by Zina Abbott
“Oh, Luther!” Hazel wrapped her arms around his neck and buried her face in his neck, but only for a few seconds. Then, she slowly pulled back and stared at her feet.
When Hazel looked back up into Luther’s eyes, he could tell her heart was breaking. It was written all over her face.
“Luther, I love you, too. I’m right proud you want to marry me. But I can’t think on that now. If Bethie ain’t goin’ to be with Val, I’m all she’s got left. I need to go to her.”
Luther dropped his arms, releasing Hazel. He reached for his coat and hat. “If you need to go with your sister, then I’m going with you, Hazel. But, please do me a favor. Please don’t tell her I have your ring and plan to ask for your hand. I know she’s your sister, but…well, the timing just isn’t good right now.”
♥•♥•♥
Beth had barely reached the far corner of the corral attached to the barn when she heard Eddie’s voice call to her.
“Wait up, Aunt Beth.”
Beth stopped and turned to face the young man. In the short time she had known him, she had recognized he loved the ranch and, like many young men who were almost ready to enter the adult world, resented the overbearing authority of a father who did not appreciate his son’s choices. Eddie was quiet, but observant. Some might consider him surly, but there was something about Eddie Beth liked. She felt a pang in her heart that turning her back on the Caldwell family meant she would not have the opportunity to know this young man better.
Beth took a deep breath to force her anger down. As much as she despised his father, she held no grudge against the son. “I ain’t goin’ to be your Aunt Beth, Eddie.”
Eddie slowed to a walk when only a few feet from Beth. The moonlight reflected off his face, expressionless except for the intensity in his eyes. “Yes, you are.”
Beth shook her head.
Eddie took a step closer. “Don’t let my father win, Aunt Beth. Don’t let him drive you and Uncle Val apart.”
“Beth!”
Both turned to see Val running toward them. Then, Eddie turned back and spoke with a quiet voice that was half-plea, half-command. “My father isn’t the only lawyer in California, Aunt Beth. Find someone who can help you beat him at his own game.”
Eddie made a quarter turn and backed toward the corral as he heard Val’s footsteps come up behind him.
Val, his lungs heaving as he struggled to catch his breath, and seeing Beth had stopped and stood facing him, turned first toward Eddie, a question in his voice. “What are you doing out here, Eddie?”
“I came out to get some ice for my father, Uncle Val. I figure his nose is going to swell up some. He may end up with a shiner or two.”
Val shook his head with a grimace and jerked his thumb in the direction of one of the small dugout structures in the yard. “Icehouse is over there.”
Eddie nodded to both Val and Beth, then without another word moved in the direction of the icehouse.
For a few seconds, Val watched his nephew leave, then he turned and focused his attention on Beth. Without touching her, he stepped close enough he could easily lean forward and kiss her—if he dared. “I’m sorry, Beth. I had no idea my brother would start spouting that nonsense. Sweetheart, surely you realize I have no intention of trying to put a claim on your property or control it in any way. Please say you aren’t serious about calling off our wedding.”
Beth stood without speaking for several seconds, her response evasive. “Figured Edwin’s head is swelled up some, but ain’t got no idea why he needs ice for his nose.”
Val studied the ground, a sheepish expression on his face. “It wasn’t very noble of me, Beth, but I plowed my fist into his face. The longer he talked, the angrier I got. He’s my older brother, and it has always been hard for me to stand up to him. But, when he wouldn’t listen to me, and then you called off the wedding and walked out, I exploded. The next thing I knew…well, I think I broke his nose.”
Beth’s lips twitched with the beginnings of a smile. “Right sorry I missed it.”
Val gently reached for Beth’s left hand and raised it until it was visible in the moonlight. “You’re still wearing my ring. Please say you won’t take it off, Beth. Please say we will still get married this Saturday. Just tell me what you need for me to do to reassure you your land is safe and I’ll do it, sweetheart. Just don’t let my brother spoil what we have.”
Once Luther and Hazel had left the house and saw Val with Beth, they had held back, walking slowly toward the couple. They arrived in time to hear the last sentence of Val’s plea.
