The Rightful Heir

by Angel Moore

  “Don’t you want to read the story?”

  “I do. But not on the composing stick.” She didn’t look up. Let him see how it felt to hold a conversation with someone who wasn’t paying attention. Not that she was ignoring him. Even with her eyes lowered, she could see the hem of his vest and the watch chain that hung between the pocket and the button. She didn’t want him to notice that she was taking in every detail of who he was. She pointed to the corner of the desk. “Just leave it here. I’ll read it when I’ve finished sorting these notes.”

  He turned back to the composing table and leafed through his papers.

  Lord, everything he puts in this paper will reflect on me. I’ve got to maintain Mr. Ivy’s high standards. Help me to be kind but firm, if needed. And please help me get my emotions under control. This is no time for me to become interested in a man. Especially not one who wants to take away everything I have.

  Jared slid the paper across the desk in front of her. “I’m going to eat supper at the hotel. You can tell me what you think when I return.” He reached for his hat and coat.

  “I’ll leave a note with my recommendations on the desk. I’m sure to be gone by the time you return.”

  The door closed behind him and Mary Lou watched his silhouette as he walked by the front window.

  Jared was more of a distraction and threat to her than anyone she’d ever known. How was she to maintain ownership of the Record if she lost her heart to the man who wanted to take it from her?

  “That will never do, Mary Lou.” She scolded herself out loud. “Mr. Ivy trained you. Jared Ivy is his grandson, but you were his choice to run this paper.”

  Jared’s words to that effect echoed in her mind as she read his story. It was good. Well written, if poorly spelled.

  As much as she was loath to admit it, he was right. The ranchers and farmers would be helped by the information he’d included in the article.

  Was it time to change the direction of the Record? Could Jared Ivy make it better with his business articles and political opinions? Only time—and the judge—would tell.

  Chapter Eight

  Two weeks of learning how to set type, lay out the paper in a logical order, balance social news and business news—and honing his spelling skills—had Jared feeling better about the future of the Pine Haven Record. He’d also learned what a good newspaper woman Mary Lou was. For all her protestations that the paper should be personal and relevant to the everyday lives of the people of Pine Haven, she had a good head for the difficult subjects. She’d written an article about the increase in violence since the saloon had opened and another about the railroad increasing the number of trains stopping in Pine Haven.

  He finished compositing the last of his story for the top of the paper and set it in place. The only thing left to add would be Mary Lou’s article on the Warren and Willis wedding scheduled to take place later that morning.

  The front door opened and Andrew came in. “Morning, Mr. Ivy.” Andrew removed his hat. “Is everything set for the printing this afternoon?”

  Andrew had proven himself a hard worker in the few weeks that Jared had been in Pine Haven. Jared appreciated his determination but still didn’t know if Andrew was trustworthy.

  Jared eyed the young man’s clothes and knew everything he wore was something Jared had seen before. He never appeared to spend money, but the horse he owned still had Jared confounded.

  “Everything is ready except Miss Ellison’s article on the wedding.”

  Mary Lou entered through the back door. “Good morning, gentlemen.” She was lovely in a dark green skirt with a matching cape. The lace collar of her blouse nestled against her neck. She carried delicate gloves in one hand and a notebook in the other.

  Andrew greeted her first. “Hi, Miss Ellison. If you don’t need me, I’d like to go ahead to the church. I want to see Tucker Barlow before the wedding. Someone said he might have a ranching job coming open.” Excitement filled the youth’s words.

  Jared wondered if Andrew was strong enough to work on a ranch. “That’s mighty hard work for one so young.”

  Andrew bristled. “I’m sixteen. Been working since I was twelve. I don’t claim to know all there is to know about ranching, but I’m a hard worker. Mr. Barlow is a fair man. I think his foreman, Paco Morales, would make the final decision, but Mr. Barlow could give me permission to show the foreman what I know.”

