The Saints of Swallow Hill(81)

Del said, “Yeah, damn shame, is what it is.”

“Who knows, maybe you’ve given her something to think about.”

A minute later, Cornelia opened the door and came down the steps, a paper package in her hand. Otis was right on her heels. When she handed the package to Del, she quickly flicked four fingers at him, twice, while staring at him intently, clearly wanting to convey a message.

Otis said, “Cornelia!”

Del frowned, looked askance, but she could offer nothing more with Otis watching her every move. She hurried back into the house. He looked at her retreating back until Otis slammed the door behind them.

Peewee said, “I got a feeling she ain’t gonna tolerate him so easy from here on out.”

Del said, “I sure hope not, not for her own sake,” still perplexed over what she’d tried to signal to him.

Peewee said, “Listen, I’d like to buy that horse back off of you, if you’re innerested.”

Del didn’t like being indebted and Peewee had already cleared what he owed at the commissary.

He said, “Only if you’ll let me send you money once I get back home.”

Peewee raised a hand and said, “Ain’t no need. You done enough around here. We’re flush.”

Del had pictured riding Ruby home, but he needed folding money worse. He didn’t mind walking, and if need be, he’d hitch a ride here and here.

Del said, “I’ll take you up on that.”

They went to his office, where Peewee opened a drawer and counted out the money into his hand. Then he scribbled something on a piece of paper and handed that to Del too.

“Here’s my address, back home. It’d be great to stay in touch.”

Del took it and said, “Thank you. It sure would.”

Peewee grabbed hold of his hand and shook it good and hard.

He said, “Safe travels.”

Del said, “I hope you get to leave soon too.”

Peewee said, “Can’t be quick enough. When’re you heading out?”

Del was undecided. Knowing Rae Lynn had been kicked out of the Riddle house, he felt he should try and find her, make sure she had somewhere to go. Would she even want his help? She’d never shown more than a mild interest in what he might have to say, and not a thing more.

He said, “I don’t know,” and he scuffed his boot across the ground. “I wonder if the Cobb woman is all right.”

Peewee said, “Something tells me she’ll be fine, no matter where she goes.”

Del said, “Probably,” resigning himself to the realization he would likely never see her again.





Chapter 28


Rae Lynn


Meanwhile, Otis was preoccupied in the outhouse, declaring without any sense of decorum that what had happened had upset his bowels, shouting at Rae Lynn that when he came out, by God she better be gone. She had quickly gathered the few things she had, with Cornelia trying to help, despite the pain and discomfort she must have felt. The hardening tar turned part of her face into a grotesque mask while her eyes begged, Stay. That same plea, once spoken in a soft voice as Rae Lynn hovered near death, silent now, filled the room.

Rae Lynn put her hand on Cornelia’s arm and said, “Nellie, he saw. Let him think what he wants. Let him blame who he wants. Dear Lord, look what’s happened to you over it. It ain’t worth you getting hurt more. Let it be.”

If it hadn’t been for Otis, no one would have been the wiser over the incident between her and Cornelia. While it perplexed Rae Lynn, it changed nothing. Whatever it was that had compelled Cornelia to kiss her, the most important thing was Cornelia cared about her. And, no one had, not since Warren.

She was glad Otis had kicked her out, only because she didn’t think she could bear to stay under the same roof after what he’d caused, yet she worried at what would become of her friend, who at this very minute was fussing about food. She’d wrapped ham biscuits, two jars of tea, and a couple peach tarts. Rae Lynn dropped the pistol in her dress pocket last, and she shuddered before she could stop herself.

Cornelia said, “What’s wrong?”

“That.”

Rae Lynn gestured toward her pocket.

“The pistol?”

“It’s the one . . .”

Knowledge dawned. “Oh. Warren.”

Rae Lynn nodded. Cornelia brushed her fingertips lightly down Rae Lynn’s shoulder, while shaking her head. “It”—and she pointed at the gun—“set him free from his pain.”

This was what Rae Lynn loved about her, and part of what she would miss. Cornelia’s ability to take her worries and make sense of them. What she didn’t like was how Cornelia looked in the general area of the pistol, as if it held an answer she’d not considered. Rae Lynn patted Cornelia’s arm, but, couldn’t delay any longer. She had to leave or risk running into Otis.

They left the small room, and Cornelia said, “It’ll be dark in a couple hours. You ain’t leaving now, are you?”

“No, I’ll go to where I was staying before. Just for tonight. After that, I ain’t sure.”

The women hugged, their manner furtive and nervous, and Cornelia’s face crumpled, the hardened tar pulling and distorting the skin, giving her features an even more tragic appearance.