Mail Order Bride 22 Book Boxed set: 22 Brides Ride West :CLEAN Western Historical Romance Series Bundle
Page 94
Florence’s eyes went wide. Warmth spread through her. “Uh, yeah.”
Ben tilted his head. He narrowed his dark blue eyes. “I don’t know if you’re ready for this. It’s going to require a lot of effort on your part. Are you sure that you can handle that?”
Florence smiled in spite of herself. Benjamin was such a thrill. A dangerous thrill. Florence straightened; just realizing that she’d began to lean in closer to him. “I can do it.”
His eyes narrowed further; becoming nothing but a pair of slits in his strong face. “Are you sure you’re ready?”
Something like an electric current begin to tap its way through Florence’s nerve endings. “Benjamin, don’t tease me!”
He chuckled. “Out of everyone here, I’m coming to you. I need to know that you can do this.”
Florence’s face grew serious. “I’m ready, Benjamin. Now tell me.”
Benjamin’s smile widened even further. He knocked his knuckles against the wood before standing. He held out a hand; a signal that he was waiting for Florence.
Florence put her bag over her shoulder, stood, and allowed her hand to slowly descend into his. The moment her fingers touched his, Benjamin grasped her, and they were off. Florence was grateful she’d decided to wear her beige flats that had the straps on them. The loose knee length dress she wore was navy blue with light blue polka dots. For the first time, Florence realized that their attire blended nicely.
They were out the front door and walking towards the center of town before Florence asked, “Where are we going?” She struggled to keep up with Ben, but didn’t ask him to slow down. She liked being part of the fast pace lifestyle of the people around her. The sidewalk was packed. She almost felt like they were going on an adventure; though she knew that not to be true. It was just Haines, Kansas. Beautiful Haines, with its dark brick buildings, beautifully manicured front lawns, and a scattering of wildflowers with oak trees, standing tall and proud nearly everywhere you looked. It was not a traditional city. The city had a design that emphasized nature, art, and community. Haines was just a beautiful place and it was so clean that the city had received an award from the governor last year just for being the amazing place that it was.
They stopped at a crosswalk. A few cars went by, and then they were crossing; along with everyone else that had waited. A street cop used gestures to rush the people along. Benjamin looked over at her. “We’re going to Mr. Howard’s office.”
Florence’s eyes went wide. “He’s the richest man in town.”
Benjamin nodded. They made it to the other side of the street. They walked straight up the sidewalk and skirted around a kid that was selling the daily newspapers. Florence didn’t need one. She’d helped design the thing. Benjamin was now rushing them across another street when he said, “I told you that this would be important.”
Florence’s heart began to beat quickly. “What’s the assignment?”
“You’ll find out soon enough.”
They made it across the next street and then walked the final block that would take them to their destination. Benjamin helped Florence up the front stairs and then opened the door for her. Howard Hotel. It was one of the largest buildings in Haines. It boasted of solid cherry wood walls, gas lit chandeliers, and cream marble flooring. A table sat in the middle of the room. On it sat a large bouquet of flowers. A wide staircase stood behind it. There were people milling about in the lobby. A couple sat in a chair in the waiting area. A man stood at a concierge desk, busy with his ledger. Benjamin walked toward the man and the young man looked up, smiling at them as they approached. “Hello, Mr. Manning. How’s your day going?”
Florence frowned at Ben, but Ben didn’t see it. Ben was smiling at the younger man. “It’s going wonderfully, Tony, thank you. I’m here to see Mr. Howard at the moment.
Tony smiled. “Alright. Please have a seat in the lobby and I’ll get you when he’s ready.”
Ben nodded and thanked the young attendant. He then placed a hand on Florence’s back and led her to the other side of the room. He helped her take her seat before taking his own. Florence started talking before he could get comfortable. “How do you know Tony so well?”
Ben smiled. “I live here.”
Florence’s eyes widen. “You live here?”
Ben nodded.
“Why? Why don’t you buy a house?”
Ben shrugged. “I like it here.” He smiled and looked around. “Plus, I never have to clean my own room.”
Florence laughed. “I would never have guessed you to not be a neat person.”
Ben shook his head. “Oh, I’m tidy enough, but if someone was willing to clean your rooms and make your bed, you can’t honestly tell me that you’d turn them down.”
“It would depend.”
“On?”
“Money, for one.”
Ben shrugged. “I make a good living as Head of Marketing at Haines.”
“Apparently.” Florence smiled and looked around the small lobby area. It was a lovely place. “But I would rather have a little house of my own. It’s all I’ve ever really wanted.”
Ben frowned. “You’ve lived in Haines your entire life. Why haven’t you bought property yet?”
Florence crossed her knees and leaned forward to wrap an arm around the top of her knee. She frowned. “Eddie. He’d spend every cent that I earned.”
“But Eddie is gone, now.”
Florence looked at him. “Thanks to you.”
Ben sighed. Florence shook her head. “Either way, now that Eddie is gone, I’ve been able to save money every month towards possibly buying myself a home next year.”
Benjamin nodded. “That’s good, right?”
