Where There's a Will

by Brenda Sinclair

  “I’ll see you tomorrow,” Miss Charles called as they exited through the front door.

  The moment they were on the sidewalk outside the law office, Willow halted in her steps. “Stop! All of you!” she exclaimed in a whisper.

  Adam’s face paled. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

  Leonard chuckled.

  “This is all your fault!” She swatted her brother’s arm.

  “Worked though, didn’t it?” He crouched down and slipped his hand under his sister’s skirts.

  “What the devil do you think—” Adam blurted, a furious expression appearing on his face.

  “Let him be,” Willow whispered, waving off Adam’s concern. “Pretend you’ve dropped something, Leonard. That nasty man might be watching out a window.”

  Hidden by his sister’s skirts, Leonard inconspicuously dug his timepiece out of his pocket while slipping a folded sheet of paper into it instead. He stood shaking the pocket clock and holding it to his ear, as if it had fallen out of his vest and landed on the wooden sidewalk.

  “Still working,” he announced loudly. “Bit of luck there.”

  “Let’s go,” Sawyer whispered.

  The five of them moved a short way down the sidewalk before clambering into the Circle H carriage. Leonard took up the reins and the rig headed down the street.

  “Would one of you please explain what that production was all about?” Adam blustered.

  Willow burst into laughter.

  Leonard chuckled from the driver’s seat. “Want to tell him, or should I?”

  “I know what you did, but you tell them.” Willow smiled.

  “When I turned that final page and glanced over at Willow and saw her expression, I knew for a certainty she’d caught it, too.” Leonard turned in the seat. “Was I right, sis?”

  Willow nodded. “Hard to miss knowing Father as well as we did.”

  Daniel shook his head. “What are you talking about?”

  “That will is as fake as a three-dollar bill,” Leonard stated. “That is not Father’s signature on that document. Not even close.”

  “Now, Leonard, give the forger his due. It is close. Just not perfect.” Willow hugged Adam’s arm. “We’ve got the shyster. He definitely fabricated that will. Probably on Clarence Pearson’s orders.”

  “I tucked the last page into Willow’s boot when I leaned forward pretending to be upset the will wasn’t what I expected.” Leonard chuckled. “My heart nearly flew out of my chest, convinced I’d be caught. But you folks kept chatting up Braymore and no one heard me remove the last page from the document before I passed it back to Miss Charles, knowing he’d never simply give it to us.”

  Adam shook his head. “And you tucked it under your sister’s skirts and into her boot.”

  “Thankfully, she wasn’t wearing dainty shoes today. Even if it stuck out of the boot a bit, no one would notice under her skirts.” Leonard smiled. “Glad you weren’t wearing your denims today either.”

  Willow chuckled. “Me, too.”

  “So, how do you know it’s a fake?” Daniel chimed in.

  “The signature is Hartley M. Harrison with a period behind the middle initial,” Willow blurted.

  “Father never signed his name in that manner in his life!” Leonard laughed. “Only used Hartley M Harrison without the period.”

  Sawyer, Daniel and Adam sat speechless.

  Daniel shifted in his seat and extracted several pages from his suit pocket. “While everyone believed I was indisposed, I was searching the back room after Braymore left. And do you know what I found?”

  Leonard guided the rig to the side of the street and halted the team. Everyone stared at Daniel, waiting for his answer.

  “Hidden in a file marked “Harrison” at the far back of the section labeled ‘H’, I discovered a document that a judge will find very interesting.” Daniel grinned as he unfolded the pages. He read… “Last Will and Testament of Hartley Mitchell Harrison of the town of Cactus Plains, Texas—”

  “You found Father’s real will?” Willow blurted, tears filling her eyes.

  Daniel flipped to the back of the document. “Well, what do we have here? Look at that signature with no period after the middle initial.”

  A collective shout exploded from everyone in the carriage, frightening the horses that danced nervously before Leonard brought them under control again.

  “What does it say?” Leonard blurted.

