Ladd Fortune

by Dianne Venetta

  Nick nudged Delaney and she straightened. “What now? More threats?”

  Annie Owens pulled up front and center and stopped. After gathering the group of them in her gaze, she sized Lacy up with a suspicious look. “What are you doing here?”

  Lacy gave a flippant shake to her hair. “I’m visiting, if it were any of your business. What are you doing here is the question.”

  “I’ve come to have a word with Delaney.”

  “We’ve said our words, Annie. There’s nothing left to discuss.”

  As though it required great effort, Annie cleared her throat, glanced about and stated, “I’ve come to inform you that my lawyer is seeking a court-ordered paternity test from Jeremiah to settle the matter of Casey’s birthright once and for all.”

  “You sure you want to do that, Annie?” Delaney asked.

  Lacy was surprised by the venom tone. It was clear Delaney didn’t believe Annie’s claim for one second. Truth be known, Lacy wasn’t quite sure of it herself. Annie had been with more than a few boys back in high school. Casey could belong to one of them.

  “I’m sure,” Annie replied. “And when you learn the truth, I’ll expect you to do the right thing and split the property between the two girls.”

  Delaney’s mouth fell open. “Split the property?”

  Annie nodded with what Lacy found to be an imperious flair, like she was some kind of queen, or something. Good for her, she privately cheered. Delaney had no right to keep Ladd Springs from Casey if she really did belong to Jeremiah.

  “At this rate, Felicity will be lucky she doesn’t get run off the place entirely!” Delaney exclaimed.

  Annie took a step back as though struck off balance. Her blue eyes rounded, confusion warring with suspicion. “What are you talking about?”

  “The father of your baby may take everything.”

  “Don’t blame me for Jeremiah’s behavior.” Annie flung an intimidating glance toward Lacy.

  The hair on Lacy’s neck stood on end. Don’t blame her for Jeremiah’s presence, either. She followed him, remember? It wasn’t her idea to come back home. It was Jeremiah’s!

  “The hell I won’t!” Delaney waved an arm through the air and skewered Annie wither gaze. “You’re the one who called him in the first place!”

  “I did not!”

  “Oh, no?” Delaney derided angrily. “Did he appear out of thin air?”

  Safely out of Delaney’s firing range, Lacy wished she could help Annie. She looked sincere in her denial, but unfortunately, Annie didn’t want anything to do with Lacy, help or otherwise.

  Nick stepped forward. “Delaney, stop. This isn’t helping.”

  She whirled on him, her long ponytail whipping behind her. “How can you be so calm? You have a lot riding on this, too, you know. I can’t believe you’re going to let her stand there and tell you what she’s going to take.”

  Nick ventured a glance toward Annie then gazed down at Delaney. “This is not the time or the place to work through the details. First, we need to devise a plan.”

  “Plan? What kind of plan are you talking about?” Annie demanded. “There should be no plans put into place without my input.” She thumped her chest like a momma gorilla.

  “The only input you’re going to give is—”

  Nick closed a hand over Delaney’s mouth and practically dragged her away. “Let’s go,” he said, and hustled her away. Dwarfed by his size, Delaney could fight all she wanted, for the good it would do her. That man was in charge.

  Lacy giggled at the sight of Delaney’s shrieks beneath Nick’s palm as he led her to his car. For so many years, Delaney had been bossing the lot of them around like a steer in a cow pasture that it was gratifying to see someone take charge of that little vixen.

  “Jeremiah is Casey’s father,” Annie declared.

  “If he is, your test will prove it,” Malcolm replied with a measured tone.

  “It will, you’ll see.” Then to Lacy, she said pointedly, “I hope you’re not here aiding and abetting the enemy.”

  “What? I’m doing no such thing,” Lacy snapped.

  “That woman at the diner yesterday, she’s Jeremiah’s girlfriend, isn’t she? Your friend,” Annie said in what felt like an accusation. “Frannie told me you two know each other from Atlanta.”

  “So?”

  Annie served up a melting glare, but addressed Malcolm, “Watch yourself with her, Mr. Ward. She’s a known back-stabber.”

  Lacy bristled. “Annie Grace—how dare you.”

