Читать книгу The Marriage Agreement - Renee Ryan - Страница 13
ОглавлениеFanny knew a moment of quiet desperation as she watched her brother herd his family deeper into the hotel lobby. That’s what I want, Lord. That joy, that sense of belonging, a family of my own.
She had to believe her time would come. For now, she would take a moment to enjoy the show. Hunter had brought his entire household to town, including his wife, all four of their children and, of course, his wife’s mother, the incomparable Mattie Silks.
Laughter abounded among the group, while an entire team of bellmen wrestled the family’s luggage onto a cart. Fanny’s sister-in-law, Annabeth, attempted to oversee the process. Unfortunately, her mother added her own, very vocal “suggestions” on how to speed along the process. Mattie’s input caused more mayhem, not less.
Hunter’s oldest daughter, Sarah, skillfully pulled her younger siblings out of the fray. Unfortunately, Mattie added her assistance there as well, and pandemonium soon followed. The children quite literally ran circles around their grandmother.
Fanny thought she saw a brief twinkle of amusement dance in her brother’s eyes before he quickly restored order with the gentle strength that had always defined him. Hunter looked good, she decided. His hair was a sun-kissed, sandy blond from the hours he spent outdoors on his ranch. His long-legged, leanly muscular cowboy swagger was replicated in all the Mitchell men.
Hunter had experienced some difficult years, including two spent in prison for manslaughter, but he’d overcome his past and was stronger for the challenges he’d once faced. She was proud to call him brother.
“Now, that’s what I call an entrance,” Jonathon muttered.
The look of amused horror on his face made her smile. “I should have warned you, the Mitchells never do anything by half measure.”
“I was speaking about Mattie.” His voice was infused with a touch of irony. “Watch. She’s about to strike a pose. Ah, yes, there she goes.”
As predicted, Mattie sauntered to a spot in the middle of the hotel lobby. With exaggerated slowness, she lifted her chin, thrust out a hip and then planted a fist on her waist.
The pose was so...completely Mattie. A snort of laughter erupted before Fanny could call it back. “You know the woman well.”
“Too well,” Jonathon muttered, his mouth now a little grim. “She’s managed to draw almost every eye to her.”
Gazes were, indeed, riveted in Mattie’s direction. But Fanny suspected much of the interest was for the extraordinary-looking group as a whole. Even Hunter’s children were beautiful.
A range of emotions swept through her. Fanny was excited to spend time with her family, but also determined to make the next few days count. When Mrs. Singletary’s ball was over, all of Denver would see her differently. She would no longer be defined as that pretty Mitchell girl. Or that poor, misguided woman who’d jilted a prominent man in town.
She would prove she was a competent woman, capable of handling great responsibilities. When she walked through town next week, the whispers following in her wake would be not only accurate, but also complimentary.
Catching sight of her from across the room, Annabeth squealed in delight and waved enthusiastically.
The entire group changed direction, Annabeth leading the way with a waddle that bespoke her current condition. Judging by the size of her belly, Hunter’s fifth child would be making an appearance in a few short months.
As Annabeth approached, smiling broadly, Fanny noticed that her sister-in-law glowed with good health and happiness. She was so very beautiful. The rich, caramel-colored skin and sleek dark hair she’d inherited from her Mexican father were the perfect foil for the pale blue eyes she’d gotten from Mattie.
Oddly, as Hunter and his family drew closer, Jonathon seemed to grow tenser. He shifted his stance slightly, then repositioned himself once again.
Interesting that while he appeared outwardly loose-limbed and relaxed, the lines around his mouth gave him away.
Fanny was given no more time to contemplate his strange behavior before she was hauled into her brother’s strong arms and swung in fast, dizzying circles.
“Put me down, you big oaf.”
He obliged, but only after two more heart-pounding spins.
Then, hands on her shoulders, Hunter studied her face with the narrow-eyed focus that had kept him alive during his rebellious years. She tried not to fidget under the inspection.
At last, he gave a quick nod of approval. “You look well, Fanny. Happy.”
“I am well and happy.” Mostly.
Angling his head, he paused, as if about to say something, then abruptly refocused his attention onto Jonathon.
They shook hands in a very businesslike manner.
“Have my brothers arrived?” Hunter asked.
“Not yet.”
As Fanny watched the formal exchange between the two men, she had the distinct impression she’d missed something, something important. She opened her mouth to inquire, but they moved a few steps away and began speaking in low, hushed tones.
She couldn’t quite make out what they said. She stepped closer. At the mention of a meeting—what meeting?—she leaned in a smidgen closer. She thought she caught Jonathon say her brother Garrett’s name, but then Annabeth swooped in for a hug and that was the end of Fanny’s eavesdropping.
