Letter Perfect

by Cathy Marie Hake

  She gave no response.

  “Ruth, I want you to pursue your right to inherit the Broken P. You and I get along exceptionally well. I think we’ll make good partners. If you win your case, you and I could essentially band together and outvote anything Dad might want to do. By your having ownership, we could decide to hire a bookkeeper or have you take over that responsibility.”

  “I think I’d enjoy that. I wouldn’t want it to interfere with starting the library, though.” She wrinkled her nose. “But, Josh, I still feel it’s wrong for me to claim any of the property.”

  “Laney and I need your help, Ruth. So does Hilda. She’s only earning seven-fifty a month.”

  “That’s …” She did the math in her head. “Only a quarter a day? Unconscionable!”

  “I agree. I’ll go to town tomorrow. I left the books with Rick Maltby. He’s copying each entry for the past two years. I’m going to tell him we’re keeping the appointment next month in Sacramento, and I’m not going to challenge your right. That way, Dad will either have to capitulate or fight you alone.”

  “I don’t want to come between you and your father.”

  “Ruth, you’re not. When you first arrived, I was admittedly upset that the will would be contested. However, I’m positive Alan wouldn’t ever accept how Dad’s been embezzling. All along I said it wasn’t what either of us wanted; it’s what your father would have wanted. I knew your father, Ruth.”

  She slid her hand over his. “I know you did, Josh. I never met him, but from all you’ve said, I would have loved him.”

  “He would have adored you, Ruth.” Josh cupped her cheek. “Sure as I sit here with you, I know he would have cherished the strong, witty, loving woman you are.”

  Ruth closed her eyes to keep from crying. The tenderness of his words overwhelmed her. “Thank you, Josh.”

  He withdrew his touch, and she felt bereft.

  “I meant what I said, Ruth. I don’t want you to feel as if I’m pulling on your heartstrings to manipulate you.”

  “You wouldn’t do that, Josh. You’re too honorable. It’s because I know you to be so truthful that your words carry weight with me.”

  He smiled. “Thanks, Ruthie.”

  They sat in silence for a moment, then he broke it. “Your father would want you to inherit your half rather than allow my father to use his position to cheat the hands, Hilda, and my sister. If it were just me, I’d not take action. I don’t need much to be happy. I’m asking you to step forward—for all of them.”

  “When you go to town, would you please buy Hilda a new dress and apron, too?”

  “Yes, Ruth—but will you please answer my question? Are you going to follow through on the claim?”

  “For you and Laney, I’d do anything.”

  Five days later Hilda pulled the buckboard to a stop outside the back door again. “Laney Louise, don’t you dare so much as sneeze until you hand down those pies.”

  “Yes, Hilda.” Laney laughed. “I’m such a mess, it wouldn’t matter if I got anything more on my dress.”

  “I don’t care about your dress,” Hilda declared. “I care about the pies!”

  Ruth tried her best to sit still. The bed of the buckboard held canning jars full of vegetables and jelly, two crates of lettuce, carrots, and cabbage, three pies, a half dozen tarts each of raspberry and cherry, and a pitcher of fruit syrup.

  Josh stepped out onto the porch and gave her a strained look. A second later, his father shouldered past him. Ruth’s heart fell.

  “Girls! Welcome home.” McCain drew closer. “Come on down from there.”

  “Hilda won’t let me move till she gets the pies,” Laney said as she passed them to the housekeeper. “Welcome home to you!” She glanced down and bit her lip before admitting, “I’m afraid I’m a terrible mess, Daddy.”

  Her father took a closer look and lowered his voice. “We have a caller. You girls need to scoot upstairs and freshen up.”

  Holding up her hands for inspection, Ruth said, “I’m afraid we’re so stained by the berries, we’ll be red-handed for days to come.”

  “Do your best, and be quick about it,” McCain ordered.

  Josh rounded the buckboard. “Here, Ruth, let me lift you out. I’ll help Hilda unload all of this. I’m sure the O’Sullivans appreciate the help you ladies have given them this week. You’ve done the Broken P proud.”

  “Thank you, Josh.” She allowed him to cup her waist and lift her out of the wagon and down.

  He didn’t let go. Instead, his warm, strong hands tugged her a little closer. He dipped his head and murmured, “We’ve got trouble.”

