The Rightful Heir (7 page)

“We're working together at the paper until the judge comes through town. It seems that Mr. Ivy left the
Record
to his grandson in an old will that has surfaced.” It took great effort to keep her tone from giving away the anxiety the words caused her.

Naomi returned with several plates of food. “Here we are, ladies.” She set a generous portion of dumplings in front of each lady and put a plate piled high with her fresh biscuits in the center of the table. “I'll be right back with something for the gentlemen.” Her wide skirts swooshed as she returned to the kitchen.

Jared leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms over the leather vest he always wore. Mary Lou thought it odd that he dressed like Jasmine yet wanted to run her paper. “I'm hoping to carry on the vision Grump and my father had for the
Record
.”

Doc Willis looked at Jasmine and smiled. “Seems to me they're at a crossroads in life.”

Jasmine chuckled. “Don't you start trying to solve their problems, Evan.”

“What? I was merely going to say that a sensible solution would be to run the paper together. Why divide it, if it's what you both want to do?”

“Doc, you know how hard I've worked at the
Record
. Mr. Ivy taught me everything I know.” Mary Lou couldn't let his words go unchallenged. What if everyone started to assume they should run it together? What if the judge ruled they should share it? No. That would never do. The
Record
was hers. She would fight for it.

“Seems to me two adults with similar goals might be well suited to one another.” Jasmine pressed her elbow into Doc Willis's side as he spoke.

Jared put up both hands. “Hold on there, Doc. If you're suggesting we join forces for the paper, I'll have to agree with Miss Ellison. And believe me, we don't agree on much.”

“Not just the paper. I'm saying why not consider joining your lives? Miss Ellison is as fine a woman as you'll meet in Pine Haven. You came here alone. Why not think of the possibilities if you aren't against one another?”

“Evan, you're starting to sound like Papa when he tried to convince you and me to court.” Jasmine was clearly uncomfortable with the turn of the conversation.

“Look how well that turned out, my dear.”

Mary Lou couldn't have been happier to hear what Jared said next.

“Thank you for your observations, Doc, but Mary Lou and I aren't searching for life partners. We're here for a story about you and Miss Warren.”

Mary Lou seized the opportunity to change the subject. “Jasmine, I want to do a story about the wedding. Not just the facts of the event, but I want to include a personal touch about how it felt for you to move to Pine Haven and find your true love.”

Naomi came back with the other plates and served the men. “Can I get you anything else?”

Jasmine thanked her. “Naomi, it smells delicious. You've outdone yourself again.”

“Thank you, ma'am. You folks enjoy your lunch.” She took a step away from the table. “But save some room for the chocolate cake Mrs. Beverly baked this morning.” Then she left them to the meal.

Jared took a bite of the dumplings and hummed his approval.

Jasmine laughed. “I told you they were famous.” The crowded room bore witness to Naomi's cooking skills.

“This might be the story for the paper.” Jared took a biscuit from the platter. “I'd love to do an article on how Naomi came to be in Pine Haven.”

“I wrote that story six months ago.” The arch of his brow was minute, but she saw it. He knew she was challenging him. Jared silently signaled his acceptance before he bit into the biscuit.

Mary Lou asked Jasmine, “Will your house be finished before the wedding?”

“We think so. The men are working feverishly.”

“So the men on the ranch are building your home?” Jared seemed surprised.

“Some of the workers are ranch hands. We hired a few men who help Mr. Thomas at the lumber mill, too.” Doc Willis grinned at his betrothed. “We needed to hire the extra men to get the work done.” He asked Jared, “Why would that matter to the story?”

“Your families are two of the most influential in Pine Haven. I'm looking at how your union will affect the business opportunities in town. A lot of people rely on your families for their livelihood.”

Mary Lou thought her heart might stop beating. Was Jared suggesting their marriage was a business arrangement?

Doc Willis put his fork down. “What exactly are you asking?”

The serious tone caused Mary Lou to interject, hoping to calm what she saw as a brewing storm. “Let's talk about the ceremony. Have you decided to hold the reception at the ranch or the hotel?”

Jared wasn't deterred. “I'm thinking the two families working together could have a great impact on the local economy. It could be a good thing for Pine Haven. And as owner of the
Record
, I feel it's my duty to keep the community informed of anything that could make their lives better—or worse. That's the kind of story readers want in a local paper.”

Doc Willis leaned back in his chair. “You think our marriage will impact the economy?”

“I do. With the resources and business experience of Mr. Warren and Mr. Willis pooled, there would be no end to what they could accomplish. If any member of your family were to run for public office, you'd most likely succeed. You could influence the direction of the future development of Pine Haven.”

