Hannah's Wishes

by Agnes Alexander

  Jarrett hadn’t spoken since the preacher left, so she decided to break the silence between them. “I think you owe me an explanation, Mr. MacMichael.”

  “Maybe I do, at that.” He unfolded the yellowed paper and began to read.

  “I’m not sure that document has anything to do with me, but if it does, I don’t think that it is any of your business, sir. I demand that you hand it over to me.”

  “Not a chance, lady.”

  She pursed her lips, flipped her head around and called, “Tobias, come in here.”

  In an instant, the butler appeared in the room. “Yes, ma’am.”

  “Throw this man out of my house.”

  Tobias glanced at Jarrett then turned back to Verbena. “I’m sorry, Miz Wedington. I can’t do that.”

  She saw a sneaky smile cross Jarrett’s lips, though he kept reading and didn’t say anything.

  She grew furious. “How dare you refuse to obey my command, Tobias Johnson. I pay you to do what I say, and you’re supposed to do it. After all, you’re nothing but a servant.”

  Tobias ignored her. “Miss Hannah has gone back to sleep, Mr. Jarrett. Minerva is with her.”

  “Good. Have a seat over there in one of those chairs,” Jarrett said.

  Verbena gasped. “He can’t sit down in my presence!” She couldn’t believe that Jarrett MacMichael, even with all his strange ways, would suggest a Negro servant sit down in her parlor, but before she could complain further, Tobias sat and Jarrett began folding the paper.

  “I think I’ve read enough to know what’s going on here.”

  She bit her lip and eyed him. “What have you read?”

  “As I said, enough. I now understand why you were so hell bent on getting Hannah married before her eighteenth birthday.”

  Though she was scared at what he was going to say, Verbena fought back in the only way she knew how. She used her words. “Even if you know, you have no right to interfere with anything I say or do. This is my house and my business.”

  “It’s time you quit trying to finagle your way out of this, Verbena Wedington.”

  “Whatever, do you mean?” Oh Lord, what could she do to make this man see she had a right to do what she’d set out to do today?

  ♥♥♥

  Jarrett decided it was time to confront her. She’d been lording it over everyone long enough. “First of all, I will tell you that I’m not who you think I am.”

  “Then who are you?”

  “It’s true that Jarrett MacMichael is my name, but I’m not a businessman who has come to Savannah to build a hotel.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “I’m a private investigator from Flagstaff, Arizona. I was sent here to investigate you and your treatment of Hannah.”

  She stared at him. “Who would send you to do such a thing?”

  “I’m sure they won’t mind me telling you. Aaron Wilcox hired me for his wife, Drina. She was worried about her sister and wanted to make sure she was well taken care of. If not, then I was supposed to make sure the bad treatment of her stopped.”

  Verbena’s brow wrinkled. “I’ve always taken good care of Hannah.”

  This didn’t set well with him and he began to spit questions at her. “Then tell me why Hannah lives in a room that isn’t as good as one a person would supply their servants? Why does she go around dressed like a beggar’s daughter? Why can’t she have pretty dresses since she’s an accomplished seamstress? Why isn’t she allowed to have the special tea except at the times you have visitors? Why do you banish her to her room without her wheelchair as a punishment for some small infraction? Why did you not give her the letters her sister wrote her and why didn’t you mail the ones she wrote to Drina?”

  He stopped to take a breath, and she covered her face with her hands for an instant, then removed them. He thought she was going to sob, but she didn’t. She only muttered, “Why are you being so cruel to me?”

  “I’m not trying to be cruel, but I think it’s time some of this information came out in the open so people will see the real Verbena Wedington. What did you plan to do? Wait until Burl Hamilton died so you could destroy your copy of this document and hope his never surfaced?”

  “Of course not. I only wanted what was mine.” Her eyes bored into his. “I’d have had it, too, if you hadn’t poked your nose where it wasn’t welcome.”

  Jarrett ignored her statement and turned to Tobias. “Please go to Hannah’s room and have Minerva pack all the clothes the girl owns. Then, come back. I want you to go to the livery and turn in the horse I rented. Bring back a wagon of some kind. I’m getting Hannah out of here tonight. The livery stable man knows who I am, so I’m sure you won’t have any trouble if you tell him you’re renting the things for me.” He took money out of his pocket and gave it to Tobias.