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Your attorney is inside. Dad’s figured out you have money coming.”

  Ruth turned her face to Josh and smiled as she said, “I appreciate your help.”

  Fifteen minutes later, the mantel clock struck six. Laney and Ruth descended the stairs, freshly scrubbed, hair smoothed into order, and in nice dresses. McCain stood at the foot of the stairs and invited in a jovial tone, “Come into my parlor.”

  Said the spider to the fly. Ruth couldn’t keep from thinking how apt the poem was. She edged in front of Laney so she and Josh could have a second before his father came into the room. Josh met her and slid his arm about her waist. Ruth leaned as close as her hoops would allow.

  “Ruth, do you know Daryl Farnsworth of the law firm Farnsworth, Tabbard, and Farnsworth?”

  “I don’t believe I’ve had the pleasure. I know his father, though.”

  “Miss Caldwell.” Mr. Farnsworth sketched a polite bow.

  “And this is my daughter, Elaine,” McCain said. Even before the attorney could give Laney a sociable greeting, McCain declared, “We’re all like family. We keep no secrets, Farnsworth. Why don’t we all sit down and let the man tell Ruth why he’s traveled all this way.”

  Farnsworth’s brow creased. “Miss Caldwell?”

  Ruth turned to Josh. “Mama taught me people ought not discuss finances openly. Perhaps just you could remain in the room. I’d appreciate your guidance.”

  “Oh, I understand. Excuse me.” Laney slipped out of the room.

  McCain came to stand on Ruth’s other side. “There. I’m sure you feel better now that we’ll be in private.”

  Mr. Farnsworth stretched to his full height. “I believe Miss Caldwell expressed her wishes. She, I, and Mr. McCain—”

  “Josh, go on and get outta here,” McCain ordered.

  Ruth gasped at his audacity.

  Josh immediately turned to her. His movement set her off balance, and she teetered.

  “She’s faint,” Farnsworth declared.

  Josh pulled her closer still. She’d been ready to deny any faintness. Never once had she been in the slightest bit swoony. Well, not until Josh held her so tight. Ruth closed her eyes and dared to rest her head on his chest.

  “McCain, does your daughter have any smelling salts?” Farnsworth hinted as he gently touched Ruth’s shoulder. “Let’s lie her down.”

  Josh’s father growled as he stomped out of the parlor.

  “She’ll be okay if we can sit her down,” Josh declared. “Come, Ruth.”

  She shuffled along beside him for a few steps and sank onto the settee. Josh sat on part of her skirts and kept her head cupped to his shoulder.

  Farnsworth stood behind the settee, bent forward, and whispered, “Miss Caldwell, you have every right to privacy. Shall we meet in town tomorrow?”

  Ruth let out a shaky breath. “It’s not right for Josh to be caught in the middle. We may as well lay things out in the open.”

  “You don’t have to,” Josh said softly.

  “Here.” McCain rushed into the room. “A burning feather’s supposed to work.”

  Ruth pushed away from Josh. “Thank you, but I’m much improved.”

  “She’s delicate,” McCain said to the attorney as he set a feather from one of Laney’s hats off to the side. “Perhaps we men should handle the business.
You can be assured we’ll take good care of our little Ruth.”

  “I traveled across the nation to conduct this business with Miss Caldwell personally. I must insist that she be included in all conversations.”

  “Fine.” McCain took his usual seat. “Ruthie, dear, you just sit back and listen. I’ll handle things for you.”

  “My father assured me Miss Caldwell is quite competent to take care of all her personal business matters.”

  “Of course I am.” Ruth felt her hairpins slipping. “I’m sure you must have prepared a written report for me.”

  “Indeed.” The attorney withdrew a sizable packet of papers from a case she hadn’t noticed until now. “This portfolio outlines your current investments. They’re sensibly diversified, as per your grandfather’s instructions. Before you traveled here, I understand you asked my father to keep the investments in place as they were.”

  “I did.” Ruth accepted the papers.

  “You’ll be pleased to know that the Hadleys have received their portion of the inheritance and purchased a lovely cottage.”

  “That is wonderful news. Thank you.”

  “I was asked to deliver this to you.” He pulled a glittering item from his vest pocket. “I believe it belonged to your grandmother.”

