The Most Unsuitable Wife

by Caroline Clemmons

  Lily smiled her thanks and nodded before she leaned back on her pillows, exhausted by the exchange. Pearl slipped from the room and headed toward the kitchen.

  ***

  Ila Mae Vincent, pianist from the First Baptist Church, sat in Belle's place at the First Presbyterian Church piano. August sunshine poured in the arched window to bless the St. Andrew's altar cross and showering golden dust motes to float across beams of light.

  From the front of the church Pearl watched Belle glide toward the altar. The silk wedding gown colored like new spring grass rustled with each step. Yellow roses from the Kincaid garden mixed with daisies and early asters for the bridal bouquet. As she stepped into a golden ray, Belle's skin glowed with the luminescence of pure sunlight. Escorting her, Grandpa looked as proud as a new poppa.

  Memories of her own hasty wedding flooded Pearl's mind. It had seemed grand to her at the time, much more than she had expected. She tried not to make comparisons. Drake and she had shared a unique situation nothing like this love match of Lex and Belle. Mary Alice's wedding plans swept them along like a tidal wave. Pearl had been grateful to Drake for trailing along without complaint in Mary Alice's wake. She smiled. Well, there were a few muttered complaints about delays in travel.

  How hopeful she'd been. Peace and stability seemed so near. How could she have known the terrible trouble would follow them and even increase in danger? How could she have known she would fall hopelessly in love with her husband? No, not hopelessly. She still hoped he would return her love someday. Every day she hoped and prayed for his love in any measure.

  With a tiny shrug, she adjusted the waist of her new periwinkle blue dress. Soon she would be unable to conceal her rounding stomach. Soon she must tell her husband of their baby. Her eyes sought him on the other side of the altar.

  How handsome he looked standing beside Lex. Drake's strong shoulders were the broadest of any man she knew. Dark black hair shone in the light before it curled against his collar. The white of his shirt looked stark against his robust, suntanned skin. His soft gray gaze met hers and he smiled, as if they shared a secret. In truth, they shared many.

  Lex stepped forward to meet his bride, his face alight with love. Pearl's heart broke a little in the radiance of the couple's love. She didn't expect Drake to care for her as Lex loved Belle. Her longing for his love almost numbed her, blocking out the wedding, the crowd, the couple beside her.

  Rev. Potter began, "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony...

  If Drake could love her just a little, just for herself, she would be happy. Then she could tell him about the baby due this winter.

  "Do you Alexon Samuel Tremont take this woman as your lawfully wedded wife to live together after God's ordinance in the holy state of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honour, and keep her in sickness and in health..."

  What would Drake say now if he knew? Would he feign happiness about the baby? No, surely he would be truly happy about a baby. He needed sons and daughters to carry on the ranch, to inherit the fruit of his labors. But how did he feel about her as the mother of his children?

  "...and forsaking all other, keep thee only unto her, so long as you both shall live?"

  Did he see her as a person yet or just as an extension of himself and his life? Did he accept her because she could give him children and run his home, or because he thought her admirable and lovable?

  "I, Anabella Angeline Renfro, take thee Alexon Samuel Tremont to my wedded husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love, cherish, and to obey, till death us do part..."

  She needed to know before he learned about the baby, before he felt bound to her by blood ties, before he knew they were truly a new family.

  "Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you Mr. and Mrs. Tremont. Lex, you may kiss your bride."

  The flurry of the rush from the church to the reception at Grandpa's home cut short Pearl's musings. She rode the crest of excitement carrying her along with the family. Plans were in place for the most elaborate event ever staged by Lily.

  Two hours later Lex and Belle waved from their flower-bedecked carriage. "We'll send you postcards," Belle assured the crowd watching from the Kincaid veranda.

  Lex shook his head. "We won't even think about you," he called. "You may never see us again."

  Belle's tinkling laugh trailed them as they drove off to the train station.

  Grandpa raised his voice, "There's plenty more food inside, folks. Let's celebrate until there's not a crumb left.”

  Most of the crowd followed him inside. A few stood in little groups of two or three to converse on the shaded porch.

  Drake offered his arm to Pearl. "Are you pleased with the way this turned out?"

  "Yes, and a little surprised.”

  "Me, too. Who would have thought staid, straightlaced Lex would fall in love with Belle? He's the one who always wanted to reason things out before he took a step, always the cautious one."

  "And you were never cautious?"

  "Sometimes. But I leapt right in when I met you, didn't I?"

  "We both did some leaping then."

  She was about to return his question to him, to ask if he were pleased with the way their union had turned out, when Lily interrupted.

  Lily fanned her handerchief in front of her face in an attempt to cool herself. "Lordy, these people are thirsty as fishes. We need more cider. You have any at your restaurant, Pearl?"

  "Yes, a couple of barrels. I'll ask Dick to bring them over."

  Drake held up his hand. "No need for him to do that on his day off. Not his family having this shindig. I'll take Uncle Samuel. We'll bring the barrels round to the kitchen."

  Drake rushed off and Pearl spoke to her hostess, "It was a lovely wedding. Everyone is talking about the wonderful reception, too."

