Hannah's Wishes

by Agnes Alexander

  “You aunt had nothing to do with it. I took Hannah out of that house for her own protection.” Jarrett motioned for Minerva to pour tea for Lydia, then for her and Tobias to take a seat.

  “Thank you,” Lydia said to Minerva. To Jarrett, she said, “What do you mean ‘for her own good’?”

  “Why don’t you tell her how this all started, Tobias?”

  Tobias nodded. “I overheard Miz Wedington making plans to marry Miss Hannah off to marry Calvin Sawyer. I told Minerva we had to do something to stop it.”

  Minerva said, “We knowed we couldn’t let that happen to her, but we didn’t know how to stop it. So I told Tobias to go find Mr. Jarrett. We both knowed he’d know what to do.”

  Jarrett smiled. “I got there in time to stop the wedding, and when I found out Hannah had been drugged, I wasn’t about to leave her in that house a minute longer with her devious aunt. I didn’t know what that woman would’ve tried next.”

  Lydia looked mad. “What a horrible thing for Aunt Verbena to do. I don’t understand why she’d do such a thing in the first place.”

  “I don’t know why either, Lydia, but I know Jarrett’s telling the truth. Even Minerva said I was drugged.”

  Lydia looked at Jarrett. “I’ve never met the Sawyer man, but I’m sure Hannah is like every other woman, if she marries she’ll want to pick out her own husband.”

  “Calvin Sawyer has the body of a man and the mind of a child,” Jarrett said flatly. “And Hannah is right, Verbena had drugged her so she wouldn’t know she was being forced to marry him.”

  “When did you fall out of your chair and break your arm?”

  “A few days ago, I’m not sure how many. Calvin and his sister were visiting Aunt Verbena. She told him to roll me out to the veranda. He tried, but he couldn’t control my wheelchair. It hit the door facing and I tumbled out.”

  “Why didn’t you let me know about this? I could have come and got you.”

  “Actually, Tobias told me it happened the evening before Verbena arranged the wedding. A doctor had seen Hannah’s arm and the Johnsons thought the important thing was to stop the wedding.”

  “I can understand that.” She looked around. “Of course, Hannah can’t stay here with you, Jarrett. I’ll take her with me.”

  “I thought that same thing, Lydia, then it occurred to me that Verbena would find a way to make sure Hannah wasn’t allowed to live with you. I don’t want to see her sent back to live with her aunt.”

  “I don’t think Aunt Verbena would try to take me away from Lydia now that you know what she’s capable of.”

  “I think you’re probably wrong, honey.” Lydia patted her arm. “If Aunt Verbena would try to marry you to someone like you say this Sawyer man is, she’ll do anything to make sure you and I are not together.”

  “That’s why I wanted you to come here today, Lydia,” Jarrett said. “I haven’t talked this over with Hannah yet, but I think the best solution is to take her to Arizona.”

  Lydia frowned. “What in the world would she do in Arizona?”

  “I’d be with Drina,” Hannah whispered.

  “Of course, that’s the answer. Though I’ll miss you something awful, you’d be where Aunt Verbena could never hurt you again.”

  “I’d miss you, too, Lydia, but I’ve wished many times I could have gone to Arizona with Drina. Thanks to Jarrett, it looks like this is one wish that can come true.”

  Lydia turned to Jarrett. “When would you be leaving?”

  “Shortly, but not until after tomorrow. I know that’s a special day for Hannah, and I think she should spend it with her sister.”

  “What’s tomorrow?” Hannah frowned, then it was if a light went on in her memory. “Oh, it’s my birthday.”

  “Your eighteenth birthday, if I’m not mistaken.” Lydia smiled at her. “You will be a grown woman tomorrow, baby sister.”

  Oh, yes and what a beautiful woman, Jarrett thought, but he kept it to himself.

  “I feel like I’m a woman already.”

  “You’ve had enough happen to you to prove that you are a woman in every sense of the word,” Jarrett said.

  “You’re right about that, Jarrett. I don’t know many people who have faced the problems that Hannah has had thrust upon her and handled them with such grace. I’m really proud of my sister.”

