“Of course you couldn’t.” Maddy patted him on the arm. She didn’t want the solicitor to take the blame for what Horace did. She was saddened that the man had caused such havoc in Mr. Sanderson’s life too.
She noticed Jeremiah’s fists flexing as if he wanted to hit someone. Surely not Mr. Sanderson. Jeremiah’s brooding presence cast a greater pall on the proceedings.
“Then when Mr. Johnstone made me unlock the house for him, and we found that letter, he opened it right away, even though I told him he shouldn’t. He was very angry. I thought he would come after you, but he isn’t here, is he?” His probing gaze begged Madeline to agree.
“Yes, he is. The sheriff has him in jail right now.” Maddy clasped her hands in her lap. “I actually talked to him today.”
“Oh, dear…oh, my.” Mr. Sanderson ran his finger around his collar. “You know there had been rumors that Mr. Johnstone had killed your dear father.”
She gasped.
“Thankfully, that wasn’t true.” Once again the lawyer patted his forehead with the damp cloth. “I talked to your doctor, and he said your father had suffered from heart trouble for several years. He hadn’t wanted you to worry, so they never told you. Finally, he succumbed to a heart attack. I was relieved it wasn’t murder.”
“Murder?” Maddy clutched her hands to her chest. “Such an ugly word. I had heard about the rumors, but I’d held out hope they weren’t true.”
Mr. Sanderson stuffed his handkerchief back into his pocket. “When I couldn’t find Mr. Johnstone, I investigated for myself. I discovered the rumors were started by none other than Mr. Johnstone himself. He wanted people to fear him so they would do what he told them.”
Maddy remembered how she’d felt when the man tried to force her to do what he wanted. She could understand why the lawyer feared Mr. Johnstone.
“But I decided I was no longer afraid of the man.” Mr. Sanderson sat up straighter. “I had an accounting of your estate prepared. I brought a bank draft and some cash to tide you over until we finish settling all the legal and financial matters.”
Maddy sat up straighter. “Are you telling me that I’m not poor?” That would be good news indeed. Most of her worries would blow away with the desert wind.
“Oh my, no. You’re a very wealthy woman, Miss Mercer.” He bestowed a big smile on her with that pronouncement.
She stared at him for a minute, trying to take it all in. Not only did she have money, it must be a tidy sum for Mr. Sanderson to call her very wealthy.
Unsure exactly what that meant, she turned toward Jeremiah and the sheriff. Jeremiah appeared stunned. “I’m glad to know I’m not penniless. Philip won’t need to help me anymore. And maybe I can pay back what he’s already spent.”
Jeremiah leaned forward in his chair. “I know Philip isn’t worried about that.”
“Probably not, but I really didn’t feel right about letting him spend money on me, even though he assured me I was doing as much for him as he was for me.” She’d been learning to get by with as little as possible, just so Philip wouldn’t buy much for her and Pearl. Maybe she wouldn’t have to be so thrifty now. “What kind of money are we talking about, Mr. Sanderson?”
“Do you really want me to tell you in front of these men, Miss Mercer?” He cocked his head toward Jeremiah.
“Actually, they are very good friends of mine who know the whole story of why I came to Golden. It’s all right for them to hear the details.”
He didn’t look convinced. “If you’re sure?” He opened his satchel and withdrew several papers. “According to your father’s will, you own three-fourths of his company. I’ve been overseeing the import-export portion until you or Mr. Johnstone return to Boston. Your father left a generous amount to the Sneeds, but that still leaves you with well over five hundred thousand dollars in cash and the business, several commercial buildings, and the mansion. I brought you one hundred dollars and a bank draft for ten thousand dollars. You do have a bank in Golden, don’t you?”
“We most certainly do.” Bill sounded almost insulted that the man would think otherwise.
Maddy had never seen or even heard of anyone owning so much money. Now she would be facing a different dilemma. She hadn’t really managed finances in the past. She just used the money her father gave her, and when it ran out, she asked him for more. Which he gave with an open hand. She might need help.
