“I have a feeling Verbena will have so much on her mind that she’ll never give you a thought.”
Burl slammed his coffee mug to the table and glared at Jarrett. “All right, it’s time you told me how much money you’re talking about.”
“How much do you want?”
“I’d have to have at least a thousand dollars for that paper you want.”
A look of complete disbelief spread across Burl’s face when Jarrett said, “That sounds reasonable to me.”
Chapter 16
Minerva looked at the tray of breakfast food Tobias had in his hand. It hadn’t been touched. “Tobias, do you think she give the medicine to Miss Hannah this morning?”
“I don’t know, but I bet she did. When I took the tray you fixed her for dinner and found this, I knowed she hadn’t eat nothing.”
“Was she still asleep?”
“Yes.” Tobias frowned and lowered his voice. “It wouldn’t surprise me if Miz Wedington slipped up there and give her some of that stuff after we went to bed last night.”
“I stayed as long as I could when I went up there. I gathered the new dress she got the blood on and the sheets and cleaned some in the room. Miz Wedington left while I was there, but she could’ve gone back.”
“It’d be like her to do it.”
“That woman’s a snake, Tobias. We can’t let her get away with her evil plan to marry Miss Hannah to that man. He’s no more than a big boy in his head.”
“I know, but I didn’t have no luck finding Mr. MacMichael yesterday. As I told you, I tried to find Miz Lydia at her saloon, but her and her husband had gone somewhere. I didn’t think I could tell nobody else who worked there what I wanted with her.”
“You right ’bout that. If’n Miz Wedington knowed we was trying to spoil her plans she’d probably fire us on the spot.”
“Then I guess we’d…shh…I think I hear somebody coming.”
Minerva picked up the tray he’d sat down and began dumping the food in the scrap bucket as Verbena came into the kitchen.
“Minerva, did you wash and dry Hannah’s new dress?”
“Yes, ma’am. I got all the blood out, and it’s good as new.”
“Then I need you to go to Hannah’s room and dress her in that dress. Also comb and fix her hair. I know her nose is swollen, but that can’t be helped. Make her look as pretty as you can.”
Tobias looked up. “I was just in Miss Hannah’s room and she was sound asleep, Miz Wedington.”
“I know. You two will have to make sure she wakes up shortly. At least make sure she’s awake enough to sit up.” Verbena took a deep breath and turned back to Minerva. “After you finish with Hannah, make sure the formal parlor is cleaned by one o’clock.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She ignored Minerva and turned her attention back to Tobias. “You’re to go bring Hannah down at two-thirty and put her in the informal parlor. If she isn’t awake by then, try to wake her as much as you can. I’m expecting the preacher at one o’clock and I’ll receive him in the formal room.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Minerva looked at her boss. “Shall I make tea and cookies for the guest?”
“Yes, but don’t serve it until I tell you to. The preacher and I have some business to take care of first.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Minerva said again, but there was no enthusiasm in her voice.
Verbena looked at the watch pinned to the breast of her purple dress. It was the last garment Hannah had designed for her aunt, and Verbena was especially fond of it. “It’s almost noon. I’ll have my dinner in the dining room, then you can go take care of Hannah.” Without waiting for an answer, she turned and marched out of the room.
“Oh, Tobias. She’s up to something.”
“And I thinks I know what it is.” He moved to the door and grabbed his hat. “If she asks for me, tell her I had to go get something for you to make the cookies.”
“Where’re you going?”
“I’m gonna try to find Mr. Jarrett. I just hope I do find him this time.”
“What if you don’t, Tobias?”
“I don’t know, Minerva. We’ll think of something else. Now, try to keep positive. I’ll do the best I can.”
“Tobias…”
“We don’t have time to keep talking. I gotta hurry.”
She bit her lip and nodded as she watched him go out the door.
♥♥♥
The feeling of a job well done settled on Jarrett as he rode the rented horse back out of Burl Hamilton’s yard and headed toward town. Though he thought he’d get Burl Hamilton to eventually take his offer, he was almost shocked at how quickly the man went to the barn and returned with a small wooden box, sat in on the table and said, “Now, let me see the money.”
