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“So suddenly, right?” Nodding, she met his gaze. “Like an outside force took over…” She swallowed, took a deep breath, and glanced away. “This isn’t the first time I’ve felt this way.”
“Me, neither.” He gave a wry chuckle as he shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. “And that blast in the fireplace should’ve scared me out of my wits, but I was too…distracted.”
“It’s been one thing after another: the flickering lights and phantom phone calls, the chair rocking, the ghost, and then the secret compartment opening.” She gave a frustrated cry. “We didn’t have time to get scared.”
“But more than those bizarre events, what disturbed me the most were the”—he groaned—“physical urges.”
“You, too?” Her pupils dilated. Her shoulders dropping, she leaned toward him and parted her lips. Then clearing her throat, she stepped back and pressed her hand to her chest as if to collect herself. Her fingers connected with her shirt’s open button, and flinching, she fastened it.
“So, we were each attracted to the other…” Good to know.
“What if these feelings aren’t our own? What if some external force is causing this sudden, mutual attraction?”
“Why do you ask?” He stared into her face, noting her shifting expressions.
“I’ve never experienced anything like this.” Wincing, she hunched her shoulders. “We’re moving so fast. We met just a few weeks ago, yet it seems I’ve known you forever…almost as if we’d loved each other before, and now we’re back together again.”
“You’ve heard of love at first sight.” He tilted his head. “Maybe that’s what this is.”
“Maybe.” She pursed her lips. “But I think it’s more than just that.”
“Just that?” He caught her gaze and grinned, remembering her responsive lips all too well.
“You know what I mean.” She playfully punched his arm.
“The funny thing is, yes, I know exactly what you mean because I thought the same thing. Is something controlling us?”
****
The next morning, Luke visited the county clerk’s office. Unfolding the document, he handed it to the clerk. “Can you check if this deed was ever recorded?”
“Of course, but the search may take a few minutes.” The clerk called from the adjacent annex as he checked the file cabinets. “Unfortunately, our computerized records only go back to 1980.”
“Take your time. That deed’s been patiently waiting since 1899.” Luke grinned. “And honestly, I’m not sure it matters whether the deed was recorded.”
“Let me assure you it matters quite a bit.” The clerk gave a deep nod as he fingered through the files, then glanced up from his search. “Texas is a ‘notice’ state, which means recording a document gives notice—legally notifies the public—of a property transfer.”
“And that’s important because…” Luke shrugged.
“Because it establishes priority. If an unscrupulous dealer ever tried to sell or convey the property twice or if anyone ever contested a recorded deed with an unrecorded document, he wouldn’t have a legal leg to stand on.”
Luke recalled Marianna’s diary entry about her in-laws forcing her from the cabin. What roles did Bea’s ancestors play in their claim to the land? And how important is that ownership to Mateo’s peace of mind?
“I’m no lawyer, but I’ll tell you this. Nothing establishes ownership in a chain of title like a recorded deed. In court, it’s irrefutable proof of proprietorship.” The clerk closed the file drawer, opened the one below, and arched his brow. “But this is the last drawer. If the deed’s not here, it was never recorded.”
Despite his earlier nonchalance, Luke held his breath as the man searched through the folders, their brittle papers crinkling.
Finally in the hush of the empty building, the metal file drawer squeaked close.
“Here it is.” Returning to the lobby, the clerk showed him the record.
“So, the deed’s valid?”
“Absolutely. A warranty deed guarantees the owner holds title to the property.”
“Good.” Luke breathed a sigh of relief.
“But only to the date listed.” The clerk bunched his lips. “In a hundred and twenty years, the property must’ve changed hands several times, so if a more current warranty deed is found, that would take precedence.”
