by Renee Ryan
“He isn’t due for several days yet, you said so yourself.” Garrett gentled his tone. “Come on, Fanny. Give me a couple of minutes.”
She twirled the pencil between her fingers and sighed impatiently. “You’re not going to let this alone, are you?”
“No.” It wasn’t the Mitchell way. They went at problems head-on, no pulling punches. As a whole, they were honest to a fault. Let your yes be yes and your no be no. “We can talk right here if you’d like.”
“Not here. Over there.” She pointed at a spot behind him. “Near the windows facing the mountains. Just let me tell my manager where I’ll be.”
“Good enough.”
Not one for cooling his heels, another Mitchell trait, Garrett made his way to the area she’d indicated. Although covered in an elegant brocade pattern of swirling golds, greens and blues, the chair he chose was surprisingly comfortable.
He fought back a yawn. It had been a long, eventful day.
Fanny joined him just before he nodded off. She sat in the chair directly facing his.
“I attended the opera this evening with Molly,” he said without preamble, stretching out his legs. “She told me a little about what’s going on with you.”
“And she told me about Mrs. Singletary’s business proposition.” Fanny angled her head, switching the focus to him.
He decided to let her. For the time being.
“I take it tonight was a trial run,” she said. “An attempt, of sorts, to see if you met the widow’s expectations.”
So many ways to respond, he decided to answer with a one-shoulder shrug.
“Did you pass her test?”
He gave a sardonic snort. “Oh, I passed.”
But not for the reasons Fanny intimated.
“I’m glad.” Fanny’s eyes filled with sisterly pride and affection. “You’ve earned this chance to prove your value to your firm.”
He thought of Mrs. Singletary’s machinations tonight, the ones that had nothing to do with his position at Bennett, Bennett and Brand. “The coming days should prove interesting.”
And then some.
“What about you and Molly?” Fanny asked in a deceptively innocent voice. “Are you two going to be able to bear one another’s company on a daily basis?”
His mouth thinned and, not for the first time that night, he struggled to even out his breathing. He and Molly had certainly found themselves in each other’s arms quickly enough, and now they were set to begin “courting” soon, perhaps even tomorrow.
“Molly and I have come to an understanding.” And that was all he planned to say on the matter.
“I’m glad. Oh, Garrett, I’m so very glad for you both.” Fanny covered his hand with hers. “It never felt right, you know, the way you two avoided one another at family gatherings, pretending the other didn’t exist.”
Perhaps not.
“I’m not here to talk about Molly and me. I want to talk about you, Fanny.” He pulled his hand out from beneath hers and placed his on top. “Tell me what I can do to help you through the next few days.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’re actually offering me your support.”
“Is that so hard to believe?”
“You’re not going to tell me it’s my own fault I’m in this position, and that I’m making a mistake?”
“Are you making a mistake?”
“No.” She choked out the word. “No,” she repeated with more conviction. “Reese deserves to marry a woman who is more than a pretty, perfectly coifed addition to his home.”
“You’re more than that, Fanny. Much more.”
“I wish I could be certain.” A look of stark fear filled her gaze. “What if there’s nothing behind my pretty face, proper manners and exquisite sense of style? What if my beauty is all I am?”
Eyes wide, her hand flew to her mouth, as if she hadn’t meant to speak so plainly.
“You’re more than a pretty face,” Garrett reiterated, not sure how to convince her that her thinking was flawed. Fanny was smart, funny and accomplished. She was even fluent in four languages.
Looking miserable, but steadier now, she lowered her hand from her mouth and pressed it to her stomach. “I have to find out, Garrett. I have to discover who I am underneath the veneer I’ve presented to the world all my life.”
“You should tell Reese what you just told me. You might be surprised what you discover. He’s a good man, Fanny, one of the best I know.”
She buried her face in her hands. “I never meant to hurt him.”
“Maybe not. But, Fanny, you did. And now he deserves an explanation. It must come from you.”
“I know. I know.” She lowered her hands and drew in a calming breath. “I’ll speak with him tomorrow.”
“That would be wise.” Garrett sat back. He could have said more, probably should have said more, something about the need to tell the rest of the family her final decision.
But first, she needed to speak with Reese. He might be able to change her mind. If that’s what they both wanted.
“Thank you, Garrett. For listening and not judging me.” She gave him a watery smile. “You’re a good brother.”
“‘Bout time you said so.”
She laughed at that, as he knew she would. “I know you’re feeling out of control and confused, but Molly gave you sound advice. Turn to God, Fanny, pray for His guidance and all will turn out well.”
“You may be right.”
“I am right.”
Laughing through her tears, she swiped her fingers across her cheeks. “If you and Molly can come to an understanding, then surely Reese and I can, as well.”
Garrett gave a noncommittal response, not sure if his relationship with Molly was the model Fanny should be emulating.
They might have come to an understanding tonight, but that didn’t mean he and Molly had put their differences behind them.
Or had they?
Garrett thought about how easily she’d slipped into his arms less than an hour ago, how right she’d felt there. And then there was that kiss. When their lips had met, it felt more like a step toward the future rather than a journey back to the past.
