Summer Days. Сьюзен Мэллери

gambler with a heart of gold. Which wasn’t far from the truth. Her grandfather had always made decisions without thinking about the consequences—he’d just as easily invited Heidi into his life, and his love had certainly outweighed his occasional irresponsibility. Finally, Rafe’s lawyer rose.

      He turned to Harvey. “I’m glad you’re better,” he said. “Good health is a blessing.”

      Harvey nodded.

      Dante faced the judge. “Your Honor, it appears much of this case is about what home means. For Ms. Simpson and her grandfather, the ranch is a dream come true. But it’s also that for Mrs. Stryker. Thirty years ago, she and her husband came to Fool’s Gold to work at the Castle Ranch. Her husband was to manage the ranch, while May took care of Mr. Castle and raised their children. A few years later, May’s husband was killed, leaving her alone with three small boys.”

      Heidi knew what was coming and realized it was nearly as sympathy-inducing as Harvey’s recovery. Not good news for her.

      “May continued to work as the housekeeper, but, without her husband’s salary, money was tight. Mr. Castle was not a generous man, and the working conditions were difficult, but May hung on. You see, Mr. Castle had promised to will her the ranch when he died. But he lied, and when he passed, the ranch went to distant relatives back east. Crushed, May took her young family to Los Angeles and found work there. But she never forgot the Castle Ranch. When she learned it was for sale, she was finally going to reclaim what had been denied her. But once again, the ranch was snatched from her. This time by a thief.”

      Dante paused to point to Glen. Heidi was more concerned by his words than his theatrical gestures. Even though she had no part in the past or Glen’s actions, she still felt horrible and guilty, as if she’d done something wrong.

      “Dante, stop it!” May rose. “Your Honor, can I say something?”

      The judge threw up her hands. “Well, everyone else has had a chance to speak today. Go ahead, Mrs. Stryker.”

      Rafe stood. “Mom, this isn’t the time.”

      “It is exactly the time. I know you’re a successful businessman and winning is everything to you, but I don’t like any of this. Yes, of course, there’s the money, but I don’t want Heidi and her grandfather turned out. I know exactly what it feels like to lose a home. We need to work something out. All of us. A compromise.”

      May turned to Heidi. “We could share it. I’m not sure exactly how, but you seem reasonable, and I want this to work.”

      “Me, too,” Heidi murmured.

      “Good.” May faced the judge. “Heidi has the most lovely goats. She needs a place to run her business.”

      “You do realize Glen Simpson stole two hundred and fifty thousand dollars from you,” the judge said.

      “Of course, but Heidi mentioned a payment plan. I’m open to that.”

      “She doesn’t have the means,” Dante said. “Your Honor, she admitted she has twenty-five hundred dollars. My client isn’t interested in a payment plan that takes us into the next millennium. As he signed the documents, as well, he should have an equal say in what happens.”

      The judge nodded slowly. “Yes, I see, Mr. Jefferson. But I’m surprised that a successful businessman such as your client didn’t realize the deal was a sham before he signed.”

      Dante muttered something under his breath. “He was busy, Your Honor.”

      Her eyebrows rose. “Are you saying your client didn’t read the documents in question?”

      “No, he did not.”

      “Caveat emptor, Mr. Jefferson,” the judge said.

      Trisha turned and whispered, “Let the buyer beware. It’s Latin.”

      Heidi wanted to believe that the judge was on their side, but she had a feeling that she was reading too much into the exchange. With so much on the line, hope seemed painfully naive.

      Judge Loomis leaned back in her large leather chair and removed her reading glasses.

      “Mr. Stryker, despite your legal claim, am I correct in assuming this is truly your mother’s property?”

      “Yes, Your Honor.”

      The judge nodded slowly. She glanced at May, who stood with her hands clasped.

      “You’ve given me a lot to think about,” the judge said at last. “While Mr. Simpson took a significantly large sum of money, I believe it was with good intentions. Not an excuse, Mr. Simpson,” she added sternly.

      Glen lowered his chin. “You are so right, ma’am.”

      “Ms. Simpson, your willingness to help your grandfather is admirable but, twenty-five hundred dollars isn’t going to cut it.”

      Heidi swallowed. “Yes, Your Honor.”

      “Mr. Stryker, you’re a businessman who signed a contract without reading it. You deserve what you get.”

      Heidi saw Rafe’s jaw muscle clench, but he didn’t speak.

      “Mrs. Stryker, you seem the most injured party here, yet you’re the one who counsels forgiveness and compromise. You have given my somewhat cynical spirit a good dose of hope. I admire you and will therefore consider the merits of this case from your point of view.”

      Heidi wasn’t sure what that meant, but wondered if it was possible they weren’t going to lose everything.

      “The easiest answer is to put Mr. Simpson in jail, order him to stand trial, or plead out and be done with it. For you, Mrs. Stryker, I’m willing to consider other options. I would like to do some research on precedence for a case like this. Unfortunately, my schedule is fully booked right now, and my law clerk is getting married next week and then going on her honeymoon. So she isn’t available, either.”

      The judge considered for a moment. “There is also the matter of the bank loan. Would they be willing to transfer the note to Mrs. Stryker and her son? While I doubt that would be a problem, they do need to be consulted. As you are all aware, banks can be notoriously slow in responding to this kind of thing.”

      She paused, then smiled slightly. “All right, Mrs. Stryker, you shall have your compromise. You and your son will share the property with Ms. Simpson and her grandfather. You will in essence co-own it, at least for now. We will continue to work from our end, speaking with the bank and researching the case. In the meantime, Ms. Simpson, I suggest you do all you can to raise the money owed Mrs. Stryker. Legally, of course.”

      Heidi felt as if she’d just fallen through a rabbit hole. Share the ranch? The four of them? It was better than losing everything, but how was it supposed to work?

      She was aware of May beaming at Glen, and of Rafe, who whispered furiously to his attorney.

      “Your Honor?” May raised her hand.

      “Yes?”

      “If Heidi and I agree, is it all right to make improvements to the property? The barn needs fixing and the fences are in terrible shape.”

      “I remind you, I have not reached a final decision. It is possible you could lose the ranch completely, Mrs. Stryker. Please remember that. But if you and Ms. Simpson agree to the improvement, and you accept there will be no compensation should you lose this proceeding, then go ahead. I will call the concerned parties back when I’m ready to rule. Brace yourself, people. It could be a while.”

      Heidi was still reeling from the sudden, if temporary, reprieve. She stood, as instructed, then swayed slightly, feeling as if she’d just avoided being smashed by a speeding train.

      “This is good, right?” she asked Trisha.

      “It’s better than Glen standing trial.” She smiled at the older man. “Not that I don’t adore you, hon, but your bony ass would so be going to