Love Inspired Historical June 2014 Bundle: Lone Star Heiress\The Lawman's Oklahoma Sweetheart\The Gentleman's Bride Search\Family on the Range (8 page)

He glanced at the dog padding along beside them. “But we should drop Rufus off at my place first.”

She nodded, but her mind was apparently on his earlier statement. “You said Mr. Barr was
one
of the men who traveled from Philadelphia with you. How many were there?”

“There were two others—four of us in total.”

“You must have been really good friends to just up and leave your homes, and move here together.”

“Actually, we didn't know each other before we planned the trip.” And they hadn't gotten along very well at first, either. That had been a very uncomfortable trip.

Ivy paused a heartbeat, staring at him in confusion. Then she started walking again. “Four gentlemen from Philadelphia all decide to travel way out here to Turnabout at the same time? Sounds like one whopper of a coincidence.”

“There was no coincidence. You see, we had a common acquaintance—Reggie's grandfather, as a matter of fact—who pulled us together for a unique business opportunity.” The opportunity being to participate in a marriage lottery for Reggie's very unwilling hand.

And the less said about that, the better.

She nodded. “So y'all went into business together.”

He could see why she'd be confused, but he really wasn't at liberty to reveal the whole story. And to be honest, he wasn't sure he'd want to even if he were.

“No. We've all gone our separate ways. Adam married Reggie shortly after we moved here and now he manages the bank and gives legal advice on occasion. Everett runs the local newspaper and married Daisy, who runs a restaurant. And Chance and his wife, Eve, run that toy and candy shop you saw earlier.” He spread his hands. “And I'm one of the town's two schoolteachers.” Did that sound as anticlimactic next to the accomplishments of the other three as he thought it did?

“Do you consider these men your friends
now?
”

He didn't have to think about that one. “Of course.” The four of them had had their differences during the trip here and during those tense days when they had been waiting for Reggie to make her decision.

To be honest, during that trip his mind had been more on his reason for leaving Philadelphia than on what company he was in. Gretchen's death, and his guilt, had been fresh then. Getting close to anyone had been beyond his abilities.

But in time the four men and Reggie had forged a mutual respect and friendship.

But he hadn't allowed anyone to get really close since he'd moved here. He wasn't certain he even knew how any longer.

* * *

Ivy wondered if Mitch knew how telling his words had been. Each of the men who'd traveled here with him had found love and established a family. Each one except him.

That didn't make sense. Mitch was a tall, handsome man with a strong sense of honor and a good heart. Any girl would be lucky to have him for a husband.

Which was not an appropriate topic for her to dwell on.

As soon as Mitch pointed out his house, she studied it with interest. It was a white two-story structure, very simple and plain in design. It was just the right size, she decided—small enough to be cozy, but large enough so he wouldn't feel cramped.

It was a bit stark, though. Unlike many of the homes they'd passed, there were no swings or rockers or even benches on the front porch. The yard appeared well maintained, but there were only a few bushes flanking the front gate—no flowering plants or flashes of color. No woman's touch.

The fence guarding his yard was wooden, about waist high, and it seemed sturdy enough to hold Rufus, as long as the dog didn't want out very badly.

Mitch stepped forward to open the gate. “Let me get a bowl of water for the mutt and then we'll head to Adam and Reggie's place.” He paused, then added, “Perhaps it would be best if you waited here with Rufus. I'll just be a minute.”

She nodded—this was likely another of his attempts to protect her reputation. But despite his stiff-necked tendencies, he'd been thoughtful enough to take time to get Rufus a bowl of water.

Then she saw his front door and she couldn't help the grin that spread across her face. Unlike the stark formality of the rest of his place, the door was painted a deep apple-red. Perhaps Mitch wasn't quite as reserved as he tried to pretend.

True to his word, Mitch returned a few minutes later. He set a large pan on the porch, then closed the front door behind him.

Ivy bent down and rubbed the dog's ears. “Okay, Rufus, there's plenty of water and lots of room to run around. You be good and don't make Mr. Parker sorry he volunteered to keep you.”

The dog followed them as far as the gate, then sat on his haunches as she closed him in. For a moment, Ivy worried about abandoning him in a strange place. Then he caught sight of a squirrel and took off, chasing the animal across the yard and around to the back of the house.

She smiled. He'd be fine.

“I like your door,” she said as they started down the walk.

His only reply was a noncommittal
“Hmm,”
but she thought she detected a slight self-conscious wince.

