He stood against the building and watched the people scurrying by. The few who looked at him acted as if he was invisible, and one or two muttered insulting words. He held his temper and ignored them by ducking his head and staring at his feet.
He was beginning to think the clerk hadn’t told MacMichael he was outside when the door opened and Jarrett appeared.
“Tobias, how long have you been waiting?”
“Oh, not too long, sir.”
“The clerk said you came in shortly after I went in the restaurant for dinner. Why didn’t you come in and join me?”
Tobias had to smile. “I wouldn’t be allowed to do that, sir.”
“Why not?”
“A Negro isn’t allowed in a white man’s place of eating here in Georgia, Mr. MacMichael.”
“I guess I keep forgetting I’m no longer in Arizona.”
“Can I ask you what difference it’d make if you was in Arizona?”
Jarrett looked surprised. “Don’t you know that a large percentage of the cowboys in the west are Negroes, Tobias? Most people don’t pay any more attention to them than they do anybody else that rides a horse. Of course, there are a few who do, but it’s not the normal way folks there react.”
“I didn’t know they was Negro cowboys, but it sounds like I’d like to live in Arizona.”
Jarrett grinned. “Well, I’m sorry you had to wait on me. I wouldn’t have stayed so long if I’d known you were here.”
“I know you’re a busy man, but I want to talk to you about something if you have the time, and will listen to me.”
“Sure, I’ll listen, and I have all the time in the world, Tobias. Would you like to come up to my room where we can have privacy?”
“If you think it’ll be all right fer me to come in there.”
“Sure, it will. Come along.”
Tobias followed Jarrett into the hotel and up the stairs. He couldn’t help noticing the hard looks they were getting from the desk clerk and an overweight woman with a huge hat with what looked like a hundred feathers. He held his head a little higher and followed Jarrett.
Once they reached the room, Jarrett said, “Have a seat. Would you like a drink?”
“I don’t want to be no trouble, sir.”
“For heaven’s sake, relax, Tobias, and I’ll pour us a drink. I keep a bottle here because I like a drink or two before I go to sleep.” He moved to the table and filled two glasses with a good brand of whiskey. He turned and handed one to Tobias, who was still standing.
Jarrett chuckled. “You can stand for this conversation if you like, but I intend to take a seat where I’ll be more comfortable.”
When Tobias was seated, he said, “I hope this talk will remain between you and me, Mr. MacMichael?”
“If that’s the way you want it, it will.”
“I happened to overhear some of the things you said to Mrs. Wedington last night and I hope you won’t be offended when I say that I found some of it hard to believe.”
Jarrett laughed out loud. “And I thought I’d been convincing.”
Tobias dared to smile. “I’m sure Miz Wedington believed every word you said.”
“Good, because she was the one I was trying to fool. Now, tell me what you wanted to talk to me about.”
“I’ve been working at the Wedington house ever since before Miss Hannah come to live there. Minerva and me have tried as best we can to look after the young lady and I want to make sure you don’t mean her no harm.”
“I assure you, Tobias, my reason for coming to the Wedington house is to make sure Miss Hamilton is being well taken care of. I would never cause any hurt to come to the girl.”
“Well, sir, you already have.”
Jarrett frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Mrs. Wedington got upset this morning and sent me to take Miss Hannah’s chair away. That’s one way she punishes her. She knows Miss Hannah can’t get to the window or anywhere without her wheelchair.”
“Did she say why Hannah was being punished?”
“She never tells us, and we don’t know unless we happen to overhear. Minerva said she thought it was because Miss Hannah asked for new material to make a dress, in case you visited again.”
“She’d punish the girl for that?”
“Oh, Mr. MacMichael, she’d punish Miss Hannah for much less than that. I’ve known Mrs. Wedington to send her to her room because she smiled wrong.”
Jarrett looked as if he was thinking. In a minute, he said, “You trusted me not to tell Mrs. Verbena that you came to see me so I’m going to trust you not to let her or to let Hannah know why I’m really here in town.”