All of this meant she had to make some important decisions. Having a lot of money at her disposal would allow her to do good for other people. People had needs in Boston, and many in and near Golden could use a helping hand.
This led to another question. Would she stay in Golden, or would she return to Boston? Although she’d like to return to Boston from time to time, she’d fallen in love with Golden, New Mexico. She’d grown from a timid, child-like person into a strong woman eager to shape her own destiny. Realizing all this, she wanted to put down roots right here.
With the railroad connections from here to Massachusetts, more options were available to her. She could have the best of both worlds.
“So, Mr. Sanderson, when can we have the reading of the will?” Madeline hoped it would be soon. Now that she knew what had happened, she wanted everything settled quickly.
“Since all of the people mentioned in the document are here in Golden, I don’t see any problem with getting them together.” Mr. Sanderson shuffled the papers in his hands.
“How about this evening after Frank and Sarah return to the hotel and we’ve eaten supper?” Madeline glanced toward Bill Brown. “Do you suppose you could bring Mr. Johnstone to the hotel for the reading?”
“I don’t see why not, if you’ll let me stay with him. After all, he’s still my prisoner.”
At least the sheriff was amiable. A thundercloud had settled on Jeremiah Dennison’s face. Obviously, he didn’t agree. But he didn’t have a say in the matter, did he?
After Sam offered to keep a close eye on Philip, Jeremiah made a trip out to the ranch. All the cowhands had been off this weekend, and he made quick work of throwing out the feed for the cattle. Then he bathed in the shower he’d rigged up near the windmill and spruced up a bit. He wanted to look nice when he went to the hotel for the evening meal. Somehow he had to be included in that meeting with the lawyer. Just to make sure no one takes advantage of Madeline. She had no idea how many men thought women didn’t have a brain in their heads. He knew she was plenty smart, but would the others realize it?
Philip filling his mind with the idea of marrying her had reinforced what he’d been wanting for quite a while. That’s all he could think about, besides how wonderful he felt now that he finally understood about God and how much He loved him. Both of these things were a wonder to him.
Come to think of it, when he first saw Sanderson with Madeline, he finally admitted to himself that he loved her. If only he could figure out how to get her to love him. Then there was the matter of her fortune. With so many options open to her now, she might pull up stakes and head back East before he could convince her to marry him. Another reason I want to keep a close eye on her. Maybe he wasn’t as fancy as some of the men back East, but the money he’d made from selling his mine matched hers, and he did own the most successful ranch in the territory.
He rode up to the hotel and dismounted, tying Lightning’s reins to the hitching rail. His boot heels drummed a steady beat on the wooden boardwalk. As he stood in the doorway to the dining room, Madeline’s gaze slid past him then back again.
She waved. “Jeremiah. Come join us.”
Her words were music to his ears. The very thing he’d wished for. Madeline, with Pearl on her lap, shared the table with the Sneeds and Mr. Sanderson. They shifted around, making room for him to pull up another chair. Close enough that he caught a whiff of that flowery scent always surrounding her. He took a moment to enjoy its fragrance, and to enjoy sitting this close to her. Maybe when the meal was over, he could tag along for the meeting.
Sure enough,
no one questioned him when he followed everyone into the parlor. Bill was already seated at the side of the room with Johnstone in handcuffs beside him. Jeremiah sauntered over and leaned against the wall behind the two men, crossing his arms and trying to look relaxed. Appearances can be deceiving. Jeremiah knew that for sure.
Sanderson took center stage by pulling a straight chair close beside the sofa, where Madeline, Frank, and Sarah sat. The older woman lifted the baby into her arms, relieving Madeline of her distraction.
The lawyer perched spectacles on his nose and pulled a sheaf of papers from his satchel. He glanced around the room. “It looks as if everyone is accounted for.”
