The Most Unsuitable Wife

by Caroline Clemmons

  She exhaled with relief. "Yes, that's it. I should have known you'd understand. That's why Pearl gave me part of her money."

  Lex looked worried. "I didn't know. What are you going to do?” His frown deepened, "You won't leave, will you?"

  "Well, I had thought I'd move into the boarding house and look for employment. I thought I might even open a little shop, like a milliner's, but Lily wouldn't hear of it. She said I'm family and would insult her by moving out.”

  Thank goodness Lily took the attitude she did. Belle loved living at Grandpa's fine home, loved the parties and shopping, loved being a part of a large and happy family. She loved everything about the good life she led. Except the lies. The lies and the constant fear of discovery.

  "So, now you're a woman of independent means?” Lex's warm brown eyes sparkled.

  The wind ruffled his auburn hair, sending a lock across his forehead. What a kind and handsome man. She could spend a lifetime looking at his sweet face. She prayed he never found out about her life at Roxie's. That would be sure to send him running away from her.

  "Hardly that, though to me the thousand dollars does seem a fortune. At least, now I can buy my own things when Lily wants to go shopping."

  Rosilee nodded. "And with my sister, that is often."

  The women exchanged a smile before Belle continued, "And I have the income from my piano students.”

  Rosilee reached across the table to pat Belle's hand. "Yes, I've heard very good reports from Mrs. McGee. She says Millie is actually practicing without a fuss."

  "Well, we talked about goals and rewards.” Belle smiled and revealed a secret. "And Millie found out she would get a special new dress when she plays good enough for a recital."

  The Tremonts laughed and Rosilee said, "You're a clever woman as well as a good teacher then."

  "I hope so. I'm trying as best I can.” If only they knew how much.

  ***

  Drake looked at his bride seated cross-legged on their bed. He twisted his hat. Damn, he hated arguing with Pearl. This is the very reason he'd avoided marriage. This is what he remembered of his parents' years together. Battle after endless battle. All very civilized warring for them, of course. His own little battle here had turned plumb hostile, though.

  "Pearl, I have to go. Our fortune and that of the Holsapples and Binghams depend on it.”

  "Why does it have to be you?” She extended her hand to point at him. "Why can't the neighbors take their own cows to Kansas?”

  "Cattle, damn it. Not cows. Six thousand head of cattle. You've met George Bingham and Otto Holsapple. George has a broken leg and Otto is as old as Grandpa and only half as hardy."

  "What about Vicente? He managed while you were gone.” She tilted her head. Glorious honey-colored hair swept across her full breasts. He struggled to keep his mind on business.

  "There are too many people between here and Kansas who won't give him the respect he's due, just 'cause he's Mexican. If he didn't lose half the cattle, he'd sure get a lot less for them at sale."

  She slid off the bed to stand with her hands on her hips, sparks in her jewel-toned eyes. "So, I'm just supposed to stay here and watch for boogers and beasties while I play second fiddle for Lily?"

  "Aw, Pearl, you know this is for the best.” He feathered a finger down her cheek and softened his voice. Knowing he spoke the truth lessened the guilt that burdened him lately. She and Sarah would be much safer with Grandpa. He'd do his damndest to keep Storm safe with him. "Try to understand. Give me a chance to go this one last time, will you?"

  He saw her tremble at his touch, heard the sigh. She dropped her hands to lace fingers demurely in front of her.

  "Yes. I'll give you your chance.” She raised her head, the light of battle still in her violet eyes. "And I'll be waiting when you return. But promise when you're back, we'll talk about making changes.”

  He smiled, relief flowing through him. "Sure enough. Now, come here and give me one of those 'remember' kisses of yours to hold me 'til I get back."

  "Hmph. After last night I hardly think you're likely to forget you're a married man.” She blushed.

  Remembering the night of lovemaking they'd shared last night, he smiled.

  "Just one more reminder, honey. Show me how much I'll miss you."

  She melted into his embrace. This woman was habit forming.

  It was another hour before he left the bedroom.