  “No idea. I didn’t take the time to read it. Let’s return to my hotel room and review this in private,” Daniel suggested, glancing about the vicinity. “This document is too precious to be waved about on the street. And sooner or later, Braymore will discover it’s gone. And the last page of his forgery, as well.”

  Sawyer shifted forward on his seat. “Before we leave town, I’m heading to the local courthouse to find a judge. We need to have these documents reviewed immediately and settle this matter once and for all.”

  “Talk to a sheriff first. We need protection while this document is in our possession,” Leonard suggested.

  “He’s right. It could be several days before we’re given a date to have the matter seen by a judge.” Daniel glanced at Leonard. “We need to hire additional protection for everyone while at the ranch.”

  “If Pearson learns about this, there could be trouble coming our way, for sure,” Leonard added.

  “All of you men are armed, but it’s best if we allow the law to handle this,” Willow conceded. “We’ll do it your way, Daniel.”

  Chapter 26

  They returned to the hotel only long enough for Daniel, Sawyer and Adam to check out of their rooms, safety in numbers being the theory. Willow and Leonard had stayed at the ranch since Leonard made the decision to take control and assume management. Both Leonard and Willow discovered everything in their rooms remained just as they’d left them. Willow couldn’t be happier about retrieving her wardrobe. And all of Leonard’s precious ranching and animal husbandry books were still there also.

  Willow returned to the Circle H carriage, waiting for the men to settle up the bills while Leonard watered the horses in a nearby trough. Once the gentlemen’s bills for their stay were settled and bags loaded, Sawyer headed off to meet up with the town’s sheriff and to drop by the courthouse. He promised to rent a horse at the livery in order to catch up with them later. Everyone else headed to the Circle H to read the proper will.

  The carriage rolled along and everyone enjoyed pleasant conversation until about twenty minutes distance from the Circle H when Sawyer rode up, riding a chestnut gelding. He’d caught up to them easily enough. “I learned there was a circuit judge in town and he’s willing to see us at the courthouse in the morning,” Sawyer shouted his report while riding alongside the carriage. “The local sheriff readily agreed to stop by the ranch later this afternoon to hear what we know about Pearson.”

  Leonard called, “Would his name be Rodgers?”

  “Yeah. You know him?”

  “He must still be a bachelor.” Leonard chuckled. “He’ll be along about five-thirty in time for one of Mrs. Griffith’s suppers.”

  “Good cook,” Adam agreed, having already dined at the ranch with Willow and Leonard one evening before heading back into town. “And a widow. No idea why no one has snapped her up.”

  “A bit particular, I suppose,” Willow explained. “Her husband treated her like a queen. Such a nice fellow. She hasn’t found another man that lives up to Mr. Griffith’s example.”

  Everyone rode along in silence, lost in their own thoughts, until they reached the ranch.

  Leonard leapt down from the carriage as a ranch hand walked over to take the rig off his hands. “I’m talking to the ranch hands and warning them that trouble might arrive on the Circle H and to keep their eyes open for Pearson.”

  “Or anyone else that looks suspicious,” Daniel added. “He could send someone to do his bidding. Remember the fake Pinkerton who showed up in Milestone.”

 
“I’ll have Red set up a schedule so there’s at least a couple men armed and watching the house and barns round the clock,” Leonard called. “Don’t read a single word until I get back.”

  “We won’t,” Willow promised, hooking her hand around Adam’s arm.

  “You must be exhausted, sweetheart,” he whispered, patting her hand. “Would you like to take a short nap while we wait for Leonard to get the men sorted out?”

  Willow shook her head. “I couldn’t sleep a wink. I need to know what that will says. The proper one. The will Father had prepared.”

  “All right. We’ll wait in the parlor for your brother.” Adam opened the front door and led her inside. Sawyer and Daniel followed on their heels.

  Spotting the luggage in their hands, Mrs. Griffith greeted them at the door. “I presume you gentlemen will be staying with us?”

  “I’m sorry we couldn’t provide some warning,” Daniel began. “Don’t want to put you to any trouble. We could stay in the bunkhouse with your ranch hands.”

  “Wouldn’t be the first time,” Adam added. “I’m sure there’s plenty of room.”

