Free The Rightful Heir by Angel Moore

about three years now. Set his eye on Midnight the day I got him. Wouldn’t let me sell him to another soul.”
    â€œIt’s unusual for someone his age to be so determined.”
    â€œAndrew’s no stranger to hard work. He’s so busy, you’ll see him coming and going all over town. Never know where he’ll pop up wanting to lend a hand and make a few coins.”
    That agreed with everything Mary Lou had said about Andrew. But it didn’t sit right with Jared that the boy had been able to raise that kind of money by mucking out stalls and working as an apprentice.
    Mr. Robbins pointed to the next stall. “This is Noel. She’s a bit headstrong, but a good horse. I daresay she’s only bested by Midnight in the livery.”
    Jared took the horse for a brief ride. When he returned, he haggled with Mr. Robbins and made the deal for Noel, a chestnut mare with good lines.
    He left the livery on Noel and turned toward the Circle W Ranch. The hotel owner had told him that Mr. Willis ran the largest ranch in the county. Jared wanted to meet the man and put forth some of his ideas for expanding the topics covered by the paper. He caught sight of Mary Lou as he passed the office and lifted a hand in greeting. Her expression let him know he’d be bombarded with questions from her as soon as he returned.
    His meeting with Mr. Willis took longer than he anticipated, but the man confirmed his instincts about a new direction for the paper. More articles on changing cattle markets and any news in the business world that related to ranching could help the ranchers not only stay in business but make more profit in the long run.
    On his way back into town, Jared decided to go to the church. He hadn’t been to Grump’s grave. It was time.
    There was no sign of Mary Lou at the paper when he rode by. The noise from the saloon still confounded him. How did so many men have time in the middle of the day to carouse? When he turned right in the middle of town, he noticed the preacher going into the Pine Haven Hotel. That was a good thing. He’d rather find the cemetery empty than have Reverend Dismuke see him and seek him out for conversation. He preferred to pay his respects in private.
    The church was at the edge of town at the end of Main Street. The river ran alongside the church property. It was a peaceful setting. The cemetery stood on a hill behind the church and its parsonage. Stone markers rose from the ground to honor the dead. A large water oak stood like a sentry at the back of the graves.
    Jared slid from Noel’s back and ground-tied her near the church. He took off his hat and let the early afternoon sun warm his head. His stomach rumbled to remind him that he’d missed lunch. At first, he walked with his head down, reading the stones. After making his way through several disorganized rows he looked up to search the landscape for a fresh grave.
    Then he saw her.
    Mary Lou knelt at a grave with a new marker. She put a gloved hand on the stone and traced the letters. Jared felt like an intruder as he walked closer and heard her talking.
    â€œLord, if I only knew what to do. You gave me Mr. Ivy when I needed him most, and now that You’ve seen fit to take him back, I’m not sure who to ask for advice. The grandson he wanted so desperately to know has shown up, and I don’t know what Mr. Ivy would want me to do.”
    Her prayer was sincere and without malice. Jared wasn’t sure he could pray with that kind of openness if he were in her situation: threatened with the loss of her home and livelihood. Yet, no bitterness rang in her tone.
    Guilt at overhearing made him clear his throat. Mary Lou stumbled to her feet and wiped at her cheeks. “Mr. Ivy, I didn’t know you were here.” She kept her focus on the grave.
    â€œI’m sorry you didn’t hear me approach.” He pointed over his shoulder, not that she would see, and said, “I