Jarrett was no fool. His reply had been, “Let me see what you have in the box first.”
Without hesitation, Burl broke the lock and pulled out yellowed piece of paper. “I’m sure this is what you want.”
“May I check it over?”
Burl eyed him. “If you see what you want to know on this paper, how do I know you’ll pay me?”
“Just show me the bottom where the signatures are.”
Burl turned to the second page and held it so Jarrett could see where the document had been signed. He pointed out where Ella Hamilton, Burl Hamilton, Verbena Worthington and Barnaby Phillips had all written their names. That was the Phillips man Verbena had said took care of her business until his death. Without reading the form, Jarrett knew this had to be the proof he needed.
After looking over the signatures, Jarrett nodded and reached in his pocket. He pulled out a roll of paper bills and watched Burl’s eyes grow big and almost glassy. “I think you said a thousand dollars would satisfy your needs.”
Burl nodded and Lulu gasped.
Jarrett slowly counted the money and dropped the bills one at a time until there was a thousand dollars on the table. “I figure this closes our deal.”
Putting the paper back into the box, Burl shoved it to Jarrett. He then grabbed the money and said, “It shore does.”
Jarrett nodded and turned to Lulu. “I think you should get a little something, too.” He handed her fifty dollars.
Tears came into her eyes. “Oh, thank you, Mr. MacMichael. I ain’t never had this much money at one time in my whole life.”
Jarrett winked at her and stood. “Buy yourself something special.”
Burl was counting his money and ignoring them.
“I’ll sees you to the door.” Lulu stood.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
He bid the woman good-by, put the box in his saddle bag and climbed on his horse. Burl Hamilton didn’t say anything else to anyone. Jarrett knew he was still counting the money.
Now that he was out of sight of the farm house, Jarrett was tempted to stop, open the box and satisfy his curiosity about the information it contained. But he knew he’d better wait until he got back to the hotel so he could coordinate his findings with the documents he’d already collected from the courthouse and the newspaper. After all, he could be there in half-an-hour or so. He could wait until then.
♥♥♥
Reverend Cedric Calhoun sipped the tea and studied Verbena Wedington. Was the woman serious? Was she asking him to marry her niece to the slow witted, addled-brained Calvin Sawyer? Why in the world would she want such a thing to happen to the girl? No longer than he’d been the preacher at their church, he knew Calvin was in no condition to marry any woman. He might be a man in looks and size, but he had the mind of a child. Everyone knew that after their first meeting with him.
On the other hand, he’d never actually met Mrs. Wedington’s niece. Maybe she was as simple minded at Calvin. It could be that Verbena thought they’d be playmates for each other. That maybe they would be good for each other.
Then, he remembered his wife had met the niece and he distinctly recalled Bessie saying, “Cedric, you wouldn’t believe h
ow talented that young woman is. Not only can she sew beautiful clothes, but she’s articulate in her speech and manners. Mrs. Wedington can be proud of how she’s raised her delightful niece.”
He replayed the rest of their conversation. “If this is all true, why doesn’t she come to church with her aunt?”
“I suppose it’s because she can’t walk. It would be hard for Mrs. Wedington to handle getting her here and back home without someone to help her.”
“Then I suppose I could make arrangements for someone to help transport the girl to church and back home.”
He knew he’d fully intended to discuss this idea with Mrs. Wedington, but there had been so much work in the past few weeks it had slipped his mind. Now, here he was being asked to marry the young lady to Calvin Sawyer. He wasn’t sure he could be persuaded to do this no matter how much Verbena pushed him to do so.
Verbena’s voice broke into his thoughts. “Would you like more tea, Reverend Calhoun?”
“That would be nice. This is a delicious tea.”
Verbena grinned. “Thank you. I keep a supply to serve to my special guests.”
“Then, I’m glad you consider me special.”
