Hannah: Bride of Iowa (American Mail Order Bride 29) (12 page)

“Annie told me to go wait at the train depot till it opened. She said the money she gave me should take me anywhere I wanted to go and would help me get settled.”

“What about him I had asked, gesturing to Thomas. She took me by the shoulders and shook me. Annie put her face right up to mine and told me to git. She and Jack would take care of it.”

“That’s just what I did. For all I know they may have told the marshal I did it and I’m wanted by the law, but I swear to God above that’s exactly what happened.”

Chapter NINETEEN

Maddie’s heart broke for Hannah. It was because of this woman, standing here, baring her soul, that she and Samuel were so happy. “I believe you Hannah. I am so sorry you went through all that.”

“I can make some inquiries,” Samuel said, “and see if your name comes up.”

“Hannah,” Maddie asked hesitantly, “why did you…I mean what made you—”

“Why did I come here?” Hannah supplied.

Maddie nodded.

“I was afraid to go back to my home in Massachusetts. That’s the first place they’d look for me if I was wanted for murder. Besides, I had nobody there. My hope was things would have worked out well for you and in turn you might help me find a job, or something. I haven’t many friends in my life, but I liked you and hoped maybe you liked me a little, too.”

Maddie hugged Hannah. “Samuel and I owe you a great deal. We will do all we can to help you get settled.”

“Could I get a ride into town later this morning?” Hannah’s eyes widened a bit. “There is a motel of some sort in West Liberty, isn’t there?”

“The Hise Brothers Hotel. We can go after breakfast.” Maddie crossed her arms and looked at Samuel. “Now if my lazy husband would get us some milk we can get breakfast started.”

Samuel jumped to his feet and held up his hands in surrender. “I hear you, wife. I’m moving.” He put his jacket on and went outside.

Maddie got a pan out to make eggs. She also had leftover ham and biscuits from the previous day’s feast. A cry from upstairs told her Lizzy was awake. “You go get your daughter and I’ll make breakfast for you.”

“Oh no. You’re our guest.”

Hannah turned to Maddie. “No, I’m not. I was forced upon you with my presence. Let me do this small thing simply to thank you for helping me.”

Maddie smiled and went upstairs. When she came down, the smell of eggs frying and ham sizzling filled the room. Hannah laughed when she saw the little girl in Maddie’s arms. Her blonde curls stood out in every direction. “Good morning, little princess,” Hannah said. “Are you ready for breakfast?”

Lizzy giggled and nodded her head quickly, making both Maddie and Hannah laugh. “Do you know this is the first time I’ve actually laughed in so long. You are a lucky woman, Maddie, and I’m so glad I had something to do with that.”

There was a moment when an understanding passed between the two women. Samuel walked in with a bucket of milk and anything that was going to be said was lost. Hannah squeezed her friend’s hand and went to finish their breakfast.

When the meal was over, Maddie instructed Samuel to bring in the tub. Hannah needed to bathe and wash her hair. Maddie also lent Hannah one of her dresses until hers could be washed. Buckets of water were heated and when the tub was full, Samuel, Maddie and Lizzy made themselves scarce and went outside into the clear, cold day.

“I’m going to saddle one of the horses and Lizzy and I will go check on the cows. Leave you girls to…well do whatever it is ya’ll do when men aren’t around.” Samuel blushed.

Maddie laughed and gave him a long slow kiss. He took her hand and started to pull her toward the barn. “Maybe we have time to…”

“Oh no, we don’t. You and Lizzy just be on your way.” She smiled lovingly as the two people she loved most in the whole world rode out of the yard, with Mr. Wiggles running after them.

The sound of a door opening caught her attention. Hannah stood there, her wet, long blonde hair starting to curl as it dried. She wore wearing the navy, long-sleeved dress Maddie had loaned her with arms folded and shivering from the cold.

“You are going to catch your death standing out here with wet hair.” Maddie hurried her back inside. “I’ll empty the tub while you brush your hair dry and if you’d like, when that’s done, I’ll show you around our farm.”

* * * *

The women walked for a long time while Maddie showed off her home. They came around from behind the barn and saw Samuel talking with Charles. “Do you remember Charles, Hannah?” Samuel asked. “He’s our doctor and he was here yesterday.”

“Yes, I do,” Hannah smiled. “I’m very thankful for your help yesterday.”

A beaming smile lit up his face. “You certainly look much better today, but you don’t want to overdo it,” Charles cautioned.

“Hannah, I hope you won’t be upset with me but I took the liberty of telling Charles about your plight.”

Her face burned red.

“Please don’t be embarrassed, Hannah. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of hell you went through. I wish I could get my hands on that…well anyway, I am friends with a doctor in New Orleans. I can find out if you have anything to worry about.”

“Thank you so much, Doctor...”

“It’s doctor Page, but I’d be pleased if you’d call me Charles.” His smile was disarming and the pink in her cheeks was not from embarrassment this time.

