The Rightful Heir

by Angel Moore

  “What?” The man was outraged. “First I’m a gunman, now I’m a thief?”

  Jared studied the man. He didn’t yet know what to think about the events of the last hour. “Why did you run?”

  The man almost snorted at him. “Ever been in a saloon when gunfire erupts? Everybody runs.”

  The sheriff pulled his lips in under the heavy mustache he wore and leaned his head to one side before shaking it. “No. Everybody doesn’t.”

  Jared noticed the clothes the man wore. He looked familiar. “Who are you?”

  “I’ll ask the questions, Mr. Ivy.” The sheriff didn’t seem pleased to have someone horn in on his territory, but Jared’s innate curiosity had his mind full of questions.

  The prisoner pointed through the bars at Jared. “He just told you that man shot himself. You got no reason to hold me here.”

  “I’ll be the one decidin’ if there’s a reason to hold you.” The sheriff leaned against the side of his desk and folded his arms across his chest. “I’d like to know the same thing Mr. Ivy is asking. Who are you?”

  “Name’s Elmer Finch. I’m a newsagent on the train.”

  “That’s where I saw you.” Jared knew he’d seen that face recently.

  “Well, I’ll just go around to the depot and speak to the station master then.” The sheriff straightened and headed for the door.

  Elmer Finch spoke up. “The station master probably won’t know me. Today is my first day with the line. You’ll have to speak to someone on the train. I’d appreciate it if you’re quick about it. The train had a long stop so some repairs could be made. I’ve only got a half hour before I’m supposed to be back on the job.”

  Sheriff Collins banged the door behind him as he left.

  Jared walked to the cell. “What were you doing in the saloon?”

  Mr. Finch didn’t meet his eye. A sure sign to Jared that he wasn’t being honest. “I was having supper.”

  “Hmm...” It wouldn’t be productive to question someone who was lying. He decided to follow the sheriff and see what they could learn at the depot.

  “You can mutter all you want. I’m telling you the truth.” Elmer Finch’s words rang out behind him as Jared closed the door to the sheriff’s office.

  Something wasn’t right and Jared was determined to find out what it was.

  After a trip to the depot and the doctor’s office, Jared headed back to the paper. It might be his first day in town, but he was already stirring with anticipation about putting his first story in the paper. He opened the door and stopped short as a young man hung a copy of the paper to dry. Mary Lou loaded the next sheet of paper for printing. Several copies hung along the outer edge of the office.

  “Why did you start printing the paper before I got back?”

  “We always print on Saturday when we can. I don’t like to work on the Lord’s Day or wait until Monday morning. It gives overnight for the papers to dry, and you never know when you might have a problem with the press. It’s best to get it printed as soon as the stories are complete.” She nodded to the young man. “Andrew Nobleson, this is Jared Ivy. He claims he owns the paper, and Sheriff Collins says I’ve got to put up with him until the judge comes through town again. Maybe a month or two.”

  “How do you do, sir?” Andrew offered his hand and pulled it back at the last second when he realized how much ink was on it.

  “Hello, Andrew.”

  “Andrew is my apprentice. He helps with many of the odd jobs involved in putting out the paper.”

  Jared looked at Mary Lou, carefully inking the press for another copy. “I told you I thought there was more to the story.”

  She didn’t even look up; just put the ink roller down while Andrew loaded the next sheet of paper. He cranked it under the press and pulled the lever to print the page.

  “Was there?” She looked doubtful as she helped Andrew remove the paper and grabbed the ink roller again.

  “I’m not exactly sure.” He leaned against the desk. “Something about the man doesn’t fit.”

  Mary Lou continued to work with Andrew. Jared watched them move with motions seemingly synchronized by the experience of having worked together for a long time.

  “Then I’m glad I didn’t hold the press for you. I won’t print something that’s vague or unfounded.”

  “It’s not unfounded. And I’ve got equal say about what gets printed.”

  “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

  Mary 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 fin
al 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.”