A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson, Judith Miller Page B

O’Malley. The launch is in its usual place. I’ll see to the baggage if you want to direct your staff.”
    “Good afternoon, Michael. It’s good to see you.” She waved the other members of the party together. “I trust your parents are well.”
    “We would have sent word if anything were amiss.” He had hoped to gain a reaction, but Mrs. O’Malley merely offered a curt nod and led the group toward the launch. As expected, there were some new faces, but there were fewer servants this year. Was this decrease in staff an ominous sign? His mother had said they must maintain their faith, for their future was in God’s hands. Michael knew that much was true. However, he feared their future also lay in the hands of the Broadmoor family, a family that wasn’t fond of the Thousand Islands.
    His mother stood on the dock awaiting their return. She waved and greeted the new arrivals with the same enthusiasm she offered to her own family.
    The moment Kate stepped off the boat, the women hugged and exchanged pleasantries. Kate turned and beckoned a dark-haired, blue-eyed young woman forward. “This is my daughter Theresa—the youngest. I was pleased to be able to have her come with us this year. Miss Victoria wanted her along—says Theresa is the best at styling hair and choosing gowns and the like.” Kate tipped her head closer. “I didn’t argue. Theresa is getting to an age where I don’t like leaving her at the main house for the summer, if you know what I mean,” Kate said with an exaggerated wink.
    Michael pressed by the women with one of the trunks in his cart. He didn’t care to hear any more of this discussion. He had started up the path when Theresa caught up with him.
    “Can I help you with that heavy load?”
    Michael shook his head and continued pushing. “No. It’s easier for one person to push, but thanks. There might be some other items down there you could carry.”
    She ignored his suggestion and continued alongside him. “How long have you lived here, Michael?”
    “All my life.”
    “How can you stand it? I mean growing up all alone on this island with no one to talk to or play with?”
    Michael laughed. “I was never bored. Besides, I had two older brothers to keep me company while I was young. Now one of them lives in Canada and the other in Delaware. They were anxious to leave, but I love this island. I have no desire to live elsewhere.”
    Theresa’s dark unbound tresses blew about her face, and she brushed the strands behind her ears. “Well, I suppose that’s a good thing for the Broadmoors. They don’t have to worry about finding a replacement for you.”
    Perhaps Theresa could answer some of his burning questions. He wondered if he should broach the topic of Mr. Broadmoor’s death. “How long have you worked for the family, Theresa?”
    She shrugged. “It seems like I’ve always worked for them in some capacity. Mother was working for Mr. Jonas and his wife when I was born. My father died when I was five years old. The Broadmoors didn’t want to lose Mother, so they permitted her to move into the house and me along with her. As you heard, she was delighted when Miss Victoria listed me as one of the servants to come here this year.” She lowered her voice. “I truly was surprised. I thought with Mr. Broadmoor’s death they’d all be wearing their mourning clothes and not care about parties and the like.”
    Michael raised his brows. “And?”
    “Mr. Broadmoor said in his will that he didn’t want them mourning him.” She stepped closer. “He said they hadn’t cared about him while he was alive, so they didn’t need to mourn his death.”
    “He said that?”
    “Well, something along that line. The servants weren’t invited into the library to hear the reading of the will and such. But Treadwell, he’s the head butler at Broadmoor Mansion, was close enough to the doors to hear most everything that was said.”
    While Theresa held the door open, Michael hoisted the