25
Hannah was surprised to find the children dressed and ready to go to the courthouse when she awoke the next morning. She was even more surprised when Marty declared that she’d seen William on the street below.
“Marty,” Hannah began in exasperation, “how many times have we talked about this? You simply have to stop lying.”
The little girl bowed her head. “Well, I thought I saw him.”
“Well, sometimes we see things and they aren’t at all what we thought they were.” Hannah lifted her sister’s face to meet her gaze. “Do you understand?”
Marty nodded. “It sure looked like him.”
“Maybe because you wanted it to,” Hannah replied, caressing the youngster’s cheek.
Hannah then smoothed out the lines of her chemise before reaching for her corset. She had long learned how to tighten her laces without help, but when Andy offered his assistance, she could only smile.
“You shouldn’t have to help your sister with such a thing.”
“Maybe someday I’ll get married and my wife will need help,” Andy told her.
At this Hannah could only nod and turn her back. “All right. Here’s what you need to do.”
After instructing him, Hannah quickly hooked the front of the garment, then waited patiently for Andy to adjust her to the proper tightness. After that she quickly donned her corset cover and petticoats. Her traveling outfit was well worn from the last few years of travel, but it would suffice.
After a hurried breakfast, Hannah and the children waited in the lobby for Mr. Lockhart. Hannah was about to give up on him when Lockhart walked in from the front doors rather than descending the stairs. Apparently he had already been conducting business.
“I see you’re going to bring the children.”
Hannah nodded. “As I mentioned last night, this is the city and I would not feel comfortable leaving them alone.”
“I did consider that. The proprietor’s wife agreed that they might stay with her, however.” Lockhart looked at Andy and Marty with an authoritative expression. “I feel it would be best.”
“They’re staying with me,” Hannah said, even as Marty hugged closer to her side.
Lockhart looked as if he might protest, then nodded. “As you wish.”
The words clearly came hard for him, and Hannah knew he didn’t mean them. She didn’t care. It would be as she wished—despite his threats. She felt a sense of confidence and smiled. “I’m glad you understand.”
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William had ridden hard and fast to get back to Texas. His desire to see Hannah had very nearly sent him to the ranch, but something inside urged him to stick with his plan and head to Dallas. Weary and worn, he’d made his way to the livery to see to his horse. It was while he was there that the liveryman, Horace Carter, invited him to spend the night and William eagerly agreed. The two had known each other for a long time and comfortably spent the evening with tales of war and politics.
Despite this and the comfort of a real bed, William awoke early, his leg throbbing from the abuse of riding for so many days without decent rest. He rubbed the old wound and wondered if he would ever know a day without pain.
Hunger soon became foremost on his mind, however, and William limped his way to a nearby hotel. He knew Horace would have happily fed him, but William desired to have a full hot breakfast of ham, grits, and biscuits with thick gravy. He’d been thinking about just such a meal since his days on the trail, and he wouldn’t be deprived it now.
When he finished it was still too early to see the judge, so William walked along the main thoroughfares and marveled at how time had changed things. Dallas was still far busier than Cedar Springs, but many of the businesses were closed and the number of people and traffic seemed far lighter. Of course, the war had taken a good number of the men, and in their absence, many of the women had moved to be near relatives. He had heard that quite a few families had made their way to Austin and Houston in order to avoid the Comanche attacks, as well.
He stopped at a rather upscale mercantile and made his way to a display of dolls. He thought of Marty and the fact that she was soon to have a birthday. William picked up a doll dressed from head to toe in blue velvet. It was frilly and lacy and sported long blond sausage curls and a stylish bonnet. He grinned as a clerk made his way over to assist him.
“I reckon this ought to brighten the birthday of a six-year-old girl.”
“Indeed it would,” the man agreed. “And the price has recently been lowered.” The man appeared eager for a sale as he continued. “Most folks don’t have money for such frivolities these days, but those birthdays do keep coming.”
William nodded. “I’ll take it. Can you wrap it up in brown paper for me? I have a long, dusty ride home.”
“Certainly, sir. Would there be anything else?” he asked in a hopeful voice.
“I think some peppermints would be a good idea—if you have some.” He had the money given him by Tyler and knew such spending couldn’t be the routine of his future. Still, he wanted to take some candy to the children. Andy and Marty would love it, but he knew Pepita and Pablo were just as fond of the sweet treat.
“I have some sticks in the back,” the man assured him. “How many would you like?”
“Let me have six,” he said, thinking he wouldn’t mind a stick for himself.
“Yes, sir. I’ll get those and I’ll wrap up the doll while I’m at it.”
William waited and noted the clock on a shelf behind the counter. It was nearly eight-thirty. No doubt Judge Peevy would be ready to open his doors to business. The clerk returned in a matter of minutes with the candy and the doll. William paid the man and hurried back to the livery, where he deposited his purchases. Horace was busy mucking out stalls and gave him a wave.