  “Thank you, Lydia.”

  “You’re welcome.” Lydia patted Hannah’s shoulder then stood. “I hate to leave, but I need to get back to the saloon. Bradly is out of town for the day, but he’ll be back soon. I need to see that things are going well at work.”

  “I understand, and I thank you for coming.” Jarrett stood with her.

  She looked at Hannah. “What time shall I pick you up tomorrow?”

  “Pick me up?”

  “Yes. I want to take you out to lunch then maybe to do some shopping and…”

  “No, Lydia.” Hannah shook her head. “I want you to come and spend the day with me here. I don’t want to go out except maybe to the dining room downstairs. We can have lunch and then come back to this lovely room and spend the rest of the time together.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “I’m sure.”

  “Then, I’ll see you about noon tomorrow.” She kissed Hannah’s cheek and Jarrett walked her to the door.

  “Maybe she’ll change her mind,” he whispered. “I think she’s overwhelmed by being here in the first place.”

  “I think you’re right.” She held out her hand. “Thank you for everything you’ve done for her, Jarrett.”

  ♥♥♥

  In the middle of the night, Jarrett was jarred out of a restless sleep by a piercing scream. Knowing the scream came from Hannah’s room, he grabbed his gun off the night table as his feet hit the floor and dashed to her room. His mind dragged up all sorts of scenarios as he ran. Did Verbena send someone to kidnap her niece? Had someone entered the room to rob or harm the woman? Did someone frighten her? He didn’t bother to knock or call out, but hurried through the door and didn’t stop until he was beside her bed.

  From the moonlight coming through the window, he could see there was no one else in the room. Hannah was huddled in her bed, and she was crying.

  Jarrett put his pistol on the table and sat down on the edge of her bed. He reached down and touched her arm. “Hannah, wake up. You’re having a bad dream.”

  She continued to shake and he whispered, “Hannah, honey. It’s all right. I’m here and I’m not going to let anything or anyone hurt you.”

  She surprised him when she opened her tear-filled eyes, seemed to recognize him, then threw her good arm around his mid-section and cried against his chest.

  He didn’t know what to do, so he just held her and let her cry.

  In a little while, she muttered, “I thought Aunt Verbena was here and she had a big knife. She said she was going to kill me if I didn’t marry Calvin.”

  He held her tightly. “Your aunt is nowhere near here, Hannah. Even if she were, there’s no way I’d let her get close you. Unless you want to, you never have to see that woman’s face again.”

  “Oh, Jarrett. I feel so safe with you.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way, because you’ll always be safe with me.”

  “I don’t know how I can ever thank you for all you’ve done for me.”

  “You don’t have to thank me, Hannah. I just want you to feel safe and be happy.”

  She was quiet a moment, then without warning she whispered, “I love you, Jarrett.”

  Flabbergasted, he wasn’t sure what to say or do. He cared for Hannah, he really did—but love? He wasn’t sure about that. Still, no other woman had made him have the feelings she’d made him feel. This very night he’d not been able to sleep for an hour or two just thinking about her and how her presence was affecting him. He knew it was close to eleven when, after his third glass of whiskey and much tossing and turning, he’d finally drifted off. Now, there was the hint of light creeping throug
h the window. It was the next day.

  Knowing he had to acknowledge her statement in some way, he did the only thing he could think of to do. He took hold of her chin, lifted her face toward his, looked down in her trusting eyes and without saying a word, he slowly pressed his lips to hers.

  If he wasn’t the practical man that he was, he would’ve sworn he’d felt something magical happen in that moment. Never before, after kissing a woman, had he wanted to stand up and scream as loud as he could, ‘this woman is mine,’ though he did say it in his mind. He also knew, without a doubt, that he’d one day say it to the world in spite of all he could do to stop himself.