Before Beth could respond, Luther spoke. “Did it really surprise you, Brother? You know as well as I do Edwin does everything he can to make life difficult for us. That’s his way of trying to control the ranch from Sacramento.”
“We’ve done pretty good holding our own, Luther.” Val spoke the words to his brother, but his eyes never left Beth’s face. “But, we can’t let him drive Beth and Hazel away.” Val brought Beth’s ring hand to his lips and kissed it.
Beth’s words were softly spoken, but they carried in the clear air. “I ain’t callin’ off the weddin’, Val.” After a collective sigh of relief, she continued. “Reckon I need to go to town tomorrow. You know any good lawyers in Bridgeport or Bodie? Ones that ain’t done business with the Caldwells and ain’t beholden to you?”
“Yes,” Val answered carefully. “We rarely have any dealings with the attorneys in the county because Edwin handles the legal work for the ranch. But, I would only go to Bodie as a last resort. It’s rather a rough town, plus most of their attorneys deal only with mining issues.”
“I don’t need no advice about mining issues. Need advice about how California laws work when I’m married.”
“Bridgeport is the county seat, Beth. You would have better luck finding a lawyer familiar with those kinds of laws there. I can think of a couple who have a good reputation.”
“I’d be beholden to learn their names so I can see one first thing in the mornin’.”
Hazel’s quiet voice queried. “We takin’ the wagon home so we can drive it in tomorrow, Bethie, or are we still walkin’ home tonight?”
Val quickly answered. “Unless I can convince her to stay here tonight, she’s taking the wagon.” After a pause, Val continued. “Now, don’t get prickly, Bethie Rose. I know you don’t like anyone telling you what to do. But you must realize if you still insist on going home, Luther and I are not going to let you two walk in the dark and cold by yourselves. I hope I can persuade you both to stay in Barbara’s old room like we originally planned. I’ll be happy to drive you into Bridgeport in the morning.”
“It’s my land and my future, Val. Need to do this by myself.”
Val smiled and cajoled. “Since when can’t you have your fiancé along for a nice drive in the country, Beth?” Then, he grew serious. “When it comes to the lawyer, I don’t plan to go in while you talk to him if you don’t want me there. I understand it’s your business. But I’ll drive you to town. I can show you where they have their offices and make introductions, if you like.”
“Bethie, I’ll walk home with you if you’re still of a mind to go. But I druther stay here tonight. I can help with meals until you get back.”
Beth shook his head. “Don’t like you bein’ the target of that man’s poison, Hazel.”
“Luther and I ain’t made no plans to marry yet, so Edwin ain’t got no call to go after me.”
“Yet?”
Luther refused to rise to the bait. “I’ll stay close to the house and make sure Edwin doesn’t bother her, Beth.” Unable to suppress a chuckle, he continued. “My guess is, Edwin will probably spend most of his time in his room until the swelling in his face goes down.”
Beth made her decision. “Reckon we’ll stay here tonight. I’ll help Hazel get breakfast started before the whole house gets stirrin’. After, Val and I can go.”
CHAPTER 13
Beth and Val rode into Bridgeport on a coo
l, clear Thursday morning, talking about everything except their purpose for going to town. Beth stopped by her place long enough to check on Josh and visit the hen house. She climbed back into the wagon with a basket full of eggs carefully cradled in a nest of cloth.
When they arrived, they discovered that Mr. Parker was out of town that week, but Mr. Murphy had been seen going into his office. Val knew him, but had not done business with him. Known to be outspoken and tenacious, J.C. Murphy had a good reputation for dealing fairly with his clients.
“Reckon I’ll go to the mercantile to see if they got use for these eggs, what with the holiday coming up and all.”
Val knew immediately what she was about. She no doubt had put her available money she kept at the house into her reticule, but hoped to add to it with more egg money in hopes she would have enough to cover her lawyer’s fee.
