The Most Unsuitable Wife

by Caroline Clemmons

  "But before your grandmother died, nothing like this happened?"

  Pearl looked from her sister to her brother and then to her husband. Drake squeezed her shoulder and nodded to her to answer.

  "We've always been shunned and teased because, well, we're different from the folks who lived around us. There was nothing dangerous, though, nothing that threatened our lives before Granny died."

  The sheriff pulled at his chin. "So something changed when your grandmother died. Something about her death affected someone who wants to harm you."

  Storm nodded. "I think it has something to do with the money, but I don't know how it's connected."

  Sheriff Liles head came up. "What money?"

  "Of course,” Drake said. "Remember the first day I saw you? Those three men asked about your Granny's gold. How did they know your Granny had any money?"

  Pearl shook her head and reached for Drake's hand. She felt lost. "I don't know. It was Jug who mentioned it. How could he have known when none of us knew?"

  The sheriff raised his voice to repeat, "What money?"

  Pearl explained about the funds she received after she arrived and how surprised she had been.

  "And you don't know where this money came from?"

  Pearl hesitated. How much should she tell? Would Drake want the lawman to know about her parents not being married? She would die if he knew all the details about her birth, but she couldn't see how to tell about the money without letting at least the facts of her illegitimacy being known. She felt an encouraging hand on her shoulder and looked up to see her husband smiling down at her.

  "It's all right, honey. Ben's a good family friend as well as the best lawman around. Tell him all you know."

  Pearl sighed and told about the letter which came with the money. "We—Storm and Sarah and I—think our father paid it to Granny so she wouldn't tell who he was. When she died, he didn't have to pay anymore. But we can't see how that has anything to do with the trouble. We didn't know about the money in the first place."

  Grandpa looked lost in thought, but injected, "Maybe the person who paid didn't know your grandmother kept it secret from you. Maybe he thought you all three knew.”

  "Someone knew, someone told Jug," Drake said. "Would someone at the bank have told him?"

  "I don't know." Pearl wracked her brain. How had Jug known about the money? She had thought him just talking, mouthing off with no facts to back his gaff.

  "How many people work at this bank?"

  "Most of the time only the owner, Mr. Haris, and his assistant, Ulis Young. Sometimes Mrs. Haris came in to help if Ulis was sick."

  "It's a small place, Ben," Drake added. "I'm surprised they even had a bank."

  Storm spoke up, "Wasn't much of one. Not much bigger than this room."

  Sheriff Liles stood. "I believe I'll send me some wires. Get in touch with your friend who used to be sheriff there as well as the new man. Maybe the banker. You folks go about your business. You've got good men working for you."

  When the sheriff had left, Grandpa took his chair again. "This is a big puzzle to me. Seems like we ought to be able to unravel at least a part of it."

  "I've tried, Grandpa. Ever since it started, I've worried and worried with it.” All her life Pearl had faced trouble head on. Now she wished she could just bury herself in her husband's arms and all the trouble would go away.

  "We've talked it over, lots of times.” Storm gestured to his sisters. "We figured at first someone wanted us to leave Pipers Hollow, or at least scare Pearl away so Sarah and I would have to live with the Higgins. Then, when the trouble followed, we just couldn't figure it out."

  "There's something we're all missing, something that connects all these incidents.” Drake took Pearl's hands and pulled her gently to her feet. "For now, I think I should take my family home.”

  * * *

  Pearl allowed Drake to guide her along and help her into the buggy, as if she didn't drive herself in that same conveyance twice every weekday. She watched woodenly as Drake tied Midnight to the back of the buggy and climbed in beside her. Like a giant rag doll, Pearl propped herself on the seat incapable of clear thought or sensibility. Sarah sat in the back seat as if she, too, were in shock.

  For most of Pearl's life she had been the one in charge of her family's welfare, the one to take command and see what needed doing got done. Even when her mother was alive, Pearl acted more parent than child. As Granny's health waned, Pearl's burden of family responsibility grew. Not that she questioned her role. In fact, she preferred commanding her own destiny and that of her siblings. Better to rely only on yourself and not be disappointed, better to control than be controlled.

