PluckingthePearl

by Afton Locke

  So was she but she kicked the thought out of her mind. His brother mustn’t suspect the wildness in her.

  When Henry knocked on the door, Pearl answered it. She realized she’d seen him around the plant before, thinking he was just one of the watermen. Wearing a worn canvas jacket and khaki trousers, he looked as if he’d just stepped off a boat.

  “Good evening, Mr. Rockfield,” she said.

  “Call me Henry,” he replied.

  Caleb hugged him and looked him over. “I see I wore a tie for nothing.”

  Henry punched him in the arm. “You know I hate to dress up.”

  When Caleb formally introduced Pearl, his brother took her hand and smiled at her with warm, dark blue eyes that crinkled at the corners. He had brown, unruly hair—lighter than Caleb’s—and his face was less serious.

  “I’ve heard so much about you,” he said.

  She looked at Caleb with alarm but he winked at her. When the men sat down to eat, she remained standing, unsure if she should act like a housekeeper or Caleb’s wife. Although she’d used a recipe to make the oyster stew, mixed relationships had no rulebooks whatsoever.

  “Sit and join us,” Caleb told her.

  “This is the best oyster stew I’ve ever tasted,” Henry declared. “It’s even better than what they serve at the Sapphire Crab.”

  Caleb nodded. “I never get tired of eating Rockfield oysters.”

  “But you’ve barely touched it,” Pearl pointed out. “In fact, you haven’t been eating well at all lately.”

  “I’ve just been a little under the weather.”

  Although Pearl suspected there was more to it than that, now was not the time to pursue the issue. They laughed through the rest of dinner, entertained by Henry’s boating stories. Pearl couldn’t help smiling as she looked at the two of them, so different and yet so similar.

  “Do you remember the time Daddy got lost at sea during that storm?” Henry asked.

  Caleb’s eyes got a faraway look as he nodded. “We thought he’d never make it home.”

  From then on, they talked about their father and how he’d built the oyster plant. Pearl listened with rapt attention, wanting to know everything she could about her man. Clearly, their father was an idol to both of them. If only she could have met him too.

  When they’d finished eating, Caleb suggested she play the piano. “Play us some of those songs you’ve been learning from the radio.”

  She waved. “Oh, I’m sure Henry doesn’t want to hear that.”

  “You play the piano?” he asked with surprise. “I’d love to hear it.”

  Henry stood to her left and Caleb sat with her on the bench in front of the piano. Although being nervous affected her playing at first, the music soon took over. Her hands flew across the keys with a will of their own. When both men joined in the singing while a cozy fire burned in the hearth, family warmth wrapped itself around her as it had at the Johnson cottage.

  “Someone can’t carry a tune,” Caleb teased.

  Henry chuckled. “I’m a sailor, not a singer.”

  Pearl laughed too, thankful Henry was a much nicer guest than Elizabeth Abbott.

  Caleb scratched his chin. “It’s a shame to keep all that talent hidden inside these walls.”

  “My church already has an organist,” she replied quickly. There certainly wasn’t anywhere else her playing would be welcome.

  As if realizing the same thing, he cleared his throat and the three of them fell into an awkward silence.

  Henry bent down and pointed at her left hand. “Say, that’s a beautiful ring. Did you get that for her, Caleb?”

  Caleb nodded. “You have no idea what we had to go through to get it.”

  A worried look crossed Henry’s face.

  “How about some coffee?” Caleb asked.

  “I’d like to get better acquainted with Pearl, if you don’t mind,” Henry said seriously.

  The warmth surrounding Pearl dissipated, leaving something cold and uncertain in its place. Caleb’s face looked more serious as well.

  “You two can have coffee in the dining room,” he told his brother. “I’ll take a cup into my study.”

  When Pearl sat down with Henry in the dining room, she wished the evening were over. The room seemed eerily quiet after the boisterous piano playing. Why did he want a private conversation with her? It couldn’t be good.

  While Henry stirred cream and sugar into his coffee, Pearl sipped hers.

