Jarrett nodded. “Wasn’t that Mrs. Wedington I saw leaving?”
“Yes, it was. She came by to get some of her money. Honestly, I don’t know why she thinks she has to help everyone she knows. At the rate she’s going, she’s going to spend the entire fortune Hector Wedington left her. I can’t figure what that woman does with all the cash she takes out of this bank.”
“She’s a nice lady and I’m sure she has her reasons. I’m just sorry I missed getting to speak to her today.”
“I’m sure she’ll be sorry, too. She thinks a lot of you.” He turned toward the door. “Is there something I can help you with today, Mr. MacMichael?”
“I hope so.” Jarrett followed the man through the door and into his small office off to the left of the lobby.
“Have a seat.” He indicated the chair in front of his desk.
Jarrett took the chair. “Before you sit, Mr. Phillips, would you check and see if the money I had wired here has arrived? Sometimes, my bank in Flagstaff is a little slow.”
“I’ll be right back.” Phillips slipped out the door.
Jarrett glanced at the folder on Reginald’s desk and wondered if it belonged to Verbena. Glancing at the door, he reached for it. It was her file, and what he saw inside shocked him, but before he could read the details he heard footsteps outside the door. He shoved the file back to the center of the desk and busied himself looking out the small window.
“Well, Mr. MacMichael, I’m sorry to tell you,” Reginald said as he came back into the office, “we haven’t received any money as of yet.”
Jarrett shook his head. “I might have known they’d drag their feet. I suppose I need to wire them again. I just wish they were as efficient back home as you are here.”
Reginald grinned. “I do my best.”
“I’m glad Mrs. Wedington referred me here. She seems pleased with the way you handle her affairs.”
“I try. As I said, she’s spending too much money.”
“Women often do that.” Jarrett knew his sister, Charlotte, would hit him in the head with whatever she could get her hands on if she heard him say that, but right now the important thing was to win Reginald’s trust. “What Verbena Wedington needs is some man to marry her and take over her finances.”
Reginald blushed slightly. “That is a possibility.”
Jarrett noticed. “Oh, my. Did I stumble upon a romance?”
“Of course not.” The banker began stacking the papers on his desk.
“You’re not married are you, Mr. Phillips?”
“Well, no…but…”
“But what?”
“There are some obstacles that have to be overcome before Mrs. Wedington will be able to take another husband.”
“Oh?”
“I’m sorry, Mr. MacMichael, I’ve said too much.” He gave Jarrett his professional smile. “Now that you know your money hasn’t arrived, is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I guess not.” Jarrett stood. “As I said, I’ll wire my Flagstaff bank again and see if I can get them to hurry up the transfer.”
“I think that’s a good idea.” Reginald stood and offered his hand. “I’m glad you came in today.”
“I’m sorry if I offended you, speaking of Mrs. Wedington.” Jarrett pumped the hand. “It’s just that I think a lot of the woman and I would like to see some good man take on the responsibility of looking after her. I don’t think any woman who would make as good a wife as I’m sure she would, should be left alone.”
“I agree with you, and I assure you, there’s no offense taken. I just don’t feel exactly comfortable talking about my private life.”
“I understand. I guess in the west, we’re more open to discuss such things.”
“That must be true. Just be assured that Mrs. Wedington will be taken care of.” He walked Jarrett to the door. “Drop in anytime. I’m sure we’ll receive your money soon.”
“Thank you, Mr. Phillips.”
Jarrett walked to his horse, though he wanted to run. He needed to get to the courthouse to check out the new information he’d learned at the bank. If he hurried, he might even catch Verbena Wedington there. If so, he’d drop a few hints and see what her reaction would be.
♥♥♥
Hannah sat at the window looking at the beautiful sunshine glimmering on the flower beds and wishing she could walk down the stairs and out into the lovely day. The thought of the crutches Jarrett had mentioned crossed her mind. If she had a pair, she could at least go out to the veranda occasionally. Today she could hear a bird singing somewhere in the yard. Probably in one of the huge trees that graced the lawn. If she could open the window, she was sure she could figure out just which limb he sat on. But that wasn’t going to happen. She’d had Tobias open the window a few years ago so she could get fresh air, but it had made Aunt Verbena furious.
