The Rightful Heir (15 page)

Jared was so like him. Though they'd not spent time together for two decades, Jared had inherited many of his grandfather's mannerisms.

She lowered her hands to the composing table and held the stick at an angle to prevent the type from sliding out. “Your grandfather would have stood just like you are now, with his hand on my shoulder and a kind word.” She felt his hand lift.

He went to the stove and poured himself a cup of coffee. “You seem to be carrying the weight of the world on those shoulders these days.”

“Not the entire world.” She picked up another letter for the reward. “Only my world.”

She saw him lean against the desk. “Do you realize how big your world is, Mary Lou?”

“It's not big at all, Mr. Ivy.”

“Mr. Ivy?” He put his coffee on the desk and came to stand by her. “I'm not my grandfather.”

“You're everything good that he was.” She didn't look up but kept adding the font tiles to the composing stick.

Jared took the stick from her and propped it on the composing table so her work would not be undone. She smiled at the thought of how much he'd learned. His spelling had even improved.

“Thank you for letting me know the ways that I am like Grump.” He put his hand on her shoulder again. “But when I do this to comfort you, I am one hundred percent Jared at that moment.”

She blushed at his words. The warm-rush-of-color-that-made-her-eyes-widen kind of blushing. The kind of reaction no other man had been able to evoke in her. But she couldn't react to him.

She knew the truth about men. They might be handsome and strong, but none ever stayed when it mattered. Even if they wanted to, the circumstances of life—or even death—could take them away.

Mary Lou put her hand over his. “I know. But I also know that you and I are about to face a challenge that has the potential to destroy any friendship we've built. It will be difficult for me to face having to leave this newspaper.” She patted his hand and pulled it from her shoulder, then let it fall through her fingertips to hang at his side. “I don't think I can bear it if we become more than friends and then that happens.”

He took a step back. “I see.” He put a hand to the side of his neck and pressed against the muscles there. “You think I am being kind to you to prevent there being a problem when we stand before the judge?”

“No.” She reached out to touch him, but pulled her hand back at the last moment. “I know you are genuine.” She stretched her arms in a wide-sweeping motion. “But this is my life. This paper, the house, telling these stories...it's all I've known for years. If I lose that, I don't know who I'll be. And I won't pretend I'll know how to handle that.”

He leaned back against the desk and studied his boots. “I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable.”

The sound of breaking glass drew their attention to the street. Two men tumbled out of the front of the saloon.

Mary Lou grabbed her notebook and pencil. “I'll go see what's happening. You finish your article.” She was out the door before he answered.

It was another pointless bar fight. The sheriff and Doc Willis took care of the men after the commotion died down. Mary Lou made notes of names and who was at fault.

“Sheriff, where will you put these men? You've got men in both cells at the jail.”

Sheriff Collins grabbed the saloon fighter who wasn't injured by the scruff of his collar. “Looks like they'll be sharing their space tonight, Miss Ellison.” He pulled the man along and told the Doc to have someone bring the other one to the jail after he got him bandaged.

She grabbed a handful of her skirts and lifted the hem so she wouldn't trip as she hurried after the sheriff. “But who will you put together?”

“Don't guess it matters.” He kept a hand on the arm of the ruffian he escorted up the steps to the sidewalk in front of the jail.

“It does matter.” She pushed behind him. Andrew was looking out the window at the back of his cell. Mr. Finch was asleep on his bunk.

Sheriff Collins took the key from the nail by his desk and opened the door to Mr. Finch's cell. He gave a nudge to the angry man and closed the door behind him. As he reached to put the key back on the nail, Jared came in the door with the other man.

“Doc said to bring this one to you.”

Andrew backed up as the man was put in his cell. Still under the influence of the drink that no doubt started the fight, the man fell across the bunk with his face to the wall.

Jared stepped close to Andrew and spoke to him in a voice so low no one else could hear. Andrew nodded and sat on the other bunk in the small cell.

Mary Lou couldn't bear the thought of Andrew sharing a cell with such a man. “Sheriff...”

Jared took her by the elbow. “Let's you and I go outside.”

She looked over her shoulder as the door closed. “Why did you do that?”