“Of course I do. I think you’re the best preacher we’ve had at our church in a long time. Your insight into the gospels is remarkable. I’ve learned so much under your teaching.”
He couldn’t help feeling proud, though he knew pride was a sin. He’d asked for forgiveness for it later. After all, he was human, and it always pleased him when one of his church members complimented him on his Bible knowledge and his teaching. “Thank you, Mrs. Wedington. You’re very kind.”
She smiled. “Now, shall we get back to the subject at hand? I’m sure you agree with me that this is the perfect solution for my poor crippled niece. She wants to get married so badly, but she’s wise enough to know no normal man would ever marry her. She likes Calvin and he likes her. I think they’d be good for each other.”
“I’m sure there are other men out there who would overlook her handicap.”
“Think about it, Reverend. Would you?”
“Well,” he stammered. “I’m a married man, but if I wasn’t, you must realize my work requires that the woman I married be able to get around and entertain church members, work in the church and support me in many different ways. That would be hard for someone who can’t walk.”
“See what I mean? If a preacher can’t accept her, who can?”
Cedric thought a minute. “How about a businessman?”
Verbena shook her head. “A businessman needs a woman who can serve as a hostess for his friends and can entertain his associates’ wives. If she can’t walk, she would make all these people uncomfortable when they were around her. That would certainly hurt her husband’s business.”
He sipped his tea and didn’t answer.
“So Reverend Calhoun, do you understand why I want to do this for my dear niece? She wants to get married, and since no normal man is going to have her, the best I can do for her is to marry her to Calvin Sawyer. He has turned into a handsome man, as you well know, and at least he’s a sweet boy. I’m sure he’ll entertain Hannah with his cute actions. Also, he’ll be around when she feels lonely. I’ve already promised him a dog so they can sit in the garden and play with it. Hannah loves being outside, and I’m sure she’ll like that.”
Cedric looked at her but didn’t answer right away. Was she right? Was marrying her niece to this boy with a man’s body the right thing to do? Would the young woman be happy to have someone in her life, even if his mentality was much lower than hers? He felt he had to stall Mrs. Wedington. “Let me think about this for a bit. You might be right, but I want to be sure we’re not rushing things. I wouldn’t want to make a mistake and have your dear niece tied to Calvin if she didn’t want to be his wife.”
Verbena bit her lip. “If you feel you must.”
“I do, Mrs. Wedington. You know marriage is a serious and holy commitment and I don’t want to make a mistake linking these two souls together for the rest of their lives if I don’t feel it’s the right thing to do.”
“Would it make you feel better to discuss this with Calvin’s sister?”
“Yes, I think it would.” He nodded. “That’s a good idea.”
“She and Calvin will be here at three.” She looked at her watch. “It’s one-thirty now. That gives you an hour-and-a-half to think it over.”
He placed his teacup on the table. “I want to pray about this. I’m going to the church where I won’t be disturbed. I will return at three, and after my prayers, I may be able to give you my decision without talking to Miss Sawyer.”
She stood and walked him to the door. He could tell by her demeanor that she wasn’t pleased with his decision to leave, but he couldn’t help it. Though she was a faithful member and contributor to the church, he had to feel performing this wedding was the right thing to do before he could, in good conscious, marry them. He didn’t want to do anything wrong against Hannah or against Calvin Sawyer, for that matter.
He took her hand at the door. “My dear Mrs. Wedington, I’m sure I’ll be able to get the right leading for what we’re supposed to do after my prayers. I don’t like to make decisions like this without consulting the Almighty.”
“Could you tell me what you are feeling about the situation at this moment, Reverend?”
“For some reason, I tend to think you may be right. This could be the only answer for your lonely niece and for Calvin Sawyer. As you said, she would have someone to be with her in her loneliness even if theirs wouldn’t be a normal marriage. He’d also have a companion he liked.”
Verbena smiled. “I’m glad you see it my way. I’ll look for you at three and we’ll have everything ready for the ceremony.” She then added, “If that is what you feel you’re led to do.”
