[Three Brides of Haines 01.0] Yearning of the Reluctant Bride

by Faye Sonja

  “Dear Lord—” Robert said at the same time.

  Everyone’s heads went up.

  Eve looked at Robert. “I always say grace in my house.”

  “Yes, but it’s the proper protocol for the man of the house to say grace—”

  Clara cut him off, grabbing Eve’s hand. Her sea-colored eyes glowing. “Yes, Eve. It is proper protocol! Proper protocol, indeed,” Clara said in her own version of a British accent. Her hold tightened as she gave Eve a look that said so much.

  Eve took her head back. “Fine, Robert. You can say grace.”

  Clara threw her hands up. “Will he be saying all your prayers to God now?”

  “Clara,” Eve warned.

  Clara sighed, but fluttered her eyes closed; preparing herself for prayer.

  Joe looked around a little before closing his own eyes.

  Eve closed her eyes too.

  Robert said the prayer.

  The meal started off in silence, but then Joe started a conversation. “Robert, would you mind lending me your paper? There’s supposed to be news of the next Jack Danger book.”

  Robert brightened up. “By C.C. Reed?”

  Joe smiled. “Are you a fan?”

  Robert smiled. “I love the series.” He turned to Eve. “I meant to tell you, I’ll be wanting to meet some of Haines Press’ writers. And definitely, C.C. Reed.”

  Eve kept her eyes from drifting towards Clara. It was hard, but she managed it. “C.C. Reed isn’t available to meet people.”

  Robert frowned. “Why not? Is the man ill?”

  Eve shook her head. “Uh, no.” The man just isn’t a man, she thought.

  Clara cut in. “I heard a rumor that C.C. Reed was going to end the series soon.”

  Everyone’s eyes widened. Clara simply sipped her apple juice. Her eyes staring straight ahead.

  Robert leaned towards her. “Where did you hear this?”

  Clara rolled her eyes. “Around.”

  Robert shook his head. “Now, I truly must meet this man. Losing him would be a great loss to Haines Press.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes at Clara. “Yes, it would,” she all but hissed.

  Clara turned to Eve. “Well,” Her pretty face expressionless. Her blue-green eyes were framed with dark lashes and even darker eyeliner. Clara looked like an exotic feline. So pretty to look at, but would strike without warning. “You know writers. They’re unpredictable,” she said.

  Joe spoke in a low voice. “Such an awful thought, but I guess we’d just have to all move on.” He turned to Clara. “But I’d miss reading the books with you.”

  Clara turned towards Joe. Her eyes fluttered as if coming out of a daze. “Well,” she put her cup down and started to mess with her dress. “You know rumors. They’re never true. Just gossip. Petty talk is all.”

  Joe smiled. “You think so?”

  Clara nodded a few times. “I’m sure of it. Just nasty rumors. I don’t know why I bothered spreading them.”

  Joe’s face brightened like sunshine. “Yeah.”

  Eve smiled. How could Clara not see how deeply she was in love with Joe? Eve looked across at Robert and found his smile directed at herself. Eve leaned back in her chair. Did he know? Could he have possibly guessed that Clara was in fact C.C. Reed? Robert didn’t move, just sat there, staring at her. He knew. Eve looked to Joe. He’d gone back to his food, still smiling. Joe was probably the only one in the room who didn’t know. Eve would leave him in his bliss.

  * * *

  6

  Chapter SIX

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  “ Whether I am or have ever been married

  is no longer any of your concern.”

  But that night, while Princess Evelyn slept, a swarm of eels tried to tip their boat. The young prince said, “I will slay these eels and protect the princess.” And he did.

  Everyone pitched in to help Clara move. The boys woke up and carried small boxes before it was time for them to go to school. Eve and Florence packed and sorted through clothes. Eventually, Ben woke up and came over to help as well. He and Joe drove back and forth, dropping things off just to pick up other things. While living with Eve, Clara had accumulated a variety of knick knacks and sorts. There were fans from Spain and pots from the Middle East. Anytime a traveler came to town selling their wares, they’d always managed to make a customer out of Clara. While packing, Eve had asked her repeatedly if she were willing to get rid of anything, but Clara forbid her from throwing anything out. “Everything is inspiring.” She smiled.

