The Unintended Groom

Speaking of arriving early, Abby tossed her quilt off and went to the window and pulled the curtain back. Dark clouds drifted toward the direction of town bringing with them a Rocky Mountain rainstorm. Didn’t matter. She wouldn’t let anything stop her from today’s mission.

While she donned her peach satin bustle gown and plumed hat, she couldn’t help but think about Harrison’s boys again. The longing to have her own children chopped away at her heart. Why did she think moving away from her beloved nieces and nephews would solve her problem? At the time, it sure made sense. Of course, back then she didn’t know that the town committee wouldn’t let her start her business without a male partner.

And back then, she didn’t know that the man God had placed in her life would have two adorable little boys who would capture her heart with a single look, either.

Abby closed her eyes and sighed.

What was she going to do?

Ever since Doctor Berg, who she’d only gone to see because she had missed several of her monthly cycles in a row, had told her she had womb death, her life had never been the same. The drying up of her womb, something most women started in their forties, meant she would never bear children. Hearing that diagnosis had crushed any hopes she had of being a mother. That dreadful day she had fled from his office and cried until her heart felt numb with grief. Grief for the children she would never carry. That same day, when she told her fiancé, David, about it, he immediately broke off their engagement, telling her how important it was to not just him, but any man to have offspring of his own. Watching him strolling around town with another woman on his arm and later, holding his baby, had been much too painful for her to endure.

Same thing with her siblings. While she was extremely delighted for her brothers and sisters, seeing them happily married with children reminded her daily of what she herself would never experience—a loving husband and a house filled with children.

It was because of all that she decided to open a dinner theater far away from Paradise Haven. She loved how when she was on stage acting, or sitting in the audience watching, she was transported into another world.

A world of happily ever afters.

A world she could participate in, instead of standing on the sidelines and being an observer only.

Of course, none of it was reality, but still, it helped take her mind off the pain of her reality.

Thinking about reality, she needed to hustle her body downstairs. Harrison would be there any minute to pick her up.

At the bottom of the winding staircase, Abby saw Veronique heading toward the front door.

Harrison must already be here.

“Good morning, Monsieur Kingsley. Won’t you come in?” Veronique stepped aside to let him in. “May I take your chapeau, sir?” He handed his fedora to Veronique, who hung it on the hat rack.

“Thank you. Veronique, isn’t it?”

“Yes, sir.”

His gaze shifted from Veronique and onto Abby as she strolled toward him.

Veronique slipped away.

The closer Abby got to him, the more she realized no one should be allowed to be that handsome. It wasn’t fair to women who were trying to not notice that fact. Women, like herself, who had to disengage her emotions in order to guard her heart where the male species was concerned. Still, she couldn’t help admire how nice he looked.

Dressed in a finely tailored, dark gray suit with a light gray waistcoat, white satin shirt and a dark gray neckerchief, he made an intimidating presence. Just what was needed when going up against the committee board.

“Good morning,” she said with a bright and chipper pitch to her voice.

“Good morning to you. You look very nice.”

“So do you.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Well, are you ready for this?”

“Am I ever.” She couldn’t wait to see the mayor’s face or the committee members’ faces, whichever of them would be there this morning, when she walked in with Harrison.

Abby started to wrap her shawl around her shoulders, but Harrison finished the task for her. She grabbed an umbrella, and Harrison offered her his arm. She looped her arm through his, and as they headed out the door, he snatched his hat off the hook and set it on that lovely head of hair of his.

Cool morning air greeted them as they stepped outside.

Abby’s attention went to the sky. Judging by the black ominous clouds, she knew it would be only a matter of minutes before a downpour of rain came gushing down on them. “We’d better hurry.”

Harrison followed her gaze. “You’re right.”

Down the steps they scampered. Abby paused at the buggy sitting in front of her house. “You didn’t need to do that. It’s only a short walk to the town hall.”

“I know. And yes, I did. Can’t have a fine lady such as yourself walking now, can I?”

“I do it all the time.” She shrugged.

“Well, not today.” His half smile showed up. He extended his hand, palm up.