  “You and Caleb seem very happy together,” he said.

  “We are,” she replied. “Caleb is a wonderful man.”

  “He is, indeed.” He took a gulp of coffee and winced when it burned him. The man must be just as nervous as she was.

  “Henry, is there something on your mind?” she asked gently.

  “You’re a big improvement over his past wife, that’s for sure. That woman was stiffer than cardboard.”

  Remembering the day she’d found Caleb’s wedding photograph, Pearl couldn’t help smiling at the compliment.

  “Caleb needed a woman too. The man lived like a monk for years.” The tips of his ears turned red as he toyed with his spoon.

  Pearl sipped her coffee as she waited for him to get to the point. She couldn’t wait for Henry to leave so she could be alone with Caleb again. Maybe family togetherness was not as wonderful as she’d first thought.

  “You’re beautiful, charming and smart and you can really play that piano.”

  “But I’m the wrong color?” she asked. “Isn’t that what you’re trying to say?”

  Henry’s hand went limp and his spoon fell on the floor. “You’re a fine woman. It’s just that your relationship is…well…causing trouble for Caleb.”

  Pearl sat ramrod straight as if he’d pressed the point of a knife to the small of her back. “What kind of trouble?”

  He picked up his spoon and fiddled with it again. “Well, as you may know, there’s been a lot of change in this town lately.”

  “The Klan?” she asked.

  Henry nodded. “Caleb is really torn between you and the way things are heading. Our daddy worked really hard to build Rockfield’s. I’d hate to see anything happen to it.”

  Headlight glare from a passing car swept across the room.

  “Why would anything happen to it?” she asked. “To the rest of the world, I’m just Caleb’s housekeeper.”

  He sighed and rubbed his chin. “It’s just real hard on him is all. The initiation ceremony is tomorrow night.”

  Pearl frowned as something cold and sharp sliced through her gut. “What initiation?”

  But she knew. Oh God. She knew.

  Caleb hadn’t lied when he’d told her he wasn’t a member of the Klan but apparently he soon would be.

  “The mayor is pressuring us to join the Klan,” Henry replied. “If Caleb doesn’t do it, he’ll probably lose Daddy’s company.”

  She put her hand to her numb lips. “I had no idea.”

  “Rockfield’s is his life. Losing it would surely kill him,” he declared. “I don’t want to see that happen.”

  Pearl blinked as she pushed away her coffee. She longed to shoo Henry out of the house so she and Caleb could enjoy their peaceful sanctuary but that was gone now. The man sitting across from her had just destroyed it.

  “I know a lot of folks up the coast,” he continued in his warm, melodic voice. “I could get you a nice job just as good as this one.”

  The table spun as Pearl put her hands to her ears. Anything to make those horrible words go away. Leave Caleb, the man she loved with all her heart? She’d rather cut off her own foot.

  “Housekeeper, nanny—whatever you prefer,” Henry mumbled on.

  She glared at him, wishing she could detest him, but he looked just as miserable as she felt. Sweat coated his face and the coffee spoon was bent out of shape from his nervous hands. He’d clearly done this for love of his brother and had nothing against her personally.

  He fished a card ou
t of his shirt pocket and handed it to her. “Think about it and contact me. If you really love Caleb, I know you’d want what’s best for him.”

  Her hands shook so hard she could hardly take the card.

  “And please don’t tell him we had this conversation.” He stood. “Thank you for the delicious dinner. I-I’d better be getting home now.”

  She nodded, unable to answer. Caleb met them in the parlor. The jovial look on his face vanished when he saw theirs.

  “Is everything all right?” he asked.

  Henry nodded. “Thank you both for a wonderful evening. I really enjoyed it.”

  After he left, Pearl hurried toward the kitchen to clean up dinner but Caleb caught her by the arm and looked at her with a stony expression.

  “What did he say to you?”

  “Nothing.” She tugged her arm, trying to get free.

  Caleb pulled her hard against him. “Don’t lie to me. You’re upset and it’s written all over your face. I never should have invited him here.”