Perhaps he and Molly were on the road toward a new relationship, a more mature one.
Would it last?
Only time would tell.
* * *
Molly woke the next day with gritty eyes and an aching head. She’d snatched a few, restless hours of sleep in the wee hours of the morning, just enough to restore her common sense. But not enough to erase Garrett Mitchell completely from her thoughts.
As if to torture her, his image slid through her mind once again. Groaning, she flipped onto her stomach and covered her head with her pillow.
Why had she come up with the idea of a fake romance with the man? Only trouble lay down that road, and not the kind either of them wanted.
Still, she couldn’t help but admit that she was excited. Today she and Garrett would begin their courtship, or rather their pretend courtship.
Filled with anticipation, she tossed off the covers and scrambled out of bed. After months of wallowing in despair she felt like her old self again, as if her joy and laughter were returning. No matter the reason, the change was a good one, and cause for gratitude.
Thank You, Lord.
Dressing for the day, her fingers trembling just a bit, Molly donned a lavender dress with silver trim and mother-of-pearl buttons on the bodice. She was just securing the laces on her matching ankle boots, when Mrs. Singletary popped her head into the room.
“Good morning, dear.”
Molly leaped to her feet. “Am I late for breakfast?”
“Not at all.” Her employer smiled with genuine affection, then narrowed her eyes as she studied Molly’s face more closely. “You didn’t sleep well?”
Guilt skittered up Molly’s spine. As Mrs. Singletary’s companion it was her job to worry about the widow, not the other way around. “I slept splendidly.”
“If you say so.” Much to Molly’s relief, Mrs. Singletary didn’t argue any further. She simply turned around and headed down the hallway without a backward glance.
Molly followed her into the morning room. The housekeeper had already delivered a tray laden with pastries, coffee and a soft-boiled egg for each of them. As they did most mornings, they tucked into the meal in companionable silence.
Halfway through, Mrs. Singletary made her first request of the day. “I need you to run an errand for me this morning.”
Molly stopped chewing.
“After you finish your breakfast, of course. Go on, dear. Continue eating.”
She obligingly swallowed, then took another bite of pastry. The sweet, creamy filling was a delightful surprise. She’d been expecting fruit.
“You mentioned an errand?” she said, lifting the pastry for another bite.
“I need you to run some papers over to the law firm.”
Molly’s hand froze. Mrs. Singletary was sending her to the law firm, when she’d never done so before. “I thought Garrett said he wouldn’t be available until this afternoon.”
“I wasn’t referring to him.” An amused smirk lifted the corners of the widow’s mouth. “The papers are for my other attorney, Mr. Bennett.”
“Oh…of course.”
Not quite able to hide her satisfaction in Molly’s telling mistake, Mrs. Singletary’s smirk turned into a cagey grin. She looked very pleased with herself. “Are you going to finish your pastry, dear?”
“Pardon me?”
The widow pointed to the confection in Molly’s hand.
“Oh.” Her cheeks heating, she took another bite.
“Now. About the hats I purchased yesterday.” The widow smoothly changed the subject. “I’m thinking we will need additional ribbon to make them presentable. You will make the necessary purchases on your way home from the law firm.”
“It’ll be my pleasure.” Molly fell into the discussion with ease, mulling over colors, widths and potential styles with the widow. She suggested several changes to each hat, most of which Mrs. Singletary approved.
When they came to a point of contention, her employer bowed to Molly’s judgment. “I’ll let you make the final decision.”
They finished their breakfast on that happy note.
Setting her napkin aside, Mrs. Singletary rose from her chair and smoothed out her skirt. “The carriage is waiting for you outside. Winston has placed the papers you are to deliver on the seat. I can’t stress enough that they are of the utmost importance. Make sure you put them in Mr. Bennett’s hands directly.”
“Yes, Mrs. Singletary.”
“Off you go, now.” She gave Molly a brisk wave of her hand. “We’ll begin work on the hats once you return.”
Fifteen minutes later, dressed for the cold mountain air in a warm, serviceable coat and thick woolen gloves, Molly climbed into the waiting carriage.
She tried not to get too excited over the possibility of running into Garrett at the law firm. He’d claimed he had an appointment this morning. There was a good chance she wouldn’t see him at all.
Oh, please, Lord, let Your will be done. If I’m meant to see Garrett this morning let it be so.
As prayers went, it was simple and, admittedly, selfish. She repeated the request several more times, muttering the last one aloud and with great feeling.
* * *
“Put your signature here.” Garrett pointed to the line at the bottom of the page. “And here.” He indicated the same spot on the duplicate copy.
While Phineas Phipps scrawled his name with unnecessary flourish, Garrett swallowed back a sigh of relief. The older gentleman, with his shiny bald pate and overfed belly, was a difficult client on a good day, impossible all the others. Their meeting this morning had fallen among the latter.
Garrett’s head pounded with tension. He discreetly drilled a hole in his temple in an attempt to relieve the pressure.
Although he’d assured Mr. Phipps that he’d addressed every one of the man’s concerns, the successful miner had reviewed every clause. Twice. Consequently, their meeting had lasted an hour longer than necessary. Prepared for this eventuality, Garrett had scheduled his morning accordingly.
