“Then he means to keep the businesses running?”
“After a fashion. He only wants certain businesses and plans to bring in others. He promised folks that if their current jobs became obsolete, he’d put them to work elsewhere.”
“And you are the only holdup in him moving ahead?” Caleb asked.
The older man nodded. “He thinks it’s purely vindictive.” He grinned and scratched his chin. “I confess there’s a healthy portion of that spirit in me, but it’s not the only reason. My family has lived here since the territory was open to settling. My uncles and father inherited all the land the town is situated on, and then some, when my grandfather died in ’70. Over the years, they’ve sold off pieces. They encouraged the growth of the town—it was always at the heart of what they hoped for.”
“How long has Hiram Morgan planned to uproot everything?”
“Nearly two years. He and his son Arthur—the one who wronged Kenzie—showed up here one winter to discuss their desires. We had a big town meeting, and Morgan told the people what he wanted and why. There were those like me who were opposed, but in the end, he offered so much money, they couldn’t refuse. What Morgan didn’t realize was that a good number of properties that my uncle sold include the proviso that first right of purchase comes back to our family. I took advantage of that right and bought up two of the businesses and a half-dozen houses. I also bought back the Emporium I’d sold to one of my cousins. When Morgan learned what I’d done, he was livid.”
“I knew you owned the house and possibly the Emporium, but had no idea about the other locations.” Caleb frowned. “I’m sure that must be quite a thorn in Morgan’s side.”
Joseph smirked. “I’m sure it is, and he’ll probably move ahead with legal proceedings to force me to sell. I’ve heard him making noise about it.”
“I hardly see how he can force you to sell. At least not legally. How did Arthur figure in?”
Joseph glanced at Caleb. “If you want my honest opinion, I think Hiram saw the potential to have Arthur woo my daughter. I think he figured that if those two got married, I’d feel obliged to give in.”
It was easy to see that a man with Morgan’s reputation wouldn’t think twice about using whatever means he had at hand. “But if that were the case, why did Arthur change his mind? Or as he told Kenzie—why would his father dupe him into believing she canceled the wedding?”
They came to a bench near the bandstand, and Joseph motioned to it. “If you don’t mind, I could use a rest.”
“Of course.” Caleb waited until the older man had taken a seat before joining him on the bench.
“Morgan made it known that he disapproved of them marrying,” Joseph said. “Whether that was just part of the act, I couldn’t say. Marrying Kenzie might have all been Arthur’s idea. I have no way of knowing. But about a month before the wedding, Morgan got the notion he would build farther to the east. Everything looked like it would go that way. Folks who’d already sold feared he’d want to back out of their contracts, but he said no, he would honor them. He came across all gracious and generous. He told me that he wanted our families to be at peace for the sake of Arthur and Kenzie.”
“And he was sincere?” Caleb found it hard to believe.
Joseph laughed. “I never trusted anything that came out of that man’s mouth. A week later, Morgan was breaking ground to the east, and new rail lines were being surveyed into the area. Then, the day of the wedding, Kenzie got a letter from Arthur, telling her the wedding was off and, well, you pretty much know the rest.”
“Arthur swears he came to you, begging to see Kenzie.”
The older man shook his head. “Nothing came except for that letter. Kenzie was heartbroken. A lot later, months afterward, Arthur did come to the house. He apologized for having left Kenzie at the altar and said the circumstances had been beyond his control, and he wanted to speak with her to explain. I told him she wasn’t there, and I wouldn’t tell him where she’d gone. He went away, and I never heard from him again.”
“So what happened to bring Hiram Morgan back to wanting your land?”
“I can’t say for certain. I’ve heard gossip that the lay of the land wasn’t suited to his needs—that the ground wasn’t good and fixing it would triple the cost. Who can say? With Hiram Morgan, it could just be that he doesn’t like that I have the upper hand. Could be he stands to make a bigger profit now with the city wanting to incorporate this area. All I know is his lawyer showed up here last March and offered five times as much money for my land as it’s worth. When I told him no, he told me that I’d be sorry—that they’d find a way to best me. That’s the last I heard from any of them.”
“Arthur told Kenzie that everything that happened was his father’s fault—that he’s never stopped loving her.”
“Hogwash.” Joseph got to his feet. “That boy never loved anybody but himself. I’m guessing his pa sent him to win Kenzie back so that he can get to me.”
“It would answer why Arthur insists she marry him before returning to Kansas City.”
Joseph’s expression remained stoic, but there was fear in his eyes. “You’ve got to keep her from doing that. He can’t be trusted. I’d be willing to bet everything I own that it’s all a ruse. He’ll marry Kenzie and then threaten to make her miserable unless I give in. You can’t let him marry her. I haven’t always done right by that girl, but I wouldn’t be able to bear seeing her hurt again.”
Caleb chuckled. “I don’t think that’s a problem. You see, there’s someone else who wants to marry Kenzie. My best friend, Dr. Micah Fisher, has fallen hard for your daughter.”
“And he’s a good man?”
“He is. He’s a good, God-fearing man, and he loves Kenzie. I’ve no doubt of his sincerity. He’s worked hard to get Kenzie to notice him.” Caleb grinned. “She hasn’t made it easy.”
“I don’t imagine so.” Joseph smiled. “Do you think she’ll give him a chance?”
“I believe she already cares for him a great deal. I think she’s just been afraid to trust another man after Arthur. Then Arthur showed up, telling her that it was all a lie—that he still loves her and never intended to end their relationship. It’s got her pretty shaken up, but she’s got a good head on her shoulders. I think in time, it’ll all come around right.”
“I was always disappointed that she wasn’t a boy,” Joseph admitted. “I’m sorry to say she knew about that disappointment too. She did whatever she could to try to please me, to win my approval. I wish I’d made it easier on her. She’s a good daughter. She’s always done right by us, and it grieves me to think that my attitude might have caused her to seek solace with the likes of Arthur Morgan.”
