Free An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel by Annalise Arrington Page A

out there, good things can come to you. She hoped that she was not building herself up for a big fall. After all, she had known Warrenton for a long time, most of her life in fact, and he had let her down so many times. She hoped that this time was different. She hoped that he was sincere and that he enjoyed her company as much as she enjoyed his. Maybe he was actually becoming a man since his father died. It was entirely possible that Warrenton was finally maturing and that it was the ideal time to consider a real relationship with him. Annabella hoped that she was not getting ahead of herself. After all, Warrenton was a documented Playboy. He was known in most social circles as the guy who breaks hearts and lets girls down. She did not want to be the latest in his string of victims. She had not seen any new activity since the Marigold incident. She figured Warrenton was playing it cool because he was afraid any new girlfriends might try to score a payday as well. Besides, he seemed to be taking a special interest in Marigold right up until the accident. It was then that Marigold showed herself as a gold-digger and opportunist. Annabella was still beside herself for hitting the girl with her car, but she could not help but think that if it had not happened, she and Warrenton would not have gone out on a date. In that respect, she was happy that things happened the way they had and she hoped she wasn’t setting herself up for heartbreak. She could not help remembering all the times Warrenton came home from his dates and talked to Annabella about them. Some were good, some were bad. Then, of course, there were the times he got his heart broken and he thought he wasn’t going to be able to go on with life. Annabella was always there, always lending her shoulder for Warrenton to cry on. But this time, she was the girl. She was the one. If things didn’t work out, she didn’t know to whom Warrenton would turn. After all, his father was gone and his mother was emotionally, if not physically unavailable. He didn’t have any real friends in which he could confide. It may be that Annabella and Warrenton were meant for each other all along and they just never gave each other a chance. Annabella was too afraid to get close and Warrenton was too afraid to be alone. They made for a neurotic pair, to be sure. But, it seemed that with all the changes in their lives, they both were willing to take risks they had not previously wanted to take. Annabella was going to make the most of it and for the first time in a long time, she was no longer thinking about London. She was happy being at home and hoped the feelings she was experiencing would last forever. She fell asleep in her red dress, thinking about the time she had.
    Annabella awakened the next morning to a frantic knock at the door. It was Warrenton and he wanted Annabella to go with him to his attorney’s office. He did not know what the emergency meeting was about, but insisted that Annabella come with him right away. So, in the previous evening’s ensemble, she rushed out the door with her new love interest. On the way, Warrenton feverishly talked to himself, trying to sort out what could be the problem. He was sure Marigold was causing more trouble and he was fed up with her. He regretted ever getting involved with the woman and he hoped that he could put it behind him - the short-lived relationship they had. He was willing to deal with a lot of things, but giving up his family’s fortune to that tart of a woman was not one of them.
    Annabella grew more nervous as the car ride continued. She was relieved when they finally arrived at the attorney’s office, but she would not be for long. The attorney stood just outside the door as Warrenton held open the car door for Annabella and when he saw what she was wearing, he almost collapsed.
    “So this is the dress that’s causing all of the problems,” he coarsely acknowledged.
    “What are you talking about?” Warrenton wanted