“I appreciate your attention to detail, my boy.” Mr. Phipps straightened. “I’m quite pleased with the result.”
“As am I.” Garrett had perfected every bit of the language himself.
He gathered the pages together in two separate piles, keeping one on his desk and handing the other to his client. “This is your copy.”
Taking the stack, Mr. Phipps finally cracked a smile. The gesture revealed a gold incisor made from his personal stock. “I thank you, again. You do your family name proud.”
Trying not to react to the indirect mention of the man’s friendship with his father, Garrett discarded his first response, and reminded himself why he’d chosen to work in Denver instead of any number of other cities. “Allow me to walk you out.”
He led the way to the reception area, caught Mr. Summers’s eye and gave the man an imperceptible nod. His clerk disappeared inside the cloakroom. He reappeared almost immediately with Mr. Phipps’s topcoat and hat.
While he helped his client into the superbly tailored outerwear, Garrett noticed a familiar carriage draw to a halt directly in line with the front door. He knew that petite frame exiting onto the sidewalk, noted that she was alone.
Like well-trained soldiers, the hairs on the back of his neck stood at attention.
“Good day, Garrett.”
He managed a nod. “Good day, sir.”
As Mr. Phipps exited the building through the door on the right, Molly entered through the one on the left.
She paused on the threshold and blinked rapidly, as if her eyes weren’t yet accustomed to the change in light.
This gave Garrett a chance to study her uninterrupted. She wore no hat, which was unusual for her and a welcome change. The lack of adornment allowed him to take in the soft slope of her cheek, the tiny bow of her mouth and the perfectly arched eyebrows.
His mouth went dry as dust.
The dull gray coat she wore would make most women look dowdy. However, on Molly, the bland color allowed her inner light to shine. She was dazzling, her stunning face as bright and welcoming as the sun peeking out of a dingy cloud on a cold, blustery day.
Her vision seemingly adjusted, she entered the large reception area where Garrett stood unmoving, his gaze still transfixed on her. When she saw him, her footsteps halted and her mouth formed a perfect O.
His own mouth compressed into a grim line.
He’d been kidding himself all morning, imagining he was immune to this woman’s charms. He doubted he would find any level of peace in the coming days. Not with him openly courting her. Uh…pretending to court her.
He needed to get that straight in his mind.
Setting strict parameters to their relationship should have given him a sense of control. A ridiculous illusion.
Caught in the snare of her gaze, Garrett admitted the truth to himself at last. He still had feelings for Molly.
And they had nothing to do with friendship.
Chapter Ten
I’m still besotted with Molly?
Garrett recoiled at the possibility. He’d had seven years to come to his senses, seven long, lonely years to forget she’d ever been in his heart. He came home to be near his family, he reminded himself.
He was tired, working on too little sleep. Surely that explained his visceral reaction now.
Right. He’d moved on, he assured himself, put the past behind him. Yet when he spoke, his voice rasped with emotion. “Hello, Molly.”
“Garrett.” His name sounded like a soft whisper wrapped inside that same, achingly familiar tone she’d adopted last night. “I hadn’t expected to run into you this morning. I believe you said you had an appointment?”
He nearly smiled at the knowing look she leveled over him. “The gentleman just left.
”
“Ah. I see.” She rolled her gloved hands over on another, again and again and again. She was nervous.
And he was confused. “Why are you here, Molly?”
Her eyes widened at his abrupt tone.
He repeated the question more gently.
“Mrs. Singletary sent me to deliver these papers to her attorney.” She lifted the leather satchel hooked around her wrist. When he reached for it, she drew it out of reach. “These are for Mr. Bennett. I’m to deliver them into his hands, personally.”
His eyebrows pulled together. “Mrs. Singletary has never sent you to deliver correspondence before.”
“I think,” she lowered her voice for his ears only, “she hoped we would run into one another.”
Indeed. “Beatrix Singletary is a very determined lady.”
“Very.”
They laughed together, the sound reminiscent of better days, when laughing had come easier for them both.
“Come on, then.” He took her hand without thinking, as he would have done when they were children. “Reese is in his office. I’ll take you back myself.”
She curled her fingers around his. “I appreciate your assistance.”
As they passed by the reception desk, Molly’s steps slowed. “Good morning, Julian.”
The clerk’s face turned bright red. “Goo—good morning, Miss Scott.” He swallowed several times, sending his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “It’s always a pleasure to see you.”
“And you, as well.”
Garrett almost felt sorry for the poor love-struck fellow, but not enough to release Molly’s hand. Now that he had hold of her, he wasn’t letting her go.
Not until he absolutely had to.
Savoring the feel of her hand in his, Garrett readjusted his grip, waited for her to finish her conversation with his clerk, then pulled her into the hallway leading to Reese’s office.
After only a few steps, Molly tugged him to a halt. “Before we continue, I was wondering. Have you spoken with Reese today, you know, about…Fanny?”
“I tried.” Garrett turned to face her. “He wasn’t in a talkative mood.”
“Pity.”
“I had better success with Fanny.”
This seemed to surprise her. “You spoke with your sister this morning?”
