Heart of Eden (Colorado Hearts #1)(7)
Blake was the last to sit, taking the chair to Mavis’s left.
Henry opened the folder resting on the center of his desk. He hooked his wire-rimmed glasses over each ear. “Let’s get to the business at hand, shall we? I’m sure you’re all curious to know what John had in mind for the ranch and all of his children.”
He cleared his throat. “As you girls must know, your father was worth a great deal of money. It’s not evident from the state of his ranch house, but the barn and stock are of the utmost quality. After your mother left Colorado with you children, he threw his heart and soul into making the ranch profitable. An operation to be proud of that would support you and your mother. Something substantial. To say he succeeded is putting his accomplishments mildly.”
The audible gasp from at least four of the five sisters made Blake blink. Turning, he glanced down the row. At the same time, Henry looked up from the paper in his hand. His eyes narrowed. “You are aware of your father’s holdings, of course?”
The eldest three leaned close together, whispering frantically.
What’s going on? Blake had no idea.
Belle cautiously raised a small hand, only chest high.
“What constitutes a great deal to you, Mr. Glass?” she asked, all coyness in her voice gone. “We had no knowledge that our father’s estate had any particular worth.”
Henry’s brow crashed down. He shot Blake a questioning look, and then again cleared his throat. “The ranch alone is worth over two hundred thousand dollars. But all this has been spelled out in numerous letters he’s sent over the years. Along with the monetary support he sent for your mother and you.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Mavis surged to her feet, but Belle pulled her back down. The three younger sisters just sat in stunned silence, their bewilderment almost comical. Blake dredged up a smidgen of pity.
Visibly shaken, Mavis could hardly get her next words out. “What? What are you saying? All these years, our father has been in contact with us? I can assure you, Mr. Glass, we have not received any letters from our father—or anything else. No contact at all.”
Henry reached out two placating hands—his way, Blake assumed, of calming the girl’s runaway emotions. The youngest, Katie, already had a handkerchief out and was dabbing her watery eyes.
“Please,” Henry said. “Let’s take a moment to figure out—in a calm and collected manner—what’s going on. I posted many of the letters to your mother for John myself.” He paused, frowning. “John received a good many responses over the years, all communicating that Celeste was not ready yet to return to Colorado, and that you girls were flourishing in Philadelphia. She implored him not to interfere with your lives.” His color deepened as reality set in. “John did receive a note from Vernon Crowdaire, letting him know that your mother passed last year. My condolences.”
A stunned silence filled the office. Mavis lifted a shaky hand to her mouth, and Belle just stared, her face a twisted mask of anger.
“Our mother passed away long ago,” Belle said. “Fifteen years, to be exact.”
In that second, it became apparent to Blake what had happened to the correspondence—and the money.
“What are you implying?” Katie whispered anxiously. “That Aunt Velma and Uncle Vernon purposely kept our family apart? They’ve been our guardians for fifteen years. They’d never do such a thing.”
Emma was shaking her head.
Henry pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his forehead. “If that’s what happened, it’s atrocious, but I have to admit, after what you’ve just said, it sounds plausible.”
Lavinia cleared her throat, looking frightened. “Vernon Crowdaire was the only person allowed to pick up our mail. I remember going into the post office and being turned away. Vernon said that was because he’d forbidden the postmaster to deliver to anyone but him. He said he didn’t want any of his business correspondences to be lost, that his charges were too flighty to be trusted.”
“Is that legal, Henry?” Blake asked, his interest sparked to the mystery. “If letters were addressed to Celeste?”
“Absolutely not. But that’s not to say he didn’t pay off the clerks and postmaster who were doing his bidding.”
Blake suddenly felt like going to Philadelphia, finding their guardians, and taking matters into his own hands. His anger at the girls ebbed as he took in their confused expressions. The pain John had endured because of the Crowdaires was sickening. They’d ruined his life.
If, that is, the girls are telling the truth.
“After your mother’s passing, or what John thought was her passing last year,” Henry went on in a steadier voice, “he’d hoped at least one of his now-grown daughters would write to him. Take an interest in him or the ranch. Come get acquainted.”
Blake stared at a spot on the wall behind Henry’s head.
And the disappointment killed him. Just like that. Well, not exactly. Still, if he’d had hope of any kind, he’d have fought the infection with conviction. Is it possible the women are acting now, to cover their deceitfulness over the years? They could have planned this explanation, knowing how despicable they’d be perceived for ignoring so many requests from John. Are they trying to pull wool over the eyes of a country lawyer and a cowhand? Acting innocent and confused?