Chapter 10
Katniss was frustrated. Why was Peeta treating her like some weak-willed woman who couldn't defend herself? She'd rode a leg of the Pony Express only two days earlier and yesterday she'd taken down a deer.
And then he'd come back and kissed her. While she appreciated the affectionate gesture, she wondered why he did it. Was he embarrassed by his behavior? If he truly expected trouble, he knew how handy she was with a rifle.
Her eyes flitted round the soddy looking for something to keep her busy. She didn't know if Delly even had any mending. Delly wasn't one to leave work piled up and undone.
She lifted the lid of the dutch oven to check on the cooling cake. The sweet aroma rose up to greet her and she marveled that Peeta was such a fine baker. It was too bad that he didn't work as one, if that was what he wanted to do. But she supposed he'd have to move to a populated area where there was a market for fancy cakes and baked goods.
Dropping the lid back onto the pot, she walked to the open doorway and peered out. Peeta's back was to her. He and the dark-haired visitor were conversing in low voices. As far as she could tell, nothing seemed amiss.
Katniss stepped outside of the house. "Do you need any help Peeta?"
Peeta turned to look at her. His eyes were large and the muscles in his jaw had gone slack.
Her heart raced at his agitated expression. Something was wrong. Maybe she should go inside and get a rifle. She took a step backwards standing on the threshold of the doorframe.
Meanwhile the visitor brushed past Peeta and headed toward her. Peeta hurried after him. The man stopped in front of Katniss. He looked her up and down, his brown eyes darkening.
"Where did you get that dress?" he spat out.
Katniss threw Peeta, who was already at the man's side, a nervous glance.
"A friend loaned it to me." She kept her voice even. Did this man recognize Delly's dress? Did he know her?"
"Katniss." Peeta's voice sounded eerily calm.
She looked to him. Peeta locked eyes with her, like he was trying to warn her about something.
"This is Eli Mitchell. He's looking for his wife Delly."
Katniss' mouth flew open. She'd experienced shock before when she learned of the sudden death of her parents and sister. Then, her first reaction had been denial. It was the same now.
It couldn't be true. The man must be lying. Why would Delly marry Rye if her husband were still living?
The man reached for her skirt and fondled the peach-colored fabric. Stunned and revolted by his actions, Katniss took a step backwards. The man dropped his hand.
"Sorry about that," he said, giving her an awkward smile. "But it brings back such memories of our wedding day. Delly was a beautiful bride."
Bile rose in Katniss' throat as she remembered Delly's comments about the dress. "She's not here, Mr. Mitchell."
The man looked beyond her into the house. "What's this," he said. He put his hand onto Katniss' shoulder and pushed her aside, stepping into the soddy.
He set his bedroll down and surveyed the room. "What the hell? That's my hutch." He stomped over to look at the dishes set on the shelves. He picked one up and set it down quickly. "These are my dishes."
The curtain was parted to show the brass bed. "Well, I'll be damned if that's not my brass bed too."
He turned back to Katniss and Peeta, who stood together in the doorway of the house. "Where's Delly? Where's that brother of hers? Why are all of my things sitting in your house? I suppose you've got my chickens and my cow and my wagon as well."
Eli's voice rose. For a moment Katniss feared that he would physically attack them. Peeta must have thought the same. He left her side and positioned himself in front of the wall where two rifles hung.
The man was like a wounded animal caught in a trap. Desperate.
Katniss knew she had to do something to ease the situation. "Sit down Mr. Mitchell." She kept her voice calm to sooth the man. "I'll make some coffee and we can talk."
"Do you have anything stronger?"
Delly had talked of her husband's drinking. Had she run off from him while he was on a bender?
"No, we only have coffee here Mr. Mitchell."
"You're a trading post. You must have whiskey," the man insisted.
"You're broke," Peeta said, as he guarded the rifles. His face was grim.
"Because that fool wife of mine ran off and left me."
Katniss picked up the pot of coffee that sat on the shelf near the stove, shaking it gently. Thankfully at least a cupful remained. She put it on the stove to heat up. She sat down at the table, motioning for the man to sit across from her.
"What happened?" she asked. "How were you and your wife separated?"
"We were traveling to the Rockies. We hoped to make a new start there." He looked past her while he spoke, his eyes jumping around the house as he studied its interior.