When his gaze reached Johnstone, Sanderson paused a long moment before returning the man’s smile. Without further ado, the lawyer started reading the will.
Why do legal documents contain so many big words and confusing phrases? Jeremiah had to listen carefully to understand the details. No surprises. The document said pretty much what Sanderson had told them earlier in the day.
Johnstone received one-fourth of the Mercer import-export business as well as an amount of money. Although it wouldn’t make him wealthy, the number would be enough to take care of him for some time if he used it wisely. Of course, he was part owner of the business, so he could be set for life. It didn’t seem quite right to Jeremiah—that the man would get part of her father’s fortune. He felt sure Mr. Mercer wouldn’t have written his will this way if he’d have known what Johnstone was capable of doing.
The next item was a stipend for Frank and Sarah Sneed. Their fifty thousand dollars would be considered a fortune by most everyone in Golden.
Jeremiah watched them when they realized just how much Mr. Mercer had given them. Their shocked expressions turned to delight. Sarah pulled Pearl close to her heart and buried her face against the baby’s curls. Jeremiah detected tears glistening in her eyes.
Frank put his arm around his wife and cradled her against his shoulder. “Are you sure that’s what it says?”
Sanderson smiled at them. “I believe Mr. Mercer wanted to reward you for all the years you helped him rear his daughter without her mother. He expressed to me how valuable your service has always been to him.”
Madeline turned her attention toward her friends. “You deserve every penny, and even more.”
“The rest of the estate goes to Miss Madeline Mercer. Your father expressed his desire to see you taken care of. He didn’t want you to ever be in need. And with this bequest, you never shall.”
Well, the man had done right by Madeline. Jeremiah relaxed. Maybe Sanderson was on the up and up after all.
“Thank you for taking care of all this for me, Mr. Sanderson.” Maddy glanced around the room until her gaze landed on John-stone. “Now we must decide what to do about the business. Sheriff, what exactly are the charges against Mr. Johnstone?” It might be time for me to really live out that forgiveness I professed.
Bill mulled over her questions for a moment. “Most of them stem from his treatment of you, Miss Mercer. He opened your mail without your consent, but we can see about dropping the charge that goes along with that misdemeanor if you’re not going to press charges.”
Maddy turned her attention toward Sanderson. “Since most of the information we believed about Mr. Johnstone wasn’t true, and since Father made him a partner in the business, what do you think we should do? I did choose to forgive Mr. Johnstone earlier today.”
“Horace knows more about the business than I do. He would be valuable in keeping everything running smoothly, if you trust him now. And I would keep a close eye on the finances. Is there any way he can come back to Boston with me?” Mr. Sanderson stared at Mr. Johnstone, who hung his head as if in shame.
“And when will that be?” Bill stood and took a step closer to the lawyer.
“I plan on staying until everything is completely settled with Miss Mercer’s estate. It could take a couple of weeks or more. These things do take time. Why?”
“What should I do with Johnstone in the meantime?” Bill looked over at the prisoner, who sat up straighter even with the handcuffs on.
“If Miss Mercer will drop her charges against him, he could stay in the hotel with me while we decide exactly what to do with the company.” He turned his attention toward Madeline. “Could you agree to this?”
Horace Johnstone glanced at her. All she could read in his expression was hope. None of his former attitude still clung to him. God is the God of second chances.
Maddy nodded. “Mr. Johnstone and I need to discuss how to proceed. Having him with you is a good idea.”
The man stood with his manacled hands in front of him. “I’d really be glad to be out of that cell. And I do need to talk to Madeline and Sanderson to work everything out. But after that, I want to head back to Boston as soon as I can.”
That might work out for the best. If the man truly had changed, maybe he could take over the running of the business, and Maddy could be a silent, majority partner, since Mr. Sanderson would protect her interests. With that, and her newfound fortune, her future was looking more and more interesting.
For a moment, the thought came into her mind: Can I really trust these two men? Please, Lord, let it be true.