  “You’re not taking Hannah anywhere,” Verbena shouted.

  Jarrett gave her a sinister look. “Try to stop me and I’ll send Tobias for the sheriff while he’s out. I think you and I both know what that would mean.”

  Verbena sank back on the divan as if she’d slapped her back.

  Tobias rose from his chair, took the money and headed for the stairs.

  “If you go up those stairs, you’re fired, Tobias. So is Minerva. If you disobey me, pack your own clothes, too and get out of my house.” Verbena shrieked at his receding back.

  Tobias paused.

  Jarrett said, “Go on, Tobias. Do what she says. I’ll take care of you and Minerva.”

  “He’s lying,” she screeched.

  Ignoring her, Tobias nodded at Jarrett and continued up the steps.

  Jarrett turned back to her. “Now, Verbena, go get the jewelry and bring it to me.”

  She looked startled as she turned from glaring at the butler going up the stairs. “What jewelry?”

  “Come off your imaginary throne, lady. You’re not going to be acting queen around here any longer. Get the jewelry, and be quick about it.”

  “I don’t have any jewelry here.”

  “Where is it?”

  “In the bank vault.”

  He shook his head at her. “I don’t think so. The paper said you were to keep it in your home safe until it was time to give it to Hannah. And if I remember what I read just a few minutes ago, she’s to get it if she isn’t married by her eighteenth birthday.”

  “She won’t be eighteen until next year.”

  “Don’t try to pull that. She’ll be eighteen in a couple of days. Do you want me to sit here and wait until the clock strikes midnight two days from now before you hand it over?”

  Verbena looked at him as if she’d like to kill him.

  “Don’t you dare try to lie your way out of this. Your sister put it in her own handwriting that you were to abide by her wishes. Your sister and her husband signed it. So did you. Therefore, it’s a legal document that will stand up in any court in the land.”

  “I’ve done my part. I’ve provided a home for Hannah when nobody else wanted her.”

  “That’s not so. Lydia wanted her.”

  “No, she didn’t.”

  “Oh, yes, she did. I know she tried to get Hannah to come and live with her, but you wouldn’t let that happen. You knew if you did, you’d lose out on everything.”

  “Lydia is not a good influence on Hannah.”

  “And you are?” His eyes bored into hers.

  “Listen to me, MacMichael. Hannah has a good home here. She’s not mistreated, and she seems happy with her life.”

  “Do you really believe what you’re saying? You keep her locked in this house like a prisoner and most of the time she’s banished to her room. She isn’t allowed to learn to walk or to have friends. Not to mention the fact that you beat her when she was a little girl for the least infraction. How would you like to live your life the way Hannah has?”

  “What do you mean learn to walk? Hannah will never walk.” She took on the stubborn look again.

  “Have you never heard
of crutches?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “You have the answers to everything, don’t you?”

  Before Jarrett could reply, there was a sharp rap on the front door.

  Chapter 19

  “What’s going on, Tobias?” Minerva stared at him when he asked her to start packing Hannah’s clothes. She couldn’t help being a little nervous.

  “Mr. Jarrett says he’s taking Miss Hannah out of this house today. We’s got to pack our things, too. He wants everything ready to go when I get back.”

  “Where’re you going?”

  “I’m taking his horse back and renting a wagon for him.”

  “Will that there livery man let you rent a wagon?”

  “I’m shore he will when I tell him it’s for Mr. Jarrett.”

  “Miz Wedington is gonna be mad.”

  “She’s already mad, Minerva.”

  “Does you think she’ll fire us?”

  He chuckled. “Honey child, she already has. That’s why you gotta pack our clothes, too.”

  “What?” Minerva looked frightened.

  “Don’t worry, wife. Mr. Jarrett said he’d take care of us.”

  “And you believe him?”

  “Yes, I do. You should’ve heard what he’s telling her. I think Miss Hannah and maybe us, too, are goin’ to be fine when we’s get away from here.”

