Free Debra Ullrick by The Unintended Groom Page A

inside?”
    His brows pulled together.
    “To discuss business. The sooner we get started, the sooner I—we—can open.”
    He removed his pocket fob watch and flipped the gold H K engraved cover open. After a quick glance at it, with a click he snapped the lid shut and nestled it back into his pocket. “I told my boys I’d take them to lunch today. It’s still early. So yes, we can do that.”
    “Wonderful.”
    Up the mansion stairs they went.
    Zoé met them at the door and took Abby’s wrap and Harrison’s chapeau. They made their way to the parlor.
    Before sitting down next to him on the settee, she retrieved her writing tablet containing all her notes, along with a fountain pen. “Would you care for something to drink?”
    “No, thank you. But if you do, please go ahead.”
    “I don’t care for anything, either.” She smiled at him and shifted her knees his direction, careful to not touch his. “First of all, we need to hire a carpenter. I had Colette put up an advertisement on the bulletin board, but someone took it from her. If we don’t hear from whoever that was today, I thought we could put up another ad and ask around town to see if anyone knew of someone who could get the job done in the next couple of months.” How strange it felt to keep saying we. It had always been I up until today. In an even stranger way, it sounded nice.
    She never thought she would admit something like this to herself, but truth be told, she liked having a partner. Oh, not just any ol’ partner, of course, but one particular strong-figure-of-a-man sitting next to her. Close enough in fact that she could detect the scent of lemon spice and something entirely masculine.
    Something about the man awakened her senses to a new height and made her want to... No. No romantic thoughts allowed, Abigail. That’s what she called herself when she needed a good talking to. She shook all thoughts of romance from her head and reminded herself that no man wanted a woman who couldn’t bear children. Besides, Harrison would be leaving soon. And she’d do well to remember that, too.
    “You all right, Abby?”
    Her gaze darted to his. She waved her hand. “Oh. Yes. Yes. I’m fine. Now, where were we?”
    “We were discussing—” Harrison stopped talking; his attention was toward the door of the parlor.
    Abby shifted in the settee to see what he was looking at.
    “Forgive me for intruding, mademoiselle. But there is a gentleman here to see you,” Zoé said.
    “Thank you, Zoé. Send him in, please.”
    “Very well.” Zoé left.
    Abby twisted back in her chair. “I wonder who that could be. Hopefully the mayor didn’t change his mind again.” Abby tugged on her lip with her fingertips.
    “In here, if you would, please, sir.”
    Abby turned in time to see Zoé make a motioning gesture with her hand.
    In stepped a man she’d never seen before.
    She and Harrison stood at the same time.
    “Miss Abby. This is Mr. Fletcher Martin.” Zoé presented him to her.
    The man strode over to Abby. He towered over her by at least a foot. “Ma’am.” He extended his hand.
    Abby accepted the gesture. Rough calluses met her hand when she did. With a sweep of her hand toward Harrison, Abby introduced him. “This is Mr. Kingsley. Harrison Kingsley.”
    “Pleasure to meet you, Mr. Kingsley,” Mr. Martin said.
    Two large, very masculine hands met in between them.
    From the corner of her eye, Abby noticed Zoé standing by the door with her hands clasped in front of her, looking around uncomfortably. “Thank you, Zoé. You can go now.” She sent her a smile, one filled with appreciation.
    Zoé relaxed and smiled. She turned and left the room with a scurry in her step.
    Abby shifted her focus back to the stranger. “What can I do for you, Mr. Martin?”
    He removed a slip of paper very similar to the one she’d given Colette to post on the bulletin board from his shirt pocket and unfolded it. “I’ve come about your