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

to know.
    “It seems one Ms. Marigold has gotten wind of a celebration between her two favorite litigants.”
    “What do you mean?”
    “Well, I got an interesting phone call in the middle of the night from Marigold’s attorney. Apparently, the word around town is that you and Annabella are celebrating the coming together of the town’s two wealthiest families. She wants to make sure she gets her cut. So, she has increased her demand by millions. She’s going after everything, Warren. Now Annabella, you are safe. She has already settled with you and that’s in stone. But you, Warren, she wants everything your father worked for – everything!”
    “She can’t get it, can she?” Warren wondered.
    “It depends. Gorgeous damsel in distress versus rich Playboy and his heiress girlfriend. It’s a tossup, Warren. A crapshoot. You don’t want to gamble with your daddy’s fortune.”
    “So what are suggesting?” Warren wanted to know.
    “I suggest you come back here tomorrow without Ms. Annabella and her inflammatory red dress and be prepared to hammer out a settlement with which you can live.”
    “If Anna can’t come, then I am not coming. I need her. She is my rock.”
    “The rock stays home, Warrenton. This is business. If Marigold sees your rock, she might just up her asking price by several more million.”
    Warrenton looked thoughtfully at Annabella.
    “It’s alright, Warren. I will stay home for this one.”
    “Fine! Be here at 8 a.m. sharp and be ready to play ball.”
    With that, Annabella and Warrenton slowly exited the attorney’s office. Warrenton was sure Annabella would be upset about not being there, but he was wrong. She was unusually understanding. Annabella squeezed his hand as he drove her back to her home.
    “Anna, I will reach out to you later. I need to go handle the final plans for my father’s service.”
    “I will wait to hear from you,” she assured him as he opened her door and closed it behind her.
    Once again Annabella entered her house elated. She was finally starting to feel a real connection with Warrenton. He was trying to make her feel like a part of his life and she was enjoying being included on the important points in his life. She wondered why he did not bring her along to handle details of his father’s funeral, but she did not want to be pushy. She knew that in due time, she would be handling a lot more of Warrenton’s affairs. And she knew she was just the person to do it. With the parade of women that Annabella saw come and go over the years, there was never anyone quite like her. She knew he had been with more beautiful women and smarter women for sure. There were even a couple of wealthy socialites to add to his collection of broken hearts. But, none compared to Annabella who encompassed all of those things in one package. She was no dumb blonde. She was bright and capable. She knew once Warrenton overcame his insecurities, he would appreciate everything that she brought to the table. Annabella wanted to help Warrenton take his father’s legacy to a new level. And no one was more capable of doing it than she. Annabella spent the remainder of the day writing in her journal and thinking about how her life was going to change. What if she and Warrenton got married? Would she move into his house? Would they buy a house and move away? What would happen to Hattie? Would Hattie come with her and take care of Annabella’s children? Did she and Warrenton even want to have children? There was so much to think about and she daydreamed about it most of the day. She finally took a break long enough to get some dinner and take a warm bath. By nightfall, though, she was back to her journal and ended up falling asleep with her face buried in it. Hattie checked on her several times and each time she seemed more and more elated to be in her own skin. Everything was going swimmingly. What could possibly go wrong?
    Annabella awakened the next morning with the same wonderful