Handpicked Husband (Love Inspired Historical)

by Griggs, Winnie

  One photograph in particular caught his eye. Adam took a closer look and barely stopped himself from picking it up. Something about this one reminded him of Regina herself.

  A prickly vine that one normally wouldn’t give a second glance to had somehow found a way to lift itself off the ground and boldly stand upright. The three nondescript blossoms set amid the briars were just enough to soften its appearance without taking away from its feisty defiance. Then there was the use of a glittery backdrop, a spangled spider web of all things, to make the world sit up and take notice.

  A smile tugged the corner of his mouth. Oh, yes, this was Mother Nature’s own version of Regina Nash and her can’t-ignore-me wagon.

  Adam stepped out of the workroom a moment later to find Regina staring at the contents of a lower cupboard. He cleared his throat to make his presence known.

  She straightened abruptly. “All done?”

  “Yes. Thanks for letting me have a look. A remarkable collection.”

  “I’m glad you approve,” she said uncomfortably, before turning away again.

  “In fact,” he said impulsively, “I’d like to purchase one of them.”

  She glanced over her shoulder and he could tell she was as startled as he by the offer. “You want to buy one of my photographs?”

  “Yes, I do.” Suddenly he was quite certain he had to have it. “I’m interested in the one of the prickly vine and spider web.”

  Something flickered in her expression. “Why that one?”

  He shrugged. “It reminds me of something.”

  “You have a good eye—that’s the best of the lot.” She turned to face him fully. “But I already have a buyer for those.”

  Her reluctance only made him more determined. “I’m certain you don’t send them every photograph you take.” He waved a hand. “I only want the one, and I’ll pay you the same price as your other buyer.”

  She hesitated a moment longer, then nodded. “All right, if you’re so set on it. I’ll have it ready for you when you come to supper tonight.”

  Adam leaned back on his heels, feeling as if he’d won a victory of sorts.

  He’d have a souvenir to take home after all.

  * * *

  The next day it was Everett who Mrs. Peavy escorted into the parlor.

  “Ah, there you are.” Reggie laid the book aside and stood. “I trust you’re ready to get underway?”

  Everett’s jaw dropped as he took in her appearance. “Surely you’re not going out dressed like that?”

  Reggie glanced down at her clothing—an old blue striped shirt of Lemuel’s and a green calico skirt that had seen better days—then looked back at Everett. “Why? Is there a tear I can’t see?”

  Everett shook his head. “No. But...I mean, surely you have something more suitable to wear in public.”

  “Suitable? I did mention that we would be doing outdoor photography today, didn’t I?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “Well, these are my outdoor work clothes. Not my most presentable ones, I’ll allow, but serviceable enough. Surely you’re not embarrassed to be seen with me?”

  “I—” He paused and swallowed audibly.

  “Yes?” She laced her voice with sugar.

  His eyes narrowed and he stared at her as if just realizing something. He tugged the cuff of his shirt and executed a polite bow. “Not at all. You look lovely as ever. I await your pleasure.”

  Reggie smiled. He’d obviously just realized she’d deliberately dressed this way to annoy him.

  So, he thought he was ready to meet the challenge, did he?

  Time for part two of her plan. “It’s a thirty-minute ride to the Keeter place, so we’d best get started. I told Ira we’d meet him at the studio.”

  Everett offered her his arm and escorted her from the room.

  The studio was normally a five-minute walk from the house, but it took a bit longer today since Reggie made a point of calling out greetings to everyone they passed.

  Not that she needed to make an effort to call attention to herself. This getup was extreme, even for her.

  She had to admit, though, Everett took it well. He hadn’t winced more than once or twice at the looks they attracted as they walked down the sidewalk.

  When they reached the studio, however, he paled visibly. Parked in front of the building was her wagon, in all its colorful glory.

  “There you are,” Ira said cheerfully. “I was beginning to wonder if I’d have to fetch you.”

  Regina turned to Everett. “I hope you don’t mind taking the reins. I told Ira he could have the afternoon off.”

