The Widows of Braxton County

by Jess McConkey

  His eyes narrowed. “Joe won’t buy you one?”

  “No,” she replied with a shake of her head.

  “Do you have good credit?”

  “Excellent credit.”

  “Not a problem, then. With a little down, my friend will take payments.”

  “Really?” Kate asked, her voice excited. She thought of her mother’s diamond earrings. She never wore them and they might bring enough. “Is there a pawnshop in Flint Rapids?”

  Will grinned. “What are you going to hock? One of Trudy’s precious Krause family heirlooms?”

  “Of course not,” she answered. “I have a pair of diamond earrings that belonged to my mother.”

  “Hey.” His face tightened with concern. “You shouldn’t have to do that.”

  Kate shrugged and kept silent.

  “Tell you what,” he said, leaning in, “if you get the job at Doc’s, I’ll loan you the down payment.”

  “No,” she said hotly, “I couldn’t do that.”

  “Why not? I’ll hold the earrings as collateral. Same thing as going to a pawnbroker, only my interest is a lot cheaper,” he said with a wink.

  Will’s offer unsettled her. If she did accept, then she wouldn’t have to worry about the earrings being sold before she had a chance to buy them back.

  He looked down at his watch, then back at Kate. “Tell you what—I’m leaving early today. You go apply at Doc’s, and if you get the job, I’ll meet you at the body shop in Flint Rapids and we’ll see what we can do about getting you a car.”

  “You’re kidding me,” she sputtered. “If Joe ever found out I went to Flint Rapids with you, he’d—”

  “Don’t finish that thought,” he said, his face suddenly serious. “That side of the family isn’t known for their understanding nature.” He stole a look over her shoulder. “I won’t tell anyone if you don’t.”

  “Are you suggesting that I lie to my husband?”

  “Not lie, just omit certain facts. If he asks, tell him you got a loan on the earrings, which is the truth. He doesn’t need to know where the money came from.”

  “And if he does ask me where I got it?”

  Will gave her a sheepish smile. “Then I guess you lie.”

  “What if someone sees us?”

  “No one from Flint Rapids will even notice. Contrary to what Trudy might have you believe, Krause influence doesn’t extend that far.”

  Kate was torn. She wanted a job and the freedom having a car would provide. And she didn’t want to lose her mother’s earrings to a pawnbroker.

  She cocked her head and watched Will with a dubious look on her face. “Why are you helping me? You barely know me.”

  He brushed it away with a lift of his brow. “If you think I’m trying to get back at Joe, you’re wrong,” he assured her with a smile. “I’ve always been a sucker for the underdog, and living in the same house with Trudy—”

  “Puts me at a disadvantage,” she said, finishing for him.

  He laughed. “That’s a diplomatic way to phrase it.”

  “You’re right. She rules that house, which is why—”

  “You want something of your own,” he stated. “Look, I’m not out to cause any trouble. The plain truth is I don’t like Trudy, but I do like you. She’s always been a bully, and if this stops her from pushing you around, then I’m all for it.”

  Taking her arm, he guided her toward the door. “Honest,” he said, smiling down at her, “my motives are pure.”

  Kate turned and stuck out her hand. “Then you’ve got a deal.”

  Kate danced up the front porch steps. She’d done it. She had a job and a car, thanks to Will. Okay, the job was only three days a week and she’d bring home less than two hundred dollars, but for twenty-four hours each week, she’d feel useful. And with her talent for investing, she was sure she could turn what was left out of her paycheck into a respectable amount, given enough time. She grinned broadly, imagining the look of surprise on Joe’s face when she’d someday wave her bank book under his nose. That would show him she had value.

  She stopped with her hand on the door. And her “new” car? An old dinged-up Jeep, not the best vehicle she’d ever owned, but at least it was hers. Will’s friend was bringing it out later this evening after work.

  Running into the kitchen, she skidded around the corner.

  “Where’s Joe?”

  Trudy glared at her over her shoulder. “You missed dinner. What kept you?”

  “My business in town took longer than expected.”

  “What kind of business could you possibly have?” she sniffed.