  “Nonsense. We’ve spare rooms in the house and it wouldn’t be one iota of trouble. Red picked up Betsey Garner yesterday and then a couple of other girls Sheila suggested arrived this morning. With all the help I’m receiving from these young ladies, they’ll put the place to rights in no time.” Mrs. Griffith chuckled. “Come with me and I’ll have young Bridgette show you to the guest rooms.”

  Adam handed his bag to Daniel. “Set this upstairs in a room for me, please. I need to talk to Willow.”

  Daniel nodded and grabbed the bag. “If available, a small glass of sherry might be in order. Calm her nerves before we do the reading,” he whispered.

  Mrs. Griffith whirled around and met Willow’s eyes. “Goodness, if sherry is needed, this must be a serious matter.”

  “You have no idea,” she whispered. “I’ll tell you about it later.”

  Mrs. Griffith nodded and continued down the hallway, Daniel and Sawyer in tow.

  “She doesn’t approve of drink?” Adam inquired, leading Willow into the parlor.

  “In moderation. Or for medicinal purposes.” Willow smiled. “Apparently, once you reach a certain age, that rheumatism is a nasty business.”

  Adam laughed. “I’ve heard similar claims from Pa. In his opinion, a short nip fixes everything from rheumatism to toothache.”

  “Perhaps I should be looking forward to my golden years.”

  “You’ve a bit of a wait I’m afraid,” he whispered in her ear and kissed her cheek. “But a bit of sherry to calm the nerves seems in order today.”

  “I won’t argue. I’ve only been allowed a taste of spirits on a couple of occasions, at Father’s discretion. He’d most likely agree that today seems appropriate.”

  Adam poured them both a small measure of sherry into glasses and handed her one. “And perhaps necessary. We haven’t any idea how the original will might differ from Braymore’s fake.”

  Willow took a sip of the spirit and grimaced. “Don’t know as I’ll ever get used to the burn to the throat,” she admitted, then met Adam’s eyes. “It’s delicious though.”

  “Come sit with me.” Adam guided her over to a sofa and they seated themselves.

  Willow couldn’t be happier, sitting in the family parlor again. Surrounded by familiar furnishings. Happy memories bombarded her mind. Christmases past. Birthdays and other family celebrations. She missed her parents so much. She sipped the sherry and returned her attention to the matter at hand before she burst into tears.

  “I almost fainted when I felt Leonard’s hand fumbling under my skirts with that last page. Thankfully, these old boots are a bit loose at the top, allowing him to tuck the paper inside. When I realized what he’d done I could have shouted my thanks to the heavens.”

  “I’m glad you kept calm and didn’t give him away.” Adam sipped his drink. “Thankfully, Daniel didn’t insist on meeting the man alone. He never would have caught that error in your father’s signature, nor would he have been able to search for the original will.”

  “We were very lucky today,” Willow conceded. “Tomorrow cannot come too soon. I pray that judge will realize the injustice done Leonard and grant him sole ownership of this ranch.”

  “No argument here,” Daniel said as he strode into the room with Sawyer. The pages from both wills were clasped in his hands.

  “I’m back,” Leonard called moments before he stepped into the parlor. “The first shift of armed guards is in place and everyone is aware of the possible danger. Red’s using the five men who’ve worked here forever. I suppose these new men haven’t earned his trust yet. I warned the guards Sheriff Rodgers is expected around suppertime and asked that no one shoot him.”

  “Good thinking.” Willow giggled. Perhaps the sherry had something to do with that.

  Daniel frowned. “I trust that was a joke. Or should I be concerned about the quality of men you have watching the ranch?”

  “Just funning with you. None of our experienced hands is trigger happy.” Leonard waved off the Pinkerton’s concerns. “Relax, Daniel, there’s nothing to worry about. We’ve had occasion to watch out for cattle rustlers, and once when the town’s bank was robbed, the local law had every rancher on alert. Those men will be fine. This isn’t their first dance with danger.”

  Adam met Willow’s eyes, appearing skeptical.