Abby laid her hand in his and immediately noticed how liquid warmth spread up her arm and throughout her chest. She’d never experienced anything like that before, and she had no clue what it meant, either. But it was a very nice feeling just the same.

“Abby?”

Abby blinked, then looked at him. “Yes?” He gave a light tug on her hand. “Oh. Forgive me.” She raised her skirt above her shoes and stepped up into the buggy, then tucked her skirt inside.

Harrison went around to the other side and sat next to her. His wide shoulders came close to touching hers. He picked up the lines and clicked them. The buggy lurched forward, yanking her backward a tad.

“How are your valet and nanny feeling this morning?” she asked.

“Much better.” His gaze trailed to her hat. “You’re not hiding the carrot my son tossed at you under that hat, are you?”

Abby laughed. “No.”

“I don’t know how my nanny does it. The boys can sure be rambunctious.”

“Don’t I know it. If you think your boys are rowdy, you should see my nephews. Your sweet sons are mild compared to them.”

His brow spiked.

“Well, maybe not.”

They both laughed.

Harrison stopped the buggy in front of the town hall just as a bolt of lightning pierced the sky and the thunder boomed immediately afterward. Abby screeched.

“We’d better get inside.”

Yes, they’d better do just that. Hurry and get inside so she could get her license. A thought flicked through her brain that if for some reason she didn’t get it, there would be even more thunderous rumbling going on and it wouldn’t be from the storm, either. Especially after doing what they’d asked, obtaining a gentleman business partner, how could they possibly say no now?

She looked into Harrison’s eyes as he helped her down. Make that a very handsome business partner. Careful, Abby. Don’t get too close to him. You’ll only end up hurt if you do.

* * *

Harrison forced himself to look away from Abby’s piercing blue eyes. She was a beautiful lady who didn’t flaunt her beauty.

A rare thing in this world. Or at least the world he came from, anyway.

Another snap of lightning zigzagged through the sky. It was only a matter of seconds before the rain came. Cupping Abby’s elbow, Harrison led her up the steps and inside the extravagant building.

They walked up to a steely-looking lady seated behind an oak desk. “May I help you, sir?” No warmth or friendliness came through her voice.

“I’m here to see the mayor.”

“And you are...?”

“Mr. Harrison Kingsley and this is—” he looked at Abby “—Miss Abigail Bowen.”

“Yes. I know. We’ve met. How are you today, Abby?”

“Very well, and you, Miss Elsa?”

“Well, my shoulders are giving me fits again and my leg is acting up because of the weather, but that’s to be expected. I ain’t as young as I once was.”

Harrison couldn’t believe this was the same lady who came across so stern. Perhaps it was because of the pain she was in. He waited patiently while the ladies chattered on.

“We’re here to get my business license,” Abby finally finished.

“Business license?” The woman tilted her head, looking confused. “You don’t need a license to run a business.”

Harrison looked over at Abby, and Abby looked at him, wide-eyed. His frown started at his forehead and dropped all the way down to his heart. “What’s going on here?”

She genuinely looked surprised. “I have no clue. All I know is I was told I had to have a license, and that they wouldn’t give me one unless I took on a business partner. A male business partner.” She looked as confused as he now felt.

“Well, we’ll get to the bottom of this.” He turned his focus onto Miss Elsa.

Miss Elsa’s face turned the color of sheep’s wool. “Abby, please don’t tell the mayor I said anything. I can’t afford to lose my job.”

“Don’t you worry about that, Miss Elsa. We won’t say anything, will we, Harrison?” Abby’s eyes pleaded with him for Miss Elsa’s sake.

He didn’t want to cost the elderly woman her job, but something fishy was going on here, and he was going to find out exactly what it was. He’d just have to figure out a way of doing it without saying anything. “We won’t say anything. Will you please tell the mayor we’re here?”

The color returned to the lady’s face. “Yes, sir.” She rose, paused and looked at him. “Thank you.”

He gave her a quick nod.

The woman limped slowly toward the end of the hall.

Seeing her handicap, Harrison embedded it into his brain not to say anything about what the woman had said to them. He didn’t want to cost anyone their job. Especially someone who could barely walk.

