“I doubt if you can help me with this one, Penny. Do you remember those two Texas men I told you about?”
“Yes, of course.”
“I don’t trust them,” Rhoda said briefly. “Mr. Coaten has offered to adopt Ted and me.”
“Adopt you!” Penny exclaimed. “Is that why they came here?”
“Seemingly, it is. Mr. Coaten wants to become our legal guardian. I can’t understand why he should show such interest in us.”
“I thought the Breens were looking after you and Ted.”
“They took us in because we had no one else. We never were adopted, and the truth is, we’re a financial burden.”
“Is Mr. Coaten an old friend?”
“I never met him until he came to Riverview. He and his friend, Carl Addison, claim they were closely associated with my father. Neither Ted nor I ever heard Papa speak of them when he was alive.”
“It does seem strange they should show such sudden interest in you,” Penny commented thoughtfully. “You have no property they might wish to control?”