  Annie shifted her gaze to Lacy. “I’m only speaking the truth.”

  Her gallant Malcolm stood strong. “I don’t have any concerns, Ms. Owens, I assure you. As far as I’ve seen, Lacy has proven herself to be nothing but helpful and courteous.”

  “See,” Lacy snipped, pleased that Malcolm had rushed to her defense. She twirled the hair at her ear and thought, if that didn’t quiet Annie, Lacy didn’t know what would, though her pleasure was fleeting. Annie still hated her.

  “You don’t know her as well as I do. Now, if you’ll excuse me,” Annie said and stalked off to her car.

  Lacy sighed and wriggled her fingers. “Toodles, Annie.” If only she wasn’t so hateful. If only she would come around. Lacy could use some sisterly love and she only had the one sister. The one who despised her.

  Malcolm curled a finger beneath her chin and tipped it upward. “How about you and I go finish our picnic?”

  Tickled by the suggestion, she replied, “Delighted!”

  “Shall we?” Malcolm bent his elbow and she slipped her hand through. He pulled her close. She luxuriated in the smell of him, the feel of him. His cologne reminded her of the department store, the men’s fragrance section where she used to idle and sample and dream of the day when a handsome, charming man would sweep her off her feet. She’d tested each and every cologne, debating which she’d want her dream man to use. Malcolm’s choice was divine. She inhaled deeply. It was woodsy, spicy and smelled expensive. The fragrance of a man of the world. It was nice having a man next to her, particularly one as chivalrous as Malcolm.

  Annie’s car peeled out of the driveway and Lacy crinkled her nose. “My sister is so angry these days.”

  “She’s fighting an uphill battle,” he remarked, leading Lacy toward the main bridge and back toward the forest trail. “Being a single mother isn’t easy, and she just wants to do what’s right by her child.”

  “You sure are giving her a lot of credit,” Lacy said, gently bumping her shoulder against his arm as they strolled. His browned skin was shades darker than her own, reminding her she needed to get out more, soak up the sunshine, stretch out by the falls and sun herself. It’s what she used to do and would do so today.

  “I’m only giving her proper due.” Malcolm stopped by his truck and turned to her. “And I’m surprised to hear negative remarks coming from you—you who sees the best in everyone and can’t hold a grudge if it were handcuffed to her wrist.”

  Lacy smiled. She liked that Malcolm saw the good side of her. “Well, she has been alone for a long time. According to Aunt Frannie, Annie’s lucky to get an annual date, if that.”

  He chuckled. “Don’t hold it against her. Not all the girls are as pretty as you, with men willing to stand in line in a desert’s heat.”

  “You do go on,” she said, enjoying every minute of it.

  “Hungry? We can break open that food and eat it right here, if you’d like.”

  The food and blanket sat in the backseat of his truck. Lacy shook her head. Suddenly, she was in no mood for food. Deep down, she wished she and Annie could be on the same side. She wished the two of them could meet Delaney head on and challenge her for Casey’s right to Ladd Springs. If the test proved Casey belonged to Jeremiah, wouldn’t that make her claim correct? Lacy looked up to Malcolm. A tuft of white hair fell over his brow, his blue eyes intent upon her own. Gentle, quiet, he had an air of wisdom about him. “What if Annie’s claim about Jeremiah turns out
to be true? What if he really is Casey’s daddy?”

  “Then what Annie said is true.”

  She knew it. “Are you sure?”

  He nodded. “Felicity and Casey are cousins. Their parents are both Ladds.”

  “Yes, but Susannah married Harry Wilkins. Wouldn’t that make Casey more entitled than Felicity? I mean, she’d bear the Ladd name and all.”

  Malcolm returned a knowing smile. Nice try. “The two girls share equally in the Ladd bloodline. According to Delaney, Ernie promised her mother that he would will the property to Delaney and Felicity. There was no mention of Jeremiah.”

  “Not Albert, either?”

  “I don’t think Albert would know what to do with the property if he had it,” Malcolm said, his tone very diplomatic.

  Lacy nodded, closing off the possibility in an instant. The Albert she remembered was about as sharp as a dumpling. “You’re probably right, there.”