Miss Elsa returned. “The mayor will see you now.”

“Thank you, Miss Elsa,” Abby said with a smile.

Harrison and Abby followed Miss Elsa down the long hall. Portraits hung on either sides of the wall. “Who are these men?”

“That one’s the mayor.” She pointed to the largest portrait. “The others are the town committee members.”

“I see.” That painting of the mayor told Harrison a lot about the person he was about to encounter. He was full of himself. Harrison knew exactly how to handle someone like him. After all, he’d had a lot of practice at that endeavor.

Miss Elsa knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

The woman opened the door and moved out of the way. “Get us something to drink,” the short rotund man sitting behind the massive desk demanded of Miss Elsa without so much as a please anywhere in sight. No wonder the woman had looked so miserable when they’d first walked in. Anyone who had to work with someone like him, someone with no manners, would be miserable. He knew that firsthand working for his father. From what Miss Elsa said, she had no choice. She needed the job. Well, when they got their business up and running, he’d talk to Abby about hiring the older woman to help ease her misery.

The portly mayor didn’t even stand when they entered the room. Harrison mentally shook his head. This was going to be an interesting meeting. But he loved a good challenge.

“Miss Bowen, good to see you again.” The way he said it spoke volumes. He hadn’t meant a single word of his greeting. This arrogant snob was phonier than fool’s gold. His eyes ran up and down Harrison, a look meant to size him up and to intimidate him. Harrison wasn’t the least bit fazed. He’d come across his type before.

“Mr. Prinker, may I introduce Mr. Harrison Kingsley? My new business partner.” Abby’s gaze stayed on Harrison, though he caught the smug look she gave the mayor just the same.

Mr. Prinker’s thin lips separated, and his bushy brows rose toward the ceiling.

Harrison grinned inside and extended his hand. “Mr. Prinker.”

The mayor just stared at the hand as if it were something that would devour him. He was right; Harrison just might cause the man some bodily harm if things were as he surmised they might be. Moreover, he knew he had the upper hand the moment the mayor showed the slightest sign of weakness. One always had to assess their opponent before going into battle. His father had taught him the art of combat well.

Mr. Prinker quickly masked his surprise, and his face turned stern. “There’s been a change in plans, Miss Bowen. I was going to send a message to you this afternoon. We’ve decided not to grant you a license, after all.” He sent Harrison a sly grin. The challenge was on.

Chapter Four

Abby’s ire rose. Something that happened a lot since coming to this town. How dare this man try to stop her dream from coming true? Especially after dragging Harrison and his boys halfway across the country. “What do you mean you’ve changed your mind?” Her anger came through her voice loud and clear and she didn’t care one whit that it did.

“Before you answer that...” Harrison glanced down at her, and she immediately caught his silent message to calm down. She’d try, but it wasn’t going to be easy.

Harrison stared down at Mr. Prinker. His tall stature, broad shoulders and glare made for quite an intimidating figure. “You need to explain yourself, why you have changed your mind and why Miss Bowen even had to obtain a license in the first place.”

Mayor Prinker’s eyelids lowered toward his meaty hands, then his gaze came back up to Harrison. Gone was the haughtiness, replaced with uncertainty.

Abby hid her grin of satisfaction, knowing the man had met his match.

“The committee and I decided with Hot Mineral Springs growing as rapidly as it is, in order to make sure no unsavory businesses soil our upstanding town or bring trouble to our quiet community, we voted to implement the business license law. We feel a dinner theater will bring too much riffraff here.”

“What?” Abby slammed her hands on her hips. “Just what kind of an establishment do you think I will be running?”

The mayor turned his eyes on her, then at Harrison, whose one eyebrow spiked and whose other eye narrowed menacingly at him. Swaying and tugging on his tie, the rotund man loosened it. Sweat drops formed on his balding forehead. He pulled a monogrammed handkerchief from his pocket and blotted his forehead with it.

“Explain yourself, sir.” The authority in Harrison’s voice snagged Abby’s attention. He crossed his arms, and the glare he sent the mayor was even more pronounced. “Before you do, you need to apologize to Miss Bowen for insulting her with your misguided insinuation. Anyone with class can tell just by looking at her that she is a fine, upstanding person. I am not sure I can say the same for you, however.”