  Mary Lou came forward like a protective sister. “That’s a good opportunity for you, Andrew. I’d be proud to see you settled in a good job that would pay a man’s wages in time.”

  The look she gave Jared seemed a silent plea for him to encourage Andrew. He couldn’t acquiesce to everything Mary Lou wanted, but this request gave no cause for disagreement.

  “I met Paco when I went out to the Double Star Ranch with Mr. Barlow. He seems a fine boss. You’ve got a good horse, too. That will help you.”

  Andrew stood a bit taller at the praise of Midnight. “I got a new saddle yesterday. Not near as fine as yours, Mr. Ivy, but it’s the best I could get here in town. Not so fancy as I would have liked, but it’s a fine leather.”

  “That must have set you back a pretty penny.” Caution ran through Jared’s mind. He could see Mary Lou tense at the turn in conversation.

  “Took every bit of the money I’ve been able to scrape together since I bought Midnight. It ain’t right to have a fine horse and a poor saddle.”

  “Andrew, what did I tell you about ‘ain’t’?” Mary Lou scolded in her best schoolmarm voice.

  “Yes, ma’am.” In a slow, steady tone he corrected himself. “It isn’t right to have a fine horse and a poor saddle.” Andrew put his hat back on. “I’ll see you both at the wedding. It’s sure to be the best meal I’ve had in ages.” He scooted out the door and down the steps in front of the office.

  Jared watched him from the window.

  Mary Lou’s voice came from behind him. “I know what you’re thinking.”

  “It doesn’t make sense, Mary Lou. A boy that age, no matter how hard he’s been working, shouldn’t have enough money to pay for things like that. I’m just surprised no one else in town has been suspicious of him.”

  “Only two items have gone missing in the two weeks since Jasmine’s cameo and the porcelain dish disappeared from the hotel.”

  He turned to face her. “Two very expensive items.”

  “Where would a boy like Andrew be able to sell things like that?”

  “I admire your loyalty, but someone is taking small things from unsuspecting people in Pine Haven. And Andrew is the only person flaunting new treasures.”

  “He’s not flaunting anything. He told me about the saddle because he knows I respect how hard he works. We share a bond of trust.”

  Jared shook his head. “I hope you’re right.”

  “I know I am. And you didn’t answer my question. Where would he sell those things?”

  “The last items could have been sold to any drunk in the saloon after he won a good hand at cards.”

  “Why would a drunken card player want a fancy ink pen? Most of the people who come and go from the saloon don’t appear to be literate.”

  “An inebriated man would be easily convinced to purchase a shiny object as a way to show off his money.”

  “But a brush and comb set?”

  “What better way to pacify an angry wife after having spent the night in town gambling away all his money? And after the way Donald and Liza Croft started watching their merchandise more closely, it would have to be someone they trusted to take the items right out from under their noses.”

  Mary Lou seemed to ponder his arguments. “I’ll grant you that those things may have been sold at the saloon. May even have been sold by someone from here in Pine Haven, but I know in my heart it wasn’t Andrew.�
�� She straightened her cape, picked up her gloves and headed for the door. “I want to get to the church early, so I can get a good seat and sketch the details of the church and Jasmine’s dress.” She opened the door. “I’m sure I’ll see you there, as well.”

  He caught the door and pulled it wider. “I’m coming with you.”

  She paused and turned to him, her face mere inches below his. “It isn’t necessary. You can come at your leisure and sit where you choose.”

  “Are you saying you don’t want me to accompany you?” If she told him that was her reason, he’d be disappointed. The thought of sitting with her in all her finery was inviting. The more he learned about her, the more he appreciated Grump’s decision to take her in. If she could get past the notion of trying to keep his grandfather’s paper, they might grow to be good friends. Or even more.

  Her answer was quiet, so he had to lean closer to hear her. “No. I’m not saying that. I’m offering it. I don’t want you to feel obligated to escort me.”

  He couldn’t resist the urge to smile. “I consider it an honor, not an obligation.”

