The Unintended Groom. Debra Ullrick

laid her hand in his and immediately noticed how liquid warmth spread up her arm and throughout her chest. She’d never experienced anything like that before, and she had no clue what it meant, either. But it was a very nice feeling just the same.

      “Abby?”

      Abby blinked, then looked at him. “Yes?” He gave a light tug on her hand. “Oh. Forgive me.” She raised her skirt above her shoes and stepped up into the buggy, then tucked her skirt inside.

      Harrison went around to the other side and sat next to her. His wide shoulders came close to touching hers. He picked up the lines and clicked them. The buggy lurched forward, yanking her backward a tad.

      “How are your valet and nanny feeling this morning?” she asked.

      “Much better.” His gaze trailed to her hat. “You’re not hiding the carrot my son tossed at you under that hat, are you?”

      Abby laughed. “No.”

      “I don’t know how my nanny does it. The boys can sure be rambunctious.”

      “Don’t I know it. If you think your boys are rowdy, you should see my nephews. Your sweet sons are mild compared to them.”

      His brow spiked.

      “Well, maybe not.”

      They both laughed.

      Harrison stopped the buggy in front of the town hall just as a bolt of lightning pierced the sky and the thunder boomed immediately afterward. Abby screeched.

      “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.