Dangerous Inheritance by Barbara Warren Read Free Book Online Page B

wouldn’t listen to this criticism of the grandmother who had raised her, the only person who had ever been there for her. It was too much to expect. “That isn’t true.”
    “I’m sorry, but it is. I saw her cry too many times when her letters and gifts came back unopened. However, this isn’t the time or the place to discuss it.” Hilda walked away, leaving Macy shaken and close to tears.
    God, help me. I’m not sure I can do this. It’s so hard.
    How could she bear hurtful comments about her grandmother, the only family she had ever known? Was that what she could expect from the people here in Walnut Grove? If that was what they thought, they hadn’t known the real Mattie Douglas.
    Unwillingly, she remembered her grandmother’s refusal to discuss the past, her belief that her son’s in-laws had helped convict him, and a nagging, unwanted thought occurred to her. Was there a grain of truth in Hilda’s accusation? She had to keep an open mind, listen to what was being said, no matter how much it hurt. She was beginning to realize this quest for the real story could change her in ways she hadn’t expected.
    And once changed, she knew she’d never be the same.
    * * *
    Nick waited outside the church for Macy. He’d seen her enter, but decided it might be better if he didn’t approach her until after the morning service. She was stepping right along, cheeks flushed, looking as though she’d already tangled with someone. Her lips were set in a tight line and those eyes were flashing green fire.
    He stepped in front of her, blocking the way. “Morning. Enjoy the service?”
    “The service was fine.”
    She bit off the words as if they tasted bad, and Nick hoped she hadn’t run into one of the more outspoken citizens who’d trashed her father. He’d like to shield her from that if he could, although he knew it would be impossible. Too many people had opinions of Steve Douglas, some good, some very bad. He hoped they wouldn’t take it out on Macy.
    He made an attempt to defuse the situation. “Look, you have to eat, and I doubt if Opal kept much on hand. How about going out to lunch, or if you’d rather we can get takeout and go back to the house?”
    Macy looked as if she wanted to refuse, and he held up a hand, stopping her before she had a chance to say anything. “Probably the house would be better. We can talk about what’s bothering you in private.”
    She stared at him for a moment, then heaved a sigh. “All right, I guess.”
    Good. That was a start. “Fried chicken okay?”
    “It’s fine.”
    “You go on home and I’ll be there in a few minutes.” He called in the order on his way to the car, and drove to the take-out place to pick it up.
    By the time he got to the house she’d changed into jeans and a long-sleeved shirt the same shade of green as her eyes. Her burnished-copper hair tumbled in glossy waves to caress her shoulders, and her lips were curved in a welcoming smile that warmed his heart. This was one beautiful woman, and he couldn’t deny the way she affected him. His mind was telling him to ignore how he felt, but his heart wasn’t listening.
    He carried the bags and cardboard boxes to the kitchen where she had arranged plates and silverware. Their hands touched as they set out the containers of coleslaw, potato salad and chicken. Although it was just a quick brushing of his fingers against hers, he felt a surprising warmth, a sense of awareness that was new to him.
    Macy filled glasses with ice for the Pepsi he’d brought, and they sat down at the table. He said the blessing. She’d talked about God as if she were acquainted with Him, so Nick didn’t suppose she would object to something that was an everyday part of his life.
    They ate in silence for a few minutes and then he glanced at her over a fried chicken leg and figured it was time to talk. “What happened at church that bothered you so much?”
    Her green eyes turned stormy. “I met Hilda Yates.”
    And that was