The Rightful Heir (5 page)

“Papa, have you seen my cameo? It was right here.” She began picking up the items on the desk one at a time and looking under them. She opened the drawer on her side of the desk.

“No. Are you sure you left it here?”

“Yes. I was showing it to Momma Beverly on Saturday afternoon. You must remember. It was just after lunch.”

“I haven't seen it.” Mr. Warren opened another drawer on the desk.

A thought he didn't like entered Jared's mind. “Saturday afternoon?”

Mr. Warren stopped his search. “Yes. You were here that afternoon. Did you see it?”

“No, but if you'll think about anyone who may have come through the lobby that afternoon, maybe you can remember someone who could have seen it.” Jared knew one person who'd been here that afternoon. Someone who was desperate for money.

“Well, you were here.” Mr. Warren began naming everyone he could think of, but his memory wasn't as sharp as a younger man's would be.

“What about anyone local who came in to do business with you? Or perhaps someone who ate in the restaurant?” Jared wanted to stir the man's memory but he didn't want to be the one to say Andrew's name out loud. Mary Lou wouldn't thank him for it. Her fondness for the youth had been made clear.

“There were the usual guests on Saturday. Evan was here.”

Miss Warren headed for the door. “I'll go ask if he saw it. He may have picked it up for safekeeping if he did.”

Mary Lou explained. “Evan is Doc Willis.”

Jared gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Mr. Warren, was there anyone else? Someone who came but didn't go into the restaurant.”

“Well, I hired Andrew that day as the new errand boy, but he was only here a few minutes.”

Mary Lou gave a slight gasp and spun to pin Jared with her gaze. “Are you suggesting that dear, sweet Andrew took Jasmine's cameo?”

He held up a hand. “I'm saying that the only way to find it will be to remember who was here. If Andrew was here, he may have seen it.”

Mary Lou's words were barely more than a whisper. “Andrew is not a thief.”

Mr. Warren cleared his throat. They both started. The hotel owner handed Mary Lou money for the newspapers. “If you two will excuse me, I'm going to help Jasmine search for the cameo. I bought it for her mother because it had a rose corsage on the shoulder of the lady's dress. Her mother's name was Rose.”

“I'm sure you'll find it soon.” Mary Lou thanked him for the money and they left the hotel.

Jared couldn't understand why she wasn't more curious. “Mary Lou, if you're as good at the newspaper business as you say you are, why aren't you the least bit interested in what happened to a valuable family heirloom?” They turned at the center of town and headed back toward their office.

Their office. It sounded odd in his mind. It was his office. He must keep his focus on the ownership of the newspaper and all the responsibility that went along with that. If someone in town was stealing things, he was determined to get to the bottom of it. Solving a crime would show the people of Pine Haven that he was serious about the paper and about bettering the community.

“People misplace things all the time. Especially small things. I daresay Doc Willis picked it up, just as Jasmine suspected.”

He shook his head. “But you don't know that. Aren't you making a lot of assumptions?”

She opened the door to the office and went inside.

He followed her, waiting for an answer.

“I am not. It is not an assumption to refuse to believe that a trusted friend is a petty thief. It
is
an assumption to suspect someone you don't know when you aren't even sure there's been a theft.”

“I've only been here a few days, but I've seen you rely on your opinion of situations more than once.”

“My opinions, as you call them, are based on years of experience in the newspaper business and a personal knowledge of the parties in question.”

Her shoulders stiffened. Even though she stood on the opposite side of his desk, the friction between them filled the room.

“You did not know the newsagent from the train, yet you dismissed him as innocent without interviewing him.”

“There was no crime there, either.”

“True, Elmer Finch didn't shoot the man in the saloon, but he is harboring a secret. One I think needs to be investigated.”

“Really, Mr. Ivy, you do go on.” She picked up her pad and pencil from the desk. “If I were to run the paper by following your imaginations, we could become the biggest work of fiction in Texas before the judge arrives.”

His mother had ignored him. Even hidden truths from him. But she had never dismissed him out of hand.

