“I’ll take care of that for you,” Lester said quickly. “And I’ll come by when you’re done here and take you to supper. I’m certain Dory will appreciate your company.”
“You don’t need—”
“I insist.” Lester gave Mitch a terse nod, then turned and left before Ivy could protest further.
* * *
Mitch didn’t like this—something about Lester Stokes’s story seemed off.
Once Ivy closed the door, he crossed his arms. “Is this the same Lester you mentioned once before?”
Ivy nodded.
Mitch’s hands fisted at his sides. Just the thought of what that snake had put Ivy through was enough to make him throw his vows of nonviolence to the winds. “Then I don’t want you traveling with him tomorrow. I’ll escort you to Nettles Gap myself.”
She placed a hand on his arm. “Thank you. But that won’t be necessary. Lester is obviously trying to make amends, and with Dory tagging along, I’m sure he’ll be on his best behavior.”
“I’m not so sure his motives are as benevolent as you appear to believe.”
She waved away his concerns. “I’ll be fine. I’m not a naive sixteen-year-old any longer. If Lester does resort to some of his old tricks—which I highly doubt—I can take care of myself.”
“Be that as it may—”
“Please. There’s enough gossip circulating about us as it is. How do you think it will look if you follow me back to Nettles Gap?”
“How it will look is not my primary concern.”
She gave him a teasing smile. “I never thought I’d hear those words from Mr. Propriety himself.” Then she moved past him toward the kitchen. “Now, lunch should be just about ready. Would you ask Calvin and James to get washed up and join us?”
Mitch watched her head down the hall, frustration almost smothering him. No matter how much he reasoned or cajoled, she still refused to marry him. And now she was leaving in the morning. She’d return, of course, once Miss Jacobs was better. But only to complete the negotiation with Carter. After today, he wouldn’t have her to himself, or even in his life again. Order and peace would be restored.
And he couldn’t garner even a speck of enthusiasm for that prospect.
* * *
The next morning, Ivy settled into her seat on the train and stared out the window. Mitch stood on the platform, Rufus at his side, watching as the train pulled away. Perhaps it was best this way, for them to have this clean break now, before the gossip could do any more damage.
But there was no denying how much she was going to miss Turnabout.
And Mitch.
When the train turned a curve and the town finally disappeared from sight, Ivy sat back and smiled at Dory beside her. “Thank you again for coming here with your brother.”
The girl glanced nervously toward Lester, then gave Ivy a shy smile. “You’re welcome. It was a chance for me to see someplace other than Nettles Gap.”
Lester, who sat across the aisle from them, stood. “Dory, change seats with me. Ivy and I need to talk.”
Something about Lester’s tone raised Ivy’s hackles. “What about?”
Lester didn’t answer her until he was comfortably settled beside her. “First, I wanted to put your mind at ease. Miss Jacobs is not injured—in fact, as far as I know, she’s as healthy as the day you left her.”
Ivy stiffened, her relief quickly followed by anger. Lester Stokes had fooled her again. But before she could say anything, he pressed on.
“I just needed a good excuse to get you back to Nettles Gap with minimum resistance and fuss.”
Icy spider legs scuttled up her spine. “Why?”
“Because of your inheritance, of course.”
How did he even know about that? Surely Reverend Tomlin hadn’t said anything.
“Someone came to town last week looking for information on you and your pa. I convinced him to tell me what was going on. Imagine my surprise when I found out that you’re going to be a prominent landowner soon.”
“So?”
“So, you’re going to marry me, and as your husband, I’m going to gain control of that land.”
Marry him? Ivy was so astonished she hardly knew what to say next. “What makes you think for even a minute that I’d consent to such a thing?”
“Because I’m not going to give you much choice. I can call in your precious Nana Dovie’s loan if you don’t.”
Ivy blanched, then recovered. It was Lester’s father who held the note on their place. And he was a much fairer man than Lester had ever been. Besides, that would soon be a moot point. “If my claim holds, it won’t matter. I’ll be able to pay the loan without any trouble.”
“But not before we’ve already repossessed the farm. There are ways to delay the judge’s arrival. And there are also ways to throw doubt on your claim to be who you say you are. Oh, you’ll win your case eventually, but think of the damage that can be done by the time you do.”
She stared at him defiantly. “I don’t need to wait for the judge. Carter Mosley and I have discussed settling this between us.”
Some of his confidence seemed to slip. “You haven’t signed any papers yet, have you?”
“No, but I gave my word—”
“Then it’s not too late to back out. From what I can tell, you have a claim to half of the whole estate.”
“But that’s not what I agreed to. And with this offer from Carter, I should be able to get matters settled quickly, so there’s nothing for you to hold over me.” Surely he couldn’t force her hand.
His expression turned ugly. “You think not? Do you really believe you can get matters settled and have money in hand before I evict Miss Jacobs?”
She hesitated and he grinned triumphantly. “I’ve heard how she can’t leave her place. I hear she gets agitated and downright hysterical if she tries. I wonder how it will affect her if the sheriff comes by to toss her out?”
