The Rightful Heir. Angel Moore

off in search of the next story. Can’t tie a woman like that down. Not many men would be willing to try. They want a woman to be at the house taking care of the little ones while the man runs the business.”

      Jared shook his head. “From what I’ve seen of Miss Ellison, she wouldn’t be content without a challenge.” He dare not push for more information on the woman he hoped to have removed from his business. If word of his snooping into her personality got back to her, he’d have more trouble than he wanted.

      “Mr. Robbins, Andrew told me you keep a few horses for sale. I’m in need of a new mount.” He cast his eye around the livery and noticed two exceptional animals. “Something like this fellow would do nicely.” He stepped up to a stall and put a hand on the nose of a black stallion. “He’s a beaut.”

      “That one’s not for sale.”

      “Are you sure? I’ve brought cash. And I’ll need to board him here with you, too. I think we could come to a fair agreement.”

      “That’s Midnight. You’re right. He’s a fine horse. But he belongs to Andrew.”

      Surprise kicked off another line of questioning in his mind. “How can a boy like that afford such a horse?”

      “He brought me a little money every week. Sometimes twice a week. He’s worked here doing a man’s chores for about three years now. Set his eye on Midnight the day I got him. Wouldn’t let me sell him to another soul.”

      “It’s unusual for someone his age to be so determined.”

      “Andrew’s no stranger to hard work. He’s so busy, you’ll see him coming and going all over town. Never know where he’ll pop up wanting to lend a hand and make a few coins.”

      That agreed with everything Mary Lou had said about Andrew. But it didn’t sit right with Jared that the boy had been able to raise that kind of money by mucking out stalls and working as an apprentice.

      Mr. Robbins pointed to the next stall. “This is Noel. She’s a bit headstrong, but a good horse. I daresay she’s only bested by Midnight in the livery.”

      Jared took the horse for a brief ride. When he returned, he haggled with Mr. Robbins and made the deal for Noel, a chestnut mare with good lines.

      He left the livery on Noel and turned toward the Circle W Ranch. The hotel owner had told him that Mr. Willis ran the largest ranch in the county. Jared wanted to meet the man and put forth some of his ideas for expanding the topics covered by the paper. He caught sight of Mary Lou as he passed the office and lifted a hand in greeting. Her expression let him know he’d be bombarded with questions from her as soon as he returned.

      His meeting with Mr. Willis took longer than he anticipated, but the man confirmed his instincts about a new direction for the paper. More articles on changing cattle markets and any news in the business world that related to ranching could help the ranchers not only stay in business but make more profit in the long run.