  “Never mind,” Kate replied as she snagged a carrot out of the refrigerator. “Do you need any help with supper?”

  “It’s all ready. I stayed home where I belong instead of gallivanting all over the country.”

  Kate ignored her, then spent the next couple of hours while she waited for Joe going through her closet, picking out clothes to wear to work.

  Finally, she heard Joe’s pickup coming up the driveway and took off down the stairs. Before she had time to announce her success, two vehicles pulled in and parked behind Joe’s truck.

  “My Jeep,” she squealed, hurrying past Joe and over to the vehicles.

  By the time Joe and Trudy joined her, Kate had the keys and was running her hand lovingly over the pitted hood.

  “What in the hell is that?” Joe asked, pointing toward the Jeep.

  “My new car—well, not new—but isn’t it great?” Kate babbled.

  He watched her with apprehension. “Where did you get the money?”

  “Don’t worry,” she said, forcing a laugh and not meeting his gaze, “I didn’t clean out any bank accounts. I used my mom’s diamond earrings for a down payment.”

  “You hocked them.”

  Since it wasn’t really a question, Kate ignored him and opened the driver’s side door. “The body might not be the best, but the interior’s clean. And the mechanic said the engine was in tiptop shape.” She turned and smiled at her husband. “It also has four-wheel drive, so you won’t be pulling me out of any drifts this winter.”

  “Kate,” he scolded, “I said you could buy a car if and when you got a job.”

  Her eyes sparkled. “But I did. And it’s not slinging hash,” she teased. “I’m going to work three days a week as a receptionist for Doc Adams.” She took a deep breath before continuing, “I’ll be answering the phones, setting up appointments, helping with the billing. Doc said—”

  She stopped, catching the look that passed between Joe and his mother.

  “I don’t care what Doc said.” Joe spun on his heel and started toward the house. “You’re not going to do it,” he called over his shoulder.

  “Yes, I am.”

  “What?” He turned and advanced toward her.

  “I’m going to work at Doc’s,” she said, a mutinous expression settling over her face.

  Joe grabbed her wrist. “No, you’re not.”

  Kate winced in pain. “Joe.”

  He quickly released her. “Sorry,” he mumbled. “You caught me off guard. I didn’t mean—”

  “You thought I’d fail, didn’t you,” she spit out.

  Joe didn’t answer.

  “Just what I figured.” She pushed past him and stomped off to the house.

  Chapter 16

  Summer 1890, Braxton County, Iowa

  While Minnie Voigt squeaked out the final verse of “Shall We Gather at the River” at his father’s graveside, Joseph Krause prayed for this day to be finished. His head pounded from the jug of whiskey he’d drunk last night as he sat with his pa’s coffin. He rubbed his nose and tried to forget how the beeswax candles and floral tributes had failed to mask the scent of decay. The smell still lingered on his skin, on his clothes, and in his hair. No amount of scrubbing seemed to get rid of it.

  He watched a tear leak from the corner of Minnie’s eye as she hit the last note. She’d miss Pa. According to her brot
her, Peter, she’d “gathered at the river” plenty of times with his father. Jumping Jehoshaphat, that had been some fight—it had taken all of his strength to pull Pa off Peter after he’d confronted Pa about Minnie. It was a miracle Hannah hadn’t heard the tussle from the house and come out to investigate. Knowing Hannah, she’d have made a big fuss and hurt Pa’s chances in the election. Another reason why they needed her gone before November.

  Joseph tilted forward and stared at the ground. None of that mattered now. All that was left of his larger-than-life pa lay in that pine box. His father was gone and Hannah was still here. His chest ached at the thought of it, and he sat up straight. It wasn’t fair.

  He heard a sob and looked out of the corner of his eye at Hannah’s sister, Ida, sitting between her husband and Hannah. She hadn’t made the sound. She wept delicately into a lace-trimmed handkerchief. A slight sneer twisted his lips. Her, with her fancy clothes and fancy husband. They’d arrived yesterday by train, and she’d taken over the house, ordering everyone around while Hannah “rested.” She’d never liked Pa, and he knew the tears she wept now were for show.