  She was inclined to agree but part of her was glad she now knew the entire, ugly truth. It all made sense now—Caleb’s worry and strange bouts of nausea. This time, she managed to pull free but ran upstairs to the guest room instead of the kitchen.

  She needed to be alone to sort this out but Caleb was close on her heels.

  “I need to be alone, Caleb,” she told him. “I don’t feel well.”

  She shut and locked the door, leaning against it and sliding to the floor. Then she flung herself on the narrow bed and cried, ignoring Caleb’s knocks.

  Why hadn’t Caleb told her about the Klan initiation? Was he really planning to join? Or did he plan to refuse, risking his company as Henry feared?

  She beat her fists into the soft pillow, wondering who she was really angry at—Henry or Caleb?

  Herself, she realized. She’d been selfish, too busy fretting over her moments of humiliation and wounded pride to realize how torn Caleb must be inside. Just by being in his life, she was hurting him.

  If you really love Caleb, I know you’d want what’s best for him.

  Henry’s words twisted her insides as more tears leaked onto the pillow. Racking sobs shook her entire body, reminding her of when her mama had died. It wouldn’t hurt nearly as much if Caleb left her. Instead, the responsibility was in her hands.

  Caleb pounded harder on the door. “Open this door, Pearl, or I swear I’ll break it down.”

  When she got up and opened it, he pulled her into his arms. “What’s wrong? You have to tell me what Henry said to you.”

  She wiped her tears on her sleeve. “He didn’t say anything. I swear.”

  His eyes flashed blue fire as he searched her face. “If you won’t tell me, then I’ll find out from him.”

  When he raced down the stairs, she followed. “Caleb, wait. Stay home.”

  But the front door slammed harder than it ever had. She sank to one of the steps and gripped the railing spindles with both hands. Now she’d come between Caleb and his brother. Why did her love have to hurt him so much?

  * * * * *

  Caleb ran out of his house without a coat or hat but barely felt the cold rain. He headed toward Henry’s small cottage and opened the front door without knocking. As usual, an entire wall of hooks was crowded with outdoor clothing and waterman’s gear, filling the place with the smell of the sea.

  His brother was sitting on the sofa, repairing a crab net.

  “What the hell did you say to her?” Caleb demanded.

  “Nothing.” Henry shrugged. “Did Pearl say I said something?”

  Caleb went to the couch and hauled his brother up by the armpits. “No, she’s not saying anything. She’s crying her guts out.”

  Henry dropped the net and held up a shaky hand. “Now just calm down. I was only trying to do what was best for you.”

  Caleb dragged Henry toward the wall and held him there, realizing he’d never treated his brother this roughly before. What was happening to this town? To him?

  “What did you say to her?” Caleb ground out each word slowly.

  “I-I just pointed out how hard it is on you being torn in two directions.” Henry’s voice quivered as he spoke. “Especially with the ceremony coming up.”

  “So you told her about the initiation?”

  “Damn. I guess it just slipped out.”

  Caleb dug his fingers into Henry’s shoulders. “What else just slipped out?”

  “Nothing.” When Caleb shook him, he spoke again. “I just offered to find her another job somewhere else.”

  “You what?” Rage stronger than any he’d felt before gushed through Caleb’s veins. This wasn’t an enemy like the mayor. His own brother was working against him.

  He struck Henry across the face. “You had no right!”

  Henry lunged at him and drove a fist into his stomach. Within moments, they were rolling on the floor, knocking down fishing poles and a pair of oyster tongs, hitting each other until they finally stopped from exhaustion.

  “Don’t you see? She’s come between us,” Henry said, gasping as he got off the floor. “You have to give her up, Caleb.”

  “She didn’t come between us. You did.” Caleb stood too and rubbed his sore knuckles. “Damn it, Henry. I thought you were on my side.”

  His brother rubbed the top of his head and winced. “You’ve known me for years and know I’ll do anything to avoid a fight.”

  Caleb nodded. “So why are you acting this way? We need to face the Klan united, not divided.”

  “Because I can’t stand by and watch you throw away Rockfield’s.”