“I saw you scurrying after the sheriff when he left. I stepped outside and Doc told me what happened. I brought the other guy so I could talk to Andrew. The last thing he needs is for one of those men to get the idea he's got a woman protecting him.” When she would have argued, he held up one hand. “I know you can protect him. But those men don't know you. And they'll be here overnight with Andrew locked in with them. I told him how to handle himself, and he understands.”

She knew he was right. “Will this nightmare never end?”

He took her arm and led her down the steps. “I pray it does. I really do.”

Chapter Fifteen

S
aturday morning, Jared finished reading the proof of the paper. “I don't see anything amiss.” He handed it to Mary Lou, who sat at the desk staring at the lists she'd made.

The whistle blew, announcing the arrival of the train.

“I'll read it in a minute.” She pushed the proof to the side of the desk.

“I'm going to meet the train and get the newspaper from Dallas. I'm following a story for the ranchers about the cattle markets.”

“Okay. We can print this edition after lunch.” She didn't look up when he left.

At the station he met the new man the railroad had taken on as the newsagent. He was a friendly fellow who asked if there was anything in particular that Jared would like him to bring on his regular stops in Pine Haven.

Jared was finishing his business with the man when he heard the sheriff's voice. “Judge Sawyer, it's good to see you again.”

Jared turned to see the judge shake hands with the sheriff. A ball formed in the pit of his gut. Not only would this man decide Andrew's fate, he would also decide who the rightful heir to the paper was. Jared had to tell Mary Lou the judge had arrived before anyone else did. They had hoped he wouldn't come to town for at least another week.

“Mr. Ivy.” The station master came out of his office and flagged Jared down. “Henry from the telegraph office said you need to stop in and see him as soon as possible.”

“Thanks, Mr. Meadows. I'll go now.”

Jared stopped in and got several answers to the telegrams he'd sent on Thursday after they'd gone all over town looking for clues about the thefts. He didn't try to read them all. He had to see Mary Lou before anyone else.

At the crossroads in the center of town, he was about to turn left toward the office when he saw Mary Lou headed into the jailhouse. He looked behind him and didn't see the sheriff or judge coming from the station. Perhaps they'd stopped at the hotel to get the judge a room.

Jared followed Mary Lou to the sheriff's office, opened the door and froze. Mary Lou stood in front of Andrew. The judge and sheriff were deep in conversation at his desk. Jared went to her. “I tried to get to you before you found out from someone else. I heard the sheriff talking to the judge at the train depot.”

“We both knew it could be any day. I just hope we can convince the judge of Andrew's innocence.”

Jared scanned the two cells and asked, “How are you, Andrew?”

He nodded his head. “Thank you for helping me. I won't forget it. No matter what happens.”

Mary Lou said, “Keep praying. God pays attention to the smallest sparrows. He's watching over you, too.”

The sheriff stepped around the desk. “Folks, we'll be having the trials Monday morning at nine.”

“So soon?” Mary Lou bit her lip.

“The judge needs to be on the train Tuesday morning.”

The judge stepped forward. “I want to be home with my family for Thanksgiving next week. And I don't like to work on the Lord's Day, or we'd do it tomorrow.”

The sheriff made introductions. “This is Mary Lou Ellison, she took ownership of the
Pine Haven Record
when Jacob Ivy passed a few months ago. This is Ivy's grandson, Jared Ivy. He's come to town with a will saying the paper is his. Their case will be the last one for the day. I figure it will go quick.”

A discussion on selecting a jury for the trials ended the meeting.

Jared and Mary Lou left the sheriff's office.

“Would you like to go to the hotel for lunch? I think we need to spend all of our spare time before the trial going over the notes we have.” He glanced at her. She'd been quiet most of the day. “My treat.”

“We can go. You don't have to buy my meal. I'm as anxious as anyone to see Andrew freed. If you think we might find something we've overlooked in all this time, I'm glad to be there.”

“I've prayed for some way to help Andrew. It happened gradually, but I've prayed more since I came to Pine Haven than ever before. I think it may be on account of your influence.” It was a change that gave him comfort and peace.