“I must tell you that I overheard you tell them you was here to build a hotel, so I think I already knows why you’re here.”
“No, you don’t, Tobias. That was a lie I told to get into the Wedington house. I’m not an important businessman as I pretended to be. I’m actually a detective, but it’s true that I’m from Flagstaff, Arizona.” He then went on to tell Tobias why he’d come to Savannah, and that his main goal was to check up on Hannah.
“You don’t know how glad I am to hear this, Mr. MacMichael. If there’s any way me and Minerva can help you, just let us know. We’re always trying to make Miss Hannah’s life a little easier. When I left, Minerva was going to slip her up a special treat while Mrs. Wedington was gone to a friend’s house.”
“So, she’s not home now?”
“No, but she said she’d be back by supper time.”
Jarrett downed his drink, put his glass on the table and stood. “Then I have an idea. Let’s go to the livery. I’m going to rent a buggy and take you home.”
“Are you sure you want to do that?”
“Yes. I’m very sure.”
Tobias didn’t argue. He simply drank his drink, placed his glass on the table beside Jarrett’s and followed the tall man out the door.
♥♥♥
When they left the livery stable in a buggy, Jarrett questioned Tobias about Hannah’s early days with her aunt.
“So you’re saying that the aunt seemed to enjoy having her in her home, at first.”
“Yes, sir. She liked to dress her up and show her off to all her friends as the poor little crippled girl that nobody wanted. Miss Hannah was the sweetest little thing. She seemed to like Mrs. Wedington, and she did everything she could to please her, but you know how little ones are. There is times they act up. It’s the way with young’uns, even the crippled ones. When Miss Hannah would act up a little, she was always punished. Me and Minerva tried to cover up for her at times, but most of the time, her aunt would find out.”
“What would she do to make her aunt mad enough to punish her?”
“Nothing bad enough to be punished like she was.”
“Give me an example.”
“I remember one time Minerva cooked some butter beans as one of the vegetables for supper. Miss Hannah tried them, but didn’t like the taste. Miz Wedington tried to get her to eat them anyway, but Miss Hannah said she was not gonna eat them. Mrs. Wedington got as mad as an old wet hen. She made Minerva take the little one’s plate away and bring a clean one. When she brought the new plate, Mrs. Wedington filled it with butter beans and said that Miss Hannah would eat ever one of them or starve. The little one cried and cried, but her aunt wouldn’t give in. And Miss Hannah didn’t give in neither. Finally her aunt grabbed her up and took her in the parlor and spanked her good and hard. We heard the licks even in the dining room. Then, for three days, Mrs. Wedington wouldn’t let the little girl have anything to eat except butter beans. She might have been about five at the time and I can’t ’member Minerva cooking butter beans since.”
“Verbena must be an evil woman.”
“She is, Mr. MacMichael. She keeps it hid, but she’s a devil hiding under all her fine clothes and living in her fancy house.”
“What I can’t figure out, is why she allows her niece to live there.”
“I’ve wondere
d the same thing. So has Minerva. We finally decided that somebody knows something on Miz Wedington, and she don’t have no choice but to let Miss Hannah stay.”
“You’re probably right, but who is this person and what do they know?”
“That, I don’t know, sir.”
“For heaven’s sake, Tobias, stop calling me sir so often. In fact, it’d make me more comfortable if you’d call me Jarrett.”
Tobias stared at him, but didn’t say anything.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, but I’m not used being called Mr. MacMichael or sir by another man all the time. Just call me Jarrett.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to do that, sir.”
“Well, work on it.” He pulled the buggy up at the Wedington house. “Do you think Mrs. Wedington is still out?”
When the front door didn’t open, Tobias said, “I guess she ain’t back. She would’ve come running when she saw your buggy.”
“Then let’s get inside before she shows up.”
“I’m not supposed to use the front door.”
“Forget that. It’s the quickest way in. Let’s go.”
As they stepped across the threshold, Minerva dropped her dust cloth. “Tobias, you ain’t supposed to come in the front door.”