She spent the next few minutes greeting the rest of Hunter’s family. “Mattie, I do believe you look ten years younger than the last time I saw you.”
The former madam responded to the compliment with a nonchalant wave of her hand. “It’s all that fresh air.”
The harried tone implied that fresh air was something to be avoided at all costs. Fanny wasn’t fooled. The former madam was delighted with her decision to sell her brothel and move onto the ranch with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren.
Who would have thought Mattie Silks would turn into a doting grandmother?
“Hello, Aunt Fanny.”
Fanny spun around at the sound of her name. “Sarah, look at you. You’re all grown up.”
The girl beamed. “I turn sixteen in four months, one week and five days. But who’s counting?”
Fanny laughed. The sweet, pretty child with the dark hair and tawny eyes had become a confident, striking young woman. “Tell me how you’ve been.”
Sarah did, in great detail, barely taking a breath. When she finally paused, Fanny took the opportunity to steer the conversation in a slightly different direction than the latest fashion for hats. “Are you excited about attending school in Boston next year?”
“I am. Very much. I thought Pa would never agree to let me go.” She rolled her eyes in her father’s direction. “He only relented when I promised to carry on your legacy at Miss Sinclair’s Prestigious School for Girls.”
Though she was flattered, and really quite touched, the last thing Fanny wanted was for her niece to follow in her footsteps. She’d been a model student at Miss Sinclair’s, uncommonly obedient. That had been a mistake. When a young girl went away to school, she was supposed to spread her wings a little, to test her boundaries, to make mistakes and then learn from them.
Wanting to offer what advice she could on the matter, she touched her niece’s arm, then decided it wasn’t her place. Sarah should be allowed to find her own way, on her own terms. But still. “Let’s talk more later, just the two of us.”
Sarah’s smile turned radiant. “I’d like that.”
Fanny switched her attention to her sister-in-law’s rounded belly. “How are you feeling?”
“Excited, impatient.” Annabeth leaned in close. “Your brother hovers like an old woman. Honestly, you’d think I’d never birthed a child before.”
Despite her slightly miffed tone, Annabeth glanced over at Hunter. The way she looked at him, all dreamy-eyed and in love, told Fanny her sister-in-law adored every bit of the attention her husband bestowed on her.
A tinge of melancholy struck without warning. Would Fanny ever find that kind of love?
She certainly hoped so. And yet she wondered...
Was she even capable of having deep feelings for a man? She certainly hadn’t felt anything more than friendship for Reese. What did that say about her?
Breaking away from the group, Hunter’s youngest child toddled toward her. Happy for the distraction, she reached down to pick up her nephew. But the eighteen-month-old miniature copy of his father had a different plan in mind.
The little boy bypassed Fanny and went straight to Jonathon. “Up.” He yanked on the crisp pant leg. “Up!”
Pausing midsentence, Jonathon looked down.
Christopher lifted his arms high in the air. “Up, up, up.”
Chuckling, Jonathon obliged the child. The move was so natural, so casual, Fanny found herself staring at them in stunned silence. Christopher babbled away, while Jonathon responded as if he completely understood.
Fanny’s heart gave a hard tug. Jonathon was so comfortable with the child, so patient and kind.
I will never father children.
His reasons for avoiding fatherhood made sense—at least to him. Not to Fanny. Yes, the Bible warned of the sins of the father, but Scripture also promised victory to those who broke the cycle.
Watching Jonathon with her nephew, knowing he’d make a great father, she couldn’t understand why he was so determined to avoid having children.
Releasing a heartfelt sigh, Annabeth linked her arm through Fanny’s. “Johnny’s very good with Christopher. Of course, I’m not surprised. He was the best big brother.”
Fanny blinked at her sister-in-law in confusion. Then she remembered that Jonathon—or rather, Johnny—had lived in Mattie’s brothel as a child. His path must have crossed Annabeth’s often, probably even daily.
What else did she know about him?
Curiosity drove Fanny to pry. “What was he like as a boy?”
“Loyal, caring, a bit wild, but also protective of the other children. He...” Annabeth paused a moment, as if gathering her thoughts. “I guess you could say he kept a part of himself separate. He was friendly, but he didn’t have a lot of friends.”
He must have been so lonely, always watching out for others. Oh, Jonathon, who watched out for you? Fanny’s heart hurt for the little boy he’d once been.
“That’s not to say the other children didn’t adore him. They did. Everyone looked up to him, even the girls.” Annabeth laughed as if caught in a happy memory. “Especially the girls.”
The boy Annabeth just described was much like the man he was today. Good. Kind. Distant. Fanny had more questions, lots more, but another commotion broke out at the hotel’s entrance.
Her second oldest brother pushed into the lobby, his wife and three children in tow.
Her smile returned full force.
Logan and his family had arrived.
