The Rightful Heir (3 page)

“Equal say? That's not how I heard the sheriff.” She argued without missing a lick at the work she and Andrew did.

“He said we have to work together.”

“That's fine. You can start where everyone else who ever worked here started. You can sweep up, and I'll teach you how to clean the press when we're finished printing. Next week you should be able to clean it on your own.”

“What?” How dare she speak to him like a subordinate? “I'm not a hired hand or apprentice. I'm the owner. And I won't be ordered about by you or anyone else.” She had nerve. That much was clear. He'd have to hold a tight line with her or she'd find a way to send him packing before the judge ever came to town.

“I'm just telling you what Jacob Ivy would have told you.” She motioned for Andrew to move a stack of blank paper closer. “No one puts a word in a story of the
Pine Haven Record
until they've proved themselves. I'm quite certain he'd have made no exception for you.”

The thought of Grump making her sweep the floors and clean the press made him smile. “Is that how you started?”

“It is.” She lowered the paper into place and Andrew cranked to move it under the press.

The teenager nodded. “Me, too. I've only been allowed to work on the press since about a year ago when Mr. Ivy started slowing down and passing the work load to Miss Ellison.”

Jared wasn't surprised at Grump's methods. It made sense. “How long have you worked here, Andrew?”

“Two years, sir.” He pulled the lever and the press lowered again. The two of them were efficient.

“Andrew's very smart, though. Don't expect to move up as quickly as he did.” Mary Lou let a tiny grin show at her words.

“I'll try to keep up.” Jared laughed. So she was sarcastic, too. He appreciated her refusal to back down from controversy. Under different circumstances—like him not being the cause of the controversy—Jared might be attracted to a woman like Mary Lou Ellison.

She pushed the thought out of his mind with a smirk. “See that you do.”

He sobered and stood his ground on the matter. “I want to learn every aspect of the business. But I won't be pushed to the side like I'm not the owner.”

Mary Lou stopped her work. “What exactly do you want me to do?”

“Consider what I've learned about Elmer Finch.” He pushed off his resting place against the desk and paced the front of the office.

“Who is Elmer Finch?” She drummed her fingers on the edge of the press as if she itched to get back to work.

“He's the man the sheriff arrested. The newsagent for the railroad. But why was he running away when you opened the door?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Perhaps to avoid being caught up in the gunfire?”

“But his gun was drawn. Most people run without stopping to draw their weapon. And if he was going to return fire, wouldn't he have taken cover inside the saloon?”

“Wait.” She creased her brow. “He said he's the newsagent? I've never seen him before. The newsagent is an older man, slight-framed, with a mustache.”

Jared shook his head. “He said it's his first day with the railroad.”

The whistle sounded, signaling the departure of the train. “He convinced the sheriff to release him, so he wouldn't miss the train.”

“Hmm...” She tapped her finger on the top of her lip just below her nose. Her mouth was a straight line as she thought. “If he's the newsagent, he'll be back. The same man has ridden this route since the train came to Pine Haven last year. I have no objection if you feel pressed to pursue an answer to your questions.” She inked the plate again and set the roller aside. “But I won't be willing to print anything that isn't verified.”

He reached for a newspaper and pulled it from where it hung to dry. The headline jumped off the page: Jacob Ivy's Grandson Seeks Ownership of
Record
. He lowered the paper and looked at her. “I see you added the latest news. Dare I read the content of the article? Am I a villain in your story?”

“I hold myself to the same high standards I told you about. There is nothing in the story of bias or opinion. Merely a statement of facts.”

He moved behind the desk and gestured at the chair. “May I?”

“I'm not sure I have a choice in the matter.” She turned back to the press.

The article was just as she'd said. Clear. Concise. Without bias or conjecture.

It was a surprise after the way she'd resisted his arrival and insisted the paper was solely hers. He hoped she'd maintain that approach after the judge declared him to be the rightful owner.

He looked over the top of the paper at her. “You left out the part about me coming here after being a ranch hand for several years.”

She kept working without looking at him. “Humph. If you had come back to the office, instead of traipsing all over town, I'd have had time for a proper interview. I was only able to include the limited knowledge I have of you.”

