A Lost Love's Legacy (Sons Of A Gun Book 5)

by Brenda Sinclair

  Introductions followed, accompanied by a round of handshaking, and then Mr. Barnes explained the entire situation once again. AJ sat behind his desk, listening intently while his expression clouded with each new revelation. Anna prayed he’d agree to help them.

  “This Walters needs to be stopped,” AJ concluded. “And I know exactly the man who can do it.”

  Mr. Barnes reared back in his chair. “Who do you have in mind?”

  “My favorite Pinkerton agent.”

  Chapter 25

  A loud knock on the study door drew Michael from his conversation with his pa.

  “Come in,” AJ called.

  The door squeaked open with a hinge in need of oiling, and Eric Lake popped his head inside. “Do you have a minute, sir?”

  AJ waved him inside and Eric stood shifting from one foot to the other before sticking his hands in his pockets.

  Michael noticed Eric’s nervousness immediately. The new hire wasn’t making eye contact with anyone either. “What did you do?” he blurted.

  Eric’s head whipped up. “I haven’t done anything.”

  “Then what’s this about?” Michael demanded. “You’re acting mighty guilty.”

  AJ waved a hand at him. “Now, son, give the fellow a minute to explain himself.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Eric heaved a sigh. “It’s not me.”

  Michael glanced at his father and then crossed his arms over his chest. “You reckon someone else is robbing us?”

  “Nobody is stealing anything,” Eric blurted in exasperation.

  Michael still had his doubts about the ex-convict, but he’d hear him out at least.

  “I… I overheard Sammy and Mrs. Sheridan talking.” Eric met AJ’s eyes. “I don’t listen to other folks’ conversations, but they were pretty loud while discussing this thing with Mrs. Dalton.”

  “What did you hear?” Michael demanded, although he was well aware that Mrs. Sheridan’s idea of a whisper was anything but.

  “I heard that some feller in Boston is posing as her new husband and trying to steal all her money.” Eric glanced at Michael and then at AJ. “Is… is that right, sir?”

  AJ nodded.

  “First thing that popped into my mind… sounds exactly like something my pa would do,” Eric confessed. “I don’t rightly know if he’s still in prison or not. I don’t know if… could you find out if he’s still there? Or was David Lake released and he’s up to his old tricks?”

  AJ stood and strode across the room. He set a hand on Eric’s shoulder. “Son, I doubt very much if this scoundrel is your pa. But I’ll sent a telegraph tomorrow and we’ll confirm that your pa is still in the Montana Territorial Prison at Deer Lodge.”

  Eric blew out his breath. “Thank you, sir. That would put my mind at ease.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “My mind worked all night, worrying that maybe Pa had been released. Or maybe he’d escaped. I couldn’t sleep and I’ve been aworryin’ myself sick all day.” Eric grinned, sheepishly. “Sammy thought I was in love or something. Can’t keep my mind on my work. I finally had to admit what the problem was and my boss sent my behind up here to see you.”

  AJ chuckled. “I’m heading into town this afternoon, so I’ll make inquiries and let you know what I learn.”

  Eric offered a weak smile. “Thank you so much. I’m probably getting my mind in a lather over nothing, but I… I can’t abide my pa stealing from innocent folks.”

  “Anna Dalton ain’t all that innocent.” AJ scratched his head. “That woman wouldn’t blink an eye if the judge awarded her ownership of the Double M.”

  Eric gasped.

  “Now, that’s nothing for you to worry about, son.” AJ waved off the matter. “Ain’t happening as long as I’m able to draw breath.”

  “Or me either. She’s not taking what don’t belong to her,” Michael reiterated.

  Eric dragged his hands down his trousers and then stuck out his hand. “Thank you, sir. I’ll be getting back to work now.”

  AJ shook hands with him, and Michael followed suit. Maybe Eric had turned his life around. Sammy couldn’t say enough good things about his new assistant. Michael wasn’t worrying about the fellow being around the womenfolk, especially Rosie, anymore either.

  “You’re doing a good job,” Michael admitted, looking Eric in the eye. “I’m a bit surprised, but I’m happy to have been wrong about you.”