“I’ll not have birds and flies and bees and all kinds of insects flying into my house.”
“I’ll keep my door closed, Aunt Verbena. That way, nothing can get into the rest of the house,” Hannah had explained.
“Don’t be silly, girl. You don’t want them in your room, either.”
“I don’t mind.”
Her aunt had turned and glared at her. “I’m trying to stay calm, Hannah, but you’re trying my patience. Now, drop the subject before I have to punish you. You’re not to open this window ever again.”
Hannah had said no more, but her aunt had punished her anyway. She’d made the girl stay in her room for three days without her wheelchair and hadn’t allowed her to have any desserts. Though unbeknownst to Verbena, Minerva had slipped Hannah a piece of cake, some cookies, and a piece of pie.
That wasn’t the end of the matter, either. A week later, Aunt Verbena had sent Tobias up to nail the window shut. It remained nailed to this day.
There was a knock on the door, bringing her out of her memory. “Come in.” She turned her head as the door opened.
“I brung you something to eat, Miss Hannah. Me and Minerva was afraid you was a-getting hungry.”
“I’m fine, Tobias, but thank you. Please put it over there on the table like you usually do.”
He moved toward the table. “Minerva thought you might like a little before dinner. She sent you three pieces.”
Hannah couldn’t help laughing. “If Minerva keeps feeding me this way, I’ll get so heavy it’ll hurt your back when you carry me downstairs.”
“Oh, no. I don’t think that’ll happen. I’s purty strong.” He set the tray on the small table Hannah used as her desk and to keep her sewing supplies in.
“What’s going on with Aunt Verbena today, Tobias?”
“What do you mean, Miss?”
“She told me she had a Bible study meeting and she was staying for dinner with the preacher’s wife. I saw her leave, but it was only a short while when she came racing down the street in her buggy. She practically ran into the house. You came out and took the horse to the stable. She couldn’t have had time to go to the meeting.”
“I don’t know about that, but yes, I put the horse and buggy away when she come rushing in.”
“Then you noticed what a hurry she was in?”
“Yes, but she didn’t say nothing.”
“Of course she wouldn’t, and I thought she’d probably got mad at somebody or something and walked out of the meeting. Then, in a short while, I saw you bring the buggy back around again and Aunt Verbena got in it and rode off a second time. It was confusing.”
“It confused me, too, Miss Hannah. I’d no more’n got in from putting the horse and buggy in the stable than she come and told me to hitch it up again.”
“Well, I guess unless she decides to tell us, we won’t know what she’s up to.”
“I’s agree, and you knows she’s not gonna tell us nothing, Miss Hannah.” He turned to go. “Is there anything else I can get fer you?”
“No thank you, Tobias.”
“Then me or Minerva one’ll be b
ack up here in a while to get the dishes.”
“Maybe Aunt Verbena will be home by then and will let you bring me downstairs.”
“She just might do that.”
“Of course, that’ll never take place if she’s upset about whatever happened at her Bible study meeting.”
“You’re right about that, so’s I guess we’ll have to see how she feels when she gets home.” He smiled at Hannah and closed the door behind him.
She rolled her wheelchair to the table and looked at the delicious food Minerva had sent. She couldn’t help smiling. Even if her own aunt didn’t care enough about her to see she had what a young woman needed, Minerva and Tobias took good care of her. They were wonderful, and it upset her when her aunt didn’t treat them kindly. She only hoped they wouldn’t get mad and quit their jobs. That is, unless they took her with them when they left. She knew it would be a wonderful thing if the three of them could leave this house together.
♥♥♥
Verbena came out of the courthouse as Jarrett reined his horse up beside a hitching post. She looked so intent on getting into her buggy that she didn’t notice him. He watched as she turned the horse and headed down the street at a fast clip.
