He leaned beside her, resting his forearms across the rail. If she moved just a finger’s width closer their shoulders would touch.
“Hope you don’t mind,” Adam said. “I saw them at the mercantile this morning. Thought Jack might enjoy them.”
“Of course I don’t mind. In fact, I wanted to thank you for the gesture. Jack is proud as can be of both the marbles and his newfound skills.” She’d never seen Jack so pleased with a gift. In her heart she knew that it was more than the marbles themselves. Adam had given him something today that Lemuel never had, the gift of his unbegrudged time and undivided attention.
“No thanks needed. Jack is a good kid. And I know what it’s like to lose your parents when you’re young.”
Regina wanted to take exception to that. Couldn’t anyone get it through their heads that to Jack, she was a parent?
But she saw the look on Adam’s face and let go of her irritation. “Tell me about your parents.”
He gave her a startled look, then stared out at the fireflies on her front lawn. A mirthless smile twisted his lips. “It’s not an edifying story. Are you certain you want to hear it?”
More now than ever. “Only if you want to tell me.”
He was silent for a time, then he leaned forward. “I never knew my father,” he began. “My mother was an actress, but she had to quit that and work as a seamstress when I came along. She worked long hours, resenting everyone and everything that kept her from the life she loved.”
Did that extend to her son?
“Finally, she worked her way back into the theater. Then, about the time I turned four, she met a man who wanted to marry her.” A muscle near his mouth twitched. “Problem was he only wanted her. The proposal didn’t include another man’s castoff. So, Mom dropped me off at her brother’s house and never looked back.”
Anger fired Reggie’s veins. How could that woman have done such a thing?
She laid a hand on Adam’s arm, wanting to comfort that little boy who’d endured such painful rejection. “I’m sorry,” she said softly.
“You have nothing to apologize for.” His smile was firmly back in place. “It happened a long time ago. Besides, you’re doing your best to see that Jack never experiences anything similar.”
He lifted his arms from the rail as he straightened. “I just wish I understood why you don’t want to give him the benefit of a father as well.”
Reggie stiffened. She’d forgotten for a moment they were on opposite sides of this battle.
“I have my reasons.” She nodded dismissal. “Thank you again for your kindness to Jack. I won’t keep you any longer.”
Reggie watched Adam saunter down the front walk and out the gate. She rubbed her upper arms, feeling a sudden chill in the night air.
If only things could be different....
* * *
“Mr. Parker, how is it going?” Reggie shaded a hand over her eyes as she stared up at the man on the ladder. He’d been hard at work for two hours now. Though he seemed to have worked up quite a sweat, he showed no signs of tiring.
“I should have the roof finished soon,” Mitchell answered, wiping his brow with the back of his hand.
“Why don’t you take a little break. I’ve brought out a pitcher of Mrs. Peavy’s lemonade.”
He nodded. “Let me hammer in these last two nails and I’ll be right down.”
Reggie stepped back onto the porch and filled two glasses. When Mitchell joined her, she handed him one, then took the other.
“I appreciate your dedication,” she said. “But I didn’t intend for you to work yourself quite so hard.”
He shrugged. “I like working with my hands.”
“Yet you’ve chosen to be a teacher?”
He took a sip from his glass. “A person can find pleasure in more than one thing,” he said finally. “For instance, as much as you enjoy photography, you wouldn’t give up being surrogate mother to Jack in order to pursue it.”
“I see. One’s personal passion as opposed to professional satisfaction.” She gave him a considering look. “And which is which for you?”
“An interesting question.”
Was he being deliberately evasive or was he unsure how to answer?
Not that it mattered, other than satisfying her curiosity. She’d already decided Mitchell wasn’t the best target for her campaign. The schoolteacher seemed too controlled, too solid to have an Achilles' heel she could successfully attack.
No, Everett or Chance would be easier to manipulate.
But she was curious about one thing. “Mr. Parker, do you mind if I ask a personal question?”
The hint of a smile crossed his face. “I haven’t noticed our feelings on the matter playing a big part in your asking,” he said dryly.
She grimaced. “True. Circumstances have called for more than my usual bluntness lately. But this is different. You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.”
His expression immediately closed off. “Very well.”
“Why did you agree to participate in this farce? Surely you could have found a teaching position on your own.”
He stared into his glass, as if it somehow held the answer to her question. Finally, he looked up. “I went a little crazy after my wife died and did some things I’m not proud of. Judge Madison helped me through a tough situation and brought me back to my senses. After that, I couldn’t tell him no.”
He set his glass down. “Thanks for the refreshment. If you don’t mind, I’ll get back to my work.”
Reggie nodded and let him pass. “When that’s done, I think you should call it a day. The fence can wait ’til tomorrow.”
She watched him climb back up and return to work. What had he meant when he said he “went a little crazy”?
Reggie shivered, convinced she’d made the right decision when she’d eliminated him from her plan. Somehow, she didn’t think this was a man she’d want to try to manipulate.
* * *
“Ah, it looks like we’re late.” Reggie, her hand tucked onto Chance’s arm, scanned the nearly full room. Folks were gathered in clusters, vigorously discussing various aspects of the upcoming fair.
