39
"Hello Miss Tompkins." A fit older man said as he made his way around the counter. He was dressed in a suit, very similar to the look of Mr. Sellers, the company representative. He held one hand close to his chest, the other at his side. "I'm Charles Roberts, your father's attorney."
Jenny looked at him then at Buck. She gave him a slight nod. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Roberts. This is my friend Buck Cross." Jenny said motioning behind her. Mr. Roberts held out his hand to shake. Buck took his hand and shook but wondered why he didn't shake Jenny's hand. "I received a message that you wanted to see me?" She inquired.
"Yes, I'd like to formally discuss your father's will. Now that you are here, I'll need Mr. Aloysius Hunter as well. Normally I'd meet my clients at my office but under the circumstances, I came out to see you. Is there someplace we can sit down and converse? Hopefully in private." Eric was hovering close by.
"Upstairs is a sitting room. There are several seats there." Jenny offered. "May my friend accompany me?"
"Of course." The lawyer said to Jenny then looked at Buck. "Thank you for escorting her over here. A young lady shouldn't be out alone."
Buck just nodded, "It's my pleasure, sir."
"Mr. Dobbs, can you send for Mr. Hunter. Please let him know where to meet us. Thank you." Mr. Roberts said. The trio went out the back door and up the stairs.
"I can make a pot of coffee if you'd like." Jenny offered.
"No need. Thank you for offering. I rode in on horseback and would very much like to return to my family as soon as possible. We should wait for Mr. Hunter to arrive." Mr. Roberts responded. No sooner had he finished than there was a knock at the door. It was Teaspoon and he was let in.
Teaspoon assumed he was there at the reading of the will as a representative of the law in the area. He made his introductions and immediately sat down. "Now, We can get down to business." Mr. Roberts began reading, "'This is the will of William Charles Tompkins. Under clear thought and mind I turn over complete ownership of my general store located in Rock Creek to my only child Jennifer Marie Tompkins.'" Mr. Roberts paused, and looked up. "Now I did look over the books and Mr. Dobbs has done a fine job of keeping everything in order. He is not listed anywhere in the will, that is why I did not ask him to join us, but in my opinion it would only be fair to compensate him in some form for the work he has done. Of course, that is entirely up to you once you are given ownership. Right now, due to your age, that is not possible."
"What do you mean?" Jenny asked.
"Being that you are under age, you cannot legally make any decisions on any property. Let me continue on and we will discuss all the details. There is also the horses we need to discuss."
"The horses?" Jenny looked at Buck then at Teaspoon. The latter shrugged. "What horses?"
Mr. Roberts continued reading, "I also give 90% of Tompkins Horse Ranch ownership to Jennifer Tompkins.'"
"A horse ranch?" Jenny asked.
"Yes. It seems as your father had the good business sense to invest in horses. His idea was the army would want horses and with this impending war, the ranch is extremely profitable right now. It's in Missouri, closer to the Kansas border. I must disclose, that your father gave me 1% ownership of its profits upon his his death for the first 5 years. Then my share goes to you. I can show you the profits currently, but once we complete this."
"My father has a horse ranch?"
"Yes. And technically, at this point, you have a horse ranch." Mr. Roberts said. "I will continue. 'To Mr. Aloysius Hunter, a man I would trust with my life, I leave 9% of the horse ranch.' And there is a note. 'To teaspoon. I know we haven't seen eye to eye on a lot but I do consider you a friend. You are loyal and trustworthy and fair. I've envied you even. I wanted to thank you for your help with that — situation, we'll put it that way. I took the excess money and invested in these horses. It's only fair you get some of the profits. I'm leaving you 9% of profits of the horses for you to distribute among your boys as you see fit. Thank you. I am the one who is in your debt.'"
Teaspoon was shocked into silence. Of course he knew what situation Tompkins was referring to.
"To summarize the remaining of the will is the entire contents of the home. Which is this," Mr. Roberts motioned around them. "as well as the ownership of Bill's horse all go to you, Miss Tompkins. Your father was a great businessman. I considered him a friend."
"I... I don't know what to say." Jenny said.
"I don't know either." Teaspoon said.
"Well we do need to discuss the most important matter." Mr. Roberts said.
"What would that be?" Jenny asked.
"You."
"Me?"
"Yes. Your father detailed what he wanted to happen with his property, but he failed to designate what would happen to, in my opinion, the most important thing he had. He failed to appoint a guardian for you. That should have been the first thing he listed, but" the lawyer sighed. "He didn't. Now I can understand a man not wanting to face his own possible demise but he was clear in his property. Miss Tompkins, you are underage and until you turn 18, I cannot in good conscience leave you alone. I can't just walk away and pretend I don't know you are on your own with no one to care for you."
Buck was just about to interject. But Jenny spoke first. "What exactly are you saying, Mr. Roberts?"
"I'm saying you need a guardian." Mr. Roberts looked at Jenny. "Your a very wealthy young lady. You could fall victim to any nefarious person once they know how much, monetarily, you are worth. You are currently staying with Mrs. Rachel Dunne, the cook for the pony express station, right?"
Jenny nodded. "Yes."