  “But you’re correct in that as sole owner, if Ernie had died without a will, the entire property would have gone to his son, Jeremiah.”

  “The entire thing?”

  “Yes. But Ernie signed a life estate, giving Felicity the property upon his death.”

  “What’s a life estate?”

  “It’s a simple way to transfer ownership for someone approaching the end of their life. With the swipe of a pen, you give your entire rights of ownership to one of your family members. Doing so while you’re still alive eliminates a lot of hassle for the heirs. In the meantime, Ernie retains his right to live on the property but ensures Felicity receives ownership upon his death. She and Delaney will have to pay the back taxes,” he said, “which are no small amount, but after that, it’s theirs, free and clear.”

  Lacy and Malcolm crossed the bridge, the creek below a maze of rocks and moss and sand blurred beneath a crystal clear flow of water. Lively and quick, Lacy thought it pretty, even more when the sun’s rays tumbled over the surface, setting life to the stream. “How come Jeremiah keeps talking like he’s going to get it, then?”

  “Because he can challenge the validity of the deed.”

  “Huh?”

  He chuckled. “It’s complicated. Suffice it to say, Delaney and Felicity are not out of the woods yet.” He slid a glance toward the meadow, the mountains beyond, rounded hills of green. “And speaking of woods, let’s say you and I go back to Zack’s Falls.”

  Lacy shook her head. “Uh-uh.”

  Surprised by her refusal he replied, “Uh-uh?”

  She nibbled her lower lip. “I have a better idea.” Lacy tugged on his arm then pulled away, darting off ahead of him. “C’mon. Follow me!”

  Wondering at the mischievous look in her eye, Malcolm chased Lacy through the meadow to the trailhead, surprised by how much effort it required. She ran through the tall grass like a deer, while he felt like a stampeding cow on a mad dash for his life. But the sight of her short skirt and curvy figure prancing ahead of him propelled him forward. She stopped short of the trail’s opening, waiting for him to catch up.

  Within seconds, Malcolm reached her. Dropping hands to knees, he leaned forward to catch his breath. He couldn’t believe how winded he’d become from the quick sprint. She, on the other hand, stood there with only the mildest of deep inhalations. “You’re in good shape,” he commented.

  Lacy beamed at the compliment. “Thank you. I do yoga.”

  “Yoga keeps your heart and lungs in shape?” He shook his head. “Never heard of such a thing.”

  She giggled. “I swim in the summer.”

  Malcolm nodded and pulled his body to an upright position, still struggling to calm his breath. “Now you’re talking. Swimming is the one sport that will prove a body out of shape quicker than bathroom scale.”

  “You’re not out of shape.”

  He shook his head. “You’re kind, but I am. The proof is panting in front of you.”

  Lacy laughed. “Are you old?”

  Such an odd question, he thought, but replied, “Forty-five.”

  “That’s not old,” she said. “I’m thirty-four.”

  “And in damn fine shape for your age,” he said. Regaining control of his heart and lungs, Malcolm admired her shapely legs up close, creamy white between her denim skirt and black boots. Keep chasing this little pixie and he might end up flat on his back from a heart attack! But taking another gander at her legs, her narrow hips and full breasts in the white tank, he decided it would darn well be worth it. “So you don’t want to go back to the falls?” he asked.

  She shook her head. “I’d like to see the gold. Do you know where it is?”

  Malcolm’s instincts swooped in. Lacy wanted to see the gold? She wasn’t even supposed to know about its existence, let alone see it up close and personal! “Why do you want to see the gold?” he asked, rubbing his lower back.

  “I’ve never seen real gold before.”

  Malcolm raised a brow. “Somehow I find that hard to believe. Men drape girls like you in the stuff. How is it that the shiny metal passed you by?”

  Lacy laughed gaily and waved him off. “No, silly. I mean in the rock, in its natural form. I’ve only panned for it as a child, but there were never anything but glittery flakes.”

  “And that wasn’t enough for you?” he teased.

  “I didn’t believe they were real. Same as the rubies we used to pan for over the summer.” She flicked the thought away like a nuisance fly. “My folks used to tell me I was panning for treasure, but it didn’t look like anything but dirt and dust to me.”