  Eve didn’t say anything more, because after that comment, Joe and Ben came through with a dresser. Clara helped them pick a spot for it. Eve placed another dress on a hanger and then passed it to Florence. She was sitting on the bed with a stack of black clothing spread over the sheets. The black came in every style and was made out of every type of fancy material. Clara liked the color black, but she was never dull. Clara didn’t wear black so that she’d fade into the background. Clara wore black to make a statement. That was fashion, Eve supposed.

  Robert stuck his head in the doorway from the hall and looked at Eve. “Are you ready to go yet, Eve?”

  Eve’s eyes widened. “Go where?”

  Robert’s brows drew together. “The meeting with the board.”

  Eve swallowed. “I didn’t know I’d been invited.”

  “If you don’t wish to go…”

  Eve stood and ran a hand over her pastel pink day dress, though there really wasn’t much to straighten. The long sleeved dress just fell straight down her slim figure, barely touching her, hiding her curves. It was a popular style. Eve liked it because she found herself able to breath in it. A pair of short cream colored heels were on her feet. A matting cream flapper hat sat on her head. It hung a little low on the sides. A flower of the same pastel color as the dress sat on the side. She hadn’t planned on going to any meeting. She twisted her hands in front of her, but stopped once she realized what she was doing. “Uh, no. I want to go.” Eve looked at him. “Thank you.”

  Robert nodded. He turned to Clara. “I’m sorry to take your helping hands, but I’ll need my brother as well.”

  Clara glanced at Eve; surprise on her face. Clara then turned to Robert. She gracefully took a seat in one of the red queen Victorian chairs that sat in a corner. She gave Robert a quick smile. “Apology accepted, Mr. Manning.” She turned to Eve. “Have fun.”

  Eve frowned. Fun was not what came to mind when she thought about meeting with the board. Fun was probably the very last thing that it would be. But, she wanted to go, and five minutes later they were all walking down the road towards Mr. Lowe’s office located in the middle of town.

  Eve set her hat again; pulling on the edges that flapped down on the sides.

  “You look beautiful,” Robert said. “Why are you so nervous?”

  Eve looked behind them to find Ben travelling a few feet behind them; out of earshot. He was glancing around at himself. Eve turned back to Robert. “Why are you letting me come to the meeting?”

  Robert did one of those lazy blinks that caused Eve to blush. “Because I want you to like me.”

  Eve shook her head and sighed. “If you let me have my company back…”

  “If I let you have your company back, the board would take it from you and you will lose everything.”

  Eve sighed. “They don’t have to know that you gave it to me.”

  Robert shook his head. “Yes, they would. The board would have to be alerted. It’s in the paperwork.”

  Eve narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like meeting with them.”

  “Why?”

  “No.”

  Robert shrugged. “Alright, let’s talk about other things.”

  Eve looked forward. The building was only a block away now. “No, Mr. Manning. Nothing else matters to me, but the company.”

  “Your children matter to y
ou.” It was a statement.

  Eve nodded. “Yes.”

  “Then let’s talk about children.” Robert smiled.

  Eve felt the red creep up her shoulders and spread up her neck. She kept her eyes forward. The building was only a few yards away. “I’d rather not.”

  “You promised me children. It’s in the contract.”

  Eve nodded stiffly. “I know what’s in the contract, Mr. Manning.”

  “Do you think we will have twins, Mrs. Manning?”

  Eve’s pace began to speed up. “I hope not.”

  Robert matched her stride. “You’re right. Perhaps a boy first. Then a girl.”

  Eve almost missed a step. She glanced over at Ben, who was still a few feet behind them, but had started to walk a little faster as well. Apparently, he was keeping his distance on purpose. Eve looked at Robert. “Why a boy first?”

  Robert lifted a brow and gave another lazy blink. “So that he can protect his sister.”

  Eve shook her head. “Girls don’t need boys to protect them.”

  Robert chuckled a deep sound. “Sure they do.”

  Eve turned and took the short flight of stairs that led up to Gregory Lowe’s office. She turned to Robert while he was still below her. “Women can take care of themselves.”