  “Is that because you want it for yourself?” Caleb asked.

  Henry frowned. “No, I’d rather be in a boat but losing the plant would destroy you.”

  “It would,” Caleb admitted, “but don’t you understand? Pearl is part of my life now. Losing her would destroy me too.”

  Henry studied him for several long moments with serious eyes. “I see that now. Caleb, I’m really sorry I upset you and Pearl. Apologize for me, will you?”

  “Thank you. I will.”

  “From now on, I’m on your side,” Henry vowed.

  When he held his hand out, Caleb didn’t hesitate to shake it and pull his brother into a hug. The sound of wet tires from a passing car finally penetrated the silence.

  “Have you decided what you’ll do about the initiation?” Henry asked.

  Caleb shook his head. “Not yet.”

  As he walked outside into the rain, he cursed the Klan under his breath. If only it had never come to Oyster Island. But it had and it would soon be time to choose sides.

  He hadn’t realized until he’d said it aloud to Henry that Pearl was just as important to him now as Rockfield’s. Before he’d met her, the oyster plant was his entire life. Then she’d shown him love and a whole new, exciting world, one he couldn’t give up. And yet without Rockfield’s, he’d have nothing and be nothing. He wouldn’t even have the nice house he and Pearl lived in.

  He was soaked. Every muscle in his body ached from his scuffle with Henry but nothing matched the pain in his insides from the decision that faced him—his company or his woman.

  Why did he have to choose between the two?

  Chapter Twenty

  Pearl sat in Caleb’s parlor, wringing her hands. It seemed the closer she got to Caleb, the more his life fell apart. With the Klan in town, it would only get worse.

  The Klan… Her mother had told her horror stories of things she’d witnessed as a child—fires, beatings and even a murder. How could she love him if he became one of them?

  Seeing him in a white robe with a torch in his hand would shatter her heart like a crushed oyster shell. Just the image of it made her shudder. And how could he love her? They would be enemies by definition and grow to despise each other.

  Unless their love was strong enough to withstand it.

  She sat nursing her worries until Caleb finally staggered into the front
door with blood trickling from his lower lip.

  She rushed to his side. “What happened to you?”

  “Henry and I got into a fight.”

  “Because of me.” She touched his chin near the wound. “This is all my fault.”

  He caught her hand. “No, it isn’t. Henry and I discussed this and he finally understands how important you are to me. He apologizes for upsetting you.”

  She hadn’t expected that but Henry did seem to be a kind, decent man like his brother.

  “Come upstairs and let me tend to you,” she said.

  In his bedroom, he winced several times from pain when she helped him undress down to his underwear. While he sat on the side of his bed, she brought a bowl of warm water and wash towels from the bathroom. She stood in front of him, dabbing his skinned knuckles.

  “Your life would be so much easier if I weren’t in it,” she said.

  Caleb lurched, almost upsetting the bowl of water she held. “My life would be boring without you in it.”

  “Is boring so bad?”

  He frowned. “What’s happened to you, Pearl? You’ve never talked like this before.”

  She shrugged as she dabbed at his bottom lip with a wet towel. “Henry made me think. That’s all.”

  “Well, don’t listen to him. I’ve a mind to go beat him up again.”

  “Don’t,” she said as she put the bowl and towels on the nightstand. “There’s been too much trouble already.”

  Caleb reached for her. “My wounds won’t heal properly unless you kiss me.”

  She pressed a delicate kiss to his mouth, careful not to disturb the wound yet needing him more than she ever had. Her mouth brushed over his moustache and moved to his cheek. Inhaling his breezy scent and feeling the familiar texture of his skin burned the backs of her eyes with more tears. Would they ever end? She believed she’d cried more tonight than she had in her entire life.

  He pulled back and looked at her. “Are you all right?”

  She looked at him too, picturing him as if he’d already joined that brotherhood of hate.

  “Why are you staring at me like that?” he asked.

  They’d both been through enough for one evening. “You’re tired. We’ll talk tomorrow.”