He glanced up from perusing a stack of papers and popped to his feet so fast, the papers went flying. Mr. Merrick made a comical sight as he grabbed for several pages in midair and slapped them on the desk, ignoring those that fluttered to the floor. He snatched up his frock coat, which had been lying across one end of his desk, and shoved his arms into it. “Miss Willard, how nice to see you again. Might I inquire after your father?”
Prudy looked around the office, attempting to regain her composure. She hadn’t counted on noticing how nicely Adam Merrick filled out the crisp white shirt he wore. Shifting her gaze away from him, she noticed a college diploma hung where her father had nailed up an award he’d received from the town. There were other subtle changes. Was Mr. Merrick taking over when his job was temporary? Turning her thoughts to her father instantly sobered her. “I fear he’s worse off than I expected, but I’m hoping he will rally now that I’m home and can take some pressure off his shoulders.”
He picked up a paper, set it on the desk, and moved toward her, compassion filling his eyes. “I’m sorry you couldn’t have received better news, Miss Willard.” He gestured at a chair sitting in front of his desk. “Would you care to sit?”
“Yes. Thank you.” He held on to the back of her chair as she lowered herself onto it, then he returned to his seat on the far side of the large desk. “To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
Prudy stared at her lap, irritated that she’d noticed the intriguing dimple that winked at her when Mr. Merrick smiled. His kindness would only make her task more difficult. She drew in a breath then lifted her head. “I’ll be honest. I was stunned to find my father so wasted away. He is a shell of the man he was when I left town, a year and a half ago.”
He pursed his lips. “I truly admire your father and enjoyed the year we worked together. He’s quite intelligent and has a heart for this town. It’s been hard to watch such a vibrant man go downhill.” He tugged at his collar, his ears turning red. “Uh. . .pardon me, Miss Willard. I probably shouldn’t have said that.”
Prudy stared at him, watching him squirm. “Well, it is true. That’s why I’ve come today. Instead of visiting with my father in the future, you may talk to me, and I’ll relay the information to him that I feel is warranted.”
He blinked, looking confused. “I was under the impression your father enjoyed my visits.”
“I’m sure he does, but I believe they are overtaxing him. I think he will improve quicker if I act as mediator.”
He cleared his throat. “Things have been going fine without your interference.”
Prudy stiffened, taken off guard by his harsh tone. “I disagree.”
He rose and tugged on the bottom of his coat. “Regardless, you are not the mayor.”
She hiked her chin. “Need I remind you that you are only the interim mayor?”
He rounded his desk. “Appointed by the town council. And might I add that your father wholeheartedly endorsed my taking over for him.”
Prudy rose, struggling for a comeback. “Well, he was ill at the time.”
Mr. Merrick’s nostrils flared. “Thank you for taking the time to visit, but as you can see, I have work to do.”
She glanced at several papers still on the floor and lifted a brow. “Indeed.”
He glared at her for a long moment then blew out a loud breath. “I’m not trying to replace your father, Miss Willard, so you can relax your ruffled feathers. I do, however, plan to do the best job that I can until he returns.”
She hadn’t expected his acquiescence, and it momentarily disarmed her. Maybe he didn’t realize he wanted to take over, but he was having the same effect. She was certain he was part of the reason her father was still ill. The man was doing too good of a job, and her father felt he no longer had anything to live for. And she couldn’t tolerate that. “I plan to return tomorrow to help you.”
His mouth dropped open. “I don’t need your assistance. My sister does the filing and serves as my typist.”
“Nonetheless, I will see you tomorrow.” Prudy rushed toward the door, her heart pounding. She hadn’t planned on becoming Adam Merrick’s partner when she left home. What had gotten into her?
Adam stared at the closed door, unable to move. Talk about a whirlwind. Emmett had warned him that his daughter could be headstrong, but never once had he considered she’d resent him for stepping up as mayor when no one else wanted the position. The salary was so minimal he had to supplement his income by keeping books for several businesses and auditing the bank quarterly. And the town’s annual budget was so puny, he barely had the funds to replace the nails that came loose from the boardwalk.
