Pearl

by Hildie McQueen

  Pearl sized him up. “You are not leaving until eating and I’m sure you’re bundled up. Just got married, don’t want to lose you so soon.”

  Luke chuckled. “Yes ma’am.”

  After a hearty meal and agreeing to take heated bricks and several blankets, Luke set off to town.

  Chapter 10

  The snow had stopped falling, leaving in its wake a white blanket on the fields and surrounding land. Although the scenery was beautiful, Luke kept an eye on the darkening sky. He prayed the weather would hold and allow him to get what was needed for his family so that he could return home before it began to snow again.

  In the distance Angel Creek came to view. The town had grown considerably in the last couple years. What used to be about ten buildings was now several streets of houses, stables and shops. Down the main street, the mercantile was large and well stocked. The church was well attended, and the large town hall often used for public town meetings, dances and other celebrations. He looked forward to bringing Pearl there in the spring and show off his beautiful wife.

  Despite the unplanned way they’d come together, he and Pearl were now officially husband and wife. The weight of being responsible for her and Charley was a comfortable load on his shoulders.

  It was what he’d hoped for when building the house. To raise a family there and share life surrounded by those he loved.

  Luke considered what to do about Owen. If his brother was around, he was hiding. Just before leaving, he’d asked Butch to keep an eye on the cabin to make sure his brother didn’t return.

  Knowing Owen, he was probably there in town either at the saloon or hiding nearby. Unfortunately, due to the weather, Luke couldn’t afford to waste time looking for his brother. Otherwise, he wouldn’t mind beating sense into the idiot.

  As he guided the plow horse down the center of town, the sky had turned dark gray. There were no people out and about, most were indoors, probably preparing for what promised to be a cold night. The next day would be Christmas, so he figured preparations were being made in most households for celebrations and entertaining.

  He’d hoped to find a goose at the butcher shop but instead decided to go to the Mercantile first. He had a long list of things to purchase and it was best to ensure it was completed in case the snow began to fall and he had to head home.

  When Luke told the proprietors. Jeremiah and Cassie Weston, about the fire, they gave him extra food and insisted he take sweets for Charley and some fabric for Pearl, free of charge.

  Cassie, the proprietor’s wife, helped by packing sewing notions and a few things Pearl would need. How people came to help others in need was not something new. He himself had taken meat, flour and other items whenever a family was in trouble. People looking out for each other is what brought the residents of Angel Creek together.

  Although they were a bit away from town, he hoped Pearl would find that she was part of the community. They lived close enough that she could learn to drive a wagon and come to town and do whatever she wished.

  His lips curved at thinking of his wife and he went to a display along a side wall. There were all kinds of womanly things displayed reminding him of how his mother had always insisted he, his brother and father come there before her birthday and Christmas to choose a gift for her.

  “I need to buy my wife a gift,” Luke said to Cassie. “What would you suggest?”

  The woman beamed. “Oh goodness, anything at this point would make her so happy. Bless her heart and right after arriving.”

  The woman shook her head and let out a long sigh. “I can’t wait to meet her. I suppose it will have to wait until spring.”

  “As soon as the weather turns, I’ll be sure to bring her to town.”

  “What about a ready-made dress? Or perhaps some gloves, or a pretty handkerchief.” She turned in a circle and stopped at seeing something. She hurried to a display and brought out a brush, comb and mirror. “This, definitely this.”

  In the end, Luke purchased the brush and mirror set and a dress for Pearl. For Charley, he bought a shirt, pants and socks. Then got the same for himself. The store owner suggested Charley’s favorite peppermint candy and he agreed to purchase that as well.

  Thankfully, he’d deposited the money from his cattle sale at the bank when headed home and had only taken a portion of the money home, which he’d had with him when going to visit the Youngs. He’d be forever grateful that they’d taken that trip. Otherwise, the loss from the fire could have been so much more terrible.

