Share
39
Related chapters
Awkward Marriage 40
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
Awkward Marriage 41
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
Awkward Marriage 42
The Wedding that Almost Happened An hour before the wedding of Jake Mitchell and Johanna Clarke on June 3 at the First Baptist Church on Adams Avenue, Jake made the startling announcement in front of family and friends that he wouldn’t be marrying Miss Clarke. He gave no explanation for the decision and he showed up in front of everyone without his tuxedo jacket on, which demonstrated his lack of respect for his guests. Mr. Mitchell might be better off remembering in the future that when he goes out in public, he should be properly attired, as is befitting his social status. A heartbroken Miss Clarke, a beautiful bride, didn’t get the joy of being wed. She spent the afternoon being comforted, and no one knows why Mr. Mitchell left her at the altar. Sue sighed and put the newspaper back in its proper place. She wondered how many bachelors were trying to get her attention and she didn’t even realize it. Jake noticed, however, and got jealous. She couldn’t imagine someone being
Awkward Marriage 43
That afternoon, Mrs. Walker called Sue over to the front desk while she was putting some books away. Sue finished putting the last book on the bookshelf and walked over to the older woman who was smiling at her. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Walker?” she asked. “I need you to help Miss Stallone deliver some new books to the ladies‟ luncheon at the college campus. Mrs. Monroe and her group wish to donate some new books to the library there.” She nodded and helped Miss Stallone carry the boxes to the carriage waiting for them. She sat across from Miss Stallone who was grinning from ear to ear. “I take it things are going well for you and Ben York,” Sue noted. She blushed. “I try not to be obvious about it.” “Be obvious about it, Betty. You should enjoy it. Ben is just as infatuated with you as you are with him. He’s not really interested in books. He comes by the library to see you. He’s a good, honest man, and I think you two will do well together.” “Tha
Awkward Marriage 44
“Oh, he was always a little soft. He had a rough childhood. His mother didn’t have a lot of money, so he had to work his way up to the wealth he currently possesses. I suppose he felt pity for Sue and decided to help her out. His mother almost lost their home when his father left, so I think he recalled that experience when Sue Lewis gave him the sob story about her family almost being foreclosed on.” “Apparently, he’s very good to those he pities.” “I wouldn't know. I just got here yesterday. I will find out what Sue Lewis is like and what he’s done for her during this luncheon.” “Did Mrs. Monroe invite you to this luncheon?” “Actually, she did. I was on my way to Jake’s new bank when she met me on the street. She said that it would be a good idea to get the inside story on how to win him over before I saw him.” That doesn’t sound like something Mrs. Monroe would do. I thought she was happy that Jake and I were married. Sue pushed aside her hurt feelings an
Awkward Marriage 45
Sue dropped the mouse on a panicking and crying Johanna and ran over to her brother. “She is? When did the labor start?” She heard Luke yell something at Johanna and the men finally moved to action to save what was left of the luncheon while the other women stood by and laughed at the whole scene. “I told Luke not to bring his mouse,” Trevor said. “I’m sorry, sis. He insisted on coming along on Trouble. I rode Double Trouble in. Luke saw that man walking the cat and two dogs and jumped off the horse to show the man his mouse. Then I had to chase Trouble down until I got his reins. Both horses are safely tied up at the light posts outside.” Sue remained oblivious to the chaos going on behind her. She shook her head. “When is Gloria going to have the baby?” “Probably tonight. Her water broke an hour ago. I just got the doctor. Her water broke like a gush of water flowing out of a massive hole in a dam. I never saw so much liquid in my entire life. It was strange wat
Awkward Marriage 46
Jake went home and noticed how empty the place felt with Sue gone. Though Ralph and Lydia greeted him, it wasn’t the same. Sue definitely had a place in his life that no one else could penetrate. He knew he had a long night looming ahead of him, so he decided he would tackle Mr. Barnett’s envelope. Since Sue was gone, he wouldn’t have to face her while he was upset. Anything associated with his father upset him. He didn’t wish for her to see him like that. After he ate dinner, at a table that seemed unusually long and in a room that was unbearably quiet, he went to his den and shut the door. He glanced at the chair by the fireplace where Sue liked to sit. Everything seemed empty without her. How could one woman change his entire life in one month? He went to the painting that hid his safe and took it off the wall. He opened the safe. He removed two boat tickets from his breast pocket. He bought the tickets that day for the trip he planned to take Sue on. He smiled as h
Awkward Marriage 47
The next morning passed by swiftly as he finished getting ready for Mr. Brothers‟ arrival. He went to lunch by himself but hardly tasted his food. He returned to work and saw Justin with his wife and kids. Once again, the kids were hanging all over him. This time, Jake smiled and walked into his office. When Mr. Brothers arrived, he gave him the tour of his bank and discussed business. They shook hands and Mr. Brothers left. Justin came by his office. “How did it go?” “Very well,” Jake replied. “Everything is set. We have officially become a major competitor to George Leroy’s bank.” “Speaking of him...” Justin closed the office door and sat down. “No one has seen him since last Friday.” “Who’s in charge of the bank while he’s gone?” “Mr. Edwards but he has no idea where George is. George didn’t even tell him he was going to be gone.” “Does George’s wife know where he is?” “No. She went to the police, but they think he’s off with his mistress on a vacation.” “He’s always a
Latest chapter
