Inherit the Wind

By L. Lincoln Clark

Jens life was perfect: a perfect husband who was heir to the Stevens fortune, perfect home, perfect future, and she was expecting her first child. Life was goodno, life was great. Then everything changed in one fiery car crash. Jens perfect life was thrown into a tailspin of deceit and confusion. Jens sister-in-law, Alicia, wanted the entire Stevens fortune, and the only thing standing between her and what she so desperately sought was Jens unborn child. Jen didnt know whom to turn to. Jen was running for her life and for that of her unborn child.

Jen, sick, tired, and down to her last six dollars, was in desperate need of help. Surprisingly, that help came from an unlikely source. With the nudging of his housekeeper, reclusive, ill-tempered novelist Mitch Gunther came to Jens rescue. Thus began a story of suspense and gradual love as Mitch and Jen began a journey that led from the valleys of Virginia to the mountains of East Tennessee as they sought to evade Alicias henchmen and keep Jens child and heir safe.

First-time novelist Dr. L. Lincoln Clark has woven a romantic suspense story that you will find difficult to put down until you have reached its exciting conclusion.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Nov 26, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503520622

L. Lincoln Clark

L. Lincoln Clark is a retired social studies teacher. She taught world history for thirty-three years in Roanoke County before trying her hand at writing fiction. She says that the greatest influence in her life to love history and to become a teacher was her stepfather, John Lincoln. Dr. Clark holds degrees in liberal arts, history, social studies curriculum and instruction, and education leadership. This is her first work of fiction. Dr. Clark lives in Vinton, Virginia, with her husband of forty-one years, David William “Bill” Clark, and their two Havanese dogs. The Clarks have one son, David William II.

Book preview

Chapter - 1

The scene was like something out of a bad movie. The day was damp and cold, and the sky was gray and heavy with rain. The crowds in the cemetery huddled under umbrellas as the minister droned on and on. The whole town had come to pay their last respects to Edmund Fletcher Stevens. Edmund had been the town’s leading citizen, senior member of the founding family of the town of Stevensville, and CEO of the Stevens Corporation that employed most of the town’s population.

The people stood respectfully and quietly around the open grave, but few showed any real grief—not even the Stevens family. Edmund had been a harsh man. He had commanded respect and obedience from all those who worked for, lived with, or depended upon his support in any way. And most had feared him too much not to give him whatever he had demanded. Most would have sworn he had had a heart of stone, and looking at the faces of his granddaughter, Alicia, and her husband, Roger, one could almost see relief in their eyes that the old man was finally dead!

The only two who really seemed to be the least bit grief-stricken among those gathered was a young couple clinging closely to each other underneath a large black umbrella at the foot of the casket. The steady stream of rain dripping from the umbrella’s rim collected unnoticed in a pool around their feet. The couple was Edmund’s grandson, Richard, and his wife, Virginia. Richard had his arm around Virginia, trying to comfort her as she cried softly into Richard’s shoulder. Richard’s sister, Alicia, looked across the casket at Richard and Virginia and whispered to Roger, "Look at them! Quite a show they’re putting on for the town. Why, you would think they almost cared for the old man!"

Neither Richard nor Alicia would deny that Edmund had been a cold and unloving grandfather to them, but they both also knew that he did not have to take them in and raise them following the tragic accident that took their parents away from them. There must have been some reason for his generosity.

Chapter - 2

Alicia had been nearly fifteen and Richard was eight when an evil fate took away their nearly perfect life—or it seemed that way to them compared to what was to come. Their parents were Joe and Elizabeth Stevens. They were very much in love with each other, and they were very much in love with all things rich and beautiful. Unfortunately, that did not include their children. The Stevenses often flew in their private jet to exotic places around the world. They were often gone for months at a time, during which the care of their children was left to the hired nannies and the other staff at their beautiful big house. The children wanted for nothing: except their parents.

