Texas Tango: Texas Montgomery Mavericks, Book 2 (2 page)

KC lifted the sheath of papers again. “He left two-hundred thousand to your parents for their missionary work, or to use as they wish.”

Caroline smiled. “That was nice of him. I know Mom and Dad will be thrilled.”

“If you can provide me with their current location and a way to contact them, I can inform them of their inheritance, unless you want to, that is.”

She shook her head. “No, that’s okay. I’ll let you contact them. I’ll call your secretary with that information tomorrow. I don’t have it with me right now.”

“I figured you’d probably want me to contact them.”

Caroline shrugged. “I’m not even sure my last contact information for them is current. If not, I’ll get you in touch with the missionary organization that sponsors them.”

“Fine,” KC said. “Going on, he left your brother two-hundred thousand for his college education. Should Noah choose not to attend college, the money will be left in a trust until he turns thirty.”

“Oh.” She jolted upright. Elation bubbled. “That was so nice of him. He never met Noah. I never expected this.” Her back muscles relaxed at the thought of Noah’s college education being funded. “I have been worried about paying for Noah’s education when the time comes. There’s no way my parents or I could afford to send him, and frankly I didn’t want him to graduate with educational loans like mine. This is just so great.”

“I knew you had a much younger brother, but you’ve never mentioned his age. I guess I didn’t realize he was old enough for college.”

Caroline smiled. “He isn’t. He just turned fourteen, so it wasn’t a pressing problem, but now…I am so relieved. Continue. I’m sorry for the interruption.”

“Feel free to stop me any time you have a question about any of this. That’s what I’m here for. He left your uncle Pat and his wife, Leslie, one-hundred-and-fifty thousand each.” KC looked up from the will. “I don’t understand this next one but you might. I’m going to read it just like he asked me to write it.” She looked down again. “To my sister, Mamie. I’ve held on to this since we were kids. It’s yours now. Practice up for when we meet again.” She picked up a leather-covered box off her desk and passed it to Caroline.

The sun streaming through the window shot streaks of light off the jangling state-shaped charms on her bracelet as Caroline reached for the box. A sad smile crossed her lips when she looked inside and found an old, worn checkers game. “Perfect. She’ll love this.” She closed the box. “Go on.”

“He left small amounts to the church, local library, places like that.” She passed Caroline a printed sheet of paper. “Here’s the list.”

Caroline read down the list of bequeaths ranging from as little as ten-thousand dollars for the public library to fifty-thousand to his housekeeper. “Good. I like to see that he’s remembered so many worthy causes in the community.” She scanned the list again. “What about his ranch? Before he died he told me he had a great plan for it.”

Surprise flashed across her friend’s face before she continued. “I’m sorry, Caroline. I just assumed you knew. Angus left the ranch with the house, all its furnishings and the ranch animals to you. In fact, you inherit the remainder of the estate.”

Caroline dropped heavily against the back of the chair, her mouth agape in shock. Blood rushed from her head, leaving her feeling a little faint. “What? Are you serious? I mean, of course you’re serious, but why would he do that?”

KC pulled a sealed envelope from the file and passed it across her desk. “He left this for you.”

“Should I read it now?”

She shrugged. “The envelope was sealed when I received it. I don’t know what’s in it, so I can’t advise you on that. However, you may have questions for me after you’ve finished reading.”

KC stood. “I’m going to step out and grab something to drink. Can I get you another water or something else to drink?”

“No. Thank you.” Caroline’s voice was a shaky whisper. “Why would he do this?” she said to no one in particular.

Her heart raced with the emotional jolt of seeing her name written in Angus’s handwriting. Caroline slid a finger under the envelope’s flap. The click of the closing door barely registered as she pulled a lined piece of notebook paper from the envelope and began to read.

Dearest Caroline,

If you’re reading this I’ve gone to meet my maker. Don’t be sad. I had a long life and did everything I ever set out to do. We have both known for quite some time that my end was near. Having you here with me has been one of the joys of my life. I regret not enticing you here sooner. Your parents may have given you birth, but my sister did a wonderful job raising you. You are a caring, loving woman and I prayed daily that you would find the happiness you deserve.

You may be wondering why I left you Singing Springs Ranch. Since my beloved Bernice and I could never have children, I felt like you were the closest thing to a real family I have left. I hope you will consider staying in Whispering Springs as the town can use a doctor of your skills and compassion.

If you feel you must move on, you may dispose of the ranch as you see fit. My only request is that you not sell Singing Springs to any of the Montgomery family. Since I’m gone and will never know what you do with the property, I can only hope you will use good judgment in your decision.

Please know that I loved you like a daughter.

Be happy. Love well. Build a good life.

All my love,

Uncle Angus

A large tear rolled off her cheek and splattered in the middle of the page, smearing the ink. Seemingly out of nowhere, a box of tissue slipped between her and the letter in her lap. She jerked a couple out and blew her nose.

“Thanks,” she said with a sniff. “That old coot. How dare he make me cry like this.” God, she would miss him.

The chair beside her creaked as KC lowered herself into the seat. She put an arm around Caroline’s shoulder. Caroline rested her head against KC’s arm and took a deep breath.

“What can I help you with, Caroline?”

She sat back and looked at KC. “Uncle Angus basically tells me that I can do anything I’d like with his ranch except sell it to a member of your family. Why? I don’t get it. He came to you as his lawyer. Until I came to town, he saw Jason Montgomery’s fiancée as his doctor. He never said an unkind word about any of the Montgomerys. I’m baffled.”

KC chuckled. “Angus and I got along fine. In fact, he got along with all the Montgomery women, even doted on us. His feud was with my great-grandfather, and even after Great-Grandpa Henry died, Angus just couldn’t let go.”

When KC didn’t explain further, Caroline frowned. “So? What did they fight over?”