He frowned. Why was she headed in the opposite direction of her house? And what was so important that she felt she had to rush?
Shaking his head, Jarrett hurried into the courthouse. He was glad to see the talkative young man he’d met earlier at the desk inside.
“Why, hello, Mr. MacMichael. What can I help you with today?”
“Morning, Albert.” He was glad he remembered the man’s name. “Did I happen to see a friend of mine leave here?”
“Who’s your friend?”
“Verbena Wedington.”
“Oh, my goodness, yes. I’m glad we got our business done in a hurry with her and she went on her way today. She usually spends as much as an hour harassing everybody in the office.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah. Most of the time she’ll only deal with the mayor or another top town official, but today, she paid me the back taxes and flew out of here like somebody was on her tail.”
Jarrett smiled. “That’s strange. Most people aren’t that anxious to pay their taxes.”
“Oh, the taxes weren’t hers. She pays the taxes on a farm out of town. Been doing it for years. Don’t see why, though. Everyone who has seen it says the place is so rundown, it’s not worth what she pays for the owner to keep it.”
“She’s not the owner?”
“No, Mr. MacMichael. The farm belongs to a Burl Hamilton.”
“Why doesn’t he come in and pay his own taxes?”
Albert shrugged. “Who knows? The only time anybody has ever seen him is when they go out to the place and threaten to foreclose and run him off.”
“But he’s still on the farm.”
“Yeah, and I guess he always will be. The few times the farm has come close to foreclosure, Mrs. Wedington comes in and pays the bill, but most of the time, she’s prompt with the payments and it doesn’t get that far.”
“Albert!” A sharp voice came from a portly man walking into the room. “Why are you gossiping about a customer?”
Albert ducked his head. “Sorry, sir.”
“Can I help you, sir?” the man asked.
As usual, Jarrett thought quickly. “No, thank you. I just thought a friend of mine might be here, but she wasn’t. I wanted to take her for coffee.”
“I see.” The man nodded and turned to Albert. “I suggest you get back to work, and watch what you say.”
“Yes, sir.”
Figuring his presence wasn’t required since Albert was about to get a talking to from his superior, Jarrett excused himself and headed out the door. He felt sorry that he’d been the cause of the man getting into trouble, but was pleased Albert had given him a lot of facts without realizing it. At least Jarrett knew he hadn’t pried the information from the talkative clerk. The man volunteered everything.
Jarrett’s mind was racing as he mounted his horse. Why in the name of heaven did Verbena Wedington pay Burl Hamilton’s taxes? Did she actually own the farm? If so, why did she let it get so rundown? Why hadn’t she run him off and hired somebody to tend the place as it should be tended? After considering this for a few minutes, Jarrett shook his head. That can’t be the reason. There’s something else. Something nobody knows, or won’t admit to if they do know. Whatever it is, I’ve got to get to the bottom of it, because I have a feeling when I do, it will answer a lot of questions I have about the woman… and also about Hannah.
He figured he knew where Verbena was headed, and it wasn’t long until her buggy came in sight. Slowing his horse, he decided it was best if she didn’t know he was following her. Of course, he didn’t think she’d notice, since she seemed intent on getting to her destination.
Woods blanketed the side yard of the Hamilton farm and offered Jarrett a good cover to watch the happenings. He reined his horse to a stop beside a huge oak tree, which gave him a perfect view of the place. He watched Verbena pull her buggy to a stop in front of the ramshackle cabin and jump down, screaming Burl’s name.
Lulu came out with a dishtowel in her hand. “Who is you?”
“I might ask you the same question. Who are you, and what are you doing here?”
“I’s Lulu and I’s live here and takes care of Burl.”
“I might have known he’d pick up somebody to do his work after Drina left. As bad as he is, I’m surprised he chose someone like you.”
When Lulu stuck her nose in the air, Jarrett had to smile. Good for you, Lulu.