He sighed and walked to the window. This job certainly didn’t pay enough if he had to work with Prudence Willard on a daily basis, no matter if the fire in her eyes stirred him in a way he didn’t like.
But he promised Emmett he’d keep the town running smoothly until the man recovered. Although, from the look of things, that might not happen for a long while. They’d discussed ways to improve the town’s coffers, but the only viable solution Adam could come up with was to hold a county fair. So far, no town in the county had one, and if Bakerstown could be the first, the town stood to earn a lot of badly needed income.
Adam rubbed the back of his neck and looked out the window, gazing up at the sky. “I could use some help here, Lord. What am I supposed to do with Emmett’s daughter?”
The door rattled, and Adam stiffened, fully expecting Prudence Willard to return and give him another tongue-lashing.
“Who was that woman I saw leaving?”
Jenny—not Prudence. Adam blew out a breath and relaxed. He smiled at his sister. “That was Emmett’s daughter, Prudence.”
Jenny’s brown eyes widened as she lifted her hand to cover her lips. “So she has returned. I hate to admit it, but I’ve heard some dreadful things about her. What did she want?”
He shrugged. “I think she believes I’m trying to take over her father’s job, and she resents that.” He didn’t want to confess she also blamed him for her father not recovering. Could there be a thread of truth in that idea? If Emmett thought he didn’t have a job to return to, it might affect his recovery. The first chance he got, he needed to reassure the man. Although Adam enjoyed serving as mayor, there were other things he could do to earn an income.
Jenny removed her hat and gloves. “She’s much prettier than I expected.”
Adam nodded. “You should see how her eyes blaze when she’s angry.”
His sister cocked her head, eyebrows lifted.
He knew that look and waved his hands in the air. “Don’t go getting any ideas about matchmaking. She is a pretty woman, and I’d not be a man if I didn’t notice. That doesn’t mean I’m attracted to her.”
“Hmm. . .” A smile graced his sister’s lips as she set her gloves on the small table that served as her desk.
“Don’t hmm me, Jenny. And might I remind you that your job is filing, not finding me a wife.”
She didn’t respond but rather thumbed through the papers he’d left for her, that ornery smile still on her lips.
He grabbed the last of the papers that had flown from his hands when Prudy first stormed in. He didn’t have enough tasks to keep Jenny busy. How was he going to manage to find work for Prudy, too?
And how was he going to get anything done with her lavender scent filling his office?
He wouldn’t.
He’d just have to find a way to get rid of her.
Fast.
CHAPTER 3
Prudence Willard arrived promptly at ten o’clock, and an hour later, Adam was ready to resign as mayor. He heaved a sigh. “Miss Willard, surely you’re wise enough to realize that Bakerstown is too small to support an opera house.”
“I’m well aware of the town’s size, Mr. Merrick. I have lived here most of my life, unlike you.” She smirked as if thinking she’d landed a killing blow with her last comment. “An opera house would bring in mone
y our town desperately needs.”
He took a step toward her. “Only if people are willing to travel a great distance to get here. And once they are here, where would they stay? We don’t even have a hotel.” He blew out a sigh. “Where are we supposed to get the money to build such a facility?”
Prudy blinked several times, and he could almost see the wheels spinning in her mind. She snapped her fingers. “If we built a hotel with a restaurant, we could earn even more income.”
Adam pinched the bridge of his nose and glanced at his wide-eyed sister. Jenny had hardly uttered a word since Emmett’s daughter arrived. “Jenny, please tell Miss Willard how much money is in the town treasury.”
“After we pay Mr. Michaels for repairing the boardwalk where the wood rotted, we’ll have one hundred and three dollars and sixty-two cents.”
Prudy’s eyes widened. “How can there be such a trivial amount? Surely there’s more.” She stepped close to Adam, glaring at him. “What have you spent it all on?”
