Letters From Al (8 page)

Maddy kept her sense of humor, glancing at Leland who waited impatiently to pay his bill behind several truckers.

"I just came over to thank the good deputy for the orange juice. A lot of oranges had to die to fill that glass." Laughter from all around the table filled the air. "It was, to say the least, a little more than I'm used to, but then," she walked behind the deputy's chair and trailed her finger over the back of it, demurely, "there's a lot of things around here that are more than I'm used to." The bearded man laughed gleefully, slapping Alec on the shoulder with a resounding thump.

"Now, a fellow could take that one of two ways, Miss Morris," Deputy McKay sat forward and rubbed his shoulder.

"I'm afraid you'll have to take it any way you want, deputy. I'm just a poor, little city girl, learning the ways of the country. And who are these handsome gentlemen?"

Alec reluctantly introduced everyone around the table of eight men. "I'm probably cutting my own throat introducing you to these bums," he said good naturedly. "When my back is turned some of them will be asking you for a date, Maddy."

"Well, since we’re just old school friends, that shouldn’t upset you."

"Yes, it's true. We went to school here together." Alec held up his hands, grinning impishly at her and finished with a bow.

"Hello. It's nice to meet everyone. Please, call me Maddy. Except you." All eyes fell on the deputy, "You can call me Miss Morris."

Everyone laughed as Alec had to accept the teasing but he finally shook his head and smiled, “We’ll talk about that later, Miss Morris.”

"Gee, deputy, a girl could take that one of two ways." Maddy arched her eyebrows and gave a challenging grin.

Leland had paid the bill and was now hurrying over to her so she said good by and joined the realtor at the door.

The rest of the morning was spent going over papers with Leland and Jack Drake who showed up after lunch. The actual will was brief and simple enough. Her great aunt had left everything she owned to Maddy. But Leland seemed determined to stretch things out as if it were more difficult. Jack Drake, the attorney didn't help much, arriving an hour late as Leland hemmed and hawed his way through endless paperwork.

Mr. Drake was older than she'd thought, tall, slim and white haired, in his late 60s, Maddy guessed. Leland was very pleased to see him and they acted like old friends. It was obvious he admired the Omaha attorney and never missed a chance to emphasize his own achievements to the older man. Together they appeared like a professional team. Mr. Drake's grip was firm, and he appeared impressed when Maddy didn't back down from his impervious stare when they were introduced.

Being left the house didn't surprise Maddy. Further discussion included Mr. Drake handing over a healthy checking account, a savings account and a rather ambiguous entry concerning ‘Miscellaneous Bonds’ that were all hers. Maddy was speechless for a moment before recovering enough to let her business sense take over.

"What are these Miscellaneous Bonds," she asked point blank. The men exchanged looks.

"That's what we're attempting to find out." Jack Drake started to pack his briefcase and Leland nodded in agreement. "I'm relatively certain the bonds are worthless, if it's the ones that I remember her telling me about."

"They are in the name of the C.G. Johnson Mining Company and we can't find the actual bonds anywhere. By that, I mean your aunt probably misplaced or threw the bonds away because they weren't worth anything. Leland and I briefly searched for them before you arrived but couldn't locate them. We didn't go through the house, just her desk in the library. Have you come across anything?"

"I didn't feel comfortable going through her personal things before the will was read." Maddy admitted.

"She had a safe deposit box but it only had the deed to the house and her will in it. So we're kind of left hanging." Jack Drake said and snapped his briefcase shut.

"If she thought they were worthless, and I'm sure she checked first, your aunt probably destroyed them." Leland added.

"Surely Aunt Madeline wouldn't have done something like that without checking with either of you." The thought seemed logical. The estate was well arranged in every detail right down to her aunt's funeral. The opposite of what Leland had intimated.

"You keep saying my aunt's estate wasn't very well planned. Except for the missing bonds it seems to be pretty straightforward." Maddy didn't understand.

"Well, that's true to a point. Part of it was and part of it wasn't. It happens more than you think. Like the bonds. We checked the company. C.G. Johnson & Sons went bankrupt some time ago, so I think Leland is right. The bonds probably weren't worth anything, but we'll still keep checking. As for everything else, yes, it's all in order. You have a nice little investment here." Mr. Drake sighed and shrugged.

Maddy couldn't quite figure out if they were making sense or not. Her parents' estate had been small and easily handled by the family attorney. Then she made the mistake of letting Larry Preston handle things for her. She shook her head tiredly at that thought.

"In case you come upon anything you don't understand, or even if you do, please give Leland or me a call. Here's my card. It will help things along greatly, my dear."

Mr. Drake stepped back and put his suit coat on, giving her a sympathetic look. "You have authority now to take possession of your aunt's home and start going through her things. I would give careful consideration to getting rid of that old house, Miss Morris. A big old home like that might become a burden with upkeep and taxes and such. And Leland can probably get you the best deal on unloading it. I'll be in touch, Leland. Good by."

"Thank you, Mr. Drake. I'll keep it in mind." Maddy accepted his handshake and sat down as Leland showed Jack Drake out. She was relieved and a little overwhelmed now that it was over. A strange sadness overcame her as she waited for Leland to return.

"I can hardly believe this is all over and settled, it's rather sad." Maddy said when Leland sat down across from her.

Leland looked at her kindly. "I know, Miss Morris, and I am sorry. Your aunt was a great lady. She must have loved you very much to want you to have all this." He indicated the will and estate papers on the desk.

"She must have. I just hope I can honor her wishes." Maddy said and got up to go.

