As she turned the curve in the road, she glanced back to catch one last look of Noah, the large house rising behind him aglow in gaslight.
One last look of how he saw her then, with their kisses new and wonderful between them.
Because tomorrow, once she confirmed what her heart already knew …
Tomorrow, she feared, everything would change.
Chapter 24
THE EXTENT OFGEORGE'S DESPERATIONleft Noah utterly bewildered.
Mother too.
In the middle of his madness, George had placed the entire mortgage for his new house in Mother's name, which allowed her to uncover a few more ways he'd used her name on various documents. But also made her financially responsible for the house's mortgage.
But, apart from keeping himself out of financial obligation, why did he keep using Mother's name on all the accounts? Unless Mother had some executive power over the estate? Which sent Mother into a deeper investigation into what the will really said.
Had she held power all along?
As they delved even deeper into the paperwork, they found documentation to suggest that George had sold twenty acres of their family land, again, with Mother's forged signature as verification for the sale.
His debt was staggering.
At least Noah still had the property he was meant to inherit from his father. That was some leverage, if he needed money. He pinched his eyes closed, pushing the fury and hurt down to keep a clear head. He and Mother had to figure out how to manage the information in the best way at the least cost to them and the mill. Was there a way to take this knowledge of George's crimes and use it to help him make amends? Even if he had to go to jail, if he willingly sought to atone for his mistakes, then perhaps the outcome could prove better than Noah feared.
After taking Mother home to consider their next steps, Noah returned to town to visit Casper at theDaily News.He wasn't ready to go to the police just yet, but Casper knew enough of the legal world to give some insight.
“You're going to have to confront him, you know.” The dark-haired man looked up from the information Noah had just given him and shook his head. “It would be better coming from you than seeing it in newsprint first or, worse, having the police come to his door. There are other crimes besides extortion here. Forgery, fraud, falsifying documents—”
“I know.” Noah ran a hand through his hair and sat down across from Casper's desk. “I'm just not sure how he's going to respond.”
Casper grimaced. “Probably not good.”
“No, probably not.”
“This information is going to come out within the next few days no matter how hard you try to keep it quiet.” He waved the papers. “You've stirred the pot with your questions. The bankers will talk. The shopkeepers will talk.” He shrugged. “Probably already have.”
Noah's stomach dropped. He should have considered the way word spread in a small town. Not everyone would prove as discreet or concerned as him and his mother. Which meant George may already be aware of his and Mother's knowledge.
He needed to get to Mother and prepare her.
Kizzie too.
Noah stood. “I'd better go.”
Casper nodded and pushed up from his chair. “When do you want me to print this? I can't say I'm not a little selfish in wanting to officially break the news first.”
“Can you give me twenty-four hours?”
Casper rounded the desk and placed his palm on Noah's shoulder. “Forty-eight, if you need.”
What about a week? Month? But no amount of time could change the bombshell readying to explode. “I'll ring you if I need longer, but if you don't hear from me, do whatever you think is best.”
Within five minutes, he marched through Carters’ front door, his thoughts moving from one step to the next. Tell Kizzie and encourage her to keep a watch out for George. Noah didn't think his brother would resort to violence, but desperation led to unforeseen responses.
Molly worked the front counter and directed Noah up the back stairway to Kizzie's little apartment. Charlie's babbling met him through the closed door, and he grinned, something he'd neglected doing all morning.
Despite the circumstances, he'd done quite a bit of grinning the evening before, especially when recollecting the delightful memories of a closet and Kizzie's lips. After today, he'd likely not have anything to offer Kizzie but his heart, his good name, and his work ethic, because his brother had taken almost everything else, but something told him those things didn't matter as much to her.