Deciding not to tease him further, she contented herself with asking questions about the town.

Finally, he waved a hand. “That's the Barr home just up ahead.”

The Barr home was a two-story white structure, larger than Mitch's, with a nice-size lawn and some well-cared-for rose bushes brightening up the front porch.

“Remember, don't mention the cabin,” Mitch reminded her. “And no first names.”

Ivy nodded, trying to ignore the spurt of exasperation at his stern warning. Did he think she would be so indiscreet?

But a bit of irritation was a small price to pay for all he'd done for her. Having Mitch introduce her to Mr. Barr would make her meeting with the man less awkward than it might have been otherwise.

And she clearly needed all the help she could get, now that Drum Mosley was dead. She still couldn't wrap her mind around that and what it meant for her. Had her chance to claim a windfall inheritance died with him? Had she made this long, trouble-plagued trip to Turnabout for nothing?

She certainly hoped Mr. Barr had some answers for her. But knowing he was a friend of Mitch's already inspired her with confidence that things would work out.

And if they didn't, well, having Mitch in her corner was still a win any way you looked at it.

Chapter Eight

M
itch placed a hand at the small of her back as they turned up the front walk.

She drew comfort from his touch, suddenly feeling unaccountably nervous. Not only was her access to that mysterious inheritance on the line, but these people were Mitch's friends and she didn't want to do or say anything that would embarrass him.

A lady with vivid blue-green eyes and coffee-brown hair answered his knock.

“Mitch.” The woman opened the screen door, concern in her expression. “I thought you planned to stay at the cabin for another four or five days. I hope nothing's happened.” Then she noticed Ivy. “Oh, hello.”

As Ivy stepped forward, Mitch smiled reassuringly. “Don't worry, nothing untoward happened. My plans just changed.”

Ivy smiled at the woman. “That was my fault, I'm afraid.”

“Reggie, this is Miss Ivy Feagan.” Mitch turned to Ivy. “Miss Feagan, this is Regina Barr.”

Reggie smiled a greeting. “Pleased to meet you. And I'm dying to hear how you changed Mitch's plans. But first, come inside so we can speak more comfortably.”

“Call me Ivy, please. And I'm very glad to meet you, too.”

When Ivy entered she found herself in a warmly furnished entryway. The hat rack and hall table had both seen better days, but the wood had a lovely glow to it. The oval mirror above the narrow table had an ornately carved frame, and was flanked by lovely photographs.

Before Ivy could take in any more, Reggie gave her arm a friendly pat. “As I said, I'm very interested in hearing how you managed to pry Mitch away from his vacation.”

Mindful of Mitch's concerns, Ivy chose her words carefully. “I was on my way here from Nettles Gap and ran into a bit of trouble. My mule came up lame and then I fell and bumped my head. Mr. Parker stumbled on me, so to speak, bandaged me up and offered to escort me to town.” She gave Mitch a teasing look. “I think he was afraid I'd hurt myself further if he'd didn't keep an eye on me.”

“How chivalrous of him.” Reggie eyed Mitch thoughtfully, then turned back to her. “You say you bumped your head—I hope you weren't badly hurt.”

Ivy waved dismissively. “I bumped my head, but I'm okay now. Even Dr. Pratt says so.”

“Well, that's a relief.”

Mitch cleared his throat. “Actually, the other reason we're here is that Miss Feagan has some business to discuss with Adam.”

“I see. Well, Adam is right in here.” She stepped aside as they reached the open doorway to a parlor, where a man was watching a toddler play on the floor.

He stood as soon as he saw them.

“Adam, Mitch brought a new friend of his round to see us,” Reggie said. “This is Ivy Feagan. Ivy, this is my husband, Adam.”

Mr. Barr's eyebrow went up momentarily at the introduction, and Ivy wondered if he'd recognized her last name. But he merely nodded politely. “Miss Feagan.”

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Barr.”

The toddler started fussing and Reggie scooped her up. “And this little doll is our daughter, Patricia.” She gave the child an affectionate squeeze, then turned to her guests. “Patricia and I will leave you to your business with Adam. But I warn you I will be back later for that chat.”

Reggie exited, closing the door behind her, and Ivy took a seat on the sofa while Mitch sat on a nearby chair.

Mr. Barr glanced from her to Mitch. “May I inquire how you two are acquainted?”

Mitch gave him the same story they'd relayed to Reggie earlier.

