The Rightful Heir

by Angel Moore

  “I would imagine an event that drew everyone from the surrounding area into town would bring extra business to your store.” Mary Lou caught sight of the muscle in his jaw as it worked to contain a smile.

  “You’ll never convince my wife that money is made when the hours of the store are shortened.” Mr. Croft stepped behind the counter.

  Jared was apparently not a man to be put off easily. “But if more people patronize your establishment before the celebration starts, the volume of sales in a shorter time frame is bound to increase profits. Even if the store closes early.”

  Mrs. Croft shifted from one foot to another and spoke to Mary Lou. “Well, I see your new business partner has a good head on his shoulders.” Mary Lou tried to ignore her ire when Mrs. Croft looked down her nose at her. “You could use someone like that at the paper. Things have gone a bit soft in recent years.”

  “Mrs. Croft, I—”

  This time Jared interrupted her. “I’m certain you didn’t mean to imply that my grandfather didn’t run a serious newspaper.”

  “Of course not. But Mary Lou here doesn’t have the strong sense for real news that Mr. Ivy did.”

  Mary Lou’s blood began to boil. How dare the woman speak to her like that?

  “From what I’ve seen since I arrived in Pine Haven, Miss Ellison knows a good story when she sees it. She’s also very careful to only print the truth.”

  Mr. Croft chuckled. “I’d say from what she wrote here—” he punched a line on the paper he’d placed on the counter “—she didn’t hold back on this story about you coming to town.”

  Jared laughed along with the man’s joke. Mary Lou had been surprised when he’d jumped to her defense. And more than a bit pleased. She shook her head. He was only defending the paper’s reputation. She wouldn’t let him win her over with kind words meant to protect his own interests.

  Not for the first time, she decided to ignore Mrs. Croft. “Mr. Croft, will you please put the money for the papers on my account? We’re in a bit of a hurry today. I’ve got to introduce Mr. Ivy to several people.”

  “Sure thing.” Mr. Croft lifted a hand in dismissal. “Good to meet you, Mr. Ivy.”

  When they were on the sidewalk outside the store again, Mary Lou headed for the hotel.

  “Wait just a minute.” Jared stopped walking.

  She turned. “What is it? Can’t we talk as we go? There’s a lot to do today.”

  He shook his head. “I need to ask you something.”

  “What?” Still smarting from Mrs. Croft’s accusations, she didn’t want to waste any more time on trivialities. She could ignore the insults and bite her tongue at the time, but the accusations always stung. She had to get to work on the next edition. She’d make certain there was something so newsworthy that not even Liza Croft could refute it.

  “You asked Mr. Croft to credit your account with the proceeds from the sale of the papers.”

  “Instead of paying me for all of the papers when I drop them off, he credits my account for the ones he sells. It’s an arrangement he prefers.” Why did he stop her for this? “It makes no difference in the end. The money comes by week’s end.”

  He’d put his hat back on when they’d stepped outside, yet his blue eyes didn’t dim in the shade of the brim. “But all the money isn’t yours.”

  “Oh. Is that what has your back up? You think I’m going to control the money and you won’t have any?”

  “I’m not accusing you of anything.”

  She pivoted on one foot to angle away from him a bit. “Really?”

  “I’m saying that things have to change now. You can’t just carry on as if I’m not here.”

  “Believe me, Mr. Ivy, this is nothing like the way my day would be going if you weren’t here.”

  He didn’t flinch at her biting attitude. In fact, he lowered his tone and spoke with more deliberation. “You get my point.”

  She sighed. “I do.” She turned back toward the general store, but he reached out a hand and caught her by the elbow.

  “Don’t do it now. Mrs. Croft will never let it rest if she thinks I sent you back in to change things.”

  He was right. The woman would never let go of a tidbit like that. Mary Lou nodded. “Okay. Let’s go to the hotel next. They pay in cash. We’ll accept it and divide the profits when we get back to the office, taking the amount that usually comes in from the general store into account.”