“I’ll go make sure Mr. Murphy can see you, Beth.” At the flash of suspicion on her face Val raised his hands in surrender. “I’m not going to say what it’s about or try to influence him, Beth. I’ll come back for you in a few minutes.”
At the sight of Val entering his office, J.C. Murphy stopped the trajectory of his cigar which had been moving in the direction of his lips and slowly placed it in the dish on the corner of his desk. “Hello, Mr. Caldwell. You here being sociable, or do you wish to see me on a legal matter? Stranger things than a Caldwell showing up in my office have happened, although I don’t remember when. Still, I have nothing against representing you or Luther.”
“You don’t need to worry about strange things happening yet, J.C. The Caldwells don’t need legal advice at this time.”
“I suppose not. I heard your brother Edwin got back into town yesterday.”
“Yes. And that is why I’m here. My fiancée needs legal advice from an…impartial…attorney. I suggested she see you.”
Murphy sat back and raised an eyebrow. “Impartial, huh? You mean one who does not, at present, have a conflict of interest with the Caldwells?”
“Exactly. She needs someone who can tell her what she’s looking at legal-wise if she marries.”
“This the one who’s supposed to be marrying you this Saturday?”
“The same. You do know you are invited out to the ranch Saturday, don’t you? The wedding will be at noon, and a dinner after. I hope.”
“Meaning, assuming there’s still a wedding?”
“That’s right.”
“Since I am not numbered among the faithful, I did not hear the invitation issued at the church. I was not sure it applied to me.”
“Of course it does.” Val inhaled deeply and slowly let his breath out. “Just…represent her well, J.C. Trust me, if she thinks you are talking down to her or trying to push her in a direction that is not in her best interests, we’ll both hear about it. The only thing you come to me for is if she doesn’t have enough to pay your fee. Charge her what she can afford and see me later about any difference. But for all you love in the world, J.C., don’t let her know I told you that.”
Val left, and soon returned with Beth. The lawyer rose and walked over to greet her. “J.C. Murphy, Esquire, at your service, ma’am. Please, sit down and tell me how I can help you.”
Val grinned as he guided Beth into a chair across the desk from the attorney. He noticed J.C. had snuffed out his cigar and set the dish on the floor in the far corner. “I’ll wait for you outside, Beth.”
Murphy watched Val leave. After, he turned his full attention to Beth. “Tell me your concern, Mrs. Dodd.”
Beth explained her homestead and her plans for using money from her chickens and raising a few hogs every year to generate enough income to make her improvements.
“You sound like you’re from back east, Mrs. Dodd. Maybe Kentucky, or Tennessee?”
“Southern Ohio. But my folks come from Kentucky. Moved across the river after the war.”
J.C. smiled. “As it turns out, I’m from Ohio, also.”
Beth smiled. “Reckon I ain’t goin’ to hold it against you.”
“I think we’ll get along just fine, Mrs. Dodd. Now, you are aware that even though you plan to marry, since you started your homestead claim while you are a single woman, you can still prove up your land in your name as your sole property. Unless, of course, you want to have joint title with your husband.”
“Ain’t of a mind to do that. He has Caldwell land I ain’t got no claim to. I already had one husband up and die on me, leavin’ me to my own devices. Druther have somethin’ to fall back on I don’t have to answer to no one else about.”
“If you keep your land solely in your name, you will. Did I answer your concerns?”
“That ain’t all. I still got to prove it up, and need the money to do it. I ain’t one to be beholden to my husband by askin’ him for the money. But, my future brother-in-law, he said Val would be entitled to my earnin’s.”
“Luther Caldwell said that?”
“Not that Caldwell. Edwin.”
J.C.’s right eye twitched. “Edwin Caldwell? What’s his interest in your place?”
“He’s after Val to get me to sign the property over to him for the Caldwell Ranch. Says if I don’t go along, Val’s entitled to half of what I earn. Says I’m entitled to half Val’s earnin’s, but he’ll put Val’s money in somethin’ called a trust so I can’t get at it.”
