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Awkward Marriage 34
“I did. Good morning, Mr. Mitchell,” he politely stated as he held out his hand. Jake crossed his arms. “Is it really a good morning, Mr. Cline?” He seemed baffled as he put his hand down. “It is for me.” “Daddy, can we go look at books now?” his daughter asked. He turned to talk to her. “Jake, what’s wrong with your manners?” Sue whispered so Donald wouldn’t overhear. “My manners?” he whispered back. “What are you doing being so friendly to him? Have you no consideration for other’s feelings?” “I don’t see what the problem is. Donald came by to announce his engagement to Martha Howell, and he brought my niece by so I could see her. I don’t get to see her very much since Emma died.” Jake immediately felt his anger fade. “Oh. He was your brother-in-law.” “Yes. What did you think he was?” At least I can safely cross him off the list. “I’m sorry.” Turning to Donald, he said, “Forgive me, Mr. Cline. I thought you were makin
Awkward Marriage 35
The next day, they took the train to Richmond. He was glad she could join him. His trips were usually boring, though he spent most of his time reading. It was nicer to have her to talk to. She hadn’t been on a train before and he grinned at her enthusiasm for the experience. With her, this was a new world. She was used to the farm and the library, but outside of that, her life had been limited. What would it be like to take her to Europe? What would she think of seeing Greece in person? They reached Richmond in good time, and he took her to lunch before his business meeting at Brother’s Bank. He didn’t feel like parting from her but reminded himself that he would see her in a couple of hours. “I’ll be at the library. Do you want me to come back here or will you stop by to get me?” she asked him. “Why don’t you do some shopping before you read a book? Buy yourself something you like.” “Well, I can’t really think of anything to get.” “Is there nothing yo
Awkward Marriage 36
Sue enjoyed the symphony. The music reminded her of different stories she had read, so while the music played, her mind took her to one of the many books she was familiar with. Jake must have noticed her pleasure, for he rested his hand on hers and smiled at her during the performance. She blushed at his action. She didn’t understand why he was being so affectionate but found that she liked it. On the train ride home, he squeezed her hand. “What did you think? Did you enjoy the symphony?” “Yes,” she replied, acutely aware of the feel of his strong hand around her smaller one. “It was a thrilling experience. I can see why you go to them as often as you do.” “I must admit that it was much better with you there.” She smiled. “I’m glad you took me along. The Sunday before we got married, I visited Belinda, and she made marriage sound dreadful for a woman. She made it sound like the husband was allowed to go out and do whatever he wished while his wife had to stay home and plan dinner
Awkward Marriage 37
The pretty twenty-two year old nodded and walked to the front of the desk. “May I be of assistance to you gentlemen?” Ben took a good look at her and smiled. “Actually, yes. Would you help me find a book I’ve been looking for?” She smiled back. “What is the book called?” “I’m not sure but it is about two young star-crossed lovers whose parents are enemies, so they get married without their parents knowing but it all ends in tragedy when both die.” “Are you talking about William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet?” Sue asked in disbelief. Of all people, Ben York didn’t strike her as a literary enthusiast, much less a romantic. “Yes, that’s the book,” he replied. Turning to Miss Stallone, he asked, “Can you help me find it?” She giggled. “I know where the book is.” He eagerly followed her as she went to the appropriate bookshelf. “Well, it looks like I have you all to myself,” Ethan said. “I’ll help you with those books if you’d like.” “I have to be honest with you, Mr.
Awkward Marriage 38
Jake enjoyed the weekend more than he had enjoyed any of his past trips to New York. On Friday, after Sue checked into her hotel room, he checked into his and ordered six red roses, a box of chocolates and a light floral perfume to be sent to her room. Ever since he saw how happy she was to receive flowers from Donald Cline, he thought she might like receiving similar gifts from him. When he went to her room to take her to dinner before the play, she was more delighted with his gifts than he hoped she would be. She’s definitely not hard to please. He liked that about her. During dinner, he couldn’t take his eyes off of her. She wore a red dress and the diamond necklace and earrings he had given her. He marveled that she could be content to wear the same jewelry all the time. It was nice to enjoy her without worrying about other men trying to grab her attention. During the play, he had more fun watching her than he did the performance. Her excitement was infectious and at o
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When Jake came home that evening, his mood was worse than it had been when he woke up. This time ten more bachelors sent Sue flowers. He recognized a couple of names. He sighed. What am I going to have to do? Get all these men into a room and tell them to leave her alone? Then an idea came to him. Why not? Lydia ran over to him. “Sue’s home early, sir!” “Go stall her,” he ordered. “How?” He watched as Sue walked down the sidewalk. Why does she have to look so nice? “Take your son out there. She goes crazy every time she sees a baby.” Lydia nodded and went to wake up her sleeping child. Jake started throwing the flowers into a trash can, but the trash can got too full. Lydia quickly ran to the front door and opened it just in time to stop Sue from entering the house. “Would you like to see Timmy?” “Uh...sure. Can I see him inside the house?” “No. Actually, he needs some fresh air. He’s been cooped up all day.” She shut the door before Sue c
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Jake noticed the frown on three of the men’s faces as they took in her premarital appearance. As each man said what he wanted, she served it to him. When she reached Jake, she asked him what he wanted. “I’ll take whatever you have left,” he told her. You are the sweetest, most lovely woman in the world. And anyone who can’t see that doesn’t deserve you. “Actually, I just remembered another dinner party I have to go to,” Mr. Ronald said. “I apologize, Mr. Mitchell.” “No apology necessary,” he stated. Three down. Seven to go. A couple of men choked on their food. Sue came out and brought Jake a plate of meatloaf and the lumpy mashed potatoes. “I’m sorry, Jake. I didn’t have the heart to give you the casserole again.” “You’re doing great,” he whispered. He ate his meal without flinching. The more he tasted the stuff, the less he shuddered when he took his first bite. She looked uneasily around the room as the men gagged on her food. “I
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Trye as Sue might, she couldn’t figure Jake out. He was an enigma. He intrigued her in a way she didn’t want to admit. Was he really interested in being intimate with her? The idea pleased her in a way she didn’t anticipate. As much as she wanted to be mad at him for making her go through all that work and spreading all those lies about her, she was flattered that he pursued her so romantically afterwards. He made her feel beautiful and soft. She wasn‟t even aware that she enjoyed receiving feminine gifts like flowers and perfume until he sent them to her. He cared about what she wanted and what she thought. He liked to talk to her, and she felt that she could talk to him about things she couldn‟t discuss with anyone else. For the first time in her life, she felt desirable to a man. She wanted to be with him. She had lied to Ethan Bower. She wasn‟t simply fond of him. She loved him. It seemed that he felt the same way. All of these thoughts went through her mind as she
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