His Mail Order Bride Was the Prettiest Woman He Ever Laid His Eyes On
Chapter 9
Samuel Gray was seventy years old.
He walked with a cane.
But his memory remained sharp.
He recognized Eleanor immediately.
“You have your father’s eyes.”
Eleanor swallowed.
“You knew my father?”
“I helped him write his final will.”
Thomas sat beside her.
“What was in it?”
Samuel looked at Eleanor.
“Your father left the estate to you.”
She stared.
“I thought my cousin inherited it.”
“He did not.”
Samuel opened his leather case.
“The original will.”
Eleanor touched the paper.
Her name was there.
The entire estate belonged to her.
Then Samuel showed them another document.
A contract between Ashford and Crowe.
Thomas read it.
They planned to force Eleanor into marriage with one of Crowe’s associates.
Once married, the husband would gain control of the estate.
Then Ashford would purchase the property.
Eleanor’s marriage to Thomas had disrupted the plan.
Samuel looked at Thomas.
“You were never supposed to be involved.”
Thomas smiled.
“I have a habit of getting involved.”
Eleanor laughed.
Samuel shook his head.
“Your aunt chose well.”
Thomas looked at Eleanor.
She smiled.
But the relief lasted only minutes.
A gunshot sounded outside.
Samuel fell.
Thomas caught him.
“Samuel!”
Blood spread across the old man’s coat.
Eleanor screamed.
Thomas dragged him behind the table.
Another shot shattered the window.
“Stay down!”
Thomas moved toward the door.
Samuel grabbed his sleeve.
“Don’t.”
Thomas stopped.
“Why?”
“They want the will.”
Samuel pushed the document toward Eleanor.
“Take it.”
She grabbed it.
Thomas fired through the doorway.
The attackers fled.
But Samuel was badly wounded.
Eleanor knelt beside him.
“Please.”
He looked at her.
“Don’t let them take your father’s land.”
Then he closed his eyes.
He was still alive.
Barely.
Thomas carried him into the wagon.
They rode through the night to the nearest physician.
Samuel survived.
But the attack made one thing clear.
Crowe knew they had the proof.
And he would not wait six weeks.