  Chapter Twelve

  Paper stacks littered the top of Pearl's cherry desk. Whirls of writing and figures covered each page. Pearl turned a sheet of paper to share information with Sarah and ran an ink-stained finger down a column of numbers.

  "You can see I've made estimates on all the costs. We'll have plenty of money left over in case of bad luck. With some bargaining on the building, the place should pay for itself in a year."

  "Are you sure, sister?” Sarah bit her lip, a worried frown creasing her brow. "It's true you're a wonderful cook, but lunch every weekday is a lot to take on?"

  Pearl nodded. "Yes, but there're enough people in this town to furnish steady lunch trade. I counted up the number of potential customers. If only a small portion of them come in, we'll sell enough lunches to keep us busy. And bread and desserts to sell for people to take home.”

  After worrying with it for days, she had made her decision last night. She refused to sit around and dally time away enduring Lily's sour temper and biting remarks. Drake had no intention of allowing her out on the ranch, so that left little outlet for her energies.

  She planned a small restaurant to serve lunch to the townspeople. Near the front she planned a bakery counter for her breads and pies. She didn't need a lot of profit. Being useful and busy meant much more.

  "I've looked at the building—at least on the outside. It's a good price even if the owner won't come down. The size works for this purpose. I'm going to make an offer for it."

  "What will Drake say? What will Grandpa and Lily say?"

  "I don't know. But I can't be like Lily, and I can't sit around and drink tea all day with a woman who hates me. They'll have to understand."

  "At least you'll be free in the evening to have dinner with Drake and Storm when they return."

  "Yes. That's what I thought. While Drake's working at the ranch, I'll work at our restaurant. When he's home in the evening, I'll be there with him."

  Her sister exhaled and placed both hands on the desk. "When do we start?"

  Pearl couldn't hide her surprise. "Sarah, I know you like the life we have now. Even though school will be out for the summer in another few weeks, I don't expect you to be a part of this."

  The young woman's eyes widened and pain flashed across her face. "How could you think I would do anything else?"

  Tears pricked behind Pearl's lids. Yes, how could she have doubted Sarah's loyalty? No matter what her sister said in private, to the world she offered Pearl unqualified support. She reached across and patted her sister's arm, then gave it a little squeeze.

  "Thank you. Of course, we won't make much money at first, but we'll be partners in any profits we earn."

  "But you've already given Storm and me part of your money. I don't need more."

  "If the money came from the person we believe, it is partly yours and Storm's anyway. And you deserve to be paid for your work.”

  "It was kind of you to give Belle some money. She feels so much happier knowing she has money to provide for herself. Will she work at the restaurant too?"

  Pearl shook her head. "No. I spoke to Belle, and asked her to keep on with her lessons and playing for the church. That's what she wants, and I don't want her forced to choose between Lily and me."

  "That would be unpleasant for everyone. But won't we need more help?"

  "We'll look for someone else. People we both like—if you're sure you want to go into this with me.” She leveled her gaze at the younger woman, giving her another chance to refuse. "You'd still have your schooling for now, so it might mean getti
ng up earlier to help with the baking."

  Sarah repeated without hesitation. "When do we start?"

  Pearl slid a sheaf of papers into her desk drawer. "Let's go look at the building. We'll make a list of all we'll need and start laying in supplies."

  Sarah's eyes sparkled. "Let's change into our traveling suits. We'll look business like."

  In spite of her determination to be independent and methodical, enthusiasm bubbled up and overflowed. "And we'll take the buggy to get the key."

  "Where is the key?"

  Pearl watched her sister's face as she answered. "This might be a bit awkward. It seems the owner became afflicted with wanderlust last fall. He left Lex acting for him."

  Sarah's eyes widened and her hand covered her lips.

  * * *

  "You want what?" Lex almost shouted as he rose from his chair.

  Pearl hoped her voice didn't squeak at his incredulous reaction. "I'm probably going to buy the building. But first, Sarah and I want to look it over.”

  He stood leaning forward, hands braced on his desk. "Pearl, have you thought this through?"

  "Yes. I've given it a lot of thought. I want to invest my money in a business. I want to be doing something useful again."