Jared mustered all the strength of character he possessed to answer her charges. “Objectivity is the cornerstone of good journalism. I suggest that your years of association with the people in Pine Haven may have dulled your sense of neutrality. Once you become allied with anyone, you lose your ability to consider them in any light other than the one you've cast upon them.”

“Your grandfather trusted my instincts. I have yet to err in my assessments of the good people of Pine Haven. I stand confidently on that record.”

He crossed his arms over his chest. “Then, as the Good Book says, take heed, lest ye fall.”

Chapter Five

M
ary Lou looked out her front window on Tuesday morning. Her heart still stung from the rebuke Jared had laid at her feet on Monday.

She'd come across as arrogant. Confidence had united with stubborn defensiveness and she'd allowed them to rob her of her objectivity.

Lord, please help me not to be lifted up in myself. I know You give grace to the humble. And I feel like I'm going to need a lot of grace to get through working with Jared Ivy until the judge comes to town.

After checking her hair one last time in the mirror by the front door, she added another earnest plea to her prayer.

Please let me keep the paper. It's all I have.

When she entered the back of the office, she found Jared at her desk.

“Good morning, Mr. Ivy.” She wasn't surprised when he followed the pattern of his grandfather and ignored her. He filled another page with the words that flowed from his pen before she cleared her throat with deliberation.

The pen stilled and he looked up at her. “Oh, good morning.”

“You've taken great liberty with the use of my desk.”

“I consider it to be my desk, Mary Lou.”

“And that's another thing. I am uncomfortable with your use of my given name. We are business partners, not friends of long standing.”

“So you admit that I am an equal partner in the newspaper?”

He was quick with a turn of phrase. “I do not. I point out that you have taken liberties without so much as a by-your-leave.”

Jared stood and offered her the chair he'd just vacated. “Please do have a seat and let us work out the details of these liberties.”

She twisted her hands together behind her back and said, “I'll sit here,” as she lowered herself into the chair facing the desk.

The corners of his mouth tweaked for a brief moment but he turned the threatening smile into a neutral expression and sat. “Let's talk of the office and desk first.” He put his palms flat on the desk. “I think we can share the desk. In the mornings, I like to make notes on what I'd like to accomplish during the day. If that works for you, fine. If not, I can come in earlier and use the desk before you arrive.”

“I use the desk to write articles for the paper. I have no idea from one day to the next what time I will need it.”

“What if I'm willing to relinquish my time to you in the event you need to write a story?”

He was being reasonable. Rational and reasonable. If she didn't accept, he could tell the judge she'd refused to cooperate. If she did accept, she'd have to watch him work at the desk every morning. Watching the confident way he put pen to paper without pause reminded her of the elder Mr. Ivy. He always knew what he was about. Never did he stop and question his course.

She wished she could be that bold. The boldness she exuded was manufactured nightly in earnest prayer that she wouldn't falter with each new day. Could she keep up the facade of successful business owner, ready to face the world on her own, in the presence of his natural confidence?

He must have taken her silence for disagreement. He offered another solution. “What if we decide to treat everything as belonging to the
Record
? The furnishings and everything. Then it won't be as if either of us is using the other's personal property. It will be both of us sharing the duties and responsibilities of the paper.”

“That seems reasonable.” She had taken ownership of all the contents of both buildings when Mr. Ivy died. Save her clothing, there really wasn't anything here that belonged exclusively to her.

The front door swung open and a gust of October wind came in with Andrew.

Jared stood again. “Andrew, just the person I need to see.”

Andrew closed the door and cast a leery glance at Mary Lou before turning to Jared.

Jared came from behind the desk. “I need to buy a horse. Mary Lou tells me you reside at the livery.”

“Mr. Robbins always has a couple of horses for sale. He's got two fine animals right now.”

Jared snagged his hat from the coat tree near the door and thanked Andrew.

Mary Lou asked, “Aren't you going to work today? I intended to show you how to take last week's plates and prepare for a new paper.”

“I've got some things to take care of first. You and Andrew go ahead without me.”

