Legacies by Janet Dailey Read Free Book Online

more than adequate for your needs."
    Lije shook his head. "I've spent most of the last four years inside walls, surrounded by books and papers and people. For now, I want something that makes some physical demands on me and offers less confinement."
    "If that's your only criterion, then take charge of Grand View," Temple argued. "Heaven knows, there's more than enough work here on the plantation to keep you occupied, and it would relieve your father of some of his responsibility."
    "Your overseer, Asa Danvers, is more than competent to handle the farm's day-to-day operations. I would be doing little but overseeing the overseer."
    "Then take over the sawmill—or the cattle operation in the Outlet," she said, her impatience with him slowly turning to a desperate anger.
    "Of what use would my education be if I did that?"
    "What about the riverboats? Why—" she began, then realized his argument also applied to them and abandoned that alternative.
    His father finally spoke. "You have given this a good deal of thought, haven't you?" The observation earned him a fiery look from Temple.
    "Are you saying that you approve of his choice? How can you?" she stormed. "What future is there for him in the Light Horse?"
    "I never said I planned to make it my life's work," Lije pointed out. "Then why do it at all?"
    "Because I have the necessary skills and knowledge to do it, and do it well."
    "But why would you want to do it at all? Why would you want to spend your time tracking whiskey peddlers, thieves, and murderers; stopping brawls; or dealing with drunkards?"
    "Is it better to ignore the fact that such elements exist in our Nation?"
    "No, but why do you have to be the one to confront it?" She stood up and threw her napkin on the table, giving full rein to her temper. It was the first time, in Lije's memory, that she had ever unleashed it on him. The dubious honor was one she usually reserved for his father. Sorrel sat silent, all eyes and ears as she watched the back-and-forth wrangling. "Why can't you leave it to others?"
    "Why?" Lije challenged, his voice growing quieter, firmer. "Because it's unpleasant, I should leave the job for someone else to do—isn't that what you really mean? That may be the popular attitude, but that doesn't make it the right one."
    She deliberately remained deaf to his reasoning. "The Light Horse doesn't have the best reputation. Some of the men are little more than vigilantes who use their authority to mete out punishment as a weapon to be used against their enemies and their enemies' accomplices."
    "That's all the more reason to join and make sure that a few don't corrupt the whole system and that there is justice for everyone."
    "How very noble," she said with scorn, "and how very naive. Corruption will always exist. It can never be stamped out entirely."
    "That doesn't mean it shouldn't be fought wherever it is found."
    "He has you stopped, Temple," The Blade said softly, the smallest suggestion of a smile edging his mouth. "Admit it."
    She swung to face him, her hands clenched at her side. "How can you side with him?"
    "Because his reasoning is sound."
    "Sound?" The word was a strangled cry of outrage. "Am I now to fear for his safety, too?"
    Without waiting for an answer, she swept from the room with her chin held high. But Lije saw the hot glitter of tears in her eyes as her parting question echoed through his mind. Rising to his feet, he swore under his breath, at last understanding the real reason she was against his decision.
    "I should have remembered," Lije muttered and rubbed the back of his neck. "I never realized—"
    "Nor did I." The Blade stood up and let the full weight of his gaze come to rest on Lije. "Are you still set on this course?"
    Lije hesitated, then nodded. "I am." He sighed and lowered his hand. "I'd better go speak to her."
    "No." The Blade motioned for him to stay. "Let me talk to her. After all, it began with me." But there was more sadness than humor in the