A knock on his open door brought his attention to Justin who was grinning at him. “Did you have a good time on Friday?”
“What is that supposed to mean?” he asked.
“Sue is certainly catching a lot of attention. Leave it to you to take an oyster and pull out the pearl.”
He inwardly shivered at the mention of oysters. After eating Rocky Mountain oysters, he didn’t think he would eat actual oysters ever again.
“Anyway, I thought you looked unusually happy until she started dancing with other men,” Justin continued.
“Technically, she is married. Their behavior was inappropriate.”
“Does she know that she’s been getting flowers?”
“No. And you’d better keep it that way.”
“Hmm...”
Jake was beginning to get irritated. “What?”
“You’re not starting to care for her, are you?”
“Of course not. She’s a friend but that’s it.”
“A man could be lucky to have such a beautiful friend.”
He didn’t like the way Justin looked amused. “Get in here so we can discuss business,” he growled.
Justin got serious and sat down. “What is it, boss?”
“On Friday, I have a meeting in Richmond. I need you to fill in for my responsibilities on that day. Then next Friday, I am going to New York on a weekend vacation, so I’ll need you to take over for that day as well.”
“I’m looking forward to it, boss. Is there anything else?”
“Mr. Gregory and Mr. Walker requested several investment accounts, which you will help them with. Mr. Gregory will be in this afternoon at three and Mr. Walker will come by first thing tomorrow. Jerry Thompson and Stephen Michael don’t have the necessary experience to help them yet. They will learn with time but right now you need to train them. Meanwhile, I will be running around most of the day taking care of loose ends.”
“Do any of these loose ends involve Sue’s suitors?” he asked, looking amused.
“Everything I need to do is strictly business,” he snapped.
“Sure.” It was obvious Justin didn’t believe him. “I heard that Donald Cline plans to go by the library to help Sue with her children’s story hour at eleven. You might want to fill that into your daily planner while you’re running around doing everything else, business related of course.”
“You’re in a sensitive position, Justin. As your boss, I could easily fire you.”
“You wouldn’t dare. I have a wife and children to feed and clothe. I need this job.”
“Then let’s stick to business.”
He shrugged. “Very well. Is that all?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Jake scowled at him as he left his office. He doesn’t have to act like he’s enjoying it. He grumbled as he erased his original appointment at eleven and changed it to one. He took the list out of his breast pocket. At least, Donald Cline was one of the names on it. He stared out the window and tried to remember who Donald Cline was. He tapped his pencil on the desk. His mind was blank. He was ready to ask Justin who the man was when he recalled his friend’s enjoyment over Sue’s future potential suitors. Why do I care? I shouldn’t care. I should be happy for her. Her life will be better now. A woman shouldn’t live her life as a spinster. She should have a husband and children, especially when she’s as caring as Sue is.
“Mr. Mitchell,” someone interrupted his thoughts.
He glanced away from the window and saw a nervous looking twenty year old Stephen standing right outside his office door. “Come in, Stephen.”
“Actually, there is someone who insists on talking to you. I offered to help him or for him to talk to Mr. Monroe, but he’s adamant that it must be you.”
“Who is he?”
“Daniel Riley. He said he spoke to your wife at the dance and she recommended he talk to you about the investments the bank offers.”
Was that just another diversion for another man to get close to Sue? “Mr. Monroe is perfectly capable of handling that discussion.”
“I told him that but he won’t take no for an answer.”
He sounds a lot like Sue. She didn’t take no for an answer either when he met her. He sighed. “Alright. Bring him in.”
Daniel Riley was a skinny, tall man who looked too young for Sue.
Before he could speak, Jake asked, “How old are you?”
Daniel blinked. “Forty.”
So he’s older than he looks. “Sit down. I understand you were talking to my wife on Friday and she referred you to me.” At least, that’s your story.
“Yes, Mr. Mitchell. She was most helpful in directing me to you. I had wondered if it is true that your marriage with her is strictly platonic?”
“Are you asking me if you can court my wife?” He was beginning to feel like her father weeding out prospective suitors and he didn’t like it.
“Actually, I was interested in how you decided on such a marriage.”
“I don’t really think that’s any of your business.” He leaned forward and glared at him. “If you’re here to discuss business, then we’ll talk. Otherwise, I’m not interested. I won’t discuss my personal life.”
“But isn’t she business?”
He clenched his jaw. “What are you getting at?”
“Well, she did say that you received a rather large sum of money from your father who instructed that you marry in order to receive your inheritance.”
“She offered that information?” He didn’t like the way this conversation was going. Daniel was up to something. He kept shifting around in his chair, as if he had something to hide. Jake wasn’t a poker player, but his father had taught him a few tricks on reading a player’s bluff before he left him and his mother. “What else did she voluntarily disclose?”
“Apparently, she was desperate to save her family’s farm. She would have married Mr. York, the old one, if you hadn’t intervened. I suppose she felt she had no other alternative. She said you offered a better deal because at least with you, the marriage will end in May. According to her, this was arranged so that her family is debt free.”
The pencil snapped in Jake’s hand, though he was doing his best to hide his annoyance. Was that what she was telling all the men? No wonder they felt free to actively pursue her even though she was still married to him. He relaxed his fist.
