“Oh, my, that’s impossible.” Verbena stuttered as she said the words.
“May I ask why, ma’am?” His face contorted in what looked like puzzlement—or was he putting on a performance?
“Well,” Verbena stuttered again. “I’m sure Minerva has already prepared supper.”
“Couldn’t you store it and have it for dinner or supper tomorrow?”
Her aunt seemed to be gathering her wits. “That wouldn’t work. It’s probably perishable. Besides, Hannah doesn’t go out. It’s hard for her when she does, and it often proves to be embarrassing when she has to have her chair rolled inside, or worse, to be carried into a restaurant.”
Hannah couldn’t help staring at her. How would she know if it would embarrass me to be rolled or carried into a restaurant? I’ve never been taken to one. I have no idea how I’d react myself.
Jarrett shook his head and took Verbena’s hand. “I’m so sorry if I offended you, gracious lady. I should have known that you couldn’t drop everything to accommodate my whims. In Arizona, we are much more informal. If a man wants to be friends with a woman, he simply decides to show his affection for her immediately. I suppose, in Savannah, you rely more on good manners and protocol.”
Again, Hannah was shocked. Did this man really like Aunt Verbena, or was he spreading on the charm for some other reason?
Verbena blushed. “Why, Mr. MacMichael, I never …”
He interrupted. “So you won’t think I’m trying to upset you, or that I’m saying anything inappropriate, I think I should explain why I felt such an immediate affinity to you.”
“Please do.”
“Yesterday, when I arrived, I was so enthralled that I almost grabbed you and hugged your neck when I first saw your lovely face. You may not believe this, but you’re so much like my sainted sister. For an instant, I thought Charlotte had come back to life here on earth, though my logical mind told me that’s impossible.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I had no idea you’d lost someone so special to you.” She patted his hand. “Do you mind telling me what happened to her?”
“I don’t mind at all.” He took a deep breath. “She and her husband were in New Orleans visiting his parents. They were strolling along when a small child darted into the busy street in front of them. Being such a caring mother herself, Charlotte ran after the little girl and pulled her to safety.” A sad look came into his eyes and he added, “But my sister didn’t make it back. A carriage came careening around the corner and ran her down, right there in front of her husband.” He bit his lip and looked down at his hands. “She died almost instantly. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the tragedy.” He cringed to think of what Charlotte would do if she knew he’d killed her off just like he did their parents.
“Oh, Mr. MacMichael. I’m so sorry.” She actually looked as if she was sympathizing with him. “If seeing me helps with your hurt, I’m glad you came to visit unannounced.”
“You’re so understanding, and yes, it helps a great deal. It makes me realize what a wonderful woman Charlotte would have grown into.” He stood. “I’ll go now, and I promise not to bother you again.”
Verbena stood, too. “Don’t fret about it, please. I hope you’ll come by often while you’re in Savannah. It does me good to know that my presence helps you cope with your sorrow.”
“Thank you so very much. I will come, but I’ll try not to be so bold next time.” He turned his back to her and took Hannah’s hand. “Thank you for talking with me until your aunt arrived home. I hope to see you again soon.”
He then did something that made Hannah wonder if this man had told the truth about anything, or even if he had a sister. He winked at her.
Chapter 6
After Jarrett left, Hannah thought she would be in trouble for sure, but he must have really charmed her aunt, because this evening held another surprise for her. Without saying anything to her niece, Verbena called Tobias. When he came into the room, she said, “Bring Hannah’s chair into the parlor, then wheel her into the dining room. Since she’s already downstairs, she might as well eat her supper in the dining room with me tonight.”
During the meal of boiled beef and cabbage, her aunt continually talked about what a nice man Jarrett MacMichael was and how they must always welcome him when he came to the door. Hannah could tell Verbena Wedington was taken with the man.
As for herself, Hannah wasn’t sure what to think of him. The wink he gave her behind her aunt’s back was probably some sort of signal to her, but she hadn’t yet figured out what it was all about. In fact, she was beginning to wonder that maybe this man had met Aaron Wilcox and somehow had learned Verbena was a woman of means. Because of his actions with her aunt, she wouldn’t be surprised at anything he did or said. He could very well be trying somehow to con the widow out of some of her money.
Yet, why did he go to visit Lydia? Something was up, and she wanted to know what, but who was she going to ask? Certainly not her aunt. Maybe Tobias would know something when he took her to her room. She would try to ask a few questions of him then. If he was unaware of what was going on, she guessed she’d have to wait until Lydia visited again. Surely, her sister would tell her.
But she didn’t get a chance to ask Tobias anything. When the meal was over and he carried her up the steps, her aunt followed. The older woman went to Hannah’s wardrobe and looked inside.
Shutting the door, she turned to her niece. “Hannah, I feel sure Mr. MacMichael was shocked at the way you were dressed. Maybe I was too harsh when I said you didn’t need to sew a new dress for yourself. I have some extra yardage in my room, and I’m going to give you an early birthday present. I want to see how fast you can sew something that will make you more presentable than you were today. I’m sure he’ll visit again soon, and I don’t want him to find you dressed this way.”