“I saw you were gone from the house mighty early. You should have hollered. I would have cooked you some grits.”
William smiled. “I knew you would have—that’s why I left early.”
The man laughed. “Well, I’ve been thinkin’ on gettin’ me one of them mail-order brides who could cook me up a digestible meal, but there’s a war on, you know. I’d probably have to send to the West or South for one.”
“I wouldn’t fret too much, Horace. Sadly enough I have a feeling we’ll have plenty of widows after this dispute is resolved.”
Horace nodded somberly. “I’m sure you’re right. So you headin’ home now?”
“Shortly. I have to see Judge Peevy first. I’m going to leave these things here and then I’ll be back to settle up with you.”
“You paid your keep just jawin’ with me half the night. Ain’t had a good conversation with anyone in a long time. That were worth the price of feed for sure.”
“That’s mighty kind of you, Horace. I’ll remember it.” William gave a little two-fingered touch to the brim of his hat in salute.
Judge Peevy was already hard at work when William got to his office. His secretary, an elderly man, greeted William and told him that the very subject of his ranch was now being discussed.
“With whom?” William asked.
The secretary didn’t have time to reply, however. The door to the right opened and Andy and Marty came barreling out.
“I knew I heard your voice,” Andy declared. “I’m so glad you’re here. That Mr. Lockhart is trying to make Hannah marry him. He said if she doesn’t marry him, he’s gonna take us away from her.”
William felt Marty wrap her arms around his legs. He looked down and she was nodding. “You can’t let him marry Hannah. He’s fat and mean.”
“What’s going on? Why are you here?” William asked Andy as he bent to lift Marty in his arms.
“Hannah said that we had to come here because the judge sent a letter. She said that the ranch belonged to you and it wasn’t right for us to stay there no more since Pa was dead.”
William frowned. “So you’ve had word about your father?”
“Uh-huh. Mr. Lockhart came and told Hannah. Then Mr. Lockhart told her that Pa wanted her to marry him.”
“But we don’t think she should,” Marty added. “You won’t let her, will you?”
“I’ll do what I can.” William had no intention of losing Hannah to Herbert Lockhart. She might not like the truth about what he’d done in the war, but he wouldn’t stand by and allow her to make that kind of a mistake.
“I’m sure sorry about your pa. I know how much it hurts to lose a father. I hope you’ll talk to me if you need to.” He said this mostly for Andy’s benefit, but smiled at Marty, too. “You two wait out here, and I’ll go in and see what I can do.” He put Marty down and gave Andy a nod. “I promise to do whatever I can to see that Hannah doesn’t marry Mr. Lockhart.”
“Good. I told her she needed to marry you,” Andy declared in unabashed adoration. “I told her you were strong and a good worker and young enough to help her so she won’t have to work so hard.”
William was surprised by this. “And what did she say to that?”
Andy thought for a moment. “Well, she didn’t say no.”
William chuckled. “All right, then. I’ll go do what I can.”
He left the children to reclaim their seats in the inner chamber before knocking on the closed door to Judge Peevy’s private office. Without waiting for a response, William opened the door and stuck his head inside.
“I hope I’m not late.”
“William, I am glad to see that you’ve made it back,” Judge Peevy said.
Hannah turned to look at him in surprise. There was a light in her expression that gave him hope for the first time. Dare he imagine that she cared?
“I figured since this meeting was about the ranch, I ought to be here.”
“Indeed, indeed. Take a seat. I was just explaining to your lawyer—”
William held up his hand. “Hold on. I don’t have a lawyer here. Mr. Lockhart certainly doesn’t represent my interests.”
Lockhart laughed rather nervously. “I felt given the situation and Miss Dandridge’s insistence that we come here, that I would happily afford you my professional skills.”
“Well, be that as it may, I don’t want you for my lawyer. Thanks anyway.” He looked to Hannah and for a moment neither said a word. He found her eyes piercing, almost pleading. If Lockhart had threatened to take her siblings, she was no doubt beside herself with worry. It would be like someone ripping children from the arms of their mother.
William pulled up a chair and placed it between Lockhart and Hannah. “I suppose we should get right to the heart of the matter. What have you figured out regarding the ranch?”
“It is as I supposed,” Peevy began. “I disagree with this war. I feel as Sam Houston did, that we shouldn’t have seceded.”
“That’s ridiculous and traitorous,” Lockhart declared. “We are one of the Confederate states. It truly doesn’t matter what your personal desires are at this point.”
“Nor does it matter what yours are, Mr. Lockhart. You not only do not represent either party in this affair, but you are treading dangerously close to being booted out of here all together. I’m only tolerating your presence because Miss Dandridge said you hold some claim on the ranch.”
“You?” William said, turning to look Lockhart in the eye. “What possible claim could you have?”