  “What makes you think that, Tobias?”

  “I’ll explain later. Best you get to packing Miss Hannah’s things.”

  “Does you think Miz Wedington is gonna let her go?”

  “She’s got no choice. Mr. Jarrett is determined.”

  “What will we do with no jobs, Tobias?”

  “As I told you, Mr. Jarrett said he’d take care of it. If’n he don’t, we’s gonna worry about that later.” He reached over and patted his wife’s shoulder. “We’s will be fine. Jest you wait and see.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead.

  She nodded and got up from the chair she’d been sitting in beside the window. “I’s trust you, Tobias. I’ll get her stuff packed. Then I’s go pack ours. What should I put it all in?”

  “Don’t she have something?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I’ll find something. You go do what you have to and I’ll take care of Miss Hannah’s things and ours, too.”

  Tobias went out the door and Minerva walked to the bed. She looked at Hannah. Making sure the young woman was still sleeping, she decided she’d go downstairs and get one of the valises she’d seen in the linen closet. Since she’d been fired, she didn’t figure Miz Wedington could do her any more harm. All kinds of thoughts were running through her head as she went out of the room. I’s might even get one of them bags to pack mine and Tobias’s things in. ‘Course if I does, she’s so mean she’ll probably have the both of us hung from that big oak tree in the town square.

  The sound of the knocking on the front door broke into Minerva’s thoughts. Knowing Tobias was gone, she automatically went to the door.

  “Hello, doctor,” she said.

  “I’ve come to check on Mrs. Wedington’s niece. Would you please tell her I’m here?”

  “She’s right here in the parlor, sir. I’m sure she’ll want to see you.”

  Without saying anything further, he followed Minerva to the parlor.

  Verbena didn’t seem to know what to do when he walked in. Finally, she said, “I assume you came to check on Hannah.”

  “Yes, I did.” He eyed Jarrett. “Would it be better if I came back later?”

  “Not at all.” Jarrett stood, introduced himself and stuck his hand out to the doctor. “I’m glad you came by. It seems Mrs. Wedington has given Hannah her medicine wrong and you should check her over.”

  “I left clear instructions as to how the medicine was to be administered.”

  Verbena swallowed. “I just got mixed up.”

  “Then would you please escort me to Miss Hamilton’s room?”

  Verbena glanced at Jarrett.

  He said, “I’m sure Minerva can show you the way. Mrs. Wedington and I are in a business discussion.”

  He gave them a strange look, but only said, “Very well.”

  Though Minerva was surprised, she didn’t argue. She turned toward the stairs, “This way, doctor.

  ♥♥♥

  Jarrett turned to Verbena. “Now that we’re alone again, shall we continue?”

  She looked defiant as she sat. “What is there to continue? You’re determined to ruin my life.”

  “I don’t think I’m doing that, Verbena. You did it to yourself when you decided to live your life the way you wanted to instead of the decent way your sister expected you to do.”

  “I’m a decent person, and I’ve done nothing wrong. I go to church and try to do right by my fellow Christians.”

  “Have you done the right thing by your niece? The one person you should have cared the most about?”

  She bit her lip and he went on. “What decent aunt would have tried to trick her niece into marrying a man with the mind of a child? That was an evil thing to do, and you know it.”

  When she still said nothing, he said, “You might as well admit it was because you’re greedy. You wanted her mother’s jewelry for yourself and you were determined to get it, regardless of how it hurt Hannah.”

  She turned her head. “You’re going to believe what you want to believe, Mr. MacMichael, no matter what I say.”

  He patted the pocket where he’d returned the paper he’d bought from Burl. “I believe in facts, Mrs. Wedington, and the facts on this document tell me all I need to know about you.” He held out his hand to her. “I’ll accompany you to wherever you have the jewelry. We have plenty of time to get it before the doctor returns, so we might as well get it now. There’s no need to try to fight me about it. I don’t intend to leave here tonight without it.”

  Verbena set her face in a stubborn scowl. “Hannah won’t be eighteen until day after tomorrow. She has no right to it until then.”

