Free Lanterns and Lace by DiAnn Mills Page B

tapping. “Only when impatient, nervous, or biding time.”
    “Which is it today?”
    “Probably all three.” He capped his pen and dropped it inside his jacket pocket in an attempt to soothe his battered nerves.
    His brother peered over the pad of paper. “What is bothering you the most, Jenny Martin or Aubrey Turner?”
    “Both.”
    “And?”
    Grant chuckled despite his restless demeanor. The entire family knew he never revealed personal information unless coaxed and prodded beyond any logical understanding. “I have neglected to tell you a few things about Miss Martin.”
    Morgan closed the file and settled back in his brown leather chair. “I’m listening, Grant. I’ll admit the past few days have been a bit unusual, and I’ve wondered why Jessica’s family has waited all this time to seek out their daughter.”
    “She wants Rebecca.”
    “I wondered about that, but why now?”
    “I’ve never gotten a clear answer other than she is the proper guardian and something about her parents grieving over Jessica.”
    “Don’t you think you deserve a clear answer?”
    “I’m heading over to the boardinghouse right now.”
    “Is that why you two quarreled last night at church?”
    Grant shook his head. “That had to do with Aubrey Turner.”
    “Would you just tell me the whole story? I feel like I’m trying to pry the truth out of a defendant—or worse yet, one of my kids.”
    “He and Jenny are traveling companions, although she denies it.”
    “And you’re sure about this?”
    “He told me.”
    Morgan leaned back in his chair. “I see. And you believe him over Jenny?”
    Grant hesitated. “I’m so furious with Jenny’s reasons for coming here that I guess I want to believe him.”
    “Are you thinking he might be Rebecca’s father?”
    “I was until this morning.” Grant hesitated while he sorted out his thoughts. “He admitted never being here before, and Jessica worked at Martha’s a year and a half before she died. There’s no way he could be Rebecca’s father.” He blew out an exasperated sigh. “Unless he lied instead of Jenny. Last night seeing Jenny and Turner together with my daughter in the middle was a little more than I could handle.”
    “Don’t blame you.”
    Grant pointed at the adoption file. “Are the papers legal and binding?”
    “Yes. I did draw them up, remember? The documents were and are according to the laws of the state, and they have all been properly executed. Now, there’s always a chance Miss Martin will hire a lawyer to obtain custody.”
    Silence prevailed, deafening silence that prevailed over the incessant ticking of the clock. Grant paused awhile longer before speaking.
    “I think if she’d considered a lawyer, she would have mentioned it. The thought has crossed my mind—more than once—that Jenny might elect to snatch her away, especially with the way I made her furious last night.”
    “She’d be in bad shape with the law if she attempted that.”
    Grant laughed, the first all day. “Guess I needed reassurance. All right, big brother, I’ll head over there now and face the lady.”
    “Do you mind if I share any of this with Casey?”
    “Go ahead. I need all the prayers I can get.”
    “Glad you came by for another reason. I have a request.”
    Grant knew what was coming by the glint in his brother’s eye. “Does this have anything to do with branding?”
    “Possibly.” A grin spread over Morgan’s face. “We could use you on Saturday. You could stay until Sunday morning. Rebecca loves the ranch.”
    Grant laughed. “So this is all for Rebecca?”
    “Naturally. And it would give Mimi a break too. Nothing like hard work to cure what ails you.”
    “I’m so glad you have other peoples’ interests at heart. All right. We’ll be there.”
    The idea of spending a day at the ranch sounded like good medicine. He could sort through the problems with Jenny and Turner, then have a better perspective on Sunday. Perhaps Jenny would attend