  Eric beamed. “That’s mighty high praise coming from… thank you.”

  “I’m happy the job is working out. Sammy should retire sooner than later, and you’re the man to replace him.” Michael chuckled. “Unless he fires you for dillydallying today.”

  “Right. I’ve got to go.” Eric bolted out of the study and a second later the front door slammed closed.

  “Well, I guess I’m off to town again. Just traveled into Milestone yesterday to telegraph Daniel. Hadn’t planned on another trip so soon, but that young man is some troubled about his pa so I figured I’d invent a little white lie about heading to town. A man’s not at his best when his mind is troubled.” AJ lumbered out of the study and down the hallway. “Who knows? Might be a reply from Daniel waiting for me.”

  Michael followed on his heels. “You reckon Lake’s still in jail?”

  “Yes, I’d reckon so. Don’t hurt none to check. And I’ll have Sheriff Manning send the telegraph. I expect we’ll hear back sooner that way.”

  “Good thinking, Pa.”

  “I’ll give our regards to your sister also. I plan on dropping by her store to say hello.”

  “Could you pick up some sweets at the general store for me?” Michael grinned. “Rosie is particularly fond of anything peppermint.”

  AJ chuckled. “Is she now? I’ll see what I can do.”

  “Speaking of dillydallying, don’t you have some work to do?” AJ’s eyebrows rose.

  Michael smiled. “Who was it told me all my life the work on a ranch is never done? Guess that means I should get myself out to the cattle barns.”

  “Wise man who told you that.” AJ slapped his son on the back. “And Michael Miller told me the same thing about a thousand times also.”

  Michael’s throat tightened at the mention of his namesake. Dang it, but he wished he’d met the man. Clearly, the fellow had died too soon. And he must be rolling in his grave with all the to-do and a possible lawsuit over his ranch. Seemed downright disrespectful, to Michael’s way of thinking.

  Worse yet, he couldn’t think of a single thing he could do to fix it.

  Chapter 26

  Rosie sat beside her mother in AJ’s study, worrying the handkerchief in her hand while the ladderback chair tormented her backbone. She and Anna had been summoned after supper to talk over a matter of importance, as AJ put it. Rosie hadn’t a clue what that meant. Her first thought had been what has Mother done now?

  “Would either of you like a glass of sherry?” AJ paused to pour himself a glass of whiskey.

  “No, thank you,” Rosie piped up, too nervous to indulge in anything.

  “That would be lovely, thank you,” Anna replied, offering her host a splendid smile.

  Rosie gaped. Did nothing faze the woman? She sat calm and collected as if they’d been invited for an evening of cards and friendship, but Rosie suspected neither was on tonight’s agenda.

  AJ had spent the majority of the day in town and she couldn’t imagine what he wanted to discuss with them. Had he spoken to his own lawyer again? Did he intend to evict her mother from his home? Rosie certainly couldn’t blame him.

  And now this additional threat of the imposter attempting to extort funds from her mother, something she’d only heard about from Anna minutes before they sat down to supper, must weigh heavy on her mind.

  AJ settled into his chair behind the old desk that monopolized the majority of the room. He set his drink down and crossed his arms over his chest. He gazed intently at Anna. Rosie swallowed hard. Here it comes.

  “I sent the telegrap
h to Daniel the day before yesterday.”

  Rosie and Anna sat, speechless. Rosie childishly crossed her fingers, hidden in the folds of her skirts. A habit she’d indulged in since childhood when she never knew what to expect from a frequently absentee mother and a father prone to volatile temper.

  “Have you received a reply?” Anna inquired, sipping her sherry.

  “Actually, I did. While in town today on a different matter, I checked with Rodney Wilkes at the telegraph office and he had a response to my inquiry waiting for me.” AJ sampled his whiskey and nodded in appreciation before setting the glass down again.

  Rosie feared she’d die from waiting for further explanation. And what had this different matter been? She hadn’t been told about additional problems concerning her mother and the ridiculous lawsuit. Why had all of their lives become so complicated?

  “Daniel surprised me by his quick reply, but he shocked me when I learned his message had been forwarded to him in Boston. He’s working on a case there as we speak.”