Reggie indicated a group across the room. “There’s our committee.” She allowed Chance to escort her through the maze of chairs, pausing frequently to greet friends and neighbors.
She stopped in surprise, though, when she spotted Adam in deep discussion with Mr. Pierce.
Why was he here? Surely he didn’t plan to help with the fair. He’d be back in Philadelphia before it was even held.
Should she say something or keep moving?
Then Mr. Pierce took the decision from her when he spotted her. “Hello, Reggie. It took a bit of arm-twisting, but I’ve convinced Mr. Barr to help with some of the paperwork for the fair. You don’t mind if he delays looking over the files on Jack’s behalf a little longer, do you?”
Reggie smiled. “There’s no need to ask me. That was Grandfather’s idea.”
Pierce clapped Adam on the back. “That’s settled then. We may just persuade you to extend your stay here yet.”
Adam merely smiled without answering.
The banker, however, had already turned to Chance. “What about you, Mr. Dawson? There’s plenty of work to go around. Can we convince you to lend a hand?”
Reggie laughed. “You’re too late. I’ve already talked him into helping our group.” She waved toward the far corner.
Mr. Pierce blinked in surprise. “Children’s activities? Surely we can find something more suited—”
Reggie raised a hand. “Oh, no you don’t. As I said, you’re too late.” She patted Chance’s arm with her free hand. “He’s already promised to help me and I’m not giving him up.”
Mr. Pierce eyed that bit of byplay with raised brows. Then he gave a knowing smile. “I see. Well, there’s nothing wrong with a man wanting to help a lady in need. Welcome aboard, Mr. Dawson.”
Chance shifted uncomfortably. “Tha
nk you.”
Reggie tugged lightly on her escort’s arm. “If you’ll excuse us, I see the rest of the committee is waiting.”
* * *
Adam watched them cross the room. Chance stiffened slightly as he got a good look at the group he’d just become a part of. Regina’s committee appeared to be composed of a sweet-faced grandmother, a shy-looking brunette who seemed barely out of the schoolroom and Reverend Harper’s studious-looking daughter, Constance.
As the introductions were made, the trio welcomed the hapless Chance with a mix of emotions. The white-haired matron patted his hand fondly as if he were a favorite grandson, the brunette blushed and gave him a moon-eyed smile, and Constance seemed to be reserving judgment. Chance held a chair out for Regina. Then, after casting a wistful glance at the group of men discussing some sort of construction project, took his own seat between Regina and Constance.
Poor Chance. Just as she had with Everett, Regina had found his weak spot and was exploiting it mercilessly. Adam was glad she hadn’t turned her clever mind to discomfiting him.
If she had been so inclined, though, what weakness would she have latched on to? What sensitive spot would she have probed and prodded until she had him squirming like the others?
* * *
Reggie drummed her fingers on the desk in Lemuel’s study—hers now, she supposed. Today was the day. Her grandfather’s deadline had arrived, and she still wasn’t sure if her plan had worked.
She looked down at the contract spread before her and sighed wearily. She’d gone over it so many times, looking for even the slightest loophole, that she practically knew it by heart.
For all the good it did her.
She’d pushed Everett and Chance as hard as she could these past two weeks. Both were showing signs of strain. And she made a point of taking buggy rides and casual strolls with Mitchell just so he would believe he was still in the running.
But the three were obviously made of sterner stuff than she had first supposed. It was time she faced facts. She might actually have to marry one of them.
Reggie shoved away from the desk and began pacing.
If it did come to that, if she had to risk humiliation to keep Jack with her, which man would be the better choice?
Chance was young, but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. It meant he’d be more likely to defer to her judgment, especially where Jack was concerned. But a possible saloon owner? Was that really the example she wanted Jack to grow up with?
Mitchell was well-educated, steady, reliable. As a teacher, he would obviously be comfortable around a young boy. And while not much of a talker, he also wasn’t one to stir up conflict. But there was a sadness in Mitchell, a perpetual pall that shadowed him no matter the circumstances.
Perhaps he would do a better job controlling his emotions than Lemuel had, but Jack had spent his first six years in the shadow of a man who had no joy or laughter to share. Reggie didn’t want that happening to her sweet boy all over again.
That left Everett. Not someone she’d consider ideal husband material. But she’d gained a new respect for him the past few days. Although he grumbled and complained with that biting tone he had, he’d met every challenge she threw at him. And she’d actually begun to enjoy his caustic wit, his cutting but on-the-mark comments on absurdities surrounding them.
He was also the most worldly of the three, something to consider given the situation.
She paused in front of the window, staring out without seeing anything beyond her own troubled reflection. What if she could convince one of them to agree to a platonic arrangement? To marry her and share her home, but not her bedroom?
She wouldn’t even consider asking Chance. He was too young and spirited to saddle with such an arrangement.
Mitchell might agree. In fact, he might welcome a name-only marriage if she chose him. After all, he obviously still mourned his first wife. But should she take advantage of that? And what kind of impact would his moodiness have on Jack?