  Robert smiled. “Man should not live alone,” he said, quoting the Bible.

  Eve lifted a perfect dark brow. “Yes, man shouldn’t, but women can, Mr. Manning.”

  Robert frowned. “For a woman who works for a company that gives nothing but literary adventures and joy, you are quite cynical, Mrs. Manning.”

  Eve frowned. “You have no idea,” she said. She then turned and walked into the building, leaving the men behind.

  * * *

  7

  Chapter SEVEN

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  -

  “ Whether I am or have ever been married

  is no longer any of your concern.”

  Finally out of the boat, the young prince and Princess Evelyn were walking through the woods and a vicious lion began to attack. The young prince said, “Allow me to slay this lion.” But Princess Evelyn said, “No, I slay my own lion.” And she did.

  Robert, Ben, and Eve sat on one side of a long dark wooden table in a large conference room upstairs. On the other side were five men, with Mr. Lowe being the only man that Robert had yet to meet. The sun broke through the open arched windows and a cooling breeze cooled the room. The room was well decorated, and painted a neutral beige color with white crown molding and a wooden fireplace at one end that matched the same wood of the table. The chairs were comfortable as well. Outside the closed door, the soft sounds of distant chatter and the passing of feet in the hallway made background noise. Lowe & Co. was a very successful agency, and with success, possibly very powerful.

  “We’re so glad you could come, Mr. Manning,” Mr. Lowe said. He turned to the other man in the room. “Mr. Manning.” He then turned to Eve, giving her a genuine smile. “Mrs. Manning.”

  Eve tilted her head, but didn’t say more. Her eyes were narrowed. Her mouth set firmly in place. Robert sighed. If she could hold her peace through the meeting, he would not regret his choice of bringing her along.

  Mr. Lowe began to introduce each man in attendance; one by one, from left to right. There was Mr. Perch, the local grocer, a young man who looked to be in his early twenties. There was Mr. Howard, who was simply introduced as a businessman; which bothered Robert. As the oldest, heaviest, and tallest on their side, he dripped with jewelry; a ring with a different jewel sat on most of his fingers. He had short white hair and a full white mustache and beard that covered his mouth. Mr. Black, to his right, was the local dairy farmer and would have looked fit had it not been for the grand bulge in his stomach. He had short black hair, but wore a heavy black mustache. Mr. Neilly was last and was the towns tailor, and from the suit he wore, Robert could tell that the man had true talent. The black suit was cut impressively and with great precision for his small frame. All the men, except for Mr. Perch, were at least in the forties; some much older, but only a few had a friendly face on. But none of that mattered to Robert. With five men on the other side of the table, only one thought came to mind. There were too many hands in the cookie jar. Adam Haines had given too many shares of his company away.

  Mr. Neilly’s eyes drifted towards Eve, Ben, and then back to Robert. He had a soft voice. “We had thought ourselves to be speaking to you alone, Mr. Manning.”

  Robert’s smile slid into place. “My brother worked for one of New York’s top marketing firms. His insight is priceless, so I do insist that he be here.” Robert then turned to the very red Eve. He didn’t think the color had anything to do with embarrassment. No, it looked like anger. “And whatever you discuss with me can be heard in front of my wife.” He waited for Eve’s eyes to look over at him before turning back to the group on this other side. “Plus, Eve has been running the company by herself for the last six months, she’ll have more knowledge of the inner workings of Haines Press than I.”

  Mr. Neilly stiffened, but then nodded. Mr. Wright cleared his throat; but it didn’t do anything else. The tone still came out dry and raspy. “Well then, I want to discuss something that has been pressing on my heart for a long time, Mr. Manning.”

  “And what is that?” Robert asked.

  Mr. Wright turned his entire body towards Robert. He leaned in over the table. “The books. We must take out anything that is... fluff.”

  Robert watched Eve’s hands ball into two small white fists. He turned back to Mr. Wright. “And what is this ‘fluff’ you speak of, Mr. Wright.”

  Mr. Wright slammed his hand on the table. “Fiction, Mr. Manning! Fiction!”