  “What a wonderful coincidence,” Anna exclaimed, clasping her hands in delight.

  “A fine piece of luck all right,” AJ agreed. “Daniel assured me he’d find the time to make inquiries and meet with your banker. For a Pinkerton, the entire matter sounded simple enough to sort out, I suppose. Daniel will keep me informed of any progress.”

  Anna leaned back in her chair. “My goodness, AJ, I must say this news sets my mind at ease. I appreciate your assistance so much.”

  “Well, nothing I wouldn’t do for anyone.” AJ sipped his drink and clasped it in his hands.

  “Does this mean you’re going to stop this ridiculous lawsuit, Mother?”

  Anna glared at her. “Rosemary, the two matters are completely unrelated.”

  Rosie translated that to mean a resounding no.

  “Your mother needs to do what she believes is necessary,” AJ offered. “Our opinion on her actions is of no importance. We’ll let the judge decide who’s in the right, if it comes to that.”

  Rosie’s eyes welled and she blinked away the tears. She’d never before met such a kind-hearted, fair-minded man as AJ. She wouldn’t have believed they existed had she not met one. AJ’s selflessness surprised her, but his genuine goodness bewildered her. Anna was suing for ownership of the very ranch she’d been permitted to live on as his guest. Who would believe such a thing? She smiled to herself again recalling the old idiom keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Perhaps there was cunning and logical reasoning behind AJ’s actions after all.

  “Well, ladies, I’m off to bed. We’ll have to wait until we hear from Daniel again before we can put this matter behind us.” He met eyes with Anna. “I’m confident Daniel and his counterparts will settle this matter in your favor, Anna. Your funds will remain intact at your bank, if the Pinkertons have anything to do with it.”

  “Thank you again, AJ.” Anna gushed as she rose off her chair and smiled at their host, coquettishly. “Sleep well. I will, knowing you’ve handled this so admirably.”

  Rosie glared at her mother. Surely, she hadn’t decided to double her chances of success by making a play for AJ’s affections. Everyone in the family told her about Edna and how she’d been the love of his life. Anna was certainly barking up the wrong tree this time. Rosie decided to sit back and allow her selfish mother to make a complete fool of herself with the one man whose heart she would never win.

  “I’m going to find Michael and suggest a walk before we turn in,” Rosie announced. She needed to catch up on his news and inquire if he was apprised of details she hadn’t learned as yet. Especially what this different matter was that AJ had mentioned.

  She’d always been told country life lent itself to relaxation, nothing even close in comparison to the rush and confusion of city living. Who would believe life on the Double M could be so worrisome and troubling? With one issue coming after the next and none of them good, the Double M Ranch appeared the exception to the quiet, easy life principle. And she’d found herself firmly rooted in the middle of it.

  Thankfully, Rosie could rely on Michael at her side with his unwavering support to see her through it all.

  * * *

  Anna stood in the cookshack, staring at the aged ranch cook wearing a stained bib apron over his denims. Sourdough Sammy glared at her, brown eyes blazing.

  “How dare you shout at me.” She’d never been spoken to in such a disrespectful tone in her entire life, and she didn’t appreciate it one bit.

  “Well, someone needs to talk sense into you,” the old fellow yelled as one gnarled age-spotted hand grabbed a huge metal bowl off an open shelf. He slammed the bowl onto a scarred wooden workbench.

  Anna startled at the show of temper.

  He scooped flour out of the large built-in bin, filling the bowl while a cloud of white dust drifted into the air. He closed the tight-fitting lid on the bin and flipped it back into place hidden within the workbench.

  She brushed flour dust off her dress and moved farther away from him. What had driven this outburst? “You had Eric summon me here so you could shout nonsense at me?”

  “Nonsense?” Sammy exclaimed, glaring at her again. “Stealing this ranch from AJ is complete insanity.”

  “Not to me it isn’t. And I’m entitled to my opinion.” Anna looked down her nose at the annoying old man with the scruffy gray beard that matched the tuffs of hair sticking out from under his old battered Stetson. If the rude, argumentative fellow worked for her, he’d be banished from the ranch immediately.