Probably looking for more of his belongings, Katniss thought. She knew that the present items in the house were not the same ones she'd seen when she'd been here so many months ago after getting off the stage. The only thing she was sure belonged to Peeta and Rye was the long dining table and benches. No wonder the man was upset.
"We stopped at Ft. Kearny for a few days to rest our livestock." The man stopped talking and groaned. He set his head onto the table. "I'm so tired."
Katniss stood up and removed the coffee pot from the stove, pouring the man a cup. She set it in front of him, and then sat down again.
She looked to Peeta. His jaw was clenched. He was probably anticipating the trouble that would ensue when Rye and Delly returned from their outing.
The man lifted his head and looked at the mug in front of him. "Do you have anything I can eat? I can't remember the last time I ate."
Peeta moved quickly. He got a plate from the shelf and picked up the lid from the dutch oven. He put his hand into it, breaking off a large slab of the wedding cake he'd so carefully baked for Rye and Delly. He slammed it onto the plate and pushed it in front of the man.
Eli scooped up the cake and shoved the entire piece into his mouth at once. Crumbs fell out of his mouth and onto his beard as he chewed.
Afterwards he gave Katniss a sweet smile. "You're a fine baker. That's something Delly isn't good at. In fact she's a terrible cook."
Katniss bit her lip. What a dreadful man Eli Mitchell was. "So what happened at Ft. Kearny?" she asked, trying to make sense of the man's story.
"Delly and I had a falling out and when I came to, she was gone."
"What do you mean when you came to?" Had the man blacked out?
"I was playing cards with some soldiers and had a few drinks. When I woke up the next afternoon she wasn't there. People at the fort said she and her good-for-nothing brother had taken off."
Katniss winced at his insult to Sam. "What did you do next?"
"I stayed at the fort for a while thinking she might return. But then a traveler told me about a woman that fit Delly's description who was living at the trading post. So I set off walking."
Poor Delly, Katniss thought. She had her suspicions that this wasn't the first time the man had exhibited such behavior. But it must have been the last time Delly had been willing to tolerate it.
But still, why did she agree to marry Rye? Didn't she expect her husband might come looking for her?
"Can I have more of that cake?" the man asked as he set down his mug. "It's very tasty."
Peeta stepped away from the wall to pull out the rest of the cake from the pan. He tossed it onto Eli's plate.
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When Eli Mitchell revealed himself as Delly's husband, Peeta thought he'd be sick. What kind of awful mess had Rye gotten himself into now? Living with a married woman, getting her pregnant, and then asking a preacher to wed the pair.
But Peeta was fairly certain that his brother didn't know that Delly's husband was alive. He didn't think that his brother could be that foolish as to knowingly become a participant in bigamous relationship. But now with a child on the way…
Part of him just wanted to make the stranger leave. Go away and never come back. But if what the man said was true, and Peeta had a sinking feeling that it might be, reparations would have to be made. Whether or not Delly left with this man didn't matter, but Rye was legally obligated to return Eli's property to him. As a widow Delly was the owner of everything, but as a married woman she owned nothing. It all belonged to her husband.
And Delly had come to Mellark Ranch bearing a goodly amount of supplies. And most of those items had been used, sold, or traded away.
The man's continual request for whiskey, coupled with Delly's odd behavior when Rye had gotten drunk at dinner made Peeta suspect that this man Eli had a serious problem with liquor.
Peeta was grateful for Katniss' gentle questioning. The man was opening up to her in a way he'd likely never do if Peeta or Rye were asking.
"Where's Sam?" Eli asked after he'd finished eating the wedding cake.
Katniss didn't respond. Peeta had noticed that she was being cautious in the amount of information she gave the man. Peeta was glad for her sharp-wittedness.
"The boy's still with her, isn't he?" he asked.
"Yes," Peeta finally answered. "But he's not here now."
"Has this sort of thing happened before with your wife?" Katniss asked.
Eli rubbed his eyes and yawned. "She's never done anything this bad. She threatened to but she never took off before."
"Does it have something to do with your drinking?" Katniss asked.
"What has she told you?" Eli shouted. "She's not so wonderful herself. She can't cook and she's bossy as hell."