“You might be that cruel, Lester Stokes, but I don’t think your father is. Especially if I tell him about the money I’ll have shortly.”
“My parents are on a business trip. He left me in charge until he returns, which may be as much as a month from now.”
Ivy felt trapped, but struggled not to show it. “How can you do this? You already have so much.”
His face twisted. “I have nothing—it’s all my father’s. Gaining control of that land means I won’t have to live under his thumb anymore.”
The dark determination in his expression scared her. “What if I just sign over a part of my inheritance to you?”
He seemed to think about that for a minute, then shook his head. “I know you’ve gotten cozy with that boss of yours. No doubt he’d help you find some way to wiggle out of the deal. No, the only way to be certain is for us to get hitched.”
Ivy frantically tried to come up with a way out. How could she marry Lester after she’d spurned Mitch, saying she’d hold out for a love match?
But if she didn’t, Nana Dovie would lose her home, and worse. She couldn’t bear to think what it would do to that dear lady if she were forced to leave.
Nana Dovie had made many, many sacrifices to raise her, and now it was time for Ivy to return the favor, no matter how distasteful the task before her might be.
“Nana Dovie must never, under any circumstances, learn why I’m doing this.”
His face contorted into a triumphant smirk. “Agreed.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Mitch knelt in the garden, pulling weeds. Rufus lay nearby with his head forlornly resting on his front paws. It had been two days since the train had carried Ivy away, but it felt more like two months.
Mitch could barely stand to be inside the house. It seemed too quiet, too empty.
He felt empty.
He sat back on his haunches and stared at Rufus. “What’s happening to me? I never considered myself melodramatic before.”
The dog gave a halfhearted bark.
“Don’t worry, she hasn’t abandoned you. She’ll be back in a few days to meet with Carter and Adam. Which means I’ll have one more shot at getting her to see reason.”
Rufus set his head back down on his paws, watching Mitch with doubtful eyes.
“I don’t understand why she’s so resistant to the idea of marrying me. I know she’s been hurt, but given our situation, compromises must be made.”
He stabbed at the ground with the trowel. “If I can put my feelings aside and enter into marriage again after vowing I never would, then surely she can do the same.”
He pointed the trowel Rufus’s way. “And as for this matter of holding out for a love match—” Mitch slowly lowered his arm. “Perhaps, if she married me, love would come with time.”
This time Rufus’s bark was more enthusiastic.
Mitch gave him a wry grin. “One thing you do have going for you is that you’re a good listener.”
Suddenly the dog lifted his head, an alert look on his face. A moment later he was up and racing to the front yard.
Did they have company? Had Ivy returned already?
Mitch followed the dog in long strides. He rounded the corner to see not Ivy but Zeke Tarn from the train depot. Swallowing his disappointment, Mitch slowed his step.
Zeke descended the porch steps. “Oh, hi, Mr. Parker.” He held out a telegram. “This just came for you.”
Mitch’s pulse kicked up a notch. He pulled a coin from his pocket to give Zeke, then stepped inside before he allowed himself to open the telegram.
It was from Dovie Jacobs.
And it contained a single line:
IVY NEEDS YOU.
* * *
Mitch pulled the buggy to a stop and studied the place. According to the farmer he’d passed on the road about a mile back, this was Dovie Jacobs’s farm.
He smiled at the profusion of flowers bordering the fence and porch. Ivy lived here, all right.
Rufus jumped down and ran to the house, barking with tail-wagging enthusiasm.
Mitch followed, his pace nearly as hurried. That cryptic telegram had proven what Mitch already knew in his heart: he should never have let Ivy go with that snake—the man was nasty business. If he’d done anything to hurt Ivy—
The door opened before Mitch reached it, and he found himself facing a petite gray-haired woman with sparkling green eyes and gnarled hands resting on top of a walking stick.
He removed his hat. “You must be Ivy’s Nana Dovie.”
She’d been studying him with a piercing gaze. Then she smiled. “And you must be her Mitch.”
He gave a short bow, liking the sound of “her Mitch.” “Yes, ma’am, and I’m very glad to meet you. I came as soon as I received your telegram.” He tried to look past her into the house. “Where’s Ivy?”
“In town.” She frowned at him. “You’re almost too late.”
His disappointment in not seeing Ivy gave way to concern. “Too late for what?”
“To stop the wedding.”
Mitch felt as if the breath had been knocked out of him. “Ivy’s getting married?”
“She is. To that weasel Lester Stokes.”
“She loves him?” He refused to believe such a thing.
The woman snorted. “Ivy has more sense than that. But that’s what she tried to have me believe.”
He studied her, noting her firm stance. “So his report that you were injured was just a ruse.”
“I’m healthy as a horse.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Is that how he got her to come home with him?”
Mitch nodded. “It’s why I let her go.” He should have listened to his gut.
“That was a mistake.”
“Yes, ma’am, it was.” He tried to rein in his impatience. “Do you know the real reason she’s agreed to marry him?”
“I have a good idea.”
He waved a hand toward the two rockers on the porch. “Then let’s talk.”