  “Let me write down the recipe for molasses pie,” Cassie told him scribbling on a piece of brown butcher paper. “Do you have vinegar there?” She pointed to the packages and Luke nodded.

  “How much do I owe you?” Luke asked Jeremiah.

  “Let’s see” the proprietor said. “Butter, salt pork, molasses, vinegar, turnips, coffee....” He touched each item and mentally added up the total. “Tea, candy, crackers...”

  Once they settled on a price, which was much lower than it should have been, Luke loaded up the wagon. In just the half hour or so he’d been in the mercantile, the sky had turned even darker, the clouds low and the wind picking up and biting cold.

  Luke decided not to go to the butcher shop or the shoemaker’s sensing timing was of the essence. He’d planned to see about new shoes for Charley and hated to put it off, but the boy would have to make do until spring.

  The first snowflakes began to fall, and Luke groaned. “I hope it doesn’t pick up too much.”

  “I don’t know. It’s best you hurry home,” the store owner told him. “It looks bad.”

  The man was right, the wind began to blow strongly bringing with it a mixture of snow and rain.

  The icy precipitation kept falling faster and thicker until only the outlines of trees were visible. Luke hunched his shoulders and pulled a thick fur over himself. The ride home would be quite difficult.

  He’d only traveled a few miles from town when it became impossible to see. The snow fell in earnest, the frigid wind blowing it sideways.

  Luke hoped to be able to navigate by instinct and hoped the horse would also recognize its way back to his land.

  The wind howled. The sound almost animalistic sending the heavily falling snow in a tangle of patterns. Sideways, straight down and then swirling around him, the wind whipped him and his horse with fury.

  Soon it was impossible to continue forward and Luke decided to head for shelter. He urged the strong plow horse forward and the animal did as he bid, not seeming as bothered by the storm as he was.

  Soon they found a cusp of trees. The trees didn’t provide as much shelter as he would have hoped, but it was better than nothing. He climbed down from the wagon and pulled a thick blanket from under the bench. After covering the horse with it, he then went back to the wagon trying to figure out what to do next.

  The snowstorm would probably not diminish for days, so it was best for him to figure out where he was and continue forward.

  He guessed it to be late afternoon as he’d left early in the morning and the ride to town was normally not more than a couple of hours. He walked through the trees and tried to get his bearings.

  Shivering he returned to the wagon and decided to wait a bit longer as he still wasn’t sure exactly where he was and going in the wrong direction could prove deadly. Luke let out a loud grunt and kicked at the snow. This was not how he wished to spend Christmas eve. Away from his wife and boy, leaving them alone in a storm.

  He didn’t worry too much for himself, but for them having to be alone in a storm. At least Butch remained, that made him feel better.

  After a few moments, he decided to take a chance and head in the direction they’d been going.

  He went to the horse and ran his hand down the animal’s nose. “I’m going to have to trust you to get me home.”

  It took a few moments for Luke to convince the horse to continue forward, the animal however didn’t seem confused in which direction to head and began
trudging forward. The pace was excruciatingly slow with the storm not lessoning in the least. For what seemed hours, Luke tried his best not to give up hope. He prayed that they’d come to some sort of dwelling and find shelter until the snow let up some.

  The icy wind penetrated his clothing and gloves and he shook uncontrollably, his teeth chattering so much, he wondered if they’d chip. Even with the fur over his shoulders, he could not fight off the cold that invaded his body.

  His eyes fell closed and it took herculean effort to lift his eyelids. He could not allow himself to succumb. Luke twisted side to side and pumped his arms in an effort to get a bit warmer. It didn’t help much.

  On the horse trudged and he praised it in a low voice, because even if he wished to speak louder, the effort was becoming too much.

  Moments later, he fell sideways onto the bench, the reins falling from his limp hands. Luke tried to lift his arm to reach the reins, but his arm disobeyed, flopping down. His body was shutting down and there was little he could do to stop it. Time passed slowly the steady snow covered him and he barely felt it.