He raised the paper to finish reading. She wasn't one to be backed down. He could see that.

Watching her work today, and reading her story, gave him insight into why Grump had taken her on. Would it be lunacy to ask her to stay on once the paper was his? That depended on whether or not she'd only befriended his grandfather for the inheritance.

He hated to be so suspicious, but the lies his mother had told him all his life had left him skittish. Even when Momma hadn't lied, she'd avoided the truth. And he hadn't seen that truth until she'd confessed it all on her deathbed. He couldn't settle what he'd learned against the long-held belief that she was an upright Christian. How could he have been so wrong about someone so close to him? He didn't know if he'd ever trust his instincts again.

Suspicion was one trait he hoped would work to his advantage in the newspaper business.

* * *

Mary Lou studied Jared as he read the article. She didn't let him see her, but she watched every expression and waited for a response. As hard as it had been to write, she felt the town deserved to know the truth. After the way he'd announced it in the middle of town a few hours earlier, she hadn't seen another option. Best to get it out in the open to keep the gossipers at bay. The last thing she wanted was a man muddying up her life. Men had a way of intruding on her dreams and leaving her to pick up the pieces after they left.

Jared hadn't said a word after he'd read the entire paper. Andrew hung the last one to dry and reached for a rag to start the cleaning process. Mary Lou shook her head. “I've got it tonight. You go on home.”

“Are you sure, Miss Ellison? I don't mind staying. I need to work all I can. Feed and board for Midnight is costing me a pretty penny.” He looked eager to stay, but she didn't know how Jared's arrival would affect the finances of the paper. Best be conservative until they had a chance to talk it out.

“I think Mr. Warren may be looking to take on some more help at the hotel. Why don't you stop by there on your way home?”

Andrew's face lit up. “Thanks, Miss Ellison! I'll go right away.” He snatched his hat from the coat tree by the door and was gone.

The banging of the door brought Jared from his reverie.

Mary Lou tossed him a rag. “Are you ready to learn to clean the press?”

He shook his head as if she'd dragged him back from far away. “Sure.” He hung his coat on the rack by the door and pushed up his sleeves. “Do you have extra sleeve garters?”

She pointed to a shelf. “You can wear Andrew's.”

They set to work amiably enough. She'd been prepared for him to argue at every point and was surprised when he didn't. He caught on to things quickly and didn't shy away from the dirty tasks. She was pleased by how soon they finished.

“Well, Mr. Ivy, I must say I'm impressed. I'd have figured you to quit before we were half done.”

He pulled his coat on. “That's not very fair of you, Miss Ellison. You don't know me.”

She nodded. “I guess you're right. The things your grandfather told me are from long ago. Change was inevitable.”

He agreed. “We're all a result of many things. Who we are born to, but also the influences in our lives as we grow. I trust you'll learn to approve of me. Even if you never like me.”

Mary Lou gasped. “Mr. Ivy, I never said I didn't like you.”

“It was in your eyes, ma'am. A woman has a hard time hiding dislike.”

“You don't seem to have taken a shine to me, either.”

“Let's just say that for the time being we're at the same place, but on different sides of the situation.”

“On that, we can agree.”

He took his hat from the coat tree. “As to being in the same place, I already paid for the room at the hotel for the night. I'll move my things in tomorrow after services. If you'd be so kind as to show me where the rooms are.”

Mary Lou looked out the front window. The sun had set. If they stayed any later, she'd have to light the lamps. “It's getting very late. I can show you after lunch tomorrow.”

He nodded as a grin crossed his face. “Don't want the town to see me here after dark?”

“My reputation in this town was earned over years of guarding it. I'm not interested in marring it for your convenience when tomorrow will suit.”

“I see.” He put his hat on and opened the door.

She followed him onto the front porch. “Please don't think me rude. I just don't want anyone to get the wrong idea about our relationship.”

“You've no cause for concern. I assure you, the only thing we will ever have in common is the paper. And I expect that to end as soon as the judge arrives.” He tipped his hat. “Good evening.” He stepped onto the street and turned toward the center of town.