  After hearing it again, his attention turned toward Hannah. She sat rigid in her widow weeds with a heavy veil obscuring her face. No signs of grief from her.

  He leaned slightly forward and spied Willie, tucked against his mother’s side. The child’s shoulders shook as he cried unashamedly. Joseph sat back with satisfaction. At least someone other than him and Minnie felt the pain of Pa’s passing. Maybe he had more in common with Willie than he thought.

  After the funeral, Joseph separated himself from the men standing out by the barn and walked over to the fence separating the hay field from the yard. He placed a foot on the bottom rail and looked out over the freshly cut alfalfa. He took a deep breath and let its sweet smell finally chase the odor of death away. Life went on, and this field would need to be baled before the next rain. He’d talk to Abe Engel later about bringing his baling machine over.

  “Sorry about your loss,” a voice said from behind him.

  Joseph twisted his head and saw Louis Dunlap, Hannah’s brother-in-law, standing a few feet away. One look at Louis’s expensive suit, and Joseph suddenly felt ragged. His jaw tightened.

  “Terrible thing about your father,” Louis said as he approached and brushed a speck of dust from his fine coat.

  “Yup.”

  “Do you know . . . Does the sheriff have any suspects?”

  Joseph hid a sneer. Just as he thought. Ida had sent her husband out to pump him for information.

  “The sheriff doesn’t share his thoughts with me,” Joseph replied.

  “You must be anxious to find your father’s killer.”

  “I want to see justice done.” Joseph spit on the ground near Louis’s shiny shoes and was pleased to see the man jerk. “Pa won’t rest easy otherwise.”

  Louis joined him at the fence and mimicked Joseph’s stance by placing his foot on the bottom rail. He acted uncertain where to put his arms, then with a frown, he finally rested them on the dusty top rail.

  “Not that I know much about farming,” Louis began, looking out over the field, “but this is a nice place.”

  “Yup.”

  “So”—he hesitated—“how much is it worth?”

  His pa wasn’t even cold in the grave, and Hannah’s family was worried about money. Not that he wasn’t, but the farm was his and he had a right to be concerned.

  “Enough.”

  Louis pulled at his tight shirt collar. “Ida said something about your father leaving a will?”

  Joseph shrugged. “You’d have to ask an attorney about that.”

  “But Ida said that you told Hannah—”

  Joseph cut him off. “You know how women are at times like this.” His gaze traveled to a hawk making lazy circles in the sky above them. “They don’t hear things right. I might have said maybe there was a will.”

  Louis looked confused. “If there was a will, do you know how the property was divided?”

  “Not for certain.”

  “But I thought—” He waved his hand and stood straight. “Never mind. Ida is concerned about what kind of arrangements your father made for Hannah and Willie’s future,” he finished emphatically.

  Joseph took in the land he’d sweated and worked over since he was old enough to hold a hoe, then judged his words carefully before he answered. Best to pretend to be friendly and let Louis show his hand first.

  “Well, Louis,” he said, dropping his foot as he carefully observed him, “I don’t rightly know what those might be. Depends on whether or not Pa left a will.”

  Louis frowned. “I believe regardless of whether there’s a will or not, the widow has rights to any property.”

  He gave Louis a hard look as his temper rose. “If you think I’m staying on as my stepmother’s hired man, think again.”

  “Wait,” Louis replied, holding up his hand, “I didn’t say you should. Once we find out where everyone stands, maybe a monetary remuneration could be given to Hannah and the boy in place of actual property.”

  “Buy ’em out?” he asked in a shrewd voice.

  Louis exhaled slowly. “Yes. That way Hannah will be able to provide for Willie.”

  Ahh, so Ida wasn’t the only one worried about her sister. Louis was afraid that he might get saddled with Hannah and her son, he thought to himself.

  Joseph held out his hand. “Whatever you think, Louis. I want to see them get what’s fair.”

  Chapter 17

  Fall 2012, Dutton

  You look tired, sweetie,” Doris Hill said sympathetically.