  The man looked like he’d just bit an unripe persimmon. But he nodded gamely. “Of course.”

  Reggie met his determined smile with one of her own. If he thought she’d thrown her worst at him, he’d soon learn different.

  Once he’d helped her board, Reggie settled back in her seat. “I’ll give you directions as we go. For now, just head east, right through the middle of town.”

  Everett’s jaw tightened, but he obediently set the wagon in motion. “It won’t work,” he said stiffly.

  “What won’t work?” Reggie used her most innocent of tones.

  “No matter how big a spectacle you make of yourself, I won’t back down.”

  Hah! We’ll see about that. “Don’t you mean how big a spectacle I make of us?”

  He gave her a sour look before facing forward again. “As I said, it doesn’t matter. I gave Judge Madison my word, and I plan to keep it.”

  Reggie nodded approvingly. “A man of your word, are you? That’s one of the qualities I’m looking for in a father figure for Jack.”

  Reggie’s lips twitched as Everett’s face paled. He definitely didn’t want to contemplate the idea of “winning” their marriage lottery.

  She turned her face upward and inhaled deeply. “It’s a lovely afternoon, don’t you think?”

  He made a noncommittal sound.

  She smiled. “Do you know any songs, Mr. Fulton?”

  That won her a startled, somewhat apprehensive glance. “A few.”

  “Sing one for me, please.”

  “Sing? You mean now?” He looked as if she’d asked him to dance naked in the street.

  “Of course. This is the beginning of our public courtship, after all. I’ve always thought being serenaded by a beau would be quite romantic.” She raised a brow in challenge. “Unless you no longer consider yourself a suitor for my hand.”

  Everett remained silent for a moment, but from the way his jaw worked she could tell he wrestled with some inner emotion. Finally, he nodded. “Very well.” He took a deep breath and began signing.

  The song was more spirited than loverlike, but Reggie had no desire to quibble with his choice. It would serve her purpose nicely. Predictably, however, his voice was pitched to reach her ears only.

  She folded her hands in her lap and stared at him with a rapt expression. “Very nice,” she whispered, “but do try to put more enthusiasm into it. We want everyone to know you’re enjoying my company.”

  Looking none too happy, Everett nevertheless increased the volume a notch.

  By now they were attracting a fair share of attention. Reggie even noticed a few strollers calling into shop doors and motioning others to come out.

  Everett reached the end of his little ditty, and Reggie clapped appreciatively. “Well done. I’ve never heard that song before, but I like it. Do you suppose you could sing it again, and this time I’ll join in on the chorus?” She gave him a coy smile. “I find singing is so much more fun when you have someone to share it with.”

  With a decided lack of enthusiasm, Everett nodded. He opened his mouth to begin, then stiffened and snapped it shut.

  Reggie followed his gaze to see Adam and Chance standing in front of the boardinghouse, making no attempts to hide their grins.

  “Don’t pay them no nevermind.” She patted his hand. “It’s me you’re trying to please, remember?” />
  Encouraging the horse to a faster pace, Everett nodded and started into his song again.

  She noted he focused straight ahead, a stony expression on his face.

  As soon as he finished the opening verse, Reggie was ready. Head high, she took a deep breath and enthusiastically joined in the chorus.

  Before she could get out more than a few notes, Everett stopped mid-lyric and his head snapped around to stare at her. Reggie continued another two lines then stopped as if just noticing she was singing alone.

  “What’s the matter? Did I get the words wrong?”

  “It was hard to tell,” he said tightly.

  She clicked her tongue in a tsking sound. “Come now, that wasn’t very gentlemanly.”

  “You’re her, aren’t you?”

  “Her?”

  “Don’t play coy. You know very well I’m referring to that hoyden we encountered on the way to your cabin.”

  Reggie grinned. “Oh, that her. Yep, that was me.”

  “Did you enjoy playing us for fools?”

  “If I recall, you gents assumed from the get-go I was nothing but a bumpkin. I just chose not to disagree.”

