Miss Lizzy's Legacy by Peggy Moreland Read Free Book Online Page B

another point of stress in an already stressful life. “As far as my job goes, I do have a project I’m working on. But I can do that here as easily as at home, although I’ll require more space than my room at the Harrison House offers.”
    â€œIf there is anything I can do to help, dear—”
    â€œPerhaps you can,” Callie said, her mind already jumping ahead to everything she’d need to arrange. “I need to lease a place to work. At least for the month. Nothing fancy. Just lots of room and light. Do you know of anything available?”
    Molly pursed her lips as she reflected on the question. “I don’t know if it would suit your needs, but I own a building just a couple of blocks from the Harrison House. The upstairs is vacant and has been for years.” She lifted her wrist to glance at her watch. “I won’t be through here until after four o’clock. If you’d like to meet me, I could show you the place. Then you can decide for yourself.”
    The front door slammed and both women turned to find Judd standing in the entry. “Decide, what?” he asked as he crossed the narrow distance to the parlor.
    Callie’s stomach muscles tensed at the sight of him while a smile bloomed on Molly’s face. “Come and meet Callie Benson. Callie, this is my son, Judd Barker.”
    Judd stopped beside his mother’s chair and frowned at Callie, still feeling the sting of her sharp tongue. “We’ve met.”
    â€œYou have?” Molly asked, her gaze shifting from one unsmiling face to another.
    â€œYeah, at the Blue Bell.”
    â€œDid she mention she’s a descendant of the Bodeans?”
    Judd’s lips twisted in derision as he looked down at Callie. “Oh, so now you’re claiming kin to the Bodeans, huh?”
    Indignant, Callie rose to her feet, stuffing the birth certificate back in her purse. “Not the Bodeans. Mary Elizabeth Sawyer.”
    Molly flapped a hand. “My fault, dear. This is just all so confusing.”
    Callie tore her gaze from Judd’s to offer Molly a tight smile. “That’s quite all right. I’m having a rather difficult time absorbing it all myself.”
    Judd’s snort didn’t escape Callie’s or his mother’s notice.
    Callie chose to ignore him and hitched her purse strap higher on her shoulder. “I really should be going. Thank you for visiting with me, Mrs. Barker.”
    Molly rose as well. “Molly, dear. Call me Molly. Everyone does. And it was my pleasure.” She walked with Callie to the door. “Why don’t we plan to meet at the Blue Bell Saloon at five this afternoon? That way if I’m running a bit late, you won’t have to wait out in the weather.”
    Though she would rather meet anywhere but the Blue Bell for fear of running into Judd again, Callie bit her tongue. After all, he was the woman’s son. It wouldn’t do to offend her after she’d been so helpful. “That’ll be fine. Thanks, Molly.”
    As soon as Molly closed the door behind Callie, she turned to face her son, her lips pressed tightly together. The look she wore warned Judd that if he was thirteen instead of thirty, she’d probably give his ear a good hard twist.
    â€œAnd what was that all about?” she demanded to know. “I taught you better manners than that.”
    Judd flopped down on the settee and threw a leg up, sinking a boot into the velvet upholstery. He pulled his hat over his eyes. “She’s a reporter, Mom.”
    â€œCallie?” When his hat moved in a nod, her lips thinned and she gave his boot a shove. His heel hit the floor at the same moment her hand whacked the hat off his head. “When you’re in my house, the hat’s off.”
    Judd bit back a smile as he looked up at her. “This isn’t your house.”
    She pursed her lips in a frown. “Yours, either, but that isn’t