Unusual Inheritance by Rhonda Grice Page B
Authors: Rhonda Grice
Lucy and so I can't imagine her leaving me
anything of value. Let's just get this over with quickly. I have a
long ride back to Cedar Wells tomorrow.”
“No matter, no matter,” he brushed her
remarks aside. “The important thing is that you are here now and we
can start completing your aunts final wishes. As her attorney, I
can't rest until all this is finished. You understand, don't you my
dear?” He leaned in close, almost too close in her opinion.
“The best way for me to explain Lucy's will
is to just show you. If you will accompany me, I'll take you out to
her place to show you what she left you.” He stood up from the big
desk and walked around to where she sat.
The thought of riding anywhere didn’t appeal
to Stormy but Mr. Biggs explained they would be riding in a buggy
and not horseback so she agreed. It was only a few of miles out of
town so there was no need to wait until morning.
Biggs rambled the entire time of the journey
to Aunt Lucy's. It was as if he was nervous and didn't want to give
Stormy a chance to ask any questions. She didn't mind because she
was just bone tired and ready to eat and rest for a while. Her mind
was half way listening to Mr. Biggs until she heard him call her
name, rather sharply.
“Miss Calder, did you hear me? We are just
about there. You aunts place is just around the bend.”
Nothing could have prepared Stormy for what
she saw as the buggy rounded the large row of trees. It was as if
the heavens had opened up and rained down the most beautiful
pastures and grassy meadows she had ever seen. Yellow flowers
covered the fields until they got a little closer. It was then she
saw it. In the distance was the largest house she had ever seen.
And it wasn't empty or closed up as she had imagined. There were
men walking around the barn that was off to the West side and
horses in the corral.
The house was nestled back toward the tree
line, with a veranda that went all the way around the front and
both sides of the white two-story home. A white picket fence marked
the front yard and gave the huge place a homey feel. She knew her
mouth must be open and consciously shut it. What was going on?
With open arms she asked. “Is…is this Aunt
Lucy's place?”
“Yes, it is,” Biggs answered. “Your aunt
owned one of the largest and most successful ranches in these
parts. Of course she started it with Luther, her husband, but after
he died ten years ago she took over. Many people thought it would
go downhill, but Lucy was a smart and resourceful woman and the
ranch did better than ever these past ten years. In fact, when
Luther died I offered to buy it from her, but she wouldn’t hear of
it.” His tone a bit resentful.
The buggy came to a stop in front of the big
house and within moments she was standing in the parlor, her mouth
agape again.
“Carmen,” he called. “Carmen, we're here!”
Like magic the stout Mexican woman appeared with a huge smile on
her face.
“Welcome senorita, welcome,” she said as she
took Mr. Biggs hat.
Biggs made the introduction. “Stormy Calder,
this is Carmen. She takes care of things around here in the house
and has been here since she was a very young girl. Anything you
want to know, just ask Carmen.”
Stormy nodded, she was at a loss for words.
Finally she asked in a small voice. “Well Mr. Biggs, what is it you
brought me out here to show me? You know, what you wrote me
about.”
Mr. Biggs nodded at Carmen and she
immediately left the room, but returned quickly with a small
child.
“Miss Calder, this is Katy Marie.” He ushered
the child forward. Both Carmen and Mr. Biggs stared at Stormy
waiting for her to say something.
Stormy looked at the child, about eight years
old she suspected and then looked at the both of them. Oh my!
Surely this wasn't...was it? Katy Marie was her inheritance? Oh no,
she thought! What would she do with a child? Just as Stormy was
about to say something the little girl spoke.
“Are you the lady who is
anything of value. Let's just get this over with quickly. I have a
long ride back to Cedar Wells tomorrow.”
“No matter, no matter,” he brushed her
remarks aside. “The important thing is that you are here now and we
can start completing your aunts final wishes. As her attorney, I
can't rest until all this is finished. You understand, don't you my
dear?” He leaned in close, almost too close in her opinion.
“The best way for me to explain Lucy's will
is to just show you. If you will accompany me, I'll take you out to
her place to show you what she left you.” He stood up from the big
desk and walked around to where she sat.
The thought of riding anywhere didn’t appeal
to Stormy but Mr. Biggs explained they would be riding in a buggy
and not horseback so she agreed. It was only a few of miles out of
town so there was no need to wait until morning.
Biggs rambled the entire time of the journey
to Aunt Lucy's. It was as if he was nervous and didn't want to give
Stormy a chance to ask any questions. She didn't mind because she
was just bone tired and ready to eat and rest for a while. Her mind
was half way listening to Mr. Biggs until she heard him call her
name, rather sharply.
“Miss Calder, did you hear me? We are just
about there. You aunts place is just around the bend.”
Nothing could have prepared Stormy for what
she saw as the buggy rounded the large row of trees. It was as if
the heavens had opened up and rained down the most beautiful
pastures and grassy meadows she had ever seen. Yellow flowers
covered the fields until they got a little closer. It was then she
saw it. In the distance was the largest house she had ever seen.
And it wasn't empty or closed up as she had imagined. There were
men walking around the barn that was off to the West side and
horses in the corral.
The house was nestled back toward the tree
line, with a veranda that went all the way around the front and
both sides of the white two-story home. A white picket fence marked
the front yard and gave the huge place a homey feel. She knew her
mouth must be open and consciously shut it. What was going on?
With open arms she asked. “Is…is this Aunt
Lucy's place?”
“Yes, it is,” Biggs answered. “Your aunt
owned one of the largest and most successful ranches in these
parts. Of course she started it with Luther, her husband, but after
he died ten years ago she took over. Many people thought it would
go downhill, but Lucy was a smart and resourceful woman and the
ranch did better than ever these past ten years. In fact, when
Luther died I offered to buy it from her, but she wouldn’t hear of
it.” His tone a bit resentful.
The buggy came to a stop in front of the big
house and within moments she was standing in the parlor, her mouth
agape again.
“Carmen,” he called. “Carmen, we're here!”
Like magic the stout Mexican woman appeared with a huge smile on
her face.
“Welcome senorita, welcome,” she said as she
took Mr. Biggs hat.
Biggs made the introduction. “Stormy Calder,
this is Carmen. She takes care of things around here in the house
and has been here since she was a very young girl. Anything you
want to know, just ask Carmen.”
Stormy nodded, she was at a loss for words.
Finally she asked in a small voice. “Well Mr. Biggs, what is it you
brought me out here to show me? You know, what you wrote me
about.”
Mr. Biggs nodded at Carmen and she
immediately left the room, but returned quickly with a small
child.
“Miss Calder, this is Katy Marie.” He ushered
the child forward. Both Carmen and Mr. Biggs stared at Stormy
waiting for her to say something.
Stormy looked at the child, about eight years
old she suspected and then looked at the both of them. Oh my!
Surely this wasn't...was it? Katy Marie was her inheritance? Oh no,
she thought! What would she do with a child? Just as Stormy was
about to say something the little girl spoke.
“Are you the lady who is