“Haven’t been able to have a good visit since our party,” Pearl said, sitting atop Pie, a new scabbard packed to the horse’s side. “I was off this Sunday and thought I’d stop by and visit and see if you’d heard the news.” She slid off the horse and tethered him, then walked hesitantly up to me.
Puzzled, I searched her eyes for a clue. “What news?”
“R.C. called and told me Perry Gillis passed Friday night. The hospital kept giving him blood but he just grew weaker and the doctors couldn’t repair the damage. Developed a raging infection after he lost his eyesight.”
I dropped my hand to my belly, almost doubling over, the news feeling more like a release than any grief I could muster for him.
“Nearly did the same, Honey.”
We stood there quietly, each of us lost in our thoughts, the news and what comfort it brought mirrored in our eyes. Still, there was his kin, and no telling what they would do to me and Wrenna.
“Come in, come in, Pearl.”
“Sure you’re up for company? You look a little tired.”
“The library added more patrons to my route, and it’s been keeping me busy. I was just getting ready to fix some dinner. I’ll set an extra plate. Can you stay?”
“Would love to. I’ve been busy myself. With the weather turning warm, more people are getting out. I had three campfires this week alone, and last week I woke up to a sleeping fire from the lightning storm.”
“Wondered where you were when I stopped by with the loans.”
“I’ve been out in the forest tracking small fires more than in my cab lately. I thought I’d see if you’d like to show me around like you first offered. That is if you’re free?”
“I was looking for an excuse to get out today.” Pearl looked a little tired, too, and stretched in the nerves. “How are you doing up there in the cab?”
“Better,” she admitted. “R.C. built a new trapdoor, and he also put a rope ladder out on the catwalk that can be released only from the top. Which makes me feel a whole lot better. But nothing better than hearing about the news. I’ll sure be sleeping a lot easier now.”
I wasn’t so sure with Robbie and the sheriff out there.
“How have you been, Honey?” She stepped over the threshold, and I scanned the woods before shutting the door.
“It’s been hectic, and I haven’t been sleeping well either.”
“Nightmares?”
I nodded. “Yeah, but the granny woman gave me something, so it’s helping.” I scrambled to pick up the fallen letters and place them on my bed.
“Mother got me a prescription for Tuinal from our family doctor. But I can only take it on my days off.”
I turned back to her and we stared at each other a moment, the weight of the men’s misdeeds reflected in our tired eyes, buried deep into our scarred souls. Then Pearl grabbed me and gave me a tight hug. It felt good to see my friend again, and I returned it heartily, a small sob escaping our breaths.
I sniffled and straightened. “I’ve been thinking. I didn’t get to say it, Pearl, at the fire. And although it’s small, thank you for saving my life. I couldn’t have done what you did and lived through it.”
“I couldn’t have done what you did either. Leading the law to poor Guyla’s horrid grave he dumped her in. I could’ve been next if you didn’t warn me.” She plopped down in a chair at the table, pulling Pennie up into her lap.
“It was awful finding out li’l Johnnie had seen his mama being stuffed down that dark cold well.” I shivered at the thought.
“Someone should lock that sheriff up for not investigating.”