Then Reggie's husband turned to Ivy. “I assume you're here in response to the letter I sent out on Drum Mosley's behalf.”

Ivy nodded. “I understand Mr. Mosley passed away yesterday.”

Mr. Barr nodded. “He'd been quite ill for some time.” Then he eyed her curiously. “What is your relationship to Robert Feagan?”

“He was my father.”

“I see.”

Mitch leaned forward. “What are Miss Feagan's options now? Does she need to take this up with Carter?”

Rather than answer the question, Mr. Barr asked Ivy a question of his own. “How much do you know about your father's relationship with Drum Mosley?”

“I didn't even know there
was
a relationship. I was just a few days old when my pa died. The lady who raised me, Dovie Jacobs, couldn't remember much, either. When your letter came, she thought on it a bit. All she could remember was that my pa was setting up a new home for us when he got word about my ma taking ill. But it all happened so long ago, she doesn't remember much else.” Ivy leaned forward with her hands clasped together. “Do
you
know the story?”

“Only what Drum shared with me.”

“And that was?”

Mr. Barr leaned back and rubbed his jaw. “Drum requested you bring proof that you are who you say you are. Do you have that with you?”

“It's back at the hotel with my things.”

“May I ask what it consists of?”

“I brought a letter from Nana Dovie, the midwife who delivered me. And I have my ma's Bible that has her name in it, along with a family tree that goes back three generations.” She started to rise. “I can fetch them if you need to see them.”

Mitch placed a restraining hand on her arm. “I don't think that's necessary.” He turned to Adam. “I'll vouch for her. If she says she has them, then she does.”

Ivy was touched by Mitch's trust.

Adam gave a short nod. “Then that's good enough for me. At least as far as telling you this part of the story.”

What did that mean?

“Nine days ago, Drum sent word that he needed to see me. It seems that, once he knew he was nearing the end of his life, he had a crisis of conscience and wanted to make sure his affairs were in order. He wanted my advice on how to right a wrong that may or may not have been committed twenty-one years ago.”

“Something to do with my pa?”

“Yes.”

Ivy felt a fluttering beneath her breastbone. She would finally learn what this was all about.

“From what Drum told me,” Mr. Barr continued, “back in their younger days, he and your father worked together on a number of cattle drives. They became friends and decided they were tired of working for others, so they agreed to buy a parcel of land together and develop their own ranching operation.”

“They were partners?”

Mr. Barr nodded. “They pooled their money and bought a parcel of land just outside of Turnabout. They spent the first year just getting the land ready. Then they borrowed heavily to purchase a bull and a few dozen head of cattle to establish their herd.”

Her father had been a cattle rancher. “Where was my ma all this time?”

“According to Drum, your mother stayed in Nettles Gap. She had a delicate constitution and your father didn't want to bring her here until he'd built a proper house for her. He and Drum had just about put everything else in motion when he learned she was expecting. So he and your mother decided to wait a little longer so she could be with folks she knew and felt comfortable with until the child was born.”

Ivy found this story fascinating—she hadn't heard any of it before now. The puzzle was finally starting to make sense.

Mr. Barr looked at her with a kindness she hadn't expected from a near stranger. “Do you know the circumstances around your parents' passing?”

“Nana Dovie told me I came too early and that my ma died in childbirth. Not long after, my pa died of grief.”

When she was younger she'd thought dying of grief was romantic. Later, she'd wondered why her pa hadn't decided to stick around for her sake—didn't he love her, too? And come to think of it, how did one die of grief, anyway?

She suddenly became aware of Mitch's strong presence beside her, quietly supportive as she absorbed this new information about her parents. She gave him a quick smile, then turned back to Mr. Barr. She wasn't sure she wanted to hear the answer to her next question, but it had to be asked. “What was Mr. Mosley's version of my pa's story?”

He shifted slightly, but nodded. “Something similar. After your father buried your mother, he returned here and threw himself into his work. Drum said that all he could get out of him was that your mother had passed and that the baby wasn't expected to live.”

She winced at that. “Nana Dovie
did
say it was touch and go for a while as to whether I would live.” But why hadn't her father stuck around to find out?

“At any rate, your father died a few days later when he fell from his horse.”

It wasn't grief, then. Or maybe it was grief that made him careless. She supposed she'd never know. “So what does all this mean?”

“As for the particulars of Drum's will, that should wait until I have both you and Carter together. I had planned to speak to him after the funeral tomorrow. Perhaps you should come as well so we can attend to the matter properly.”

