Most Unsuitable Wife

by Clemmons, Caroline

  "Here, hold this steady while I climb up to that grill thing."

  "Who's gonna hold it fer me?"

  "You won't need it, Burris. For once will you just do what I tell you without making a fuss?"

  Burris held the rim of the barrel and Willard stood on the top. He pried the grill loose and turned it so it slid inside the attic space. It took three tries to make it into the attic. He just wasn't strong like he used to be.

  When he was in the attic, he leaned down. "Now hand me up that there lantern.”

  Burris stretched up and Willard hooked a finger through the lantern handle. After he shoved the grill back in place, he inched his way to the trap door and lifted it. It was pitch black in the room below, but he knew this room had no windows. He lit the lantern and set it on the top of a pantry shelf before he dropped into the small room.

  He wanted no mistakes this time. He stood a moment to get his bearings and lowered the lamp. Quick as he could, he slid out the door into the kitchen and over to the back door. The new lock opened on the inside. He slid the bolt and opened the door a slit.

  Burris crouched by the barrel.

  "Get in here, fast."

  "I though sure you was stuck or somethin'. Now what we gonna do? Hey, can we have somethin' to eat?"

  "No we can't have nothin' to eat. Are you crazy? Remember what happened last time?"

  Burris rubbed his stomach. "I'm awful hungry. We ain't had a good meal in days."

  "We'll have plenty to eat soon if we do this right. If we don't, we won't need food where we'll be.” He locked the door behind his brother. Now get on into that small room there. We got to get outa sight 'fore daylight."

  Burris hobbled into the pantry and Willard closed the door behind them. He hoped no one was around to see the short flash of light when he opened the door. He and Burris had to have a light to get up into the attic.

  "Reckon they's any pies around? Pearl sure makes good pies."

  "I reckon there might be, but we can't go looking for 'em. That big man will be here soon and we can't be down here when he comes."

  Burris opened the door to a cupboard. "Well, lookee here in this tin cover. Here's two pies right here.” Burris poked one. "Apple. With cinnamon.”

  "Don't get crumbs all over. Gimme that pie and I'll set it in the attic. We can eat it later.” Willard took the pie from Burris and set it on the top shelf beside the lantern. "Come here and climb up now. I'll foller you."

  Burris looked over the shelves. "They might be some meat and bread here someplace.” He found a loaf of bread and thrust it at Willard. "We're gonna git hungry, smelling cookin' smells all day. You'll be glad I thought of this.”

  Willard considered his brother's words. Much as he hated to admit it, Burris might be right. He searched the shelves nearby and found fresh apples, crackers, and a jar of jam. "We can't take much or they'll notice, but I'll set this up here, too. Now, git up there."

  When Burris had climbed into the loft, Willard straightened up all the containers overturned by Burris' feet. He climbed into the attic and leaned down to retrieve the lantern and food. That done, he slid the trap door back, but off place enough for a tiny peephole crack to the room below.

  He and Burris put the food between them. They each had a canteen in preparation for the hot day to come. He didn't tell Burris, but he'd brought an empty can, too. He knew his brother couldn't go all day without some kind of chamber pot.

  He heard the front door open and the sound of footsteps coming their way. Lordy, they made it just in time. "Don't make even one sound," he warned his brother.

  What seemed like days later they heard the big man call goodbye to Pearl. That lady was leaving too. Now was their chance.

  Willard removed the trap door and lowered himself into the pantry. Burris followed him. Quiet as mice, they opened the door. No one was in the kitchen so they tiptoed toward the dining room. Willard drew his gun and paused at the swinging door into the eating area. Behind him, Burris drew his gun too.

  He heard Pearl say, "I'm finished here for today. We can leave as soon as I put away these accounts."

  "I'll put them away for your, Sister."

  So Sarah was in there with her and that guard fellow too. Willard broke out in a sweat and his knees got trembly. This was the hardest part.

  That man in there knew how to use his gun.

  Bad as he wanted to turn and run the other way, Willard pushed open the door and said, "Hold it right there and drop your gun."

  The tall man with the fringed buckskin clothes looked like he might shoot his rifle, but Burris pointed his gun at Pearl.

