The Rightful Heir

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“And that’s another thing. I am uncomfortable with your use of my given name. We are business partners, not friends of long standing.”

“So you admit that I am an equal partner in the newspaper?”

He was quick with a turn of phrase. “I do not. I point out that you have taken liberties without so much as a by-your-leave.”

Jared stood and offered her the chair he’d just vacated. “Please do have a seat and let us work out the details of these liberties.”

She twisted her hands together behind her back and said, “I’ll sit here,” as she lowered herself into the chair facing the desk.

The corners of his mouth tweaked for a brief moment but he turned the threatening smile into a neutral expression and sat. “Let’s talk of the office and desk first.” He put his palms flat on the desk. “I think we can share the desk. In the mornings, I like to make notes on what I’d like to accomplish during the day. If that works for you, fine. If not, I can come in earlier and use the desk before you arrive.”

“I use the desk to write articles for the paper. I have no idea from one day to the next what time I will need it.”

“What if I’m willing to relinquish my time to you in the event you need to write a story?”

He was being reasonable. Rational and reasonable. If she didn’t accept, he could tell the judge she’d refused to cooperate. If she did accept, she’d have to watch him work at the desk every morning. Watching the confident way he put pen to paper without pause reminded her of the elder Mr. Ivy. He always knew what he was about. Never did he stop and question his course.

She wished she could be that bold. The boldness she exuded was manufactured nightly in earnest prayer that she wouldn’t falter with each new day. Could she keep up the facade of successful business owner, ready to face the world on her own, in the presence of his natural confidence?

He must have taken her silence for disagreement. He offered another solution. “What if we decide to treat everything as belonging to the Record? The furnishings and everything. Then it won’t be as if either of us is using the other’s personal property. It will be both of us sharing the duties and responsibilities of the paper.”

“That seems reasonable.” She had taken ownership of all the contents of both buildings when Mr. Ivy died. Save her clothing, there really wasn’t anything here that belonged exclusively to her.

The front door swung open and a gust of October wind came in with Andrew.

Jared stood again. “Andrew, just the person I need to see.”

Andrew closed the door and cast a leery glance at Mary Lou before turning to Jared.

Jared came from behind the desk. “I need to buy a horse. Mary Lou tells me you reside at the livery.”

“Mr. Robbins always has a couple of horses for sale. He’s got two fine animals right now.”

Jared snagged his hat from the coat tree near the door and thanked Andrew.

Mary Lou asked, “Aren’t you going to work today? I intended to show you how to take last week’s plates and prepare for a new paper.”

“I’ve got some things to take care of first. You and Andrew go ahead without me.”

She put her hands on her hips. “You need to know all the aspects of publishing the newspaper.” He couldn’t just waltz in and out of the office—and the work—like he didn’t have any responsibility.

“I’m sure that can’t be the most difficult part to learn. I’ve got an idea I’m following up on. If I’m right, I’ll have a contribution of my own to add to the next edition.” He gave her a smile that she knew meant he expected her to grant him permission.

“I won’t do your work for you. And nothing will go into the paper without my approval. Perhaps you’d like to share this idea before you waste your time on something we won’t print.”

“Oh, we’ll print it. I’ll try to be back before supper.” He snagged his saddle from its place near the front door and left.

“Wonder what he’s working on.” Andrew shrugged out of his jacket.

“I don’t know.” Mary Lou pushed her sleeves up and reached for her garters to hold them safely away from the ink while she worked. “But if it’s anything like what I’ve heard since he got here, it will never see print.”

She and Andrew set to work removing the type from the articles that wouldn’t run again and sorting the letters into trays. The next edition would be easier to prepare if they kept the work area organized and clean.

The two of them worked the remainder of the morning, but Mary Lou’s mind was on Jared. Where was he? What idea was he pursuing? If he proved to be a better journalist than she was, would Mr. Ivy have wanted her to turn the paper over to him? The thoughts became a jumbled mess in her mind, but she pushed them away after lunch when she set off in search of the next article worthy of the front page.