“Now just you wait a minute.” Mayor Prinker shot upward, his chair scraped across the wood floor. He slammed his palms flat on his desk and leaned toward Harrison. “I’ll not sit here and listen to you insult my reputation.”

Harrison’s brow hiked again. “And yet isn’t that exactly what you’re doing to Miss Bowen?”

The mayor blinked and closed his eyes for a brief moment, then plopped his bulky form back onto the black leather chair. “I see what you’re saying.” He looked up at Abby. “Please accept my sincere apology, Miss Bowen.” He folded his hands together and lowered them onto the desktop in front of him. “However sorry I am, I still cannot issue you a license.” The apology was sincere, not only in his voice, but his eyes, and Abby actually felt sorry for him.

“Mr. Prinker.” She stepped forward. “I thank you for your apology, and I understand your concern. However, I assure you that my—” her attention swung to Harrison “—our establishment will only bring culture and even more refinement to your...to our lovely community.”

His eyes slatted as if he didn’t believe her.

Abby restrained herself from allowing her frustration to show. None of that would get him to trust her or get the license she needed. “I can assure you our theater will host only the finest of plays. Are you familiar with Jane Austen’s work, Mr. Prinker?”

“Yes, I am.”

“Well, then you know what wonderful works of art her novels are.”

“I sure do.” His chest puffed out.

“That there is nothing questionable in them to perform. Correct?”

The mayor nodded, and Abby noticed the slight curl of Harrison’s lips.

“No alcoholic beverages will be allowed in our establishment, only the finest teas and beverages will be served. Our guests will dine in high fashion. They will savor six-course French cuisine meals prepared by my cook, Veronique, who hails from France.” At that, the man all but drooled. Abby wanted to roll her eyes but didn’t because she herself was on a roll. “They will then be escorted to the theater where they will sit in exquisite, plush-velvet chairs and watch plays put on by reputable people only.” She gave that a minute to sink in before she proceeded.

“A theater such as the one we intend to create, like the one back home in Paradise Haven, did not bring in riffraff, nor did it cause the town or anyone else any trouble. On the contrary, actually. When word got around, society’s very elite traveled from miles away to watch the productions. Those very people stayed in the town’s hotels and increased the revenue of every establishment there.”

Greed shrouded his eyes.

She refused to tell him that people who didn’t have much came, as well. From the little bit she’d been around the mayor, he might deem them as riffraff or undesirables, which they weren’t, of course. “I assure you, Mayor Prinker, just as the theater in Paradise Haven did not tolerate anyone who caused trouble, we will do the same.”

The mayor sat back in his chair and raked his fingers across his double chin.

Abby looked over at Harrison. His smile of approval meant a lot to her.

Mayor Prinker rose and walked around his rich mahogany desk and stood within feet of her. “I need to discuss this new information with the other board members. I shall call a quick meeting in the boardroom. You and Mr. Kingsley can either wait here in my office, or you may come back later this afternoon.”

“We’ll wait here.” Harrison spoke before she had a chance to.

“Very well. I shall be back in a few minutes. Have a seat and I will send Miss Elsa in with some tea.”

“That won’t be necessary. But thank you.” No matter how thirsty she was at the moment, Abby didn’t want the poor older woman to have to walk any more than she had to with her bad leg.

“Very well.” With those words he stepped out of his office and disappeared from their sight.

Abby and Harrison sat down in chairs not nearly as nice as the mayor’s.

“You handled that very well, Abigail.”

She felt so good about things, she didn’t even mind that Harrison had called her Abigail instead of Abby. “Thank you. So did you.” She nibbled at her lip a moment. “Do you think they’ll agree to give us the license now?”

“Judging by the greed in Mayor Prinker’s eyes, I’d say that’s a pretty good indicator that we’ll get the license.”

No sooner had the words come out of his mouth than Mayor Prinker came rushing through door, huffing and puffing. That had to be the shortest meeting in history.