  "If you don't want Pearl shot, you better drop the rifle."

  Pearl put her hands on her hips and glared at them. "Willard and Burris Ainsworth! What in the name of heaven are you doing here?” She looked mad enough to choke them. He wondered if she still carried that big old pistol in her pocket.

  Burris spoke up. "We got to rob you Pearl, and take you and Sarah with us.”

  Pearl just rolled her eyes at the threat. "It's okay, Beau. I don't think they even know how to use those guns.”

  The man lowered his rifle to the table nearby, but he never took his eyes off Willard. Sweat trickled down Willard's spine and beaded across his forehead. His stomach clinched into a lead ball. Lordy, this wasn't going like he planned at all.

  Pearl's sister stood quietly, her eyes wide in surprise, but Pearl shook her finger at him.

  "You'll do no such thing. We worked hard for this money. And if you think we'd go anywhere with the two of you, you're very mistaken."

  "You got to Pearl.” Willard explained, "We're goin' to Oregon, and we need money for a grub stake and we need you to cook for us."

  The tall man Pearl called Beau looked at Willard and then at his brother. "You two plumb loco? Drake Kincaid would hunt you down and make you wish you was dead."

  No sooner had the tall man spoken than the café door opened. Drake Kincaid strode in and stopped. "You two? What the hell do you think you're doing?"

  In a flash, that Beau had his rifle pointed at Willard's stomach and Pearl's husband had a handgun aimed at Burris.

  "You'd better drop those guns or you're both dead men."

  No use denying it, they were in big trouble now. Big trouble. He could almost feel the noose tightening around his neck. Now he'd gotten his baby brother in the same fix. He heard Burris' gun drop. With a terrible sense of dread, he dropped his gun onto the nearest table.

  "We weren't gonna hurt Pearl or Sarah. We was protectin' 'em."

  Pearl's husband stepped over and took the two hand guns. "Are you the two who caused the fire here?"

  He should have figured they'd guess about that. "It were a accident. We didn't mean no harm."

  Burris added, "We was awful hungry. Pearl's such a good cook an' all we was loadin' up some supplies. I backed into the stove and burned myself. It made me jump something fierce and I knocked over the lantern."

  The explanation did nothing to soothe the two men they faced nor to ease Pearl's angry glare.

  "You boys are going to the hoosegow.” Drake stepped to the door and called to the other man. "Look what we've got here, Jeff. Let's take them to the sheriff.”

  Burris peered over his shoulder before he went out the door. "Pearl, do you do the cookin' for the jail?”

  ***

  Pearl grabbed Sarah's hand and joined those escorting the Ainsworths to justice. As they walked the short distance to Ben Liles office, conflicting emotions whirled in Pearl's mind. She hoped this meant an end to the waiting and watching, the guards, and being constantly on alert. Anger at the two dim-witted men warred with relief they had been caught.

  She gave little thought to the Mexican stone masons working on the exterior of Lex's office next door to her restaurant. Something fought for her mind's attention, but she dismissed it in her hurry to keep up with the procession. She'd deal with it later.

  Townspeople watched the parade go by--four gua
rds, four Kincaids, and two rag tag men in handcuffs. Some folks attempted to follow behind Zed and Abe, but were told to go about their business and let the law take its course. Ben Liles was making rounds and crossed the street to meet them at his office.

  "Zed, would you let Grandpa know what's going on and then join us at the sheriff's office?” Drake asked as he shepherded his family into the small building which served as jail and law enforcement headquarters for Kincaid County.

  When they were all inside and Drake's explanation made, the sheriff levelled his gaze on the two Ainsworths. "All right, now, boys. You better start at the first and tell me what you've been up to."

  "I got to sit down somewheres,” Burris whined. "My bad leg is actin' up something fierce."

  "What about your leg?” The sheriff didn't look convinced anything was wrong.

  Burris rubbed at his thigh. "It still ain't healed up from when the train man shot me."

  Willard yelled, "Burris, shut up.” Beads of sweat gathered across his forehead.

  Drake stepped toward the two brothers, "You were responsible for that attempted train robbery in April?"