  Jared smiled at her. “That wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  “What?” This man had her flummoxed. He’d defended her when he didn’t have to and protected her when she hadn’t considered the consequences of a quick reaction. Why would he do that?

  “It wasn’t so difficult to discuss an aspect of the business and come to a mutual agreement.”

  “Hmm...no. It wasn’t.”

  “Do you think we can handle the other areas of the paper like that?”

  So the motive for his actions came out. Much quicker than she’d expected.

  “That’s why you defended my reputation to Mrs. Croft. And the reputation of the paper. And now you’re offering an olive branch, but with a goal of increasing your foothold in the business. You’re a slick one, Mr. Ivy.” She stood straight. “I’ll have my eye on you.”

  * * *

  Why did Mary Lou think he was trying to manipulate her? Had no one ever taken up for her? Surely, Grump wouldn’t let someone accuse his staff of shoddy work or speak ill of someone he cared for.

  Jared took a few quick steps to catch her as she crossed the street and headed for the Pine Haven Hotel on the corner. “Slow down, Mary Lou.”

  She stopped abruptly in front of him and spoke over her shoulder. “You’ll have to keep up, Mr. Ivy. The newspaper business doesn’t wait for anyone.” She set off again at the same pace.

  He didn’t move. She’d accused him of manipulating her. He wouldn’t let that accusation stand. She would realize soon enough that he wasn’t following her. After all, he had the newspapers.

  Mary Lou mounted the steps to the hotel entrance and reached for the door. He watched as she turned toward him and dropped her hand. She clasped both hands together and waited.

  Jared approached at a measured gait.

  “Join me for a moment?” He indicated the rockers on the porch in front of the hotel.

  “We really don’t have time.” When she moved toward the door again, he dropped into one of the chairs and set it into motion.

  “I have all the time in the world.” He knew time was important, but moving forward in agreement was more important. “We’ll waste more time in the long run if we don’t clear the air about some things now.”

  Reluctance and resolve warred on her face until she sat on the edge of the chair beside him. “What?”

  “I am not a manipulator.”

  “No?”

  “No. I am straightforward.” At her raised eyebrows he added, “And diplomatic.”

  “Ah...diplomacy. So that is what you call it when you try to coerce me into doing things your way.”

  “I didn’t try to coerce you. I merely pointed out that you would have to make some changes to accommodate our joint venture.”

  “Joint venture? This venture, or whatever you choose to call it, isn’t joint.”

  “We are in the midst of a circumstance beyond our control. We can do our best to make it work or argue and struggle until the judge comes to town. I am not a man given to conflict. I’d prefer to come to an arrangement that is beneficial to both of us. The time will be unbearable if we don’t.”

  “Then why didn’t you just say that in the beginning.” He could see her resistance fading.

  “I think I did.” He took a risk and said, “You may have overreacted.”

  She hung her head. Every
ounce of her was full of conviction and strength. He didn’t like that his words had caused that to ebb. Then, just as quickly, she raised her head and met his gaze. “I can see how you might think that. Let’s finish distributing the papers this morning. When we get back to the office, we can lay out some ground rules while we have our lunch. Then there will be no time lost.” She stood. “Shall we?”

  He nodded. “After you.” With his free hand, he opened the hotel door for her to precede him.

  She went to the registration desk. “Mr. Warren. How are you this morning?”

  “Well, Miss Ellison. Very well, indeed.” The man caught sight of Jared behind Mary Lou. “And you, Mr. Ivy?”

  “I’m fine, sir. Thank you.”

  “Learning to work with our Miss Ellison, are you?” Mr. Warren spoke to him but he smiled at Mary Lou. Why had she suddenly become Mary Lou and not Miss Ellison in Jared’s mind? Was the stubborn way she defended her stance at every turn endearing her to him?

  “We are sorting through the details as we go along.” He cut a glance at Mary Lou.