“Ahhh. Another point of agreement. I expect the judge to send you on your merry way.”

She heard his chuckle as he walked into the twilight.

Mary Lou went inside and closed the door. She lowered the shades and headed through to the back door. She was bone-weary. How had the beautiful day that promised a lovely story about the harvest celebration turned into a nightmare that might cost her everything?

Prayer and a restless night awaited her at home. It was a task she'd take on with zeal. Surely, God would not take away the life He'd only given her weeks ago.

Chapter Three

M
ary Lou sang along for the closing hymn at Pine Haven Church on Sunday morning. The words of praise and the reminder that all her blessings flowed from God brought much-needed comfort. She'd struggled to concentrate during the service. Reverend Dismuke would not approve if he'd known how her mind had wandered while he spoke.

The tall man two rows ahead of her was a distraction she hadn't counted on. His baritone voice carried to her. Perhaps, because he was a man of faith, she should be more kind while they were forced to work together.

The thought wasn't in keeping with the faith she professed. Her kindness wasn't meant to extend only to others of faith. She should count her blessings that he wasn't an unscrupulous businessman who ranted about until he got his way.

The final prayer was said and she made her way out into the crisp October air. The preacher stood at the bottom of the church steps, greeting everyone as they left. She spoke to him just as Jared Ivy walked up behind her.

Jared's voice came over the top of her head. “Would you introduce us, Miss Ellison?”

She took a step away from him. “Reverend Dismuke, this is Jared Ivy. He's Jacob Ivy's grandson.”

Jared gave a hearty handshake. “How do you do, Reverend? That was a fine talk you gave this morning. You'll have me studying on the words until I can come again next Sunday.”

“It's good to meet you, Mr. Ivy. I'm sorry for the loss of your grandfather. I know Jacob would be proud you've come back to Pine Haven.”

Mary Lou watched Jared as he spoke. “Did you know Grump well?”

Reverend Dismuke chuckled. “Well enough to know that's the name you gave him as a boy. Said it was something about the way he talked.”

“Most times he barked more than he talked.” Jared's eyes lit up at the memory. “I knew from the start it was just his way. He was a good man.”

Reverend Dismuke agreed. “Yes, he was. He told me you'd be back one day. Said I could count on it.”

Jared spoke to the minister but turned and smiled at Mary Lou. “The reasons I stayed away so long make for quite a story. Not one for the paper, but a story nonetheless.”

What was the story? As a newspaper woman she wanted all the details. Somehow, looking at Jared now, she didn't think he'd be willing to share them with her.

* * *

Jared carried his saddlebags up the steps of the newspaper office. He looked again at the lettering on the door. How he wished he'd known to come earlier. Why had God let Grump die before he could get here?

He wanted more of the man than the vague memories he had as a young boy. The snatches of moments when Grump would laugh out loud, or even scold him, were all he had.

Opening the door he called out, “Are you here, Miss Ellison?”

She came through a doorway that led to a back room. “Yes.”

“I brought a few things, but Andrew will be bringing the rest in a while. My saddle and valise.”

“Oh, good. He must have gotten the job I told him about.” Her pleasure at the news lit her face.

“Andrew must be very important to you.” He set the saddlebags on the floor near the door and propped his rifle against the wall.

“He is. Reminds me of myself at that age.”

“How is that?”

Mary Lou shrugged her shoulders. “Young. Alone in the world. But he's also determined to make something of himself.”

Jared sank into a chair near the door. “Is that how you ended up with Grump? Set out to make something of yourself?”

She shook her head. Brown tendrils fell loose from the pins and swung to brush her cheek. “When I came to stay here, all I had were the clothes on my back and my momma's Bible.” There was a sadness in her words that belied her bravado. “The determination was a gift from your grandfather. He taught me to believe in myself.”

What had Jared missed in not knowing Grump like Mary Lou had? Grump had become the family she hadn't had. Ironic, because he was Jared's family, but Jared had been denied his association by a mother who'd let the pain of life harden her. Perhaps harden was too harsh a judgment. Maybe she wasn't hard but numbed by the sorrow of so much loss in her own life.

