Handpicked Husband. Winnie Griggs

in her expression. It seemed her question had been more than a casual inquiry.

      “Then if you gentlemen will excuse my directness, may I ask what brings you to this remote location?”

      Adam stilled, studying her expression carefully. Was this another delaying tactic?

      But all he saw was puzzlement and suspicion. Did she truly not know what was going on?

      “Are you telling me you never received your grandfather’s letter?”

      “I’m afraid not.”

      Either she was a very good actress or she had no idea what she was about to face. It appeared he owed the lady an apology for the unflattering thoughts he’d entertained about her these past few hours.

      Then the full import of the situation hit him, and Adam swallowed several choice oaths. He’d have to explain the judge’s Machiavellian scheme to her. That wasn’t supposed to be part of his duties.

      But this wasn’t her fault, either. “Then please forgive our intrusion. It’s unfortunate you didn’t receive proper warning of either our arrival or our purpose.”

      Not sure what else to do, he reached into his pocket and retrieved the missive Judge Madison had entrusted to him. “Your grandfather asked me to give you this before we began serious discussions, so perhaps it would be best for us to start there. Then I can explain things to you in more detail.”

      She took the paper from him, a crease marring her forehead.

      Adam rubbed the back of his neck. This didn’t feel right. How much had the judge put in the second letter? Would it make any sense to her if she hadn’t read the first? Maybe he should explain—

      Everett cleared his throat. “While Miss Nash is reading the letter and Mr. Barr is making his explanations, perhaps the rest of us could take a look around. A walk would be welcome after that long ride.”

      Adam wondered cynically if Everett’s offer came from a gentlemanly urge to give her some privacy to absorb the news, or a cowardly urge to distance himself from her reaction to it.

      Whatever the man’s motives, he was immediately joined by the other two.

      “Good idea,” Chance agreed hastily.

      “My legs could do with a bit of stretching, too,” Mitchell added.

      Their eagerness to exit the area was so obvious, Adam wasn’t surprised to see Miss Nash’s brow raise.

      * * *

      Uh-oh. Her visitors suddenly seemed like critters fleeing a brushfire. Reggie figured that meant only one thing.

      They knew she wouldn’t like whatever she was about to learn from her grandfather’s letter.

      “Of course,” she answered smoothly. She actually welcomed the chance to read the letter in private since she wasn’t known for having a poker face. “Mrs. Peavy, why don’t you escort them on a little tour of the area. I believe the south end of the lake would offer the best view.”

      Not to mention keep them away from Jack. “Oh, and I think Buck would enjoy the walk as well.”

      Reggie did her best to ignore the knowing look on Adam’s face. If only he wasn’t so perceptive. How could he have seen through her disguise so quickly? She was certain none of the others had. It would be better all the way around if he went along on that little walk.

      But as Mrs. Peavy and the other three men headed away from the porch, Reggie stared at his I’m-not-budging demeanor and knew it would be wasted breath to even suggest he leave.

      She sat on the porch swing, feeling his gaze on her. She couldn’t help but remember that little jolt of connection she’d felt when she realized he recognized her.

      Forcing that thought aside, she opened the letter. Scanning quickly over the greeting, she searched for the promised explanation. Her gaze paused at the third paragraph.

      Your desire to adopt Jack came as no surprise. However, though you have been like a mother to him since his infancy, we both know the bonds that unite you are those of affection, not blood. I am, in truth, the only blood relation Jack has left.

      Reggie flinched. Regardless of what others thought, she was closer to Jack than anyone else—he was truly the child of her heart. She’d thought her grandfather understood.

      I do not want Jack to grow up without a man in his life. It is important for a boy to have someone to teach him the proper lessons on his road to manhood, something you could not do on your own. My first impulse was to ask you to send him to me.

      Reggie’s heart thumped erratically. Surely Grandfather wouldn’t take Jack from her.

      I admit, however, that this solution has drawbacks. I’m no longer young. It is quite probable I won’t be around long enough to guide Jack into manhood.

      Reggie breathed easier. She wasn’t overly concerned about the judge’s health—he’d used that bluff to get his way more than once. Even though he must be in his seventies, the old codger would probably outlive them all.

      My next thought was to send him to boarding school. There are some fine institutions that would provide wonderful experiences for a boy such as Jack.

      How could Grandfather consider such a thing? Those places were impersonal, sterile. Jack was too young—he still needed her. And she still needed him.

      Of course, there is another option—to find you a husband.

      Reggie sat up straighter, a different kind of dismay flooding through her as an inkling of the men’s mission sank in.

      Surely she was mistaken. Even the judge wouldn’t—

      Reggie glanced at Adam, then wished she hadn’t. That sympathetic glint in his expression was unnerving.

      She swallowed hard and stared back down at the letter, hoping she’d misunderstood.

      Naturally I am not suggesting you marry just any man. It must be someone worthy of you and Jack. Since you seem to have no interest in any of the eligible men there in Turnabout, I’ve taken it upon myself to find someone for you.

      Grandfather was trying to play matchmaker.

      Chapter Three

      Reggie’s thoughts raced, skittering in several directions at once.

      How could he? This was a farce, a disaster. It was too manipulative for even a schemer like her grandfather.

      Didn’t he know that if she’d wanted a husband, she could have landed one a long time ago? Didn’t he trust her to raise Jack right and properly on her own?

      Why would Adam agree to such a harebrained scheme? Did he think she was the best he could hope for since his conviction? Or was it more that he thought he owed the judge a debt of some sort?

      Merciful goodness, did he or Grandfather know she’d once been infatuated with him?

      Her cheeks flamed at the thought. Oh, why hadn’t Adam gone away with the others?

      Pull yourself together. You will not fall apart in front of him.

      Reggie forced herself to relax her grip on the letter, commanded her racing pulse to slow.

      She continued reading, trying to grasp what this meant. But her mind kept circling to the men her grandfather had sent. Adam’s reasons for wanting to start over in a place where he wasn’t known were obvious, but what could induce the others to take part? Did they also have something they were running from?

      Another paragraph snagged her attention. Grandfather was bribing them to court her. They would each get a nice little prize for their part in this farce.