Michael detected a degree of sincerity in the man’s statement. “What do you reckon he was talking about?”
Eric shrugged. “Dang if I know. At first I figured he was concerned for his job, what with me showing up and getting myself hired on. Maybe he was annoyed with me for making suggestions on how things got done in his cookshack.” He dragged his hand down his face. “But the old fellow readily agreed to a couple of changes I mentioned. Said he liked the ideas, even though Sammy’s pretty set in his ways. Despite what he allowed, I’m concerned maybe he’s actually none too pleased with me.”
Michael crossed his arms over his chest. “Go on.”
“Well, I reckoned Sammy would tell you or AJ if he didn’t want my help, and you’d promptly send my britches down the road. I didn’t intend to overexcite the old fellow making too many changes, and I didn’t want to lose my job either.”
“And now you believe it’s something else.”
“He also muttered that he should say something,” Eric whispered and glanced toward the door. “Has he mentioned anything to you or your pa?”
Michael polished off his coffee. “Nothing that I’ve heard.”
“I did some thinking on it… maybe the old fellow’s concerned about Anna winning her claim on the ranch. He’d be worried if he still had a job and a home if she became the new owner. Heck, I’d be worried myself, especially if she sold the ranch. Who’d be the new owner? Would he send all of us on our way?”
“Unless Pa bought the ranch back from her,” Michael suggested.
“Why on earth would your pa buy back his own dang ranch? That’s just plumb crazy talk. I wouldn’t give that sneaky easterner a single dime, if it was me,” Eric scoffed.
“Well, neither would I. But at least we’d get the ranch back,” Michael argued. “Pa is convinced no one is going to win ownership of this ranch. Don’t worry, Eric. Your job isn’t going anywhere and neither are you.”
“Well, thank you. I reckoned I should tell someone about this thing with Sammy.” Eric smiled. “I appreciate your pa giving me a chance and I figured I owed him. I’m fond of the old cook, and if there’s something wrong I’d wager your pa would want to know.”
“What do you mean by ‘wrong’?”
“What if the old fellow… is ailing?” Eric whispered. “Think on it for a minute. Afraid. Getting out of hand. Should say something. Maybe…”
Michael swallowed hard, unable to comprehend the possible consequences of Eric’s speculation. Sammy ailing? He couldn’t even think about the old fellow passing. “No, it must be something else. Sammy seems as spry as ever.”
Eric threw up his hands. “Well, I done my part. I knew you’d want to know, so I told you. Not my place to confront the old man about this. But I hope your pa will learn what could be troubling his cook.”
Michael stood and stuck out his hand. He’d developed a new respect for Eric, bringing his concerns to light. He obviously cared about Sammy and he worried if his boss was all right. “Thank you for sharing your concerns. I appreciate it. Pa will, too.”
“Good. I don’t want anything bad to happen to Sammy. I really like the old fellow. He’s been sharing his recipes with me. Giving me some pointers in cooking. Even shared his secret ingredient in those sourdough biscuits he’s so dang famous for. Swore me to secrecy, of course. Wild horses won’t drag that out of me,” Eric finished, grinning. “So don’t be asking.”
Michael smiled in spite of his former opinion of the man. “I know better than that.” He had to admit nothing could have impressed him more than hearing Sammy had shared his biscuit secret with his future successor. That alone spoke volumes for Sammy’s opinion of the man. Maybe Michael had been a bit overzealous in initially judging Eric so poorly. “Well, I need to get back to work. Thank you again for sharing what you heard with me.”
Eric shook his hand. “Couldn’t live with myself if something happened and I hadn’t spoken up.”
Michael strolled out to the barn. Eric must be doing a great job cooking if Sammy was sharing secret recipes with him. He supposed his pa would definitely be keeping Eric on. The man obviously loved the job and so far he’d been keeping his nose clean. Of course, he hadn’t been off the ranch either, so nothing to worry about there.
* * *
Later that night, Michael wandered into his father’s study. “Need a word with you, Pa?”
“Sure, son. What’s on your mind?”