  It soon dawned on him that he couldn’t, in good conscience, continue to kiss her. He mustered all the strength he could and forced himself to pull away. Deep down, he had the feeling Hannah wouldn’t have refused him if he’d made love to her right then, but he couldn’t do it to this innocent young woman. Not now. Not yet. Of course, his body and his human instinct told him to take advantage of the situation, but he knew it wasn’t the right thing to do. Not to someone so young and innocent. It then dawned on him she was eighteen today. She was a woman, not a child. But it still didn’t make her anything but a naïve young woman who knew nothing about life or the way men reacted to the stimulus of being so close to a beautiful half-dressed woman.

  Finally, he realized there was something he could say in response to her saying she loved him without declaring a commitment to her. He pulled away enough to look into her eyes. “It’s your birthday morning and I want to be the first person to wish you a happy birthday, Hannah.”

  She smiled. “It is my birthday, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, it is, but it’s still too early to get up. Why don’t you try to sleep a little longer and we’ll have a big breakfast together to celebrate when you wake up.”

  “I’ll look forward to having breakfast with you, but please don’t order so much this time.”

  “I’ll see if I can control myself.” He winked at her and stood. “I’ll see you a little later.”

  “Do you have to go?”

  He nodded. “I think it’s best if I do, Hannah.” He leaned down and kissed her forehead. “It won’t be long until I’ll be back. Now, lie down and get that extra sleep. Lydia will probably keep you busy today.”

  She cuddled down, but took hold of his arm. “Will you kiss me again?”

  “I just did.”

  “I don’t mean on the forehead.”

  His breathing became heavier, but he again leaned forward and pressed his lips to hers. Knowing this couldn’t continue to go on, he pulled away and said, “Now, go to sleep and I’ll see you later.”

  “Thank you, Jarrett.”

  “I told you not to thank me for protecting you, Hannah. I want to do that.”

  She gave him a half smile. “I appreciate that, but I was thanking you for the kiss. You’re the first man who has ever kissed me, and I liked it very much. In fact, it was wonderful.”

  He was startled at her words. Swallowing, he muttered, “You’re welcome. Now like I said, go back to sleep.”

  He hurried out of the room before she could say anything else.

  ♥♥♥

  It was ten o’clock in the morning when Verbena finished washing the one dish she’d used to eat some canned peaches and a slice of stale bread. As she’d completed the job, it crossed her mind that this was Hannah’s birthday. The stupid girl had won. Not on her own, but thanks to that interfering Jarrett MacMichael, she’d won anyway. She now had the jewels that should have rightly belonged to Verbena. After all, they were family heirlooms and Verbena felt she should be the one to get them. Never mind the fact that their mother had left them to Ella, the eldest daughter. So what if Ella had thought the jewels would be the way for her poor crippled child to hire somebody to take care of her if Verbena threw her out of the house when she was eighteen. It wasn’t right. Those jewels should be hers, and she didn’t like what had happened at all. Someday, Hannah was going to pay. So would everybody that had helped her win, including Mr. Jarrett MacMichael and Burl Hamilton.

  Saying a few choice words about her family, Verbena crossed the dining room and started down the hall to her room. A rap on the front door from the brass knocker stopped her. She paused and wondered if she should answer it. It could be that MacMichael fool coming back to claim something else. When he read further in the paper he’d bought from Burl, he’d find there were other things Hannah could claim.

  The rap sounded again. This time louder.

  Taking a deep breath to prepare herself for anything, she moved to the door and opened it. Hilda and Calvin stood on the other side. “Please let us in, Mrs. Wedington. It’s important that we speak to you.”

  “What do you have to say that hasn’t already been said?” Verbena didn’t want to deal with them this morning. Her business with them was over and they were only a nuisance to her now.

  “I think you’ll be glad we came by, but please let us in so we can tell you something.”

  Verbena stood aside and they entered. Without asking, they went directly to the formal parlor.

  “Are you going to give me cookies and milk, today?” Calvin asked.

  “Not today.” Verbena knew her voice wasn’t very pleasant, but she didn’t care. They shouldn’t have come calling without being invited. She turned to Hilda, who had taken a seat in one of the chairs in front of the settee, again, without being invited. “Well, out with it. What was so important that you had to come by so early this morning without an invitation?”

