A Touch of Autumn(26)
They rounded a bend in the road and both slowed their mounts as a neat, white house came into view. Clothing blew in the breeze on a line that ran between two posts.
A brown-and-white dog charged down the steps and ran toward them, barking.
As they pulled up in front of the house, the front door opened and a small-framed woman with a heart-shaped face stepped out onto the porch. A large bruise on her cheek marred the smooth skin. Worried brown eyes peered at them, then recognition filled them and she set down the rifle she’d held in both hands.
“Jeremiah?” she cried in a choked voice. “Is something wrong with my boy?”
Charles glanced quickly at Trent, not wanting to overstep his authority.
“No, no.” Trent dismounted quickly and went to meet her, taking both her hands in his. “Jeremiah is fine.”
“Then why are you here? Do I owe you money or something?”
Charles dismounted and joined them.
“No, Mrs. Saunders. You don’t owe us anything. We merely need to talk to you about a matter that concerns us.”
“Very well.” She motioned toward the door. “Won’t you come in, please?”
As soon as they were settled in the parlor with mugs of boiling-hot coffee, Trent cleared his throat. “Is your brother-in-law here?”
A shadow crossed her face. “No, he took some cattle to Atlanta to an auction today. He won’t be home until late. Do you have business with him?”
Trent cleared his throat. “Not at all. We need to speak to you uninterrupted, so it’s good that he’s not here.” He nodded toward Charles. “I’m sure you recognize Mr. Waverly, our science teacher.”
She nodded. “Yes. How is Jeremiah doing with his classes, Mr. Waverly?”
“Very well. I’m pleased with his progress. And he’s wonderful with the horses.”
“Yes, he was so happy when he wrote to me about the riding lessons. When he rides, it’s almost as if he’s part of the horse.”
Charles laughed. “My thoughts, exactly.”
He glanced at Trent who nodded for him to continue.
“Mrs. Saunders, are you aware that your son has scars all over his back and shoulders?”
Her face paled and she gasped, closing her eyes for a moment. “Yes,” she whispered.
“Jeremiah said his uncle has beaten him for years.”
“Yes.” Tears overflowed her eyes. “It’s true. I tried to stop him, but he’s such a big man. I was so thankful when Jeremiah had the opportunity to go to school. Not only to learn, but to get away from Edward.”
Trent leaned forward. “You do realize that something needs to be done about it?”
“But what? He’s taken the farm and threatens to kick us out. I can’t allow my son to be homeless.”
“If you don’t mind my asking, how did he get control of the farm? Did your husband leave it to him?”
Confusion clouded her face. “Frank told me once he’d seen a lawyer and had a will drawn up so if anything happened to him, the farm would go to me, then on to Jeremiah. He showed me a piece of paper and said he’d keep it in the cash box.”
“Do you not have the will?”
“No. After my husband died, Edward showed up one day and said he’d help me with the farm. I thought he was being kind, but then he told me that Frank had left all the property to him, but not to worry. He’d take care of us.” A sob escaped her lips. “I looked and looked but couldn’t find the will Frank had told me about. He might have changed his mind.”
Charles glanced at Trent who returned his look, his lips tight. “That might be so, Mrs. Saunders, but then again, your husband’s brother could be lying and trying to steal your inheritance.”
She nodded. “I think that’s very possible, but I have no idea what to do about it.”
“Did he ever mention the attorney’s name?”
She shook her head. “I’ve no idea.”
Charles couldn’t stand it any longer. He had to know. “Has your brother-in-law been hitting you, too? I couldn’t help noticing the bruise on your face.”
A blush covered her face and she ducked her head and nodded.
Trent drew in a breath. “Why don’t you pack up some things and come back to the school with us? There are several vacant bedrooms and you’d be welcome.”
She froze and her eyes widened. “Oh, no. If I do that, he’ll have the property free and clear and Jeremiah will never receive the inheritance his father left for him.” She rose, trembling.
“Mrs. Saunders, I promise I will obtain an attorney to look into this matter. And there’s also the matter of the beatings. There are laws against child beating now, and the man needs to be in jail.”