* * *
Later that afternoon, Jonathon stood in the conference room, impatiently biding his time. He wanted to begin negotiations at once, but the remaining Mitchell brother had only just arrived at the hotel. Coming straight off the train from Saint Louis, Garrett had promised to join them as soon as he helped his young wife get settled in their room.
That had been over thirty minutes ago.
Since Garrett’s wife was with child as well, Jonathon figured getting her settled meant more than merely helping with the luggage. If the man was anything like his older brother, there was bound to be a good deal of husbandly smothering.
Jonathon felt a jolt of...something churn in his gut. Jealousy? Regret? Neither emotion had any place in today’s meeting. He shoved the futile thoughts aside and attempted to get down to business.
Hunter stopped him midsentence. “We’ll wait for Garrett. We make decisions as a family, or not at all.”
Considering the nature of his relationship with own brother, Jonathon was both intrigued and baffled by the united front. He knew Hunter and Logan hadn’t always been close. They’d actually been on opposite sides of the law for years and, according to some accounts, even enemies.
But now they were as close as any brothers Jonathon had run across. They even owned neighboring ranches connected to their parents’ larger spread, which said a lot about their commitment to family.
At last, the door swung open and Garrett Mitchell entered the conference room in a rush.
“Sorry I’m late.” The besotted smile on his face said otherwise. “Molly needed me to help her switch hats, and then we somehow got tangled up. The laughing began next, and well, here I am at last, better late than never.”
“Save the excuses, little brother.” Logan lifted his hand in the air. “We all know you just wanted to spend extra time with Molly.”
Garrett’s grin widened. “Jealous?”
Logan snorted. “Have you seen my wife? She’s always the most beautiful woman in the room.”
“Unless, of course,” Garrett countered, “my wife is in the room.”
“Or mine,” Hunter added.
Since Jonathon had known all three women in question before they’d met and married the Mitchell men, he kept his mouth shut on the matter. Each of their wives was special in her own way. Beautiful, smart, the very essence of goodness.
Jonathon nodded to Burke. His assistant shut the outer door to the conference room.
The brothers fell silent.
“Gentleman, if you will have a seat.” Jonathon motioned them to the table in the middle of the room. “We’ll begin.”
They remained where they were, standing shoulder to shoulder. Three against one. Not the worst odds Jonathon had ever faced.
Normally, he enjoyed a tough negotiation, especially if pitted against a worthy opponent or, as in this particular case, several worthy opponents. However, the outcome of today’s meeting was too important to indulge in the thrill that came from a proper battle.
Jonathon got straight to the point. “I recently acquired the property that runs along your northern border and—”
“So you’re the anonymous Denver businessman who purchased Ebenezer Foley’s ranch,” Logan said, with the barest hint of bitterness.
Jonathon understood the man’s frustration. It was no secret the Mitchell brothers had wanted the land. But Ebenezer Foley had nursed a lifelong hatred for the entire family. He’d carried that animosity to the grave. On his deathbed, he’d instructed his son to sell his ranch to anyone but a Mitchell.
Mouth set in a grim line, Hunter crossed his arms over his chest. “You didn’t ask us here merely to tell us you bought the land directly north of ours.”
“No. I want to make an offer on the three hundred acres you jointly own that run along my southern border, including the dilapidated train depot. I’m willing to pay 10 percent above the going rate, as you will see in the offer my attorney drew up. Take a look.”
He pointed to the files laid out on the conference table in a tidy row.
A silent message passed between the brothers before they stepped forward and opened the files with identical flicks of their wrists.
Hunter and Logan skimmed their gazes across the top page. Garrett Mitchell actually picked up the sale agreement and read through the legal document, page by page. It made sense he would take the time to consider the offer in its entirety, being an attorney who specialized in sales and acquisitions.
After a moment, Garrett looked up. “The asking price is more than fair, as are the other terms.”
“Nevertheless.” Hunter took a step back from the table. “We have one rule in our family when it comes to business. Mitchell land stays in Mitchell hands. We can’t sell you the property.”
Every muscle in Jonathon’s back tightened and coiled. He forcibly relaxed his shoulders, then felt them bunch again. “Can’t or won’t?”
“Does it matter?”
No. He supposed it didn’t.
Jonathon showed none of his reaction on his face, but inside he burned with frustration. To come so far...
“I’ll pay an additional 10 percent per acre.”
“Still no.” Hunter said the words, but the other two men nodded in silent agreement.
And that, Jonathon realized, was the end of the negotiations. Five minutes, that’s all it had taken.
The worst part, the very worst part, was that he respected the Mitchell brothers’ reasons for not selling. Mitchell land stays in Mitchell hands.
There were other comparable properties near Denver. Two even had run-down train depots similar to the one on the Mitchell property. But none of the available parcels had a river running through the land. The natural water source made the Mitchell parcel ideal.
