As he walked into the ballroom, he saw Jennifer Gordon laughing and whispering to one her friends who was just as gossipy and giggly as she was. He sighed when he realized the two girls were making fun of Sue who was dancing with the seventy year old man who had his eyes glued to her last time. He didn’t know what was worse. Watching old man York staring at her bosom or the fact that Jennifer and a few others in the room believed Sue was making a public spectacle of herself.
Two things are for sure: one, I’m not going to let York ogle her for the rest of the night and two, I’m buying her a new wardrobe as soon as she agrees to my plan.
Just as he was about to walk onto the dance floor, Chad Walker stopped him. Chad Walker was one of the wealthiest clients at the bank, so he had to talk to him. At least York wouldn’t grope her in public.
“Mr. Walker, how are you this fine December evening?
Are you looking forward to Christmas?” he warmly greeted.
“With Christmas being two weeks away, my wife is out doing her usual yuletide shopping. I’m almost scared to see the bill every time she comes home.” He grinned. “But she is a sensible woman and only purchases things we need so I don’t complain too much.”
“Will you be going to Richmond this year?”
“I had thought about it. Her relatives live there. We spent Thanksgiving with my side of the family, so it’ll be their turn. What will you be doing for Christmas?”
“With any luck, I’ll be welcoming my bride home.”
He raised his eyebrows in interest. “A confirmed bachelor like you has decided to settle down?”
“It’s a long story but yes.”
“You’re not going to ask Jennifer Gordon, are you? I know she’s pretty but she’s shallow. She won’t amuse you beyond the honeymoon.”
“No. Miss Gordon is definitely not on the list. I’m considering Miss Sue Lewis.”
He looked impressed. “She’s rough on the outside but she’s got a heart of gold. My wife owns the library and thinks well of her. Actually, she is part of the reason I wished to speak with you tonight while things are friendly.”
Jake stood at attention, aware that the conversation was going to be serious. “What is it?”
“Miss Lewis has been telling everyone at the library about George Leroy’s decision to veto your and Mr. Monroe’s plan to help her family. Now, under ordinary circumstances, I would not allow such a thing to influence my business dealings. However, my wife is very fond of Miss Lewis and has insisted that I withdraw my accounts from the bank on Monday. I will be transferring all of my accounts to the bank in the next town.”
He sighed. “I can’t say I’m surprised. I warned George and his father that this would happen.”
“When are you going to open your own bank? You have
often discussed the possibility with me.”
“I have to wait for one of my investments to mature before I have enough funds to buy the building across the street from the dress shop. I should have it open shortly after New Year’s Day.”
“Hmm...In that case, I can probably keep my accounts
there until then. I will want to transfer my funds to your bank. My wife will be relieved. We really didn’t want to go to the next town but saw little choice.”
“Mr. Walker, if you don’t mind, would you not tell anyone my plan? I don’t wish for George or Conrad to learn of this.
With George’s ethics, it’s hard to tell what he will do.”
He nodded. “I understand.” He was relieved.
“I’ll let you rescue Miss Lewis.”
Jake was surprised by the protective urge that came over him when he saw the old man “accidently” touch her bottom.
This is going to stop and it’s going to stop now. “It was good talking with you,” he politely told Mr. Walker.
Chad walked back to his wife who was talking with her good friends.
Jake tried his best to not scowl at Mr. York who was bragging to Sue about his coin collection. “Good evening, Mr.
York, Miss Lewis,” he interrupted.
They stopped dancing.
She looked relieved when Mr. York released his hold on her.
“Mr. Mitchell, just the man I wanted to see.” Mr. York smiled and shook his hand.
Jake returned his smile though it wasn’t easy considering how greasy his palms were. “Mr. York, it is always a pleasure to see you.”
“Yes. Well, I heard what you did for Miss Lewis and her family. I hadn’t realized that Mr. Leroy’s son was at the age where he’s ready to take over the bank. I must admit that I’m disappointed in the decision he made.”
“Yes, it is quite distressing.” Just how many people know? He didn’t know one woman could have such a profound impact on people. He didn’t know whether to be alarmed or impressed. “Actually, I had a question for Miss Lewis and wondered if she would be willing to dance with me so I could ask it?”
