by Unknown
Nick’s laughter echoed through the hallway, and Abigail’s heart beat faster. Curse his hide for making me feel this way, she thought. How could she run a newspaper with him around to disturb her? She could simply dismiss him today. Yet just thinking about not seeing him left an ache in her chest.
A knock came at the door and Harry entered the office. “Hello, my dear.” He walked over to her and kissed her forehead. “How are you today? I must admit, I’m rather surprised to see you here.”
“Yes, I think I shocked a lot of people by coming to work. But I need to keep busy.”
“That’s understandable.” Harry sat behind her father’s desk and arranged the papers scattered across the top. “What do you need to talk to me about?”
“I’m ready to step in and assume my role as owner of the newspaper.”
Harry’s head snapped up and he stared at her with wide eyes. “You cannot be serious.”
“I can’t? Why is that? Because I’m a woman?”
“Well, frankly, yes. Awoman cannot run a business, especially one as large and respected as this newspaper.”
Abigail folded her arms. “Then I’d like to prove them wrong.”
Harry moved away from the desk and stood in front of her, taking her hands in his. “Abigail, will you listen to me? I know what I’m talking about. Society won’t let you do it, even if you want to. If you insist on doing this, please let me help you. I know more about the newspaper than anyone. With me by your side, we could accomplish a lot.”
“Why of course, Harry. I don’t plan on letting you go. You’ll still retain your position with the newspaper, but instead of going to my father for instructions and advice, you’ll come to me.”
His lips twitched with what looked to be a smirk. Anger rose in Abigail’s chest. Why didn’t he believe in her?
“Abigail, darling, I think you should reconsider. Do you know how hard this would be? In fact, it might even hurt the company. If people knew a woman ran it, they wouldn’t take us seriously, and they might not buy our paper. Do you think that’s something your father would want?”
Abigail sighed. “I’ll think about it some more, Harry.”
“That’s my girl.” He squeezed her hard. “Now, why don’t you run home and find something to do.” It sounded like an order rather than a suggestion.
“Because I want to stay here.” She almost choked on the emotion in her throat.
“All right, but just for a while. I’m still training Mr. Marshal.”
“Harry, what if I don’t want him working here?”
Harry frowned. “I just told you how the man has proven himself.” He shook his head. “I would like him to stay on. If you have a problem with that, then I’ll place him somewhere you won’t have to see him. I believe he will be a great asset to our paper.”
“I’m certain he will,” Abigail muttered.
He moved to open the door. “I’ll be back in a little while.”
“Thank you, Harry.”
As he walked out the door, he nearly collided with someone. Abigail looked around Harry to see who had blocked his path. When she recognized the older man, she froze.
“Please excuse me, but I’m here to see my niece,” her uncle said with authority.
Her heart jumped to her throat. It had been years since she’d said more than a few words to her uncle. Her father didn’t want Uncle Alexander in their lives. So, why was he here now?
Harry looked back at Abigail. She nodded. “It’s all right. I’ll see him.”
Her uncle Alexander entered the room with his chin held high.Abigail sat behind her father’s desk and linked her fingers together. “What a surprise it is to see you, Uncle Alexander.”
“Yes. I fear we didn’t get much time to talk at the cemetery.”
“Evenifwedid,Idon’tthinkIwouldhavebeenpolitecompany. It was a very trying day, and I was out of sorts for most of it.”
“I’m sure you were, as were the rest of us.”
She motioned to the chair. “Would you like to have a seat?”
“No. What I’ve come to say will not take long.”
“Then by all means, please tell me what you have come to see me about.”
“I don’t think my brother was in his right mind when he left his company and other holdings to you.”
She gasped. How dare he say such a thing!
“I’ve known for many years how innocent and naive you are, and most of that is due to the way your father coddled you.” Alexander crossed his arms over his chest. “But I feel I was cheated. I should have received more of Edward’s wealth.”
“Uncle Alexander,” Abigail began, struggling to keep her voice steady, “I understand how hard this is for you to comprehend. My father did leave you a small amount of money in his will, and I think it’s quite rude and inappropriate of you to demand more. I will not give you one penny more. There was a reason my father left it to me and not you.”
He slapped his hands on the desk, making her jump. His steel-gray eyes bore into her like bands of fire. “I thought you’d react in such a way.”
“Well, of course.” Her voice lifted as she rose to her feet. “This is my inheritance, and you want to take it away.”
“So, you force me to do something I’d rather not do.”
She scowled. “And what is that, pray tell, Uncle Alexander?”
“I will take you to court. I will prove you are unfit to handle such a big responsibility. If I must, I will prove to the courts that you are insane.”
Abigail gasped. “You cannot be serious.”
“I’m very serious, my dear niece.”
“The courts will not believe you. My father was a highly respected man in town. They know I was raised properly.”
Alexander shrugged. “Maybe, maybe not. But I plan to make you appear insane, and don’t think I won’t. To stop me, all you have to do is give me what I think I should have received. It’s as simple as that.”
Could he accomplish such a feat? Abigail wondered. Would the courts believe him over her? And if she decided to fight him, would Harry and the staff at the newspaper back her?
