Suspicions of the Heart Read Online Free Page A

between you and I, your father and I
remained very close."
    "Oh, how well I know that…" Candy
couldn't keep the hint of bitterness out of her voice. "Father and
I didn't agree on many things."
    "Yes, but there was a time," he said
his voice going deliberately husky.
    "Long ago."
    "Yes." His eyes flashed. "Three long
years as I remember."
    "Let's stick to the issue. The
will?"
    "Of course." He slipped the glasses
back on. "He left you the ranch and a few securities that I
encouraged him to invest in. We'll need to check the deposit box,
too. Everything there goes to you, as well. You will need to clear
out his account with the bank."
    "I intend to, if there's anything left
to clear."
    Fargate smiled. "Old Hank wasn't much
on taking care of things. And believe it or not, he needed me,
Candy. I talked him into buying that ranch. Maybe it's not much,
but it was something. It really was all he had." Fargate gestured
with his hands as though she should be grateful.
    "So, you want a medal?"
    Fargate ignored her sarcasm. "The price
of land is so high, it was the best I could suggest at the time. It
is an investment. And I'd advise you to sell out as quickly as
possible."
    "Sell out?"
    "Naturally, and I can take care of the
entire matter for you, if you'd like. It's no place for
a…"
    "Take care of it for me? You aren't my
lawyer." She stood up and glared over the desk at him. "Look, let's
get a few things straight. Just because my father trusted you,
doesn't mean I ever will again. I'll take care of my own affairs,
thank you."
    Fargate merely grinned. "I can still
make you mad, can't I?"
    Candy flushed. "You always
could."
    He reached for her hand, and covered it
with his own. "You're upset and naturally so."
    She jerked her hand away wanting to
erase his touch, but not giving him the satisfaction of knowing it.
Flopping into the chair quite unladylike, she silently fumed. "I
have no intention of selling anything until I've seen
it."
    Fargate's face paled, but he didn't
argue the point. "That's reasonable, I suppose, since you won't
take my word for it."
    "Not on your life." She blew a wayward
strand of hair away from her face.
    "Still angry with me, honey?" he asked
coming around to her and propping on the edge of the desk in front
of her. He folded his arms over his chest and smiled.
    "I got over that, and you, a long time
ago," she said without a trace of emotion.
    "How unfortunate for you. Well, do what
you like, but at least agree to think about your options before you
make a final decision. I've already had two offers for the land. I
left it open--in case you were interested."
    "Offers? You've had offers? From who?"
She stared point blank.
    "One was from a fella named Munroe, the
other from…"
    "Joe Munroe?"
    "Yes, yes, I think that was his
name."
    "Are you sure?"
    "I could have my secretary check the
messages, but she left his name in the file. Let me look. Why? Do
you know him?"
    "Yes, I do."
    "Well, you can take it up with him
yourself, but if I were you I wouldn't consider an individual.
They'll try robbing you blind. The other offer seemed quite
legitimate. It was from some real estate firm. I forget the name
off hand. I'll check that for you, too. At least with them you'd
get the going price for it. And believe me, you'll be ready to sell
once you've seen the place. It's a shambles. It's in the panhandle,
dusty, and hot; no place for a woman."
    "You forget. I'm not an orchid, I'm a
sunflower. I'm used to the country. I'll decide about the place
myself. But I've no intention of selling to anyone at the present.
Unless the will so stipulates."
    "No, there are no stipulations. Your
father was very cut and dried about such things. I would imagine he
expected you to sell, though."
    "How would you know?"
    Fargate looked away from her, adjusted
his tie, and gave a half smile. "Your father and I were good
friends, Candy, whether you like the idea or not. We discussed a
variety of subjects."
    "He trusted you, yes. Why I'll