Read Online Larkspur by Dorothy Garlock - Free Book Online Page B

here.
     
    *  *  *
     
    “Sit down, my dear.”
    Mark Lee had introduced Kyle Forsythe to Kristin as his business partner, and the polite phrases had been uttered.
    “I trust you had a pleasant breakfast.”
    “It was all right.”
    “I stopped by the hotel, thinking we could become acquainted before this meeting and was surprised that you were not there.”
    “I’m sorry. If I had known, I’d not have gone out walking while I waited for Mr. Lee. I saw people going into a place down the street and followed along, not knowing it was a place mostly for men.” Kristin laughed nervously. “After I went in, it was too late to back out the door.”
    “You met Miss Gates. Lovely girl. I hear the food is good there. I’ve not tried it myself.”
    “We don’t serve such large pancakes in Wisconsin, and the meat is not so greasy. I was surprised that potatoes are not served in some form for breakfast. Back home it’s standard fare.”
    “Is that right? Come to think of it, they serve them in Tennessee, too.”
    “Potato pancakes?”
    Forsythe laughed. “No pan-fried.”
    Kristin smiled. “We Swedes are also fond of potato dumplings.” He really was charming. She was so thankful she had been warned. She turned to the young lawyer who had been sitting quietly. He was her lawyer, but it was Colonel Forsythe who was doing all the talking. “Mr. Lee, about my uncle’s will—”
    “Show it to her, Mark. The young lady is anxious to get her affairs settled.”
    Mr. Lee took a yellowed document from a leather case and placed it on the desk in front of her.
    “It’s a standard will of the time. Witnessed, notarized and recorded at the territorial capital.”
     
I, Yarby Anderson, being of sound mind,
do bequeath to my niece, Kristin Anderson,
River Falls, Wisconsin, all my earthly
possessions at the time of my demise.
Yarby Anderson September 5, 1863
Witness: Judge James Williams
Roy R. Smothers
     
    Kristin read the document twice. When she looked up she had tears in her eyes.
    “Bless his heart. I never knew him. It was dear of him to think of me.”
    “From what I hear he was a nice old man,” Forsythe said kindly. “He must have thought the world of you.”
    “I hope he didn’t suffer.”
    “He was found deep in the woods. I suspect his heart just gave out, and he sat down and died without fear or pain. A wonderful way to go.”
    “I guess so.” Kristin dried her eyes.
    “Now, young lady, I’m sure you want to get this business over with so you can get back home. I’m prepared to give you the best possible price you could get for that land.” He reached into a drawer and brought out a stack of bills.
    “But, sir, I’ve no idea what the land is worth.”
    “That’s understandable. That’s why I’m here. Land is my business. I’ve been buying and selling it for many years.”
    “And my brother says there’s probably a herd of cows.”
    “Cows? If he was referring to a herd of steer, my dear, I’m sorry to disappoint you. Indians and rustlers made off with your uncle’s small herd long ago.”
    “Didn’t Mr. Lenning try to stop them?”
    “Mr. Lenning.” He paused with a look of disgust on his face. “The man is a saddle bum who wandered off the trail and onto the Larkspur. Your uncle was kind enough to take him in. He probably worked hand in glove with the rustlers for a cut of the cash.”
    “There is so much I don’t know—”
    The Colonel thumbed through the stack of bills then placed them on the desk in front of her.
    “Here’s two . . . THOUSAND . . . dollars. A fortune. I’m willing to pay this for your inheritance sight unseen because you’re a young woman of refinement. Many here in the West would take advantage of a young lady alone without family. I’d be grateful if someone would be as considerate of my daughter should she be put in your position.”
    Kristin allowed her eyes to linger on the bills he was sliding through his fingers.
    “It’s a lot of . . .