Well, he was right on those accounts Peeta thought. He knew his brother would likely agree. But Delly was also a hard worker and brought an order to the trading post that had been sorely lacking before. Plus she was generally cheerful. And Sam had been a godsend. He'd been a big help to both Peeta and Rye.
"It was Delly's idea to come out west. She thought things would change. How could I know that she planned to trick me all along. Desert me and steal all my possessions.
"But I'm done talking about me. Do you know where she is?" Eli asked Katniss. "Seeing that you're wearing her clothes.
Katniss stayed silent. Peeta knew he had to say something.
"Or have the two of you robbed her and killed her and her brother."
"I can assure you that we've done no such thing," Peeta answered. "Delly's fine. In fact she'll be here later this afternoon."
"I'll wait then. She can pack up everything and we can go. Wake me up when she gets here." He lay his head on the table and was soon asleep.
Once he began snoring, Peeta pointed to the rifles on the wall. He took both down, handing one to Katniss. They left the soddy.
"Let's put these in my house," Peeta mouthed.
Once the weapons were hid, the couple stood together outside the main house. "What happens now?" Katniss asked.
"I don't know. I can't imagine he would simply up and leave if he learns that Delly is with Rye now. Do you think Delly would leave with him?"
"No. I'm fairly certain she won't. She told me he drank to excess. And with the baby…" Katniss blushed.
"It's all right, Rye told me about it." Peeta ran his fingers through his hair. His brother infuriated him. Katniss must think he came from a family of shameless louts.
"Well, I think she'll want to stay with your brother."
"I just wonder if Rye will still want her to stay when he finds out about all this," Peeta muttered.
The lowing of the cow interrupted them.
Peeta frowned. "I forgot about the cow. That's been Sam's job. Let me take care of the chores. Can you keep an eye on him?"
"I can, in fact I'll start supper. We have all that venison."
"I'll get some from the cold storage for you," Peeta said. "And be careful in there. He seems unpredictable."
While Katniss readied dinner, Peeta rushed through the chores. All the while he worried about Katniss, peeking his head in the soddy between tasks to check on her. But she waved him away. Already good smells were emanating as the venison simmered on the stove.
Still the man lay with his head down on the table sleeping.
The sun had dropped low on the horizon when Peeta saw his brother and Delly walking hand-in-hand toward him. They looked so happy. His heart pounded as he thought about the bad news he was about to impart.
"Hey Rye," he called.
His brother grinned. "Everything fine here?"
"No, it's not."
The harsh tone in Peeta's voice washed the grin off Rye's face. His eyes grew wary. "What's wrong Peet?"
"We have a visitor. He's still here. Maybe I should tell you about it privately."
A crease appeared in the center of his brother's forehead. "What? You can say it in front of Delly."
Peeta's mouth was dry. "A man named Eli Mitchell is here." Peeta's eyes flitted to Delly. Her face had gone pale. Her hand flew up to cover her mouth.
"He says he's Delly's husband."
At that last bit of news Rye went white as well. He turned to Delly. "You told me your husband had died. That you were a widow." Distress mixed with anger was evident in his voice.
Delly began to shake. For a moment Peeta thought she would faint.
No one spoke for at least a minute. The air was thick with tension.
"Well what do you have to say Delly?" Rye whispered.
"I, I, I didn't think..." Delly mumbled.
Rye's face grew red. "What do you mean you didn't think…"
As his brother's voice got louder, Delly seemed to shrink in size before them, like a dog that had been struck by its master.
"Shut up Rye," Peeta interrupted. "This isn't the time. We have bigger problems."
His brother gave him a furious glance. "This isn't your problem," Rye cut Peeta off.
"That's where you're wrong. That man," Peeta glanced at Delly for a moment noting that tears were rapidly descending down her cheeks, "wants his things back. His wagon, his oxen, his chickens, his cow, his furniture, his supplies."
Rye grimaced. He rubbed his hand over his chin nervously.
"We don't even have half of the stuff anymore," Peeta continued. "You sold the oxen months ago. We've been using the supplies Delly had in the wagon to cook with, hell even the wood from the wagon is part of the roof of my house. At the very least, he's going to need to be recompensed for his property."
"Does he want me back as well?" Delly's voice sounded thin and whiny.
Rye turned toward her. "Is that what you want Delly? To leave with him?"