* * *
Ivy shifted in the saddle. The horse she rode belonged to Lester’s family. She didn’t like the idea of being beholden to him, but he’d insisted, saying her borrowing it would go a long way toward making the community believe they were serious about their marriage.
The two of them had spent the morning with Reverend Tomlin making arrangements for the ceremony, which was to be held at Ivy’s home tomorrow morning. The preacher had wanted them to wait until Lester’s folks returned, but Lester had brushed that concern aside. He’d used Ivy and Nana Dovie’s financial situation as an excuse, and assured the clergyman that they would schedule a second ceremony when his parents were available.
Reverend Tomlin had shot her several concerned looks throughout the discussion, but she’d done her best just to smile and let Lester do the talking.
And all the time her mind was desperately trying to find a way out of this mess, as it had been ever since Lester had made his twisted proposal.
A part of her wished she’d accepted Mitch’s offer of marriage—he might not love her either, but at least he respected her. For one heartbeat of time, she thought about sending for him—her white knight who always seemed set on rescuing her.
But she discarded the thought almost immediately. Not only would it not be fair to him, but the thought of his coming to resent her later was unbearable.
If only Nana Dovie weren’t so tied to this place, she’d let Lester have the farm and take her someplace where they could both make a fresh start.
Like Turnabout.
But, as Nana Dovie liked to say, if wishes were fishes...
As their small farm came into sight, Ivy frowned. Whose carriage was that?
She nudged the horse into a faster gait. It wasn’t the reverend; she’d just left him. And no one else, other than an occasional peddler, ever came out here. Was Nana Dovie okay?
Then a familiar figure came bounding out the front gate. Rufus!
Her pulse kicked up a notch. There was only one explanation—Mitch was here.
But why? Could it be that he’d missed her as much as she’d missed him?
As soon as she arrived at the house, Ivy slid from the horse’s back and smoothed her skirt. Then she paused to make certain her bonnet was on straight.
Taking a deep breath, she headed inside. She found Mitch sitting at the kitchen table with Nana Dovie, sipping a cup of coffee.
He stood as soon as she entered, and the sight of the warm smile on his face was almost enough to make her fling herself into his arms. Instead, she merely smiled.
“What are you doing here?”
“Ivy Kathleen, what kind of question is that?” Nana Dovie gave her a stern look. “And he’s here because I sent for him.”
“Nana!”
“You didn’t think I would let you marry that bully Lester Stokes without doing something about it, did you?”
Ivy cast a quick, embarrassed glance Mitch’s way. She couldn’t believe Nana Dovie was involving him in all of this. She turned back to her. “It’s all settled. Reverend Tomlin will perform the ceremony here tomorrow morning. It’ll just be us, you and Dory.”
Please don’t let Mitch still be here. She couldn’t bear the idea of him watching her marry Lester.
“There’s not going to be a wedding.”
She blinked at the absolute certainty in Mitch’s voice. “Listen, Mr. high-and-mighty Mitch Parker, you can’t just walk in here and give me orders.”
“You told me once that you would only marry for love. Do you love Lester Stokes?”
“Who I love or don’t love is no
ne of your business.”
“So you don’t love him. That means you’re being coerced. Perhaps the fact that his father owns the note on this place has something to do with that.”
“Don’t you dare offer to pay that note. I won’t be taking charity from you or anyone else.”
“Ivy Kathleen!” Nana Dovie looked truly shocked. “Didn’t I teach you what a terrible sin pride is? And that ingratitude is nearly as bad?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Besides, last time I looked it was my name on the deed to this place. Don’t you think it should be my decision as to whether or not to accept an offer of help?”
“But—”
Nana Dovie patted her hand. “I know, dear, you’re just trying to help and be very brave in the process. But I can’t let you do that for me. And no, I’m not taking Mr. Parker’s money.”
“Then what—”
“I’m taking you both away from here.” Mitch’s tone brooked no argument.
“But—” Ivy turned and took the older woman’s hands. “Nana, I can’t let you do this.”
“I’ve held you back for too long. That stops now.” She smiled in satisfaction. “The way you described Turnabout, I think it’s going to be a mighty nice place to set down new roots.”
Ivy was afraid to let the hope building inside her unfurl. She looked from Mitch to Nana Dovie and back to Mitch, trying to make sense of it all.
Mitch gave her a reassuring smile. “Miss Jacobs and I discussed several things we think will make this trip smoother for everyone.”
“Such as?”
This time Nana Dovie spoke up. “There’s a medicine I know how to mix up that helps a person relax, relax so deeply they sometimes fall into a deep sleep. I’ll take this medicine tomorrow just before we leave, and with any luck I won’t even notice I’ve left home until I wake up in Turnabout.”
Ivy wasn’t convinced. “You’ve told me yourself that medicines can be tricky—different people react differently. How do you know it’ll work?”
“Because I’ve tested it on myself. Don’t look so shocked. I’ve wanted to take you away from here ever since Lester spread those lies about you five years ago. I just didn’t have anywhere to take you before now.”
Lone Star Heiress Page 23