Mary Lou almost dropped her jaw. Where had this line of questioning come from? She wanted a piece about a lovely couple. Jared was turning it into a political and economic article. His grandfather had never done stories like that, nor had she. If she could get him out of this meeting without making enemies of two of her dear friends, she'd be relieved.

She directed her comments to Jasmine. “The readers care about the people of Pine Haven. They loved the reception your father hosted to honor your sister, Lily, and her marriage to Edward.” To Jared she added, “The entire community was invited. It was the finest event we'd seen in a long time. There was delicious food and dancing. The hotel was decorated beautifully, too.”

Doc Willis smiled at Jasmine. Again. “That's where we met.”

Relieved that the couple followed her to a less controversial topic, Mary Lou asked several questions about the upcoming wedding.

Jared ate his lunch and listened with every indication of attention.

When the meal was over, and the cake was eaten, the four parted ways in the hotel lobby. Jared held the door open for Mary Lou to precede him onto the porch. As soon as Jasmine rode off in the direction of the Circle W and Evan closed the door of his doctor's office in the building next to the hotel, Mary Lou poked a finger into the center of Jared's chest.

“What were you thinking? You could have ruined the very good friendship that I enjoy with the two of them. Why did you want to pry into their personal business? And to suggest they run for office! That is making a story where there is none.”

He narrowed his eyes and tilted his chin down to meet her gaze. “It's not about sparing personal relationships. The
Record
is a newspaper. And your small-town approach will not help it succeed in the fast-changing world we live in. It's not 1855. We are approaching a new century. The world won't stand still while we tell cute stories about pretty dresses and fancy cakes. The only chance you have of making an impact on the community should not be wasted on frivolity.”

He hadn't raised his voice but he'd threatened her very way of life with every word.

She had to stand her ground. “Your grandfather would have approved the story I intend to write.”

“Then you better do a bang-up job. It may be among the last stories you write for the
Record
.” Jared jammed his hat on his head and left her standing there.

Chapter Seven

J
ared rode out to the Double Star Ranch and met with Tucker and Daisy Barlow after breakfast on Thursday morning. The visit proved to be informative. As he suspected, most of the farmers and ranchers who called Pine Haven home would appreciate more news on the markets in the Record. The railroad had only come to town the year before. Things were changing rapidly. He hoped Mary Lou would see the need to stay ahead of the times.

He rode back into town in the afternoon and stopped in front of the general store. He tied Noel and, as he went up the steps, Doc Willis came out of the store.

“Afternoon, Doc.”

“Hello, Mr. Ivy.”

“Call me Jared. I'm starting to feel like an old man. Everyone in town calls me Mr. Ivy.”

Doc Willis chuckled. “It's a close-knit community. They'll warm up to you. Unless they feel like you're trying to come in and put Miss Ellison in the street. That poor woman had a rough life before your grandfather took her in. He was good to her.” He paused. “And she was good to him. Loved him like her own.”

“I didn't come to put her out. I came to be with Grump. I had no idea he had passed.”

“Would you have come if you'd known?”

Jared hadn't considered that. Would he have moved this far west? There had been other ranching jobs in Maryland. Just because the ranch he'd worked on had gone under didn't mean he couldn't find work closer to home.

But it wasn't really home. This was his home.

“Pine Haven is my home, Doc. My father and mother lived here before I was born. Pa and Grump built this paper for me when I was a small boy. I came to carry on the legacy they created.”

Doc nodded. “Then God will work it all out for you. He has a way of bringing folks to the things—and the people—they need in their lives.”

Jared wasn't sure. “God didn't show much interest in me in Maryland.”

Doc Willis shook his head. “Sometimes things happen that God didn't have anything to do with. It doesn't mean He isn't interested. It can mean He wasn't consulted. Or even that it wasn't time for a particular thing to happen. Either way, I've learned something about God. He's always good.” The doctor gave a quick nod for emphasis. “And He's always right.”

“I've got no argument with that.”

“Don't close yourself off from things—or people—too quickly. There just may be an answer waiting for you if you're willing to hear it.”

“Doc! Come quick!” An older gentleman waved at the doctor from the center of town. “There's a fight at the saloon! Looks like they're gonna need you again.”

“I wish the town council had never let Winston Ledford build that saloon.” He stepped onto the street.

“Would they have approved it if men like you or your father-in-law had been one of their number?”

Doc Willis paused to ponder his question. “They wouldn't have had my vote. Mr. Warren didn't move here until after the saloon opened.”

“That's just the sort of thing a man can influence when he involves himself in political matters.”

“That's a thought worth thinking on, Jared.” The doctor nodded as if it were something he'd think about immediately. “You have a good afternoon. I'm sure we'll meet again soon.”