  “You don’t have to be rude, Mrs. Wedington. It’s after ten o’clock. You must have slept late.”

  Verbena raised an eyebrow. She was surprised it was so late, because she never slept this long in the morning. But she had been exhausted from lack of sleep since Jarrett left with Hannah. “I’m sorry, Hilda. I’m not sleeping well, but you’re right, I shouldn’t take it out on you.”

  Hilda smiled. “That’s all right. I just wanted to warn you about something.”

  “What’s that?”

  “Everybody at church is talking about us and I wanted to let you know what people are saying so you can be prepared.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  “Undoubtedly, Reverend Calhoun told his wife that you and I were trying to force Calvin and your niece to marry without their knowing what was going on. She must have called on some of the women in church and told them. Now it seems everyone in town knows about the wedding. They’re thinking of asking us to drop out of the Ladies’ Bible study group because they’re saying what we did was a sin against God’s holy ordinance of marriage. They’ve already decided to ask us to resign from the decorating committee at church.”

  Verbena dropped to the settee. “This can’t be happening.”

  “They say they believe we duped the Reverend and if some businessman from out west somewhere hadn’t come in and demanded we stop the wedding, a travesty would’ve taken place here that day.”

  Verbena frowned. “After all I’ve done for that church, I can’t believe Reverend Calhoun is trying to make people think he didn’t have anything to do with the situation.”

  “It seems that he is doing that very thing, but when you get right down to it, he didn’t have much to do with it. I think he actually thought he was doing what Calvin and your niece wanted.” She shook her head. “We were fools to think we could pull something like that off without any repercussions, weren’t we?”

  “Maybe, but if Burl hadn’t …” A thought crossed her mind. This was all Burl Hamilton’s fault. If he hadn’t sold that paper to MacMichael, Calvin and Hannah would be married and the jewels would be hers. She wasn’t going to take it from any of them. Somebody was going to pay for what they’d done, and she might as well start with her brother-in-law. Abruptly, she stood, startling both Hilda and her brother. “Calvin, can you hitch up a buggy to a horse?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I been doing it for Hilda for a long tim
e, haven’t I Hilda?”

  “Yes, Calvin you have, but what’s that got to do with...”

  “Never mind, Hilda.” She turned to Calvin. “I want you to go to the barn and hitch up my horse and buggy. I have somewhere I need to go this morning and I need to get started.”

  “Mrs. Wedington, don’t you want to discuss this further?”

  “What else is there to say? We can’t stop those gossipy ladies, but I have a score to settle with someone. I can certainly make him pay for what he’s done to me, and I’m going to do it.”

  “Are you talking about the man who came in and stopped the wedding?”

  “I’ll get to him later. Right now I have to go visit my brother-in-law. He’s a horrible man, and he’s the one who really messed up our plans.”

  Hilda looked confused. “How?”

  “He’s the one who let MacMichael find out what we were up to.”

  “How did your bother-in-law know?”

  “Stop asking questions, Hilda. I need go get going.” She turned to Calvin. “Go do as I ask. Hitch up my horse.”

  “Will you give me a dog if I do?”

  Verbena was disgusted with Calvin and his asking for a dog. She turned and yelled at him, “No, I won’t. You don’t need a dog. Now, stop stalling and go hitch up my buggy like I told you to do, and do it now.”

  “You look as if you’re ready to murder someone, Mrs. Wedington. Maybe Calvin and I should go with you.”

  Verbena started to tell her they could go along, but she then thought better of it. She turned back toward Hilda and ignored Calvin. “No, Hilda. Not this time. Maybe when I go after MacMichael, you can come along.”

  “But he scares me.”

  “You have to remember, he’s just a man. There isn’t a man on earth who can outsmart a woman. Especially when he doesn’t know you’re coming for him. Hector learned that the hard way.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “It’s best you don’t.” She frowned at Calvin. “Are you still here? I thought I told you to go hitch up my horse.”

  “I don’t want to.”

  Verbena turned toward Hilda. “Make your brother mind me.”