Most Unsuitable Wife

by Clemmons, Caroline

  Drake emerged from the bedroom in time to hear her. "You've never been inside that house?”

  "No.” She felt herself flush once more with embarrassment. How could she explain the situation at Oak Haven to strangers? Better just to avoid it altogether. "Dinner's ready. It's chicken and dumplings with vegetables on the side. If you gentlemen would like to wash up, there's a basin and soap by the pump. You'll find a clean towel on a hook by the door.”

  Pearl was glad she'd given Belle her evening meal earlier. The woman hadn't eaten much, but at least she gained strength and optimism each day. Although Evan needed quiet and lots of rest far away from this place, Belle needed so much more.

  Unused to grown men, apparently very hungry men, sharing their meal, Pearl watched the food quickly disappear. Cooking was one thing she knew she did better than most, at least better than anyone else in Pipers Hollow. Only one biscuit remained and the apple pie vanished before her eyes.

  As she poured another round of coffee for the men, Lex patted his stomach and grinned. "Ma'am, that meal made me happy all over. You're not just a good cook. You're a great cook."

  “Sarah helped.” Pearl felt another blush spread across her face as Drake pushed back from the table. She pressed a hand to her warm cheek. Good heavens, she'd blushed more this evening than in the past year.

  "Thanks for the best meal I've had in a long time.” Drake said and stood. He pushed his chair to the table. "There's something I need to discuss with you, Ma'am. Privately. Mind if we step into another room?"

  She knew her eyes widened. Had Evan already explained her plan? No, surely not. She gestured toward another room. "We can go into the parlor."

  After glancing over her shoulder at the puzzled faces of the three people who remained seated at the table, she led the way. Although she and Sarah kept it spotless, no one had used the room since her grandmother's funeral three weeks ago. This was where Granny used to sit, where Granny received Pastor Upperly and the few neighbors who came to call.

  Pearl hated being in the sitting room with the bitter memories it held. In her mind she still saw the rigid woman reigning from the high backed chair beside the sofa. For the few hours she had left her bed each day, Granny had sat here with a stony glare on her face. If infrequent visitors called, Granny filled their ears with tales of her supposed sacrifices and the heavy burdens she had to bear.

  Sarah's mother, Roxie, had sometimes slipped over to visit Sarah in the early morning hours. Storm's grandfather, Tom Black Bear, occasionally stopped by with fresh game or a story.

  Evan was the only person who called on Pearl--unless someone needed her medical or cooking services. The sheriff preferred to sit at the kitchen table while he sipped coffee, complaining all the while her brew was too weak to deserve the name. The big kitchen eating area was hers, and where she kept her own rocking chair and one each for Sarah and Storm. That's the part of the house she called home, that and her own bedroom.

  Now Pearl sat primly on the red plush sofa, avoiding what she thought of as Granny's chair. She tugged the hem of her dress lower to hide the dust that clung to her bare feet. Then, to still the shaking of her hands, she folded them together in her lap.

  While she searched her mind for a way to explain her plan, Drake launched into his own speech. "I've asked Evan and he, well, he thought it would be all right to speak to you about an idea I had."

  Pearl watched Drake, mesmerized by the man, yet astonished he suddenly seemed so ill at ease. He paced the length of the small room and back. She watched the muscles rippling across his shoulders as he removed his coat and hung it on the back of a chair.

  The fabric of finely woven pants pulled tight across his thighs as he moved, outlining powerful legs. He clasped and unclasped strong hands which, from the looks of them, were no strangers to work. His every move spoke of a forceful man used to being in control.

  She felt the familiar ball of worry tighten and grow in the pit of her stomach. Why would such a man help her and her family? How could she have been so foolish as to hinge her escape on him and his cousin? Only because she sensed time was running out did she even consider allying with him.

  Drake raked a hand through his dark locks. "I don't know how to work up to this so I'll just say it out fast.” As he faced her, he took a deep breath and blurted, "Willyoumarryme?"

  She blinked once, then leaned forward. "What? What did you say?” Did she imagine he voiced those words?

