Read Online Debra Ullrick by The Unintended Groom - Free Book Online

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