She put her hands on her hips. “You need to know all the aspects of publishing the newspaper.” He couldn't just waltz in and out of the office—and the work—like he didn't have any responsibility.

“I'm sure that can't be the most difficult part to learn. I've got an idea I'm following up on. If I'm right, I'll have a contribution of my own to add to the next edition.” He gave her a smile that she knew meant he expected her to grant him permission.

“I won't do your work for you. And nothing will go into the paper without my approval. Perhaps you'd like to share this idea before you waste your time on something we won't print.”

“Oh, we'll print it. I'll try to be back before supper.” He snagged his saddle from its place near the front door and left.

“Wonder what he's working on.” Andrew shrugged out of his jacket.

“I don't know.” Mary Lou pushed her sleeves up and reached for her garters to hold them safely away from the ink while she worked. “But if it's anything like what I've heard since he got here, it will never see print.”

She and Andrew set to work removing the type from the articles that wouldn't run again and sorting the letters into trays. The next edition would be easier to prepare if they kept the work area organized and clean.

The two of them worked the remainder of the morning, but Mary Lou's mind was on Jared. Where was he? What idea was he pursuing? If he proved to be a better journalist than she was, would Mr. Ivy have wanted her to turn the paper over to him? The thoughts became a jumbled mess in her mind, but she pushed them away after lunch when she set off in search of the next article worthy of the front page.

If Jared was going to compete with her for ownership of the
Pine Haven Record
, he'd have to prove himself a strong challenger. She might need to pray for strength every night, but she set about her job with determination every day. If anything, Jared only made her more determined than ever to succeed.

* * *

Jared went straight from the newspaper office to the livery. He entered through the open doors and stopped as his eyes adjusted to the shadows of the interior. “Mr. Robbins? Are you here?”

A man in his forties came from one of the stalls. “That'd be me.” He wiped his hands on a rag and stuffed it into his hip pocket.

“I'm Jared—”

“Jared Ivy. Jacob's grandson. You're Ben and Agnes's boy.”

He hadn't thought about what it would be like to meet people who'd known his parents. Jared put out his hand. “I am. It's good to meet you, Mr. Robbins.”

“I'd have known you anywhere. You're the spitting image of your pa and your grandpa.”

Jared chuckled, mostly to clear the awkward feeling that filled his throat. He'd been so long without either man that he hadn't known he looked like them. Only when Mary Lou had pointed it out had he realized it. The picture on the wall in the news office floated to the front of his memory. He'd missed so much. “So I've been told just recently.”

“I'm guessing Mary Lou Ellison was surprised when you showed up in town. That's a fiery girl if ever I saw one. She's been committed to the success of the
Record
since your grandpa took her in. Never seen a girl more focused. You'd think she'd want to get married like all the other young ones.”

Jared's curiosity pushed to the front again. “Surely she had offers.”

“One or two, but no one could get her attention. She's always off in search of the next story. Can't tie a woman like that down. Not many men would be willing to try. They want a woman to be at the house taking care of the little ones while the man runs the business.”

Jared shook his head. “From what I've seen of Miss Ellison, she wouldn't be content without a challenge.” He dare not push for more information on the woman he hoped to have removed from his business. If word of his snooping into her personality got back to her, he'd have more trouble than he wanted.

“Mr. Robbins, Andrew told me you keep a few horses for sale. I'm in need of a new mount.” He cast his eye around the livery and noticed two exceptional animals. “Something like this fellow would do nicely.” He stepped up to a stall and put a hand on the nose of a black stallion. “He's a beaut.”

“That one's not for sale.”

“Are you sure? I've brought cash. And I'll need to board him here with you, too. I think we could come to a fair agreement.”

“That's Midnight. You're right. He's a fine horse. But he belongs to Andrew.”

Surprise kicked off another line of questioning in his mind. “How can a boy like that afford such a horse?”

“He brought me a little money every week. Sometimes twice a week. He's worked here doing a man's chores for about three years now. Set his eye on Midnight the day I got him. Wouldn't let me sell him to another soul.”

“It's unusual for someone his age to be so determined.”

