Uma's Undoing by Dallis Adams

Author:Dallis Adams [Adams, Dallis]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2019-12-28T22:00:00+00:00

Twelve

Uma aroused from a deep sleep to the sound of somebody banging on the door. Who was visiting their loft at this hour? She snuggled more firmly against Jack’s chest, secure in his arms as she inhaled his familiar, comforting scent of cinnamon, clove and a musky hint that was unique only to him. She loved the newly invented box spring mattress that Jack had purchased for her as a wedding gift.

Pounding started again, causing the inset glass to rattle. Glass? She opened her eyes and saw beautiful tapestry hanging from the ceiling. That’s when she remembered — she’d been arrested for Doc Elroy’s murder. How Jack and others had dressed up the cell, with Jack even knocking out one side of the barred barrier to turn two cells into one. Luther — Orchilo’s long-term, on-and-off beau — had even donated a wardrobe that Orchilo had filled with blouses, skirts, chemises, corsets and pantalets. Pauline Ludermann, who worked at The Vine and was Rush’s mother, brought a washbasin and pitcher. Lala had brought a stand to hang wash towels and rags.

“Sheriff MacKissick! Open up. This is my office now.”

Jack growled. “No, it isn’t.”

As he untangled his arms from Uma, she couldn’t help but miss his warmth. However, she had to admit she loved seeing his body in all its glory.

“Stop fooling around and let me in.” Scuffling could be heard. It sounded like more than one person was on the boardwalk just outside the Sheriff’s Office. “Quit pestering me. You aren’t the killer!”

“But I am,” a child said. It sounded like Rush.

“It’s your duty to hear my confession, too,” somebody else said.

Jack pulled on his trousers, opened the jail cell door and stomped barefooted across the office toward the front door, not bothering to pull on a shirt. When he opened the door, he was greeted by several women who whistled and made cat calls.

“Easy, ladies. Remember, I’m taken,” Jack responded as a flush rose to his face.

“Sorry, Uma,” Lala called out. “We had to give Jack a hard time.”

Lala’s comment brought a chuckle out of Uma. But she still felt self-conscious because everybody knew what they’d been doing in the jail. It made Uma wish for their loft above the Sheriff’s Office. At least there she had wooden walls for privacy. Their apartment would have been fine if it wasn’t for Thistle Do Nicely situated right across the street. With all the rocking chairs on the porch, and nosy neighbors, there wasn’t much seclusion. Too many gossiping men watched her and Jack come and go.

“Of course you’re taken,” Orchilo replied. “And by a fine, law-abiding citizen by the name of Uma. We love her, and adore the both of you together. But that doesn’t mean we can’t admire the view,” Orchilo replied.

Marshal Spivey made a crude, snorting sound. “Put on a shirt, Sheriff. This isn’t a house of ill-repute.”

Jack glared at the Marshal. “No, it’s my new home since you insisted on jailing my wife. My own personal boudoir, and you’re not welcome.

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