“I know, but…”
“I brought him in.” Jarrett smiled at her. “I assume the mistress of the house isn’t home.”
“No, sir, she ain’t. Maybe you should come back about…”
“It’s all right, Minerva. He’s got a plan.”
She frowned. “What ’er you talking ’bout?”
Tobias frowned at her. “Just let him talk and tell us both what to do. I’ll tell you what it’s all about later.”
“I don’t think it’d be prudent for me to be in Miss Hamilton’s room when her aunt returns. Why don’t you bring her down, and I’ll be in the parlor.” Jarrett turned to Minerva. “Would you please serve us some tea? I think that would be what the aunt would want us to have if she were here.”
Minerva stared at him.
Tobias headed up the stairs. “Don’t just stand there, woman. Do like he says. I said I’ll ’splain to you later.”
Minerva shook her head and headed out of the entry.
Jarrett opened the door to the formal parlor. He decided this was where he’d talk to Hannah. Her aunt might be mad, but frankly, he didn’t care. Now that he had the Johnsons and Lydia on his side, he was about to give Mrs. Verbena Wedington a taste of her own medicine, but he had no intention of involving Hannah until he was ready to tell her what he was up to and he felt sure neither Lydia nor the Johnsons would give him away.
♥♥♥
Hannah was surprised when her door opened and Tobias came in. “I’m here to take you downstairs, Miss Hannah.”
Hannah frowned. “Why? Has my aunt decided to forgive me?”
“I don’t know if she has or not, Miss. All I know is that you’re wanted downstairs.”
“Let me comb my hair…”
“Miss Hannah, I don’t want to rush you, but I don’t think you need to tarry.”
Hannah knew he was right. Aunt Verbena would be irate if she didn’t come immediately. “I’m sorry, Tobias. Let’s go.”
He picked her up and headed down the steps.
“Where are we going?” She asked when he turned toward the parlor.
“In here.”
“But I don’t think…” She stopped talking when she saw Jarrett sitting on the settee. Her hands automatically reached to smooth down her hair, and she was conscious of the terrible outfit she had on. The green skirt was so faded it was almost gray, and the yellow shirtwaist was patched on the left sleeve and the pocket on the left side was missing. Why had she put on such terrible clothes this morning? Then she remembered it was washday and this was what she always wore while the laundry was being done. The only other decent thing left in her wardrobe was her one made-over dress, and she tried to save it for special occasions. And if she’d known Mr. MacMichael was here, she’d have insisted Tobias wait until she put it on.
Jarrett looked at her and she knew exactly what he was thinking. She was dressed in rags and her hair was a mess. She knew, too, he felt sorry for her and this, she couldn’t abide.
“Hello, Mr. MacMichael.” She smoothed her skirt as if it was a satin ball gown when Tobias lowered her to a chair facing the man.
Jarrett smiled at her. “I’m delighted to see you again, Miss Hamilton.”
Minerva came in with the tea service and set it on the table beside Hannah. “Would you like to serve the tea, miss?”
“I’m sure Aunt Verbena will want to serve it, Minerva.”
“She’s not here, Miss Hannah.”
Hannah was stunned. “What…then why…” She glanced at Jarrett.
“I requested the tea,” he said. “I also asked Tobias to bring you downstairs. There’s something I want to discuss with you before your aunt gets home. I thought it would be better to do it down here than in your room. I’m pretty sure she doesn’t want me to be up there in your room with you.”
“I suppose you’re right, but what could you possibly have to discuss with me?”
Jarrett nodded for Minerva to leave and said, “Go ahead and serve the tea, Miss Hamilton and I’ll tell you what I want to discuss with you.”
Mechanically, she reached for the teapot, hoping she wouldn’t spill the liquid or chip one of her aunt’s fancy cups in her nervousness.
Jarrett went on. “I had a nice visit with your sister today.”
She held a cup of hot tea toward him and her hand began to shake. “You visited Lydia?”
He took the tea before it spilled and thanked her. “Yes. I found her to be a delightful lady. Like Mrs. Wilcox, she’s concerned about how your aunt is treating you.”