“The Lord never lets us down. Mr. Ivy said to do what you know to do and trust God for the rest.”

“That seems wise.”

“Your grandfather was a wise man.”

Monday would hold many answers. Jared knew that God would see him through whatever those answers were.

And the telegrams in his pocket might contain information that could help, too.

They sat at a table with plates of fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans and biscuits. “We'll be full for the rest of the day.”

Mary Lou said grace and they began to eat. “I wish the paper would go out before the trials. If we'd known, we could have put it out today. I'd like people to see the reward offer again before the judge makes his decision.”

“I've received several replies to the telegrams I sent Thursday afternoon.” He pulled the telegrams from his pocket and put them on the table between them. “I haven't had a chance to read them.”

Mary Lou dropped her fork onto her plate and picked them up. “This is wonderful. The company where Mr. Finch worked before fired him because they thought he was stealing from them.”

“We'd need more than a suspicion. We'll need proof for the judge.”

“Listen to this.” She held the second telegram. “Finch fired. Stole jewelry from wife. Spent two years in jail.” She handed it to him.

“This is from the Houston area. I'm glad the sheriff recommended making inquiries further afield.” He folded the telegram and put it in his pocket. “I'll show this one to Sheriff Collins.”

Mary Lou read three more telegrams that were consistent but didn't bring absolute proof. The last one caused her to smile as tears filled her eyes. She passed it to him without comment.

Jared read it. “This is the one we needed. Now we know Finch was a pickpocket and tried to frame someone else before he was caught. We just have to convince the judge that this is what happened to Andrew.”

“Oh, Jared, there's hope. Real hope.” She blinked the tears away.

“I'm sorry I ever doubted your judgment.” He put his hand over hers on the table.

She shrugged her shoulders. “You didn't know me or Andrew. It's difficult to assess someone's character until you know them.” She slid her hand from beneath his and picked up her fork again. “Let's pray the judge sees the truth, too.”

They finished their meal and returned to the office to print the paper. Operating the press with her today could be the last time they worked together.

What did Monday hold? He wanted time to stand still, so he'd never have to know.

* * *

Mary Lou inked the plate and Jared loaded the paper onto the press. “I'm wondering if a special edition would be in order for next week.” As soon as she said the words, she realized she might have no say in the matter. Everything on her list had to be done by Monday or she might never get to do it.

“Let's make that decision on Monday.” Jared pulled the lever to print the page. “How are you coming along with the things on your lists?”

She hung a paper to dry. “I thought I was making good progress. To be honest, Judge Sawyer arriving today caught me a bit off guard. Even though the sheriff warned us, I'd hoped for more time.”

“At least we have some evidence to help Andrew.”

“Yes. I wonder who they will try first.”

“That's a good question. I'll see if the sheriff will tell me tomorrow. That could greatly affect Andrew.”

Mary Lou had to know what he was thinking about their own situation coming before the judge on Monday. “What do you think will happen with us? And the paper?”

Jared cranked the plate under the press and pulled the lever again. “I think the judge will honor Grump's will.” There was no gloating or grandiose tone in his statement. Just the truth as he saw it. Plain and simple.

There was nothing she could say. No way to defend her position to him. She still believed the paper rightly belonged to her.

Jared stopped working. “I have a question that has troubled me since I arrived.”

“What?”

“Why didn't you contact me after Grump died?” He stood facing her, with the press between them. The machine they used to inform the community was the thing that held them together and kept them apart.

“I didn't think you cared.” She felt it only fair to be as honest as he had been.

“You didn't know me.”

“That's the point. I didn't know you. Neither did Mr. Ivy.” She gave a hopeless shrug. “You never answered your grandfather's letters. I didn't think you wanted anything to do with him or his life. I never thought you'd want the
Record
.”

“I had a right to know.”

“He loved you, you know. He built this for you, but he gave it to me.” She took a deep breath. It was time to bare her soul to him. As much as she'd grown to care for Jared, Mr. Ivy had wanted her to have the paper—even though no one else heard him tell her so, she knew it. And God knew it. “I can't just give it to you. It's all I have left of the man who taught me everything I know about journalism and life.

