When they got back to town, Hettie visited Mr. Smitherman, her father’s lawyer. He sat down with her and detailed the value of her family’s remaining assets. She’d grown up sitting in the chair next to Pa when he went on their regular visits, so the old man didn’t condescend.
What she was left with wasn’t enough for what she had in mind. “Sell the grazing property. Leave me the house and my family plot.”
Mr. Smitherman frowned. “Are you sure about that, Miss Hettie? You’ve been through an awful shock…”
“I need the money right now, Mr. Smitherman. I appreciate that you’re trying to help, but I intend to find my sister, and I’ll need the funds. Meanwhile, I’ll need the whole of Pa’s savings withdrawn in cash.”
The lawyer hesitated but didn’t argue. He walked with her to the bank and spok