When Joe and Elizabeth were home, every day was like a party! So many people came to visit. They went horseback riding. Alicia was allowed to accompany them sometimes, but Richard was still too young. They bought Richard a pony, and he and his trainer would spend those days teaching Richard how to be a perfect gentleman in the saddle.

The only days the children found distasteful was when they made their trips to Grandfather’s house. They were always presented to the old man like they were trophies to be examined then put away. They spent most of the visits in the kitchen with Rosa, having milk and cookies, but they could still hear the loud arguments that went on between their father and grandfather. Grandfather was disappointed in his son because he was not taking an interest in the family business.

How are you going to be able to run the business when I’m gone? Grandfather would shout.

That’s what they make business managers for! Dad would shout back. "I don’t need to be there in everybody’s business every day like you! As a matter of fact, it will probably be a welcome relief to the workers not to have me there like you!"

Very harsh words were exchanged that last day. When Mother came to collect the children from the kitchen, they could tell she had been crying. They rode home in silence.

But nothing could keep Joe down for long. Soon he was talking excitedly about their upcoming trip to London. Alicia begged to go with them. She felt that, being almost fifteen, she was old enough to travel with them. Her parents said no but promised her a tour of Europe after she finished school—perhaps for her eighteenth birthday. Eighteen! That sounded so very far away for a girl who was almost fifteen. So Alicia sulked and was in a very bad temper when Joe and Elizabeth left. She refused to receive their hugs and kisses good-bye. Richard threw his arms around them and begged them to stay. He got hugs and kisses and promises that two months would pass quickly, and they would bring home lots of presents for them both.

Later that evening, Grandfather came to their house. Neither of the children could ever remember him coming there before. He asked to speak to the children first, and then he wanted to speak with the entire staff.

Come in, children, Grandfather had said from his seat in Dad’s favorite chair. I’m afraid I have bad news for you, and you must be very brave. Your parents’ jet had engine trouble somewhere near the coast of England. It caught fire and crashed into the sea. There were no survivors. He waited patiently for the news to sink in. Both Alicia and Richard were looking at him with wide-eyed disbelief.

Alicia was the first to speak. Are you sure, Grandfather? Could they still be out there waiting to be rescued? Things happen like that all the time in the movies!

Be reasonable, girl! This is not a movie. This is real life! Grandfather took her by the shoulders and gave her a little shake.

She began to cry. I was so mean to them when they left. I refused to say good-bye! Oh, Grandfather, this is my fault! She grabbed her grandfather around the neck and attempted to hug him.

Don’t be silly, girl, Grandfather said as he unhooked her arms and pushed her away.

It was a simple accident—no more.

You, boy, come here. Grandfather motioned for Richard who was standing with his arms tightly wrapped around his little body as though if he let go, he would surely fall apart. Richard was scared of his grandfather and did not want to go near him. Alicia reached back and pulled him into Grandfather’s reach.

It will be up to you now to carry on the family name and business. Your father showed little interest in it, so I’m going to start you young. You still have a lot of schooling left, but we will add business training to that as well. You’ll grow up like a Stevens should!

Now I’ll speak to the staff. You, girl, kindly go to the kitchen and tell them to meet me in the library.

Alicia drew herself up to her full five feet and six inches and said, Grandfather Edmund, I have a name and it’s Alicia.

"All right, Alicia, kindly go get the staff," replied Grandfather.

Grandfather addressed the staff, I am going to make this as short and to the point as I can for the sake of the children. Your employers died this evening in a plane crash. As you probably know, Mr. and Mrs. Stevens liked to spend a lot of money on expensive trips and things for themselves. Mr. Stevens was rarely around long enough to earn a paycheck from the factory. They lived mostly on the money left to Mr. Stevens when his mother died over ten years ago. Let me get to the point. The Stevenses were broke. Most of his inheritance was gone. He had already sold the house and most of the livestock to me this past summer, so I am afraid there will be nothing left to give you in accordance to his will, which will formally be read in a couple of days. I am going to offer each of you a two-month salary before you leave. Hopefully, that will tide you over while you look for other employment. The only one of you that I will be keeping for now is Nanny Pope. I expect you to help in moving the children to my house, where they will now be living, and see that they are comfortably settled in. Beyond that, we will have to monitor the situation and see if they still need a nanny. As for the rest of you, I expect you to be packed and out of the residence by the end of the week. Thank you that will be all.