"No," she muttered. Then she repeated it louder. "No. I don't want him. I chose you."
A look of relief crossed Rye's face, but then he sighed loudly. "Where is he now?"
"Inside. He fell asleep at the dining table."
"He's sleeping?" Rye asked. "What the hell is going on?"
"He's exhausted. He says he walked here from Ft. Kearny."
Rye took a deep breath. "Tell me everything from the beginning Peet."
"He showed up on foot looking for whiskey. But then he said he was broke and that Delly had robbed and abandoned him.
"I did no such thing," Delly said. "I gave him a choice and he chose to stay behind."
"So you told him she was here?" Rye asked.
"Not right off. But he recognized the dress that Katniss was wearing as belonging to Delly."
"It was my wedding dress," Delly said. "I can't believe he remembered it. I haven't worn it in years."
Rye ran his hands through his hair. "Damn it all Delly. It would have been nice if you'd warned me that your husband was alive and might come looking for you."
Delly sobbed.
"Does he know about Delly and me?"
Peeta shook his head. "Why would I tell him about that? He's already upset. Katniss and I moved all the guns out of the house when he fell asleep."
"Good thinking."
"What do you want to do?" Peeta asked.
Rye groaned. "I don't know." He looked toward his bride. "You know him best Delly. If we offer to recompense him will he leave?"
"If you throw in some whiskey, he might," she said.
Delly looked as if she was ready to cry again. Despite the mess she'd brought onto the brothers, despite the matter-of-fact tone in her voice, it was obvious that she was despairing. From the resigned expression on Rye's face it was clear he knew it too.
Peeta imagined it must have taken courage for Delly to stand up for herself and leave her husband. How could he fault her when he'd done the very same thing by running off when he disagreed with the plans his mother had for his life?
"All right let's go talk to him," Rye said. He reached for Delly's hand.
"Please don't tell him about us," Delly warned. "It will be easier on him if he…"
"Well, give me the quilt then," Peeta suggested. "If he sees you two walking in with a blanket and a grin on your faces, the game is up. I'll hide it in my house."
Peeta led the couple back. Eli was awake now, conversing pleasantly with Katniss about the Pony Express. Katniss was talking about her cousin being a rider.
As soon as Peeta stepped inside the house, he sensed something was wrong. Katniss turned and smiled at him apologetically before rushing toward him. "There you are Peeta." She stood on her toes and cupped his cheeks, lightly kissing his lips, before stepping back.
Her cheeks were pink. "Eli found our marriage certificate on the hutch and I told him about our wedding this morning. He apologized for interrupting our private time this afternoon."
Peeta's face grew warm with the thought of what he would do with Katniss if it were true. He sure as hell wouldn't have been baking a cake. "You did?"
Behind him Rye chuckled loudly.
But Eli was already on his feet, pushing past Peeta and in front of Delly. "What's going on Dells?" he bellowed. "What in hell have you done?"
"Just a minute," Rye said. "You can't talk to her like that."
"And who are you?" Eli turned to Rye.
"I'm Rye Mellark and this is my trading post. My brother tells me that you know Delly."
"She's my wife."
"I was your wife," Delly said. "It's over though. I'm through with you." Her voice quavered a bit but she held firm. "And don't insult Mr. Mellark. He's my employer here at the trading post."
"So you're just going to end it like that?" Eli sounded astonished. "No one will ever want you Delly. You're an awful cook and you're not in the least amusing."
"Can we step outside and have this conversation?" Delly asked.
"Fine by me." Eli grabbed at Delly's arm, but let go when Rye glared at him. The couple walked outside of the soddy. Rye stood in the doorway to watch.
"Keep an eye on them," Katniss told Rye. "He's struck her in the past."
Both brothers looked at Katniss in surprise. Peeta joined his brother in the doorway.
"Where'd you hide those rifles Peeta?"
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Katniss set out the meal. Venison, biscuits, preserves, and a green salad. She served it on the tin plates that she thought belonged to Peeta and Rye, not on Delly's china.
Eventually Delly and Eli came inside. Delly's eyes were swollen and even Eli's looked red. Everyone sat down to eat. Delly seemed to have little appetite, but Eli was starved.
"Delicious meal Mrs. Mellark," he complimented Katniss. "You're a fine cook. Too bad you're already wed seeing I'm in the market for a new wife."