“Oh, I don’t know. We’re having a great time together,” he argued. He winked at her.
She smiled but it seemed forced. “Of course, we are.”
“And I am very grateful she has been able to be in your company since you kept her away from men who would take advantage of her while I was away,” Jake pleasantly stated. “I had asked her if she would marry me last week, but she said I had to wait until tonight for her answer. So after I returned from Michigan today, I came right by here to see what her answer is. I hope you don’t mind that I got her first.”
“You didn’t tell me about this.” He frowned at her. She looked flustered as she tried to think of something to say.
“I asked her to keep it a secret,” Jake quickly inserted. “I know she thinks you’re a very attractive man. Did you know she thought you were fifty?”
“Did she now?” He smiled, obviously pleased.
“She did. She wanted to dance with you last week, but I got jealous and insisted she spend her affections on me. I am sure you can understand my reason. I hope you didn’t steal her from me.”
“Oh, well now, Mr. Mitchell. You are a fine man. I
couldn’t take something that belongs to you.” He turned to her. “Sue, you are very precious and I’m flattered you would consider leaving Mr. Mitchell for me, but he is a good friend of my son’s, and I must keep my loyalties to my boy. I don’t wish to upset him, and if you break Mr. Mitchell’s heart, my son would be sore with me. I hope you can move on and not dwell on what might have been with me.”
“I...I don’t know what to say,” she stammered.
“I fear I did some damage, Mr. Mitchell,” he said. “Mr. Mitchell may not be as charming or attractive as I am, but he’s a good man and he’ll treat you well. You go on with him.” He softly pushed her to Jake and quietly walked away.
Jake expected her to express her relief over being saved from a marriage with an old man, but instead of gratitude, she was upset.
“You have a lot of nerve,” she quietly hissed.
“Excuse me?” he asked.
“I had him exactly where I wanted him and you ruined it for me. He was just offering to pay off my family’s debt.”
“So am I.” Now he was getting upset. “I just asked you to marry me. Weren’t you listening?”
She rolled her eyes. “The only reason you did that was to „save me‟ from him.”
“No. Though it was a nice benefit. He’s like a dog in heat. You can do better than that.”
“I figure he doesn’t have much longer to live and he will pay my father’s debts off.”
“I can pay that off just as easily as he can. And you only have to spend six months married to me instead of years married to him. I offer the better deal.”
She gasped. “Is that the way you see marriage? As a business deal?”
“This one is. I will explain everything if you’ll dance with me.”
She crossed her arms and remained still.
“I warned you not to do that.”
She quickly put her arms back down. “I know. I forgot, alright?”
“I don’t understand you. I’m a much better choice than York is any day of the week.”
“If you were desperate to save your family, you would go to great lengths too.”
“I wouldn’t know that kind of loyalty seeing that I have no family. And quite frankly, if that’s what family loyalty will get me, then count me out.” He took a deep breath to calm down. If anyone could get him riled up, it was Sue Lewis. “May I have this dance so I can talk to you? We can even pretend to be friends while we do it.”
“You’re ruining all my chances for me.”
“I’m giving you the best chance of all.”
“Alright. But I’m not going to enjoy myself.”
“Fair enough.” This is why I hate marriage for myself. Women are difficult to manage when it comes to romance. He ignored the way his body responded with pleasure as he took her in his arms. “Before I go into detail, I need to ask you a question. The answer is probably yes but I need to cover all my bases. Are you a virgin?” Her jaw dropped and she stopped dancing. “I beg your pardon?”
“I’ll take your horrified look as a yes. Only a virgin would respond like that.” He led her in a common dance step so that she would move again.
“Since we’re discussing personal matters, are you one?” He grinned at her sarcasm. “Yes. And our marriage won’t change that.”
“You are speaking in riddles.”
“Not really. Here’s the situation. My father died recently and left a will. I am his sole heir and am entitled to everything he owned on one condition. I have to get married to a woman who is a Christian who does honorable work, provided she doesn’t live with her parents, and is a virgin. She must also be close to her family. I only have to be married for six months. Then I can get an annulment. Here’s the good part. My father was rich.” He told her how much money he would receive on the wedding day.