Nineteen
Watching the door to Edward Carlisle’s office, Nick paced the floor, trying to act like he was working. Abby was inside with her uncle, whom Nick recognized from the cemetery. From what she had told Nick about the events leading up to her death, he knew the purpose of her uncle’s visit was to demand more of Edward’s money. And if Nick remembered the story correctly, Abby would soon ask Harry to kick the greedy man out of the building.
Nick rubbed his hands on his pant legs, itching to throw out the jerk himself.
“Harry!” Abby’s voice rang out in panic.
Nick dashed toward the room, determined to be the first one in. As he yanked open the door, adrenaline flowed through him.
“Nick,” Abby said with a sigh.
“Miss Carlisle, is this man giving you problems?”
Tears glistened in her eyes as she nodded.
Nick grabbed Alexander by the lapels of his suit and lifted him until his toes barely touched the floor. “Nobody hurts Miss Carlisle. Do I make myself clear?”
Alexander tried to wiggle out of Nick’s grasp, but Nick wouldn’t budge. He shook the older man again. “Do you hear me?”
“Yes, now put me down.”
Nick let go of him as if he were hot coals. Alexander stumbled backward.
“Miss Carlisle,” Nick said calmly, “would you like me to escort your uncle outside?”
“Yes, please.” Her voice trembled.
Alexander stepped in front of Nick, his face red and his eyes glaring. “Let me pass.”
“This is a warning,” Nick said in a low voice. “You will keep your distance. If you don’t, I will come after you, and you’ll regret not heeding my words. Do you understand?”
The man nodded, his jaw tight and his hands in fists at his sides.
Nick stepped away from the door to let Alexander th
rough. A crowd of employees had gathered. Harry stood in front, his mouth agape, but when Alexander walked past, Harry grasped his arm and hurried him along the hall toward the stairs.
The crowd followed Harry and Alexander, but Nick rushed back into the office and closed the door. Abby stood by the window, her arms hugging her quivering body. Nick’s stride ate up the distance between them and he pulled her into his arms. She stiffened, but as soon as he gently pressed her head to his chest, her body crumbled against him.
She cried into his shirt while he stroked her back, speaking softly in her ear. “It’s over now. I won’t let him come near you again.”
She sobbed louder, and Nick held her tighter.
“I won’t let him do what he threatened. That inheritance is yours, not his.”
Abby’s crying stopped, and she jerked her head up. “How—” she swallowed “—how do you know what he said?”
Silently, Nick scolded himself for messing up again. How could he get out of it this time? “I’ve known for a while what your uncle has planned.”
She shook her head. “But how?”
He wiped her tears with his fingers. “You know how your grandmother has dreams about future events?”
Abby nodded.
“Sometimes I know what will happen in the future too.”
Her mouth hung open. “Indeed?”
Nick smiled. “Yes, in a rather odd way. That’s how I know I’m supposed to protect you.”
“I—I still don’t understand.”
He hadn’t planned to explain things now, but he felt he had no choice. “Abby, do you believe in ghosts?”
Her gaze narrowed and she frowned at him.
“How about time travel? Do you believe that could happen?”
“Nick, you’re talking nonsense. What do you mean?”
As he opened his mouth to explain, heavy footsteps boomed on the floor outside the office. Sounded like Harry and his crew were coming to check on Abby.
Nick quickly stepped away, not wanting to give the staff anything to gossip about. The door flew open and Harry hurried inside and straight to Abby, taking her in his arms. Nick clenched his jaw and forced himself not to rush over and pull her away.
Harry lifted Abby’s chin and studied her face. “What happened? What did that man say?”
She shook her head and finished drying her eyes. “It’s over now. He’s gone and that’s all that matters.”
“No, I want to know what he said to upset you,” Harry said anxiously.
“My father disliked Uncle Alexander for the last few years, and now I know why. My uncle was trying to be pushy. He wanted more money than my father had already given him.”
Harry raked his fingers through his hair. “I hope you told him no.”
“Of course I did. My father wouldn’t think I was very bright if I gave Alexander more.”
“That’s my girl.” Harry stroked her cheek. “Now, I think you should return home. You’ve had quite an upset today.”
“You’re right, of course.”
Harry put his arm around Abby and walked her toward the door. She stopped and looked at Nick. “Thank you, Mr. Marshal.”
Nick smiled. “Anytime.”
Harry squeezed Abby’s shoulder as he turned her back toward the door and led her out. Nick wanted to stop them, but he couldn’t. He’d done enough today. Little by little she’d come to trust him again; he only prayed it would happen very soon.
Instead of having Hudson drive her straight home, Abigail instructed him to take her to her grandmother’s house. She couldn’t put Nick’s bizarre confession out of her mind, and she hoped her grandmother could shed some light on what was happening.
Abigail still wanted to trust him, to give her heart to him. But every time she thought about doing so, her rational mind argued back, convincing her that Nick was just another moneyhungry man who was after her inheritance. Yet some of his actions proved differently. He’d acted like he would have ripped her uncle’s head off his body with his bare hands, just to protect her. Then Nick had held her so comfortingly, so tenderly, gently stroking her back. Being in his arms had eased her fears, and she knew he would protect her.