  “Oh! Grandmother’s brooch.” She cradled the diamondstudded gold piece in her hands. “I remember her wearing this. When Haley’s comet came through in 1835, Grandfather commissioned this star for her.”

  “It’s a beautiful keepsake,” Josh said.

  “As for the remaining portion of the estate …” Mr. Farnsworth paused.

  “Would those be the items Ruth mentioned are being shipped through Sacramento?” Josh asked.

  “There were things I couldn’t bear to part with.” Ruth fished her fan out of her sleeve and fluttered it twice before hitting her chin.

  Josh reached over and swiped it from her. “I’ll make sure those are freighted here.” His hand dwarfed the fan, but he held the ivory-and-silk piece with surprising dexterity.

  Easing back into his chair, Farnsworth stated, “Actually, the housekeeper and her husband felt six months was far too long for Miss Caldwell to wait for her goods. Instead of shipping them around the Horn, they requested my leave to hire the Overland Freight to fill two of their wagons in order to expedite their arrival. I wouldn’t be surprised for them to reach here any day now.”

  “How nice,” Ruth said.

  Swishing her fan toward her a few times, Josh asked, “Are we done, then? I’m sure Ruth would like to be given time to—” “Surely the girl must have some funds to provide for her immediate financial needs, doesn’t she?” McCain prodded.

  Ruth couldn’t lie. She let out a little sigh. “Naturally I do.”

  Farnsworth asked, “Miss Caldwell, would you like to go rest? I can return tomorrow, or we can meet in town if you’d rather.”

  “Can’t you see this is a strain on her?” McCain scowled. “Drawing the matter out is far too hard on the woman. Just say what you came to and be done with it!”

  “What would you like to do, Ruth?” Josh asked.

  She thought for a moment. McCain had proven to be remarkably tenacious. She might delay allowing him full knowledge of the scope of her inheritance, but not for long. As a woman of inde- pendent means and a sound mind, she could do whatever she wished; but Proverbs frequently exhorted to “seek wise counsel.” Josh is honorable and kind. I can rely on him. Unless I’m impossibly rude, I won’t get rid of his father. Even then, if I do, I’m pitting father against son. I cannot do that.

  Looking from Josh to Farnsworth and back, she said, “Let’s see this through to the conclusion.”

  “As you wish,” Farnsworth said. “Transporting funds turned out to be a bit of a challenge. Free banking has made the notes issued by some institutions unstable, if not downright worthless. Since eastern and western banks don’t hold reciprocal agreements, double golden eagles are the prudent choice. Unfortunately, they are heavy in any bulk.”

  “Bulk,” McCain repeated under his breath.

  “I took the liberty of purchasing some excellent diamonds from the new Henry Morse cutting factory in Boston. Diamonds are easy to carry and conceal. Their value only stands to appreciate. The portfolio has a second section in the back which contains the certificates for these.” Farnsworth withdrew a small black velvet pouch from his case.

  Ruth accepted the diamonds and held them in her lap along with the brooch.

  “Don’t you want to look at them, girl?” McCain rasped.

  “That would be unforgivably rude of me. Please, Mr. Farnsworth, continue.”

  “I alluded to double eagles.” He cleared his throat. “My valise is in the hallway. It’s a specially made piece with a reinforced false bottom. The valise contains slightly more than fifteen pounds of double eagles.”

  “Fifteen pounds.” McCain tried to cover his choking sound with a gruff cough.

  “Of course you won’t want to keep them here at home, Ruth,” Josh said. “I’ll take you to town tomorrow, and you can keep them in the bank.”

  “How kind of you, Joshua.”

  “In fact,” Josh said, “Mr. Farnsworth, if you’d be willing to stay to supper and spend the night, we could both accompany Ruth tomorrow.”

  “I’d be delighted. Thank you.”

  Josh rested his arm across the back of the settee and toyed with the little tendrils across her nape.

  Such a tiny gesture, but Ruth felt all shivery inside. No man had ever been this close to her or this familiar. Was he putting on a show to trick his father into believing they held an affinity for one another, or was this just an absentminded action? She cast him a quick glance.

  Josh winked at her. “Farnsworth, am I mistaken, or do double eagles weigh just shy of an ounce apiece?”

