Read Online From Here to Paternity by Jill Churchill - Free Book Online Page A

anything then but uninhabited land. So they all worked it out to everybody’s satisfaction and got the President’s approval to the sale.“
    “So what’s the problem?“
    “The problem was that by the time the document was filed, the missionary was dead. HawkHunter’s argument is that the tribe sold the land to the missionary, not to his wife and children. The deed doesn’t mention heirs.“
    “Ah… I see how that could be tricky. Isn’t Paul concerned?“
    “No. You see, the President’s signature was dated before the minister’s death. It just wasn’t filed until a week later. That’s the most important point Another is that the tribe accepted payment from the minister’s widow, which indicates that they did recognize and approve that the land was going to the heirs. Apparently there have been a number of cases in the last ten years or so with tribes trying to reclaim land, and although some of them have won their suits, the court is obligated to consider intent. Also, the land has had title-insurance all that time, so if by some extraordinarily unlikely chance it came to court and the court ruled in favor of the tribe, the title insurance company would be stuck with the bill.“
    “So the investors aren’t concerned that the tribe has any real legal claim on the land?“
    “No, they’re not the least concerned about the legalities of the thing. But I think some of them might be very worried about the public relations aspect of it. That demonstration in front this morning was sort of colorful and interesting and lasted only a half hour or so, but if the tribe becomes really militant about all this, it could be bad for the resort’s business. It doesn’t look good to have stolen land from the Indians and then desecrated their burial ground. Even if neither accusation is really true.“
    “So Paul and the investors are wavering?“
    “Oh, I have no idea how they feel about it. I was just airing my own idea of how they might feel. All they seem interested in is their balance sheets and financial projections.“
    As she’d been explaining all this, Shelley had glanced around from time to time to make certain they weren’t being overheard. Now she gave Jane a subtle end-of-discussion signal as an older couple came into the pool area.
    The man went to speak (rather fiercely, it appeared) to the young person who worked at the concession stand where snacks as well as swimming paraphernalia were sold; the woman approached Shelley.
    “There you are, Mrs. Nowack. And this must be your friend Mrs. Jeffry!“
    “Mrs. Smith, I haven’t seen you since just after we arrived. Yes, this is my friend Jane. And you must call me Shelley.“
    “Oh, good. And I’m Joanna. And my husband’s Bill, as you know. Well, well. How are you enjoying your stay? May I join you?“
    “Please do,“ Shelley said.
    It would be impossible not to warm to this woman. She was the quintessential grandmother type. Plump, with faintly purple, beauty-shop hair, Joanna Smith even had a big soft bag with her from which she pulled a garish, half-done granny square and proceeded to crochet while they talked. “I hope Tenny’s taking good care of you,“ she said, peering over half glasses that were looped around her neck on a cheap, gilt-painted plastic necklace.
    “Wonderful. Yes.“
    “I knew she would. Tenny is a dear, dear girl. I don’t know what we’d do without her. She’s my sister’s girl, you know. Her father came out here from Tennessee and missed his home. That’s why they named her Tennessee, you see. I thought it was an awful thing to do to a child when she was born, but it suits her.“
    “It is a pretty name,“ Jane said. “I think it used to be very common to name people for places. My grandmother’s best friend was named Philadelphia.“
    “Is your sister involved with the resort, too?“ Shelley asked.
    “Oh, no. My poor sister, bless her soul, died when Tenny was just four. She and her husband both. My