Her eyes grew wide. “He had that much?”
“That’s only half. I will give you that amount as a wedding gift to you. I will receive my part of the money after six months is up.”
“I can see why you’re tempted to do this,” she admitted. “That’s a lot of money.”
“So, you can see that this isn’t really a marriage. It’s a business transaction.”
She frowned. “I don’t know. Isn’t it sacrilegious to make a marriage into a business deal?”
“I think it’s better than what you were trying to do with Mr. York, don’t you? If you help me get money, then I can help you get money so you can save your family’s property. What better cause can a person have than to help others?”
“You would really give me all of the money you will get on the wedding day?”
“Yes. I’ll even draw up a contract which you can read over to make sure it’s all legitimate.”
“And I won’t have to have sex with you?”
“Correct. You will be as pure as you are today.”
“Then we’ll get an annulment and go our separate ways?”
“Yes. No one gets hurt. It’s a win-win situation.”
“I want to take the contract to a lawyer and have him look at it.”
“Of course,” he agreed. “I wouldn’t expect you to do anything less.”
“Should I stop by the bank on Monday to pick up the contract?”
“As long as you come before noon. I have to attend meetings for the rest of the day.”
“If this is legitimate, you have yourself a deal.”
He smiled. “And who knows? Maybe we’ll even become
friends instead of pretending to get along at these dances.”
Suse’s head was spinning by the time she got home that evening. She didn’t know whether to trust Jake Mitchell or not. He asked for her coat and slipped it over her shoulders by the end of the dance and escorted her to his personal taxi driver, Henry Reynolds, who congratulated them on their engagement and took her home. Jake walked with her to the front door of the apartment and wished her a good night and said he would see her at the bank on Monday. It almost seemed too good to be true, except she wasn’t marrying for love. She had always hoped to marry for love, but a spinster whose father was up to his eyeballs in debt could hardly expect her prince to waltz through the door and take her off to his enchanted castle where they would live happily ever after. She read enough books to understand the difference between fairytales and reality. She could be content with marrying Jake to fulfill a business agreement. The next day, Belinda sent her a telegram asking her to come by for
On Monday, Sue arrived at the bank around ten. As soon as George saw her, he stomped up to her and ordered her to leave. “I don’t appreciate you coming by here after all those vicious rumors you spread about me,” he hissed at her. She placed her hands on her hips and smiled in satisfaction. “You mean people actually care about what I think? How flattering.” He scowled at her. “You’re a thorn in my side and I’ll do everything I can to bring you down.” She laughed. “I’m just a simple librarian. Good luck on finding a deep dark secret looming in my closet.” “Get out of my bank.” “What are you doing with my fiancé?” Jake barked at him as he walked up to her. He put his arm around her shoulders. “Is he being mean to you?” She found Jake’s protective stance unexpectedly pleasing. “You can’t be serious.” George rolled his eyes. “Since when did you want to be with her?” “Ever since she showed up at the dance on Friday night. You would be
Jake spent the rest of the week fuming despite his best efforts to put Sue Lewis far from his mind. He wasn’t married to her yet, and he was already dreading having her around his house. He hadn’t even been aware of her a month ago, and suddenly, she was a big part of his world. Six months. All I have to do is survive the next six months and I’ll be free again. Justin did his best to console him. “I don’t think she’s that bad of a woman. My wife speaks highly of her. She may not be rich but she has found a way into the hearts of many prominent women in town. They can’t wait to invite her to their luncheons.” He grimaced. “Before I know it, she’ll insist on dinner parties at my house. The next six months of my life are going to be a living nightmare.” “I don’t know. She’s got a lot of passion. It could help warm up those cold winter nights. You might enjoy yourself so much you won’t want to end the marriage.” “No way, Justin. I’m not going to lay a hand on her exce
The moment of the wedding finally arrived and Jake stood by the preacher in front of the altar. He knew that this day was the bride’s day and everyone would be interested in her which was why he spent so much time preparing Sue for this day. The wedding colors were light blue and white. He picked light blue since it went with his tie. He had ordered blue ribbons and bows throughout the church, and the bridal bouquet featured white roses with a blue ribbon tying the flowers together. He supposed that women would prefer pink but he couldn’t stomach that color at his wedding, so he didn’t bother to ask her opinion. He didn’t want her opinion on any of the wedding plans for that specific reason. He was associated with this wedding, even though he wasn’t the main attraction. People would want to remember this day and he didn’t want pink to be associated with that memory. He considered the irony that she didn’t complain about the colors. She was bothered by the lace on her dress.