She closed her eyes and laid her head on the back of the seat. The vibration from the car motor lulled her into relaxation, but just as she was about to fall asleep, the vehicle stopped. Hudson came around and helped her out, and Abigail gazed at her grandmother’s humble cottage. Her grandmother was proud of her Native American heritage, and though she’d married into wealth, she wanted everyone to know she wasn’t ashamed of where she’d come from.
Abigail knocked loudly on the front door. “Grandmother? It’s me.”
After a few minutes, the door opened. Her seventy-year-old grandmother wore a white cotton robe tied around her thin body, her face pale except for the dark circles under her eyes.
“Oh, my dear Abigail!” The elderly woman wrapped her frail arms around Abigail’s shoulders.
“I’m so sorry you’re still under the weather, Grandmother, but I had to come see you.”
“No need to apologize. Your visits cheer me up.”
Abigail walked into the house and pulled the door closed behind her. “Is there something I can do for you? Something you need me to get?”
“No, I’m fine. I’m slowly getting well, but at my age, it takes a little longer.” She ambled over to the sofa and sat, then covered her legs with a blanket. “How was the funeral?”
“It was beautiful, Grandma. Father would have been pleased.”
“That’s good. I wish I’d been there beside you, but know I was there in my heart.”
“Yes, you were.” Abigail kissed her grandmother’s cheek as she sat next to her on the sofa.
“What has you distressed, my dear? I can sense something is wrong.”
“Remember my eighteenth birthday, Grandma? You told me you had a dream about a man who would come into my life and help me. You mentioned it again about a week ago.”
The older woman nodded. “Yes, I remember. His initials were N.M., and he was a solicitor.”
“Correct.”
“What about him, dear?”
“I think I’ve met him.”
Her grandmother gasped, her hand flying to her throat. “You did? So soon?”
“Yes.”
“I got the impression you’d meet him later in life.”
“Well, it seems he’s here sooner,” Abigail said with a sigh. “His name is Nick Marshal, and he is indeed a solicitor.”
“Ah, just as I’d predicted.” Her grandmother smiled. “Is he handsome?”
Heat flared in Abigail’s cheeks. Truthfully, she had never met anyone so handsome. “Devilishly so.”
Her grandmother laughed and patted Abigail’s hands. “What has you so worried, my dear?”
“He knows.”
The older woman’s brows drew together. “He knows what?”
“About you, and about what you told me.”
“Impossible.”
“I thought so too, but he knows,” Abigail said. “Then today, Uncle Alexander came to the office to see me. He threatened me. Nick was outside the office, too far away to hear us, but after Alexander left, Nick knew what my uncle had said.”
“Are you jesting?”
“No, Grandma. Nick said he can sometimes see the future— sort of like you do, in a spiritual sense, I believe.”
Her grandmother’s eyes went wide, but Abigail continued. “And the strange thing about all of this is that a part of me wants to trust him. A part of me feels that he will indeed protect me.”
Her grandmother remained silent for a long time, and Abigail tightened her fingers around the older woman’s small hand. All of her life, she’d listened to her maternal grandmother and trusted her word. More than ever, she needed her wisdom now.
“My dear, do you remember what I said about the locket I gave you for your birthday?”
“Yes, Grandmother, and I was thinking ab
out that too.”
“Is this man your heart’s deepest desire?”
Abigail shrugged. “Yesterday, I spent some time with Nick, and it was wonderful. But as for him being my deepest desire, I just don’t know.” She leaned closer and narrowed her gaze. “Do you know if he is?”
“Oh, my darling granddaughter. I cannot tell you what’s in your heart. Only you will know.”
“You’re right, of course.”
“However, I would like to meet this Nick Marshal.”
Abigail smiled. “I think that’s a fantastic idea, but should we wait until you’re feeling better?”
“I’ll feel better tomorrow. Bring him by for supper.”
Abigail threw her arms around her grandmother and hugged her tight. “Thank you.” She stood and hurried to the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then.”
Excitement filled Abigail’s heart as Hudson drove her back to town. She asked him to take her to the office again, but this time she stayed in the car and bade her driver to fetch Nick for her. She tapped her fingernails on the door and fidgeted in her seat while watching the window. When Nick walked out of the building, her heart jumped. He was handsome even with ink stains all over his shirt. As he walked toward the car, he wiped his hands on a cloth.
Abigail opened the door. The closer he got to her, the wider his smile stretched. “Would you please get in?” she asked.
He glanced down at his stained arms. “I fear I’ll mark up the seat of your fancy car.”
“Nonsense. Get in.”
He shrugged and walked to the other side, opened the door, and slid in beside her.
“I first want to thank you for what you did earlier regarding my uncle,” Abigail began. “I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there.”
Nick leaned closer but didn’t touch her. “I told you I’d always protect you.”
“Yes, you did, and I’m sorry for doubting you.”
He raised his eyebrows. “Are you saying you forgive me?”
“I—I think so.”
“I accept your apology,” he said with a grin.
“Nick, I would like you to meet my grandmother.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Tomorrow night. Will you be available?”