Murphy shook his head and grunted with disgust. He muttered under his breath, barely loud enough for Beth to hear, “Sounds like Edwin Caldwell.” Then louder, “What does Val have to say about it?”
“He ain’t for it…now. But we ain’t married yet, neither. Val told his brother no, but I don’t trust Edwin Caldwell to let it go. I don’t want to marry into the Caldwell family thinkin’ all is well, only to have Edwin talk my husband into somethin’ down the road.”
“You’re smart, Mrs. Dodd. I’ve known Edwin Caldwell for years, and I wouldn’t trust him, either. I don’t have any reason to distrust your future husband, but Val is a cattleman, not a lawyer.”
“That’s why I figured I need my own lawyer.”
“You are a very wise woman, Mrs. Dodd.” A conniving grin spread across J.C. Murphy’s face. “I would love nothing better than to help you bring Edwin Caldwell to heel. Here is what I suggest. Have you ever heard of women who are sole traders?”
Beth wrinkled her brow as she considered his question. “Seems I heard Mrs. Gable who ran the Oakland House up in Lundy was a sole trader. Ain’t sure what that means, except some of the men in town thought she was bein’ uppity by doin’ her own business instead of leavin’ it to her husband.”
“In legal terms, Mrs. Dodd, a woman who is over twenty-one and is single or widowed is considered a femme sole. That is a fancy legal term that means they can legally act on their own—the same as a man. However, once a woman marries, she becomes a femme covert, meaning husband and wife are joined as one. Covert means the husband “covers” the wife. He owns and manages all the property the two bring into the marriage, including rents and profits. That way, the wife is free to focus on running her household and bearing and raising children.”
Beth snorted with derision. “Reckon you mean the husband controls the wife.”
Murphy chuckled softly. “I can see how it would seem that way to you. And, I will admit, in some instances, that is how it tends to work in practice. Even under the community property law like we have in California, until a few years ago, the wife may have owned what property she brought into a marriage and been entitled to half the property the couple gained together, but the husband collected and managed all the rents and profits without any recourse on her part. That has changed now. Each marriage partner is entitled to half of what they earn between them.”
“Ain’t you sayin’ Val could do what Edwin said? Take half what I earn on my place?”
“Yes, but you are also entitled to half of what he earns. Of course, being entitled and actually being able to get your hands on it can be two different things.”
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br /> “What’s this ‘trust’ Edwin talked about putting Caldwell money in so I ain’t got no claim to it?”
“A trust is a legal instrument. It is like having an entirely different person controlling the money. My guess is the ranch, now, is run more like a partnership. Val and Luther buy and sell, and live off a reasonable portion of the profits according to an agreement among the brothers. Edwin has oversight of the books so he knows what they are doing, but other than give his input, he doesn’t directly manage the money.”
Beth shrugged. “I ain’t sure how its run. Val said somethin’ about me helpin’ with the books, seein’ as how I ran my pa’s farm for years after he took sick with the consumption.”
J.C. rubbed his mouth and chin thoughtfully. “I see. And maybe that is what Edwin is concerned about. If you know the true status of the ranch, your advice to the brothers could undermine his influence.”
“I ain’t aimin’ to come between Val and his brothers. I just aim to protect what’s mine.”
“Which is why I suggest you become a sole trader. As such, you will not only own your own property, you will have full control of the profits from it. Of course, you have to meet certain requirements. Have you lived in California at least six months?”
“Up in Lundy, since the first of the year. What else?”
Murphy leaned forward with a big smile. He was beginning to enjoy this. “First, you need to apply. You need to sign an affidavit that you are willing to be responsible for your own financial obligations, and that you are not applying to become a sole trader in order to avoid paying your husband’s debts. Of course, once you are a sole trader, you no longer need to worry about his debts or him claiming the assets of your property for his own use. That means Edwin won’t be able to go after them, either. Then again, you are solely responsible for your own debts and cannot expect your husband to pay them for you. Not only can you sue someone, you can be sued. You must also be able to support yourself and your children.”
Beth shrugged. “Been supportin’ my sister and a farm hand. I can support my own young’uns.”