Page 14 of Married By Midnight
“If it comes to take place that the payor is deceased, then the heir apparent will be responsible for such taxes. If the living beneficiary to the property is a woman, then it will go to the closest male relative, unless the only living heir is married. Then it will unto her husband to be responsible for deciding to settle accounts and keep the property. In as such, the husband will become the heir and the property will revert to the husband’s name. If the taxes are not settled by April 30, 1894, then the property will default to the state and be sold for recompence.”
What did that mean? That if she had a husband, then he could decide to repay the taxes? It sounded like that is what it meant. Perhaps he could even file for additional time on her behalf.
All she needed to do was to find someone to marry her so he could handle it. Sarah scoffed. No one would do that. No matter the price. Yes, she heard of marriages of convenience, but usually they were to benefit both parties. She really didn’t have anything to offer.
Sarah slid the papers back in her pocket. She would need to talk toMr. Rodgers. As soon as the roads became passable again, she would make a point of going into town.
She picked up the tray and headed back to the kitchen to make Dell a cup of coffee. She had just finished washing the cups and placing them back in the cupboard when Dell walked in. “Coffee’s on the table.”
Dell grunted and took a seat at the small wooden table. Sarah sat down with the teapot. She took the strainer from the tray and placed a square of linen in the sifter. She placed it over a bowl and started to pour the tea through the linen.
Dell sipped his coffee and watched her. “What are you doing?”
“I wasted these tea leaves today. So, I’m going to dry them out and reuse them. The linen is to catch the leaves as the tea flows through the strainer.”
“Why don’t ya buy some more? I can’t imagine reusing tea leaves would be good. I know if you reuse coffee grounds the coffee is undrinkable.”
Sarah finished straining the tea and then put the strainer in the resting cup. “I don’t know how much money I’m going to have so I probably can’t afford tea.”
“You need to find your father’s money.”
“I wish I could. I just don’t know where he buried it. Or if he buried it.” Sarah wrapped up the linen and squeezed all the excess tea from the leaves before laying it to dry on the table.
“Your father took meticulous notes. He probably kept a record of it somewhere.”
“I’m still going through everything.”
“It will take a while.”
“It may take too long if I can’t come up with the money to pay the taxes.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“Unless you have fifty dollars or can find me a husband, probably not.”
Dell let out a low whistle. “That’s a lot of money.”
“Might as well be five hundred. I think I have about ten dollars to my name.”
“You mentioned a husband.”
Sarah pulled out the papers and handed it to Dell. He looked at the words on the page. “I can’t read this.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry, Dell. Let me read it to you.” She repeated the words she had recited earlier.
When she was done, Dell looked at her thoughtfully. “How about Dusty?”
“How about Dusty, what?”
“What about marrying Dusty?”
Sarah thought about it for a moment. “I don’t know.”
“Why not? He’s an honest man. Heck, he didn’t want me to bring that man in here on account of your reputation.” Dell finished his coffee. “’sides, he ain’t half bad to look at.”
Sarah laughed. She got up and kissed Dell’s cheek. “Dell, I’d sooner marry you, than some handsome cowboy who has sweethearts from here to San Francisco.”
Dell touched his cheek. “Might be able to arrange that too,” he laughed.