  Robert stared at the man, waiting for more, but when no more came, Robert’s puzzlement grew. “Fiction?”

  Mr. Wright nodded. “That garbage clouds the mind and teaches nothing.”

  Robert had to fight to not smile on the outside, but he was finding the whole situation to be too humorous to bare. He seriously didn’t trust himself to speak at the moment. Thankfully, Ben did cut in. “And what would you have Haines Press publish?” he asked. He leaned forward, as if completely entrapped by the man’s every word.

  Wright leaned back, bringing up his chin. “My wife, Bess, has written a wide variety of books that are educational and thought-provoking.”

  Robert’s eyes widened. Now, he understood. Ben smiled. “Oh, has she?” Ben brightened. “And what does Mrs. Bess Wright, write about?”

  Mr. Wright seemed pleased by Ben’s intrigue. “Etiquette. Ladies etiquette.” He cut a look at Eve. “And tons of pages on a woman’s place in the world.”

  Eve opened her mouth. Robert grabbed her hand and squeezed forcibly. Eve closed her mouth. Robert turned to the other men. “Do you all feel this way?”

  Mr. Howard spoke. “I do not.”

  Robert left the breath he’d been holding leave him. Some of the tension slipped out of Eve as well. Robert turned to Mr. Howard, who was probably the oldest man in the room. The man was smiling as if enjoying himself. A businessman. He was probably the smartest man in the room. “How do you feel about fiction, Mr. Howard?”

  Mr. Howard’s pale blue eyes shined. When he spoke, his voice was deep and heavy. “Boy, anything that makes me money is alright with me.”

  Boy? Robert let it go. Best not fight with a potential ally. “So, you enjoy fiction?”

  Mr. Howard chuckled. “Haines Press could be selling pages of roadkill. As long as there was the promise of money, I’d still invest.” Mr. Howard looked over at Eve. “But business is a thing. A little girl can’t make hard decisions.”

  Eve huffed.

  Mr. Howard laughed. “Sorry girl, but the truth is the truth.”

  Robert shook his head. Mr. Howard had flaws, but not the kind that Robert had to deal with. He’s been worried about the wrong per
son in the room. Mr. Howard was a businessman. He saw the value in dollar signs and nothing more. Robert could work with that… up to a point. Robert turned to the youngest of the men in the group, Mr. Perch. “What say you, Mr. Perch?”

  Mr. Perch shrugged. “I inherited my share of the company from my father, Mr. Manning. I don’t know anything about this stuff.” He waved a hand in the air towards Robert’s side of the table as if to explain the ‘stuff’ away. “I also inherited the grocery store when my father died, Mr. Manning. It’s a lot of work to run a company.” He looked over at Eve cautiously. “And I too think that it best be run by a man.” He then flinched as if Eve had tried to hit him, though she hadn’t.

  Robert frowned. He looked over at Eve and found her to be giving Mr. Perch a very hostile look, but it wasn’t the one that is full of quick anger. It was a cool rage. It was hate and Robert realized that Eve had not lied to him yesterday in the park when she’d said that she didn’t hate him. This was a look of hate and Robert was grateful to not be on the receiving end of it. He sighed and then turned to Mr. Lowe. “And you, Mr. Lowe? What do you think of fiction?”

  Mr. Lowe smiled. “What pleasure, sir, find we in life to lock it from action and adventure?” In his own long drawn out accent of the west, he quoted Shakespeare.

  Robert smiled and nodded. Ben stood and looked at Robert. Robert nodded, allowing his brother to take over. Ben turned to the group. “Mr. Wright,” he began. “You could not be more correct.”

  Eve gasped. Robert’s hand tightened once more. Her breathing grew visible, but Ben never stopped talking. He’d captured the attention of the rest of the room. “Literature should be educational and thought-provoking! The fiction must cease!”

  Mr. Howard cut in. “Wait now…”

  Ben cut him off. “No! Mr. Wright, is right! Haines Press will not do anymore fiction.” He turned to Eve. “How much did Haines Press make last quarter?”

  Eve narrowed her eyes but quoted a large figure. Ben nodded. “And how much of that revenue came from the fictional genre?”