He nodded, donned his hat and went out.
♥♥♥
Verbena fumed inside. She wanted to slam the door behind him, but controlled her anger and closed it gently. That didn’t keep her from cursing the preacher under her breath. She’d expected him to go along with her plans without bringing up such things as he did and deciding he had to pray about the situation.
Why did he do this to me? I had it all planned out perfectly. All he had to do was his job—marry Hannah and Calvin. Now, I’m going to have to wait to see what his prayers lead him to do. She frowned and marched up the stairs. I’ve got to make sure Hannah is still so drugged she can’t object to the nuptials. If she says a word, it’d be like him to refuse to perform the ceremony, and I can’t let that happen. Even if he gets the idea that he doesn’t want to do it, I think with Hilda’s help, we’ll be able to convince him. We have to. Hannah’s going to be eighteen day after tomorrow. If she reaches that day without being married, I stand to lose everything. I can’t let that happen. I just can’t.
Pushing open Hannah’s door, Verbena stepped inside. She noticed the newest dress was draped over the back of the chair. Beside it were a white cotton chemise, stockings and a clean satin shoe. Petticoats lay across the wheelchair. She nodded and smiled to herself. At least Minerva was planning to carry out the order to get Hannah dressed. She was sure Tobias would perform his part and get the girl downstairs when the time came.
Turning to the bed, she looked at her niece. Verbena had to admit Hannah was a lovely young woman. Of all three Hamilton sisters, Hannah was the most like her mother. Though Verbena had been an attractive young woman, Ella had been the beautiful sister. And Hannah was so like her mother in other ways. She was sweet and kind and seemed to love everyone she met. And when Hannah was a child, she had often been a delight to her aunt. But there’d been times when the young child would rebel, as Ella did when she married Burl Hamilton over her whole family’s protests. At the times Hannah acted up, she’d have to be punished to bring her back in line. For an instant, Verbena felt a trickle of remorse ripple through her body. After all, this was her niece, the young woman who designed
and constructed all the lovely dresses Verbena wore to show off to her friends. What if Hannah refused to do her sewing when she realized her aunt had forced her into a terrible marriage?
It also crossed Verbena’s mind that she was sentencing the girl to a life with a man most people considered an idiot. They’d be considered a cripple and an idiot. What would become of the two of them? Hilda certainly wouldn’t want them in her home, and Verbena had no intention of letting them live with her. She sighed. Maybe after the wedding she could ship them off to Arizona to live with Drina. If not, there was always Lydia’s saloon. It wouldn’t be ideal, but it would be a place for Hannah to spend the rest of her married life. What Drina or Lydia did about Calvin wasn’t her problem. She really didn’t care what became of the man after he fulfilled his purpose in this plan.
Shaking herself to clear her head, Verbena moved to the bed and placed her hand on Hannah’s forehead. “Wake up, Hannah. We’re going to have company in a little while.”
Hannah didn’t move.
Again, Verbena spoke. “You have to wake up. This is your wedding day, my child. You don’t want to be late for your own wedding, do you?”
Hannah rolled her head, but still didn’t open her eyes.
Verbena frowned and muttered, “I wonder if I gave you too much laudanum.”
She began to wonder, too, if she’d messed up the plan herself by over-drugging Hannah. She knew Hannah didn’t have to be aware of all that was going on today. In fact, it was actually better that she wasn’t. But she did have to be awake enough to sit in her chair without falling out. Since he already had doubts about this marriage, there was no way Reverend Calhoun would officiate a ceremony with the girl unconscious.
She decided she’d send Minerva up and have her work with the girl. She’d probably be able to wake her up. Negroes might be freed from slavery, but they still had ways of working roots and spells that civilized white people had no knowledge of. Verbena was sure of that.
When she reached the kitchen, she found Minerva icing a cake and Tobias heading out the door. Verbena frowned. “Where are you going?”
Hannah's Wishes Page 18