  "Wait until Drake returns. Please. The man only left two days ago. He'll be back in another month—six weeks at the outside.” He ran his hand across his face. "Look, I know Aunt Lily can be a pill, but surely you can let things ride until then."

  She decided on candor and shook her head. "No, Lex. I have tried but I don't think I can bear it much longer. I mean no disrespect to your Aunt Lily. She's used to being boss in her house and so am I. But we see things very differently."

  "I know you do. But, please," he held up a hand to stay her, "wait on this—just until Drake comes back."

  Pearl's spine stiffened and she squared her shoulders. "Are you refusing to show me the property?” She hated Lex had to be involved, but this was the perfect property for her business.

  His warm eyes softened. Chivalry and breeding forced him to concede, as she had known he would.

  "You know I would never do that. I just want you to avoid unnecessary conflict. I promised Drake to look out for you while he's gone. Guess I'm not doing a very good job."

  "Oh, Lex. I don't want you to be caught in the middle here. But I'm determined to open a restaurant to serve lunches to the townspeople. With desserts for them to take home. And to have a place to make my medicines and continue with my healing if people need me."

  He exhaled and his body slumped, as if accepting defeat.

  "All right. If your mind is set on this, then at least I can advise you on the condition of the property."

  Together, the three of them walked across an empty lot between Lex’s office and where the building she wanted stood. A false facade along the front added height to the wooden structure. Every board needed paint. A creaking sign moved in the breeze, the lettering faded and indecipherable.

  Grimy windows prevented seeing inside, but the key worked easily in the lock. Lex opened the door and stepped aside to admit the two women. Enough light filtered through the soiled glass panes to show dust motes floating on pale sunbeams. Dirty oiled-cloth covered tables dotted the room, their chairs overturned on tabletops.

  Sarah clapped her hands and smiled. "Oh, sister. This will be perfect."

  The look Lex shot Sarah's way left Pearl with no doubt of his true opinion of the venture.

  He crammed his hands in his pants pockets and scowled. "It needs scraping and painting, the roof needs repair, and a ton of soap and water won't get this dump clean. And who knows what's nested in the kitchen?"

  Pearl moved slowly through the large room, her mind mulling possibilities. When she reached the kitchen, she stopped. "Heavens. That range is older than I am."

  Lex tapped it with his boot. "Can you cook on that?"

  Always shy on her own behalf, Sarah leapt to Pearl's defense. "She can cook on anything."

  "We'll do with this one until a new range arrives.” She smiled at her sister. "Let's order it today."

  Lex ran his hand through his thick auburn hair. "Pearl, please think on this some more. Are you sure you have to do this now? The building will still be here when Drake returns, at least if dirt acts like glue it will."

  "It has to be now. And I have thought about it. A lot.” Pearl looked around the room and smiled. She opened a cupboard to reveal a store of pots and pans waiting for use.” She took a pan to the back door and tipped the contents onto a clump of weeds. "But all the mice families will have to find other homes.”

  The look of surprise on Lex's face at her reaction to a nest of mice amused her. He probably expected any woman to scream and climb on a chair at the site of a rodent. He should know by now she came from tougher fabric. She continued her inventory. Another cupboard revealed stacks of plates in all patterns and states of disrepair—most cracked or chipped. Not to be discouraged, she said, "This will do very nicely. There's a big pantry, and a storage room I can use for my medicines and herbs. Yes, we want to buy this."

  Lex tugged at his ear and refused to meet her gaze. "Is, um, is Belle going to be working here, too?"

  Pearl smiled at the smitten man. "No. She's happy with her music. She enjoys life with Lily and Grandpa."

  She saw relief wash across Lex's features.

  He asked, "But won't you need someone else to help? At least with the cleaning?”

  "Yes, Sarah and I will need another woman to help us with the cooking and serving and also someone for the heavy cleaning and washing. First we need help with the painting and such. Maybe you can recommend someone."

  "I'll ask around and let you know. If you're set on this, we might as well go back to the office and draw up the papers. Oh, hell. Beggin' your pardon, ladies, Drake's gonna kill me. But first he's goin' to beat me to a pulp."