The thought of a new dress made Hannah temporarily forget about Jarrett MacMichael. “Oh, thank you, Aunt Verbena.”
“I suppose since you’re going to be eighteen soon, you need a new dress.”
Before Hannah could thank her again, Verbena followed Tobias out the door.
Hannah stared after them. What is going on? Aunt Verbena has never given me a birthday present before. Is she so taken with Jarrett that she’s beginning to mellow a little?
“If that’s so, I wish he’d visit every day,” she muttered aloud.
In a matter of minutes, Tobias returned with the chair. On the seat was a folded length of blue material with tiny white flowers. Hannah couldn’t help smiling as she picked it up. “This is beautiful.”
“It looks like the same color as your eyes. It’ll make you a pretty dress, Miss Hannah.”
“Yes, it will. I look forward to having something new to wear.” She smiled at him. “Tobias, have you noticed anything different about the way Aunt Verbena is acting this evening?”
He returned the smile. “Yes, miss. I has noticed, and I shore has a feeling that Mr. Jarrett MacMichael had something to do with it.”
“Me, too, but why does he continue to flatter her so much? Do you think he’s for real, Tobias?”
“Yes, miss, I do.” He continued to smile. “Does you mind if I give you a piece of advice?”
“I don’t mind at all. Your advice is always good.”
“Then, Miss Hannah, I thinks you should be thankful that Mr. Jarrett has come into our lives. He’s gonna make everything around here work out for you… and maybe for the rest of us. I’m sure of it. Now, you must believe what he tells you, and only you. Don’t you pay no attention to what he says to your aunt. Can you do that?”
She frowned. “I suppose I can, if you think I should.”
“I does and it’s good you do it. Now, don’t forget. Mr. Jarrett has his reasons for what he says. You’ll see.”
“What in the world are those reasons, Tobias?”
“You’ll soon find out, Miss Hannah. Just listen to what I said and remember it when he’s talking to your aunt.” He tu
rned to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, miss.”
She wanted to ask him another question or two, but didn’t get the chance. He’d left the room. She couldn’t help wondering what Tobias was talking about and why he trusted Jarrett MacMichael so completely. Did everyone in this house know what was happening, but her? Was he right? Would she soon understand Jarrett MacMichael’s actions? To take her mind off of the idea of asking more questions about the handsome and mysterious Jarrett MacMichael, she picked up the material her aunt had sent up to her and smiled. She knew just how she wanted to construct her new dress. She wouldn’t waste any time. She’d cut it out tonight. That way, her aunt couldn’t change her mind and take the material back.
♥♥♥
Verbena lit the oil lamp sitting on the table by her bed and closed the door to her room. She dropped to the green stuffed chair to think about Hannah’s birthday. There were only a few weeks left before the girl would be eighteen.
Shaking her head to change her thoughts, Verbena wondered if she made the right decision by sending the cloth to the child, though she didn’t feel she had any other option. Maybe she shouldn’t have sent her such a lovely length of material. She had the dress she’d made over this past fall. It was still nice enough for no more socializing than Hannah did, but she did have to admit they were getting a little old. The girl had to have something decent to wear for appearances sake. Verbena was being honest when she said she didn’t want Jarrett to ever again see her dressed like she was tonight. The man could go back to Arizona and report to Drina’s husband that Verbena wasn’t allowing the girl to have decent clothing. If that happened it could cause a lot of trouble. Besides, there might be a time when one of her friends caught Hannah looking as bad as she did tonight. Or even her sister, Lydia could say something. That would be a disaster, too. Verbena decided she’d have to see that the clothes the girl had on tonight disappeared and her niece was never seen in them again.
For the years Hannah had lived in this house, Verbena had been able to keep everyone, including her other nieces from getting close to the truth of why their little sister had had the privilege of living her life in the lovely Wedington home while they lived in poverty with their unscrupulous father. Now, it was much too late to let them start asking questions which could bring to light things best left hidden. Things that could change all their lives.
Lydia and Drina had been young when it happened, and couldn’t possibly remember what had taken place. The only ones still living who knew what went on at the time were Burl Hamilton…and her. She knew as long as she was able to continue making the tax payment on his farm and sending him a little money now and then, he wouldn’t say a word. As for Hannah, she was only four when she became the ward of her aunt. She knew nothing, not even why she had to leave her sisters and come to live with Verbena. Though Verbena resented having to take the child, it did give her the opportunity to prove to her friends what a good Christian woman she was for taking in the poor crippled girl that nobody else wanted. It also gave her a chance to train Hannah in the way she wanted her to grow up—which was to be seen when her aunt wanted her to show her off to her friends and to occasionally to speak, but only when spoken to.
Tonight, she realized things would have been better if Jarrett MacMichael had never come to Savannah, but she couldn’t help being glad he was here. It was the first time a man other than Reginald Phillips had shown her any attention in a long time. Though she knew it was because of Jarrett’s departed sister that he was so kind to her, she still enjoyed his company and would always welcome him into her home. Though his showing up without invitation was something she had to get used to, she decided it was something people must not think was an unusual thing to do in the wilds of Arizona. She couldn’t expect him to act like the gentlemen did in Savannah.