  "Don't say nothin'," Willard cautioned Burris.

  "The more you talk, the less trouble you're in.” Sheriff Liles pulled a chair over for Burris.

  Burris slumped into the chair and let his chin sag to his chest. "I don't see what difference it makes now. We're gonna die anyway."

  Grandpa and Zed slipped quietly into the office and Zed took his stand by the door, rifle in hand. Grandpa gave Pearl's shoulders a hug before he sat in a nearby chair. His silent show of support strengthened her. She had family now, she belonged here. Dear God, she prayed they never found out about her secret.

  "Now, fellas, attempted robbery is hardly a hangin' offfense,” Drake said. "You just start at the first and tell us everything that happened since the first time I saw you boys back in Tennessee."

  Willard cocked his head at Drake. "When was that?"

  "The first day I was in Pipers Hollow, you two and another man were botherin' Pearl. Called her names and she shot at your feet."

  Pearl's anger warred with embarrassment at the memory of their taunts. Thank heavens Drake didn't know the reason behind them. What would her new family think of her if they knew? Would they find her as contemptible as the residents of Pipers Hollow?

  The two brothers exchanged a cautious look. Willard spoke, "I reckon maybe I remember. You and another fella rode horses into town. Bought some horses, too."

  "Let's have it. I want the truth and all of it." Sheriff Liles crossed his arms and shot his locally famous no-nonsense look to each brother.

  "We was jus' protectin' Pearl and Sarah. Someone wants em' and that boy," Willard nodded to Storm, "dead and buried. We figured if we got 'em away from here and disappeared, we'd all be safe. If nobody knew where we was, couldn't no one kill us."

  Pearl fairly snorted with anger. "Protecting me? You call burning down my restaurant and then coming back to rob me protecting me?"

  Burris' head bobbed in agreement. "Yep, that's right, that's all we was doing. Honest. We had to get the money, so we'd have a grub stake. But we was only protectin' you and Sarah and Storm."

  "Who wants my wife and her brother and sister dead?"

  Angry as she was, her husband looked angrier. He looked mad enough to spit nails so hard it drove them through a fence post.

  Sheriff Liles held up his hand to stay further comment. "Let me ask the questions. We'll get to the bottom of this soon enough.” He rummaged in his file drawer for some papers and set them on the desk before he took his chair. "Let's see now," his fingers tapped as he read through his notes, "We'll start with that rock slide--you two know anything about that?"

  Each of the brothers shook his head and looked bewildered. Pearl thought they two probably were bewildered most of the time.

  "How about that attempt to push Pearl off the train?"

  The two looked at one another, then each looked at the floor and said nothing. Sheriff Liles pointed at Willard.

  "What do you know about that?"

  Willard jumped. "It wasn't us. We didn't know nothing about it."

  Burris nodded. "We had to go back and get Jug's body is all. Didn't neither of us know what he done to fall off the train."

  "Who asked you to get the body? Who sent you?” Drake yelled.

  "I'm getting to that, Drake. I know you're keyed up 'cause of your wife being under attack, but you let me handle this or I'll make you leave. Understand?"

  "Sorry, Ben. I'd like to choke the information out of both of these worthless coyotes, but I'll try to be quiet and let you get on with it."

  His fists clinched at his side. Pearl slipped her hand under his arm. His body relaxed and he pulled her to him. Solid muscles enfolded her. She breathed in his scent and closed her eyes against the tableau before her. How she wished this were over, settled forever and she and Drake were home. Soon, soon the nightmare would end and she and her husband could get on with their lives. Burris' whimper caused her eyes to fly open.

  The sheriff pushed the papers to the side and and looked directly at Willard. "How about it? You tell us who put you up to this mischief, and it'll make things easier for you."

  "No," Willard shook his head. "It'd make things worse, lots worse, 'cause we'd be killed for sure then."

  "So this person's here--in this area?” Sheriff Liles leaned back in his chair, speculation playing on his face.

  "Don't say nothing, Burris.” Willard clamped his mouth shut and resumed his examination of the floor.

  Another hour of questioning made no headway in getting further information from the two criminals. In disgust, the sheriff told them he was locking them up.

