Free Hannah's Dream by A.L. Jambor, Lenore Butler Page A

eat a thing.  Marian said he would come with them anyway and sip a cup of chamomile tea.  Jimmy grimaced at the idea of tea, but he sat with them at the lunch table while they ate anyway.
    They went directly home to New Beach after lunch and Marian handed Edward a ten-dollar bill plus another ten dollars for Christmas.  Edward thanked her profusely, helped her bring in her bags, and tipped his hat before wishing her a Merry Christmas and taking off down the road.
    Becky was happy to see them all home safe and gave each of them a mug of hot cider with a stick of cinnamon to warm them.  She waited until they were all safely settled in the parlor before giving Marian a telegram that had arrived that afternoon.  It was from the lawyer regarding Randall's estate.  He was requesting an office consultation with Mrs. Dawes, but he didn't say why.
    "He'll have to wait until after the holiday," Marian said.
    Hannah looked at her mother, brother, and Becky, and a warm glow filled her heart.  Jimmy was telling Becky about his day and all the stores he'd been to, and Marian was smiling as she listened to him.  
    Was there ever such a happy family? she thought.  I love them all so much.

Chapter 13
    When he heard that Margaret would be spending Christmas in New York with friends and he wasn't invited, Pierre became angry.  After his anger dissipated, he realized he could spend a week in Long Branch without having to tell Margaret where he was and his attitude changed.  He stood at the curb as Margaret's carriage rode away and waved.  He promised to keep an eye on things for her.  When her carriage was out of sight, he went to the stable.
    Mrs. Porter's house, festooned with holiday décor, was lively when Pierre entered the door.  She had brought in a huge pine tree and the women were lacing popcorn strings on its branches.  The women smiled when they saw Pierre, but he was looking for one in particular.  He found her sitting on the settee with an older gentleman.
    "She's taken for now," Mrs. Porter said.  She surprised Pierre by appearing at his side.  "She's been spending a lot of time with him.  His wife died.  She's comforting him."
    Mrs. Porter was gratified to see the look of anger flash across Pierre's face.  She disliked the haughty Frenchman who thought himself above her.
    "Caroline's available," she said.
    Pierre looked at Caroline.  She smiled and all he could see were her missing teeth.
    "I'll come back later," Pierre said.
    "She'll be busy all night, if you know what I mean," Mrs. Porter said.
    Pierre hated Mrs. Porter, but she had the cleanest house in Long Branch.
    "Fine.  I will be here tomorrow.  Tell her to wait."
    "I can't guarantee she'll be waiting, it being Christmas day and all."
    Pierre wanted to smack the insolent woman.  He forced himself to leave her and went to find a room for the night.
    Mrs. Porter approached the woman and crooked her thumb.
    "Excuse me, darling," she said to her gentleman, and followed Mrs. Porter.
    "Your Frenchman was here," Mrs. Porter said.  "He wants you to wait for him to come tomorrow, but you hear me, Agnes, and you hear me good.  If Mr. Ross wants to stay, you stay with him.  Do you understand?"
    "Yes," Agnes said.
    When Agnes left her son with the Daweses, Edward brought her to the railroad station in Long Branch, where she pretended to get on the train.  When she saw Edward leave, she got off the train.  She'd grown tired of the type of men she met in Atlantic City and knew that Long Branch attracted wealthy men from New York.
    She pawned the ring Marian Dawes gave her, but the money she received for it didn't last very long.  She looked for work, but honest businessmen, upon seeing her bleached hair and vulgar attire, dismissed her and asked her to leave their shops.  She had no choice but to seek a position at Mrs. Porter's.  
    When she saw Pierre, she fell in love.  He was the most attractive man she'd ever seen.  He also found her attractive,