  Lily flushed with pleasure. "It has turned out well, hasn't it? And don't Lex and Belle make the perfect couple?"

  "Yes, they do.” Pearl touched Lily's arm. "You're not overtiring yourself, are you?"

  "No. Well, maybe just a bit today.” Lily shrugged and waved her hand. "I'll have plenty of time to rest up next week at Aunt Victoria's in Austin. She always pampers me."

  "Don't forget to take your tonic and teas with you.”

  Pearl laughed when Lily grimaced at the mention of tonic.

  ***

  Drake had tried to purge from his mind the look on Pearl's face during the wedding. She looked as if she were at a funeral through most of the ceremony. Did she regret their marriage so much? He regretted only the sad state of their union. Separate bedrooms, hell.

  It had taken an hour of working up his courage and two fingers of scotch to get to this spot. He rapped softly on the door. When there was no answer, he knocked harder.

  Pearl opened the door and he stepped inside the bedroom.

  "Is something wrong?"

  "No. I... I want to talk to you. Need to talk to you. Private like."

  She stood in the wrapper he'd brought her from Kansas, the one that matched her eyes. Her hair flowed down her shoulders in honey colored waves. In the soft lamp light her skin glowed. The extra rest she'd had while the restaurant was closed had almost faded the dark circles under her eyes. She was still too thin, but the bloom was back in her cheeks and her eyes often sparkled with their old mishief now.

  "Come over and sit by the window. Maybe we'll catch a breeze."

  He nodded at the open window. "Zeb in the garden tonight?"

  "Yes, he said I could leave the windows open. He's watching the house from the bench by the fish pond."

  He stepped over and turned out the lamp then came to her. "Damn, I wish the waiting and watching were over."

  "What did you want to talk to me about?"

  He took her hands and met her gaze. "Pearl, it's not easy fo
r me to say I'm sorry, but I am."

  "About what?"

  "It was wrong of me to criticize the changes you made. I knew it then but the words slipped out anyway. Maybe it was coming home to find you moved out here and then the business in town. All of it together sort of poleaxed me."

  "I wanted to make a home for you. For us."

  "Yes, I see that.” He pulled her to him and nuzzled his head against her hair. The lilac of her soap clung to her. Thank God she still used that special scent. "Can we start over?"

  Her arms slid around his waist. "That would be nice.”

  "I want you back in my bed. I don't care if it's this one or the one in the other room. I want us to be together again, to make love to you."

  She pulled away. "Is that all you miss?"

  He recalled she’d asked him that once before. "Honey, I sure as hell miss that, but, no, that's not all. Not by a long shot.” He sighed and took a deep breath. He had to say it fast or he'd never get it all out.

  "I miss talking to you at night with our heads close together on the pillow, or your head on my chest. Making plans and talking about our day. When I wake in the morning, I miss finding you beside me. All day while I'm working, I miss knowing I'll be with you at night."

  "I've missed you, too."

  She rested her head against his chest. Her hands toyed with his shirt buttons and set his blood pounding.

  His hands spread at her waist and his thumbs caressed her breasts. She raised her head to meet his kiss. He intended it to be soft, gentle. The time apart had increased his need and lessened his control. She returned his deepening kisses measure for measure.

  Her fingers worked his shirt free and pushed it aside. He shrugged out of it. His hands trembled with urgency.

  Moonlight from the window cast a silver glow on her hair and skin. She stepped back and her eyes met his as she released the ribbon tie of her nightgown. His breath caught in his throat. The depth of his feeling for this woman surprised him. How had she captured his soul?

  She reached toward him, touched his chest, and all his thoughts vanished. He shed his boots and trousers. When he looked up she stood in the moonlight. Her bare body waited for him.

  He closed the distance between them. "Oh, honey. Pearl. Tonight the moonlight makes your skin match your name.” He led her to the bed and turned down the coverlet.

  She lay down and patted the place beside her as she had done on their honeymoon. Bossy woman. He grinned and joined her. He wouldn't have her any other way. His body stretched beside hers and he pulled her to him.

  Her breasts beckoned to him, and he took a peaked nipple into his mouth. She gasped and twined her fingers in his hair. Each brush of his fingers brought a sigh that drove him wild with anticipation. He entered her but grasped for control, wanting the pleasure to last and build. Her body moved against his in pleasured writhing. When she arched against him and held her breath, it sent him beyond control, beyond thought, into a world where only they existed.

  The fury of their passion erupted and their bodies entwined in love's frantic dance until their fervor crescendoed. He sank beside her and cradled her in his arms. Drifting back to reality, he longed for this merging of souls to last past a night of lovemaking and into the sunshine. He wanted the closeness of the moment to last forever, wanted this to remain after the heat of their passion cooled.

  His hands caressed her, soothing and loving until her rhythmic breathing signaled she slept. He lay sated and happy. A breeze brought fresh garden scents and cooled his fevered skin.

  No woman had ever driven him as she had. No woman had ever given of herself so freely. He loved her, needed her. How could he make it any plainer?

  ***

  "Careful. Don't drop the sign,” Drake cautioned Storm and Dick.