“You don’t have any personal interest in her, do you?” Daniel raised an eyebrow in interest.
“Unless you are here to discuss a banking question, this discussion is over.” He stared at Daniel, refusing to blink.
Daniel finally looked away. “I have been discussing the bank, Mr. Mitchell. Without Sue’s help, you wouldn’t even be the owner of this place.”
“Get out.”
He shrugged. “I suspected as much. Perhaps I’ll go back and talk to her. I hadn’t considered courting her, but she’s actually decent to look at after you fixed her up. Good day, Mr. Mitchell.” He left before Jake could yell at him, which Jake was ready to do.
Jake jumped out of his chair and grabbed his coat. On his way out the door, he saw Justin walking to his new office. He decided to talk to Justin first. He waited until Justin was in the office before shutting the door behind them.
Justin spun around. “I didn’t know you were behind me.” He sighed with relief. “Don’t give me a heart attack before my time.”
“Who is Daniel Riley?” Jake demanded, not in the mood for small talk.
“I don’t know. I’ve never heard of him before. Was he the man who just came out of your office?”
“Yes. He’s not the most pleasant person to talk to.”
“What did he say?”
“He kept asking about my marriage to Sue. He wanted to know the details of that arrangement.”
“And I thought you didn’t care about her that way.” He smiled.
“This has nothing to do with that. You have a one track mind. Look, do me a favor,
alright? Keep your ears open for anything you hear about Daniel Riley. He must be new, but maybe someone around here knows something about him. He’s after something and I have a feeling it has to do with money.” He turned to open the door.
“Not everyone is after your money, Jake.”
“You think I’m paranoid.”
“Aren’t you?”
“When you have as much money as I do, you have to question people’s motives.”
“Not everyone is Johanna.”
“Don’t bring her up. She’s in the past. My conversation with Daniel has nothing to do with her.”
“I just don’t want you to put Sue in the same category as you put Johanna.”
“Why would I? She’s completely different.”
“That’s a relief. I actually like Sue.”
“Speaking of which, I have to talk to her about Daniel Riley.”
He didn’t wait for Justin to respond as he left the bank. He was too angry to ride a buggy, so he walked to the library. The cold January air helped to calm him down enough so he didn’t go yelling for Sue as soon as he opened the library door. He walked over to the children’s story hour room. He rolled his eyes when he saw that Donald Cline was helping her narrate some nursery rhymes. He couldn’t tell if she was enjoying his assistance or not. This time he didn’t hide behind a bookshelf to watch. He sat in a chair in the back of the room and crossed his arms. He noted that it was a quarter past eleven. Daniel Riley had kept him longer than necessary at the bank.
He didn’t pay attention to what Sue and Donald were doing up front. His mind replayed his conversation with Daniel. The man was after something, and it involved Sue. But how? He must be after money. Perhaps, he’s after her money now that she has some. Maybe he wants to know how much she’s worth?
“It’s always nice to see you, Donald,” Sue warmly said once the story was over.
Jake broke out of his thoughts and frowned as she smiled at Donald. They seemed to be having a personal conversation as the group dispersed. This is insane. Why is she flirting with him when I’m here? He stood up and walked past the women and children. He noted that a little girl stood by Donald. I suppose he thinks Sue will make a good mother for his child. I wonder what happened to his wife? He knew some widowers sought out brides to fill the position the children’s mother used to possess.
“I’m sorry, Donald. I should introduce you to Jake Mitchell,” she said. “Did you hear about the wedding?”
“I did. Good morning, Mr. Mitchell,” he politely stated as he held out his hand.
Jake crossed his arms. “Is it really a good morning, Mr. Cline?”
He seemed baffled as he put his hand down. “It is for me.”
“Daddy, can we go look at books now?” his daughter asked.
He turned to talk to her.
“Jake, what’s wrong with your manners?” Sue whispered so Donald wouldn’t overhear.
“My manners?” he whispered back. “What are you doing being so friendly to him? Have you no consideration for other’s feelings?”
“I don’t see what the problem is. Donald came by to announce his engagement to Martha Howell, and he brought my niece by so I could see her. I don’t get to see her very much since Emma died.”
Jake immediately felt his anger fade. “Oh. He was your brother-in-law.”
“Yes. What did you think he was?”
At least I can safely cross him off the list. “I’m sorry.” Turning to Donald, he said, “Forgive me, Mr. Cline. I thought you were making advances at my wife.”
Sue rolled her eyes. “No man was interested in me before I got married so why would one be interested now?” Then she went to put the chairs and toys away while her niece helped.
“I understand, Mr. Mitchell,” Donald said. “I wasn’t able to attend the wedding because I had to work. I moved to Ohio shortly after Emma’s death. The Lewis family was supportive, but I found a good job that offered a good salary so I could hire a nanny for Cynthia. She was one at the time of her mother’s death. Anyway, she’s four now, and she loves Martha Howell as much as I do. I’ll be marrying Martha next week. It’s hardly enough notice for the Lewis family. I don’t expect them to attend but wanted to bring Cynthia by for one more visit before things get hectic. I try to make it over here twice a year so Cynthia can see her aunts and uncles and grandparents. I tried to make it for Christmas but had to spend it with Martha’s family. The Lewis’ understood. They are good people. I did manage to come by to see the play but had to leave right after and couldn’t congratulate Sue or Trevor until today. I am a doctor so my schedule isn’t structured.”