“Miss Bowen, Mr. Kingsley.” He breathlessly said their names as he scurried around to the other side of his desk and plopped down in his chair. He pressed his hand against his chest and drew in several streams of air. “I—I t-talked to the other members...” He panted out the words, then reached for his cup. Between breaths, he took several sips of his beverage. When his breathing neared normal, he spoke again, “We have decided to issue you a license, after all.”

Abby wanted to jump up and down and hoop and holler, but in order to maintain a professional persona, she restrained herself.

“But—”

Uh-oh, here it comes. She should have known there would be a but in there somewhere. There always was with him.

He held up his hand, looking only at Abby. “Anytime either I or the committee members feel your establishment is harming our community, or it doesn’t conform to the high standards we have set for our town, we will shut you down. And, the stipulation of maintaining a male business partner remains the same, or we will shut you down. Is that understood?” This time the mayor looked at Harrison.

“I foresee no problem with that,” Harrison answered with a confidence she didn’t feel.

Abby yanked her gaze in his direction, wishing she had the same assurance as he did as she had no intentions of maintaining a business partner, and he had no intentions of staying here. Unless...hmm. Unless he eventually became the silent business partner they had discussed the day before. She didn’t know why that wouldn’t work. After all, nothing was said about him having to remain here in town.

The whole thing was a huge risk. One she was willing to take. Convinced once the mayor and his cronies saw how much money the business brought to their town and just how classy the place was, she had a feeling they wouldn’t care if her business partner lived here or elsewhere. Doubt niggled at her, but she paid it no mind. Nothing would douse her joy. Nothing.

* * *

Pride was the only way to describe how Harrison felt. The way his new business partner handled things just now amazed him. There was more to Abigail Bowen than a pretty face. It was a good thing he was indeed heading straight home. He’d been fooled once too often by a pretty face. He needed to be extremely careful just who he let into his heart. Not only for his sake, but his sons’, as well.

He cupped Abby’s elbow and led her outside the town hall building. Unlike when they’d first arrived for their meeting, nary a rain cloud could be seen, only miles of pale blue sky. Humidity and fresh air with a hint of sulphur filled his nostrils. Wagon ruts raked through the street reminding him of his sons’ drawings.

At the edge of the boardwalk, Abby stopped. She closed her eyes and turned her face upward. The sun covered her youthful skin with its bright glow. She drew in several long breaths. What a lovely vision she was. Harrison watched her with fascination. She was a woman of means, yet there was something outdoorsy about her and completely refreshing from the women he had been raised around.

Her eyes, the same blueness as the sky, slowly opened. Beauty bathed her in all its glory. Only one other woman was as comely as she, his dear departed wife. He pinched his eyes shut to blot out the painful memories that routinely followed thoughts of his sweet Allison.

“Are you all right, Harrison?” Abby’s hand settled on top of his arm.

His gaze drifted toward it. The gesture, meant to comfort him, sizzled his arm with her feminine awareness. A feeling he knew all too well. When he’d first met his wife, the same thing had happened to him back then, and he’d married her. Stunned at the correlation and its impact on him, he abruptly stepped to the side, allowing Abby’s arm to separate from his. “I’m fine.”

One look at her face and he knew he hadn’t fooled her, her disbelieving frown told him as much. “Why don’t we go and celebrate?” he asked to keep her from questioning him a second time. “Pie and coffee. My treat.” He pulled his attention from her and settled it on the town before them. “Who here makes the best pies?”

Her sigh was audible as she pointed to a sign hanging several doors down from the hall. “Lucy’s Diner. Her pies are exquisite. Almost as good as my mother’s. Her pie crust is so flaky and light, it barely holds together.”

“Sounds like my kind of pie. Shall we?” He offered her the crook of his arm. Big mistake that turned out to be. That same heat sizzled up his arm again, only this time he refused to let his mind dwell on it or its implications. Instead, he reminded himself that he was here for the sole purpose of securing his inheritance for not only his sons’ sake, but for the sake of the unfortunate people back in Boston who his father had greatly wronged. A quick glance at Abby and he needed to add one more reason to the mix. After meeting Abby and seeing just how much she wanted this business to succeed, he wanted to do everything in his power to make her dream come to fruition, as well.