“Eric’s concerned about Sammy.” Michael related everything the ranch cook had shared with him that afternoon.
His father listened intently. “What do you make of it?”
Michael shook his head. “I don’t know, Pa. But I’d wager Eric isn’t lying. He sounded concerned about his boss.”
“I haven’t noticed anything out of the ordinary. Of course, I only talk to Sammy when I’m in the cookshack for the occasional meal,” his father admitted.
“That’s more often than I’ve spoken with him.” Michael shrugged. “Sammy pretty much keeps to himself. Mrs. Sheridan would know if anything seemed out of sorts. They’re talking to each other constantly.”
His pa clambered out of the chair. “I’m having a chinwag with her right now.”
“Make sure Sammy isn’t around. I doubt he’d appreciate us making inquiries behind his back,” Michael warned. He’d known Sammy all his life and there wasn’t a more private man alive. He kept to himself and only spoke when someone else initiated a conversation. Never played cards with the men in the bunkhouse or socialized much in town either.
“I’ll make a discreet inquiry. Don’t worry. If there’s something to Eric’s concerns, I’ll discover it.” His father slapped his son on the back. “Thank you for letting me know about this, Michael.”
“You’re welcome, Pa,” he muttered.
Of course, he’d bring any matter to Pa’s attention if it concerned the ranch or anyone living here. The McLennons looked out for their own, and that included both family and ranch employees. Everyone living on the Double M was an equal in AJ’s eyes, and Michael and his brothers lived by the same creed. Michael just prayed Eric’s concerns wouldn’t amount to much, if anything. Especially, the concern that Sammy was ailing or worse.
Anything but that.
Chapter 28
AJ clasped the telegraph in his hands while he waited for Anna and Rosie to meet him in his study. Michael slumped in a chair to his left, one leg crossed over his knee, appearing relaxed and unconcerned about what he might learn. Of course, AJ’s youngest son hadn’t bothered to hide his contempt for Rosie’s mother, or at least, for what she was attempting.
“Where are the womenfolk?” Michael grumbled.
AJ chuckled and leaned back in his chair. “Son, a man spends a lot of hours over his lifetime, waiting on womenfolk. Best get used to it now.”
As if they’d overheard their conversation, Rosie scooted into the room with Anna strolling along not far behind. The woman never hurried over anything as if the entire world would wait for her to put in an appearance. “I’m sorry if we’re late. I insisted on helping clear the table,” Rosie explained.
“I’m certain Mrs. Sheridan appreciated that.” AJ leaned forward and winked at Michael. “And we didn’t mind waiting.”
Michael shook his head.
“Did you hear from Daniel?” Rosie guessed the reason AJ asked them to come to the study.
AJ waved the telegraph in his hand. “Yes, I did. Take a seat and I’ll read this to you.”
Anna’s face paled and Rosie reached over and clasped her hand.
“Daniel sent this final telegraph a couple days ago. He’s telegraphed a prior report a couple times, but I haven’t said anything since I didn’t want you to worry Anna more than necessary, or get her hopes up.” AJ smiled. “It’s good news.”
Anna slumped in her chair, relief evident on her face. “Tell me, please. What did your son learn?”
AJ cleared his throat. “Daniel reported he’d met with the
banker, Mr. Drake, and on Daniel’s instructions, the banker set up a meeting with this Jonathan Wilson Walters fellow.”
AJ showed Rosie and Anna the initial telegraph.
Drake arranged meeting with Walters. Will report more later. Daniel.
“What happened next? Did they meet?” Anna whispered, wringing her hands.
AJ could tell she wasn’t certain he’d be sharing good news with her as he’d suggested. If he found himself near to losing his entire financial livelihood, he’d be a mite nervous also.
Rosie handed the telegraph back and met AJ’s eyes. “Did Mr. Walters bring another letter supposedly signed by Mother?”
“Walters canceled the next meeting one day when Mr. Drake wasn’t in the bank. He told the clerk that he would be traveling for a week, but he’d be back two Fridays from that day.”
Meeting canceled by Walters until following week. Will report then. Daniel.