Though the good doctor offered to drive Hannah into town, Maddie wouldn’t hear of it. “I want to make sure she’s settled in the hotel. I intend to introduce her around town and possibly help find her some sort of employment.”

Charles started to say something but clamped his mouth shut. He said his goodbyes and went back to town.

The sun turned the afternoon unusually warm, making a wonderful outing for their ride into town. Maddie got Hannah a room at The Hise Brothers Hotel. Timothy Hise was a bit taken back when Maddie questioned the safety of his establishment when it came to single women.

“I can assure you, Mrs. Morrison that any woman, single or not, would be quite safe in my hotel!” he blustered. “I do not allow men of questionable looks or attitudes to stay in my establishment!”

The room, though small, was quite nice. It was furnished with a bed, a side table, and an armoire, with two drawers on the bottom. The bed was covered by a quilt of colorful squares. Yellow curtains hung over the window.

There was also a small dining area where Hannah would be able to have her meals. Maddie introduced Hannah to Mr. Swain at the grocery store, Carolyn Peaks at the creamery, and Amos Jones at the poultry shop, telling all of them Hannah was looking for work. They also ran into Elsie Thompson who worked in the office of the West Liberty Grade School. “Come into the office, day after tomorrow.” Elsie said. “Mr. Beachum will be in then. He may be able to find something for you.”

Hannah was excited with the few prospects that had come up. “Thank you so much, Maddie. I was truly lost and didn’t know what I was going to do.”

“Will you be okay here by yourself?” Maddie asked, getting up onto the buckboard.

“She’s not by herself,” Charles said walking up. “I’m here to help her if she needs anything. As a matter of fact, I was wondering if you might want to have supper with me. We can eat right there at Hise’s place.”

Maddie felt a weight lift off her shoulders as she watched the two walk away. Snapping the reins, she headed for home.

Chapter TWENTY

The shattering of a bedroom window and a scream from Lizzy’s room made Maddie sit straight up, out of a sound sleep. She reached for Samuel, but he wasn’t there.

Maddie ran to Lizzy’s room. The wind was blowing so hard the wooden shutter had hit the window, shattering it. Lizzy was in a fetal position on the floor, screaming. Rain and wind blew in through the broken window. Maddie scooped up her daughter and ran back to her room with her. She tried to put Lizzy down on her bed, but the terrified little girl wouldn’t let go of her neck.

“Samuel!” She called but there was no answer. The wind howled and the whole house seemed to moan. Maddie slipped on her shoes and grabbed the blankets off her bed. Wrapping them around herself and Lizzy, she hurried down the steps.

Halfway down, Maddie saw Samuel burst through the front door.

“Get to the root cellar. Now!” he commanded.

“What’s going on?” Maddie yelled back. She could hardly hear herself over the sound of the ferocious storm.

Samuel answered but she couldn’t hear him. He pushed them outside. There was no light to guide them. An inky blackness sat like a heavy veil over their farm yet in the distance, Maddie saw a gray, bubbling matter in the sky. It seemed to be alive and it was headed their way.

“What is that?” Maddie screamed, trying to be heard above the roar. One of the blankets Maddie was holding was ripped out of her hands, while the other flapped so hard it was stung her like the lash of a whip. Maddie tried to walk but the wind pushed her backwards. Samuel took Lizzy from her and grabbed Maddie’s hand, pulling her toward the root cellar. Every step forward was a chore. He gave Lizzy back to Maddie and used all the strength he had left to pull the door open.

Once inside, all of them were drenched and cold. Samuel was able to light the lantern, casting an eerie shadow in the small area. The door to the root cellar rattled so hard, Mattie was sure it was going to snap off the hinges. Lizzy wouldn’t stop crying and refused to be put down. They huddled in the corner trying to keep warm.

Maddie put her mouth right next to Samuel’s ear and yelled. “What was that thing I saw in the sky?”

“A tornado,” he yelled back. “Rare this time of year. Must have been ‘cause it was so warm yesterday.”

“What about the animals?”

“I let them all lose,” Samuel said.

She and Lizzy huddled in as close as they could as the storm raged outside. It wasn’t much longer until the roar was gone. Samuel slowly got up and opened the door just a tad. It was still raining but the tornado had passed. He looked around before calling Maddie to come up. The house stood, with only a few windows broken and part of the porch cover had broken off.

Except for a part of the roof, the barn had weathered the storm unscathed. Maddie ran into the house with the child so they could get out of the cold. She put Lizzy in her and Samuel’s bed and waited until she fell asleep, then went down to find Samuel. Her nightgown was already spattered with mud so she just put on a coat and opened the door. She saw Samuel running from the barn.

“Is everything okay?’ Maddie asked, shutting the door and taking his wet jacket off.

“W…w…we lost s...some chickens,” he stuttered, shivering.

Maddie ran upstairs and grabbed the heavy blanket off the bed in the spare room. She draped it around him and hurried to get a fire going so she could make coffee.