"Miss Morris, if I may be allowed to ask, what would you do if you did stay in Nielsen? I'm at a loss since we have no library."

"Well, I still think a bed and breakfast would work, but, it's just a thought."

"I see. Well, that's not entirely impossible. It will need some renovations, however. Oh, I nearly forgot, Miss Morris. I found this envelope addressed to you, personally, in your aunt's desk. It's unopened." He added quickly. "We would have had to open it if we hadn't found you, but since we did, here it is." Leland handed the long, white envelope, sealed and addressed in a definitely feminine hand to Maddy.

Fingering the envelope, Maddy put it in her purse. "Thank you, Mr. Lancaster, but I think I'll read it later. It's been an exhausting morning, and I'm drained. I'll let you know if it's important." Maddy stood up quickly. If she didn't get out and get some fresh air she was afraid she would cry for all the things she didn't know about her aunt. After the generous gift she'd been given she knew there was going to be more to handling her aunt's estate than she'd ever anticipated. It was up to her to make this all mean something.

Maybe her sadness was all about the inheritance that she felt she didn't deservet. It was plain guilt she felt because she hadn't taken the time to know her aunt. The guilt was there to begin with, but her dismissing her aunt way back when she lived here weighed on her mind. She could have been more kind and thoughtful to her. After all, she was her father's favorite aunt.

She wished she had someone to talk to about the way she was feeling. If she handled it right, she wouldn't have to worry about her future and money. But who and where was someone to confide in about her heart? Aunt Polly came to mind, then the thought struck her and she knew where to go, her step quickened and her heart urged her to hurry.

Chapter
5

Maddy pulled her rental car into the neat little corner gas station on Main and Elm Street. She recognized the lone attendant from her morning's blitzkrieg at the truck stop with Alec. This was Tim, one of the guys that had been there. He was quieter than the others, but funny and friendly. She liked him.

Pointing to his embroidered shirt pocket that had Tim on it, she laughed and greeted him. "Hi, Tim, I wasn't sure of the name until I saw your shirt. Alec introduced everyone so fast this morning I wasn't sure I'd remember."

“
I know, he told us you were coming to visit. I knew your aunt, too. Nice lady.”

They chatted and she asked for directions to the place where she thought she would find the help she was looking for. Tim was happy to oblige.

"Okay, Tim said it wouldn't be hard to find. A mile north and two miles east, or was that vice versa. Oh, nuts, I wish I wasn't directionally challenged." She was hopeless when it came to directions. "'Find the church,' he said, 'it was close to the church.'" Speaking the words aloud helped and on the next road her tires left pavement and crunched on a gravel drive leading to the gates of the cemetery.

The tall iron gates stood closed but not locked and creaked loudly when Maddy pushed them open. She walked down the gravel drive. The local cemetery and little church her aunt had attended looked as quaint as the rest of the town.

An old oak tree stood on the gently rolling hill that looked down on the town. Here a simple granite stone identified her aunt's final resting place.

Madeline A. O’Keefe

Born April 4, 1919

Died December 23, 2010

A Friend to all

A scroll design and spray of flowers was carved and entwined with her name. Maddy stood silently, tears squeezing out from her tightly closed eyes.

A tenderness and respect she hadn't felt since her parent's deaths enveloped her. These strong feelings were hard to understand about someone she only vaguely knew. A great sadness overcame her and she sat down on a small, cement bench nearby. The day turned warm, a gentle breeze rustled the oak branches overhead and caressed her as if someone were stroking her hair. She lifted her head to the warmth and sighed, taking out the envelope Leland Lancaster had given her. Carefully she opened it and began to read.

My Dear Maddy
:

Throughout your life I have followed you growing up. Your parents were good enough to allow me to do that and also live the way I wished, away from the Morris family. I chose not to depend on anyone except myself after my husband died.

Your parents understood my reasons for leaving everything to you, my namesake. There are some things of value. My house and the money left in my accounts should help support you. Go through my personal things and dispose of them as you see fit. The thought of strangers touching my things would distress me greatly.
.

I have lived a good life and loved my friends and this small town I called home. That is my real wealth. And to you, the daughter I never had, I want you to know I loved you from afar. I remain, lovingly yours,

Madeline Morris O’Keefe

P.S. Do not be angry with your parents for not telling you I was in touch with them. I did not wish to interfere in your busy life.

Maddy's hands shook as she read the paper. She sat up straight and sighed, the letter crumpled in her lap. So many things made sense after reading this. Her parents had told her the many little gifts and books she received on holidays were from her 'secret admirer.'

"Oh, Aunt Madeline, you must have been so lonely at times without your family." Maddy said softly, sadly.

"She never acted lonely. Sometimes just a little sad is all." Maddy sighed and recognized Alec's voice, but she didn't jump this time.

"Your friend at the gas station tell you were I was?"

Maddy guessed, as he sat down next to her on the small bench and leaned forward, staring at the headstone.

"I shouldn't divulge my sources, but, yes."

Alec's shoulder touched hers and he smiled down at her, "I was going to say I just happened to be driving by."

She leaned back against, keenly aware of his presence.

"Sure, you were." Then she smiled sadly and closed her eyes, knowing he was amused by her.

"Old Tim sure appreciated the tip you gave him. He goes to school nights and every penny counts. That was nice of you."

"He earned it. The sign said "No Full Service" and I got full service. He even washed my windows and checked the oil and it's only a rental." Maddy had been impressed.

"Well, consider it Midwestern values. Give the customer a good job and he, or she, will come back. It's a simple rule that works."

"I agree." She said firmly.