  After another deep breath, he spoke very slowly. "I said, will you marry me?” He held up his hand before she could speak. "You don't know me, but Evan will vouch for me. He and my grandfather have been friends for over forty years. He knew my father as well."

  "You just met me, but you--you want me to marry you? To go to Texas with you?” She chewed on her lip, surprised that his plan coincided so perfectly with her own. No. She looked at the handsome man who stood before her. His idea far surpassed her plan. "What about my family?"

  "Oh.” He must have forgotten about her family. "Well, they'd come too, of course.” He tugged at his ear in thought. "We'd take Evan with us as far as Chattanooga and leave him with his daughter. Then we'd go to Texas.”

  Pacing again, he continued, "I live on a ranch only a few miles from town, but there's a real nice house in Kincaid Springs that belongs to my Grandpa. Our town's bigger than Pipers Hollow, and it's the county seat."

  He stopped in front of her. "Kincaid Springs has shops and ladies' socials and all kinds of things to keep a woman occupied every minute of the day if she's up to it. Your brother and sister could go to school, have friends their own age.”

  Drake recalled the encounter in the sheriff's office early that morning and surged ahead. "We have three churches and none of the pastors are anything like the one here. My grandfather, Robert Kincaid is his name, is the District Judge. My Aunt Lily Stephens, Grandpa's widowed daughter, lives with him."

  "Why me? You don't even know me."

  He shifted his feet and took another deep breath. "I hate lies of any kind and intend to start off being honest, but you might not like this part. I'll make it as brief as possible.”

  Drake pulled Granny's chair around to face her, but sat on the edge as if ready to jump up if his answer angered her.

  As he leaned forward she caught his scent. She inhaled the blend of soap, sweat, horse, and something uniquely his. With a force of mind she kept herself from leaning closer to imprint his fragrance on her mind.

  "According to my father's will, I have to be married by the tenth of April or I lose my ranch.” He spread his hands wide. "Everything I have. Every single thing.”

  When she made no move, nor spoke, he eased his hips back in the chair a little but still leaned forward, hands on his knees. "Now, it appears to me you and your family very much need to get away from this place. If you and I get married, we both gain something we need."

  Her heart stopped beating. Of course, he didn't want her. He just needed a woman, any woman, to be his wife. No man like him would actually want a gangling giant of a woman to be his bride. Her pride wanted to scream for him to leave, to get out of her house and out of her sight. How she would love to throw something, to wallop that gorgeous head of his.

  But she thought of all the marriage would mean, not just to her, but to her brother and sister. They would be part of a respected family, have decent clothes, attend school, have a chance at all she'd missed. They'd be safe.

  She refused to think about the other part, about being a wife to the princely man who sat before her.

  Common sense told her his offer was no more insulting to her than the one she devised. She needed what he offered, and she needed it well before the tenth of next month. Taking a deep breath, she willed herself calm.

  "You're sure I can take my family. All my family?"

  His eyes widened and he looked back through the open doorway to the kitchen. "How many people are we talking about?"

  She also hated lies, but she refused to aband
on her helpless new friend. "You've met my brother and sister. Well, there's also my, um, our cousin, Belle Renfro. You haven't met her because she's recovering from, um, from an accident. Yes, that's it. You see, she, um, she fell. Down some stairs in town, and hurt herself real bad. Yes, real bad."

  What if he thought Belle would slow them down? She hastened to explain. "Oh, but she's lots better now, getting better every day. She won't be a bother at all on the trip." There, she'd said the lies and half-truths, though she couldn't meet his gaze as she did so.

  "That's all? Four of you? You, your brother, sister, and this cousin?” He ticked them off on his fingers as he named them.

  "Yes. Four of us.” She sighed with relief. He didn't seem to mind her family. She smiled. No, he didn't even hesitate. Now his fingers drummed on his thigh, so she plunged ahead.

  "We don't have many clothes, but there's my good feather bed, and our rocking chairs, my books, my herbs for doctoring, maybe a few other things. One wagon would do for all of us."