“Ain’t none of you’s business, as I can tell.” Lulu’s voice raised two octaves.
Verbena shook her head and rolled her eyes, but only asked, “Where’s Burl?”
“He ain’t here.”
“I can see that. Where is he?”
“I don’t know. He took a jug and headed to the woods.”
Jarrett raised an eyebrow and glanced around. He hoped Burl hadn’t chosen these woods to come to with his jug.
Verbena waved an arm in his directions. “Those woods?”
“No. He goes down yonder way towards the creek.” Lulu pointed to an area beside the dilapidated barn.
“When will he be back?”
“I don’t know. Sometimes, he stays a long time, even overnight when he wants to. Then, sometimes, he won’t be gone long.” She frowned. “What’a you want him fer, anyhow?”
“That’s none of your business.”
“You can wait for him if’n you want to, Missy. Jest take a seat here on the porch. I got work to do.” Lulu turned and went back into the house.
Verbena looked stunned, but she seemed to gather herself together. She walked to the door and shouted, “Tell Burl the taxes are paid.”
Lulu reappeared at the door. “Say what?”
“I said to tell him the taxes are paid.” Verbena turned to her buggy, but changed her mind and looked back at Lulu. “Also, tell him if he ever comes to town and bothers me again I’ll have him shot.”
With that, she turned the buggy around, and used the whip on the horse. She didn’t look to the right or the left as she left the yard. Jarrett couldn’t help smiling as he muttered, “Boy, that woman is mad.”
He sobered when his thoughts changed. I sure hope she doesn’t take it out on Hannah. I guess I’d better go by her house and check when I get back to town and make sure she doesn’t. I might also get an idea what she’s up to about the marriage plans Minerva told me about.
As it always did when he thought of the marriage, Jarrett began to get angry. Maybe he shouldn’t go to Verbena’s house this mad.
Chapter 14
Minerva turned from the stove when Tobias walked in. “Did you find Mr. MacMichael?”
“They said he’d left the hotel early and hadn’t come back. I waited around a while, but when he didn’t show up I thought I better come on back here. Maybe I can go see him later tod
ay.”
“I feels like we needs to get to him, Tobias. It’s no telling what Miz Wedington will do next. She shore acted strange today.”
“I know. I wonder where she is now. Do you know?”
Minerva chuckled. “Does you really think she’d tell me?”
Tobias came to her and patted her back. “No, wife, I don’t guess she would.”
They heard the front door slam.
“Oh, no, I bet she’s home again.” Tobias went out of the kitchen and hurried to the front hall.
“There you are.” Verbena’s voice was sharp. “Does Minerva have anything hot I can eat? I haven’t had dinner, and I’m hungry.”
“I think she does, Miz Wedington. I’ll go bring Miss Hannah down.”
“No. Go take care of my horse.” She marched toward the kitchen.
Feeling an anger he knew he couldn’t show, Tobias watched as she marched through the dining room and flung open the kitchen door. Without asking if there was any food, she demanded, “Fix me a plate, Minerva. I’ll be in the dining room.”
Minerva nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
Tobias shook his head and turned to the door. He was glad he and Minerva had the foresight to see that Miss Hannah had gotten her dinner. The poor girl would have to go without if they hadn’t seen she was fed.
Thirty minutes later, he came into the house through the kitchen. In case Verbena was still in the dining room, he whispered to his wife, “Did you get her fed?”
“She gobbled it down then said she was going to her room and she wasn’t to be disturbed.” She shook her head. “Somethin’s goin’ on, Tobias. I’m not shore what, but it’s worrying me.”
“Maybe I should slip off and see if I can find Mr. MacMichael again.”
“I don’t know. She might want you to do something for her.” Minerva looked at her husband. “You’s look likes you’s worrying, too. Set down and I’ll git you a cup of coffee. I knows you can use it.”
“I shore can.” He took a seat at the kitchen table. “Why don’t you git yourself one and set yourself down with me? We can hear Miz Wedington if she hollers.”
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