  “God help me,” he whispered into the bitter wind. “Let me live to take care of Charley and my wife. Please...”

  “Help.” He garnered enough strength and called out. The sound of the wind would conceal even the loudest screams. Every word he uttered would be carried away by the wind and snow.

  Something jostled him awake, the movement of the wagon perhaps as the brave horse continued forward. Luke wasn’t sure, but he continued to pray that he’d arrive back at the ranch before dying out there in the cold.

  Luke was blue and lifeless. Butch carried him into the cabin and placed him on the pallet in front of the fireplace. Pearl hurriedly covered him up with blankets while Charley added more kindling to the fire.

  “Don’t warm him up too fast,” Butch directed moving the unconscious man just a bit away from the warmth. “Rub his feet and hands,” he instructed and the three began doing as instructed.

  Pearl rubbed her hands over Luke’s right foot. “He’s like a block of ice.” She blinked back tears.

  “No telling how long he’s been out there. Probably a few hours,” Butch said. “Good thing the horse brought him back here.” He stood. “Go on and continue, I’m going to get that horse into the stables to warm up.” He hurried out.

  “Thank God for that man,” Pearl said to Charley. The boy nodded while rubbing his uncle’s hands.

  “Is Uncle Luke going to die?” The boy’s anxious gaze lifted to hers. “He doesn’t look good?”

  “No,” Pearl said with certainty. “He’s alive and just a bit cold. But he’s a strong man and will make it through this.”

  “Nice to know,” Luke said in a weak voice that made Pearl’s chest constrict.

  He grimaced. “It hurts.”

  “What hurts?” both she and Charley asked at the same time.

  Luke let out a groan “Everything. My hands, feet, face...”

  “Butch said we should keep you a bit away from the fire until you warm up naturally.”

  Luke nodded, shivered and then feel back unconscious.

  “Uncle Luke,” Charley tapped Luke’s jaw.

  Pearl moved to his side. “He needs to rest. I’m sure he’ll rouse up in a bit.”

  Two hours later, Luke sat on a chair next to the fire. He kept falling asleep since his body was exhausted from fighting the extreme cold. Pearl helped him drink some oatmeal and milk and he’d also eaten some bread.

  “Let’s get you to bed.” Pearl took his hand. “You need to sleep and rest.”

  He didn’t object and allowed her to help him to the bedroom and into the bed.

  It wasn’t but a few seconds later, that he fell into a deep sleep. Pearl went back to the front room.

  “Charley, we need to unload the wagon. Put on a coat,” she said and grabbed one of Luke thick jackets.

  The snow continued falling, but the wind had died down a bit. Butch had informed her that the wagon was loaded with items and they should fetch them. She’d not asked the older man to do it as he was exhausted from bringing Luke to the house and then taking the horse back to the stables.

  The wagon was in front of the house, whatever in the back was covered with a thick blanket of ice and snow. Thankfully, Luke had covered everything with sheets of burlap and thick blankets.

  It took them six trips each to bring everything in. Pearl put all the food items the table that was used for food preparation. The rest of the wrapped packages, they placed on the kitchen table. She’d not open those but instead wait for Luke to do so.

  Pearl was astonished at the amount of supplies he’d purchased. She’d never had to plan for an entire season without the ability to leave home. In Philadelphia, life continued as usual during the winter. Even if there was ever a big storm, the city would be plowed to ensure people could get essentials.

  With the fire going in the cast iron stove, she warmed up while placing items on the shelves in the kitchen and small larder. She made a mental inventory, deciding it would be nice to have some sort of journal to keep track of recipes and sundries.

  At the moment, she had one pot for cooking, a small kettle for heating water, there were two plates, forks and spoons. On the hook in the hearth, there was a deep pot, which could be used for cooking as well as bath water.

  When she checked on Luke, he was still sleeping. Although the bedroom was a bit cooler than the front rooms, it was comfortable. Pearl wiped an errant lock of hair from his forehead and closed her eyes.