Hannah poured herself a cup, put the pot down and picked up the saucer containing her cup. She stirred sugar into the liquid with her still shaking hand and said, “I’ve told Lydia again and again that things are going well here. I also told Drina that in a letter. They have no need to be concerned about me.”
“Lydia told me your aunt punished you at times by keeping your wheelchair downstairs for the slightest infraction.”
Hannah’s gaze dropped and she sipped her tea. “Occasionally, she does that.”
“And what had you done this time to make her decide to dish out the punishment today?”
“I’m not being pun…”
He interrupted. “Don’t lie to me, Hannah. I saw your chair behind the stairs when I came into the house.”
She sat her cup on the table because she was afraid she was going to drop it. “It wasn’t anything serious. I asked for something and she didn’t think I should have. I’m sure she meant to send the chair upstairs before she left the house, but forgot about it.”
“Did she go out the front door?”
“I guess she did. She usually does. Tobias usually brings her carriage around to the front and she leaves that way.”
“Then she couldn’t have forgotten your chair since it’s sitting right there in plain sight.”
Hannah was getting more nervous, but she tried not to show it. What did this man want, and why was he insisting on saying these things? He was going to get her in trouble, and she didn’t want to go the rest of the month without her chair. It was too boring in her room when she didn’t have access to it.
She decided to ask him directly. “Mr. MacMichael, why are so interested in what’s going on with me? You’re here to build a hotel, not to delve into the life I’m living with my Aunt Verbena.”
He gave her a smile and she couldn’t help the little flip her heart did. “Aaron Wilcox asked me to check on you, so that makes my asking questions about your living conditions part of my business here in Savannah.”
She began to wring her hands. “But don’t you see? You asking so…”
The door jerked open and Verbena asked in a crisp voice. “What’s going on here?�
��
Jarrett quickly stood and moved to her. “Mrs. Wedington, I’m so glad you arrived home. I was becoming concerned.”
Hannah stared at him. Why did he say that? Not once had he mentioned he was concerned about the older woman.
He went on. “Won’t you please come over here and sit on the settee with me?”
Verbena looked confused. “Well, I…”
Jarrett led her to the plush settee. “Sit right down, and I’m sure Minerva will bring a cup for you shortly. You look as if you could use a cup of your wonderful tea.”
“Well, yes I guess I could. I suppose Hannah ordered the maid to bring it for you.”
Before Hannah could answer, he said, “I’m the guilty party. I remembered how good it was when I was here with you and Miss Hannah last evening and I wanted to see you again today. As soon as I arrived, I sent Tobias up to bring Miss Hamilton down. I then asked Minerva to bring the tea, because I thought that was what you’d do if you were here. I hope that was all right.”
“I suppose it was.” Her aunt still looked flustered.
Minerva entered with a teacup on a small tray. “I saw you arrive, Miz Wedington and thought you’d want to have some tea with Miss Hannah and Mr. MacMichael.”
“Yes, I would.” She took the cup and reached for the teapot.
Minerva hurried out.
Hannah wasn’t sure what was going to happen, but she was sure whatever it was, when her aunt realized her niece was downstairs when she should be in her room, there would be another punishment. Mr. MacMichael’s silver tongue might sooth her aunt’s feathers for a while, but it wouldn’t last. At least, she didn’t think it would.
Yet, as she watched the man, he seemed to be a different person than the one who was, only minutes ago, asking her about her life in this house. Now, he didn’t act as if she was in the room. He was totally focused on her aunt. Hannah was enthralled at his words and actions, and wondered what he’d say or do next. Whatever he came up with, she was sure both she and Aunt Verbena would be shocked. She was right.
“I’m a man who makes decisions quickly, as you might have guessed, since you’re such an intuitive person. When I learned one of my business partners had to cancel the meeting tonight because of some problem at home, I decided I’d come and invite you and your niece out to supper with me. I hope you’ll accept, because it’s kind of a thank you for the wonderful meal you served me last night.”
Hannah's Wishes Page 6