Chapter Nineteen
A/N The town mentioned in this chapter does not, according to my research, exist. I simply made it up. If my research was faulty, and such a town does exist, please send me a link. I'd loved to learn about it.
Previously:
Rachelle scrunched up her nose, making one of her funny faces, and asked, "Then how come ya need ta talk ta me in private?" The question earned a few chuckles out of the Barkleys.
"I just do." Melissa replied as she walked out of the room, followed by a very reluctant Rachelle. Once they were out of sight, Victoria, Heath and Nick began tossing around various ideas that might help push Miss Lindon into the arms of the law.
Heath and Melissa sat on the sofa Jarrod had in his office. The famous attorney was leaning against his desk while Nick stood next to his older brother's bookcase. The four had made their way to Jarrod's office after seeing their mother and Rachelle off at the train station.
"Are you serious?" Heath stared at Jarrod. He couldn't believe what he'd just heard.
"Look, we all know it wouldn't be the truth only Miss Lindon wouldn't…and it would draw her here." Jarrod looked at his blonde haired brother as if to say 'tell me that's not the case'; he then gave Nick – who was also staring at him in disbelief- the same look. No one said a thing until Melissa broke the silence.
"It would work. I mean, it's not like Miss Lindon doesn't know how to read." She was keeping her eyes on Heath the whole time she was talking.
"So can Mother, Eugene and Rachelle." Heath didn't like the idea of those three being deceived as well.
Jarrod shook his head. "Eugene is back east; soon Mother and Rachelle will be as well. It would be put in none of the papers back there. Remember, Jess said Miss Lindon was combing California, not the United States."
Nick nodded. "Big brother has a point there."
Heath looked at Melissa again, shocked by the wave of protectiveness he found washing over him. Jarrod was right…his idea would flush the former orphan director out, and the sooner that woman was dealt with the better. He just hoped that, when all was said and done, they'd walk away with the better deal.
~oOo~
Miss Helen A Lindon…the name made most people who knew her cringe. She was narrow- minded, selfish, lazy – never did anything she couldn't pay someone else to do, and honesty was practically non-existent in her book. The middle aged, somewhat graying, woman had left San Francisco and traveled to a small town by the name of *Greystone due to some information she'd been given – only to find herself once more disappointed.
The storeowner looked at the stranger standing in his mercantile. The fact that he didn't like the feelings he was getting off her made it so he wasn't very inclined to give her any information of any real value. "I can't say they didn't pass through here; they very well could have. All I know for sure is no one in the town now fits that description. Maybe someone else can help you out."
Helen Lindon turned and stormed out of the store, never saying a word. She had to find those brats- had to make them pay for exposing her and nearly making it so she had to spend time behind bars. She would have started going house to house-as her informant was rather insistent he'd met the children, and that they had come to this town-only her stomach was growling something fierce. That being the case, she headed straight for the local café.
Once inside she sat at a corner table and ordered some lunch. As she waited for her food to be brought, she looked around. Spying a rack with newspapers on it, she stood up and walked over to the stand. She took a newspaper, paid for it and then went back to her table. Soon she was reading while she waited. She had almost decided she'd wasted her money when she turned the page and found herself staring, dumbfounded, as she read in big bold letters: HEATH THOMSPON BARKLEY OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA TO MARRY MELISSA LEITCH. There was a picture of Heath and Melissa standing under a tree in front of the Stockton churchyard. The article had all the average information that any wedding announcement would have.
"That… that witch! She turns me in, robbing me of a good income, and then turns around and finds herself a rich husband!" Helen angrily swore to herself. 'It isn't right!' 'I deserve such riches, not her!' were just one of the many lies the cold hearted woman told herself. She swore even more as the article listed Melissa's siblings, but only said they were living with their adoptive parents in other parts of the United States. "I can't go from one end of the United States to the other just to find those brats! However," an evil grin slowly started to spread over her face as she thought on Melissa and the young woman's upcoming marriage. "I can still give her a wedding present... a bit early!"
~oOo~
While Miss Lindon was busy making her plans, Heath and Melissa had been riding around the ranch laughing and talking. Only when the subject turned to the fact that Victoria and Rachelle were due back the following week did the tone of the conversation turn somber.
"I had hoped that horrible woman," Melissa made a face as she referred to Miss Lindon, "would make a moved by now. I don't like the idea that she could actually get a hold of Rachelle."
Heath didn't either only his mind had actually been going in another direction. He reached out and laid his hand on top of Melissa's; hers were resting on the horn of her saddle. "Let's make it the real deal. That is, if you'll have me for your husband."
Melissa's mouth dropped open while her heart skipped a beat. Truth was, she had wanted a real engagement for some time only she wasn't about to be the first one to approach that subject. "Are you serious? It's not just the stress of waiting for Miss Lindon to make a move?"
Heath shook his head. "You actually caught my eye the first time I laid eyes on you only…I just got around to being serious enough to say something."
Melissa starting beaming. "Yes, oh my yes!" She exclaimed as Heath, keeping a hold of his own saddle horn, leaned over and kissed her. He just prayed that, when Miss Lindon made her move, he'd be able to keep his fiancée safe.