“He did more than talk. He and Stark were close to a deal. Do you know why he backed out?”
I looked at my coffee and then wondered if she’d be able to tell that I was going to be evasive. I looked at her again. “The ranch has been in the family for generations. Ultimately, he didn’t feel that he could sell the family legacy.”
“Records show that your father had some significant financial problems prompting the sale, and then, all of a sudden, his debts were gone.”
I simply stared and gave a small shrug.
“Stark isn’t happy about it. He’s going to have someone dig into it,” she said, her eyes studying mine for a reaction.
Nerves flitted up my spine. “You? Are you working for him?”
Erica laughed. “No. I’m doing a story on him. But knowing he’d look, I did my own digging. I found something quite interesting. Want to know what it is?”
I hoped that the drama class I took in high school was working as I made an effort to hide that I was squirming in my chair.
“It appears that Mayor Valentine bailed your father out.”
“The mayor and my father are long time friends,” I said like it made perfect sense. In actuality, it did make sense. I had no doubt that my father would help Mo if he needed it, too.
She nodded, suggesting she’d known that. “Everyone knows the Mayor was probably the wealthiest man in town until Stark arrived, but even he didn’t have that sort of available cash to help your father.”
I didn’t respond.
“I haven’t found any records that he sold some cattle or land or anything to get the cash your dad needed.”
“Whatever deal my father and the mayor have isn’t my business,” I said, hoping to put her off this line of inquiry. I had a sneaky suspicion that she knew the answers to the questions she was asking.
“I did find a trust. A trust that the mayor could get only if he was married. According to my records, he was divorced several years ago.” She studied me. Because I was having a hard time with the scrutiny, I took a sip of my coffee.
She sat back. “You must love your father very much to marry a man nearly twice your age to save the ranch.”
Panic shot through my body, but I did all I could to not react.
“There’s a marriage license from Watley county. Why the big secret?” she asked.
I leaned forward. “None of this is any of your business. Or the town of Salvation’s.”
“You’re protecting the mayor. Why? Sure, you’re young, but that’s not a scandal. And even if it was, he’s not running again.”
“Maybe you should talk to the mayor,” I said, feeling like I might be sick. This was exactly what he was afraid of, and I didn’t want any part of it getting out.
She gave me a coy smile. “I would, but he won’t talk to me.”
I realized my mistake. I should have taken my coffee and left.
“Do you know all the terms of the trust?” she asked.
“Yes.” I winced. I really needed to say, “No comment,” and leave.
“And what happens after a year?” she asked again.
“We have an anniversary?” I stood, knowing I needed to go.
She stood, too. I didn’t like the smug smile she had, and I hoped to hell she didn’t print any of this.
“So, you love him. If that’s the case, why is it a secret?”
“I really must get to work.”