Chapter Twenty-seven
“Sarah, would you take Pearl up to bed for me?” Maddy wanted Philip’s undivided attention when she went to share her good news with him.
Knowing how interested he was in her welfare, she knew he’d be pleased with the way everything was turning out. Besides, she wanted to make sure he was all right. He looked weaker than before and shaky when Jeremiah took him home after lunch.
“It’ll be a pleasure, Madeline.” Sarah started up the stairs with the baby peeking over her shoulder.
Pearl laughed and grabbed a fistful of Sarah’s hair. Maddy smiled at her. Thank You, Lord, for giving me this special gift.
She turned toward the swinging doors and found Jeremiah standing there with a broad smile and twinkling eyes. He was dev-astatingly handsome when he smiled like that. Maddy’s pulse fluttered, and her mouth suddenly felt dry. She cleared her throat. The man could really upset her equilibrium. She hoped he couldn’t tell. How embarrassing that would be. And she had to keep reminding herself there could be no future for them, because he didn’t really know the Lord.
“What are you going to do now, Madeline?” His deep, rich voice settled comfortably over her.
“I wanted to go see Philip.” She placed her hand against her heart, trying to still it.
“I thought you might.” He crooked his arm, his gaze snagging hers, almost daring her to refuse. “I’d like to see him too. May I accompany you?”
Maddy let out a slow breath. “I’d appreciate that. It’ll soon be dark, and I wasn’t looking forward to walking back down the hill alone.”
Jeremiah left Lightning hitched outside the hotel, and they strolled in the deepening twilight. Several stars glittered in the part of the indigo sky where the sun had already withdrawn its rays. With every step they took, more points of light appeared. Maddy liked this vast expanse of heaven with its twinkling display. She’d never noticed so many stars in Boston. Large trees grew around her house and in most of the areas where she went in town.
On the horizon, the afterglow of the sinking sun still cast faint orange and purple streaks before extinguishing its light completely. A gentle breeze stole away the oppressive heat of the day. Maddy would have felt a chill if Jeremiah hadn’t been beside her. His body exuded enough heat to keep that from happening. For just a moment she wondered how it would feel if he were to cradle her against his shoulder as Frank did with Sarah earlier. I need to control my errant thoughts.
When she took the next step, she moved a little farther from Jeremiah. To quiet her mind, she needed to find something to talk about. “What did you think about Mr. Johnstone’s idea of going back to Boston?”
Jeremiah stopped walking and peered down at her, his eyes roving her face unti
l she felt vulnerable. “Are you going back to Boston soon too?”
His question startled her. Why would he want to know? She had expected an answer about Mr. Johnstone, not a question about her intentions.
“I’m not making any plans to go.”
He nodded, then started walking again. Did he look relieved? Maddy hoped so.
“I wasn’t really comfortable with Johnstone being let loose from jail, but it’s not my place to object.” His tone belied the casual way he said the words.
“I believe he has changed, Jeremiah. And God does give second chances.” She tried to keep reproof from her tone.
After a moment, he answered, “Yes, He does.” His strong assertion sounded almost as if he were a believer.
How Maddy wished that were true. If it were, she wouldn’t have to guard her heart against him. “Do you really believe that, Jeremiah?”
Once again, he stopped and turned toward her. “I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but I do believe in God.”
“Why have you been hiding it? I would’ve wanted to know.” She needed to make sure he wasn’t just saying what he thought she wanted to hear.
“I haven’t had much use for God since my mother died.” He never took his eyes from hers. “You choosing to forgive Johnstone has kept my thoughts in turmoil. I’ve heard several sermons that Sam preached, and they wouldn’t let me go, either. I had a long talk with Philip after I took him up to the house.”
Jeremiah stopped talking and tilted his face heavenward. He paused, as if listening to someone. “I asked Jesus into my life, and He forgave me for the sins I’ve committed. I pledged to give Him control, but I have a lot to learn.”
Love Finds You in Golden, New Mexico Page 24