  Reggie laughed as if greatly amused and gave him a none-too-gentle nudge. “Now if you don’t mind, pretend I just told you something funny and share a laugh with me. Then we’ll start singing again so everyone sees how well-suited we are.”

  Everett’s laugh had a bite to it. Then, visibly bracing himself, he started into the song’s refrain once more.

  Reggie joined in, mentally patting herself on the back.

  If things continued the way she’d planned, by the time they returned to town, Everett would have trouble conjuring up even a fake smile, much less a laugh.

  * * *

  Adam stepped out of the livery several hours later just in time to see Regina and Everett roll back into town.

  And what a woeful sight it was.

  He tilted back his hat and shook his head.

  Whatever the two of them had been up to, it had definitely taken the wind out of Everett’s sails. Not only was the fastidious dandy dirty and disheveled, but he had a queasy, dazed look about him, as if he’d experienced something too horrible to endure.

  What had the clever Regina been up to?

  Adam stepped off the sidewalk. “Hold on a minute.”

  The wilted dandy obediently halted the vehicle.

  “It appears you could use a rest and a bit of freshening up.” Adam tried not to let his amusement show. “Why don’t you climb down and allow me the pleasure of driving Miss Nash the rest of the way?”

  Did he detect a glint of gratitude in Everett’s expression? Regina really must have put him through the wringer today.

  “Thank you.” Everett quickly set the brake. “I—” He paused and turned reluctantly to Regina. “If Miss Nash doesn’t mind, that is?”

  She waved him aside. “Of course not. And thank you again for all your help today. I’m sure we’ll have some very nice photographs from this session.”

  Everett grimaced, then nodded. A moment later he had hopped down, exchanged stiff pleasantries with Adam and turned toward the boardinghouse.

  “Oh, Mr. Fulton.”

  At Regina’s hail, Everett paused and turned back to face her.

  “I have an appointment to take photographs at Milford Conners’s place Wednesday. I trust I can count on you to assist me again?”

  Everett executed a curt bow. “Of course.”

  “Good. We’ll talk about it more at supper tonight.”

  Another nod and Everett again turned, this time making his escape with quicker steps.

  Adam climbed up and took the reins. He watched Everett’s quickly retreating form, then raised a brow Regina’s way. “And just what torture did you put your escort through this afternoon? Outside of singing for him, that is.”

  She laughed. “That was a most unkind thing to say. And, Mr. Busybody, all I did was get Everett to help me pose Cletus Keeter and Lulu.”

  “Don’t try that innocent tone on me. I’m not buying it. There’s bound to be more to the story than that.”

  Reggie absently twirled a tendril of hair around one finger. “Did I forget to mention that Lulu is Cletus’s pig?”

  Adam let out a startled laugh. “Everett helped you pose a pig?”

  “Oh, this wasn’t just any pig,” she assured him with a straight face. “Lulu is Cletus’s pride and joy. She won him two blue ribbons at the county fair last month.”

  “Impressive.”

  “Yes, it is. But I’m afraid Mr. Fulton didn’t see it that way.” She waved a hand. “Of course, Lulu wasn’t at her best today. The camera flash upset her, so she took quite a bit of calming down after the first shot.”

  “Let me guess. That was Everett’s job.”

  Reggie nodded. “Mr. Fulton was a bit squeamish at first, but he finally got enough dirt on him to realize a bit more wasn’t going to make a jot of difference. I think he began to see it as a sort of personal challenge toward the end.”

  She gave an unconvincing sigh. “I’m afraid Mr. Fulton didn’t have nice things to say about pigs in general, and Lulu in particular, on the way back to town.”

  Adam shook his head. “I’d have given a pretty penny to see him work with that pig.”

  “You’ll get your chance,” she said smugly. “I got a shot of him and Lulu together, though I don’t think our friend plans to ask for a copy.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Maybe I’ll hang it in my studio.”

  The woman was downright devious. “He’d buy it from you first.”

  She raised a brow. “He can’t buy what I’m not selling.”

  By this time they’d reached her studio. “Where do you keep this circus wagon when it’s not in use?”