  “With a soft voice, she gave praise for him.” At the thought she could have lost her husband she shuddered.

  He’d been unconscious and so very cold when Butch had brought him in. It was a wonder he’d not been frostbitten. Although the weather was cold, Butch had explained, it was not cold enough to cause permanent harm since Luke had been protected by the fur.

  After pulling up the blankets and ensuring Luke was fully covered, Pearl went back to the front of the cabin to finish putting things away.

  There had been a basket with a pie, with a note and a recipe from a woman named Cassie. Pearl had never eaten molasses pie and was eager to try it.

  The woman had also gifted Pearl sewing notions and a pretty floral fabric. The people at Angel Creek had been wonderful so far. The few that she’d met at least, like Florence, Martha, Helen and now this woman Cassie, had all been exceedingly welcoming.

  Perhaps it had to do with the fact that they’d all traveled to Montana to start new lives there. So in a way the women of Angel Creek were of a kindred spirit, women who knew they’d need each other eventually.

  She considered her strengths and decided that she’d make cakes for every one that had been kind. Of course, it would be tricky to make them there at the cabin. She’d have to find a creative way, perhaps have Luke make her an oven enclosure for the top of the stove.

  “Aunt Pearl?” Charley stood scratching his head, his sweet face droopy with sleep. “I’m going to sleep now.”

  It was obvious the boy needed reassuring. “Come Charley, let me sit with you for a bit.”

  With her arm around his shoulders, she guided him to the pallet and helped the child to lay between the blankets.

  Sitting next to him, she stroked his hair. “Want to hear a story?”

  The boy nodded. “Yes please.”

  “Once upon a time. There was a young prince, who lived in a land far far away. The prince had everything his heart desired. Toys, good food and lots of gold. But he didn’t have the one thing he wished for the most.”

  “What did he wish for?”

  Pearl smiled as she was making the story up as she went. “He wished for a true friend.”

  Weaving a story of the young prince and how he’d found a poor boy begging for food who he befriended, Pearl lulled Charley to sleep.

  Her heart squeezed with love for the sleeping boy and she wondered about his mother. She’d not asked about it since whenever Luke was
home, Charley was around. Something bad must have happened. It was unbelievable that anyone would abandon their child.

  Chapter 11

  The next morning, while her exhausted husband slept peacefully, Pearl slipped from the bedroom.

  Shivering, she added kindling to the dying fire in the hearth doing her best not to rouse a soundly sleeping Charley.

  From the kitchen window, the scene outside was beautiful. It was Christmas morning. The new day with clear skies and sunshine that reflected off the snowy white landscape.

  Deciding to make a cake after breakfast, Pearl pushed her feet into a pair of Luke’s boots, they were much too big, but would provide better protection than her thinner ones. She then wrapped up in her cloak and grabbed a basket.

  The chill in the air took her breath as she closed the door behind after allowing Jack out. Ever protective, Jack followed her out as she hurried to the stables.

  Collecting enough eggs for breakfast and a hopefully a small cake, she was giddy with anticipation of her first Christmas in Angel Creek.

  The snow had stopped falling and although it was still bitterly cold, it didn’t seem as bad.

  When Jack growled just outside the stables, she wondered if there was some sort of wild animal about and she looked around.

  There was movement and a man emerged from a shed beside the stable. Immediately she knew who it was even though they’d never met in person. It was Owen Reynolds.

  “Did he force you to marry him to get back at me?” The man neared, his red eyes and sallow skin a clear sign of too much drink. He stopped walking when Jack’s ears flattened, and the dog showed his teeth.

  “Got the dog on your side already,” Owen slid a look to Jack. “Never did like me did ya?”

  “Why did you burn down our home?” Pearl asked keeping her voice level even though her heart hammered. “It was cruel and uncalled for.”

  Owen waved an arm toward the charred remains of the house. “Why should he end up with everything when I have nothing? I lost everything too, but nobody cares.”