He resisted rubbing his forehead where an ache was building. “Did your father share with you how much was in the bank account when he was mayor?”
“Um. . .well. . .no. But there certainly had to be much more than that.”
“There wasn’t, I’m sorry to say. That’s why I’m trying so hard to come up with an idea to bring in additional funds.”
“I don’t understand. Surely my father made a decent salary. Otherwise, how could my parents have afforded such a nice home?”
Did she not know about her father’s inheritance from his uncle? Emmett had once confided that was how he kept his two women happy and living far above their current means. He never could have afforded such a nice home on his mayoral salary. But that wasn’t his news to share. “You’ll have to ask your father about that, I’m afraid.”
“Believe me. I will.” She lifted her chin. “So, back to raising money. What wonderful ideas have you come up with?”
Adam stuck his finger in his collar and tugged. Why did it feel as if it were choking the life from him? “I think we need to concentrate on getting new businesses to come to town, which will generate more money in taxes. Then we should focus on improving the streets and maybe even bring electricity to Bakerstown.”
Prudy crossed her arms. “Just how do you plan to entice those businesses to come to town? I’ve been gone a year and a half, and as far as I can tell, there are no new ones.”
Jenny rose and cautiously approached them. “You have to understand, Miss Willard, Adam has only been the interim mayor for half that time, and a good chunk of it was spent learning his duties and getting to know most of the townsfolk so that he could understand how to best serve them. And he does have his other jobs to attend to.”
He cut a sharp glare at his sister as Prudy’s head jerked toward him. He hadn’t wanted her to know about his other places of employment.
“You work somewhere else, besides fulfilling your mayoral duties? How can you expect to prosper the town when you don’t devote your full attention to it?”
“Oh dear. I’m sorry, Adam.” Jenny turned and fled to her small desk. “I. . .uh. . .need to. . .uh. . .run an errand.” She snatched up her reticule and rushed out the door.
He felt like a lily-livered cad for making her feel bad. He owed her an apology. But first he had to deal with Miss Willard, who was quickly becoming as bothersome as a splinter underneath a fingernail. He straightened, taking advantage of his height to force her to look up. “The truth is, this job doesn’t pay enough to support my sister and me, so I have no choice but to work other places.”
“What kind of places?”
He lifted a brow. “That, Miss Willard, is none of your concern. I can assure you, though, that my other duties do not affect my performance as mayor.”
“Interim mayor.”
He pursed his lips to keep from saying something he’d regret. He’d devoted many hours to this town for a pittance of a salary, and he didn’t appreciate her attitude. He’d never met a woman so obstinate—so interesting. Adam swallowed, appalled by that last thought. Yes, he admired her ardent desire to protect her father’s job, even if her efforts were heavy-handed. And she was quite pretty, but he would not allow himself to become attracted to Prudence Willard—not even if she smelled better than a hot apple pie or the fact that he enjoyed seeing her cornflower-blue eyes spark. A trickle of sweat ran down his temple as he continued to stare at her. All manner of expressions crossed her face, and she finally ducked her head, breaking his stare.
“I’m sorry if I said something to upset your sister. It wasn’t my intention. I’m far too outspoken—too much like my mother, I’m afraid.”
Adam couldn’t deny the truth of her comment, but he wouldn’t have her believing she’d upset Jenny. “I’m afraid it was the glare I turned on Jenny that sent her running. She’s a gentle soul and can’t stand thinking she angered or disappointed me.”
Prudy cocked her head and looked at him with a placid expression. “Might I ask why she lives with you? She is young and quite pretty. In fact, you two greatly favor one another.”
Adam cocked his mouth in an amused grin. “Why, Miss Willard, are you insinuating I’m pretty?”
Her mouth dropped open, and her cheeks flamed. “I. . .uh. . .well. . . You are very handsome, but I wouldn’t say you’re pretty.”