  "How's it look?” Storm asked from atop the ladder. He tested to make certain the hooks would hold, then released the sign.

  Dick stepped back to admire their handiwork. "Granny's Lunches and Baked Goods is back in business. Leastwise, it will be come Monday."

  Pearl looked excited enough to dance a jig. She clasped her hands and sparkled up at Drake. "Doesn't it look grand?”

  "And it's nice to have it all new at once,” Rhoda added. "You won't miss the chipped dinnerware and dented pots and pans."

  "And Lex's office will look all new when he and Belle get back.” Storm gestured to the law office where Mexican stone masons worked with quarried limestone.

  After Pearl's fire, Lex worried about all the important papers which might have been destroyed if the fire had spread. He figured limestone facing on his building and a new tin roof would make his building less vulnerable to fire or storm. By the time he and Belle returned from their honeymoon, the work should be completed.

  "Well, let's get everything moved in." Drake grabbed a chair from the wagon and carried it into the restaurant. "These new tables and chairs are heavier than the old ones. Ought to last a long time."

  New wood, varnish and fresh paint smells combined to offer a potent blend. Windows sparkled, ready for the new curtains Rhoda held in her arms.

  Abe and Zed carted furniture and fixtures while Jeff and Beau stood guard. How much longer would these men's protection be needed? Who waited where to harm Pearl? And why?

  Drake met with Sheriff Liles frequently to go over Pearl's safety. The trail of two men who had camped near town led to Austin and disappeared. Every newcomer to Kincaid County had been checked out. Wires from Tennessee added no clues. Someone very clever plotted against his wife and family. So far Drake had been unable to stop them. Impotent rage seethed in him.

  He had fought against those who would rob him of his land but he knew who they were, how they worked. Over dusty cattle trails he had fought rustlers, drought and storms. Those he could see, could anticipate. How could he protect his family against a foe he could neither identify nor understand?

  Pearl carried in a large basket. "I've brought lunch for us now that we have places to sit and enjoy our meal."

  "We've got lemonade,” Sarah said and set a box on one of the tables. "We washed these new glasses at home so we could use them for lunch."

  Storm placed a large jar of lemonade beside the box and looked around the dining room. "Looks like before, only better.”

  Rhoda beamed at him. "Wait until we get the curtains up and the tables decorated. You'll see how much better."

  Pearl contented herself unpacking the lunch and serving her helpers. He hated this place, but he loved seeing his wife so happy.

  Drake figured the restaurant would be better. Pearl had talked over changes with Sarah, Rhoda, and Dick before construction began. They had made a minor change here and there to make the building more efficient for their needs.

  One of the changes Zed had worked out was for the roof. Instead of the flat roof with a false front facade, this building had a peaked roof and well-ventilated attic. They hoped this would deflect some of the sun's heat and offer a little cooling in hot summer months. In winter, wooden doors would seal off the ventilation grills to hold in heat. A trap door to the pantry made the loft space available for extra storage.

  Drake walked into the kitchen and stopped in front of the new cook stove. What a huge monster. Pearl joined him.

  "Isn't it beautiful?" she asked.

  "Don't know how you can find that thing beautiful, but I'm glad you do."

  "It is to me. See here, the bigger water reservoir on the side? This will make washing up much easier for Dick.” She ran her hands along the top tray. "This warming tray will keep things warm without overcooking them. And the nickel plating makes it look so pretty."

  Though he couldn't think of a cook stove as pretty, he would never tell her. "All in all, I guess things have shaped up pretty well.” He took stock of the kitchen. Boxes of cookware and dishes still sat waiting to be uncrated. Even with clutter, the room spoke of tidy efficiency.

  He felt her hand on his arm.

  "Thank you for rebuilding t
his for Sarah and me. It seems lately I'm always thanking you for one thing or another.” She slid her arms around his waist and leaned her head on his shoulder.

  He caressed her back and nuzzled his face into her neck. He loved the smell of her, the feel of her. Just thinking about her sent his blood racing. Being this close raised it to a boil. "I can think of a better way to say thank you."

  She pulled away and smiled up at him. Her amethyst eyes sparkled. "Right now we'd better get in there and get your plate filled before Storm gobbles your share of the fried chicken."

  Chapter Eighteen

  Willard lowered his spyglass and turned to his brother. The spyglass wasn't much use in the dark and neither was his brother. At least the moon offered a little light. "They left a big barrel right by the window. We can use it to reach the roof.”

  "How's this gonna work? How're we gonna stay up on that roof all day in the heat with no food? What if we have to pee?"

  "I'm tired of explaining this to you and I ain't gonna do it again. You pee real good right now and come on."

  "I just took care of my business. I'm follerin' you."

  "Make durn sure no one sees us.” Willard bobbled from shadow to shadow in the dark. He hated to be out at this time of morning. Just before the dawn was the darkest part of the night. This was their last chance, though. He touched his cheek where a large bruise still stung as a reminder.

  He reached the barrel and tested it for stability. They didn't need the noise of him falling. He didn't need the pain. Burris hobbled up beside him. His brother still limped from injuries received in their attempt at train robbing.

  "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.