“I think I’ve just been insulted,” Jennifer pouted, looking at Jake. “Are you going to let her talk to me like that?” “Yes, dear husband. Are you going to dictate how I talk to other people?” Sue pointedly wondered, staring at him in interest. “I agree with my wife. You were way out of line,” Jake quickly responded. Jennifer gasped. “I can’t believe you said that. I will tell Mr. Leroy that he has a rude employee.” He shrugged. “I don’t care what you do as long as you apologize to my wife.” “I’d rather eat snake.” “Wouldn’t that be cannibalism?” Sue reflected. She ran off, ready to cry on her father’s shoulder. Sue sighed. “I probably just lost you a customer.” He chuckled. “Are you kidding? That was worth it. Jennifer’s father isn’t that prominent in this society, and even if he was, I wouldn’t let his daughter get away with her comments.” “Really?” He noted that she seemed touched by his confession. He grinned
Afret Sue cleaned up from the wedding mishap, she arrived at her new residence and marveled that Jake had such immaculate but beautiful taste. No wonder he got away from me and my family as soon as that mouse ran across the table. He doesn’t like to get dirty. He had wanted to stick around and go home with her so he could give her a personal tour of the place, but he was called to business at the last minute to discuss plans to buy the building that would house the future bank. So Henry took her and her things from the apartment to the house. She only had two worn suitcases that summed up her entire life. Her apartment had been furnished. It felt strange to know she was making such a drastic change in her economic status. She climbed out of the buggy, acutely aware that her old clothes were sorely out of place there. Henry carried her suitcases to the front door for her. “Am I supposed to pay you?” She searched for any money she might find in her purse
He walked over to his desk and sat in the chair behind it. “I know husbands who are controlled by their wives. It’s not pretty.” He took out some paper he had neatly folded into his breast pocket and set them on the desk. “It’s official. I own a building which will become Mitchell Bank in a matter of weeks.” “That’s wonderful!” He smiled. “I already asked Justin Monroe to be the vice president. He and I will turn in our resignation letters to Conrad Leroy right after New Year’s Day.” “You would be surprised how many people in this town are afraid of what will happen when Conrad retires. George doesn’t have a very good reputation with the women I’ve talked to. He keeps a mistress in another town, and women don’t like the thought of their own husbands being unfaithful.” “Is that why you said you could hurt his reputation in this town?” “Women are as upset about infidelity as they are about children being forced out of their homes because of foreclosure.” “
OuT of curiosity, Jake decided to attend the Christmas play at the auditorium later that day. He was surprised by how many people went to the event. Mrs. Walker was at the table collecting donations. “You don’t have to give if you don’t want to,” she told each person who walked through the door. “Where do your donations go?” one man asked. “To fixing the library, costumes and other supplies for future plays and additional books,” she warmly replied. “My goal is to provide a fun place for adults and children to enjoy the thrill of reading.” “I can handle that.” “Oh, you can just slip the money into this box. I don’t want to know who gives what. I’m just pleased people offer so much. This donation takes care of the entire year most of the time.” “Well, I can’t wait to see Trevor’s play this year,” another man commented. “My son is one of the lead characters.” “Really? My little Annabelle is one of the Temptations. I believe she’s named Lazy Time.” J
