“She is very considerate of others. It’s amazing that you would risk your family’s ire to court and marry someone of whom they disapproved.”
Morgan shrugged. “I couldn’t allow them to dictate my future. I thought I had convinced them that my choice was a good one and that they would come to love Kenzie as I do. However, that apparently wasn’t what happened at all. When I received Kenzie’s letter, I was mortified. I confronted my father, who admitted to interfering in the matter. I soon learned that my entire family had some part in it. I told them they had betrayed me and that I intended to come here, tell Kenzie everything, and marry her immediately.”
“And what was their response?” Caleb watched Morgan carefully. If he was lying about the situation, he would surely give himself away at some point.
“My father threatened to disinherit me, but it didn’t matter. I told them that I would go no matter what.”
“And you wish to take Kenzie back to live in that atmosphere?”
“Of course not. I have a house of my own in Missouri—Kansas City. I have my own investments and business dealings, and while being disinherited would rob me of a vast fortune, I would gladly give it up for Kenzie.”
“Mr. Morgan—”
“Call me Arthur, please. I feel we can become good friends.”
Caleb smiled. “I doubt that. You see, the other man who intends to marry Kenzie is my best friend, Dr. Micah Fisher. And I won’t betray his trust in me. I won’t even pretend to be on your side in this matter. I believe Micah and Kenzie love each other very much.”
“I’m sorry, but I have first claim to her. Your friend must recognize that.”
Caleb shook his head. “I doubt where matters of the heart are concerned that either of you will listen to reason. However, my sister asked me to come here today and speak to you about the situation.”
“To what purpose? Are you supposed to convince me to give Kenzie up? Are you here to threaten me and tell me to leave town and never darken her doorstep again?”
Caleb noted the sarcasm in his tone. “Hardly that. I wanted to hear your side of the story and judge for myself the truthfulness of your statements. You see, I’m a lawyer, and as such, I’ve learned to assess people rather well. I’m also a Christian with a gift for discernment that has yet to fail me.”
A look of concern flashed in Morgan’s expression and was quickly replaced with a smile. “Then you know I’m speaking the truth. I would never lie about something so vital to my own happiness. You must believe me.”
Caleb returned the smile. “I find that generally when people demand I believe they are speaking the truth, they aren’t. However, I will reserve judgment for the moment. Kenzie has been greatly upset by this turn of events. I believe you would do well to give her some time. We know how to reach you when she deems the time is right.”
“But that’s not fair. I’m sure Dr. Fisher will come and go as he pleases. I will not sit by idly while he steals her away. She belongs with me.”
Caleb didn’t like Morgan’s tone but didn’t react. There was something about Arthur Morgan he didn’t entirely trust. Perhaps it was his privileged upbringing that gave him an air of entitlement and the belief that he could demand his way and people would heed it. It might even be that his love for Kenzie was blinding him to everything else. Whatever it was, Caleb discerned a problem, and he had learned to heed that feeling.
Caleb turned his hat in his hands, but his gaze never left Arthur Morgan’s face. “Mr. Morgan, I am of the firm belief that Kenzie is capable of making up her own mind in matters of the heart. She’s lived under my roof and care for these last months, and I’ve come to know her quite well.”
“I suppose you fancy yourself in love with her too?” Morgan sneered. “It hardly seems appropriate that a single woman should live in the same house with a single man.”
Caleb raised a brow. “I owe you no explanations, Mr. Morgan. I will say that I have no interest in Kenzie other than that of a concerned friend. However, you would do well to guard your thoughts and speech. I am an honorable, Christian man and do my best to overlook mistakes, but once warned, I believe that should suffice.”
Morgan looked at him for a moment, then gave another shrug. “Surely if you’ve ever been in love, you know what it is to want to protect that person. I don’t want Kenzie hurt.”
“She’s already been hurt, and now she’s dealing with a very confusing situation. If you love her, you will give her time to sort through her thoughts and feelings. If the love she once held for you is real, then she will realize that and come back to you.” Caleb got to his feet. “I do hope you will be considerate in this matter.”
Morgan followed him to the door. “I won’t stand idle and let someone else take her away from me. I doubt any man worth his mettle would. I hope you will convey that message to your dear friend Dr. Fisher.”
Caleb turned and met Morgan’s gaze. There was something hard, almost cold in his eyes. He was a man of power and wealth who was used to getting what he wanted. “I will let him know how you feel, and I will also relate what happened here today to Kenzie. I think it only right that she knows you care more about having your own way than about her feelings.”
“I didn’t say that,” Morgan protested.
“But that is what you’ve implied.” Caleb looked at him, daring him to dispute it.
Morgan’s shoulders slumped a bit. “I can’t stay here forever, waiting for you and the others to decide whether or not I can see her. Kenzie knows me, and I believe she still loves me. No one would write such an impassioned letter without having deep feelings.”
“She has deep feelings, of that I can vouch. But whether any of those remain as love for you, I cannot say.” Caleb donned his hat. “Good day, Mr. Morgan.”
Victoria looked at the others seated around the table and found it difficult to hold her tongue. Her situation was completely impossible, but she was reliant upon these people for her very existence. Unless, of course, she could find some of her old friends. Her family had long been associated with other powerful families. Surely with their help she would be able to battle the likes of Caleb Coulter and her cousin.
“I must be getting to work,” George Lake announced, standing. “However, let me say that my time spent here with you has given me a new perspective on life.” He looked at the old woman he’d been sitting beside and smiled. “I am grateful for new friendships.”
