Mildred nodded slowly, recognition in her eyes. “She wanted to help me.”
“Mrs. Farmer knows about abuse and she sees it where others wouldn’t. I swear she can spot an abused woman from a mile away. She asked me to keep an eye on you, so I searched until I found your house and I’ve been watching it ever since, talking to you when I can and trying to become your friend so that if something like this happens, I can help.”
The boy spoke for the first time since Higgins had entered the house. “What’s going to happen to me?” His voice was full of bravado as he asked the question.
Higgins stood. “First we need to determine if your father is dead or simply injured.” Higgins privately hoped the man was dead, but he didn’t say it. He didn’t want either of them to know just how much he hated wife beaters. “What’s your name?”
The boy waited for a moment before answering. “I’m Alex.”
Higgins held his hand out to the young boy who had probably just killed his father. “I’m John Higgins.”
The boy led him to the kitchen where the man was under the kitchen table with the chairs pushed in all around him. “I think he’s dead.” He pulled out one of the chairs looking half afraid the man would reach out and grab his ankles as he did so.
Higgins knelt down and touched the man’s neck, searching for a pulse. When he didn’t find one, he breathed a sigh of relief. “He’s dead.” His eyes met the boy’s and he saw no remorse for killing his father. That was good. He’d done what he had to do to protect his mother, and Higgins was glad he’d done it. “I need to go get the sheriff now. We’re going to tell the truth. You’re going to tell them how you’ve seen your father hit your mother your whole life. I’ll tell them I’ve observed some of the beatings. My employer, Mrs. Farmer, will tell them about the bruises she saw once she returns home tomorrow afternoon. You will probably spend the night in a jail cell, but you will not spend your life in one. I’ll remain with you if you’d like.” Higgins hated cells, but he’d sit in one all night to help the frightened boy.
Alex shook his head. “No, I’ll stay alone. I was the one who killed him, so I need to be the one to take the punishment.”
Higgins clapped his hand on the boy’s shoulder. “I want you to know you did the right thing. No woman should ever be beaten that way.” He turned to go back to talk to the boy’s mother.
“Your husband is dead.” When he saw the fear in her eyes, he put his hand on her shoulder. “I will go find the authorities and let them know what happened. I will also be the first to tell them what happened was an accident that happened in defense of his mother.” He went to the front door. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He left quickly, intent on his errand.
True to his word, Higgins brought the sheriff back twenty minutes later. He’d explained the situation in detail. The sheriff walked into the house and went to the kitchen to examine the body before speaking to the anxious woman and her son. “Higgins here told me exactly what happened.” His eyes met the boy’s. “You’re not going to jail, son. You did the right thing for your mother, and no one can argue with that.” He looked back at Higgins. “Would you mind helping me get the body out of here?”
Higgins shook his head, and the two men worked together to remove the dead man’s body from the small home. Once they were outside the house, Higgins shook the sheriff’s hand. “Thank you for being so understanding with the boy.” He knew Mildred would have been worried sick if her son had spent the night in a jail cell.
The sheriff shook his head. “Men who beat women don’t deserve to live.” He held his hand up to say goodbye and left with the corpse.
Higgins took a deep breath and walked back up to the house, knocking on the door again. Mildred came to the door crying. “Thank you so much for all your help tonight!”
Higgins shook his head. “Think nothing of it.” He patted the woman’s shoulder awkwardly. “I’ll come back tomorrow and we’ll come up with a plan for your future.”
The woman nodded. “I’m not sure how we’re going to make it. Andrew’s income was barely enough to keep us going. Without it, we’re going to be in trouble.”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand. We’ll talk about all your options tomorrow.” He turned from her and headed down her front steps. “I’ll come by after lunch.”
On the walk back to the Farmers’ house, Higgins thought about the poor woman and the way she’d been beaten. He thought about Harriett and Annabelle. He knew what he was going to do, and he was going to do it with a smile.
Chapter Nine
When Harriett and Max returned home in late morning the following day, Higgins was waiting for them. His eyes went back and forth between Max and Harriett, wondering how much he should say in front of Max. Finally he said, “I need to talk to you.” His eyes were on Harriett, but he didn’t insist on being alone with her for their conversation.
Harriett went into her parlor with him, and looked over her shoulder waiting for Max to join them. He raised an eyebrow as if to ask if she was certain and she nodded. They sat on the sofa together, while Higgins sat in a chair. As soon as they were seated, Higgins spoke. “Mr. Anderson is dead.” The words were spoken bluntly and quickly.
Harriett nodded slowly. She didn’t ask who’d killed him, but Harriett obviously assumed it was him. “Will there be a trial?” she asked.
Higgins shook his head. “Mr. Anderson was beating Mrs. Anderson again last night. I was watching through the window to make certain he didn’t hurt her worse than I expected. Her son came in just as I was about to interfere and he broke a vase over his head. The man fell and hit his head on the corner of their table. He was dead when I checked him.”
Harriett breathed a sigh of relief. “I’m so glad you didn’t have to be the one to do it.”