Which brought her back to Everett.
Heaven help her. It seemed she had only one choice.
A knock on the door broke the silence and she spun around, her heart suddenly pounding.
No. I’m not ready.
At the second knock she took a deep breath and moved back to the desk. “Come in.”
Mrs. Peavy stepped inside, a sympathetic half smile on her face. “The gentlemen are here to see you.”
Reggie tried to project an unworried air. “Show them in.” She held up a hand. “Oh, and please see that Jack is kept occupied elsewhere.”
Mrs. Peavy nodded and allowed the men to enter.
Reggie waved toward the chairs in front of the desk. “Please, have a seat.”
As Mitchell, Everett and Chance sat down, Reggie was relieved to see they appeared as edgy and uncomfortable as she felt. Even Adam, who stood with arms folded, leaning negligently against a bookcase, seemed affected by the wary anticipation crackling through the room.
Of course, he probably felt more relief than dread. After today he could plan his return trip.
She studied the faces of her beaus and mentally groaned. It was obvious each one was fervently hoping he would not be chosen—a mortifying thought in itself. But there was also a determination in each of their expressions, a sort of grim, martyr-like set to their jaws that told her they wouldn’t shirk their duty if they drew the short straw.
“It’s time,” Adam said when the silence had drawn out painfully long. “What’s your decision?”
She was surprised by the sharp edge to his voice. Was he so impatient to have this over with? She admitted to herself that it bothered her that he could view her marriage to someone else with such detachment. Apparently the connection she’d felt between them wasn’t as strong as she thought.
“Actually,” she said, stalling for time, “I have until midnight tonight.”
“No,” he countered. “If you’ll remember, we arrived at your cabin around three o’clock in the afternoon. That means you only have another thirty minutes.”
Reggie glared at him, resenting being cornered this way.
Perhaps she should just give in, let him take Jack back to Philadelphia. She could tag along, confront her grandfather when they arrived, somehow make him see reason.
But what if she gambled and lost? She couldn’t bear the thought of losing Jack.
She studied the faces of the her suitors again, but nothing had changed. The only man in this room she could say with any certainty would refuse to walk her down the aisle was Adam.
Too bad he wasn’t one of the contenders.
Reggie froze. A shiver shimmied up her spine. Could it be—
Not trusting her memory, she grabbed the contract, leafing through it for the right paragraph.
There it was.
She read it twice, her mind tumbling over itself with a mixture of giddy relief, smug self-approval and triumph.
Her prayers had been answered!
* * *
Adam straightened as Reggie snatched up some papers from her desk. Was this another delaying tactic? Hadn’t she put them all through enough already?
Then he saw the relief light up her face, saw the confidence return to her expression and posture. Something was up. Whatever she’d discovered, it didn’t bode well for the judge’s plan.
Why did he feel a stirring of anticipation rather than irritation?
She finally looked up and met his gaze with a certain-of-victory smile.
“Very well,” she announced. “I’ve made my choice.”
From the corner of his eye, he saw the three men tense. But his gaze never wavered from Regina’s challenging one.
He braced himself to face whatever new trick she had up her sleeve.
She leaned back in her chair. “I choose you, Mr. Barr.”
Chapter Twelve
Adam snapped upright, ignoring the confused exclamations from the other men.
What did the infuriating wom
an think she was doing? “Come now. Enough of this nonsense. As flattered as I am,” he infused as much sarcasm as he could into his drawl, “we both know I’m not a valid choice.”
“Oh, but you are.” She held up the papers which he now recognized as the contract they had all signed. “It says so right here.”
Despite himself, Adam felt apprehension creeping like a spider up his backbone. He marched forward, rounding the desk to look at the contract. “Show me.”
She pointed to one particular paragraph.
By affixing his signature below, each man who is party to this contract agrees that, should he be selected by Miss Regina Nash as her husband-elect, he will accept the honor and duties entailed therein, fully, with utmost respect, and without reservation. Should said party refuse to do so, it will render this entire contract null and void.
Was that it? “You’re grasping at straws. This paragraph obviously refers to the three gentlemen seated before you. It does not include me.”
She raised a brow. “Doesn’t it? Don’t you have specific obligations set out under this contract that make you a party to it?”
He frowned. “Yes, but those obligations don’t include—”
“What those obligations are,” she interrupted, “doesn’t matter. By your own words, you agree you are a party to the contract. And isn’t this your signature?”
The ground suddenly shifted under Adam as he took in the possibility that she might actually have a case. How in the world had he let this get by him?
Did she actually want to marry him? Was it possible she preferred him over the men her grandfather had handpicked?
Adam met her gaze and tightened his jaw. Of course not. How could he have imagined anything so ridiculous for even a moment? She fully expected him to refuse. That’s what this was all about—her weaseling out of the trap her grandfather had set.
Quite a clever miss, this one.
“Is it true?”
Adam glanced up. The question had come from Chance but all three men wore identical expressions—a mixture of confusion and hope. A muscle twitched at the corner of his mouth. If she was right, he now had their futures to worry about as well.
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