It was about time Jenny‘s brothers stopped their harassment, Owen thought as they took in the bright, shiny deputy badge that Sheriff Meyer returned to him. Owen‘s chest puffed up with a sense of pride as he closed the door of the jailhouse and placed his hat on his head. ―Afternoon, gentlemen,‖ he said and buttoned his coat. ―Getting ready for Christmas?‖ ―We had some errands to run,‖ Tom replied. ―Even if women say they don‘t want anything but our love, they don‘t mean it.‖ Joel snickered. ―And you had to learn that the hard way.‖ Tom‘s face grew red. ―I can‘t wait until you get married, Joel. I don‘t care what you argue about. I‘ll take her side each time.‖ ―Unlike you all, I have no desire to tie the knot,‖ he replied and gave them a smug smile. ―I‘m going to stay single forever.‖ ―Since when?‖ ―Since I saw how you all ended up. No woman is going to tell me what to do.‖ ―Oh really?‖ Dave asked. ―Then what are you doing in town looking for gifts?‖ Joel sighed. ―I g
Jenny flung a dish at Clyde‘s head. Drats! She missed! ―Get off my property!‖ She picked up another plate from the stack she held to her chest and threw it at him. Again, he expertly dodged it as he made his way to the porch. She grunted and threw the whole stack at him. This time two plates hit him in the face. He yelled and touched his cheek which had a bloody cut on it. Glaring at her, he took a step toward her. ―Not this time, Jenny! I‘m getting my boy.‖ She grabbed her broom and swung at him. Unlike last time, he jumped back. She stepped forward but someone came up behind her and held her arms in place. She screamed and kicked at her captor, but his hold only grew tighter. ―Get the boy and let‘s get out of here,‖ the man growled at Clyde. ―Run!‖ she yelled at Jeremy who was supposed to be in his room. She prayed he would make it to the attic before Clyde found him. Clyde climbed the rest of the porch steps, and as he passed her, sh
Owen recognized that gruff voice anywhere. And there was no way he was going to play possum now. He leapt over the counter, nearly knocking over the startled owner who ran to retrieve his gun. ―This is my store. You have no business being here!‖ the owner barked. Then he fired his rifle at the doorway. Owen didn‘t bother seeing if the man hit Big Roy or not. He just ran. He ran down the narrow space that led to the backdoor and found himself in another alley. The scene was eerily familiar. Except this time Mitch and Lance weren‘t chasing him. Nope. Big Roy was doing the honors this time. Owen raced past the dumpsters. He heard a door open and almost got hit with a bullet. He swerved to the right and found himself on a less traveled part of the business district. He bent to hide behind stagecoaches and buggies as he scampered as fast as he dared without giving Big Roy ample opportunity to get a clear shot. Where was Irving anyway? Some stellar deputy he was turnin
It was a week later when Big Roy finally arrived in Omaha. And Owen had just finished breakfast when the fateful knock came at the door. He put his napkin down and went to answer it. ―Amos?‖ he asked, surprised to see the boy with his two friends standing on his porch, holding fishing rods. ―Isn‘t it a little cold to be fishing?‖ It was December after all. ―Big Roy‘s in Omaha,‖ Amos said, looking unusually excited by the prospect. Owen‘s eyes grew wide. ―How do you know this?‖ ―We saw him. Oh, he‘s big and angry alright. He was asking where you were.‖ ―You didn‘t tell him, did you?‖ Owen demanded as he watched the boy practically dance with glee. Was everyone but Jenny and Jeremy eager to send him to an early grave? ―Course not! We‘d never do that,‖ Amos assured him. ―In fact, no one‘s telling him anything. But Irving wants you down at the jailhouse.‖ Amos motioned to his fishing rod. ―You don‘t need to worry about a thing. We‘re ready to help you!‖ Amos and h
Jeremy ran to the front door and jumped into Owen‘s arms. Surprised, Jenny turned from the sandwiches she‘d been making and went over to him. ―They let you out of jail?‖ ―As long as I promised not to run away.‖ He gave Jeremy a big hug. ―I missed you, squirt.‖ ―Was it scary in there?‖ Jeremy asked. ―No, but it was lonely. It‘s good to be home with my family.‖ He leaned forward and gave Jenny a kiss. ―I can‘t believe how much I missed you two.‖ ―We missed you too,‖ she said, hugging him as much as she could with Jeremy between them. ―I was just making supper. Are you hungry?‖ ―I didn‘t get much to eat, so yes.‖ He set Jeremy down and took off his coat and hat. ―It‘s nothing fancy. Just sandwiches,‖ she warned. He put up his holster on the hook next to his coat and hat. ―After eating nothing but beans and jerky, sandwiches will be a treat.‖ He turned to them and gave them another hug. ―It feels so good to be back home.‖ She laughed and hugged him back. ―It