  Kate gave her new friend a wry look. Since she started working for Doc Adams last month, she and Doris had been meeting for lunch at the Four Corners Café every Wednesday. It was nice to be able to talk to someone other than Trudy or Joe.

  “I am,” Kate replied.

  “Is the job too much?”

  “Oh no,” she responded passionately. “I love my job.”

  “Home?”

  She hated airing her problems in public and took a couple of minutes to gaze around the room before answering. Taking in the worn linoleum, the red vinyl stools at the counter, and ceiling tile yellowed with years of grease, she thought how to answer Doris. She spotted two of Doc’s patients at a table not far from them, gobbling down pieces of the café’s homemade pie. And no matter what Trudy might say about it, the crust was as flaky as hers.

  Trudy, she thought with a frown. She’d not made the last month easy. Not only did Kate have to listen to her constant digs as well as learning the ropes at Doc’s, she always had a list of things that could only be done with Kate’s help. They’d cleaned out the attic, hauled forty years’ worth of newspapers to the burn barrel, and cleared the basement. Kate gave a shudder. One of the basement jobs had been dumping jars of tomatoes that had failed to seal. One whiff of the stinky, rotten goop and she’d almost lost it. She hadn’t missed the gleam in Trudy’s eye as she watched Kate haul the wretched bucket up the stairs.

  “Well?” asked Doris, calling Kate’s attention back to her question.

  Quickly, Kate gave her a rundown of the last month. When she finished, she smiled wryly. “I sound whiny, don’t I?”

  Anger lit Doris’s face. “Absolutely not,” she exclaimed, drumming her fingers on the table. “She’s trying to make you quit, you know. Have you talked to Joe about his mother working you to death?”

  “Ahh, no—” She stopped. “There are two topics that are off limits: his mother and the farm.”

  Doris gave a quick glance around the room, then leaned forward. “He, well, he hasn’t hurt you, has he?”

  “Doris,” Kate hissed.

  “I know—I’m sorry—it’s none of my business and I shouldn’t pry. It’s just the Krause men have a reputation of being ‘hard.’ ”

  “Joe’s family?”

  Doris nodded. “His dad, grandfather, and great-grandfather,” she answered, keeping her voi
ce down. “Then there’s old Jacob . . . I heard a meaner man never drew breath.”

  Kate sat back. “You mean the ghost?”

  “Yeah, have you seen him?”

  A shiver crept up her back as she remembered the day Joe had struck her. The blinds and the window had been closed when she’d gone to sleep, yet when she’d awakened they’d been open. Then there was the feeling of someone stroking her hair and the sense of comfort. She gave a quick shake of her head. Impossible.

  “No, I don’t believe in ghosts or family curses,” she said swiftly.

  Doris clicked her teeth. “A lot of folks around here do, and it does seem that Joe’s family has had more than their share of tragedies.”

  “W—” Kate caught herself then continued. “Ah, someone once said that their problems were more about greed than bad luck.”

  “I’ve heard about that, too, starting with the first Joseph cheating his brother out of his inheritance and down to your Joe’s grandfather almost losing the farm.”

  “What happened?”

  Doris tugged on her lip. “Something about making bad investments. I recall my mother talking about ‘no such thing as easy money’ in reference to the grandfather.”

  “But you don’t know what those were?”

  “No. You could ask Rose. She knows a lot about your husband’s family.”

  Kate gave a short laugh. “That’s not going to happen anytime soon. The woman hates me.”

  “No, she doesn’t.” Doris smirked. “I’ve got to admit, she’s ticked at Joe right now and she sure doesn’t like Trudy, but knowing Rose, once you two become acquainted, she’d like you.”

  Doris suddenly sobered. “There’s something else I should tell you.” She exhaled slowly. “Again, this isn’t my business, but as your friend—you need to get Trudy to move.”

  Kate arched an eyebrow. “No kidding,” she exclaimed. “Joe’s a different person when she’s not around. We actually have fun.”

  “There’s a vacancy in the retirement apartments.”

  “I figured as much. I’m not stupid—I caught what you almost said at the barbecue.”

  “Then why haven’t you got her skinny butt out of your house?”