As the doctor made his way toward the waving man, Jared thought about what Doc had said about God working things out for people. Grump had read him Bible stories when he was a boy. Every story had ended with something good that God had done. His mother had read to him, too, until he'd learned to read for himself. But not with the enthusiasm of Grump. When Grump read, the characters all took on different voices. He'd even made the lions roar before Daniel had been thrown into the den. The memory warmed his heart.

Doc was right. God was always good.

And in his heart, Jared knew God was always right. If only he could see God's plan for the future. He'd known coming to Pine Haven was the right thing to do.

Why hadn't God told him to come sooner?

For the first time he acknowledged that he couldn't blame that on his mother or God. Jared was twenty-four years old. He'd been working on the ranch for years before his mother passed. He could have come to visit Grump any time after he'd started working. No, it wouldn't have been an easy trip, and his mother wouldn't have approved. But the fault was his alone.

I'm sorry, Lord. Please forgive me for the hurt I've bottled up inside and the blame I've held against my mother. Help me to forgive her. And myself.

Elmer Finch came out of the general store. He was looking down and bumped into Jared.

“Hey, be careful.” Jared put out a hand and caught the man by the arm to keep him from tripping off the porch.

Mr. Finch snatched his arm from Jared's grasp. “What are you doing standing in the middle of the sidewalk like a stumbling block?” Jared saw the moment the man recognized him. “Oh, it's you. Every time I see you, you're hindering me.”

“Every time I see you, you're in a big hurry.” He nodded toward the store. “Is there someone in there with a gunshot wound?”

“You know I didn't do that.” Mr. Finch stepped by him and down to the street.

“Have a nice day, Mr. Finch.” Jared couldn't resist taunting him. Something about the man made him suspicious.

Jared went into the store and Mr. Croft greeted him. “Mr. Ivy, good to see you again so soon. What can I do for you today?”

“I've come on a hunch.” Jared cast an eye to the street outside. “Have you had anything go missing of late? Small things maybe. Things that might fit into a pocket and be taken without your notice.”

The store owner frowned. “Can't say I've noticed anything missing.” He bellowed to his wife in the back storeroom. “Liza, have you noticed anything missing?”

Liza Croft sashayed through the swinging doors. “What are you looking for?”

“Nothing. Mr. Ivy here wants to know if we're missing anything.”

Her tinny voice rose. “Has someone been taking things?” She pivoted first one way then another. “We'll do a complete inventory after we close tonight.”

“No, we won't. It was just a question.” Mr. Croft addressed Jared. “Why did you ask?”

He hoped a smile and a sincere tone would help him calm the situation he hadn't meant to instigate. “No reason. It's the newspaper instincts. Always looking for a story.”

“Has the sheriff been told?” Mrs. Croft would not be silenced as readily as Mr. Croft. “Is there a thief among us?”

“No, ma'am. There's no need to talk to the sheriff. I have no reason to believe you've been robbed.”

The bell rang as the door opened and Mary Lou entered. “Mary Lou, I'm glad you're here. I was just about to see if the Crofts have any of the supplies we need for the paper, but I didn't think to make a list before I left the office.” Perhaps a possible sale would divert them from their conversation.

“You are a master of lists, Mr. Ivy. I find it hard to believe you would forget such a thing.” Mary Lou studied him with her ever-present suspicion. “I am unaware that we are low on anything at the moment.”

Liza Croft put a hand to the base of her neck. “Miss Ellison, Mr. Ivy has been telling us there's a thief in town.” She darted her eyes along the rows of shelves. “I'm going to look around right this minute. I won't rest until I know no one has taken anything from us.” She scurried toward the front of the store. “Donald, these small things you insisted on putting near the front door are a temptation no crafty-minded crook would pass up.” She arranged and rearranged the trinkets on a low table.

“Liza, no one wants those trinkets. They're ugly. I put them there hoping people would see them and buy them. You paid too much for them. We'll never get our money back.” Mr. Croft went to help pick up the things his wife had knocked onto the floor in her hurry to inspect them.

Jared watched the scene unfold and saw Mary Lou's face tighten. She whispered to him, “You told them there's a thief?”

“No.” He kept his voice low. “I asked Mr. Croft if he'd noticed anything missing.”

“Mrs. Croft is excitable. You may as well have told her there was a gang of renegades coming to town for supper.” A smile pulled at the corners of her mouth. This close to her, he caught the scent of the soap she'd used on her hair. The light fragrance teased his senses. “I doubt you and Mr. Croft, with the help of the sheriff, will be able to calm her down now.” She laughed. “It's no more than you deserve. I warned you not to try to make a story where there wasn't one.”