He threw Delly a scathing glance.
Katniss frowned, embarrassed at the way the man had turned a compliment to her into an insult to his wife. She looked to her friend who seemed to have not even heard the comment. Delly was lost in her thoughts.
Once the meal was over, Eli turned to Rye. "Delly tells me that you helped her sell off the wagon, the oxen, and most of its contents," he said. "Seeing as I have no use for the furniture and nothing to carry it off in, I'd be liking my money. I'm guessing it would amount to about $1,500.
Katniss gasped at the high amount.
Rye exchanged a quick look with Peeta, before clearing his throat. "I don't know what you paid for everything Mr. Mitchell, but I can assure you Delly did not collect anywhere near that sum. I'm thinking she got closer to $500 at best."
Eli snorted. "Do you take me for a fool? You traders jack up the price of everything for people on the trail. Hell you probably sold all of it for $3,000."
Rye and Peeta laughed loudly. Even Delly smiled. "No one on the trail has that kind of money Eli," she chided him. It was the first words she'd spoken.
"Well, I damn well want more than $500," Eli said. "I had a fully stocked wagon with four oxen and a cow to boot. Now I'm left with a bedroll and only the clothes on my back."
Delly glared at him. "What happened to the trunk I left behind with your clothes and Sam's horse and cart?"
"I lost it all in a poker game."
Delly shook her head.
"How much are you are paying Delly here at the trading post?" Eli asked. "I should get a cut of that seeing as she's my wife."
"I haven't been your wife since the day I left you," Delly retorted.
"And you weren't a very good one either."
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Peeta tipped his head to Rye. "Talk outside?" he mouthed.
Rye nodded and both brothers stood to leave.
"Offer him $1,000 and a ticket on the stage." Peeta suggested.
"Are you crazy? That's far more than the goods sold for."
"Does it really matter Rye? That scoundrel is hurling insults at your wife, the mother of your child. If you want any happiness in your marriage you need to get him as far from here as possible.
"I'll be broke if I give him that much," Rye muttered. "I don't think I even have that much cash."
"I've got some money saved. I'll help you out," Peeta said. "And don't worry about paying me back. It's a wedding gift. Now go inside make the offer before I take on the man myself."
The brothers went inside to find Delly in tears and Katniss' face flushed in anger.
"I can offer you $1,000 for your troubles Mr. Mitchell," Rye said, as he sat down. "But you'll have to leave on the stage tomorrow and never come back. I don't want to see your face again at Mellark Ranch or I can assure you I will shoot you and end your misery."
Delly rubbed her cheeks dry, and gave Rye a grateful smile. "It needs to be in writing, too."
She stood up and opened a drawer in the hutch, pulling out a sheet of paper and pencil. She sat down at the table and wrote. When she had finished, she passed the paper across the table to Eli.
"Sign this."
Eli picked up the paper and read it over. "Are you sure about this Delly? I could change. We could start over."
Delly pursed her lips. Her eyes teared up yet again. "The season for changing has passed. It's time to move on."
Peeta noted the tears in Katniss' eyes as well and he wanted to sweep her up in his arms, he was so moved by her tender heart.
Eli signed the paper and shoved it back toward Delly. "I hope you're happy Dells."
He stood up. "Okay, where's my money?"
"I'll give you the money when you get on the stage," Rye said, standing up as well. "It should be arriving mid-morning tomorrow."
Eli frowned. "So what am I supposed to do now? There's nothing to drink and I sure as hell don't want to spend a minute longer in any of your company. He glared at everyone around the table. "Well, maybe the lovely Mrs. Mellark." He smiled at Katniss.
Peeta was pleased at the scowl that appeared on Katniss' face.
"You can turn in and get a good night's sleep," Rye said. "We can offer you lodging in the Pony rider's quarters. Now pick up your bedroll and follow me."
Peeta stood up as well. It would be a long night as he and Rye stood watch over Eli to ensure the man didn't cause them any trouble.
Author's Note: Bigamy is the crime of marrying while one still has a spouse living from whom no valid divorce has occurred.
Property rights for married women in 1860 weren't uniform. They varied in every state and territory. While most states allowed women to maintain ownership of property they brought into the marriage, property obtained during the marriage generally belonged to their husband. Women had no claim to it.