  “Actually, two ranch hands from the Circle H discovered those bank robbers holed up in an old abandoned shack and arrested them when they passed out after consuming too much whiskey.” Willow patted Adam’s arm. “Our ranch hands won’t take chances and they know what they’re doing.”

  “I’ll trust your judgement then.” Daniel took the beer Leonard handed him.

  Sawyer drank deeply then set his beer aside. “Is everyone ready for this?”

  “Couldn’t be more ready.” Leonard settled on the arm of the sofa beside Willow.

  “Then here goes.” Daniel straightened the papers in his hand, and started to read.

  Willow caught herself holding her breath as Daniel read the terms of the will. A lot of it was identical to the fake, and she couldn’t wait until he reached the part about the future of the Circle H.

  Daniel paused and met eyes with Leonard then he continued…

  To my son, Leonard Hartley Harrison,

  I bequeath, in its entirety, the family homestead known as the Circle H Ranch situated ten miles south and seven miles west of Cactus Plains, Texas. The bequest includes the five thousand acres of land, the family home, the ranch buildings, all equipment, all conveyances, all equine and other stock, and all supplies on the property.

  As well, all monies and investments in the Circle H Ranch bank accounts at the First National Bank in Cactus Plains now become Leonard’s sole property to be used at his discretion in the running of the ranch.

  I encourage Leonard to retain any and all of the current employees working on the ranch at my time of passing. A request which I am certain my son will honor.

  And it is my fondest hope that someday Leonard hands the ranch down to his own son who hands it down to his and so on, keeping the property in the Harrison family for all time.

  One last item, Leonard. Until your sister, Willow Marie Harrison, marries, she must be allowed to remain living on the family ranch until such time that it is her choice to leave. And should she decide to marry, kindly walk her down the aisle in my absence.

  Willow’s eyes filled with tears and she glanced at her brother, catching him wiping a bit of wetness from his own eyes. “Father loved you so much, Leonard. He wanted you to have the ranch. To pass it down to your son as his father had done for him.” She leapt up and hugged him tightly. “I knew there was no possible reason why Father would bequeath the Circle H to anyone but you.”

  Leonard nodded, not attempting to speak. Willow understood how he felt. Her brother and father had been closer than most fathers and
sons: never arguing, never questioning the other’s decisions, listening to each other’s opinions and making decisions together for the betterment of the Circle H. Losing their pa, her brother must feel that a part of him has gone missing. Like an appendage had been ripped from his body. A piece of his heart absent and never to be replaced.

  “I couldn’t have loved him more either,” she whispered. “The world lost a remarkable man when Father passed.”

  “We need to toast Father.” Leonard straightened in his chair.

  “And we need to toast the new owner,” Daniel added. “There isn’t a judge alive who wouldn’t decree the provisions in this will are the last wishes of your father.”

  “Any person with a lick of sense would realize that other will is a fake,” Adam chimed in.

  “I’m going through Father’s papers tonight and put together more documents he’s signed showing the proper signature.” Leonard glanced at Willow. “We’ll prove we’re right. I haven’t a single doubt about it.”

  Just then Mrs. Griffith stepped into the room. “Supper is ready if you’ve completed your business.” She glanced from one person to the other. “My, you all look so serious. Have I interrupted something important?”

  “Ma’am, your timing couldn’t be more perfect.” Daniel folded the pages and tucked them into his suit pocket. “Would you permit a toast with spirits at your supper table tonight? We’re about to prove tomorrow that Leonard should be the rightful owner of this ranch.”

  Mrs. Griffith gasped and glanced at Leonard. She clasped her hands together and met eyes with Daniel. “Mr. McLennon, if you can prove that, you can dance on my supper table tonight.”

  Adam chuckled and grabbed a bottle of spirits. Everyone followed Mrs. Griffith and Daniel into the dining room. After several toasts, Willow insisted Mrs. Griffith join them at the table and another place was set for her.

  “To the Circle H family,” Willow said, holding her glass high. “There are brighter days ahead for all of us. I just know it.”

  “Hear, hear,” everyone shouted.