“I got the sheriff and he told the boy that he wouldn’t be held accountable for it. He said it was in defense of his mother and all was fine in his eyes.” Higgins looked down at his hands, which were gripped together tightly. “You know I have some money saved. You’ve paid me very well during the years I’ve been in your employ. Mrs. Anderson has no way to support herself and her son. I’m going to ask Mrs. Anderson if she’ll be my wife. I can support all three of us with no problem.”
Harriett nodded. “I think that’s a fine idea. I hope you’ll continue to work for me.”
Higgins smiled, shaking his head. “You don’t need me anymore. You have Mr. Farmer now, and he takes very good care of you.” As much as he hated to leave her employ, he knew it was time for him to break the ties between them.
“If I have a job that I want your special skills for, may I contact you?” she asked.
Harriett had Higgins do a great deal of detective work over the years, following men and finding out what they were like. Higgins knew that was the type of work she was referring to and nodded. “I’d like that very much. The extra money will be nice, and I will be able to use my skills to help others.”
Harriett stood with tears in her eyes. “I’m going to miss having you at my beck and call you know. You’ve been a good father to me ever since I lost my own.” She hated the idea of seeing him go, but knew that it was time for both of them.
To Max’s surprise, Higgins stood and spread his arms wide and Harriett walked into them, hugging him tightly. Higgins wrapped his arms around Harriett hugging her as a father would hug a young daughter. “I’ll miss you, but I’ll be here if you need me.” He laughed softly. “We’re all talking like it’s automatic the woman will marry me.”
Harriett looked up at him, wiping her eyes. “You know as well as I do it is. She has no choice. Someone needs to build a house where women who are abused can take their children and run to.” She sighed. “I really hope someone does that someday.”
She stepped back, taking Max’s hand in hers. Max was befuddled by the true affection he’d seen between them. Trust, yes, he’d seen that from the first moment Harriett had arrived, but that kind of affection truly surpris
ed him. They really did think of one another as father and daughter. He held his hand out to Higgins. “You’ll be welcome here at any time. If you need your job back, it’s yours.”
Harriett leaned her head against Max’s shoulder, thankful he finally understood.
Higgins nodded gravely. “Thank you.” He walked toward the door but turned to them just before he reached it. “I have a marriage proposal to make.” Harriett thought he looked happier than she’d ever seen him.
As Higgins walked through the streets of Seattle toward Mildred Anderson’s home, he couldn’t help but worry about her reply. No, he wasn’t asking her to marry him because he loved her, although she was a fine woman and he could see that coming with time. He was asking her to help her. He liked the idea of being married again, though, especially to such a special woman.
When he reached the small house belonging to the Andersons he knocked once, and stood back waiting for someone to come to the door. Mildred opened the door wearing a bright red dress. “John. Come in!” She held the door wide for him. “Forgive my dress. Alex told me I had to wear this dress today, because it wasn’t black. He says we’re not allowed to mourn.” She shrugged helplessly as if feeling she needed to explain her attire.
Higgins shook his head. “You shouldn’t mourn a man who has hurt you for years. Alex is right.”
Mildred sighed, obviously she’d expected Higgins to agree with her, but he simply couldn’t. “Have a seat.” She led him into the parlor and waited as he sat down. “Would you care for some tea? Or maybe some cookies? I made cookies just yesterday afternoon.” She hovered over him as she waited for his response.
He shook his head. “No thank you. I really just came over to talk to you about what you’ll do now.”
Mildred shook her head. “Alex wants to drop out of school and work in the lumber camps to support me. I want him to finish, but I don’t know what else to do. Do you know of a family who wants to hire a cook?”
Higgins shook his head slowly. “I don’t, but I do have a proposition for you. I’ve been a butler for many years, and have worked for a very generous woman for the last ten. I have more money in savings than a family would ever need provided they were willing to live simply.” He took her hand in his, not surprised to see the shock in her eyes. “Why don’t we marry, and I’ll support you and Alex? We wouldn’t have to have relations until you were ready, and if you were never ready, that would be fine as well. Let me help you, though.”
Mildred stared at him in shock. “Why would you do that?”
“Because I feel that in some way it will atone for the death of my daughter. I know that’s a strange reason, but it’s the true one. I also feel like you would be a good wife to me and someone I could fall in love with over time.” He paused looking down at his hands. “I would be a good husband to you and a good father to Alex. I think it’s a good solution, but it’s up to you.” He waited quietly for an answer, holding his breath as she grappled with the decision.
Mildred sat silently for a moment as if thinking about what he’d said. “It would solve a problem for me, but I still don’t understand what it does for you, John. It won’t bring your daughter back.”
“No, it won’t, but it will make me feel like I’ve done something about a problem in our world. It’s not much, but it’s something.”
“I’ll have to talk it over with Alex.” She made a face as if she hated that idea.
“No you won’t, Ma.” Alex’s voice came from the kitchen. He stepped into their view. “I’ve been listening to every word, and I think it’s the perfect solution. He’s a good man. He helped us when we needed it most, and he’s back to help us some more. I’d be proud to call him my father.”
Higgins smiled at the boy, realizing they understood one another well. Alex was a good boy, and someday he would be a good man. Higgins would do everything he could to mold him into that good man. His eyes met Mildred’s again. “Well?”
