroy I’d only be gone for a few hours.”

  He didn’t answer. As they hit deeper water, waves thudded against the hull, reminding Pearl of riding a car over a bumpy road.

  “I hope you’re not prone to seasickness,” Caleb yelled.

  She shook her head. Something had her stomach in knots but it wasn’t the rough sea. It was Caleb. What if he’d planned all along to seduce her out here to convince her to change her mind about marrying Jimmy?

  She shouldn’t have come!

  “You look beautiful,” he said. “I’m glad the color of your dress is cheerful even if this occasion isn’t.”

  A gust of wind blew her hat off. Before she could catch it, it landed in the water, growing farther and farther behind the speeding boat.

  “Caleb, my hat,” she called out. “We have to retrieve i
t.”

  He looked behind him and shook his head. “The water has ruined it by now anyway. I’ll buy you another.”

  When sunlight finally streaked across the sky, Caleb cut the engine and dropped anchor. Pearl gasped as she stood and looked around her. They were so far out Oyster Island was just a speck of green. The rest was all water. They were a long way from their small shucking room.

  The only sounds here were those of water and wind. No oyster shells tossed to the floor. No family squabbling. Just isolation.

  “Is this your boat?” she asked to fill the void.

  He nodded as he hovered near the wheel, rubbing a spot off the windshield. “It’s not the mayor’s yacht but it’ll do.”

  Although she’d expected a man in his position to have something more elaborate, she was glad his choice was practical and unpretentious.

  She ran her hand along the smooth wooden edge of the high white side. Halfway down, the color changed to dark green. Examining it gave her an excuse not to look at Caleb’s pale eyes, which were more brilliant today than the dawn sky. Or to his warm scent, which drifted to her now and then in the fresh sea breeze.

  “Do you fish in it?” she asked.

  “Sure. That’s what workboats like this are made for. It’s called a deadrise.”

  She wrinkled her nose. “Dead?”

  Caleb laughed. “It’s called that because it has a V-shaped hull. In fact, they’re built upside down at first…”

  She nodded with enthusiastic interest.

  He stood beside her and winked as he held out his hands. “Do you really want to talk about my boat all day?”

  “It’s easier than discussing why we’re here.” She slid her hands into his, which were cool and damp from sea spray. “I shouldn’t be here and you know it.”

  He stepped closer. “You owe me a goodbye.”

  The light in his eyes penetrated straight to her soul. She thought of the day she’d met him and all the little things she’d first noticed about him—his waterman’s accent, sun-kissed chest and quiet magnetism.

  “You’re shaking,” he noted. “Are you cold?”

  She let go of his hands to clutch her shawl more tightly around her and shook her head. How had they become such strangers? If they were at Rockfield’s, they’d be sharing their ceremonial oysters and plying each other’s bodies with pleasure right now.