The Cowboy's Runaway Bride(28)
Maddie frowned. “Is he any better?” The bull hadn’t been well for the last few days, and she knew Garrett was worried about him.
He shook his head. “No. I’ll call the vet to come out again today.”
She reached up to give him a reassuring kiss, which turned into a make-out session, before Garrett reluctantly left the house and Maddie sat down to continue composing her resignation letter.
###
“Hi Carol.” Maddie smiled at the housekeeper the next morning as the older woman trudged into the kitchen. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Not right now, thanks, Maddie,” she replied, distress evident in her tone.
“Is something wrong?” She gazed at the housekeeper in concern. Carol was usually a cheerful, bustling soul and had appeared pleased at the news that she and Garrett were engaged.
Carol sagged on one of the kitchen chairs. “It’s that bull.”
“Farley?”
“I just saw the vet when I drove up to the house.”
Maddie bit her lip.
“The doc had to put him down.”
“Oh no.” Maddie’s hand flew to her mouth. What would happen to Garrett’s breeding operation? He’d been so pleased and satisfied with his purchase of Farley.
Carol sighed heavily. “Maybe I will have that cup of coffee after all.”
“Sure.” Maddie turned to the machine. As soon as she made the coffee, she’d go outside and see Garrett.
“I’ve worked for Mr. Garrett for the last three years. He’s a good man and he pays well. But now...” She shook her head. “I don’t know how much longer I’ll be working for him.”
Maddie’s hand stilled on the button of the appliance. “What do you mean?” she whispered.
“That bull cost a lot of money. A lot. The rancher who sold it to Mr. Garrett bragged about it all over town. And now that Farley’s gone ...”
Maddie swallowed hard as she finished making Carol’s drink. She brought it over to her and sat opposite the housekeeper. “So Garrett won’t be able to start his stud farm.”#p#分页标题#e#
Carol took a sip and nodded. “That’s right. I don’t know how he financed the purchase, but I don’t see how he could afford to buy another one.”
“What about insurance?” If you could insure a car, couldn’t you insure a valuable bull?
The housekeeper shrugged. “I don’t rightly know, but I did hear something about the insurance not kicking in.”
Maddie’s shoulders drooped. She knew how much Garrett valued that magnificent creature. “I better go and see if Garrett’s okay.”
The older woman took a healthy swallow of her coffee. “You’re good for Mr. Garrett. He’s been on his own for a while now.” Putting her mug down, she seemed to hesitate for a moment. “I don’t know if I should tell you this.”
“Tell me what?” Maddie waited for Carol’s reply, her curiosity piqued.
“If Mr. Garrett knew I was telling you...”
“Tell me what?” Maddie repeated. If it had something to do with Garrett, then she should know about it. Shouldn’t she? Maybe she could help him in some way.
Carol paused, and then seemed to come to a decision. “His grandfather made a will. He’s got four brothers, you know.”
“Garrett’s grandfather?” Maddie wrinkled her brow.
The housekeeper shook her head. “No. Mr. Garrett.” She leaned back in the wooden chair. “His grandfather was a mean man. Real mean. He made a will, but put off paying the lawyer until it was too late.”
Maddie sat back down. “What happened?”
Carol chuckled humorlessly. “The lawyer was annoyed at having to wait so long to get paid, so after Abel Trask died, he told everyone about the contents of the will.”
“And?” Maddie held her breath.
“If any of his grandkids married, they would no longer be entitled to their share of his estate.”
“What?” Maddie blinked.
Carol nodded. “Exactly. What kind of grandpa puts that in his will?”
“But what’s that got to do with Garrett?” Even as she asked the question, Maddie’s heart sank.
“With that bull gone, I don’t know what Mr. Garrett is going to do for money.”
In a flash, she realized what Carol was driving at. If Garrett had been receiving an income from his grandfather’s estate, once he married her, that money would disappear. And without Farley to start a breeding operation, there would be no money coming in - at all.
“Just as well I’m applying for the job at the library then.” She gazed down at her ringless finger. She wanted to be Garrett’s wife more than anything in the world, but if it meant the ranch could be saved ...