Mildred bit her lip for a moment before nodding. She was obviously reluctant to marry again right after she’d just gotten out of a horrible marriage, but she didn’t feel like she had a choice if she wanted her son to finish school. “I’ll marry you.”
“Good.” Higgins stood up and pulled her to her feet by the hand he still held. “Alex, would you like to witness a wedding today?”
Alex smiled, his eyes dancing. “Today? Sure!” He walked to the door and opened it. “Our preacher will do it.” He looked happy at the idea.
An hour later, the trio was a family, and Higgins felt like he’d done the right thing. He squeezed Mildred’s hand as they left the church and walked toward a small restaurant he had eaten in once or twice.
Mildred shook her head as she saw where Higgins was leading them. “No. I can’t let you spend money on a restaurant. I’ll cook at home for us.”
Higgins pulled her along to the restaurant. “My beautiful bride will not be cooking on our wedding day.” Higgins was adamant.
Mildred blushed. “Some beautiful bride with this black eye.” She lifted her hand indicating the bruising covering half of her face.
Higgins smiled. “Without that black eye, you’d never have agreed to be my wife, so I like it.” He smiled over at Alex. “You’ll like this place. It’s inexpensive, but the food is excellent.”
Alex shrugged. “Sounds good to me.”
Mildred seemed bewildered by the way the two of them kept taking things over. She sat quietly while Higgins and Alex talked throughout the meal.
“Do you have any idea what you want to do with your life after school?” Higgins asked as he forked up a bite of pot roast. “You don’t really want to work in the lumber camps do you?”
Alex shook his head adamantly. “I want to be a lawyer. I want to help women who are being hurt by their husbands. There should be laws against that.” He looked over at his mother like he wished he could have stopped her abuse sooner.
Higgins nodded emphatically. “And there should be places that women can go and take their children when they are being abused. They shouldn’t have to worry about where their next meal will come from.”
“I agree!” Alex went into a tirade about how many times he’d tried to get his mother to leave his father with him, but she’d always worried about how she would support him on her own. “My Ma would have let herself die before leaving, just because she was worried about what I would eat!”
Higgins sighed. “It’s always that way. My former employer and I have helped countless women out of that situation over the years, and the women always say the same thing. They can’t support their families on their own. I wish I had an answer to the problem.”
Alex stared down at his fried chicken, pushing it away after a minute. “I do too. Someday I will!”
Higgins smiled at the boy’s spirit. He’d help him in any way he could. They had a similar passion.
*****
Max went to the lumber camp soon after Higgins left and Harriett felt like she was rattling around in the huge house. She knew Max didn’t want her to work again, but she needed to find something to do to fill her time. Finally, after an hour, she put on a light wrap and left the house, wandering aimlessly through the streets.
She hadn’t walked far when she saw a large house with a big “for sale” sign in the front yard. She walked closer and peered in the window at the front of the house to see what it looked like inside.
“May I help you?” a voice asked from the street. The man was impeccably dressed and had his dark hair cut short.
Harriett turned, embarrassed to be found sneaking a look at the house. “Are you the one selling the house?”
The man nodded. “The former occupants have moved back East and have asked me to take care of its sale for them. I’m Jeremy Wilson.” He approached across the yard and held out his hand for her to shake.
“How big is the house?” Harriett looked back toward it, an idea sparking in her mind.
“Eight bedrooms,” he told her. “The
couple who lived here hoped to have many children, but they moved back East before even starting their family. The wife needed to get ‘back to civilization.’”
The house was beautiful and looked to have been built in the past five years. It was obvious it hadn’t been vacant for long. “May I see it?”
Jeremy nodded. “Yes, of course. Are you looking to move?”
Harriett shook her head absently. “No, but I may be in the market to buy a house if this is the right one.”
He unlocked the door and she followed him inside, looking around her. All the furniture had been left behind and was covered with white sheets. The air was slightly dusty, as if the house had been vacant for a short while. She followed him through the house and up the long flight of stairs. By the time they reached the top her leg throbbed, but she wanted to see every room.
“How much are you asking for it?” she asked when she saw the house would be perfect for her purposes. The man named a figure that made Harriett wince. She shook her head sadly. “That’s a little too much for what I have in mind. I’m sorry I wasted your time.” She reached out to shake his hand and turned away, intent on getting down the long flight of stairs. This house would have been perfect, but she was certain there were other houses in Seattle that would work just as well. Now that she knew what she wanted to do, she’d search for the right house.
“Wait,” Jeremy called. “How much do you want to spend?”
Harriett turned back to him and named a figure much lower than the one he’d told her he was asking for. He shook his head a bit, and named a figure in the middle. Harriett thought about it for a moment, and nodded, her eyes lighting up with excitement. “Thank you.” She shook hands with the man. “I can bring you cash or a bank draft whenever you’re ready for it.”
Harriett had the money from the sale of her parents’ house and from the sale of Arthur’s house in New York. She had purchased the house in Beckham with a small amount of the proceeds, but she could sell that house now too. Yes, purchasing something so large would be a drain on her funds, but she had plenty.
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