Jenny heard Sally knock on the front door but hesitated to answer it. No one had been out to see her since the day they found out about Owen, probably because Mary managed to talk them into giving Jenny time to herself, so she didn‘t know why Sally came out. She pushed the curtain aside in the parlor. Sally was alone. She exhaled. At least, the cavalry wasn‘t coming out again. She quickly thought of a way to distract her sister from the matter at hand and opened the door while Sally was in mid-knock. ―Oh good! I wanted to talk to you.‖ Jenny pulled her into the house and peered out the door. Good. Sally really was alone, just as she thought. She shut the door and turned to Jeremy. ―Take your blocks and play upstairs. I have to talk to your aunt.‖ Jeremy obeyed and went up the steps. As soon as he was in his room, Jenny led Sally into the kitchen and sat her down. ―Would you like a snack?‖ ―No thanks,‖ Sally said. ―I came to talk to you.‖ ―Yes, and I‘m glad yo
She relaxed. ―Oh. I thought you meant...‖ She had thought he meant that he didn‘t want her to stay married to Owen. But he hadn‘t, and she didn‘t want to explain it. Looking at Irving, she knew that they wouldn‘t have made a good match. She would have married him for her son, but he wouldn‘t have been her first choice. She glanced inside the jailhouse. There, in the cell, sat the man she would have chosen. Returning her gaze to Irving, she asked, ―So I can talk to him?‖ ―Follow me.‖ He led her into the building. ―Meyer, I got the wife wanting to see her husband.‖ Jeremy broke free from her and ran over to the cell, calling out ―Pa!‖ Owen‘s face lit up and he eagerly ran over to the bars so he could hug Jeremy... Well, as much as he could with the bars between them. The tender moment brought tears to Jenny‘s eyes. How many times had she seen fathers and their sons and wished Jeremy could have a pa that loved him too? Wiping her eyes, she turned to the sheriff and de
Jenny didn‘t feel like dealing with anyone at the moment. Her mind was a jumble of thoughts, and her relatives weren‘t helping. Her brothers and Sally sat around the kitchen table trying to decide what to do about the situation while Greg, Jeremy, and Isaac played with the dog in the backyard. Mary stayed out there to watch them from where she sat in the chair next to the house. Maybe Jenny shouldn‘t have come to Sally‘s house after they left the jail. Maybe she should have just gone home. She watched the children as they laughed and took turns throwing the ball for the dog to catch. It was simple for them. Children didn‘t sit and analyze things. They either liked something or they didn‘t, and they acted accordingly. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes and rested her forehead against the cool glass of the window. Her hand fell to her abdomen. She should‘ve realized it sooner, but she and Owen had stayed up well into the night to enjoy lovemaking. The fatigue was ea
Owen jumped up as soon as the door to the jailhouse opened. He rushed over to the bars to see if Jenny came. She did. But she also brought Sally and her four brothers with her. Four very angry looking brothers. He immediately stepped back as the four glaring men surrounded the cell. He examined the bars. He hoped the steel was strong enough to keep them out. They looked like they were ready to rip him apart and feed his remains to the vultures. ―You‘re lucky you‘re in there!‖ Tom barked, pointing an accusing finger at him. ―Because if you weren‘t, we‘d run you out of town.‖ ―How could you do this to our sister?‖ Richard demanded, shaking the bars. Owen swallowed the lump in his throat and backed up until he hit the wall. He glanced at the small window and wondered if he could escape if he squeezed through it. No. That was ridiculous. He was much safer here with the bars protecting him than in the open where these men could chase him down. ―First Clyde an