The Maverick of Copper Creek Read Online Free Page B

the table, but Mason and Lance exchanged a look before Mason stopped her. “There’s something else.”
    At the tone of his voice she sat back down and arched a brow. “This sounds like bad news, Mason.”
    The older lawyer cleared his throat. “Do you remember a woman named Melinda Warren?”
    â€œSorry. No.” Willow shook her head. “Should I?”
    â€œShe was a teacher in Copper Creek until she left town about thirty years ago.”
    Willow shrugged. “Then she wouldn’t have taught either Ash or Whit. What’s this about, Mason?”
    The lawyer frowned and tapped a pen on the stack of papers in front of him. “Maybe you’d prefer the privacy of Bear’s office, where we could talk alone.”
    Willow sat up straighter. “Now you’ve got me worried, Mason. Why don’t you just say whatever it is you have to say and get it over with?”
    He took in a breath. “After leaving Copper Creek, Melinda Warren settled in Billings and taught school there for the past twenty-nine years. When she was recently diagnosed with a terminal illness, and learned that she had only a short time to live, she wanted to set the record straight for the sake of her only son and heir. Bear got a letter documenting the birth of a boy, Griff Warren, to Melinda Warren, formerly of Copper Creek, Montana, and listing Bear as the biological father. He was stunned and brought the documents to me to have all the facts verified. From time to time,” he added softly, “I employ some very discreet investigators.”
    Willow’s eyes were wide and unblinking.
    Across the table, Whit and Maddock had gone as still as statues, while the foreman kept his gaze fixed on Willow’s pale face.
    â€œThat would have been the time you broke your engagement to Bear and flew to New York about that modeling job, Willow.” Mason’s tone lowered. “At least that’s the way Bear remembered it. He said he was like a wounded grizzly, and the pretty young teacher was willing to give aid and comfort. A month or so later you were back in Montana, and back in Bear’s life. He swore to me that he never saw the teacher again, and when she left town, he didn’t have a clue that she was having a baby. His baby. Apparently she told nobody, not even her son, about the affair. She never married. But when she learned that she was dying, she wanted her son to have a chance at a real family.”
    Whit’s eyes blazed. “Are you saying you want to bring that bastard here, Mason?”
    â€œI’m saying that when the results of a DNA test proved her claim once and for all, your father asked me to contact this Griff Warren, to arrange an introduction, and to list him in his will as his son and legal heir. Bear thought it was the right thing to do. The letter went out weeks ago.”
    â€œWeeks ago.” Whit leaned forward. “Could it be that you’ve just found Pop’s killer?”
    Mason shook his head. “That thought occurred to me, too. He certainly had a motive. But I learned that Griff is currently serving with the Marine Corps in Afghanistan.” He spread his hands, palms upward. “I’m sorry to be the messenger of such painful news, especially at a time like this. But Willow, it was Bear’s intention to invite this stranger here when he returned to the States and give him the opportunity to be part of the family.”
    Willow’s voice sounded suddenly weary. “What of the mother?”
    â€œDead.”
    She hissed in a breath. “And now this stranger…Griff Warren…will have to be told that his father is dead, too. Does he know yet?”
    â€œThe Red Cross has notified him. When he responds…if he chooses to respond…I’ll let you know, of course.” Mason turned to Whit. “But there’s a good chance he’ll want nothing to do with any of you.”
    As the silence