Free An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel by Annalise Arrington

in shock.
    Annabella sat quietly at the table and crossed her twigs for legs. She was sure Warrenton would appear soon. She seemed more confident than Hattie ever remembered and Hattie was excited. She wasn’t sure what would happen between the couple, but it was of no matter. Hattie just wanted Annabella to explore all of her options and make an informed decision based on logic, not emotion. Annabella would have been an emotional wreck if she went to London without ever exploring Warrenton as a possible suitor. At least she can go forward knowing that she gave him a chance and it was him who blew it – not her.
    Just as Annabella had predicted, Warrenton appeared at her doors within the hour. He was not his usual dapper self, but at least he looked like he had showered. Annabella flung open the French doors to reveal the China red dress that shocked a man who had arguably seen it all.
    “My word, Annabella! What are you wearing?
    “You are not blind, you tell me.”
    “I suppose you left your bags at the airport and picked up Ms. Christina Applegate’s,” Warrenton joked.
    “In that case, I suppose you are not interested in escorting me to dinner tonight. I shall have to find someone else to take me to dinner.”
    “I suppose you are wrong,” Warrenton assured her as he looked her up and down twice. He held her hand over her head and twirled her around gently. Annabella blushed profusely.
    Just as she had told Hattie, she handed him her keys and her wrap. He gently placed the wrap on her shoulders and held out his arm for her to take. She clasped his elbow with one hand on top and the other on the bottom. She smiled and shrieked her shoulders as they walked out of the doors. Hattie giggled a little as they got into the car. She could not believe how easy it was for her to convince Annabella to do something she should have done at least ten years earlier. But, Hattie was sure that all is well that ends well. She wanted Annabella to be happy, but that meant taking chances. She was certainly taking a huge chance on Warrenton, the town’s Premier Playboy.
    It was well after midnight when Hattie awakened to the sound of a familiar engine in the family’s driveway. She was content that they had neither spent too short nor too long of a time together. It was a positive sign. She, however, pretended to be sleep so that Annabella would not feel pressured into revealing details if the date did not go well. But, Hattie did not have to pretend for long. Annabella snatched off the heels she had worn to dinner and raced up the stairs. She banged incessantly on Hattie’s door and Hattie opened the door to a beaming Annabella.
    “My word, child. What is your malfunction?”
    “No malfunction, Hattie,” Annabella assured her. “Warren is amazing!”
    “Amazing at what?” Hattie wanted to know.
    “Not that!” Annabella squealed.
    “Then do tell, ” Hattie encouraged her.
    “He was kind, funny, gentle. I kept wondering w here was that jackal of a man I grew up with.”
    “Well, where was he?”
    “He wasn’t at dinner tonight. No, the man I went out with tonight might very well be my prince, my knight, my dream come true.”
    “Slow down, Anna. It was dinner , not an engagement party.”
    “Well, Hattie. If things continue to progress who knows what we will be celebrating next!”
    Annabella left Hattie with that thought and went to her room. She wanted to share her news with Caroline, but she knew how Caroline felt about Warrenton. She did not want her moment to be ruined by Caroline’s negative comments. She decided to write in her diary. She was still beaming and she wanted to remember every single detail about the evening. She didn’t know if Warrenton was supposed to call her or if she was supposed to call him. She was so new to the dating game and even newer to the feelings she was having. This was what she dreamed she would find in London. She was pleasantly surprised to find out that when you put yourself