A recurring pain started in Florence’s chest. “Yeah, but with a baby coming along… I’m almost sure that the money will have to go to him or her. So, who knows when I’ll be able to get a home of my own.”
Ben placed an arm on the back of Florence’s chair and leaned towards her. “I told you months ago that I’d be willing to take care of you.”
Florence looked around the lobby. A couple was looking at them; judging them no doubt, assuming that they were going to a hotel room. It didn’t matter. Nothing like that mattered anymore. Florence was already pregnant and she hadn’t been married to the father. Her reputation was ruined. She looked at Ben. “What would you do, Ben? Move us into your hotel room?”
Ben frowned. “Of course not, Florence. I’d buy you any house you wanted.”
Florence laughed. “You know, for someone who doesn’t want to marry for love, some of the things you say border on being romantic.”
Ben frowned. “I’m not trying to be romantic. I’m simply stating a fact.”
Florence frowned. “I can’t marry you, Benjamin. I don’t like being alone, but I want to be with someone who will love me.”
“Some luxuries are beyond us all.”
Florence leaned away from him. “And just like that, you’ve managed to ruin the moment.”
“What moment?”
“Never mind.”
A woman approached; her hair was a dark dye bottle red. She was smiling. “Mr. Howard will see you now.” And just like that, her irritation turned to anxiety.
* * *
2
Chapter TWO
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“I can’t marry you, Benjamin. I don’t
like being alone, but I want to be
with someone who will love me.”
.
Ben stood and then helped Florence to her feet. They followed the woman as she led them down a hall by the staircase. Florence closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. She could smell salt and potatoes. Her stomach lurched. She was hungry. Ben touched her back. “Are you alright?”
She nodded and reopened her eyes. “Yes. Just hungry.”
“I’ll make sure you eat after the meetin
g.”
Florence glanced a look at him as they came to a stop at the last door down the hall. She whispered. “I can feed myself.”
“I never doubted that you could.”
The redheaded woman turned and smiled at them as she propped the door open and gestured them in ahead of her. They walked into the room, which looked like a small office and then watched as the redhead walked toward a set of double doors on one side of the room and opened them wide. On the other side of that larger space, and sitting behind a desk, was Mr. Howard; a smile hidden by his white mustache and beard. The dramatics of this moment was certainly not lost on Florence.
Florence and Ben walked into the spacious and brightly lit room together. The redhead closed the door behind them with a snap. The room was silent and then Mr. Howard stood. “Benjamin,” the name fell from his lips in his strong southern drawl. “So glad you could come.” Mr. Howard walked out behind the desk and stood before Florence. His eyes wide. “You have the most amazing eyes I’ve ever seen, girl.”
Florence blushed. “Uh, thank you.”
Mr. Howard smiled. “You married? I’ve been meaning to get around to wife number three.”
Florence’s eyes went wide. “Uh—”
Ben cleared his throat. “Howard,” he warned, though there was a smile on his face.
Mr. Howard chuckled as he looked at the taller man. “What? You claiming her?”
Ben sighed. “Florence Tilson. This is Mr. James Howard.”
Florence shook the man’s hand. “I went to school with your daughter, Amy.”
Mr. Howard laughed. “Oh, that’s right. I always liked you. I always liked you a lot.” He turned and walked back towards his desk. He pointed one of his ring clad fingers at the twin chairs that were before him. “Have a seat, folks and let’s get down to business.”
Florence put her bag down on the floor next to her and then took her seat. The men followed suit.
Mr. Howard leaned forward and looked at Florence, though he spoke to Ben. “So, you want to put this lady in charge of the whole project?”
“Well, I’ll manage it, but yes, Florence would be head of design.”
Howard nodded. “You got something I can look at, girl?”
Florence blinked and then reached for her bag, pulling out her portfolio. She handed the binder to Howard and the man flipped through it; giving it a scan. “Hm. These are really good.” He looked at her. “You did these? Ain’t no way a little thing like you did this.”
Ben smiled. “I would only call in the best for something like this.”
Florence looked at him. Ben had never said anything like that to her before. They’d worked on projects before, but a compliment of this magnitude was huge. Howard got her attention then. “Miss Tilson, as the head of the business committee here in town, I’m in charge of Haines’ section at the Kansas State Fair. We’ve got tons of people here ready to put their work on display at the fair in just a few months, but we need someone to design our advertising, and not just for the papers, but for the fair itself. Signs, banners, posters, booth covers, the whole nine yards. You understand?”
Florence swallowed. “You want me to design everything?”
Ben grabbed her hand. “We want you to lead the design team. We want you to come up with a powerful theme that will draw the crowds to our side of the field.”
Howard spoke. “A design of this magnitude is going to fetch Haines Press a pretty penny, and could quite possibly open the company up to a whole new branch of business. Do you understand that, girl?”
Florence blinked. Were these men saying that the future of a new marketing division at Haines Press laid on her shoulders? She looked at Benjamin. Was this a joke? Howard spoke again. “Not to mention the kind of money you’d be able to make if all goes well. We’re expecting hundreds of thousands of people at the fair this year.”