Mr. Roberts sighed. "I suppose your father thought you'd stay at the school, it was the safest and best place for you."
"I was sent away from that school because my father stopped making payments and he stopped making payments because he died." Jenny said flatly. "I have zero desire to return there. Any they were clear on wanting me back. What are my options?"
"You need a guardian. Someone who will have your best interests at heart. At least until you can legally inherit this property."
"How can I legally inherit the property without a guardian? "Jenny asked.
"Well, you could get married. Then your husband would be come the owner. At 16 a girl can get married."
"Married? I don't want to get married." Jenny proclaimed. Buck just sat there and listened.
"It's just AN option. I was explaining what could be done. I don't think getting married for an inheritance is a good idea. As a father myself, I just want to make sure you are safe. Provided for. Living with a woman next door to a bunk house full of single men is hardly a safe place for a young lady. You do have your mother's sister in St. Louis."
"I will NOT go back there." Jenny said firmly. "What if I went to the Lakota?"
"Why would you go there?" The lawyer asked appalled. "They murdered your mother! Held you as a slave for seven years!"
"They did n-" Jenny almost shouted but then suddenly stopped and asked calmly, "I'm just asking about all my options."
"Miss Tompkins, I intend you no malice. I'm trying to execute your father's wishes. I suppose if no suitable guardian is found for you, I could try to find you a facility.."
"What do you mean 'a facility'?" Buck finally asked. "An orphanage? You want to put her in an orphanage?"
"No, of course not. Although they can home girls until they are 18. I'm just thinking out loud here. I could possibly take you in but I'd need to discuss it with my wife first."
"I am NOT going back to St. Louis." Jenny said firmly. "I can take care of my self. I've done just fine here." Some of that old spark was back within her.
Buck thought to himself that he could be more than happy to take care of her, if she'd let him. But then again she had just adamantly proclaimed how she was against marriage.
"Now, if a guardian can be found for her, then you would consider her 'taken care of'? You'd leave her be?" Teaspoon asked.
"I'm only concerned for her well being. I do think finding a guardian would be the best opinion." Mr. Roberts. "Of course I have no legal binding way to enforce anything, BUT it would leave the store and the horse ranch open to anything happening. For example, Mr. Dobbs is currently running the store and is legitimately doing a fine job but suppose he decides he wants to up and take every penny in the cash box? With no one technically owning the store, who's to say he can't? I do have a closer watch over the stables and the horse Ranch and have visited there. Again, I just want what is in the best interest of my friend and his daughter."
"I'll do it." Teaspoon said.
"You'll do what?" Buck asked.
"I'll take over guardianship. Bill was my friend too. I only have the best interests for Jenny. If it'll make you feel better, I'll move in here with her. I'm the marshal round here. I intend to uphold the law. I have no desire to hurt her in any way."
Mr. Roberts thought for a moment. "Well, in Bill's own words he called you trust worthy and fair." Mr Roberts smiled. "Do you understand the responsibility of taking on a child? You'd be responsible her her care." At being called a child, Jenny visibly bristled. "My apologies, Miss Tompkins." Mr. Roberts said, then gave a small smile, "The responsibility of caring for a young lady." He amended.
Teaspoon nodded then smiled. "Got me 10 children I've cared for. One more would just be all the merrier."
"Would you need to discuss this with your wife?" The lawyer asked.
Teaspoon frowned. "Sadly I haven't had one in a while."
"I'm sorry to hear that." Then he looked down at his paper work. "Well, since I'm here and if Miss Tompkins is agreeable, I can set up paperwork right now. I can get a judge to sign it as soon as I return home."
"You mean I can stay here?" Jenny asked.
"Of course. It is where I think your father would want you to be."
"Yes." Jenny said with a smile.
"Now one last thing. I know in these parts, transportation is needed and I see no problem in signing the horse over to you now. You can pick her up at the stable listed here. There are her papers."
"But I already own a horse." Jenny said looking at Buck.
Mr. Roberts smiled. "Well now you have two. You can sell her if you'd like. She's yours to care for." Jenny took the papers and folded them in her lap with out looking at them.
"So that's it? Teaspoon, I mean, Mr. Hunter becomes my guardian and I can stay here and no one can make me leave?"
"That's correct. He'll have ownership of all the property and none can take it from you." Then he looked over to Teaspoon. "I trust you will insure that."
"Be an honor."
"Well, I suppose that concludes all our business." Mr. Roberts stood. He held out a hand to Teaspoon to shake as well as Buck. Only when Jenny offered her hand to the lawyer, did he shake it. "It was my utmost pleasure meeting you, Miss Tompkins."
"Thank you. You too, sir. Feel free to stay here as long as you'd like." Jenny offered.
"I'll see you later." Teaspoon said. Jenny handed him the house key.
Buck and Jenny picked up Ike and headed over to the Family M without mentioning the whole encounter to Rachel. They would discuss it with everyone at supper. Which is what occurred. "I don't see why anyone would give one care on wether I had a guardian or not." Jenny complained. "Cody's not 18 and no one is threatening to send him to an orphanage."