“We'll be there,” Mitch said before Ivy could answer.

He was being high-handed again, but in this particular case, she couldn't say she minded. She nodded. “I'd like to pay my respects.” After all, even though she'd never met him, Drum Mosley had given her a glimpse into who her parents had been.

Mitch spoke up again. “What else can you tell Miss Feagan about her prospects?”

Mr. Barr turned to speak to her directly, which she appreciated. “I can tell you your father and Drum had a formal partnership agreement, which stated that if either of them died without a direct heir, then their share of the property would go to the other partner. As far as Drum knew, your father had no direct heir remaining, so he assumed ownership of the entire ranch. And no one came forward to challenge his claim.”

Did that mean she
did
own some land? “What made Mr. Mosley decide to check his facts now?”

“I think he always wondered in the back of his mind if Robert's child had really passed away. But he ignored those niggling doubts and continued to build on, and profit from, the ranch.” He rubbed his chin. “Then, as I said, facing his own mortality forced him to reevaluate.”

Mitch leaned forward. “Does Carter know about this?”

“When last we spoke, Drum instructed me that no one, including Carter, was to know about this unless an heir stepped forward. So unless he changed his mind, I'd say no.”

Before she or Mitch could ask anything further, Mr. Barr leaned back. “Now, I'd prefer to defer the rest of this discussion until we meet with Carter tomorrow.”

Ivy nodded. “Of course. And I appreciate you taking the time to tell me this much.”

As if she'd been waiting for her cue, Reggie reentered the parlor with a now smiling and cooing toddler. She hefted the child on her hip. “I've waited long enough. Surely your business is complete by now.”

Mr. Barr stepped forward and gave his wife a peck on the cheek. “So impatient. But yes, we're done.”

“Well, then, Mrs. Peavy tells me supper is ready.” She turned to Ivy and Mitch. “And I insist you join us.”

“That's mighty kind, ma'am, but I wouldn't want to intrude,” Ivy said.

“First of all, I'll have none of this ‘ma'am' fustiness—it's Reggie. And second, there's more than enough for two guests, and it will give me a chance to visit with you properly. Besides, I want you to meet our son, Jack, as well as Mrs. Peavy and her husband, Ira, who live here, as well.”

Mitch spoke up before she could refuse again. “Thank you, we accept.”

Reggie smiled. “That's better.” She handed the toddler over to her husband and linked her arm through Ivy's. “Now, I want to hear all about how you and Mitch met.”

Ivy sent a quick glance Mitch's way, unsure how to reply to that. He immediately came to her rescue.

“When Miss Feagan fell, I got to play white knight to her damsel in distress.”

“A white knight, was it?” Reggie grinned. “I always thought there was hero material inside you—you just needed the right circumstances to bring it out.” She cut a quick glance Ivy's way. “Or the right person.”

Ivy's cheeks warmed at that and she quickly turned the conversation in a different direction. “Mr. Parker tells me you're a photographer. That sounds like an interesting skill to have.”

Reggie accepted her change of subject. “I enjoy it. Stop by my studio while you're here and I'll show you some of my work.” Then she tilted her head. “Speaking of which, how long are you planning to be in town?”

“I'm not sure. It depends on how long it takes to settle this business with Mr. Mosley.”

“Well, we'll do our best to make certain you want to stay for a nice long visit.”

“Thank you, but I left Nana Dovie—that's the woman who raised me—on her own and I don't like to be gone for too long.”

Reggie patted her arm. “In that case, I suppose we'll have to wish for a speedy and happy conclusion to your business here.”

As Ivy thanked her again, she cast a quick look at Mitch, the man who'd stood by her ever since he'd first stumbled upon her, and had helped her in more ways than she could count.

Would he miss her when she left?

Because she had a feeling she would definitely miss him.

* * *

As Mitch walked Ivy back to the hotel, he saw the lamplighter starting his rounds on Second Street. It was hard to believe they'd left the cabin only this morning.

“The Barrs seem like real nice people,” Ivy said.

“They are.”

She paused for a moment, then added, “Like you.”

She thought he was nice? He wasn't sure how to respond to that. So he changed the subject. “How are you feeling about all of these new details you're learning about your parents?” She'd been uncharacteristically silent on the subject.

“It was unexpected, of course. But after thinking on it a bit I find it fills in a lot of gaps for me. I just wish I would've made it here before Mr. Mosley passed on. It would have been really nice to speak to someone who knew my pa so well.”