  “Entitled to… what in tarnation are you thinking, girl? I never heard anything so dang stupid in my life.” Sammy lumbered around the cookshack preparing the evening meal as he spoke. Anna hadn’t a clue as to what he was doing. He’d added things to the flour including milk and flopped the entire thing onto the top of the workbench, working it into a huge ball.

  “I expect you’re siding with AJ since you’re employed here and unconditional loyalty is expected of you.” Anna paced the cookshack floor. She’d heard enough from this infuriating old man. What nerve!

  “I’m telling you again… Michael Miller wasn’t your father. AJ knows what he’s talking about. I knew Michael well, and a more gentlemanly fellow has never been born.”

  Now Sammy was tossing random ingredients into one huge pot on the woodstove. “What are you doing?” she demanded, curiosity getting the better of her.

  “Making stew and biscuits for supper.” Sammy tossed what Anna recognized as carrots into the pot next.

  “I’ve heard enough from you,” Anna muttered, heading for the door.

  Sammy snagged her arm on the way by.

  “Let go of me,” she shrieked.

  “Then forget this stupid idea that you should have inherited this ranch.”

  “I’ll do no such thing.”

  “You’re wrong. This is AJ’s ranch, not yours.” Sammy released his grip, shaking his head.

  “We’ll see about that.” Anna tossed her head and sniffed in disgust.

  “Michael Miller wasn’t your father,” Sammy reiterated one final time as Anna stormed out of the cookshack.

  “Stupid old man. Loyal to a fault, but completely infuriating.” Anna stomped back to the house where she required the comfort of her room and a hot cup of tea. At first, she intended to mention the man’s rudeness to her host, but Sammy had been working here for years and AJ would no doubt side with his long-time employee.

  “I’ll show you, old man,” she whispered the vow. She wasn’t listening to a word he said, and intended instead to double her efforts to prove herself right.

  Chapter 27

  August

  Michael lounged on the bench seat at the long wooden table in the cookshack. To save the bother of washing up and presenting himself at Mrs. Sheridan’s dining table in the main house, he’d chosen to eat the noon meal in the cookshack with the ranch hands.

  The rest of the men had returned to work, but he’d decided on a final cup
of coffee before returning to the corral to check on the heifer that had tangled with a coyote and been bitten badly on one leg. They’d summoned the local vet, and Doc Campbell was tending her now.

  “Could I talk to you for a minute?”

  Michael looked up and met eyes with Eric Lake. Michael initially wasn’t too fond of the ex-convict, but his pa convinced him the fellow passed muster as a cook. Seeing how well the man had worked out so far, Michael conceded that giving Eric a second chance had been warranted. And his pa had learned that Eric’s father, David Lake, remained in prison, after Eric had worried the criminal had escaped.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  Eric glanced toward the doorway. “Let me know if Sourdough Sammy returns,” he whispered.

  Michael leaned back, crossed his arms over his chest, and glared at him. Was he about to mean-mouth the old fellow who’d worked on the Double M for decades, hoping to secure himself the job of head cook? Had his pa badly misjudged Eric? “All right. What do you want?”

  Eric settled on the bench across from Michael and leaned his arms on the table. “It’s about Sammy,” he began.

  “You want his job,” Michael blurted, not even attempting the hide his contempt for the man from his voice.

  “Hell, no.” Eric stared at him. “I’m concerned for Sammy. He’s been acting… a little strange. Talking to himself.”

  “Not against the law to talk to yourself,” Michael scoffed. “If it was, my sister would be incarcerated in the Milestone jail more than she was free.”

  “He’s been muttering a mite. Worrisome things…” Eric’s expression suggested he was genuinely concerned.

  “Like what?” Michael demanded.

  “A lot of it don’t make no sense to me, but one thing has me concerned.”

  “Tell me.”

  “Sammy said that he was afraid.”

  “Afraid? Afraid of what?”

  “Something about ‘things were getting out of hand’,” Eric whispered. “I reckon I’m telling tales out of school, talking to you about this. But the old fellow has me worried.”