“Great-Grandma Helen.”

“Are you kidding me?”

KC shook her head. “Nope. But back in the forties, there was also some deal with some water rights, which between you and me was probably the real issue. But that was so long ago that I’m not sure of all the details. I was born after his wife died. Did you never meet Bernice?”

Caroline shook her head. “No. She died when I was just a baby.”

“From what I understand, he was crazy about her, so that’s why my money is on the water-rights disagreement. Nevertheless, there always seemed to be a competitive disposition between our two families. But even that had waned a great deal over the past ten years or so.”

“Well, I have no idea what was behind some ancient feud. I promise he never said anything to me about y’all except to complain that my medical partner snagged the only good Montgomery man before I could. Seems he really liked your cousin Jason.”

They both laughed and Caroline found her tension—coiled like a stiff bedspring—easing.

“But…” Caroline handed KC the letter, “…look at the last paragraph about selling Singing Springs.”

KC read it and tsked. “Still trying to control things from the grave. That is so much like something Angus would do. I know Travis has been trying to buy that property for years, but Angus wouldn’t sell. Don’t know why. Honestly, men can be so silly sometimes.” She handed the letter back. “But he’s made it clear that you can do whatever you want with the property. Should you decide to sell, I’ll be glad to help you any way I can. I’m sure you can get a good price for the ranch. But let me just say I agree with Angus about you staying here. I know Lydia would be thrilled. Anyway, I think we’ve covered everything…unless you have questions?”

“I don’t right now.”

“Fine. If you think of something, you know you can call on me anytime.”

Caroline stood when KC did. “Will do.” She hugged her friend, the charms on her bracelet rattling with movement. “Thanks for everything.”

“Any time. Let’s have dinner soon, okay?”

“Works for me.”

As Caroline left KC’s office, Jason called to her. “Caroline. Can you come in here for a minute?”

“Sure.” Caroline walked into his office. “What’s up, Jason?”

“Lydia and I are having dinner with my parents this weekend. I was just talking with my mother, and she asked me to invite you to join us. Can you?”

After talking with KC about the infamous Fitzgerald-Montgomery feud, she briefly wondered if discovering she was related to Angus Fitzgerald would affect her friendship with the Montgomerys. After seeing the entire Montgomery family at the funeral, Jason’s warm consolation, and now Jackie Montgomery’s invitation to dinner, she decided she was being foolish to even have such thoughts.

She smiled, warmed by Jackie’s dinner invitation. “I’d love to, Jason. Tell your mother thank you.”

“Great. Once I have all the details, I’ll let you know.”

Friday afternoon, Travis Montgomery pulled his truck under the only shade tree in the Montgomery and Montgomery Law Offices parking lot. He hoped his brother had some news for him about Fitzgerald’s place. After ten years of unsuccessfully trying to get Old Man Fitzgerald to sell, Singing Springs Ranch would finally be his. He could feel it in his bones.

He hadn’t known Fitzgerald had family, so finding out Caroline Graham was his great-niece was a tad of a surprise, but no big deal. Other than Caroline, no other Fitzgerald family members mentioned in the obit lived here. He couldn’t imagine that old tightwad leaving his ranch to any of them. And even if he did, there was no way anyone would up and move to Texas just because they inherited a rundown ranch, especially if that person knew nothing about ranching. Yup. Whoever ended up with Singing Springs would be thrilled to unload it, and Travis wanted to make sure that person unloaded it right into his hands.

He let himself in the back door of his brother’s office, stopping long enough to grab a bottle of cold water from the kitchen, then headed for the reception area.

After removing his beige straw cowboy hat, he leaned over the reception desk to give Jason’s secretary a wink. “Hi, Mags. Is little brother available?”

“Hey, handsome,” Margaret said then sighed. “If only I were twenty years younger and not married…”

Travis slapped his hat across his heart. “My bachelor days would be over.”

She smiled and nodded toward the closed door down the hall. “He’s on the phone. I’ll let him know you’re here. I’d offer you something to drink, but you seemed to have helped yourself.”

He rolled the dewy bottle on the back of his neck. “Can’t decide if I want to drink this or pour it over my head. Man, it’s a killer out there. What about KC? Is my lovely cousin around?”

Before Margaret could respond, Jason’s door opened. “I thought I heard a reprobate out here. Stop flirting with my secretary and c’mon back. I’ve got a date with Lydia tonight and you know she hates when I’m late.” He ducked back into his office, leaving the door ajar.

Travis groaned. “I’m coming.” He looked at Margaret and hitched his thumb toward the door where his brother had just been standing. “He been in this bad mood all day?”

She shook her head. “Nope. He was quite pleasant when KC headed out about thirty minutes ago. Your cousin’s got perfect timing. She always knows to clear out and avoid the Montgomery brothers when something’s brewing.”

“Lucky me. Wish I knew her magic.”

Travis entered his brother’s office and closed the door behind him. He dropped onto the thick leather sofa running along the office wall then set his hat crown-side down on the cushion beside him. He draped his arm along the back of the sofa. “I hope you’ve got some good news for me. I’ve had a bitch of a day.”

“What happened?”

“One of the Webster kids spooked a new stallion I’d just unloaded. The bastard almost trampled me, John and a couple of hands before we could get him under control.”

Jason frowned. “I’d think your foreman’s kids would know better than to get near a stallion, especially one I suspect was antsy to begin with. Which kid?”

Travis’s mouth cocked up on one side in a grimace. “Rocky. He had a classmate visiting, and I think he was trying to impress him. But after John and Nadine get done with him, I suspect his ears will be ringing for the next week.” He gave a small chuckle. “And I’m getting my stalls mucked out for free for at least a month, maybe two.”

“I hated mucking stalls.”

“So I remember. What’s the good news?”