  “Well then.” She cleared her throat and pulled on her gloves. “Shall we?”

  When she took his offered arm, he was relieved. He wasn’t sure she’d think his politeness was professional. On more than one occasion, she’d reminded him that their business arrangement did not necessitate friendship. As they stepped off the porch and into the street, he was glad to realize she hadn’t repeated the mantra in the last several days.

  The closeness of working together on different stories, using the press and sharing a desk had forced them to be civil. The civility had grown into an easy camaraderie.

  Having a true friend in Mary Lou Ellison would be a wonderful thing. She was like no one else he’d ever known. Her loyalty was in complete contrast to his mother’s mistrust and secretiveness.

  Even when Jared disagreed with her, she was kind and professional. She’d even laughed with him at some mistake he’d made in a story he’d written, and the spelling errors he was working to overcome.

  If she noticed people looking their way as they walked through the middle of town, she gave no indication. When they entered the church, she stopped just inside the door to study the decorations. He offered to take her cape while she stared at the greenery draped from every possible surface. She refused and he followed her to sit near the front of the church. Several people must have had similar wishes to arrive early and see everything. A low hum of chatter filled the building as everyone gathered for what promised to be the social event of the season.

  And though he should have been focused on who was entering and who they were speaking with, all Jared could do was watch the beauty of the woman beside him as she reveled in her work as a journalist. He had no doubt she was memorizing the details.

  She turned at that moment. Her green eyes were so close he marveled at the black line that circled the green. Their breaths mingled together as she whispered to him, “It’s so lovely. Any woman would be honored to marry in such a setting.”

  Without taking his eyes from hers, he agreed. “It is lovely. The green is perfect. It’s difficult to have flowers in a cold season, but the beauty of evergreens is incomparable in the right setting.” He hoped she didn’t realize he spoke of her eyes.

  What was he thinking? This was the woman who would stand and tell a judge that he wasn’t worthy of his grandfather’s inheritance. Why, after a lifetime of avoiding women, would he be drawn to the one woman in the world who wanted nothing more than for him to walk out of her life?

  * * *

  Mary Lou stretched up on her toes to see over the shoulders of the crowd, trying to glimpse the full length of the bride’s dress as she came down the aisle on her father’s arm. Leaning forward a little too far to peer around the sheriff, Mary Lou would have stumbled, but Jared put out his arm and she fell against its steadying force.

  Her breath caught. He was too close. Too familiar. Too tall. Too handsome.

  She planted her feet and turned as Jasmine passed the end of their bench. The bride was lovely. Lace and ruffles adorned her dress. It was unusual to see Pine Haven’s resident lady rancher dressed in such finery, but it was lovely all the same.

  When Reverend Dismuke instructed the congregation to be seated, Mary Lou felt Jared’s hand cup her elbow. He’s just being kind. He’s a gentleman.

  The words did nothing to calm the distraction his presence had become.

  The ceremony was everything a wedding should be. Solemn vows were exchanged between Doc Willis and Jasmine. A chuckle went up from those gathered when the preacher gave permission for their first wedding kiss and the doctor pushed up on his toes to kiss his new wife.

  After the couple went back up the aisle and out the front doors, Reverend Dismuke extended the family’s invitation for everyone to join them at the Pine Haven Hotel for a wedding celebration.

  Jared spoke close to her ear. “Did you get all the notes and sketches you need?”

  Mary Lou rubbed a hand against the side of her neck where his breath had stirred her hair. “I still need to get a better look at the front of the dress, but I made good notes about the decorations beforehand.”

  He stood behind her as they waited their turn to exit the church. She felt him pull at the shoulders of her cape to straighten it. Did his hands rest there a moment longer than necessary?

  She took a step away from him. “I’d like to try to get to the hotel before everyone else, if possible.”

  He chuckled. “I don’t think we’ll make it before everyone, but we may be able to arrive before most of the guests.”

