Debra Ullrick by The Unintended Groom Read Free Book Online Page B

door.
    Harrison must already be here.
    “Good morning, Monsieur Kingsley. Won’t you come in?” Veronique stepped aside to let him in. “May I take your chapeau, sir?” He handed his fedora to Veronique, who hung it on the hat rack.
    “Thank you. Veronique, isn’t it?”
    “Yes, sir.”
    His gaze shifted from Veronique and onto Abby as she strolled toward him.
    Veronique slipped away.
    The closer Abby got to him, the more she realized no one should be allowed to be that handsome. It wasn’t fair to women who were trying to not notice that fact. Women, like herself, who had to disengage her emotions in order to guard her heart where the male species was concerned. Still, she couldn’t help admire how nice he looked.
    Dressed in a finely tailored, dark gray suit with a light gray waistcoat, white satin shirt and a dark gray neckerchief, he made an intimidating presence. Just what was needed when going up against the committee board.
    “Good morning,” she said with a bright and chipper pitch to her voice.
    “Good morning to you. You look very nice.”
    “So do you.”
    “Thank you, ma’am. Well, are you ready for this?”
    “Am I ever.” She couldn’t wait to see the mayor’s face or the committee members’ faces, whichever of them would be there this morning, when she walked in with Harrison.
    Abby started to wrap her shawl around her shoulders, but Harrison finished the task for her. She grabbed an umbrella, and Harrison offered her his arm. She looped her arm through his, and as they headed out the door, he snatched his hat off the hook and set it on that lovely head of hair of his.
    Cool morning air greeted them as they stepped outside.
    Abby’s attention went to the sky. Judging by the black ominous clouds, she knew it would be only a matter of minutes before a downpour of rain came gushing down on them. “We’d better hurry.”
    Harrison followed her gaze. “You’re right.”
    Down the steps they scampered. Abby paused at the buggy sitting in front of her house. “You didn’t need to do that. It’s only a short walk to the town hall.”
    “I know. And yes, I did. Can’t have a fine lady such as yourself walking now, can I?”
    “I do it all the time.” She shrugged.
    “Well, not today.” His half smile showed up. He extended his hand, palm up.
    Abby laid her hand in his and immediately noticed how liquid warmth spread up her arm and throughout her chest. She’d never experienced anything like that before, and she had no clue what it meant, either. But it was a very nice feeling just the same.
    “Abby?”
    Abby blinked, then looked at him. “Yes?” He gave a light tug on her hand. “Oh. Forgive me.” She raised her skirt above her shoes and stepped up into the buggy, then tucked her skirt inside.
    Harrison went around to the other side and sat next to her. His wide shoulders came close to touching hers. He picked up the lines and clicked them. The buggy lurched forward, yanking her backward a tad.
    “How are your valet and nanny feeling this morning?” she asked.
    “Much better.” His gaze trailed to her hat. “You’re not hiding the carrot my son tossed at you under that hat, are you?”
    Abby laughed. “No.”
    “I don’t know how my nanny does it. The boys can sure be rambunctious.”
    “Don’t I know it. If you think your boys are rowdy, you should see my nephews. Your sweet sons are mild compared to them.”
    His brow spiked.
    “Well, maybe not.”
    They both laughed.
    Harrison stopped the buggy in front of the town hall just as a bolt of lightning pierced the sky and the thunder boomed immediately afterward. Abby screeched.
    “We’d better get inside.”
    Yes, they’d better do just that. Hurry and get inside so she could get her license. A thought flicked through her brain that if for some reason she didn’t get it, there would be even more thunderous rumbling going on and it wouldn’t be from the storm, either. Especially after doing what they’d asked,