  What a surprise to find herself welcoming her husband's intervention. She had resented his earlier attempts to impose his will on hers. Now his firm, gentle grasp soothed her raw nerves. She recalled his statement to Grandpa. He said he would take his family home.

  What a wealth of sentiment that expressed to her. The way he pulled her to him as he spoke, gathered her and Storm and Sarah as a unit to leave together. Maybe he did care for them all, not just find them a duty or burden to be born.

  She wanted to lie snuggled in her husband's arms and sleep for a week. How could she rebuild her restaurant plus treat the people who came for her healing when she could hardly hold her head up? The exhaustion plaguing her the past few weeks took its toll on her weakened defenses. She exhaled a deep breath and leaned against Drake.

  He switched the reins to one hand and brought his other arm around her. "That was a mighty big sigh. Are you going to be all right, honey?"

  "Yes, I'm sure I'll survive this. But it's a terrible disappointment to have all our hard work destroyed in one brief moment and not know why."

  "Don't worry. We can rebuild it just the way your want it."

  She turned her face up to study his. "You really mean that? I know you hated the restaurant."

  "It's true I didn't like it. You worked too hard there. If that makes you happy, though, then I'll help you keep it."

  "What made you change your mind?"

  His face turned grim. "First I was afraid you'd remember what I said about wishing it would burn to the ground.” He met her gaze. "Ah, I see you did remember that."

  She rested her hand on his shoulder. "Drake, I know you didn't set the fire."

  "Well, I 've had a lot of time to think about this lately."

  He raised his eyebrows. She knew he meant while he slept alone. With Sarah in the back seat of the buggy, Pearl made no comment, merely nodded her encouragement for him to continue.

  "I remembered what you said when we were leaving Pipers Hollow. About meaning to go to Wyoming because women were treated more like equals there, how you'd start a business there serving food. Remember that plan?

  She nodded. "Yes, but I didn't think you would."

  "Then, later, you told me you wanted your—our—marriage to be a partnership."

  "And what do you want out of the partnership?"

  "I guess I'm still trying to figure that out. I'd say it's changed considerably since we met."

  The ranch house appeared on the horizon. Never had it looked so good to Pearl. Maria and Miguel rushed to the buggy, concern written on their faces. Maria cooed over and cossetted Pearl and Sarah as she shooed them to bed.

  Drake followed the women, but pulled Sarah aside before she went into her own room. Pearl paused to listen, comforted he remembered her sister's part in the restaurant.

  "Sarah, will you be all right now? I know it's been a terrible shock for you, too."

  "Yes, I'll be fine,” Sarah said as her eyes sought Pearl. "I've never seen you like this, sister."

  Drake gave Sarah's shoulder a squeeze. "I'll stay with her a while. She needs sleep and time. I imagine that would help you, too."

  "I will take care of Señorita Sarah,” Maria assured them.

  Carlotta delivered a cup of soothing tea to Pearl then left the couple alone. Drake turn
ed down the bed.

  When Pearl had drained her cup and set it aside, Drake helped her slip into bed. He sat beside her, her hand in his. With his other hand he caressed her hair.

  "Try to sleep now, honey. We'll have plenty of time to deal with all this when you wake."

  Too weary and stunned to protest, Pearl slept.

  * * *

  Drake watched slumber claim his wife. Dark circles shadowed beneath her closed lids against pale cheeks. When had she lost that sunkissed glow he found so appealing? Hollows in her cheeks spoke of her lost weight.

  How had they gotten their marriage in such a mess? He wanted her in his bed, wanted her in his life. He couldn't say when she had claimed a part of him, but knew she had. No longer did he think of her as a necessary burden to retain his ranch, but as a person to be admired. And desired.

  Now he had to deal with this new attack on her. A terrible knot gripped his stomach. What if the fire had been later? What if she had been at work and trapped in the blaze? What if she were the intended victim instead of the building?

  Dear God, help us!

