The Widows of Braxton County A Novel by Jess McConkey

Author:Jess McConkey
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Tags: Fiction
ISBN: 9780062188267
Publisher: William Morrow
Published: 2013-08-23T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Fall 1890, the Braxton County Jail

Hannah’s days stretched into an endless, boring routine. Due to the “heinous” nature of the crime, the judge had refused to grant bail. Now finally, after weeks of waiting, the trial was set to begin in a couple of days.

Hannah agreed with Ida’s assessment of Andrew Lubinus. Tall, dark haired, and with dancing brown eyes, charm graced his every move. And his voice—smooth, yet at the same time commanding. Hannah had no trouble imagining him standing before a jury and delivering an impassioned summation. She was also aware of his ambition. It sparked beneath the surface of his captivating demeanor and flared whenever Louis questioned him on points of her defense.

The only bright spot of her days had been her growing relationship with Sheriff Winter’s young daughter, Essie, who was close to Willie’s age. The child helped her mother by doing chores around the jail. Hannah discovered that Essie possessed a sharp, curious mind and loved to read, so together, they’d spent afternoons reading Aesop’s Fables, The Prince and the Pauper, and Hannah’s best-loved book, Pride and Prejudice. Essie’s excitement over the unfolding tale of the Bennet sisters made Hannah feel as if she, too, were experiencing the book for the first time. Still, Essie’s companionship did little to heal the yawning hole in her heart caused by her separation from Willie.

Each time Ida had been allowed to visit, the conversation had centered on him. She had been relieved to learn that Joseph was steering clear of both the house and Willie. According to Ida, the boy was confused by the rumors he’d overheard about his mother, but well.

Hannah absentmindedly smoothed the skirt of her black dress. Andrew had instructed her to wear the black silk during the trial, but no widow’s veil. She’d still wear the hat, but thankfully the veil would not be covering her face. Andrew had stressed the importance of the jury looking at her as a person, not a lump of black sitting at the table for the defense. Ida was bringing the dress today, and it would be their last meeting before the trial started. Today was her only chance to persuade Ida and Louis to agree to her demands.

After crossing to the cot, Hannah picked up the document Andrew had prepared at her request. She clutched it tightly. Could she go through with it?

The sound of voices drifting through the open window suddenly caught her attention. The sheriff and Nora. She moved closer to the window.

“This is a travesty, Gus,” Nora declared.

“Nora, you’re letting yourself be swayed by Hannah’s kindness to Essie.”

“No, I’m not. Do you think if I really felt she was guilty I would have allowed Essie to spend time with her?”

“No.”

“There is no harm in that woman,” she insisted.

“Sweetheart . . . that’s for the courts to decide,” he replied softly.

“And will those courts be fair? Everyone overlooked Jacob’s ‘spells’ for years, and the poor woman was crucified in the papers after her arrest,” she cried vehemently.

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