Ben’s hand tightened on Florence’s. “She can do it.”
Florence looked at him. Did he really have that much faith in her?
Howard spoke again. “I don’t know. It might be more of a man’s pursuit.”
Florence’s head swung towards Mr. Howard. “I can do it.” Her hand tightened in Ben’s.
Howard narrowed his eyes and then sighed. “Well, the last time I doubted a woman Benjamin brought to a meeting, I got read my rights.” Florence smiled. She knew the story. Ben and Robert had come to town on a mission; regain control of Eve’s company. The woman at the meeting had been Eve, and together, they had succeeded in putting the members of the board, which included Mr. Howard, rightfully in their place. Eve, who was back to running her father’s company, was currently proving the one thing that every man had doubted; that a woman could do anything that a man could. Howard shook his head. “I was proven wrong before, so I’m ready to be proven wrong again… So long as I make money.” He smiled.
Florence smiled and stood. She stretched her hand to Mr. Howard. “Be ready to be amazed, Mr. Howard.”
Howard stood and shook her hand. He chuckled. “You’re a spirited little thing. You sure you’re not interested in marrying? I got more money than you’d ever know what to with.”
Florence took her hand back, but kept her smile in place. “I’m going to give you something better than my hand, Mr. Howard.”
He looked at her under hooded eyes. “Yeah? What’s that?”
“Money.”
He chuckled. “A woman after my own heart.”
Florence laughed and then turned to Ben who stood by her. He was practically glowing in her direction. He retook her hand, shook Mr. Howard’s with his other, and then started out of the office. They were out in the hall when Ben finally spoke. “You did beautifully. I knew you’d charm him.”
Florence frowned. “Is that why you brought me?”
Ben made a turn that took them both into the hotel’s dining hall. “It was one of the reasons.”
A hostess took them to a table and Ben held out a chair for Florence; which she took, begrudgingly. When Ben finally sat, Florence attacked him. “You gave me a job because I was attractive?”
Ben gave Florence a hard look. “I would never hire anyone for a job of this magnitude just because they were ‘attractive’.” He brought up his menu; shutting off the view of his face.
“Hm.” Florence snapped up her own menu. “Good.”
His menu came down. “Though, your beauty did help seal the deal.”
Florence’s menu followed. “How so?”
“Howard is a sucker for eyes.” Ben brought his menu back up. “What are you going to eat? I think I’ll have an omelet.”
Florence put her menu back up. She looked at it. Her stomach grumbled; loudly. “Everything on the menu sounds good to me.”
“Then have everything,” he said.
Florence put her menu down. “I can’t have everything. I’d get fat.”
Ben put his menu down; his face said he clearly thought her to be silly. “It’s one meal. Besides, you’re eating for two now.”
Florence sighed. “Still, a lady shouldn’t eat so much.”
Ben frowned. “Says who?”
Florence frowned. “Men only marry skinny women.”
Ben shook his head. “You could gain twenty pounds and I’d still ask you to marry me.”
Florence blushed. “Ben,” she placed her hands on her cheeks.
“Besides, you could stand to gain a few pounds. You’re almost too thin.”
Florence sighed. “See what I mean? You always ruin the moment.”
“What moment?”
A waitress came by and brought them water. Her name was Mary. “Are you ready to order?”
“Yes—”
“No—”
The waitress laughed. “You two are the most adorable couple I’ve ever seen.”
Florence snorted. “We—”
“Thank you.” Ben smiled at the woman. “And we are ready to order. I’ll have the omelet and my wife will be having a little bit of everythi
ng.”
Florence gasped. “Benjamin.”
The waitress asked, “Bread, biscuits, and pancakes?”
Ben nodded. “Yup.”
Florence sighed. “Ben—”
The waitress wrote. “Sausage, bacon, and ham?”
Ben’s smile widened. “Yup.”
The waitress asked, “One egg?”
Ben laughed. “Two at least!”
“No,” Florence said.
“Scrambled?” the waitress asked.
“Sounds good,” Ben said.
Florence said, “Hello? Am I still here?”
“Grits, oatmeal, porridge, and potatoes?” the waitress continued to ask.
Florence turned to the waitress. “No porridge. I hate porridge.”
Ben tsked at the waitress. “No porridge. You heard the woman.”
“Got it,” the waitress said, then left.
Ben smiled at Florence’s fallen face. “See, was that so hard?”
Florence crossed her arms. “I’ll never finish it.”
“I’ll help.”
Florence sighed, then looked away. “You’re most adorable when you pout.”
Florence smiled.
“Though, I hear that if you keep the frown lines going, they’ll stay forever. Not the most attractive thing on a woman.”
Florence sighed. Benjamin Manning was going to drive Florence into an insane asylum.
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3
Chapter THREE
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“I can’t marry you, Benjamin. I don’t
like being alone, but I want to be
with someone who will love me.”
.
Ben took another sip of the oatmeal and smiled across the table at Florence. Her eyes were closed and she moaned after every bite. The small restaurant was another reason Ben had chosen to stay at the Howard Hotel. The food was excellent.