  She pointed to a side street. “There’s a storage building around the corner that Ira converted into a carriage house. But stop here first so I can unload my things.”

  Before Adam could set the brake on the wagon, Ira stepped onto the sidewalk.

  “How did it go?” he asked as he handed Reggie down.

  “Exactly as planned,” she replied with a satisfied smile. “I don’t think your job is in any jeopardy from Mr. Fulton.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Reggie pushed back from the table with a smile. “An excellent meal as usual, Mrs. Peavy.”

  The men pushed back their chairs as well, politely standing as she rose from her seat.

  “Lemuel usually stepped out on the back porch after supper to smoke a cigar.” Reggie moved toward the parlor. “I trust, however, that none of you share that smelly habit.”

  “If any of us do,” Adam said diplomatically, “I’m sure he can refrain while we are guests in your home.”

  Reggie nodded and sat down on the small sofa that occupied the place of honor in the parlor. Jack settled beside her and the four men arranged themselves with a minimum of fuss in nearby chairs.

  A moment of silence ensued, which Chance finally jumped in to fill. “Everett was rather closed-mouthed about your little outing today, Miss Nash. Perhaps you’ll be more forthcoming on how he managed to acquire that generous and rather aromatic spattering of dirt.”

  Everett did his best to appear bored, though Reggie detected a slight stiffening of his spine.

  She cast a quick glance Adam’s way. So, he hadn’t filled the others in on the story. Did he feel compassion for Everett? Or was it more he wished to keep his distance from the lot of them?

  Reggie smiled at Chance. “Taking photographs, especially outdoors, tends to be messier than most folks credit. Especially when you’re new at it the way Mr. Fulton is. I’m sure he’ll get better at maintaining his footing with practice.”

  She managed to hold back her grin at the sight of the wince on Everett’s face. Just wait until he found out their trip to the Conners’s farm on Wednesday was to photograph a pair of goats.

  Amazing how many folks had taken her up on her offer to photograp
h the animals that had taken ribbons at the county fair.

  Jack yawned and she gave his shoulder a squeeze. “Now, young man, run along to the kitchen and see if Mrs. Peavy needs help with the dishes. Then it’s off to bed. I’ll check in on you when I come up later.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He gave her neck a generous hug before he said goodnight to the others. Reggie’s heart squeezed in response. Those little signs of affection seemed more precious than ever now.

  Once Jack had exited, Reggie crossed back to the sofa. “Well, gentlemen, I suppose we should discuss what we want to accomplish this week.”

  “I thought I’d begin those repairs tomorrow,” Mitchell volunteered. “What would you like me to tackle first?”

  “I think replacing the damaged shingles is the most pressing need,” Reggie answered. “When should I expect you?”

  “I’d like to get started early, before the heat gets so bad.” He tilted his head deferentially. “However, I don’t want to rouse the household before you’re up and about.”

  “Any time after six o’clock will be fine.”

  Mitchell nodded. “A few minutes after six it is.”

  She turned to Chance next. “The committees for the fundraiser are meeting at the town hall tomorrow at two o’clock. Can I count on you to escort me?”

  “Of course.”

  Then she faced Everett. “And I assume you’re prepared to accompany me to the Conners’s farm on Wednesday.”

  Everett gave a short nod. “What time shall I come by?”

  “I promised Milford we’d be there by ten. If we left at nine-thirty that should give us plenty of time.”

  “Very well.”

  His tone reflected a decided lack of enthusiasm. Perhaps her plan was already bearing fruit.

  “We’ll discuss other outings another time. For now, it’s growing late and I have a busy day tomorrow.”

  She escorted them to the front porch, then turned to Adam. “If you don’t mind, I’d like a word with you.”

  His brow raised in surprise. “Of course.”

  The other three exchanged glances but left without comment.

  Reggie leaned against the porch rail, studying the bushes that flanked the steps. “Jack told me about the bag of marbles you brought him while I was out with Everett today. And how you spent time teaching him to play.”