Nanny Pope, I expect the children’s things to be packed and ready to move also.

Thus began a life of cold discipline at the hands of an unloving grandfather. Alicia was pretty much left alone and was never really sure Grandfather knew her name. Richard was not so lucky. Grandfather oversaw his education. And when he wasn’t studying, Richard was at the factory learning the family business from the ground up. His days were long and hard, but at least he had Grandfather’s attention and even an occasional word of praise—too few and too far between.

Chapter - 3

Alicia and Roger were already seated at the dining room table with Edmund’s attorney, Simon Wainwright, when Virginia and Richard came into the room. Everyone was gathered for the reading of Edmund’s Last Will and Testament.

Shall we get down to business now that we are all present? asked Mr. Wainwright. He sat at the head of the table and removed a rather heavy-looking document from his briefcase. Your grandfather left a lot of small amounts to favorite servants, factory workers, and charities. I have already met with them and read that portion of the will to them. That leaves the majority of his estate—which involves you, Richard, and you, Alicia.

Wainwright adjusted his glasses and began to look over the pages in his hands. "I think I can dispense with the legal wording and just explain in layman’s terms what your grandfather’s wishes are. First, the house. He has left the house and its furnishings to you, Alicia. He figured that you, Richard, would want to build your own house where you and Virginia could start your own family. But, since Alicia is not capable of having children, he felt this house and the antiques would be better entrusted to her care. I’m sure Alicia would let you stay here until you and Virginia can find a place of your own. Stable rights are entrusted to both of you, and the livestock is to be equally divided between the two of you. Richard, once you get settled and wish to stable your horses elsewhere, that is your prerogative.

Ownership and the title CEO of Stevens Corporation goes to Richard. After all outstanding debts are paid, 50 percent of the profits made by Stevens Corporation will be paid to Alicia. All other stocks, bonds, profits, titles, and leadership responsibilities of Stevens Inc. will be Richard’s. Any male children Richard should produce in the future will inherit the business and all rights entitled to Richard by this will. If Richard should die leaving no male offspring, ownership of Stevens Inc. falls to Alicia under the guidance of Roger Albright, who will be given full power of attorney.

All was quiet in the dining room. There was a storm brewing outside, and the wind was beginning to howl. Suddenly, the dead silence was broken by a storm brewing inside. Alicia jumped up so fast that her chair turned over and went skidding across the floor. "This is ridiculous! Surely you’ve read the will incorrectly, Wainwright! Grandfather would never be so cruel as to leave me with nothing but this oversized coffin! Roger! Do something!"

"What am I supposed to do, Alicia?" Roger whined as he picked up her chair.

I assure you everything I have told you is here in your grandfather’s will, Wainwright tried to reassure Alicia of his accuracy. You are welcome to read the document for—

Not waiting for Wainwright to finish, Alicia grabbed the document from his hands and began reading, turning redder and redder every minute. Eventually, she threw it at Wainwright and with a snarl said, I suppose you are correct in your interpretation of what it says. Roger—who had been reading over her shoulder, looking a little green himself—shook his head in agreement.

Look, Alicia, Richard said quietly, trying to calm his sister down. You know how old-fashioned Grandfather was. He probably assumed you would be more comfortable here running the household accounts and the stables than being at the factory or in the corporate offices. If you don’t want the house, Jen and I would love to buy it from you. You’ll have to give us a couple of years to earn the money for a down payment, but I assure you, we’ll give you a fair price. Then you’ll be out from under this place and have a great income for you and Roger to use to do whatever you want to with it. Just think, Alicia, you could finally travel to all the places Grandfather would never let us go before. All that freedom you’ve always wanted would finally be yours!

