Lena Jones 02 - Desert Wives

our Sister Lena is new to the ways of the Church of the Prophet Fundamental and that we shouldn’t judge her too harshly for a while. He suggested that you and I, as Godly men and women, lead by example, so I’ll rely upon you to help our new family member learn the ways of the godly. You got that?”
    Ruby bowed her head, but not before I saw that jaw tighten again. “Of course, husband.”
    I managed a smile. “Thank you, Sister Ruby. Your instruction will be most appreciated.” It says something about my commitment to Rebecca that I did not gag as the sycophantic drivel issued from my mouth.
    Saul shoved his chair away from the table and stood up. “I’ve got a lot to do today, Sister Ruby, and I’ll need Sister Lena’s assistance. I received a phone call last night and was told that Prophet Davis has called a special community meeting up at his house. He wants everyone in Purity in attendance.”
    Ruby’s mouth gaped. “You mean even
wives?
How will we all fit? His house is big, but…”
    “He says he’ll handle it like we’ve handled the Sunday services since they started working on the church. In shifts. We drew the first shift, along with the Circle of Elders, so I don’t know whether to dance or cry.” He turned to me, a dry smile on his face. “When he stepped into his father’s shoes, Prophet Davis promised to bring reform to Purity, and I imagine that’s what this meeting’s all about. It’ll be interesting, because from what I hear, the Circle of Elders plans to fight him every inch of the way. I hear he’s curtailing their power, maybe even disbanding the whole group.”
    “I don’t believe it!” Ruby burst out. “Reforms? God’s word needs no reform!”
    “Let’s wait and see.” Leaving Ruby fuming into the dishwater, Saul ushered me to into the living room. “It’s just more bullshit,” he said, as we sat down on the sofa. “These damned polygamy prophets are always having what they call ‘revelations,’ so who knows what crack-brained stuff we’ll hear this time. The ‘revelation’ will probably turn out to be more about money than anything else. They like to talk God around here, but it’s money and sex that really get their knickers in a twist.”
    He looked at his watch. “Tell you what. The meeting won’t start until ten, so why don’t you take a walk around the compound and familiarize yourself with things. But don’t challenge anybody like you just did Ruby, okay?”
    I bit my lip. “Yes, sir, Brother Saul.”
    He cackled, then slapped me on the rump. “Attagirl.”
    I left the house with a feeling of relief, swearing that when I got back, I’d have a little talk with hubby and remind him to keep his hands to himself. For now I relished the chance to explore the compound in broad daylight, something I hadn’t been able to do during my days in the canyon.
    There were fewer people abroad than I expected. Judging from the dearth of pickup trucks, some of the men had probably been working in the distant fields since sunup. Most of the children were in school. Just about the only sign of life I saw, other than the odd skinny dog or two, was a straggly line of people winding their way along the dirt pathway toward the kitchen gardens. Some carried baskets, some hoes. When I grew closer, I made out at least a dozen pregnant teenagers and a smattering of elderly men and women.
    Suddenly the front door of one of the trailers located near the chicken runs slammed open. A man and four women, all dressed in Purity’s turn-of-the-century garb, emerged to hurry after the gardeners. The man, heavy to the point of obesity, looked at least seventy. Three of the women with him were elderly, too. But the last woman!
    Not yet forty, and although her waist had thickened, probably with repeated childbirth, she dazzled like a Nordic goddess. Platinum hair and sky-blue eyes intensified this Valkyrie image, while a rosebud mouth and small, straight nose lent softness to what might have otherwise been an almost masculine physicality. The old man’s daughter?
    As I watched, the man stopped, reached around her waist and drew her to him. While the other women pursed their lips with disapproval, he gave her a slobbering kiss she didn’t return.
    I shuddered in sympathy. In any other setting, Beauty would probably have been covered in diamonds instead of faded calico, but here in Purity she’d wound up in the rustiest trailer in the compound. Hers was hardly a love match,