  He almost choked for air at the thought. Best not even think about it, it must have been an accident. Or, maybe someone planned it as a scare tactic. If so, the plan succeeded. It scared the hell out of him.

  With tenderness he hadn't realized he possessed, he tucked the sheet around her sleeping form. After a kiss to her brow, he slipped from the room. He vowed to find the men responsible for this. Damned if he wouldn't.

  * * *

  Lex stood at the window of his office, Belle's hand in his. In the three days it took the embers to cool, Drake had lined up both workers and materials. Now Lex and Belle watched Drake and his ranch crew along with a few others clearing away the rubble from the fire. Sarah trailed Pearl around the site before the two women went toward the mercantile.

  Lily sat in a chair near another window, her patience apparently growing thin even for her. "Who on earth are all those people out there? I've never seen such a shabby lot."

  Lex thought his aunt even more waspish than usual of late, but Belle explained away Lily's ill humor as some sort of mysterious illness. Women stuff, he imagined, and was not anxious for a discussion of what it entailed.

  He didn't let go of Belle's hand to answer his aun't complaint. "Some are ranch hands. The rest are people Pearl's helped with her healing. Most of her patients couldn't pay cash, so they're giving their time now to help her."

  "That must make Pearl so happy, knowing she's appreciated,” Belle said. "She's waited so long to be accepted."

  Lex heard Lily's snort of disapproval. "Well, I don't appreciate or accept her carrying on like she does."

  Ill or not, he was tired of his spoiled aunt's constant harrangues. She seemed to condemn anything Pearl did.

  "Pearl's helped a lot of people with her healing. She's delivered babies, stitched up wounds, and cured ailments. Look how much she helped Grandpa.” He turned to challenge the prune-faced woman. "Surely you don't resent her helping Grandpa? Would you wish him still in pain just to spite Pearl?"

  Lily looked as if he'd slapped her. Lord knows, many times he'd felt like it, especially lately. He would never do such a thing, of course. This was the first time since they'd been grown he'd been less than polite to her.

  "N-no. Of course, I'm glad Papa's better.” She raised her chin, a defiant sign he recognized. "I don't think Pearl had anything to do with it, though. If you ask me, it's a wonder he didn't die from her treatment. It's a coincidence he got better at the same time he was taking her vile tonic and following her silly special diet.”

  Lex tried not to grimace in disgust. I should give up.

  "Some coincidence.” He gestured out the window. "And all those people out there had the same coincidence happen to them. Think about it, Lily. For once don't be so stubborn. Admit you were wrong about Pearl."

  "I'll do no such thing.” Her pale face flushed with anger. "She is just the most common woman."

  For once, Belle stood up to Lily, though her voice remained soft and placating. "You have no idea how good a woman she is, Lily. She helped so many before she left Tennessee. She had a terrible hard life, but she never let it get her down."

  Lily gave a toss of her head. "Hmph. Baking and doing her witch doctoring? How does that make her some downtrodden heroine?"

  "For years she took care of an invalid grandmother who never had a kind word for her. When Pearl didn't marry the town's minister, he tried to turn everyone against her and caused her all kinds of problems. She took in Sarah and Storm when she was only a child herself. And she's taken such good care them—and anyone else under her roof. She never turned a sick person away, even those who'd been mean to her."

  "Hmph," Lily snorted again in apparent disagreement. She stood as if she were eighty-five instead of thirty-five. "Belle, we're not getting your trousseau fitted with you two standing there making calves' eyes at each other. Let's get to the dressmaker's and leave all that noise next door to my nephews."

  Lex dropped a kiss on Belle's brow. How he looked forward to the time they were married and could be together with privacy. For now, he bided his time with the promise of their approaching engagement party the following night and their upcoming wedding.

  He walked the two women to the door. As they left, he cautioned, "Lily, think about what you've heard about Pearl. There's no need to resent her. She wants to be your friend."

  Lily's only answer was a look that would freeze over hell.

  * * *

  A crown of curls topped Pearl's head and cascaded to dance across her right shoulder. Confident her lavender wedding dress met even Lily's inflexible standards, she smoothed a flounce of lace. To prove she was trying to make peace with her husband's aunt, Pearl had worn the blasted corset. She'd refused to cinch it tight, but its stays pushed and poked at her with every breath or movement.