AJ set aside the second telegraph that he’d received after the ladies read it also.
“My goodness, I’m so nervous. Please tell me something positive happened that next Friday.” Anna clasped her hands on her lap.
“Daniel waited in the bank for Walters, posing as a bank clerk. I imagine when Walters arrived, he talked to Daniel behind the wicket and handed him the letter supposedly signed by Anna. Perhaps Daniel inquired where he and Anna had been married, and he’d provide some imagined story. Of course, Daniel would know the man was lying. He might have instructed Walters to wait in Mr. Drake’s office on the pretense Daniel was arranging to move the money out of your account and into his.”
“But Daniel didn’t transfer my money anywhere.”
“No, of course not. He arranged for local lawmen to arrive and arrest the imposter who was claiming to be your husband.” AJ smiled. “Walters’ letter obviously was a fake with your signature forged by someone. The man will face a judge and definitely be sent to prison.” AJ handed Anna the last telegraph he received and Rosie read over her shoulder.
Walters presented fraudulent letter. I posed as clerk. Walters arrested by local law. Going to prison. Daniel.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if we learned he’d attempted this before, and probably succeeded,” Rosie suggested.
Anna heaved a very audible sigh and her eyes filled with tears. “Thank goodness, your son stepped in and handled this. I cannot thank him enough.”
“Daniel and his wife visit us occasionally. And they have a little daughter named Edna,” AJ said, wistfully. “My wife’s namesake. They’ll come home to Milestone again one of these days.”
“Mother, I’m so happy this worked out for you.” Rosie hugged her mother.
The sudden affection surprised AJ. Perhaps the emotional conversation had prompted the gesture.
“Thank you, Rosemary.” Anna met her daughter’s eyes. “I should say thank you, Rosie. Knowing that my money is safe is a huge relief. I won’t worry anymore.”
“Despite our differences of opinion on… certain issues, I couldn’t let some scoundrel steal all your money,” AJ explained. “I’m happy I could help.”
“Thank you so much. Now, we just need to settle the matter of my father…” Anna muttered, leaving the thought hanging.
AJ hoped she would see reason and drop the ridiculous idea she should have inherited the Double M. He needed to prove Michael Miller hadn’t been her father which would settle the matter quickly enough. He didn’t have the first notion how he’d do it, though. He could use a miracle right about now. Or else he’d have the fight of his life on his hands. One thing for certain… no one would take this ranch from the McLennon family. Not as long as he drew breath.
“Pa, you all right?”
AJ startled from his thoughts. “I’m just fine, son.” He hadn’t noticed when Jackson, Adam and Simon entered his study. And the women had left, leaving only Michael sitting across from him. This probably wasn’t a coincidence. Had the makings of a good chinwag, and the topic probably wouldn’t be the weather either. “What brings you boys in here?”
Jackson glared at Michael. “We heard about you helping Anna.”
“Can’t say I blame you for doing it,” Adam added. “Right thing, getting a woman out of a fix like that.”
“But it’s the other thing that’s troubling us…” Simon met his pa’s eyes.
Michael shifted forward on his chair. “We’re all concerned about Anna.”
“Are you?” Adam blurted. “You’re in love with her daughter.”
“What does that have to do with it?”
“Whose side are you on? If you’re with Pa and the rest of us, then why are you keeping company with her dang kin?” Jackson chimed in.
Michael’s jaw dropped. “Of course, I’m on Pa’s side. Even Rosie’s on Pa’s side.”
“As long as she’s not lying,” Adam scoffed.
“She’s devastated that her mother is doing this,” Michael insisted. “The dang woman believes Michael Miller was her father. She won’t listen to a word we tell her. Anna has made up her mind and that’s all there is to it. Somehow we need to prove she’s wrong.”
“Of course, she’s wrong,” AJ blurted. “I’d peg my life on it. That diary is useless to us. Rosie’s grandmother left us with more questions than answers.”
“Someone must know the answer,” Adam speculated.
“But who is this someone, son?”
“Maybe we should talk to a few of the older townsfolk in Milestone. One of them might remember something,” Jackson suggested.