“So where does Andrew live?”

“Jim Robbins lets him sleep in the loft of the livery in exchange for chores.”

Jared had worked hard much of his life and believed strength of character grew from honest labor. “Then he works here and now at the hotel. Is he able to do all that well?” He could almost see her bristle.

“Andrew doesn't have much choice. He has to earn his own way. He's as fine a young man as you'll ever meet. I dare say, when you've had the chance to work alongside him, you'll learn that soon enough.”

Jared gave a curt nod. “I'm sure I will.”

Mary Lou brushed her hands down the sides of her skirts. “All right then. Would you like to see the rooms? It's possible it's not as fancy as you're accustomed to.” She walked toward the staircase in the back room.

He stood and picked up his belongings. “What makes you think I'm accustomed to fancy things?” His childhood had been spent in the comfort of his mother's small home with her feminine touches on all the furnishings. But his adult years had passed in a bunkhouse with ranch hands. “Fancy” was not a word to describe that place.

She stopped and turned, gesturing to his vest pocket. “That watch, for one thing. And you may wear a ranch hand's coat and boots, but you talk like a gentleman.”

“Ah, so you're judging me by the way I look and speak? Didn't Grump teach you better than that?” He almost laughed when she let out a tiny huff of air.

“Mr. Ivy taught me a lot of things. Most important among them was to observe details.”

“He should also have taught you that situations and people are not always as they present themselves.”

“That's precisely what I'm saying. You, Jared Ivy, are a contradiction in every way.”

That did cause him to chuckle. “I will tell you the reason I speak as I do, but only because we have to work together. My mother became a schoolteacher when we moved back to her hometown after my father died. She required more of me than the other students. She insisted that her work would be judged by my upbringing. Her efforts were successful—except for my spelling. I never did master it like she wanted. I think the more she pushed me to conquer it, the less my mind absorbed.”

“I see. That's understandable. But what about the watch?”

Jared gave a slight tilt of his head. “The watch is a personal matter.”

Mary Lou blinked and said, “Oh. Please forgive the intrusion.” She turned back to the stairs and led the way to Grump's old rooms. Was she truly sorry or was her sarcastic bent peeking through her words?

At the top of the stairs a small landing stopped in front of a plain door. She opened it and stepped aside for him to enter first.

“Everything is just as Mr. Ivy left it. I've dusted and swept up, but I didn't have the heart to move any of his belongings.” She sniffed and he caught a glimpse of her catching a tear before it fell from her lashes. “Leaving everything made me feel closer to him.”

“Thank you.” He set his things down near the door and wandered deeper into the space. A woodstove sat in one corner with a pipe leading through the ceiling. A large rocker stood on a rag rug by the window on the same wall.

Mary Lou cleared her throat. “He didn't cook much, but there are basic utensils here.” She pointed to a shelf along the back wall over the cupboard. “The bedroom is through that door.” She indicated the far wall.

Jared tried to imagine Grump sitting in the rocker or leaning over a plate of beans at the small table with two chairs. Grump's Bible sat on the same table with a lamp.

“We used to talk for hours about the Bible or the next big article we were going to print.” Mary Lou's voice was soft and reverent. The look on her face as she stared at the table let him know her mind was visiting a dear memory.

“I hope you'll share some of those stories with me in the course of time.” Emotion he hadn't expected clogged his throat.

“Oh, most of those conversations wouldn't interest anyone but me or Mr. Ivy.” She twisted her hands together.

“All the same, I came here to find Grump. I'll have little to piece together except the memories of others.”

She looked up then and met his gaze. An open love for his grandfather shone in her eyes. “When you say it like that, I don't see how I can refuse you.” She backed up. “I'll leave you to settle in.”

“I guess I'll see you in the morning.” He followed her to the door.

Standing on the landing, she paused. “I've got a stew simmering on the stove next door. I'll be glad to bring you a bowl for your supper in a bit. It being a Sunday, I didn't think you'd have much chance to prepare anything for yourself.”

“That's very kind of you.” Her generosity was unexpected, given how she must despise the purpose for his presence. “What time do you open the office?”