“Andrew's no stranger to hard work. He's so busy, you'll see him coming and going all over town. Never know where he'll pop up wanting to lend a hand and make a few coins.”

That agreed with everything Mary Lou had said about Andrew. But it didn't sit right with Jared that the boy had been able to raise that kind of money by mucking out stalls and working as an apprentice.

Mr. Robbins pointed to the next stall. “This is Noel. She's a bit headstrong, but a good horse. I daresay she's only bested by Midnight in the livery.”

Jared took the horse for a brief ride. When he returned, he haggled with Mr. Robbins and made the deal for Noel, a chestnut mare with good lines.

He left the livery on Noel and turned toward the Circle W Ranch. The hotel owner had told him that Mr. Willis ran the largest ranch in the county. Jared wanted to meet the man and put forth some of his ideas for expanding the topics covered by the paper. He caught sight of Mary Lou as he passed the office and lifted a hand in greeting. Her expression let him know he'd be bombarded with questions from her as soon as he returned.

His meeting with Mr. Willis took longer than he anticipated, but the man confirmed his instincts about a new direction for the paper. More articles on changing cattle markets and any news in the business world that related to ranching could help the ranchers not only stay in business but make more profit in the long run.

On his way back into town, Jared decided to go to the church. He hadn't been to Grump's grave. It was time.

There was no sign of Mary Lou at the paper when he rode by. The noise from the saloon still confounded him. How did so many men have time in the middle of the day to carouse? When he turned right in the middle of town, he noticed the preacher going into the Pine Haven Hotel. That was a good thing. He'd rather find the cemetery empty than have Reverend Dismuke see him and seek him out for conversation. He preferred to pay his respects in private.

The church was at the edge of town at the end of Main Street. The river ran alongside the church property. It was a peaceful setting. The cemetery stood on a hill behind the church and its parsonage. Stone markers rose from the ground to honor the dead. A large water oak stood like a sentry at the back of the graves.

Jared slid from Noel's back and ground-tied her near the church. He took off his hat and let the early afternoon sun warm his head. His stomach rumbled to remind him that he'd missed lunch. At first, he walked with his head down, reading the stones. After making his way through several disorganized rows he looked up to search the landscape for a fresh grave.

Then he saw her.

Mary Lou knelt at a grave with a new marker. She put a gloved hand on the stone and traced the letters. Jared felt like an intruder as he walked closer and heard her talking.

“Lord, if I only knew what to do. You gave me Mr. Ivy when I needed him most, and now that You've seen fit to take him back, I'm not sure who to ask for advice. The grandson he wanted so desperately to know has shown up, and I don't know what Mr. Ivy would want me to do.”

Her prayer was sincere and without malice. Jared wasn't sure he could pray with that kind of openness if he were in her situation: threatened with the loss of her home and livelihood. Yet, no bitterness rang in her tone.

Guilt at overhearing made him clear his throat. Mary Lou stumbled to her feet and wiped at her cheeks. “Mr. Ivy, I didn't know you were here.” She kept her focus on the grave.

“I'm sorry you didn't hear me approach.” He pointed over his shoulder, not that she would see, and said, “I left my horse closer to the church. I didn't know exactly where to look for Grump's grave.” He stood beside her now. “Please forgive my intrusion on such a private moment.”

She sniffed and shook her head. “You've just as much right to be here as I do.”

“The stone is nice.” He read the verse below Grump's name aloud, “‘Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.'” He nodded his approval. “Very fitting.”

“It seemed the best way to honor his work on the paper and his commitment to the Lord.” She turned to Jared. “He loved God. Lived every day hoping to please his Maker. God's got the record of that.”

Her eyes glistened in the sun. Her jaw twitched as if Grump were her kin and she felt the need to convince Jared of his character.

“Mary Lou, you've honored him well.”

Her face softened a bit at his tone. “Thank you. It's nothing compared to how he cared for me.”

She took a step back and indicated the next grave. The stone was weathered but stood straight. Twenty years had faded the color but not the words: Benjamin Ivy. Beloved Husband, Father and Son.