  The brisk November air helped to calm her. She’d worked for weeks with Jared and he hadn’t affected her like he did today. It must be the nostalgia that is common at a wedding.

  The bride and groom had stopped in the churchyard and were being congratulated by well-wishers.

  Mary Lou skirted the gathering crowd and walked up the street, dodging in and out of the groups of people making their way to the celebration.

  “Whoa, Mary Lou.” Jared touched her arm. “You’re making it very difficult to keep up with you. I’d rather not trip over some unfortunate person who happens to not anticipate your approach. I don’t think it would be good for me to pummel a little old lady before everyone learns what a good person I am.”

  “If we slow down, we won’t get a good look at the room before it fills with people. Then the details of the story will be vague.”

  “Okay, but be prepared to take the credit if I bowl someone over.”

  “Come along, and it won’t happen.” They arrived at the hotel and followed Naomi Grant into the lobby.

  Jared stepped around Mary Lou and she would have protested until she heard him offer to take Naomi’s coat. As he helped the cook, he asked, “Mrs. Naomi, would you be willing to give Mary Lou and me a peek at the restaurant before anyone else arrives?”

  Naomi smiled at him in her kind way. “Oh, Mr. Ivy, I don’t know if Mr. Warren wants any of the guests inside before he arrives.”

  Jared persisted. “We’d like to be able to cover today’s events to the best of our abilities. I think we could give a better account if we can see what a wonderful job the family and hotel staff have done with the decorations before the others crowd into the hotel.” He swept his arm wide to indicate the lobby area. “If the lobby is any hint, the restaurant must be beautiful.”

  Mary Lou watched Naomi pause, as if having second thoughts. “The church was lovely. May we please just take a peek?”

  Jared added, “We’ll only stay a moment. We’ll be back in the lobby before anyone else comes.”

  “I just want to take a few notes before anything is disturbed.” Mary Lou held up her notebook. “Please.”

  Naomi shook her head. “You two are a powerf
ul force for persuasion when you work together.” She waved them on. “Follow me.” She stopped still. “But if Mr. Warren comes in, I want both of you out the back door without a peep.”

  They all laughed. Jared and Mary Lou answered in unison, “Yes, ma’am.”

  A half hour later the celebration was in full swing. The thin strains of music from a phonograph filled the room, and the tables and chairs had been arranged to allow for dancing.

  Mary Lou watched as Jared spoke to Mr. Warren across the restaurant. Jasmine and Doc Willis were dancing in the center of the room. Jared looked up and caught her eye. She felt her face grow warm when he smiled at her.

  The room was full of happy friends and relatives milling around and visiting with one another. One song ended on the phonograph and another began.

  The sheriff blocked her view of Jared. He had shaved, like most of the men today, only he’d kept his heavy moustache. It never ceased to amaze Mary Lou how much stock people put in a special occasion. Why didn’t they keep themselves looking their best all the time? She cast a glance at the sheriff’s boots and almost laughed. His attention to detail had stopped before he’d polished the well-worn leather.

  He rubbed his chin as if uncomfortable without the rough whiskers. “Miss Ellison, have you come up with any ideas on who our thief might be?”

  “I am not convinced the thief is ours, Sheriff. It could have been someone who was here and is now gone. Or it could have been a coincidence of more than one thief. Perhaps a series of strangers who rode through town and took a memento with them. A keepsake of their time in Pine Haven.”

  Jared’s voice came from her right. “You can’t really think that is the explanation.” She’d been so focused on the sheriff that she hadn’t noticed Jared come to stand beside her. He carried two cups of punch and held one out for her to take.

  “I don’t.” Sheriff Collins looked at Jared. “Do you have any thoughts on who it might be?”

  Jared looked at Mary Lou. “I have given the matter some thought.”

  “Who do you think it is?” The sheriff’s persistence was in keeping with his reputation. Many people felt he was comfortable letting others bring answers to him. More comfortable than finding those answers on his own.