A Forever of Orange Blossoms by Ava Miles

Author:Ava Miles
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Ava Miles Inc.
Published: 2020-05-04T08:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

When Flynn and June left, the very uncomfortable-looking driver in the semi following them back to the main road, Clara strode over to join Hargreaves by the lab’s door. She heard a door slam and turned to see Arthur leaving the house. His coat was unbuttoned, something that indicated his current state of mind.

“That son of a bitch,” Arthur said, inclining his chin toward a barn. “I’m going to talk to him.”

She pulled on his arm. “To what end? Arthur, think. This isn’t our fight. It’s Annie’s. We are here to help, and you going mano-a-mano with Tom isn’t helpful. Although I wish it were otherwise.”

“I would be your second, sir,” Hargreaves said, folding his arms across his chest.

“I wouldn’t duel with Tom. I’d knock his lights out.” Arthur’s mouth tipped up. “But I thank you for the offer, Hargreaves.”

God, she loved these two men.

She pulled Arthur in for a kiss, after which he gave her a puzzled look and said, “What was that for?”

Hargreaves averted his eyes, always proper. She thought about hugging him spontaneously as well, but it would only discomfit him. “Just because.”

Arthur kissed her again, probably also “just because,” and she smiled.

“So what’s our plan?” Arthur asked. “Annie told me Flynn and June were hopefully parking the portable on a nearby farm.”

“Yes, they left moments ago,” Clara said, fingering her diamonds.

Her husband cast a tired glance back at the house. “I’m doubting the soundness of this whole matter, Clara. No business order is worth this kind of conflict in a family. Tom’s putting up roadblocks every which way, and it can’t be good for Annie’s girls to be torn between them.”

“That’s not your call, dear,” Clara said. “Annie sees this Christmas order—and the possibility of selling her company—as her chance to take control of her life and her future. A woman needs to have options. She can’t darn well let a bully tear them away from her.”

A bully like Tom, who reminded her a bit too much of Reinhold, her deceased husband.

Arthur hugged her to him. “I didn’t mean to stir you up. It’s only… Christ, Clara. Do you think Tom would ever evict them?”

“I frankly don’t know,” she said, looping her arm through his as if they were about to take a stroll through the countryside, “but we need to be prepared for the possibility, and that requires a new battle plan.”

Hargreaves nodded. “If I may, Madam. In looking for rental locations for the holiday baskets, I came across a few houses that have been available for some time. I believe the young couple would appreciate the privacy such a residence would provide. I would be happy to arrange for a short-term rental for Master Flynn.”

Flynn absolutely loved surprises—always had, according to his siblings. She wanted to send up a cheer. “You always know just what to do, Hargreaves, and it would be a wonderful Christmas present and a happy surprise in the midst of all this turmoil. Thank you, Hargreaves.”

“It’ll send tongues wagging, but that’s the way of small towns,” Arthur said.

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