  After signing the papers, Pearl and Sarah went back to their building and measured for curtains, tablecloths and seat cushions. When at last they climbed into the buggy for the trip back to Grandpa's, they had ordered a new range all the way from Chicago, claimed all the spare table flatware in town, and bought three sets of stoneware dishes to be delivered to the new restaurant. The bolts of fabric they took with them in the buggy. They chose crisp white for aprons, red and white checks for tablecloths and curtains, bright red for chair cushions.

  When Sarah and Pearl stepped into the front entry of the house, they heard a couple of loud crashes from the kitchen. Lily's angry voice followed. The two sisters rushed toward the sounds.

  In the kitchen they found Ellen and Polly wringing their hands and cowering against the wall while Lily poured Pearl's remedies into a large pan. From the amount splashed on the floor and the litter of broken containers, she had been at her pursuit for some time.

  "Let's see how she likes this. Mixing up her potions in my very own kitchen. And after I forbade her practicing her spells and witchcraft in this town, shaming me in front of all my friends."

  Pearl stepped forward and wrenched a bottle from Lily's hand. "That was to help your father's rheumatism, you selfish woman."

  Lily's eyes blazed fire in a fit of temper greater than any Pearl had witnessed.

  "Selfish? Me? Why you common harridan, you. What right have you to come in here and take over? This house belongs to me and my father. You're only a guest here because your husband doesn't want you."

  "I'm here for the safety of myself and my family. Do you think I prefer being here to living in my own home?"

  "You have no home. Drake has the ranch, but you can be assured he doesn't want you there. You're nothing to him, nothing more than a legal mistress."

  Pearl stepped closer to the irate woman. "I married your nephew, but don't think that gives you a right to be rude to me."

  "He only married you because he needed someone fast to save his ranch.” Lily gave a toss of her head and tilted her nose. "Drake would never have chosen you for a wife if he hadn't bee
n desperate."

  Pearl knew Lily spoke the truth, but her pride would never let her admit as much to this bitter woman. Still, all her newfound pride and the pleasure of the day's activities fled. She sagged to a chair as Grandpa stormed into the room.

  "What in tarnation's going on out here?” He stopped in his tracks at the broken crocks, bottles, and spilled medicines.

  Lily whirled on her father. "This is your fault for encouraging her. For enforcing that ridiculous will my foolish brother and his snooty wife made."

  "That'll be enough, Lily. You're too old for me to send you to your room. But if you know what's good for you, you'll decide to go there right now."

  "Oooooh.” Lily stomped her foot before she ran out of the room.

  Grandpa sighed and put his arm across Pearl's shoulder. "Come on into my study. You too, Sarah.” At the door he stopped and addressed the frightened servants. "You get this cleaned up and get on with your other chores. Take tomorrow off to make up for the extra work."

  He didn't wait to see their reaction, but ushered Pearl and Sarah ahead of him to his private sanctuary.

  He helped a sagging Pearl into a winged-back chair near the fireplace and indicated Sarah should settle nearby before he sat at his desk.

  "I told Drake this wouldn't work. He seemed convinced otherwise. Any fool knows two bossy women can't live in the same house."

  Pearl fought back tears of anger, frustration, and embarrassment. "I'm so sorry, Grandpa. I’ve tried not to be bossy. And I never meant to cause you trouble."

  "Now, don't go holdin' yourself too much to blame for this mess today. Lily's used to having her way. So are you. It doesn't take a master mind to figure out you two can't live in the same house for long."

  "There's more.” Tears that had threatened overflowed. "Oh, Grandpa, please don't hate me.”

  Through choking sobs, Pearl told Grandpa about the restaurant and her new plans. She knew she could no longer remain under the same roof as Lily, so she told Grandpa the other part of her plan.

  "It will only cause continual problems, my being here. I think it would be better if I move somewhere else, so Lily doesn't have to see me at dinner or in the evening. Don't worry. I'll find a house to live in nearby, but far enough that Lily won't have to see me."