Debra Ullrick – The Unintended Groom (страница 9)

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.