Her Holiday Family by Winnie Griggs

Author:Winnie Griggs
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2014-11-27T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Simon immediately liked Adam Barr. The man seemed to have a level head on his shoulders. He heard Simon through without interruption, then leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers. “Do you know if Miss Fredrick formally adopted any of the children?”

“Not to my knowledge.”

“And you’re absolutely sure she didn’t leave behind a will?”

“It’s possible, but I didn’t see one among the papers she had with her.”

“Nevertheless we should carefully check what was sent ahead to Hatcherville. And I suggest you be the one to do the searching.”

Simon had every intention of doing so. “And if a will isn’t found?”

Adam spread his hands. “Then I’m afraid by default her brother inherits her entire estate. I’m sorry, but legally he is within his rights to take possession of the property and to do with it however he wishes.”

Mrs. Pierce, who’d taken a seat behind him after making the introductions, leaned forward now. “Is there nothing Mr. Tucker can do?”

Simon heard the cool confidence in her tone, but this time attributed it not to a sense of superiority but to concern.

“He can contest the claim,” Adam replied, “but there’s not much chance he would win.”

“But would that delay Mr. Fredrick’s ability to sell the house?” Mrs. Pierce pressed.

“It would. But only for as long as the case was unresolved.”

Simon frowned, wondering if this was a waste of time after all. “What good will that do if he’s going to eventually win the case anyway?”

“It will give you extra time to try to convince him to do the right thing,” she responded calmly.

Simon dismissed that as a futile effort. “My sister put every bit of money she’d saved into that property, and now Audrey and Albert have nothing to fall back on.”

Adam’s gaze sharpened. “Your sister invested in this property?”

Surprised by Adam’s reaction, Simon nodded his head. “Yes, and I did, too. After all, Miss Fredrick agreed to provide a home for Albert and Audrey.”

“Do you have any kind of proof of that?”

Simon tried not to get his hopes up. “I have some letters from Sally that mention her investment. And I have a receipt Miss Fredrick insisted on giving me for the bit I gave her.” He sat up straighter. “Why? Does that make a difference?”

“It could.” Adam’s demeanor had changed to that of a hound on the scent. “If we can show that you and your sister have a partial claim to the place, no matter how small, then that might be the leverage we need. It could at least give you some say into the property’s disposition. It’s a long shot but one worth looking into—that is if you’d like me to?”

“Absolutely. What do you need from me?”

“Do you have these letters with you? And the receipt from Miss Fredrick?”

“Yes on both counts.”

“Good. Get those to me as soon as you can.” Then he gave Simon a direct look. “You do understand that it may take some time to get this resolved.”

“How much time?”

“Difficult to say for certain.

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