LITMIR.BIZ

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was a straight line as she thought. “If he’s the newsagent, he’ll be back. The same man has ridden this route since the train came to Pine Haven last year. I have no objection if you feel pressed to pursue an answer to your questions.” She inked the plate again and set the roller aside. “But I won’t be willing to print anything that isn’t verified.”

      He reached for a newspaper and pulled it from where it hung to dry. The headline jumped off the page: Jacob Ivy’s Grandson Seeks Ownership of Record. He lowered the paper and looked at her. “I see you added the latest news. Dare I read the content of the article? Am I a villain in your story?”

      “I hold myself to the same high standards I told you about. There is nothing in the story of bias or opinion. Merely a statement of facts.”

      He moved behind the desk and gestured at the chair. “May I?”

      “I’m not sure I have a choice in the matter.” She turned back to the press.

      The article was just as she’d said. Clear. Concise. Without bias or conjecture.

      It was a surprise after the way she’d resisted his arrival and insisted the paper was solely hers. He hoped she’d maintain that approach after the judge declared him to be the rightful owner.

      He looked over the top of the paper at her. “You left out the part about me coming here after being a ranch hand for several years.”

      She kept working without looking at him. “Humph. If you had come back to the office, instead of traipsing all over town, I’d have had time for a proper interview. I was only able to include the limited knowledge I have of you.”

      He raised the paper to finish reading. She wasn’t one to be backed down. He could see that.

      Watching her work today, and reading her story, gave him insight into why Grump had taken her on. Would it be lunacy to ask her to stay on once the paper was his? That depended on whether or not she’d only befriended his grandfather for the inheritance.

      He hated to be so suspicious, but the lies his mother had told him all his life had left him skittish. Even when Momma hadn’t lied, she’d avoided the truth. And he hadn’t seen that truth until she’d confessed it all on her deathbed. He couldn’t settle what he’d learned against the long-held belief that she was an upright Christian. How could he have been so wrong about someone so close to him? He didn’t know if he’d ever trust his instincts again.

      Suspicion was one trait he hoped would work to his advantage in the newspaper business.

      * * *

      Mary Lou studied Jared as he read the article. She didn’t let him see her, but she watched every expression and waited for a response. As hard as it had been to write, she felt the town deserved to know the truth. After the way he’d announced it in the middle of town a few hours earlier, she hadn’t seen another option. Best to get it out in the open to keep the gossipers at bay. The last thing she wanted was a man muddying up her life. Men had a way of intruding on her dreams and leaving her to pick up the pieces after they left.

      Jared hadn’t said a word after he’d read the entire paper. Andrew hung the last one to dry and reached for a rag to start the cleaning process. Mary Lou shook her head. “I’ve got it tonight. You go on home.”

      “Are you sure, Miss Ellison? I don’t mind staying. I need to work all I can. Feed and board for Midnight is costing me a pretty penny.” He looked eager to stay, but she didn’t know how Jared’s arrival would affect the finances of the paper. Best be conservative until they had a chance to talk it out.

      “I think Mr. Warren may be looking to take on some more help at the hotel. Why don’t you stop by there on your way home?”

      Andrew’s face lit up. “Thanks, Miss Ellison! I’ll go right away.” He snatched his hat from the coat tree by the door and was gone.

      The banging of the door brought Jared from his reverie.

      Mary Lou tossed him a rag. “Are you ready to learn to clean the press?”

      He shook his head as if she’d dragged him back from far away. “Sure.” He hung his coat on the rack by the door and pushed up his sleeves. “Do you have extra sleeve garters?”

      She pointed to a shelf. “You can wear Andrew’s.”

      They set to work amiably enough. She’d been prepared for him to argue at every point and was surprised when he didn’t. He caught on to things quickly and didn’t shy away from the dirty tasks. She was pleased by how soon they finished.

      “Well, Mr. Ivy, I must say I’m impressed. I’d have figured you to quit before we were half done.”

      He pulled his coat on. “That’s not very fair of you, Miss Ellison. You don’t know me.”

      She nodded. “I guess you’re right. The things your grandfather told me are from long ago. Change was inevitable.”

      He agreed. “We’re all a result of many things. Who we are born to, but also the influences in our lives as we grow. I trust you’ll learn to approve of me. Even if you never like me.”

      Mary Lou gasped. “Mr. Ivy, I never said I didn’t like you.”

      “It was in your eyes, ma’am. A woman has a hard time hiding dislike.”

      “You don’t seem to have taken a shine to me, either.”

      “Let’s just say that for the time being we’re at the same place, but on different sides of the situation.”

      “On that, we can agree.”

      He took his hat from the coat tree. “As to being in the same place, I already paid for the room at the hotel for the night. I’ll move my things in tomorrow after services. If you’d be so kind as to show me where the rooms are.”

      Mary Lou looked out the front window. The sun had set. If they stayed any later, she’d have to light the lamps. “It’s getting very late. I can show you after lunch tomorrow.”

      He nodded as a grin crossed his face. “Don’t want the town to see me here after dark?”

      “My reputation in this town was earned over years of guarding it. I’m not interested in marring it for your convenience when tomorrow will suit.”

      “I see.” He put his hat on and opened the door.

      She followed him onto the front porch. “Please don’t think me rude. I just don’t want anyone to get the wrong idea about our relationship.”

      “You’ve no cause for concern. I assure you, the only thing we will ever have in common is the paper. And I expect that to end as soon as the judge arrives.” He tipped his hat. “Good evening.” He stepped onto the street and turned toward the center of town.

      “Ahhh. Another point of agreement. I expect the judge to send you on your merry way.”

      She heard his chuckle as he walked into the twilight.

      Mary Lou went inside and closed the door. She lowered the shades and headed through to the back door. She was bone-weary. How had the beautiful day that promised a lovely story about the harvest celebration turned into a nightmare that might cost her everything?

      Prayer and a restless night awaited her at home. It was a task she’d take on with zeal. Surely, God would not take away the life He’d only given her weeks ago.

       Chapter Three

      Mary Lou sang along for the closing hymn at Pine Haven Church on Sunday morning. The words of praise and the reminder that all her blessings flowed from God brought much-needed comfort. She’d struggled to concentrate during the service. Reverend Dismuke would not approve if he’d known how her mind had wandered while he spoke.

      The tall man two rows ahead of

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