  It was Malcolm’s turn to laugh. “I shudder to think of the trauma you endured. By all means, a girl has got to experience the real thing as least once in her lifetime, doesn’t she?”

  “She does,” Lacy agreed heartily.

  Malcolm motioned for her hand. “Mind if we walk the trail instead of hike the rocks this time?”

  She batted her eyelashes. “If you prefer.”

  “I most certainly do,” he replied and, closing his hand around hers, marveled at the softness of her skin. Add her slender figure and fine features and she seemed delicate, almost fragile—until you tried to keep up with her. Malcolm was still in awe at her athletic ability.

  Entering the trail, he kept the pace easy and slow. He wanted to enjoy Lacy’s company for as long as he could. He found her spontaneity fun, her guilelessness sweet. She seemed genuinely hurt by her sister’s accusation, yet the next words out of her mouth were directed to help Annie. It was a feud different than any others he’d seen around town, where the enemies were well-known, territories distinctly marked. Malcolm didn’t get it. Lacy was clearly disliked by her sister, yet she continued to press forward, as though she missed the signs. Danger. No trespassing. Keep Out.

  “Do you think Delaney will share the property with Annie?” Lacy asked.

  “That’s hard to say. So far, she’s been staunchly opposed to the idea.”

  “But if Annie proves it? Wouldn’t Delaney do the right thing by Annie and give her half?”

  Malcolm glanced down at Lacy. It was beginning to feel like she had a vested interest in Annie and Casey prevailing in this deal. “Right’ can be a relative term. Is it right for Jeremiah to have it when he’s suspected of murder?” he asked, watching for her reaction. Did she truly not know about the incident Delaney spoke of? Was it possible? “And how about Albert. Is it right for him to be cut out completely? And what about his sons?”

  “Billy and Robby,” she murmured, dropping her gaze to the dirt path ahead of them. “They’re blood kin, too, which means they’re entitled to a piece, aren’t they?”

  Malcolm heard distress in her voice, as though the thought of Albert’s boys getting a piece of Ladd Springs was not what she wanted to hear. “It’s convoluted to say the least,” he acknowledged, unwilling to let talk of family feuds and property rights interfere with their time together. “But in the end, it will all work out.”

  She angled her face up to his. “You think so?”


  Taking in her pert little mouth and beautiful blue eyes, he replied, “I do. I much prefer to believe in the positive, don’t you?”

  Lacy smiled, as though realizing she knew he was on to her and gave a gentle tug to his hand. “I do.”

  Passing the time in quiet for a while, Malcolm thought hiking through the shade of the forest was like traveling another world. From a floor of clay and rock to walls of earth and trees and a ceiling of leaves, it was secluded. Cut off from society. The forest smelled rich and clean, no trace of smog or fumes, nothing like the busy world he normally inhabited. The trail was totally private, insulated from stress. This land promised a spectacular retreat for Harris Hotel guests. It would make for a memorable stay in sensory experience. Malcolm’s mind went to Lacy’s hand in his and felt this place was becoming memorable for a different reason.

  He was beginning to look forward to spending some time here, designing the hotel, building it, and hanging out with the woman by his side. As far as he could tell, Lacy had no plans to return to Atlanta, nothing pulling her away from him. She was free and easy and it was his job to see that their relationship stayed that way. Observing a large rock at the curve in the trail up ahead, Malcolm knew they were getting close. Not far beyond was a valley of brush and a creek which would help him locate the “golden rock” with ease. “We’re almost there,” he informed her.

  Her blue eyes widened. “We are?”

  “Yes. But before I show you the rock, you must promise me you’ll keep this a secret. Delaney doesn’t want the entire world to know about it—”

  “’Cause they’ll come in and get it for themselves,” Lacy finished for him. She nodded. “I understand.”

  “Good.” He stopped. Cupping her face, he gazed into her eyes for any hint of deception. “I can trust you, right?” She nodded and linked hands behind her back like a dutiful child. “You wouldn’t want me to get into trouble, would you?”

  “Of course not.”

  Malcolm smiled. “Me, neither. Delaney can be a viper when she wants to be.”