  Kincaid Springs' jail had two cells, so each brother had his own space. As soon as the cuffs were off and the door slammed closed behind them, Burris sank onto his bunk and lay down. Willard sat on his bed and held his head in his hands.

  "You boys think about this. We'll have another go at your story later.”

  Turning to the Kincaids, he added, "Don't let your defenses down for a minute. Keep those four guards with you all the time. My deputy and I will both sleep here until this is settled."

  Drake nodded. "We'll come back in the morning, Ben. See what happens then."

  ***

  The late summer sun beat down on the group headed to Grandpa's. Drake and Pearl walked side by side and Storm and Sarah followed with Grandpa trailing. Two guards walked in front of the Kincaids and two behind. After weeks of this routine, the townspeople no longer stared at the entourage. Most folks they passed nodded a silent greeting but a few called out a question about the two men in jail.

  "Who in Pipers Hollow hates me this much?” Pearl asked herself, then realized she voiced her thoughts.

  Drake shook his head. "First ask why? Who has anything to gain by your death?”

  "The brothers are plenty scared," Storm added, deep in thought. "I can think of only one man besides Jug who frightened them so much."

  "Who?" Drake almost barked the question.

  "The great Quin Walker."

  Pearl whirled to face her brother and bumped into Sarah. "Surely you don't think he's behind this?" she exclaimed as she steadied herself and her sister.

  "Who else could it be?" Storm countered with a shrug.

  Pearl shook her head in disbelief, but turned and continued her progress toward Grandpa's. "What could he hope to gain? And why now? Why not years ago?"

  "You may never know the answer to that, honey. But Storm's right. Those two shiftless weasels are scared to talk. That means whoever the person behind this is, he's nearby. Near enough they're afraid he can get to them in jail."

  Pearl stopped in her tracks. In spite of the August heat, a chill slid down her spine. "We need to go back and make them talk. Now. Before Quin, or whoever, gets to them."

  The Kincaids huddled on the sidewalk planking. The guards, backs to the family's circle, continued t
heir vigilance.

  "Pearl's right," Drake said. "Whoever's behind this is mean as a snake. He may try to kill those boys or break them out of jail tonight. Could get ugly.”

  “I'd like to get my hands on the low life who put them up to this.” Grandpa's pale blue eyes fairly sparked with anger.

  "Let's go back and have another go at them.” Drake took Pearl's hand as he spoke, leading her toward the jail.

  Fear engulfed her. As much as she wanted to live, to continue her life with Drake in Kincaid Springs, she dreaded the approaching encounter. Too much pain lay buried in her past. Best to leave it there. Opening old wounds promised fresh anguish.

  Sheriff Liles had bolted the door behind them and they had to knock to gain entrance to his office. Though he made them welcome, Pearl wondered how the wily lawman felt about their return.

  "Ben, we want to have another go at those two skunks in there." Grandpa nodded toward the cells. "We figure whoever is behind this will shoot them soon as it's dark."

  Burris sat up and whimpered. He looked to Pearl to have aged years in the few months since she'd left Pipers Hollow.

  Willard jumped off his bunk and rushed to the bars of his cell door. "Don't let him shoot us. We was just trying to protect Pearl and her kin. Don't let him kill us."

  Drake reached through the bars to grab Willard's shirt. He pulled the other man up against the metal and growled, "Then you better start talking and be fast about it!"

  "Tell him, Willard. You might's well tell it all,” Burris whined from his cell.

  Willard slumped in defeat. "I'll tell you, but you got to promise to protect us. We'll be dead 'fore mornin' if'’n he knows I talked. And he'll still be after Pearl and them."

  "Back off, Drake," Sheriff Liles cautioned. He stepped between Drake and Willard. "Start with who put you up to this."

  "It was Quin Walker. The young one."

  The admission stunned Pearl. "But why?"

  Willard wouldn't meet her gaze. "Because of the money and the will."

  Pearl stepped to the cell door. "Willard, you're not making sense. What money and what will?"

  He looked up, "Why the money his daddy paid your Granny each year. Quin found out about it after she died. He was sure mad and said he'd get even with you for having that tucked away in the bank all this time."