Mrs. Croft cried out like a woman in great pain. “It's gone!” She had moved to the front window display in her frantic search to find something missing.

Mr. Croft followed her. “What's gone, Liza?”

“The music box I set there this morning. It played the sweetest tune and fit in your hand. The lid lifted and a tiny bird tweeted a melody.”

“You put that in the front window? It should have been in the case on the back counter.” Mr. Croft wasn't happy.

Jared stood with Mary Lou and watched from across the store. “It seems I was right to question whether they were missing anything.”

Mr. Croft lifted several items in the window in search of the missing music box.

“I put it right there.” Mrs. Croft pointed to an empty spot in the window display.

The doors to the storeroom swooshed open and Andrew entered the shop. “Mr. Croft, I couldn't find what I need. Thanks for letting me look around.” He was heading for the front door when he saw Mary Lou and Jared.

“Miss Ellison, do you need me at the paper this afternoon?”

Mary Lou darted a glance at Jared. He saw the look of surprise in her eyes. “No, Andrew. I'm working on a story this afternoon. You can check with me in the morning after you do your work at the livery.”

Mr. Croft called out, “Here it is.” He held up the music box for them to see. “It was under that length of fabric Mrs. Ledford was looking at earlier.” He handed it to his wife. “Go put it in the case.”

“I'm sorry for the confusion, Mr. Croft.” Jared hadn't intended to upset the couple.

“Don't worry about it. If anything, we learned a lesson in preventing such a theft from happening.” He clapped a hand on Jared's shoulder. “You've done us a service today, Mr. Ivy. I'm grateful to you.”

Andrew cleared his throat. “What happened?”

Jared watched Andrew's reaction as Mary Lou answered him. “A music box was misplaced. They were concerned it might have been stolen.”

The lad cocked his head to one side and drew his brows together. “Who in Pine Haven would steal something?”

“Exactly what I was saying,” Mary Lou agreed. “Thank you, Andrew.”

Andrew said his goodbyes and left. Jared watched through the front window as Andrew cast a glance over his shoulder and looked into the store before he headed in the direction of the hotel. Mary Lou might not want to consider it, but there was still the matter of the missing cameo and the porcelain dish. It wouldn't hurt to keep an eye on the young man. Though part of Jared hoped, for Mary Lou's sake, that he wasn't a thief.

One thing was certain: Jared was not going to ask himself why it mattered to him if Mary Lou's trust was misplaced.

She had stepped to the back of the store to speak to Mrs. Croft. The two ladies were admiring the tiny golden box. Her hair hung loosed from the side of the bun at the nape of her neck and hid her face from him. She reached up and tucked the loose strand behind her ear, upsetting the pencil that was always at the ready for taking notes should she run across some interesting detail during the day.

Jared went to stand near Mr. Croft as he straightened the window display. Mrs. Croft had turned it on its heel in her frantic search.

Mr. Croft stood back to inspect his work. “I'm glad there wasn't a thief.”

“I'm not sure we'll be able to convince the two of them that I had a right to speak up to you. Mary Lou doesn't care for my habit of asking too many questions.”

“You're supposed to ask questions. You're a newspaper man.”

“Getting her to see that will take a bit of doing.”

“You're already calling her by her Christian name. I'd say, if she's letting you do that, she'll be open to most anything you put to her.” Mr. Croft laughed and headed to the back of the store.

Jared took the opportunity to slip away unnoticed.

He took Noel back to the livery and brushed her down, all the while wondering if Mary Lou was right. Was this town so small no thief would dare to violate the trust of his neighbors? It was doubtful. Even as he considered it, he heard shouts coming from the direction of the saloon.

There were definitely people in this town who wouldn't consider the good of others. They might not be part of the community, but they were in Pine Haven. Even if they were only passing through.

* * *

Mary Lou sat at the desk, writing up her notes from her interview with Jasmine. The details were coming together for a lovely wedding. She'd just finished polishing the story she intended to include in the next edition when Jared came into the office. The fall air that ushered him in and caused the flame of her lantern to flicker filled the room before he could shut the door.

Jared hung his hat and jacket on the coat tree. “You're working late.”

“It's best to stay ahead of schedule. Every article I have ready will be something I don't have to fret about on Saturday.” She blew the ink dry then set the story on the edge of the desk, placing the magnifying glass on top of it to keep it from flying away.

Jared took the pages up as soon as she moved her hand.

“That's not a story I need your help with.” She sounded like a protesting child even to her own ears.

“I will want to read everything before the next edition is printed.” He spoke as though he wasn't hearing her. He was focusing his attention on the document in his hand.