The Bride's Choice. Sara Orwig

It was pinned behind her head in a chignon. Distaste curled in Cal’s mouth. The beautiful lit- tle gold digger should not be sitting there. During college, she had worked as a companion for Elnora, probably play- ing on Elnora’s sympathy and winning her everlasting friendship.

      Cal recalled several times Elnora had suggested changing her will to include Juliana, and each time Cal had talked her out of the notion. Or he thought he had. Cal’s instincts told him why Elnora had hired Mason and written another will. Memories of what Elnora had suggested made his anger boil. Surely not even Elnora could have been so flighty and whimsical as to have actually written the will she’d pro- posed to him? And surely Willard Mason would have talked her out of it, too.

      As Cal looked at Juliana Aldrich, cool blue eyes met his gaze. He stared back, fury and wariness churning in him while he listened to Willard Mason’s deep voice.

      “I, Elnora Siever of Colby County, state of Texas, being now in good health and strength of body and mind, desir- ing to make disposition of my property and affairs, do hereby declare this to be my last will and testament.”

      Provisions were made for bills to be paid, the standard legal jargon was read, and as she listened, Juliana was still surprised to be one of the heirs. She hadn’t given a thought to inheriting from Elnora. Various token amounts ran through her mind, but she felt certain she would be be- queathed some sentimental remembrance, Elnora’s music box that played “Lara’s Theme,” or some of Elnora’s books.

      Yet, perhaps it was something more substantial; what- ever it was, Caleb Duncan must not approve. He’d been curt with her, and every glance he gave her looked angry while he was warm and courteous to Gladys and Stoddard. Yet per- haps his anger was caused by Elnora herself. As Juliana re- called, Caleb Duncan had been Elnora’s attorney. What had caused Elnora to get Willard Mason to write her will? she wondered. Had Cal Duncan displeased the elderly woman?

      As if he realized she was thinking about him, Cal sud- denly turned and his dark gaze settled on her. Dressed in a navy pin-striped suit, with a snow-white shirt and maroon tie, he looked the calm, composed picture of the successful businessman. But when she looked closer, she noticed his snapping dark eyes, the firm jaw that was tightly set, the rugged angles and planes of his face; all his features held arrogance and a hint of danger. And another quality. As she stared into thickly lashed eyes, she felt a twist of curiosity about him as a man, a reaction that was purely feminine and physical. And as unwanted as cold germs.

      To avoid his probing gaze, she shifted her attention to the leather briefcase beside his chair and the oak-paneled wall behind him, while Mason continued reading the will.

      “To my employee, Stoddard Tamblin, he is to continue to draw the same salary as long as he shall live. In addition, he is to be given my Cadillac because he has maintained the car through the years. Also, he is to be given a sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for his years of faithful ser- vice. And he may continue to live in his house at Green Oaks.”

      “Good heavens!” Stoddard gasped, fanning himself with his battered cotton cap and running thick fingers through his straight gray hair. “Bless Miss Siever’s heart.”

      “My word,” Gladys muttered, pushing her bifocals higher on her round nose and staring at Stoddard.

      Caleb Duncan glanced at Juliana, and she gazed into eyes that stabbed like twin stilettos. This time, there was no mis- taking his anger. He wasn’t happy with Elnora Siever’s will. Juliana lifted her chin. Whatever Elnora had left to her, it was what the woman wanted to do and Mr. Caleb Duncan would have to accept it, whether he liked it or not. Sud- denly, she realized she was caught in a staring contest as they continued to look at each other steadily. But she had no intention of being the first to look away. Caleb Duncan arched his eyebrows slightly then narrowed his eyes. Refusing to be intimidated by him, she stared back.

      He raised his hand midway, and she glanced down at his fingers.

      He dropped his hand, and too late, she realized she had been the first to look away. She wondered if he had moved his hand deliberately to distract her. He arched an eyebrow, and she clamped her lips closed, turning toward Stoddard who was smiling broadly.

      “To Gladys Marie Thomas Wicklund…” Mason con- tinued reading, announcing the same bequest for Gladys that had been bestowed on Stoddard, with the exception of the Cadillac. Suddenly, Gladys broke into a huge grin. “My word!” she exclaimed again, patting her hair and smiling.

      Juliana wasn’t unduly surprised. Elnora was a loving, generous woman and both servants had worked long and faithfully for her, and Juliana was certain Elnora could af- ford the legacy. Happy for both of them, Juliana smiled at Gladys, who was still smiling and shaking her head as if in disbelief.

      Feeling watched, Juliana glanced around and immedi- ately wished she hadn’t. Caleb Duncan’s obvious disap- proval sent an uncomfortable prickle along the nape of her neck. He stared at her solemnly while she returned her at- tention to Willard Mason.

      “It is my wish that Juliana Aldrich take care of my pre- cious cat, Snookums,” Mason read. “I know Juliana loves Snookums, and Snookums loves Juliana.”

      Remembering the big fluffy white cat, Juliana knew her three rambunctious nephews would love him just as much as she did.

      Again she received another look filled with smoldering anger. Why would Caleb Duncan disapprove of her inher- iting Snookums? Curious, Juliana raised her head, then re- turned her attention to Willard Mason.

      “To Juliana Lou Aldrich,” the lawyer said, pausing to look intently at her. Juliana locked her fingers together in her lap, wondering what Elnora had done; Willard Mason looked somber, gazing at her and then shifting his atten- tion to the will.

      “To Juliana Lou Aldrich,” he repeated, reading slowly and clearly, “who has been like a daughter to me, I wish to make a bequest. Also, I want to make one to Caleb John Duncan, the man who has been like a son to my dear de- parted husband, Lawrence, and to me. If these two people who are so dear to my heart, two people who are relatively alone in this world…”

      Juliana felt as if she had not heard correctly. She was anything but alone, with her three orphaned nephews to raise. She pulled her attention back to Willard Mason.

      “If these two people find it in their hearts to marry, it is my wish to leave them the bulk of my estate, my home and contents, Green Oaks…”

      Marry!…bulk of estate… Stunned, Juliana’s heart pounded, and Mason’s voice receded as a roaring filled her ears.

      “Damnation!” burst from the man beside her. She glanced at Caleb Duncan, and his dark eyes shot knives into her. Juliana’s head swam, the room spun and lights flashed before her eyes. For the first time in her life, she fainted.

      

      “She’s coming around,” announced a man’s voice.

      “Poor little thing had a shock.” Gladys wiped Juliana’s forehead with a cold cloth. They had moved her to the sofa.

      “She ain’t poor now, Gladys,” Stoddard remarked. “Mercy, mercy. Miz Siever’s taken care of all of us good.”

      “Only if they marry. Do you two know each other?” Gladys asked, her voice sounding dim and filled with curi- osity.

      “Just barely,” came a curt reply.

      “My heavens! Miss Siever was a dreamer.”

      The voices and words swirled around Juliana as she looked at Gladys, who was leaning over her. Beyond her, standing at the foot of the sofa, was Caleb Duncan with his fists on his hips, his coat pushed open as he stared down at her. His dark eyes gleamed with rage and she remembered the will. Marriage. It was absurd and impossible and ridic- ulous. And for one fleeting moment, she thought about all Elnora’s money—what only a tiny bit of it would do for the boys!

      Juliana gave a shake of her head. “I hope Elnora made some provision for her estate in the event that we don’t marry, because there is no way—”

      “She