O'hara's Choice - Leon Uris [123]
Pearly had once been a domestic slave at the Virginia end of the shore and had become one of those Southern chefs of legend.
The big kettle hung in the fireplace bubbling with Pearly’s crossbreed of gumbo and bouillabaisse, with every creature of fin and shell from the bay represented.
They set around the fireplace and passed the jug, nipped and whistled as the bite went down to their shoes. Thanks to Charlie Bugg, the village’s modest still escaped unraided.
Pearly lit her corncob pipe and cleared the side table of photographs. Out of nine kids, six had survived and grown up and left, except for Ulysses, who pretty much ran the farm now. He had been named after General Grant, who sent a federal battalion to guard the Eastern Shore and keep it in the Union. Ulysses had his own cabin, which included Sugar, a sassy, bossy wife.
“Anyone know that Amanda is back in Nebo?” Jefferson asked.
“Nobody but family,” Ned answered, “but everyone sure going to know by tomorrow unless we put some shoe polish on her face.”
They prattled back and forth. Amanda accepted the warmth of her welcome, able to speak after a time.
“My father knows I’m in Nebo. On the way here, the trip was so dizzying I didn’t have much time to think. I realize now that coming here could put you all in danger. I’ll stay for a day. Put me in a safe place tomorrow so I can think it through and find somewhere—”
“Daisy said your father wouldn’t send anyone to Nebo after you,” Willow said.
“Laveda told me you was going to be safe here,” Jefferson added.
“Lord, Lord, Miss Amanda a runaway!” Pearly said.
“Mr. Horace has really been put in his place,” Willow said.
“Please, please,” Amanda said, “my heart is so full, I can barely speak.”
“Amen,” Pearly said.
“But you don’t know Horace Kerr like I know Horace Kerr. He’s capable of anything,” Amanda continued.
“Well, I know Horace Kerr,” Ned said. “He been in Nebo—what, three times. Fourth time I saw him at the Wyman Landing, coming to fetch you. You know, Amanda, we got to learn to read a white man’s intentions real quick. Your daddy’s a bully, but he rarely been called on it. Well, he’s been called on it now and he ain’t going to bully us.”
“I wouldn’t put it past him to try to burn you out after I leave,” Amanda warned.
“Remember old Sheriff Charlie Bugg?”
“ ‘The Big Mosquito’?”
“Me and Willow went around to see him yesterday,” Ned said. “Nothing sets foot in this county without him knowing, and if they try to come for you, got to remember half the old people in Nebo was runaways at one time or another. We know the places and the routes to the places and our hound dogs can smell a nasty white posse ten miles away.”
Pearly went to the organ and pumped it as Ulysses and his wife, Sugar, entered. Ulysses was as massive as Sugar was tiny. He went clear shy at the sight of Amanda, lowered his eyes, and held out his hand. Amanda gave him a mighty hug while Sister Sugar’s eyes widened at the sight of the snow princess.
Willow and Amanda lay on their backs on the four-poster bed in Veda’s cottage staring at the timber rafters. It was no cropper’s cottage but a jewel of taste and manner.
Amanda spoke of the clash with Horace and worried about what might follow.
“Ned’s pretty certain about Sheriff Bugg,” Amanda said.
“He should be. Nebo has made him rich. He owns the cannery in St. Lawrence, so the men here fish up nice blue crabs and the women pick them and pack them. He pays a good price but takes a very good commission on everything. Everyone knows that Charlie’s niggers are under his protection.”
“Don’t say it that way.”
“ ‘Scuse me, his colored folk are very Christian and peaceful. Nothing and no one moves into this county without Charlie Bugg knowing it.”
“You hate him?”
“He’s the best we can do. He doesn’t go back on his word and that’s fine with Ned and the elders. Ulysses is very shy, always been, but he’s a strong boy and he’ll be on the council someday.”
“He and Sister Sugar make some pair.”
“He doesn