  “You’re correct, sir.”

  “Sixteen ounces in a pound,” McCain said.

  “Yes, I know,” Ruth said. “But you were kind to remind me.”

  “And you have fifteen pounds in your valise… .” Josh’s voice trailed off.

  “Slightly more,” Farnsworth said. “Fifteen pounds was just over four thousand, eight hundred dollars. In the interest of keeping her financial figures round, I added in a few more so she’d have a small nest egg of five thousand dollars to start her new life out here in California.”

  “I don’t like that kind of money lying around.” Josh rose. “There’s a secret compartment in the desk—”

  “No!” McCain barked.

  “I don’t understand why you’d be opposed.” Farnsworth gave McCain a quizzical look.

  “I just returned from Sacramento. I … I bought Christmas gifts for Josh and Laney. And you, too, Ruth. They’re in there, and I don’t want to ruin the surprise.”

  “Christmas is half a year away.” Ruth looked at McCain with owl-eyed innocence.

  “I don’t get to Sacramento that often.” A calculating smile lit his face. “But I suppose I’ll need to take you there—actually, on to San Francisco so you can convert the diamonds back into real money.”

  “I’d discourage you from doing so,” Farnsworth said. “As I mentioned, the diamonds will only appreciate in value. You can liquidate them as necessary, but since you have sufficient funds for the time being …” He shrugged.

  “We’re so pleased for you, Ruth.” McCain came over and kissed her cheek.

  Ruth fought the urge to wipe away the contact.

  “Everything’s worked out so well,” McCain continued on. “I was concerned for your future, but I now see it was needless worry. You’re quite the heiress.” He turned and walked toward the door. “Everything’s worked out beautifully. I’ll go on into town with you tomorrow and see Rick Maltby.”

  “Whyever would you do that?” Ruth wondered.

  McCain turned toward her. “Surely, since you’ve discovered your good fortune, you’ll not want to bother claiming any portion of the ranch.”

  “A
re you suggesting my client renounce her birthright?” Farnsworth shook his head. “No. Absolutely not. Miss Caldwell, I must advise you against such a hasty and imprudent decision.”

  “Ruth’s not a selfish woman. I’m sure she understands she doesn’t need what little money we make at the Broken P.”

  “Oh, I don’t plan to keep the money for myself.” Ruth reached up and stuck in her hairpins before her hair came tumbling down. She took her time, then cupped the brooch and pouch of diamonds in her hands once again. Pressing them to her heart, she said, “I’ll use it all for a good cause.”

  “Charity begins at home.” McCain’s voice was tough as granite.

  “Oh, I’m so glad we agree. You see, I’m going to found a library for the whole town!”

  “Daddy’s acting funny,” Laney said as she crawled into bed.

  Ruth wondered why the belt of her dressing gown was so short. She glanced down to find she’d knotted it into a huge mess.

  “It’s sweet, the way he’s hovering over you. It’s not my business, and I don’t want to pry, but you truly don’t have to worry about your future, Ruth. Daddy’s right. You belong here with us, and nothing’s ever going to change that.”

  Keeping her head bowed as she untangled the knot, Ruth changed the subject. “Do I need to mix one of the headache powders for you tonight?”

  “I’m quite well, thank you.” Laney patted the other side of the bed. “Isn’t it something, how everything always works out? Why, since you’ve been staying with me, it left your room vacant for that nice Mr. Farnsworth.”

  “He is nice, isn’t he?” Ruth lifted the kerosene lamp from the washstand and carried it to a small table in the far corner of the bedchamber.

  “I’m not overly sleepy. Are you going to read to me?”

  “You need your rest, Laney. The doctor said you wouldn’t make a complete recovery if we weren’t diligent about your sleeping sufficiently.” Ruth picked up the portfolio Mr. Farnsworth had given her. “I’m supposed to look this over.”

  Laney’s pretty face scrunched up. “I bet it’s so boring, you fall asleep faster than I do.”

  Ruth laughed as she opened the folder. Grandfather had inherited a small shipping company and invested some of the profits in a Lowell textile mill. When Mama returned home, Grandfather sold his holdings and moved them to St. Louis. No one ever discussed finances, so Ruth hadn’t known what a shrewd businessman her grandfather had been.