Maya’s Triple Dare(Divine Creek Ranch 6)(113)
“His law office did. They included it in the larger envelope.”
“Where is it?”
“My purse. I stuck it in my pocketbook for safekeeping.”
“We need to find out what is in that safe-deposit box,” Boone said. “I’m willing to bet whatever is in there will provide a clue for why Reeves tried to kill you.”
A shiver went up Maya’s spine as she thought of just how close he’d come to succeeding.
After the men kissed her one final time and left, Ruth returned with a sponge bath. Maya was disappointed but knew she’d have to wait at least another day to take a shower and wash her hair. Even though the cast could be wrapped, she was still too wobbly on her feet to be able to shower. Washing her hair would be impossible without help.
“So three men, huh? How’s that working for you?” Ruth asked, a friendly twinkly in her eyes. “I probably shouldn’t be asking about that.”
Maya chuckled and replied, “It’s okay. It’s not a big secret. I love all three of them very much.”
“I noticed on your patient paperwork that you’re an RN. Are you new in town?”
“Yes. I just made the move permanent last week.”
“Great. I guess I’ll see you around here, if you take a nursing job.”
“I’ve got a good lead on a position.”
“So they’re all brothers, huh?”
Maya giggled at Ruth’s avid curiosity and answered a few more of her questions before breakfast arrived.
When Maya told her a little about what had happened the day before and explained her hiding place, Ruth was flabbergasted.
“That’s why I was hoping to wash my hair this morning.”
“You go ahead and eat, and I’ll see if I can find a hairbrush.” Maya smiled, grateful that she’d found a friend in the nursing community already.
Chapter Thirty
Two weeks after the incident at the creek, Maya, Kendall, Boone, and Richard journeyed to San Marcos to finally solve the mystery of what the safe-deposit box contained. Upon their arrival, they followed a bank employee to the private room designated for opening safe-deposit boxes and left them after placing it on the large wooden table.
Maya’s hands shook as she lifted the lid. An envelope with Morgan’s handwriting was the first thing she saw. Lifting it out, she noticed another thick envelope beneath it. She opened the letter and removed the thick sheet of stationery, unfolded it, and read the short letter silently.
Dearest Maya,
If you’re reading this letter it means the paperwork in this box is yours to do with as you see fit. I wanted to save it as a surprise for you, for after we retired, which is why I stored it at the bank. Too many people know where our safe is located, and I wanted these papers kept separate under lock and key. Frank was the only one who knew about them besides me, and that’s part of the reason for the secrecy. I didn’t want him to try to wrangle you out of this piece of land. I hope if you’ve read my other letters you’ve distanced yourself from him.
Two separate geologists confirmed the deposits of natural gas on this acreage are enormous. All the information you need, along with the name and address of someone you can trust to help you decide what the best options are, is in the envelope, too. Give Kendall, Boone, and Richard my best.
Love,
Morgan
The tone of Morgan’s letter was friendly, and as she reread it, Maya was reminded that Morgan had been a thoughtful, analytical thinker. While writing this letter, it would have occurred to him that she would be moving on with her life by this point. At first, his formal friendliness had struck her as odd, but now she understood it. He didn’t want to cause her additional pain. The last letter he’d sent was truly the last love letter she would be receiving from him. With this one he was helping her move on in the only way he could. He’d been so right about Frank. And he’d been fairly intuitive in offering his greetings to Boone and Richard as well.
I’ll always love you, Morgan. Thank you.
She handed the letter to Boone, and the men gathered around it to read as she lifted the other envelope from the box. She opened the flap of the thick envelope, and several official-looking documents slipped out.
The first was a deed to a piece of property in Louisiana, made out to Morgan. There were also geologist’s reports and a letter estimating the value of the property at two million dollars.
She looked up at the men and handed them the documents.
When she was finally able to speak, Maya said, “Morgan used to say that when we retired we would live like a king and queen. I thought he meant our investments were doing well, which they are. I didn’t have a clue he had this.”