Page 67 of A Steadfast Heart
The judge templed his fingers in front of his lips and stared at Kaitlyn for a long moment. She didn’t drop her gaze. She’d only told the truth.
After what felt like an eternity, the judge dropped his hands. His lips were compressed to a thin line. “Would this be the same Brian Matthews that I am familiar with?”
“If you mean the man that runs most of the illegal gambling and other…activities in St. Louis, then yes.”
The judge examined the license in front of him, then measured Kaitlyn and Danna with a glance. He inspected Michael, and his lips twisted slightly. He looked back to Kaitlyn. “I’ve heard enough. I’m ordering that your inheritance be released to you.”
Michael jumped to his feet. “You can’t do that.”
The judge’s eyes narrowed. “You will not tell me what I can and can’t do in my own courtroom. You may leave now. Your sister has some papers to sign.”
Kaitlyn’s eyes slid closed for a moment, and her heart leapt against its tethers. She had won. She hadn’t thought it possible, but she had won. She smiled at the judge. “Thank you, Your Honor.”
“I wish you well in your marriage.”
Michael glared at Kaitlyn, then stormed out.
Merritt pulled her into a hug. “You did it, Kaitlyn. You did it.”
Kaitlyn watched her brother leave. Hopefully, she’d never see him again and she could focus on Drew and the kids. Her real family.
After signing multiple legal papers, Kaitlyn finally left the courthouse with her friends. Their next stop was the bank. The sooner they worked out the paperwork for the money transfer, the better. The crowd pressed in close, and Merritt stumbled into the street.
Clopping hooves and a shout rang out, and Danna rushed to reach her.
From out of the crowd, someone pressed close to Kaitlyn. A hand circled her upper arm, squeezing tight enough to leave bruises.
Michael.
“This isn’t over.” His voice vibrated with threat, but then he was gone, disappeared into the crowd.
Merritt and Danna rejoined her as she scanned the crowd.
Merritt brushed her skirt with her hands. “Someone shoved me into the street.”
Shock tore the breath from her lungs. Michael had pushed Merritt, just to create a distraction. He hadn’t cared if Merritt got hurt. Or even killed. Spots danced before her eyes, and she forced her chest to expand, to pull in the polluted air.
Danna looked at Kaitlyn carefully. “Are you okay?”
Kaitlyn rubbed her chest. “I will be, as soon as I’m home.”
* * *
“Looks like you’re behind, McGraw.” Quade drew his chestnut thoroughbred to a halt at the empty foundation of what would be Ed’s cabin. “Wonder what’s slowing you down.”
Drew’s pulse pounded in his ears. Quade knew very well what was slowing them down. He’d sent his hands to scatter their herd, and now he was here to gloat. Drew stopped by the water barrel and got a drink. He wanted to pour it over Quade’s head, except with the sun as hot as it was, the man would probably enjoy it.
Quade leaned forward in his saddle and made a show of examining the work the McGraws hadn’t completed. If the man were on the ground, he’d be swaggering.
“I’d still like to buy your spread,” Quade said. “Of course, I’d have to decrease my offer, seeing as how you’re so close to missing your deadline. I’d guess half my previous offer would be about right. It’d be better than nothing.”
Drew’s hands fisted at his sides. “This is my land, and you aren’t welcome here.”
“Fair enough, but I’ll be back in a couple of days. With Ernie Duff. You won’t be able to run me off this land then. And I’ll get it for even less.”
Drew watched Quade ride off until the man passed the main homestead half a mile away. Then he turned to watch his brother.
Ed walked the foundation of his soon-to-be home, checking for loose boards. He knelt to check the level at each corner.