“Miss Dandridge’s father was my business associate and partner. In his will, he stipulated that I marry his daughter and care for his youngest children as my own. It was a little known fact, but due to certain financial problems, Mr. Dandridge included the ranch in our partnership.”
“I don’t believe you.” William turned to Peevy. “This is the first time anyone has mentioned such a thing.”
“I believe it is of no concern and a null and void point,” Peevy declared. “It is my ruling that the ranch was removed from your family in an illegal manner. Therefore, the property still belongs to the Barnett family, which now, sadly, consists of no one but you.”
“This is ridiculous. You would throw out a single woman and young children from the only home they’ve known this last year?” Lockhart questioned the judge. He looked to Hannah. “Do you see now? It is just as I warned you.”
“Hardly,” William countered. “No one is asking Hannah and the children to leave the ranch.”
He turned to Hannah. “You have a home for as long as you want one.” He wanted to say more, but not in front of Lockhart and the judge. He rubbed his aching leg and turned back to the judge. “Are we finished?”
“Not by a long ways,” Lockhart interjected. “See here, Judge Peevy, I intend to appeal this decision. My deceased partner was awarded that property for his service to the Confederacy. Now, you may hold no respect for our Southern-formed government, but I do. My partner did, as well. He lost a son and father at Vicksburg. And I might add that Mr. Barnett himself was a Union soldier in that very battle.”
Lockhart gave William a smug look before changing his expression to sympathy as he looked to Hannah. “As I told you long ago, my dearest, this man might very well have taken the life of your loved ones.”
William felt gut-punched. He turned to Hannah, but to his surprise found no condemnation. She nodded and looked to the judge. “I have known for some time, Your Honor. However, God has given me a heart of forgiveness. I hold Mr. Barnett no malice. He was doing his duty not only to the country, but first and foremost to his father. That is an obligation that I well understand. I took on responsibility for my brother and sister from the time they were small for the same reason. I do not condone the fighting—on either side—but I do understand Mr. Barnett’s position.”
Lockhart refused to remain silent. “Your Honor, this only serves to further my point. The Barnetts left Texas to fight for the North. They clearly rejected the land and country that was founded here.”
“Mr. Lockhart, as I see it, they did what their conscience demanded. Just as I am doing what my conscience demands of me. Appeal my decision, if you will. But I guarantee you that with the war, you won’t see this case resolved for some time. Perhaps years.”
Lockhart sputtered in protest even as William got to his feet and extended his hand to the judge. “Thank you. I appreciate all that you did to review this situation. Now, if you don’t need me any longer, I plan to escort Miss Dandridge and her brother and sister . . . home.”
“Good luck to you, William,” the judge replied. “I’ll see to it that the deed is recorded properly.”
William nodded and turned to Hannah. “Are you ready?”
She hesitated. For a moment he thought she might refuse him, but then she reached out to take hold of his arm and stood. “Thank you, Judge Peevy. I believe you have made the right decision.”
They didn’t wait for Lockhart. Instead, William hurried her out the door to rejoin Andy and Marty. The children ran to her eagerly and Hannah hugged them close.
“Did you win?” Andy asked William as he pulled away from Hannah.
“I did. The ranch is mine again.”
“That’s good.” He seemed to sober a bit as he looked to Hannah. “Are we still going to leave?”
“I’m afraid we must,” she replied. Hannah started for the outer office before William could stop her. It wasn’t until they were outside that he caught up to her.
“Wait just a minute. What do you mean, you intend to leave?”
Hannah drew a deep breath, and William thought she looked very much like a woman preparing for battle. “Just what I said, Mr. Barnett. The ranch is yours. It’s hardly appropriate for us to remain there. I intend to take the children and go.”
“Where?”
She smiled. “I can’t really answer that question. I don’t know where we will end up. I can hardly go back to Vicksburg.”
“Did you speak the truth in there?” he asked.
“Hold on just a minute!” Lockhart called out as he came barreling from the judge’s quarters. “I do not intend to let you get away with this.”
William looked at the man and shook his head. “You have no say in any of this. Your word and character have lost all credibility.”
Lockhart’s eyes narrowed. “Are you calling me a liar?”
“That, and a fraud and a bully. How dare you threaten this woman’s well-being.”
“You’re the one who is doing that,” Lockhart countered. “I won’t stand here and allow you to deceive her with your lies of valor and patriotic duty. Your only intention is to get her into your bed.”
William didn’t have time to think. He punched Lockhart squarely in the nose and watched as the man fell over backward. Blood spurted from Lockhart’s face and the man was stunned into silence as he grappled for his handkerchief.
Turning to Hannah, William rubbed his thigh with the back of his knuckles. “My apologies that you had to see that.”
“Apologies are not needed,” she said with a smile. “I think I’m beginning to see a lot of things more clearly.”