The Last Crawford Bachelor by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Betty and Molly told them about Beulah’s unwed pregnancy. They also recounted the time that a young woman had come to find Beulah, claiming to be that child. But Beulah told them the girl had been greedy, only after what she could get.

Abby was reminded of her arrival, with her sisters, at the Circle K ranch. It was nothing more than two small houses in shabby condition, and a few sheds and one barn, all in need of care. Abby and her sisters had thought their aunt was destitute, but Beulah had given them a chance to be together, and they were grateful.

It was only upon her death that they’d discovered all their hard work had been unnecessary. Beulah had left them millions of dollars she’d saved from the four oil wells that had once pumped oil twenty-four hours a day. The wells had dried up by the time they’d arrived, but Beulah had wisely invested the money.

The three of them had been stunned, Abby remembered clearly. Afterward, they invested money in refurbishing the ranch, making it the comfortable home it was now.

She smiled as she saw the white two-story house with a broad porch as they turned into the driveway at the ranch.

Ellen went off to fix them a pot of hot tea. Aunt Beulah had loved her tea, she told Abby.

When they sat down with their steaming cups. Ellen said, “So, we know that Dani’s story could be true.”

“Yes. I feel terrible for doubting her now.”

“I don’t think you should. We don’t know for sure that the woman who came was really Beulah’s child.”

“And I don’t know how to prove it.”

“I have a friend who worked in social services for years,” Ellen said. “She probably wasn’t working there when Beulah gave away her baby, but she might know who to call to find out. We might find out her adopted name.”

“I doubt that she used her adopted name. She sounds like a scam artist of the worst kind if she came to Beulah’s only wanting money.”

“I bet she left thinking Beulah was the poorest lady in the county,” Ellen said with a chuckle.

“Call your friend and see what you can find out,” Abby requested. “I’ll go upstairs and relieve Floyd. I suddenly feel the need to hug my children.”

Michael waited in his office for Dani to leave. When she finally walked down the hall with her briefcase, he was right behind her.

She must have heard his footsteps behind her and looked over her shoulder. “Good night, Michael.”

“Good night, Dani. Got plans for tonight?”

“Yes, I do.”

Jealousy surged through him. She’d already found someone else to provide her entertainment?

“Who is he?”

She stopped and turned to stare at him. “I beg your pardon?”

“I mean…I just wondered if you’d made friends with anyone else.”

Ned stepped out of his office, his eyes wide with what he’d just heard. “Is there discord between the two of you?”

“No, not at all,” Michael said, moving forward to put his arm around Dani. “She worries about appearances.

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