"You’d love that, wouldn’t you, Richard?" Alicia turned on him with a vicious glare in her eyes. Then you would have everything! Never, Richard! I’ll make this old mausoleum of a house my grave before I would see everything in your hands. That’s what Grandfather really wanted anyway! He never liked me—never showed me an ounce of love after we came to live with him. You were his grandson, his heir. What use was I? Just like Grandmother. At least she had the good grace to die shortly after giving birth to our father. No women to mess up this household! The only woman he ever tolerated was our mother, and you know the rumors that involved that relationship!"

Richard took a step toward his sister and grabbed her around the throat. "You will not talk about our mother like that. She was practically a saint for putting up with Father and Grandfather at the same time. You have no right insinuating that she was a tramp! Do you hear me?"

Virginia put a calming hand on Richard’s shoulder and whispered softly in his ear, Don’t let her get to you, Richard. That’s all she’s trying to do, and she knows just what buttons to push. Come on, let’s walk away. We have a lot to think about.

Richard pulled away with such force that Alicia almost fell backward. Then he and Virginia turned and walked away.

Don’t you walk away from me! Alicia screamed. I won’t have it!

Richard and Virginia kept walking. Alicia yelled after them just as the door closed, "I want you out of my house immediately! Do you hear me? immediately!"

Chapter - 4

An evil wind was blowing outside. Meteorologists called it the worst windstorm in decades. The windmills in the fields twisted and turned violently on the wind. Richard worried about the factory buildings and the stock piled outside in town.

Inside, the house fell into an icy silence. Alicia and Richard avoided each other at all costs. And when they did meet by chance, it was always the same argument about when Richard and Virginia would be leaving. In spite of the weather, they planned to go on this day to look at a few properties on the other side of town. Richard was up and dressed, but Virginia was not feeling well and had chosen not to come down for breakfast earlier.

Virginia came into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She found the housekeeper, Rosa, there talking to a young woman. Miss Virginia, come meet my niece Miranda. I was just telling her how much the two of you look alike. It was true, both Miranda and Virginia had long dark hair, brown eyes, and were about the same height and weight. One big difference this morning, however, was the paleness of Virginia’s face.

Rosa noticed immediately. Goodness, child, are you still not feeling well? Mr. Richard said you were too ill to eat breakfast with the family today. Let me get you something now.

Just some hot tea. Thank you, Rosa. So, Miranda, what brings you here this morning? Virginia asked.

I’m backpacking across the state this summer and just seeing what I can see, replied Miranda.

Miranda is studying to be a geologist, Rosa called over her shoulder from the stove. She hopes to learn about our area to help with her studies in the fall.

Rosa handed Virginia the tea. Virginia took it and said to Miranda, Good luck on your trek across the state, but I don’t think today is a very good day for exploring the area. That wind will blow you away!

Thanks, but I’ll be all right. I plan to spend a little more time with Aunt Rosa before leaving. Maybe it will calm down by then, replied Miranda.

Oh, Rosa, have you seen Richard? asked Virginia.

No, ma’am, not since breakfast. If I see him, I’ll tell him you are looking for him, Rosa added.

Thanks, Rosa. I’ll be in our room if you do see him, Virginia called over her shoulder as she left the kitchen.

Chapter - 5

Richard was waiting on Virginia when she got back to their room. Where have you been, Jen? I thought you were still in bed resting.

I was feeling a little bit better, Virginia explained, so I decided to get up and get ready for our house-hunting. I was just in the kitchen getting a cup of tea and talking to Rosa and her niece Miranda. Say, if you ever get tired of my mouthing off or I get too fat or something, there is another me standing in the kitchen right now! Miranda and I look like we could almost be twins!

Richard came to his wife and wrapped his arms around her and gave her a deep sensual kiss and whispered in her ear, "Jen, darling, there could never be another you. I don’t care how much she looks like you on the outside, she could never