  She reached for some of the newspapers he carried. “He’s learning the business.” She didn’t smirk but he thought she wanted to. She placed the papers on the corner of the desk. “I’d love to interview Jasmine about the wedding.”

  Mr. Warren’s chest puffed out a bit. “Two weeks from Saturday I’ll have all my girls settled. Then me and Mrs. Beverly will be happy while we wait for some more grands. Maybe someone will want to take over the hotel for me in the future.”

  Mary Lou smiled. “You haven’t even had time to spoil your newest grandson yet.” She looked at Jared. “Mr. Warren has three daughters. Two married and one betrothed.” She turned back to Mr. Warren. “I met Tuck after church last Sunday. Daisy and Tucker are so proud. And I think baby Rose is still a bit jealous.”

  Mr. Warren laughed. “That little girl hasn’t slowed down since she learned to walk a few weeks ago. I think she thought the new babe would be a playmate, not someone who took her momma’s time and attention.”

  If Jared was going to fit into the community of Pine Haven, he needed to build relationships with the people he was meeting. “Congratulations on your new family member, sir.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Ivy.”

  “Jared, please. I trust the Record posted a nice birth announcement on his arrival.”

  He felt Mary Lou stiffen beside him. “We certainly did. Just like we do for all the new babies in Pine Haven. The Record plays a big role in celebrating the good things that happen in our town.”

  A door opened from the side of the lobby and a woman dressed like a ranch hand came into the room. She was striking in her beauty and wore the clothes like she was made for them. In the years he’d worked on a ranch, Jared had never encountered a lady rancher.

  She joined Mr. Warren behind the desk and kissed his cheek. “Hello, Papa.” She was tall and graceful. “Good morning, Mary Lou.”

  “Jasmine, I’d like you to meet Jared Ivy. Mr. Ivy will be working with me at the paper for the next month or so.” He wanted to smile at the way Mary Lou had insinuated their time working together would end with his departure, without actually saying he would be leaving. Their time at the paper together would end. But he wouldn’t be the one going anywhere. “This is Jasmine Warren. She’s Mr. Warren’s daughter and will soon be married to Doc Willis.”

  “It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, ma’am.” He dipped his head in deference to the lady.

  Mary Lou continued. “Jasmine, I’d love to interview you for the paper. Your wedding is big news.”

  Jasmine Warren smiled. “If you really think there’s something to write about, I’ll be glad to share with you. Maybe we could have lunch one day soon before the wedding.”

  Jared answered for both of them. “We’d be most agreeable with that. You just name the day.”

  Miss Warren’s face creased. “Will you be joining us, Mr. Ivy?”

  “No, he won’t.” Mary Lou answered on top of his “Yes.”

  Mary Lou tilted her head to one side and spoke to Miss Warren. “Mr. Ivy has brought a claim of ownership against me for the newspaper.”

  Mr. Warren didn’t seem to like the sound of that. “Is that so?”

  “Jacob Ivy was my grandfather. He left me the paper in his will.”

  Mr. Warren’s expression widened as he took in the announcement. “I see.”

  Miss Warren said, “Then I’ll be happy to meet you both on Wednesday at noon. Naomi will be serving her famous chicken and dumplings in the restaurant that day.” She lifted the papers Mary Lou had placed on the desk.

  “Papa, have you seen my cameo? It was right here.” She began picking up the items on the desk one at a time and looking under them. She opened the drawer on her side of the desk.

  “No. Are you sure you left it here?”

  “Yes. I was showing it to Momma Beverly on Saturday afternoon. You must remember. It was just after lunch.”

  “I haven’t seen it.” Mr. Warren opened another drawer on the desk.

  A thought he didn’t like entered Jared’s mind. “Saturday afternoon?”

  Mr. Warren stopped his search. “Yes. You were here that afternoon. Did you see it?”

  “No, but if you’ll think about anyone who may have come through the lobby that afternoon, maybe you can remember someone who could have seen it.” Jared knew one person who’d been here that afternoon. Someone who was desperate for money.