“Did you see any of the other animals?” Maddie asked when she returned with two cups of coffee and snuggled in next to him.

“No,” Samuel said, laying his head back and shutting his eyes. “It was too dark. I’ll round them up tomorrow.”

“Samuel,” Maddie whispered. “We forgot all about Mr. Wiggles. I can’t find him.”

“He’ll show up. Don’t worry.” The words had just left his mouth when deep breathing told Maddie he was asleep. She took the coffee out of his hand and set it on the table then huddled under the blanket with him, closed her eyes and knew no more.

* * * *

The next day, Maddie went to her room to get changed. Lizzy was still asleep in their bed, but lying right by her side was Mr. Wiggles. At least there was something to smile about. She put on a pair of old, worn black pants and a long-sleeved blue cotton shirt that had belonged to Martha. Today was going to be a hard day working outside in the dirt and mud and she didn’t want to ruin any of her dresses.

Maddie swept up the shattered glass that lay all over the floor while Samuel found boards to cover the window.

Gus and Frank road in early to make sure they’d all survived. “All we got was a stiff breeze in West Liberty,” Frank said, “but hear tell others didn’t fare so well.”

The men worked on the porch, corral, and did as much as could be done to fix the roof on the barn. They declined to stay for dinner saying the women folk would be chomping at the bit to hear everybody was safe.

Samuel had been able to round up all the animals. Other than a few hens, they had all made it through the tornado.

Debris and splintered wood were piled high in the middle of the yard. Though it hadn’t rained it was still cloudy and the ground and air were damp. Samuel lit the pile on fire, safe in the knowledge it would never be able to spread. Maddie made coffee and she and Samuel sat on the porch, watching the blaze. Lizzy climbed up onto her father’s lap and fell asleep.

“Do these tornados happen very often here?”

“I’ve seen about three that I can remember. Normally come in the warmer months.”

“That really scared me, Samuel.”

He took off a glove and wiped dirt from her forehead, then plucked up her hand and brought it to his lips, kissing it. “It scared me too, Sweet. When the people you care about most in this world are in danger, it can make a heart skip a beat or two.”

She leaned in and kissed him softly. “I do love you, Mr. Morrison.”

Whatever he was going to say was interrupted by a carriage entering the yard.

Charles helped an exhausted looking Hannah down to the ground.

“Are you all right, Hannah?” Maddie asked as she hurried over.

“Yes, I’m fine. I went with Charles to help him with some of the people who were hurt during the storm.” She had on the same brown dress she’d worn when she appeared at Maddie’s door.

“Come inside and I’ll get you something to drink.”

Samuel took a sleeping Lizzy upstairs to her room while Maddie served their guests coffee. “Who got hit?” Samuel asked.

“Martin’s lost their barn and Jenny, his wife, broke her arm. Lester Smith’s house was demolished and he was cut up pretty good.”

Maddie gasped, covering her mouth. “Oh no!”

“Wasn’t much of a house anyway. Said he’d go stay with his sister in Muscatine.” Charles chuckled. “Most families we checked on had females or children and Hannah here, was a Godsend. She comforted both the women folk and the little ones and saved time by fetching things I needed.”

“I felt so badly for them. It was nice being able to help, even just a tiny bit,” Hannah said.

“How did you happen to be together this morning?” Samuel asked.

“Charles has been kind enough to check up on me these last few days. He was with me when Mr. Martin’s boy came looking for him, and I asked if I could accompany him.”

Samuel’s dimple appeared on his cheek as he grinned from ear to ear. “That’s just so danged nice of you, Charles.”

Crimson made its way up from Charles’ neck to his forehead. “Yes, well, I actually had news for Hannah. Good news, actually.”

“Did you hear something from New Orleans?” Maddie asked anxiously.

“My friend told me they found Thomas Bentley’s body out in an alley, stabbed multiple times and robbed. He was a man with many enemies so the authorities figured somebody just gave him what he had coming.”

“Oh, Hannah!” Maddie hugged her friend. “I am so relieved!”

“So am I.” Tears gathered in Hannah’s eyes. “I really do like this little town and if I can find work, I intend to stay.”

Charles turned her to face him. “I think I can take care of that problem for you, if you’re willing. Watching you today, I’d like for you to work with me.”

Surprise registered in her eyes. “Really, Charles? I liked being with you today. I would be very grateful.”

Thunder rumbled far off and soon it began to sprinkle. “We’d best get moving.” Charles said, helping Hannah up.

Hannah waved as they rode away. “We’ll talk soon, Maddie.”

Maddie watched them go, a sly smile coming to her face. “Don’t get any ideas, Sweet.” Samuel said, pulling her in tight, kissing the tip of her cold nose, “Charles is a confirmed bachelor.”

She pulled his face down to hers, capturing his lips. The kiss was full of promise for later that evening. She opened the door to go inside, but turned and purred, “Don’t bet the farm on it!”