Place Of Her Own

Place Of Her Own Read Free

Book: Place Of Her Own Read Free
Author: Lynn A. Coleman
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“Now that the children are down for their naps, we can finally talk. So, what brought you here?”
    Shelton explained the family woes as he scanned the downstairs open area for Kate. After assuring himself that she could not hear their conversation, he leaned close to his brother-in-law and spoke in a lowered voice. “Urias, I discovered you paid my father three times the prescribed debt for your sister’s bond.”
    Urias smiled. “Prudence and I know my mother would never have sold Katherine for such a high price. But it doesn’t matter; I would have paid anything to get my sister out of servitude.”
    Prudence caressed her husband’s arm. “How’s Mother handling their situation?”
    “Not well, I’m afraid. And Father isn’t dealing with it either. I swear I could see him plotting another way to get money before I even left for Jamestown. I honestly don’t know how to help them. I sold off the salt mines and almost all of the property to a coal mining company. That covered most of Father’s gambling debts. The bankers will take the house if I don’t come up with a viable plan to repay the remainder of the loan Father took out.”
    “Even if you do pay off Hiram’s loan, do you think he could keep himself from gambling again?” Urias asked.
    “There’s no guarantee. He admitted that he is to blame for the family’s situation, but I sensed he wasn’t completely repentant. With me gone, however, I suspect he and Mother will find it pretty uncomfortable living in the town where he lost everything.”
    “That might be good enough motivation for your father.”
    “I agree.”
    Urias nodded gravely. He had the same green eyes as Kate’s, yet different in a way Shelton couldn’t put his finger on. “How can I help?”
    “Getting a job is my top priority at this point, one that will pay me enough to cover my own expenses and Father’s.”
    “There might be work on some of the farms in the area. Crockett’s paper mill may be hiring. You might even find some work on the docks in Creelsboro.”
    Prudence stood. “I’m going upstairs to write a letter to Mother. You two can go over all the details.”
    Shelton watched his sister’s slow gait toward the stairs. “Is she all right?” he asked Urias.
    “Elizabeth’s birth took a bit more out of her than the boys, but she’s doing well.” Urias motioned for Shelton to take a seat, which he did. “Now, let’s go over your options.”
    “As you know, my income from breeding horses has held off the creditors for the past year. I’m hoping I can earn a little with Kehoe and Kate.” He and Urias both shared a love for breeding powerful horseflesh with sleek lines.
    “We can let folks in the area know about your stud horse. Introducing new bloodlines into the local stock might be a benefit the farmers would want to take advantage of. But I don’t see how it will solve the immediate problems your parents are facing.”
    Shelton rubbed the back of his neck. “If I sell the house and remaining land, there should be enough to buy something in this area.”
    “Do you have the authority to do that?”
    “Yes. The bank wouldn’t extend any more credit to my father until he relinquished title of the property over to me.”
    “I’ll get the word out. We’ll find some work for you. In the meantime, I can hire you on to do some of the chores on my farm. Mac and Pamela might be able to use your help, too, and since their place is right next door—”
    “I couldn’t do that.” Shelton rose to his feet. “You’re family.”
    Urias stood beside him and placed a hand on Shelton’s shoulder. “We’ll talk about it tomorrow. Tonight you can sleep on the sofa.”
    “The barn is fine.”
    “Nonsense. Like you said, you’re family.” Urias nodded. “I’ll get some sheets and a blanket from Katherine. I suspect she’s already put a kettle of hot water on for you to bathe from your journey.”
    “Thank you.”
    Urias gave him a hearty pat on the

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