“I’m glad to hear you bring good news.”
“Yes. I missed Emma for the longest time. It’s nice to have a woman to love who loves me back again. Women aren’t the only ones who get lonely.”
Jake wasn’t comfortable discussing his feelings so he refrained from speaking.
“Anyway, I’m glad Sue finally got married. She and Emma were completely different, but Sue has many good qualities that I often found men overlooked. She told me about the arrangement you two made. I can tell that she is happier now than she was before. She’s determined to help you succeed with your bank. Apparently, some men were asking her to dance and she couldn’t understand why they wanted to talk about her when she assumed they would be wanting to hear about your bank. She’s always been a bit naive, though in a good way. Believe me, she’s not aware that the men are looking. I guess it’s because she’s felt unlovable for so long that she’s forgotten she has something to offer a man. She told me that she’s glad she has gotten a chance to know you. She enjoys your company.”
Sue and Cynthia returned to them.
“Daddy, Aunt Sue said that Mommy’s horse is still at the farm. Can I ride her?” Cynthia asked.
“Yes, you may,” he replied.
So that was why Emma Lou was the only horse that didn’t have a nickname like Bossy or Trouble.
“Congratulations again, Donald.” Sue smiled and hugged him. She bent down and hugged Cynthia. “Now you be good to your new mother, alright?”
“I will.”
“Well, Cynthia and I should get going. We still have to meet up with the Lewis family. It was nice meeting you, Mr. Mitchell.”
This time Jake shook his hand.
“It was nice to meet you,” Jake said. After they left, Jake turned to Sue. “Why didn’t you tell me he was coming? I would have wanted to meet your niece.”
“I didn’t know until he showed up. Apparently, he sent flowers and a letter but I never got them,” she replied.
That made sense since he kept throwing out anything any man sent her. “Oh, well, that’s all done with now. There’s no sense in living in the past.” The sooner we can forget the missing flowers and letter, the better. He changed the topic. “Do you know someone named Daniel Riley?”
She thought for a moment. “I met him last Friday. He kept stepping on my feet at the dance.” She cringed at the memory. “My feet are still sore from that experience.”
“Do you remember what he talked to you about?”
“He wanted to ask about your bank.”
“What did he want to know about it?”
She shrugged. “I’m really not sure. He said he wanted to discuss some accounts that you offered, but then he kept asking me questions about your father and the inheritance. I couldn’t understand what he wanted. He was difficult to read. Did he go by your bank? I told him you could answer his questions better than I could.”
“Yes, he did, but he’s not interested in banking.”
“Then what does he want?”
“I don’t know.” But I’ll find out. “Would you like to get some lunch?”
“Yes, that would be nice. Let me get my coat and hat.”
He watched as she left the room to get her things. He felt better after hearing Donald explain what Sue thought of their marriage. It helped him put his conversation with Daniel in proper
perspective. I’m going to have to keep a close eye on Daniel Riley. I can’t trust a thing he says.
***
Jake found he looked forward to meeting Sue for lunch during the rest of the week. He wasn’t able to take her out every day because of an appointment he had on Wednesday, but he made sure his calendar was clear the rest of the days. On Tuesday, Sue was finding a book for a boy who couldn’t have been older than fifteen, and Jake caught him staring at her backside as she climbed the ladder to reach the top shelf to get the book he requested. Jake gave him a strong pat on the back and said, “That’s my wife you’re looking at, boy. If I catch you staring at her like that again, I’ll throw you through the window.” As far as he knew, the boy didn’t go near her again. Then he told her it would be in her best interest to let the men and boys get their own books from the top shelves. She seemed to understand his meaning for she blushed for the next hour.
Thursday afternoon before he left the bank, he asked Justin to come into his office.
“What can I do for you, boss?” Justin grinned. He seemed to enjoy calling Jake “boss” all the time.
Jake hid his amusement. “I haven’t seen or heard anything about Daniel Riley since he was here Monday. Have you learned anything about him?”
“No. As far as I know, no one has seen him. Whoever he is, he’s keeping a low profile.”
Which means he has something to hide. “I won’t be here tomorrow. If he comes by, don’t let him do any business. I don’t trust him.”
“He might be at the dance tomorrow night. Maybe you should postpone your business meeting and stay here. It would give Sue the chance to dance with him. She might be able to pry some useful information out of him.”
“No. I really want to go to the symphony with her.”
“Oh, so this isn’t really about business.”
“I will still meet with Mr. Brothers at his bank.”
Justin smiled widely. “Are you afraid to let Sue free on the dance floor?”
“Hardly. She’s not even aware that men are interested in her. She thinks that they want to ask her about my bank.”
“Really? That’s good to know.”
Jake raised his eyebrow. “What is that supposed to mean?”
An Inconvenient Marriage Page 18