If Jared was going to compete with her for ownership of the Pine Haven Record, he’d have to prove himself a strong challenger. She might need to pray for strength every night, but she set about her job with determination every day. If anything, Jared only made her more determined than ever to succeed.

* * *

Jared went straight from the newspaper office to the livery. He entered through the open doors and stopped as his eyes adjusted to the shadows of the interior. “Mr. Robbins? Are you here?”

A man in his forties came from one of the stalls. “That’d be me.” He wiped his hands on a rag and stuffed it into his hip pocket.

“I’m Jared—”

“Jared Ivy. Jacob’s grandson. You’re Ben and Agnes’s boy.”

He hadn’t thought about what it would be like to meet people who’d known his parents. Jared put out his hand. “I am. It’s good to meet you, Mr. Robbins.”

“I’d have known you anywhere. You’re the spitting image of your pa and your grandpa.”

Jared chuckled, mostly to clear the awkward feeling that filled his throat. He’d been so long without either man that he hadn’t known he looked like them. Only when Mary Lou had pointed it out had he realized it. The picture on the wall in the news office floated to the front of his memory. He’d missed so much. “So I’ve been told just recently.”

“I’m guessing Mary Lou Ellison was surprised when you showed up in town. That’s a fiery girl if ever I saw one. She’s been committed to the success of the Record since your grandpa took her in. Never seen a girl more focused. You’d think she’d want to get married like all the other young ones.”

Jared’s curiosity pushed to the front again. “Surely she had offers.”

“One or two, but no one could get her attention. She’s always off in search of the next story. Can’t tie a woman like that down. Not many men would be willing to try. They want a woman to be at the house taking care of the little ones while the man runs the business.”

Jared shook his head. “From what I’ve seen of Miss Ellison, she wouldn’t be content without a challenge.” He dare not push for more information on the woman he hoped to have removed from his business. If word of his snooping into her personality got back to her, he’d have more trouble than he wanted.

“Mr. Robbins, Andrew told me you keep a few horses for sale. I’m in need of a new mount.” He cast his eye around the livery and noticed two exceptional animals. “Something like this fellow would do nicely.” He stepped up to a stall and put a hand on the nose of a black stallion. “He’s a beaut.”

“That one’s not for sale.”

“Are you sure? I’ve brought cash. And I’ll need to board him here with you, too. I think we could come to a fair agreement.”

“That’s Midnight. You’re right. He’s a fine horse. But he belongs to Andrew.”

Surprise kicked off another line of questioning in his mind. “How can a boy like that afford such a horse?”

“He brought me a little money every week. Sometimes twice a week. He’s worked here doing a man’s chores for about three years now. Set his eye on Midnight the day I got him. Wouldn’t let me sell him to another soul.”

“It’s unusual for someone his age to be so determined.”

“Andrew’s no stranger to hard work. He’s so busy, you’ll see him coming and going all over town. Never know where he’ll pop up wanting to lend a hand and make a few coins.”

That agreed with everything Mary Lou had said about Andrew. But it didn’t sit right with Jared that the boy had been able to raise that kind of money by mucking out stalls and working as an apprentice.

Mr. Robbins pointed to the next stall. “This is Noel. She’s a bit headstrong, but a good horse. I daresay she’s only bested by Midnight in the livery.”

Jared took the horse for a brief ride. When he returned, he haggled with Mr. Robbins and made the deal for Noel, a chestnut mare with good lines.

He left the livery on Noel and turned toward the Circle W Ranch. The hotel owner had told him that Mr. Willis ran the largest ranch in the county. Jared wanted to meet the man and put forth some of his ideas for expanding the topics covered by the paper. He caught sight of Mary Lou as he passed the office and lifted a hand in greeting. Her expression let him know he’d be bombarded with questions from her as soon as he returned.

His meeting with Mr. Willis took longer than he anticipated, but the man confirmed his instincts about a new direction for the paper. More articles on changing cattle markets and any news in the business world that related to ranching could help the ranchers not only stay in business but make more profit in the long run.