Debra Ullrick - The Unintended Groom

“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.