She thought he was handsome? He’d hoped to take some delight in seeing her at a loss for words for once, but she’d shocked him speechless. In truth, she was one of the prettiest women he’d ever encountered. Too bad her tongue was as sharp as a new knife. He blinked, trying to regain control of his senses.
“I asked about your sister.”
“Yes, well Jenny can tell you her story if she wants, but suffice it to say, she had a bad experience with her intended.” He held up his hand when she opened her mouth. “Please don’t ask me to share more.”
Her lips pinched. “I was only going to say I’m sorry. I believe I can understand a little bit of what she feels.”
Adam had heard the story from Prudy’s father how she shamelessly chased after Pastor Parsons before he married Karen. He’d thought it awful how she’d treated Clay’s bride-to-be, but he’d never before considered her side of the story. Had Prudy truly loved Clay? Did his marrying Karen hurt her like Jenny had been wounded?
He rubbed the back of his neck. “I would appreciate if you’d not mention to Jenny that I told you about her misfortune. If you two become friends, I’m sure she’ll tell you herself.”
She smiled and held up her palm. “I promise. I have no desire to hurt her.”
“Thank you.” Adam glanced at the door. “I would really like to make sure Jenny is all right. Would you mind postponing our discussion?”
Prudy glanced at the clock on the fireplace mantel. “I should be returning home anyway. Mother likes luncheon to be served precisely at noontime.” She flashed him a grin. “I will see you tomorrow morning, Mr. Merrick.”
Adam’s heart sank. Would he have to endure her challenging his every move on a daily basis? “Really, Miss Willard. There’s no need for you to be here. I’m perfectly capable of doing the job myself.”
“Regardless, I need to protect my father’s interests, and that includes this office.”
If he hadn’t promised Emmett he’d keep things running until he could return to work, Adam might consider walking out and leaving the job to Miss Willard. She sorely tempted him to forget he was a Christian man who believed in turning the other cheek. He sure hoped he wouldn’t have to do it every day.
Prudy exited the office with Adam and waited while he locked the door. He bid her good-day and walked away. She watched him go—tall, confident, and handsome. Her heart had nearly burst from her chest when he’d stood close and stared at her for so long. She was used to men staring, so why did it affect her so when he had? He was her adversary, after all.
Spinning on her toes, she headed home, reminding herself what a stubborn, single-mind
ed man Adam Merrick was. She didn’t want to like him. She really should stay far away from him, for she feared she could like him much too easily. She hadn’t expected him to be so passionate about his duties, and even though she’d treated him harshly, which she could see irritated him, he never lost control of his temper.
With his dark brown hair, deep blue eyes, and tanned skin, he was delightful to look at. She even enjoyed the way his mouth cocked to one side when he had teased her about thinking he was pretty.
Ugh!
She had to stop dwelling on his comeliness and focus on the fact that he could steal her father’s job if she wasn’t careful. She needed to talk to Papa if he felt up to it after lunch. He had to understand how comfortably Adam Merrick had settled into his job. Maybe Adam’s ideas for making money for the town weren’t the best, but he certainly seemed dedicated to the task. She feared he might succeed where her father hadn’t—and then the townsfolk might not want her father to return to his job. Her papa had always been so proud to be mayor, and her mother relished in the clout of being the town’s first lady. If Papa lost his job permanently they would both be devastated, and she couldn’t let that happen.
CHAPTER 4
After lunch, Prudy carried a tray of hot tea into the parlor of her family home. She’d promised to sit with her papa while her mother ran some errands. Every time she saw him, her heart broke a little more. He’d always been so strong and robust. She remembered delighting in how he would toss her in the air when she was small.
He turned from gazing out the front window and smiled at her. “It’s so good to have you home again, Princess.”
“I wish I had returned months ago, but. . .” She bit back the words mother wouldn’t let me and set the tray on a drum table. “It’s good to be home.”
The 12 Brides Of Summer (Novella Collection Book 4) Page 2