  “Then, as I said before, you and I will wait right here until Hannah’s birthday. As I said, I’m not leaving without it.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because I don’t trust you, Verbena Wedington. I know what you do to people who don’t do the things the way you think they should. I don’t intend for Hannah to be the subject of your wicked mind any longer.”

  Verbena didn’t say anything, but stared at him with hatred in her eyes. He knew she’d decided there was no way out of the situation when she sighed, stood without taking his hand, and headed down the hall. He followed her to what had probably been her late husband’s study. She moved back a portrait hanging over the desk. Jarrett figured it was of Hector Wedington when he was a young man. Behind the picture there was a safe fitted in the wall. Knowing there might be a gun inside it, he refused to turn his back as she began to dial the numbers.

  When it opened, she reached in and took out a small ornate box. “This was all Ella left. If you’ll check the document you’ll see each piece that is described in the document is here.”

  “Rest assured, I’ll check it carefully.”

  By the time they returned to the parlor, the doctor was coming down the steps.

  “How was Hannah?” Jarrett asked.

  He shook his head. “She’s had too much medication. I know I gave you clear instructions of had to administer it, Mrs. Wedington. You should have been more careful.”

  Verbena dropped her head without replying.

  Jarrett said, “I plan to take Miss Hamilton to the hotel where she can be more comfortable, doctor. That is, if you have no objections.”

  “I think it’ll be fine to move her. Just let her sleep off the effects of the laudanum and she should be all right.”

  “Then, would you please come by the hotel tomorrow and check her again?”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  Jarrett gave him the name of the hotel and his room number, then thanked him.

  Verbena walked him to the d
oor and came back into the parlor. “Is there anything else you’re going to demand of me today?”

  “Not today. As soon as Tobias returns with the carriage, we’ll be leaving.”

  “My friends are going to wonder where Hannah is and why she isn’t here to do their sewing any longer. What am I supposed to tell them?”

  “I’ve always thought the truth would suffice.”

  She cut her eyes at him. “Like you were truthful with me?”

  “I was only doing the job I was hired to do, so I had my reasons for lying, Mrs. Wedington.”

  “So did I, Mr. MacMichael.” When he only looked at her, she shrugged. “Well, then get Hannah, and be off with you. I’m ready for my supper and Minerva hasn’t even started it.”

  “I’m afraid you’ll have to get your own supper, ma’am.”

  She frowned. “What do you mean?”

  “With my own ears I heard you fire both Tobias and his wife. I’ve decided I’m going to hire them to look after Hannah.”

  “You wouldn’t dare.”

  He cocked an eyebrow at her. “Oh, wouldn’t I?”

  She said nothing more.

  ♥♥♥

  Hannah stretched and opened her eyes. She had had some strange dreams. She’d been to a wedding and then Jarrett MacMichael showed up. In her dream, she wanted to marry him, but Tobias took her away before it could happen. Then, Jarrett came back and lifted her up in his arms and they went for a ride in a carriage of some sort. It was so real she could feel the wind on her face, and she thought he was taking her away to marry her, but sleep overcame her and she couldn’t keep her eyes open any longer…and it didn’t happen. Now it was morning, and she was back in her real world. Or was she? Something was different. This bed was soft and comfortable, and she was lying on two fluffy feather pillows. Was she still dreaming?

  She sat up and gasped as she looked around. The walls of this large room were painted a soft blue. There were white ruffled curtains at the double windows and there were a small sofa and two chairs covered in a silk flowered material positioned around a small table at the large double windows.

  Hannah didn’t know where she was or how she came to be in this lovely place, but she knew she wasn’t in her room at Aunt Verbena’s house. The only familiar thing here was her wheelchair sitting in the corner. She glanced down and saw she was wearing her regular cotton nightgown, though it was only pulled up over one arm. Her cut arm with its sling was outside. How did she get into her night clothes and who managed to get it over her sore and bandaged arm? She shook her head and continued to look around. She didn’t see any of the clothes she thought she’d worn earlier, but she couldn’t be sure of what she had on before coming here. She then spied a valise sitting near the mahogany wardrobe and wondered if her clothes were there. But how could they be? She didn’t have a valise.