  "All right. You, three family members, plus personal belongings and some pieces of furniture.” He looked around, and she knew he liked nothing he saw there.

  He frowned as his gaze roved across shabby furniture of a style too ornate for its setting. She slid her skirt aside to cover a worn spot on the red plush sofa. At least the dark wood of each piece gleamed with polish. He might fault Granny's taste, but not Sarah's and her housekeeping.

  She hurried to reassure him. "None of the furniture in this room has sentimental value. We'd only want a few pieces from the kitchen and bedrooms."

  With a nod, he said, "Fair enough.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief he seemed willing to accept her family in the package. "When would we marry?"

  He exhaled as if he, too, had been holding his breath. "Now, or in the morning on our way out of town. Then, I'll need to wire my grandfather the news right away. Guess there's a telegraph office in town?"

  Panic swept over her. She shook her head in disagreement. "No, no. That wouldn't work. We have to be miles from here before anyone in town knows we're leaving.” Remembering Evan's warning, she took a deep breath and softened her voice to explain.

  "What I mean is, if anyone here knew how ill Evan really is or that the children and I are leaving, they'd appoint a new sheriff. Then they'd force Sarah and Storm to live with that awful Billy Joe Higgins and his wife. Please, don't let that happen."

  The frown still creased his brow. "But you do agree you'll marry me and move to Texas right away?"

  She knew he thought her request strange. Probably he still had no idea how important it was they escape the county before the pastor or his cohorts found out. Pearl stood and ran her hands down her dress.

  "Yes, I agree, but until we're safely away from Pipers Hollow, it has to be just between the people in this house. Well, except for Sarah's mother and Storm's grandfather.” She offered her hand. "Shall we shake on it to seal the bargain before we go back into the kitchen and tell our news?"

  He took the hand she presented him and his touch sent tingles racing through her body. After a brief shake, he laced his long fingers with hers as they walked back into the common room. Together they faced Lex, Sarah, and Storm, each of whom looked puzzled.

  Drake still held her hand as he pulled her close beside him. His other hand circled her waist, enclosing her in the protection of his arms. Suddenly, she felt relief, more protected than since the death of her mother over eleven years ago. It felt right, somehow, standing next to this man with her hand in his. The protective shell she erected around her heart cracked just a little. A small ray of hope seeped into her soul.

  Lex stood when she entered the room. Such a small sign of honor made her hopeful. Already these men treated her with more consideration and respect than she had ever been shown by people in Pipers Hollow. With a sidelong glance at Lex, Storm also stood, though he raised an eyebrow and shrugged.

  "We have an announcement.” Drake paused and cleared his throat before he continued, "Pearl has consented to be my wife."

  She watched Lex's mouth drop open and his eyes widen in surprise. Storm and Sarah waited quietly, thoughtful as always though they, too, widened their eyes in wonder. They had questioned her decision to leave with these men. That she planned now to wed Drake must have confused them. She faced her brother and sister.

  "Drake has asked me to marry him and invited all of us to move to Texas with him."

  Sarah forgot her timidity in astonishment and concern. "But what about Belle?"

  "Cousin Belle is included in his invitation. After we take Evan to live with Mary Alice, we'll all live in Kincaid Springs. It will be a fresh start . . . for all four of us.” She looked from Sarah to Storm for an answer, knowing her mind already made up and assured of their consent.

  From the door to Sarah's and her bedroom, Belle struggled to support her battered body against the frame. "Hallelujah, Cousin Pearl! Take this good man up on his offer before he changes his mind."

  Belle's suggestion broke the tension, and they all laughed. Sarah rushed to help Belle back to bed. After a preliminary discussion, Drake took charge. His quick mind and no-nonsense questions and comments reassured Pearl she had made the right decision.

  When it looked as if their arrangements were planned out, Pearl took paper and her ink well from the drop front desk. "Will you two, along with Evan, witness the transfer of this house and our little plot of land to Storm's grandfather?"