“About how people could let you down. And how you could let them down. He said he'd learned his lesson the hard way—when he lost his son, and ultimately his grandson. He didn't want me to do the same thing. I won't let him down.”

She stretched her arms wide. “This was his dream. The way he'd hoped to win your favor. He gave himself to it without reservation. I won't let someone who didn't care enough about him to answer his letters take away the only thing he had—his voice.”

Jared argued, “I will speak for him. It's my right as his grandson.”

“Blood isn't the only thing that makes someone part of a family. No one ever protected me until he did. Even when I declined his offer to adopt me so I'd be a real member of his family, he never stopped protecting me.”

“He wanted to adopt you?” Jared didn't sound surprised.

“He did, but I thought I was too old.”

“Blood doesn't make you family, either. My mother didn't protect me like family should.”

What? His mother, the woman he'd been with all his life, hadn't protected him. “What do you mean?”

“She didn't tell me that Grump wanted to be in my life.”

“The letters were mailed to you.”

“I never saw them. Not once. She burned them all when they came and never told me.” The sadness in his eyes proved the truth of his words to her.

“Jared, I'm so sorry.”

“She must have used the money he sent to take care of me and pay for my school, like you said, but I didn't know it. I thought it was her money.”

“How did you find out about the letters?”

“When she was dying, she confessed. She told me about how desperate Grump was to see me and get to know me. How she'd kept me away from him to protect me. She blamed him for my father's death. It caused her to be bitter. I can see that now.” He came around the press to stand in front of Mary Lou. “She's the reason I mistrusted women. My whole life was a series of deception and lies. Every time I asked about Grump, she avoided a direct answer. Sometimes she lied. But she was always unhappy after I asked. I eventually stopped asking.”

It was a tragic tale of a child denied the love of a man who'd wanted to be in his life. But it didn't change the love Mr. Ivy'd had for her. “I loved him. And he loved me. I wasn't his kin, but he loved me. I was here.”

“You've said yourself that he loved me in spite of me not being here.”

“He did. But in the end, he had to give his legacy to someone he knew would care for it and protect it. He chose me.”

Jared put a hand on her arm. “I know you don't understand, but I can't let it go. As much passion as you feel about the
Record
, I feel that way about fulfilling Grump's lifelong dream. The
Pine Haven Record
should always have an Ivy at the helm.”

“I guess, in the end, it will be up to Judge Sawyer to decide.” She backed away from his touch. “We've bared our hearts to one another without malice. It's a matter of seeing the story from two sides. Only, we are the story. And the paper will record our future when it happens. The only thing left to do is put it in God's hands and wait.”

“You're right.” He moved to the other side of the press and put another piece of paper in place.

The rhythm of the press was the only sound as they finished printing the paper. He offered to clean the press, so she bid him good-night and went home to gather her thoughts and to pray. To pray for Andrew. For Judge Sawyer. For Jared. And for her broken heart. Her instinct that they could not surmount their differences had been right.

She'd broken Mr. Ivy's steadfast rule. She'd forgotten to remain objective. Her heart would be safe if she hadn't fallen in love with a man who embodied everything she admired and respected. But if he took the paper from her, he would rob her of everything. She wouldn't be safe—and it would be his fault.

* * *

Reverend Dismuke prayed the closing prayer and dismissed the service just after noon on Sunday. He had announced to the congregation the judge's arrival and that court would be held the next day. The sheriff's request for them to spread the word and come willing to serve as jurors if called upon had the people buzzing with conversation as they dispersed.

Jared sat alone near the back corner of the building. Mary Lou lifted her hand in acknowledgment of his presence when she exited the church.

He loved her. More than he ever thought he could love anyone.

And he couldn't let her know. It would be unfair to her. She would think he was trying to woo her to protect his interest in the paper. After a ruling that gave him ownership of the paper, any attempt to share his feelings could be construed as pity. She would never stand for that. If the judge ruled in her favor, she'd think he only wanted to stay because he felt it was his right. There was no solution to this problem. What would have happened if he'd never showed her or the sheriff Grump's will? He may have been able to develop a relationship with her that wouldn't have been built around the paper. It was too late for that now.