  “Well, you were here.” Mr. Warren began naming everyone he could think of, but his memory wasn’t as sharp as a younger man’s would be.

  “What about anyone local who came in to do business with you? Or perhaps someone who ate in the restaurant?” Jared wanted to stir the man’s memory but he didn’t want to be the one to say Andrew’s name out loud. Mary Lou wouldn’t thank him for it. Her fondness for the youth had been made clear.

  “There were the usual guests on Saturday. Evan was here.”

  Miss Warren headed for the door. “I’ll go ask if he saw it. He may have picked it up for safekeeping if he did.”

  Mary Lou explained. “Evan is Doc Willis.”

  Jared gave a nod of acknowledgment. “Mr. Warren, was there anyone else? Someone who came but didn’t go into the restaurant.”

  “Well, I hired Andrew that day as the new errand boy, but he was only here a few minutes.”

  Mary Lou gave a slight gasp and spun to pin Jared with her gaze. “Are you suggesting that dear, sweet Andrew took Jasmine’s cameo?”

  He held up a hand. “I’m saying that the only way to find it will be to remember who was here. If Andrew was here, he may have seen it.”

  Mary Lou’s words were barely more than a whisper. “Andrew is not a thief.”

  Mr. Warren cleared his throat. They both started. The hotel owner handed Mary Lou money for the newspapers. “If you two will excuse me, I’m going to help Jasmine search for the cameo. I bought it for her mother because it had a rose corsage on the shoulder of the lady’s dress. Her mother’s name was Rose.”

  “I’m sure you’ll find it soon.” Mary Lou thanked him for the money and they left the hotel.

  Jared couldn’t understand why she wasn’t more curious. “Mary Lou, if you’re as good at the newspaper business as you say you are, why aren’t you the least bit interested in what happened to a valuable family heirloom?” They turned at the center of town and headed back toward their office.

  Their office. It sounded odd in his mind. It was his office. He must keep his focus on the ownership of the newspaper and all the responsibility that went along with that. If someone in town was stealing things, he was determined to get to the bottom of it. Solving a crime would show the people of Pine Haven that he was serious about the paper and about bettering the community.


  “People misplace things all the time. Especially small things. I daresay Doc Willis picked it up, just as Jasmine suspected.”

  He shook his head. “But you don’t know that. Aren’t you making a lot of assumptions?”

  She opened the door to the office and went inside.

  He followed her, waiting for an answer.

  “I am not. It is not an assumption to refuse to believe that a trusted friend is a petty thief. It is an assumption to suspect someone you don’t know when you aren’t even sure there’s been a theft.”

  “I’ve only been here a few days, but I’ve seen you rely on your opinion of situations more than once.”

  “My opinions, as you call them, are based on years of experience in the newspaper business and a personal knowledge of the parties in question.”

  Her shoulders stiffened. Even though she stood on the opposite side of his desk, the friction between them filled the room.

  “You did not know the newsagent from the train, yet you dismissed him as innocent without interviewing him.”

  “There was no crime there, either.”

  “True, Elmer Finch didn’t shoot the man in the saloon, but he is harboring a secret. One I think needs to be investigated.”

  “Really, Mr. Ivy, you do go on.” She picked up her pad and pencil from the desk. “If I were to run the paper by following your imaginations, we could become the biggest work of fiction in Texas before the judge arrives.”

  His mother had ignored him. Even hidden truths from him. But she had never dismissed him out of hand.

  Jared mustered all the strength of character he possessed to answer her charges. “Objectivity is the cornerstone of good journalism. I suggest that your years of association with the people in Pine Haven may have dulled your sense of neutrality. Once you become allied with anyone, you lose your ability to consider them in any light other than the one you’ve cast upon them.”

  “Your grandfather trusted my instincts. I have yet to err in my assessments of the good people of Pine Haven. I stand confidently on that record.”