"Well first off, I did turn 18, you've been gone quite a while," Cody said eating his food. "But more importantly, there ain't no one leaving me a single penny to care enough about wether I had a guardian or not."
Jenny looked over at Teaspoon and smiled. "Well congratulations, it's a girl."
"I'm proud to have you." Teaspoon said seriously. "I meant it when I said it'd be a honor. I fully intend to take it as an actual responsibility. I want to do this right. First off, do you want to continue staying with Rachel or do you want to move into the house above the store, and me stay with you?"
"I'm happy where I'm at. I'm happy being with Rachel and spending time here in the bunk house."
"Ok, then that's settled." Teaspoon said taking a bite of food. Baby Ike was strapped in his chair working on some smashed peas. Teaspoon gave the infant a spoonful.
"You have 10 children, Teaspoon?" Jenny asked.
Teaspoon smiled broadly and nodded. "Yer looking at 6 of 'em" Jenny looked around. "And I count Ike McSwain." Teaspoon leaned over and held Baby Ike's hand. "That's yer Pa" he said the the child. Then looking back at Jenny he said, "and I count this babe's Ma too, Emily." He said solemnly. "She was with us but for a short time but she's still family. Then there's Elizabeth, the one I never knew of til it was too late. Which leads us to my Amanda. That's a whole tale for another day." He said then smiled. "But nows I got you. My eleventh and youngest. Welcome to the family, Sweetheart." Jenny smiled. Buck gave her a side hug.
There were welcomes from around the table then Teaspoon spoke again. "Now as far as this horse ranch goes-"
Kid laughed. "Imagine that. Tompkins thought of you with that whole card game."
"You boys helped him out a lot. He felt indebted. Saved his store. There might not have been a store for Jenny to inherit." Rachel said.
"So it actually turns out easy. He said to do as I see fit, so I'm spreading the inheritance out evenly across all of yous. Each gets one percent, with Buck getting Ike McSwains share for the baby."
"That's mighty fair of you Teaspoon." Rachel said patting him on the shoulder and served him some more food.
"Well you're included in that Rachel. You helped too. It's only fair. So's each of you boys, and girl get one percent, plus Rachel and that leaves one for me. Works out nice an even. It'll give you all a little extra income. I got a quick peek at the numbers. They'll most likely increase over the next several months."
"Wow, who knew Tompkins had made that investment?" Kid asked.
"I'm still upset that I went from being on my own to someone telling me what I have to do!" Jenny said.
"Well no one's telling you exactly what to do but that lawyer had a point that someone should be responsible for you. Take care of you." Teaspoon said.
"I'm doing fine here. I help out. I'm not a bother." Jenny said. "Am I?" She asked looking around.
"No. Of course not." Buck said. "We want you here."
"Buck's right. We want you here. You ain't no bother. You help us all out. Now, it's just legal, is all." Teaspoon said. "Owning a business is a huge responsibility. I know yous been learning a lot bout the day to day upkeep, but you know who you might be able to talk to about running a business, Jenny?"
Jenny shook her head.
"My Amanda started up her own business and is running it quite well. I think maybe, I take you to visit her. She's in Kansas."
"I wanna go see Amanda, Teaspoon." Cody said.
"I wouldn't mind a visit to her." Lou said.
"Can I go too?" Kid asked.
Teaspoon sighed. "Who all wants to go see Amanda?"
All hands went up, except Noah. "I like Amanda and all, but I would be just fine to stay clear of Kansas."
"Well son, you think you can handle all the runs on your own?"
Noah nodded. "It'll be a stretch but if y'all don't stay like three weeks, I think I can manage."
"All right, let me figure this out. I'll see what we'd can do." Teaspoon said. Cody cheered. "Rachel, you want to come?"
"Sounds like lots of fun but I'll stay here with Noah." Rachel replied.
"I have to get Ike on a horse." Buck said.
Jimmy let out a whoop. "About time." He said with a smile.
Buck smiled. "Tomorrow when I get back from my run, we'll see how he does. If it doesn't go well, we'll have to take a wagon."
"I can't wait." Jimmy said excitedly.
"Looks to me like Jimmy's most excited about getting the baby on a horse than the trip." Kid said.
"You got that right." Jimmy replied.
Later, Buck walked Jenny back to Rachel's house and as usual, Rachel bid goodnight and went inside. "What a day, huh?" Buck asked.
"Yeah." Jenny agreed. "I still don't see what my age has anything to do with anything. I never asked for any of his property. I wouldn't even want it, if it meant I was forced to go somewhere. Leave here. I don't want to ever see St. Louis again."
"Well then you don't have to." Buck said. "I promise nobody will force you to go anywhere you don't want to be. I'll make sure if it. But would you want to see the horse ranch?"
She shrugged. "I'm very curious and it's no where near St. Louis." Then she smiled. "Maybe I'll ask Teaspoon if we can figure in a stop." Buck now had his arms around her and they were standing in a hug. "You'll like Amanda."
"I wouldn't mind going to see the horse." Jenny said. She got the papers out and handed them to him. "See if you know that stable and maybe you can take me?"
Buck took the papers and smiled. "Of course. If I get back early enough, maybe we can go tomorrow afternoon."