Verbena stood, moved to her wardrobe and looked at all the lovely dresses Hannah had designed for her. She had to admit that Hannah was truly talented with a needle and thread. Not one of the dresses the girl had made had disappointed her and it always made her feel better to look at them. She knew the clothes had helped her keep up the appearance of the rich widow, because they had brought many compliments from her friends. As she wore them, she knew they fit well and looked good on her. Even Reginald had noticed, and had commented on an outfit or two. She wondered if Jarrett MacMichael had noticed. Though she was probably fifteen or twenty years his senior, she couldn’t help liking the attention Jarrett had shown her, even now that she knew about his sister.
She sighed and decided she’d wear the violet organdy the next time he visited. She might even wear it for Reginald one day if she came to the conclusion that being his wife would benefit her. Of course, if they decided to marry, they’d have to cope with Hannah and Calvin in the house for a while…or make sure they were settled in with Hilda. Verbena didn’t think there was anything she could do about what would happen to her if Hannah’s eighteenth birthday did arrive with those specific stipulations in the agreement that was drawn up and signed by all the interested parties several years ago. Though Burl Hamilton might remember, she was the only one in town who knew what the consequences would be if her niece was still single after her eighteenth birthday. But that wasn’t going to happen. She’d take care of it in the next week or so.
Verbena closed her wardrobe door and moved back to her green stuffed chair with a smile on her lips. It was all going to work out the way she wanted it to.
♥♥♥
Lydia said, “Enter,” when a hard knock sounded on her office door.
The door opened and Ramon stuck his head inside. “That cowboy is here to see you again.”
“Mr. MacMichael?”
“Yes, ma’am. Do you want to see him?”
“Yes, Ramon. Send him in.”
The big man stepped aside, and Jarrett entered.
Ramon seemed a little unsure as to what to do. “Do you want me to wait in the hall, Miz Patterson?”
“No, Ramon. Go on back downstairs in case there’s any trouble.”
Though he looked a little uncertain, he nodded and left.
Lydia turned to Jarrett. “It’s nice to see you again. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.” He removed his hat and placed it on the empty chair he’d used before. “I’m glad you were willing to meet with me again.”
“I told you to come by anytime, Jarrett.” She smiled and took a chair beside a mahogany table. “But I have to admit, I didn’t expect you this soon.”
“I had an interesting visit with your sister this evening, and I thought you’d want to know how it came about.”
She reached for the crystal whiskey decanter sitting on the table by the lamp and poured two drinks into matching glasses. Holding one out to him she said, “I certainly would.”
“Your aunt’s butler came to see me today and told me that he thought I should ask some more questions concerning Hannah. I made a quick decision to go to the Wedington house and see what I could find out. Verbena was out, so I sent Tobias upstairs to bring your sister down.”
He paused, took a drink, then went on, “Lydia, you wouldn’t believe the way Hannah was dressed.”
“What do you mean?”
“She was in what I would classify as rags. I’ve seen women on the western prairie harnessed up to their mules and plowing their gardens or getting ready to do their weekly wash who were dressed better then she was today.”
Lydia frowned. “She’s not always dressed up fancy when I visit, but she usually says her clothes are in the wash or she didn’t want to dress up that day.”
“Have you ever checked inside her wardrobe to see how many clothes she has?”
“No. Did you look today?”
“I didn’t go up to her room this time. I didn’t want to give Verbena any ammunition to use against her, so I sent Tobias.”
“I see.” Lydia sipped her drink. “Come to think of it, I’ve taken her a few pieces of material, but I’ve never seen her wear a dre
ss made from any of them.”
“Did you give the cloth directly to her, or to your aunt?”
“Sometimes one and sometimes the other. Why?”
“Just a thought.” He took another drink and changed the subject. “I’m beginning to think your aunt has such a tight hold on Hannah that the poor girl is afraid to tell anyone what’s really happening in that house.”
“Oh, Jarrett, I hope you’re wrong. It would break my heart, and Drina’s, too, if we learned that all these years Aunt Verbena had been abusing our little sister.”
“I don’t think she’s physically abusing her, but I do think she’s been so strict through the years that Hannah is afraid to tell anyone what’s going on between them. I’ve noticed when they’re together that Hannah seldom speaks unless you talk directly to her. At least, that’s the way it happens when I’m there.”
“Is there something we can do to find out what’s going on?”
“There’s always something that can be done, Lydia. I think the first thing I’m going to do is go visit your father again.”
She looked shocked. “You saw Pa?”
“I rode out there the day after I got into town.” He grinned. “He wasn’t very friendly. In fact, he ran me off, but I’m wondering if he might be able to give me more information than I thought at first. I think I’ll give visiting him another try.”
Lydia thought a minute. “Pa’s a strange man. If he doesn’t want you there, it could be dangerous for you to go alone. I think it would help if I went to the farm with you; that is, if you want me to.”
He looked interested. “I think you going would probably help a lot.”
She finished her drink and put her glass on the table. “I’m busy tomorrow, but why don’t you pick me up on Sunday and we’ll head out there? Sunday’s a pretty slow day around here, and I won’t be needed until late in the day.”
Hannah's Wishes Page 7