The Maverick - By Jan Hudson Page 0,48

the clouds chased me all the way from Wimberley.”

“It was sunshiny and clear in Austin,” Cass said.

“I hope it makes it up our way,” Sunny added. “My flowers could use the rain.”

Carrie led them back to the booth where she’d been sitting. “I’m having a cup of coffee already. Would you like some while we study the menu?”

“Absolutely,” Cass said.

Carrie held up two fingers toward the waitress behind the counter, and they soon had steaming cups in front of them. “What’s good here?” she asked as the waitress refilled her cup.

“Everything’s good, but our migas are smokin’. Be right back for your order.”

“You know, as a Texan I hate to admit it, but I’ve never had migas,” Carrie said. “I often see them on menus. What are they?”

“Sort of Tex-Mex scrambled eggs, only better,” Sunny told her. “You start by sautéing small pieces of corn tortillas and add onion and chilies and anything else you want, then scramble all that with eggs beaten with a little cream or milk. Melt cheese over that, and top it with salsa and cilantro.”

“It’s delish,” Cass added. “And practically a staple in Austin.”

“Sounds fattening,” Carrie said. “I was going to have a poached egg and fruit.”

Cass grinned. “Come on, Carrie, live it up. You can have it without chorizo or bacon to save calories.”

Carrie agreed, and they all ordered the “smokin’” migas.

As soon as the waitress left, Cass said, “I know we should ask about Frank and the kids and the rest of the family first, but my curiosity is killing me. What in the world do you want to talk to us about privately?”

“It’s kind of heavy,” Carrie said. “Maybe we’d better wait until after the migas.”

“Car-rie,” Sunny said. “You can’t leave us hanging like that.”

“Sorry. You’re right. Let me start at the beginning. You know I used to be a landman for my uncle’s oil company, and I first went to Naconiche to lease property for drilling.”

“Right,” Cass said.

“Well, a lot of the property belonged to the Outlaw family. It had come down from old Judge John Wesley Hardin Outlaw to his two sons, Wes and Butch. Wes and his family were no problem, but since Butch was dead, I located his recorded will, and he’d left everything to his wife, Iris. I imagine the will was drawn up long before he met your mother.”

Cass and Sunny looked at each other, and Cass wondered where this was going.

“Iris remarried and moved out of state. Nobody was quite sure where she relocated, but intrepid researcher that I am, I found her. She didn’t want anybody in the family to know her whereabouts, so I agreed to keep all her information confidential.”

“And she got the money?” Sunny said.

“Yes.”

“So?”

The waitress returned with their order, and everybody dug into the tantalizing concoction, sensing perhaps that the migas might be less appetizing after Carrie’s tale.

For a few moments, they ate without speaking. Finally Cass could stand it no longer and put down her fork. “Why are you telling us this?”

“Iris Outlaw Bradford, who had been widowed a second time, recently died. Her lawyer contacted me as per her instructions.”

“And?”

“The bottom line is she left everything to the two of you.”

“Good Lord!” Sunny’s fork clattered to her plate. “Why?”

“I’m not quite sure,” Carrie said. “From what I know about the situation, I would assume it was guilt for keeping your father from marrying your mother. I had a feeling that’s why she left Naconiche.”

“How much are we talking about here?” Cass said.

“A considerable amount. The will is being probated, but as far as I can tell, you own your father’s part of the Outlaw land and the income from oil and gas production there. It’s a rich site, and it will be producing for quite some time.”

“Holy guacamole!” Cass said.

“I don’t know any particulars about her personal estate yet, but her lawyer, who is her executor, indicated she was well-fixed.”

“You mean we’re rich?” Sunny said.

“At least quite comfortable. Or you will be as soon as the estate’s settled. I was hoping it would be completed by this weekend so I could give you more particulars, but it will be another few days or perhaps weeks before everything can be turned over to you. Iris’s attorney also sent me this letter to give to the two of you. Perhaps it will answer most of your questions.” Carrie handed them the sealed envelope she’d taken from her bag.

The twin’s names were typed across the front, along with “To be opened