“That’s a good idea,” Michael agreed.
“Sam Perkins’ grandparents are what…” Adam searched his brothers’ eyes. “In their seventies? Perhaps they would have been friends with Michael Miller back then. I’m not certain when Sam’s grandfather ran the cooperage, but it’s possible he could have had dealings with Mr. Woodley himself.”
“Something to consider.” AJ dragged his hand down his face. “I’ll be heading to town in a few days. I’ll drop by and talk to old man Perkins and see if he remembers anything that might have happened back then.”
Simon shook his head. “I doubt Mr. Perkins concerned himself with who was in whose unmentionables back in 1833. And would he even remember this Woodley family?”
“It’s a longshot, I know, but we’re not sitting on our hands and doing nothing.” Adam leapt off his chair. “I’ve got to go. Sunrise was having a bit of trouble with one of her hooves again. Roland Campbell is expected to arrive anytime to take a gander at her. I’d best be getting back to the barn.”
“I hope she’s all right, Adam.” AJ slapped his son on the back. “Good horse is Sunrise.”
“This is the third time we’ve had Roland out here to look at her. I hope he can figure out a cure soon.” Adam smiled at his pa. “Sunrise produces those pretty little fillies and I don’t want to lose her.”
“Boys, we’ll figure out this problem with Anna soon enough also. Go about your business runnin’ this ranch and leave the worryin’ to me.” AJ smiled at them. “I’ve got nothin’ but time on my hands, and I might as well be worryin’ as doing anythin’ else.”
His sons glanced at each other.
“We’re not worried, Pa. We know you’d never let anyone take this ranch from you,” Jackson affirmed.
“That’s the plan, boys. That’s the plan.” AJ wandered out to the hallway and lumbered upstairs to his bedroom to contemplate his next move against Anna and her ridiculous intentions.
Back on the day he inherited this ranch from Michael Miller, he never dreamed he’d find himself in this predicament decades later. But he refused to betray the trust placed in him by losing the Double M to some greedy female easterner who didn’t deserve one acre of his legacy.
If only he had one iota of a plan to accomplish that.
Chapter 29
Michael stood in the hallway outside the study, drawn by the loud voices carrying throughout the entire lower level of the main house.
What the de
vil were his pa and Sammy discussing? He shuffled closer to the open doorway in an attempt to distinguish their argumentative words. His pa must have mentioned the old fellow’s health or other worries, and Sammy didn’t appear particularly appreciative of his pa’s concerns.
“None of your dang business,” Sammy shouted.
“The hell it ain’t,” his father countered. “If you’re ailing, tell me. We’ll send for Doc Bennett and—”
“There ain’t nothin’ wrong with me, you fool.”
Michael risked a quick peek inside the room and spotted Sammy pacing the floor. Michael’s father stood, leaning against his desk with a concerned expression clouding his face. His pa had taken Eric’s and Michael’s concerns about the old fellow seriously, but it appeared the confrontation wasn’t going well.
AJ cleared his throat. “Folks have noticed you’ve been acting funny the last while. They’ve brought their worries to my attention.”
“Ain’t been acting funny neither,” Sammy defended himself.
“You’ve been talking to yourself.”
Michael stepped across the threshold but remained silent. His pa caught a glimpse of him and discreetly nodded.
“No harm in a body discussin’ a few things with himself.” Sammy stood hands on hips, his temper keeping him unaware of his audience. “Half the population of Milestone likely as not talks to themselves.”
“I’d wager you’re right,” AJ offered. “But they don’t mutter they’re afraid of something.”
Sammy’s face paled.
“They don’t mutter that things are getting out of hand,” AJ repeated what Eric related.
Michael caught himself holding his breath, anticipating what Sammy’s defense would amount to. Or would the old fellow flat out deny it? Instead, the cook remained silent, hands fisted at his sides.
“Somethin’ you want to get off your chest?” AJ ventured.
“Nothin’ to tell.”
A Lost Love's Legacy (Sons Of A Gun Book 5) Page 17