“What about a coffin?” Havyn wiped at her eyes. “Do we need to go into town and purchase one?”
Shuffling sounded near the door.
“That won’t be necessary.”
All eyes shifted to find Christopher Powell standing there, his hat in his hands. “It would be an honor for me to build Chuck’s coffin. I can start on it right away. If you will allow.”
Peter glanced back to the family and then to Whitney. Her furrowed brow and the sparks in her eyes gave away her anger that their father had come. How long would she hold him at arm’s length? While Peter understood the struggle and the painful history, the man was still her father. And she desperately needed him—even if she didn’t realize it.
Madysen sprang up from the couch and went over to greet her father. “Would you? I know Granddad would appreciate that. As we all would.” She glanced back at everyone, her eyes pleading.
“I could get it done by tomorrow.” Christopher looked down at his hat. “I owe the man my life.”
As the family stood and went to the man, the conversation stayed hushed as they expressed gratitude and sorrow.
Everyone except Whitney.
She hung back from the huddle of her family and watched. Then without a word ...
She turned on her heel and raced out the door.
TWO
So good ol’ Chuck was dead. Very interesting. The question was, how could he use this to his advantage?
Judas paced his office. All these years, he’d worked to get himself into the family’s good graces. They trusted him. Relied on him. But it hadn’t gotten him any closer to acquiring Chuck’s land. Or finding out where the man’s gold came from. Gold that Chuck seemed to have in abundant supply....
Out of everyone in this town, Chuck had been one of the few Judas couldn’t control. He had nothing on the man. During Chuck’s apoplexy recovery, when the family didn’t know about their plentiful resources, Judas thought he’d wriggled his way in ... but no. They paid their debt off to him as soon as Chuck could communicate.
Well, things were bound to change now.
A knock at his door brought his attention up.
The door opened, and his secretary nodded. “Mr. Davis is here to see you, sir.”
“Show him in.” Lifting his chin, he straightened his waistcoat and tie. It was a good thing the lawyer came as quick as he did.
“Mr. Reynolds.” The mouse of a man entered and skittered into a chair. “I received your message.”
Judas walked back behind his desk and took a seat. “You’re the family lawyer for Mr. Bundrant?”
The man rolled his eyes. “You know I am. And I’m quite certain you’ve been informed of his death. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have sent for me.”
“That’s indeed why I asked you here.” He took his time and folded his hands on the desk in front of him. “Let me remind you of the debts that you owe, Mr. Davis. Debts in which you are delinquent because I hear you have a bit of a gambling problem....” He let the words strike their mark.
Samuel Davis squirmed in his chair and looked everywhere but at Judas. “What do you want to know?” He stuck a finger in between his lips and began chewing on the nail.
“The terms of Chuck’s will. How much is his fortune, and where is it?”
Davis shrugged and shifted in the chair. Was the man sitting on a tack? “I don’t know the total of his fortune. He didn’t put any of that into writing, and he definitely didn’t put it in the bank. But I can tell you he split his property and everything he had between his three granddaughters. Originally, it was between his daughter and the granddaughters, but after Melissa died, he asked me to update the will, which I did. That’s all I know.”
Worthless fool. “I find that hard to believe.”
Davis held out both his hands. “I promise. That’s all I know. I’ve only seen Chuck once in the past year. You know how secretive he was.”
Leaning back in his chair, Judas examined the man. “Fine. You can go. But not a word of this to anyone.”
Davis stood and rushed out of the room. Judas wouldhave to deal with the debts later. For now, he might still have a use for the lawyer.
