The Rightful Heir Read Online Free Page B

hung along the outer edge of the office.
    â€œWhy did you start printing the paper before I got back?”
    â€œWe always print on Saturday when we can. I don’t like to work on the Lord’s Day or wait until Monday morning. It gives overnight for the papers to dry, and you never know when you might have a problem with the press. It’s best to get it printed as soon as the stories are complete.” She nodded to the young man. “Andrew Nobleson, this is Jared Ivy. He claims he owns the paper, and Sheriff Collins says I’ve got to put up with him until the judge comes through town again. Maybe a month or two.”
    â€œHow do you do, sir?” Andrew offered his hand and pulled it back at the last second when he realized how much ink was on it.
    â€œHello, Andrew.”
    â€œAndrew is my apprentice. He helps with many of the odd jobs involved in putting out the paper.”
    Jared looked at Mary Lou, carefully inking the press for another copy. “I told you I thought there was more to the story.”
    She didn’t even look up; just put the ink roller down while Andrew loaded the next sheet of paper. He cranked it under the press and pulled the lever to print the page.
    â€œWas there?” She looked doubtful as she helped Andrew remove the paper and grabbed the ink roller again.
    â€œI’m not exactly sure.” He leaned against the desk. “Something about the man doesn’t fit.”
    Mary Lou continued to work with Andrew. Jared watched them move with motions seemingly synchronized by the experience of having worked together for a long time.
    â€œThen I’m glad I didn’t hold the press for you. I won’t print something that’s vague or unfounded.”
    â€œIt’s not unfounded. And I’ve got equal say about what gets printed.”
    â€œEqual say? That’s not how I heard the sheriff.” She argued without missing a lick at the work she and Andrew did.
    â€œHe said we have to work together.”
    â€œThat’s fine. You can start where everyone else who ever worked here started. You can sweep up, and I’ll teach you how to clean the press when we’re finished printing. Next week you should be able to clean it on your own.”
    â€œWhat?” How dare she speak to him like a subordinate? “I’m not a hired hand or apprentice. I’m the owner. And I won’t be ordered about by you or anyone else.” She had nerve. That much was clear. He’d have to hold a tight line with her or she’d find a way to send him packing before the judge ever came to town.
    â€œI’m just telling you what Jacob Ivy would have told you.” She motioned for Andrew to move a stack of blank paper closer. “No one puts a word in a story of the Pine Haven Record until they’ve proved themselves. I’m quite certain he’d have made no exception for you.”
    The thought of Grump making her sweep the floors and clean the press made him smile. “Is that how you started?”
    â€œIt is.” She lowered the paper into place and Andrew cranked to move it under the press.
    The teenager nodded. “Me, too. I’ve only been allowed to work on the press since about a year ago when Mr. Ivy started slowing down and passing the work load to Miss Ellison.”
    Jared wasn’t surprised at Grump’s methods. It made sense. “How long have you worked here, Andrew?”
    â€œTwo years, sir.” He pulled the lever and the press lowered again. The two of them were efficient.
    â€œAndrew’s very smart, though. Don’t expect to move up as quickly as he did.” Mary Lou let a tiny grin show at her words.
    â€œI’ll try to keep up.” Jared laughed. So she was sarcastic, too. He appreciated her refusal to back down from controversy. Under different circumstances—like him not being the cause of the controversy—Jared might be attracted to a woman like