  Her fingers touched the amethyst necklace Drake brought her from Kansas. Choosing between the sparkling gems or the wedding pearls had been a tough decision.

  At Grandpa's insistence, the party was being held in his home. Rugs and most of the parlor furniture had been cleared away to make room for guests' dancing across polished oak floors. Windows and French doors were open against the stifling summer heat. An occasional whisper of a breeze brought with it the scent of jasmine and roses from the garden.

  Pearl stood beside her husband at the punch table. Guests chose either champagne or fruit punch from a table laden with delicacies. She had pretended she didn't see Storm whisk away a champagne glass, and admitted to herself he was almost grown. It made her sad to think of either he or Sarah leaving home, so she pushed it from her mind. For now she was content Storm had friends his age, Sarah chatted with a group of her friends over punch cups, and the evening seemed to be going well.

  Drake's raised voice carried across the room and most guests stopped talking to look his way.

  "May I have your attention, please, folks? It's my privilege to announce the engagement of my wife's cousin, Miss Annabella Angeline Renfro, to my lucky cousin, Alexon Samuel Tremont.” He raised his glass and nodded toward Belle and Lex. "We wish you the best, Belle and Lex."

  The hum of congratulations collided with the clink of champagne flutes and punch cups. Belle glowed, but no more than Lex. Love radiated from them like a beacon. Trying not to stare, Pearl watched their every move. If only Drake looked at her the way Lex now gazed at Belle. She felt a sigh escape and hoped no one else noticed.

  When she turned, she saw Drake staring at the couple, an inscrutable expression on his face. What could he be thinking? Did he wish for himself a wife whom he loved as much as Lex loved Belle? Did he wish himself still single? Did he wish he had never become involved with her and her family? She sighed again.

  The five musicians snugged into a corner of the large room struck up a tune and couples glided onto the dance floor.

  Lily's lemon sour face broke into what must have been intended as a
smile. It fell short. Obviously the woman was still ill and Pearl wondered what the ailment might be. Lily's once-perfect posture sagged. The waspish woman's deathly pale face looked drawn and tense. Her once fiery hair no longer shone, it's brilliant color now dull as sweet potato pie.

  For any other person, Pearl would make inquiries or even offer her help. She knew solicitations to Lily would be unwelcome and resented, so she held her tongue. She wanted no trouble with Lily, wanted to cause none for Grandpa where his daughter was concerned.

  Pearl thought there must be at least two hundred guests. Soon she was drawn into the merriment and lost track of time. Near midnight, folks started drifting away to go home. Pearl hated for the magic night to end, but fatigue pulled at her.

  Only about thirty guests remained when Lily sank to the floor in a faint. Several women screamed. Pearl rushed to Lily's side.

  Belle cradled Lily's head in her lap. "Her skin's cold as death and dry as paper.”

  "We need to get her to her room.” Pearl's training took over. "Drake, could you carry her upstairs? Storm, see if Dr. Percival's still here."

  "He left an hour ago. I'll go get him."

  Grandpa stayed Storm with a hand to his arm. "No, I'll send someone. Rosilee, you'll have to take over as hostess for your sister. Pearl, you go up with Lily and take care of her. I'll get things going down here and join you in a few minutes."

  Drake carried Lily upstairs and Pearl and Sarah trailed close behind. The sound of Grandpa's reassuring voice followed them.

  "Sorry, folks. Lily got a little too excited over the party. She'll be fine."

  The musicians stuck up a tune and the hum of conversation drifted over the music.

  In Lily's room, Pearl and Sarah started undressing their patient while Drake opted to wait in the hall.

  Pearl fumbled with the laces of a fancy corset. "I don't know how she got this corset laced so tight."

  "How could she breathe?” Sarah lifted petticoats to work at Lily's stockings. She halted with her hands in mid air. "Oh, my goodness, the smell. Sister, come here.” Sarah put her hand over her mouth and stepped back.