  Before he spoke, Lex shifted his weight and looked at his cousin. When Drake nodded, Lex volunteered. "Ma'am, I practice law in Texas. I could write that up for you so there's no loop holes."

  "If you will...please." Pearl relinquished the duty. "It will relieve my mind to know it's all legal-like. Tom Black Bear is a good man who has helped us a lot over the years.”

  She paused to think her words out carefully, then gestured to herself and her two siblings. "We want Tom to have the house, land, and all the animals. Because he's Cherokee, we've worried about his being allowed to do so.”

  In fact, she feared someone might even loot and burn the house once they were gone. Now she could give one copy of the papers to Tom, then get other copies to the mayor and town council. She hated to think of the solid house her great-grandfather built sitting unused or in ruin.

  * * *

  The two men left the Parker home at dark, headed for the sheriff's house. They passed no one on their way. Once their horses were cared for and the men were inside the Cummins house, Lex vented his anger.

  He threw his bags on the kitchen floor and faced his cousin, arms crossed. "Are you serious about this marriage proposal?"

  Drake dropped his saddlebags on the floor beside those of his cousin. "I'm dead serious."

  "That woman will not fit in with Grandpa's life. He'll be mad as hell if you bring her and those other three into his house. Lord, I shudder to think what Aunt Lily will say."

  "That's the idea.” Drake smiled at the picture in his mind. "Besides, you saw her bravery when she faced those men in town. And think about how sturdy she looks. She'll breed big, healthy sons. She's cared for those two kids and that so-called cousin. Must be the nurturing sort who'll make a good mother."

  "Brave, sturdy, nurturing--oh, and a hell of a cook. Those are good qualities, I admit, but think about this. Dammit, the woman goes barefoot and wears a ragged tent. Who knows when she bathes? Are you ready to consummate a marriage with her?"

  Only the thought of his grandfather's reaction to the woman and her family fueled his enthusiasm. "Well, the house looked well kept, and she and the youngsters seemed tidy enough. She must put some value on cleanliness.” He shrugged. "Besides, I can concentrate on her eyes. She has real nice eyes.”

  He recalled her long delicate fingers, the efficiently trimmed nails. The grip of her hand when they sealed their bargain was strong. For a moment he had forgotten to be angry, forgotten how much he hated the idea of a wife.

  Unbidden, the memory
of her fragrance leapt to his mind. The faint lilac scent lingering around her had tantalized him. He had wanted to touch her hair and cheek, lean close to take in her fragrance. Lilacs, fitting for a woman with her eyes. Thank God he restrained himself. The oddities of this place must have affected his mind.

  Tension in Lex's voice snapped him from his reverie.

  "And what is she supposed to concentrate on?” Easy going Lex seldom showed anger, but looked fit to spit nails tonight. "In spite of your talk about breeding with her, she's a woman, not a brood mare. She may not have been to finishing school back east like the women in our family, but she has feelings, damn it. Have you thought about what she wants out of this?"

  Yes, he had wondered. He and Evan discussed it. "Away. Hell, she just wants away from this rotten place.” He took a deep breath and reigned in his temper. Quietly, he soothed his cousin. "You've seen this sorry excuse for a town, seen how she's treated here. Can you blame her?"

  Chapter Five

  With Evan still in her room, Pearl made a bed for herself on a pallet of quilts near the kitchen fire. Storm and Sarah were already washed and in bed and both her patients asleep before she allowed herself time to relax.

  Lost in thought, she unbound her hair and brushed it until it shone. How wonderful it would feel to comb it into a pretty fashion without having to worry about attracting unwanted attention.

  She filled a basin with the water she'd left warming on the big range. Using the kitchen table as her base, she set the bowl down and reached for the soaps she made. She might look like a ragamuffin, but she insisted on cleanliness and smelling nice.

  She paused at the row of jars on a shelf, pleased she'd cooked off a nice selection of the special floral soaps she allowed as her only self-indulgence. Which one should she use tonight? Would it be rose, lavender, or lilac? The lilac again, she decided, and extracted a small ball of soap from a jar.