“You’re a busy man,” Hunter said. “Our decision is final. We won’t take up any more of your time.”
“I appreciate you hearing me out.” Jonathon shook hands with each man. The oldest two brothers left the room almost immediately after that.
While Burke gathered up the files and followed them out, Garrett Mitchell hung back. “I’d like a quick word with you.”
Eyebrows lifted, Jonathon gave a brief nod. “All right.”
“Tell me your plan for the train depot. I know you have one or you wouldn’t have mentioned it specifically in the contract.”
Having worked with the young attorney before, Jonathon sensed the man’s interest was genuine. Garrett Mitchell had a keen mind for business and a penchant for taking risks.
What harm could there be in sharing the basics of his idea? “My ultimate goal is to turn the stop into a premiere destination, with restaurants, shops, lodging and more.”
Garrett rubbed his chin in thoughtful silence. “Entire towns have been built on less.”
The other man’s insight was spot on. “My hope is to create a community, not precisely a town, not at first, anyway. Rather a safe haven for my employees and their children.”
He paused, thinking of his mother, of the desperation that had led her to make bad decisions out of terrible choices. “Each position will include a fair wage, on-the-job training, as well as room and board.”
“If done right,” Garrett mused, “the venture could bring you a great fortune.”
“Money isn’t the driving force behind the project.” He went on to explain about the types of employees he would hire, mostly women like his mother.
“Ah, now I understand.”
Jonathon believed Garrett Mitchell did, indeed, comprehend his motives. After all, the man was married to Molly, a woman whose mother had worked in Mattie’s brothel, and whose older sister had adopted her when she was five.
“Let me speak to my brothers. Perhaps we can come to an arrangement.”
Jonathon appreciated the gesture, but he needed to make one point perfectly clear. “I won’t accept a lease, no matter how agreeable the terms.”
“Understood.” Now that their business was concluded, Jonathon expected the other man to take his leave.
Once again, this younger Mitchell brother surprised him. “Now that that’s settled, tell me how my sister is faring in her new position here at the hotel.”
Jonathon hesitated. He didn’t feel right discussing Fanny with her brother. It felt like a betrayal to their friendship. “Why not ask her yourself?”
The other man shrugged. “I could. But she’ll merely tell me she’s doing fine.”
True enough. “I can’t speak for Fanny, but I can tell you she’s doing an exceptional job. In truth, she’s become indispensable to me.” At her brother’s lifted eyebrow, Jonathon added, “I mean, of course, here, at the hotel.”
“Have a care, Hawkins.” Garrett’s eyes took on a hard edge. “Fanny has brothers who’ll take on any man who tries to take advantage of her.”
The warning was unnecessary. Jonathon would never hurt Fanny. If anyone dared to harm her or threaten her well-being, he would be first in line to deal with the rogue.
A knock came at the door and the very woman they were discussing appeared in the room. “Jonathon, we have a situation and...oh.” Her eyes widened. “Garrett. I didn’t realize you were involved in this afternoon’s meeting.”
“Didn’t you?”
“No. I...” She tugged her bottom lip between her teeth. “I’m sorry, but I need to steal my boss away for a few minutes. We have a...situation.” She gave Jonathon an apologetic grimace. “It’s somewhat urgent.”
“We’ll talk out in the hall.”
Before leaving the room, she tossed a sweet smile at her brother. “Good to see you, Garrett.”
“You, too, Fanny. Been too long.” He gave her a wry twist of his lips. “Great talking with you.”
She laughed at his teasing tone. “Sorry I have to rush off. We’ll catch up later?”
“Count on it.”
The affection between the two was obvious. Clearly, the bond Jonathon had witnessed among the Mitchell brothers included the sisters, as well. For a brief period in his life he’d felt something similar with the other kids at Charity House, but that was a long time ago.
He followed Fanny out of the room, shut the door behind them. “You mentioned a situation?”
She puffed out a frustrated breath. “Mrs. Singletary has asked for extensive changes to the menu for tomorrow night.”
“How extensive?”
“Ridiculously so, but before I send Philomena back with my carefully worded reply, I thought I’d better run it by you first.”
She handed him a slip of paper with her neat handwriting scrolled across the page. The firm, yet oh-so-polite explanation as to why the hotel could not accommodate the widow’s request was so perfectly phrased that Jonathon felt something move through him.
Admiration, to be sure, but something else, as well. Not quite affection, something stronger, something with an edge. “Fanny Mitchell, you are a marvel.”
“You’re not...” she took back the note “...upset that I’m holding firm against the widow’s request?”
“On the contrary.” He subdued the urge to kiss the top of her head. And then her temple. Perhaps even the tip of her nose. “I completely and thoroughly approve.”