“I'm always in early on Monday. Andrew comes to help distribute the papers.”

A rap on the door downstairs drew their attention. It must be Andrew with the rest of Jared's belongings.

He stepped onto the landing with Mary Lou. It suddenly felt very small. Mary Lou Ellison was beautiful. Not in the traditional way a man defined beauty. Other women may have finer features but there was a strength in her that drew him. They stood so close he could see the black ring around the green of her eyes. He knew her skin would be as soft as a moonlit whisper. In other circumstances he might be tempted to give in to the emotional draw he felt for her.

She was close enough to touch. But the ownership of the paper stood between them like a gulf.

The door below opened and Andrew called, “Miss Ellison? Mr. Ivy?”

Jared took a step back and bumped into the door to his new residence.

Mary Lou blinked again and cleared her throat. She didn't take her eyes from his as she answered, “We're coming down now, Andrew. I was just showing Mr. Ivy his rooms.”

“After you.” Jared waited for her to descend several treads before he followed. He'd best keep a good distance between him and Mary Lou. He wouldn't let his heart sway him away from his mission to honor Grump's legacy by insuring the future of the
Pine Haven Record
. Not even for someone his grandfather had approved of to the point that she carried on for him in the void left by his death.

* * *

Monday morning dawned with the memory of life's new challenges. Mary Lou checked her reflection in the mirror in her room before heading downstairs.

Jared Ivy's presence had been awkward yesterday. She'd called up the stairs when she'd brought his stew and found the door to his rooms open. He'd asked her to leave the food on the tread at the bottom of the steps without coming to the doorway to acknowledge her. It had taken prayer and several deep breaths to keep her from taking the food back to her kitchen in the face of his perceived ingratitude.

“Well, if he thinks I'll be cooking and cleaning for him, he'll have to think again. I am my own woman now. A businesswoman. I don't have the time or the inclination to tend to a man who is perfectly capable of tending to his own needs.” She pulled the bottom of her jacket down with more than the needed force and had to straighten it again before she left for work.

She entered the paper through the back entrance and found Jared Ivy at his grandfather's desk. Her desk.

Lord, please let it still be my desk after the judge comes to town.

Jared looked up from something he was writing. “Good morning, Miss Ellison.”

“Mr. Ivy.” She heard the tightness in her voice and hated it. She needed to conduct herself as a business owner, not a woman who was out of sorts because a man had dared to enter her domain.

He nodded to the clean bowl on the corner of the desk. “That was a fine stew. Thank you.”

“I wasn't sure you were going to eat it when I brought it last night.”

Jared continued writing for a moment then stopped. “Why wouldn't I eat it?” He was distracted by whatever was on the page.

Mary Lou was accustomed to his grandfather ignoring her, or only half listening, but he'd been her boss. Jared wasn't her boss. Or even her colleague. She had no intention of continuing a one-sided conversation. She began to pull down the papers from where they'd been hung to dry and stack them neatly. Andrew would arrive momentarily to help distribute them.

She jumped when Jared reached over her shoulder to take down the next paper. “What are you doing?” She put a hand to her chest and took a deep breath.

“Helping?” He added the paper to the stack behind them. “What's got you so skittish?”

“I'm not skittish.” She moved to the opposite end of the room and began taking down the papers that hung there. “I didn't know you'd finished whatever it was that had you so distracted.” She nodded her head in the direction of the desk. The notes he'd made were missing from the neat desktop.

He patted the pocket of his coat. “I was just writing down a list of things to check on today.” He gave a grin that reminded her of a cat who'd just eaten a brave mouse. Did he think she'd snoop behind him, so he'd taken away the evidence of his actions?

“You've no need to guard your notes from me, Jared Ivy. I can assure you that nothing you do outside the paper is of any interest to me.” She resisted the urge to huff out a breath as she slapped another paper on the growing stack.

Jared added his paper to the stack simultaneously, causing hers to flutter to the floor. He gave a small chortle. “You do tend to drop a lot of things, Miss Ellison. Your notes, men running by in the street, your composing stick when it's full of type, and now the paper. Are you always so clumsy?” Was he laughing at her?