Page 130 of Charlotte's Reckoning
“No. Phillip loved me.”
“He despised you,” Maw McPhee hissed. “As soon as you said I do, you showed your true colors, turning into a hateful shrew and tormenting poor Miss Rowie. Mr. Eldridge may have been consumed by grief and melancholy over his true love, but he had eyes in his head.”
“You’ve been a thorn in my side for entirely too long, you old crow. No more,” Jael declared, turning on her. “Pack your bags and get out.”
“Again, you overstep,” Rowie stated calmly. “You’re the only one who’ll be packing today. You have an hour to gather what you need. The rest I’ll have waiting for you on the lawn at noon tomorrow. Anything remaining after that time will be deemed unwanted and donated to the poor or burned—I care not which.” She glanced at Maw, who had a mischievous glint in her eye, relishing Jael’s comeuppance, and added, “Although, the washerwomen in town would look wonderful dressed in wine silks and green satins, don’t you think?” Bothwere colors Jael favored. “Either way, it’s the same amount of time you gave me to vacate my home.”
“I won’t go!” Jael asserted, so outraged she was quivering. “You can’t make me.”
“She might not, but I can,” Seth said coolly, brushing back his coat, revealing the pearl-handled Colt in its holster. “In fact, after all the stories Rowie has told me about you, it will be a pleasure.”
“If she won’t listen to you, Mr. Walker, perhaps she’ll listen to the sheriff,” Maw said, squinting at a point behind them. “I believe that’s him riding up the lane. My eyes aren’t as strong as they used to be, but it looks like several of the neighbors have come along with him.”
“Ah, right on time,” Seth said, turning and assessing the riders. “I suggested he bring a few extra men in case the unauthorized tenant proved difficult. I wasn’t expecting he’d get quite so many volunteers.”
“Bless your heart,” Rowie drawled in the time-honored Southern way. “As I recall, you weren’t very popular with the neighbors after marrying Papa.” She let out an exaggerated sigh. “I guess some things never change.”
As the sheriff, several deputies, and a half dozen men dismounted, Jael’s anxiety surged. “You little bitch. You can’t do this. It isn’t right!”
“No,” Rowie snapped, done toying with her. “What isn’t right is taking advantage of a man stricken with grief.”
“Or abusing his only daughter, who was mourning the loss of her mama,” Maw hissed, coming to her defense just like the old days.
“Or forging the signature of a dead man and claiming it was his last will and testament then kicking a young woman, who was supposed to be in your care, out in the middle of the night with barely a nickel to her name,” Seth chimed in, no longer amused.
“I see you’ve already shared the unfortunate news,” the sheriff said as he climbed the steps.
“You can’t let them throw me out and leave me homeless and penniless!”
“You’re right,” Rowie told her. “I can’t do what you did to me. I’m not that cruel. We’re abiding by Papa’s wishes in the original will. You will receive an annual stipend to support your living expenses. It’s generous, although you won’t be able to live in grand style like you did here, but you’ll have enough for a solid roof over your head and then some.”
“I’m consulting a lawyer,” Jael asserted, her shrill voice grating on the nerves.
“As is your right,” the sheriff replied. “But you’ll have to do it from somewhere other than Eldridge House. The judge ordered that you vacate immediately. Seems you’ve outstayed your welcome with folks hereabout. Oh,I almost forgot,” he exclaimed, patting his shirt pocket. Then he withdrew a tri-folded paper.
“We gave her a copy of the judge’s order, Sheriff,” Seth advised.
“Very good, but this is an added treat, a subpoena to appear in court on forgery and perjury charges. It seems the judge doesn’t like being lied to.” He pressed the paper into her hand and stated, “Jael Eldridge, consider yourself served.”
With a shriek of outrage, she whirled and slammed into the house. Bangs and crashes and the sounds of her stepmother taking out her anger and frustration on the home she was being forced to leave, followed.
“Henson, Barnette, go inside and keep an eye on her,” the sheriff ordered. “The Walkers want the house still standing when she’s done.”
His two young deputies didn’t look happy about it—Rowie sympathized; Jael was a lot—but they went inside to do their job, as directed. Quiet soon descended over the house.
“I’ll get everyone lemonade while we wait,” Maw announced then disappeared inside.
The sheriff introduced Seth to the neighbors, and the men chatted amiably, even joking and laughing. She understood their jovial mood; they were rid of a troublesome neighbor. Rowie should have been in a lighthearted mood, too. After years of struggle, her dream was finally coming true. But she couldn’t smile and make polite conversation with people she barely remembered, or anything else, for that matter, until Jael was out of her house and gone from her property for good.
On edge and brimming with nervous energy, she headed to the porch swing, a favorite spot from her childhood. The shriek of metal as she pushed off drew her eye to the ceiling hooks.
“They need to be greased. I’ll see to it,” Seth assured her, sitting beside her, so close not even air came between them. As he wrapped an arm around her, her tension eased, and she relaxed against him. He was just what she needed.
“It was a long battle, but you won the war and vanquished the enemy. Now it’s time to celebrate.”
“I’ll do my victory dance once she’s gone.”
“Understood,” he said then quietly held her, not swinging—the neglected hooks were too darn noisy—just holding her close.
