Page 14 of The Beach Hut on Plum Island
“Why does Harriet need a fake fiancé?” Tucker asked, looking questioningly at Jennifer and Caroline.
“Well, Harriet had a very complicated family dynamic,” Jennifer explained.
“I don’t think I want my kids involved in this,” Finn stated.
“Too late,” Tucker told him. “Sorry, Dad. If you wanted to have a private conversation, you should’ve closed the door.”
“Tucker and I thought Aunt Caroline was here to talk about the Hamptons,” Maggie explained. “Only when we came to find out what the verdict was about our holiday did we hear this conversation. So, it’s your fault for not closing your office door,” Maggie gave him a smug smile.
“Again, they have a point, Finn,” Caroline told him. “And, I think this does affect them too.”
“No, it doesn’t, as I’mnotdoing it,“ Finn said stubbornly. “As I’ve said, I’m sure there are hundreds of men out there that would love to date Harriet. They’re just not me.”
“We’re not asking you to date Harriet,” Jennifer pointed out. “We’re asking you to be her fake fiancé just while her uncle and ex-fiancé, who her uncle is trying to get her to marry, are in town.”
“And because in her panic, she may have told her parents the two of you were engaged,” Caroline said, pulling a face as she waited for Finn’s blast.
“Oh!” Maggie and Tucker chorused from the door.
“Why on earth would she do that?” Finn asked in disbelief. “The woman doesn’t even like me,” he expressed with his hands. “Whenever I’m around, she hardly says a word, and it’s as if she thinks I’m beneath her.”
“Wow!” Jennifer breathed, sitting back and laughing. “Are you really that ignorant?”
“Jennifer!” Caroline barked. “We’re trying to soften him up here, not increase his irritation.”
“You haven’t answered my question,” Tucker said to Jennifer and Caroline. “Why would Harriet need a fake fiancé, and why did she tell her parents it was Dad?”
“May I answer your son’s question?” Jennifer cocked her head to the side and gave Finn that look he knew all too well.
“Why not?” Finn sat back, folding his arms. “Let’s hear the story about why a spoiled socialite needs a fake fiancé.”
“Wow, wow!” Caroline spluttered. “Jennifer’s right. You are an idiot if that’s what you think of Harriet.”
“Yes, Dad.” Maggie’s eyes filled with anger. “Harriet is nothing like that. She’s kind, funny, sassy, and has the biggest heart around.”
“She’s also down to earth and one of the most loyal people I know,” Jennifer told him and looked at Caroline. “Besides you, that is, Caro.”
“Thank you, Jennifer, but I understand what you mean about Harriet,” Caroline agreed with her. “You know what?” she glared at Finn. “You’re right. We can find Harriet a better fake fiancé than you.”
“Is Harriet in trouble with her family?” Tucker persisted.
“Her uncle’s kind of a big deal,” Caroline told him. “Their family has certain traditions and laws, which means that Harriet’s uncle has the right to dictate who she marries.”
“And right now, he wants her to marry a man that Harriet broke up with years ago because he wasn’t a very nice man,” Jennifer finished the story.
“Harriet’s uncle was invited to Alex and Daniella’s wedding,” Caroline picked up the story. “He’s bringing that man with him and is going to force her to marry him as he wants their families to be joined.”
“There’s one rule that Harriet’s uncle cannot break to force her to marry someone of his choosing, and that’s if Harriet is already engaged, with a set wedding date, or married,” Jenniferexplained. “In Harriet’s panic, she told her mother that her uncle was wasting his time coming here with that man as she was already engaged.”
“Earlier today, Jennifer had given Harriet the idea to ask Finn to be her date for Alex’s wedding party,” Caroline continued to explain, giving Finn a smug smile, “which she refused as adamantly as you are refusing to help her now.”
“There!” Finn indicated with his hand. “She doesn’t want my help.”
“No, she doesn’t,” Jennifer told him honestly. “We were the ones who came here to ask you toofferto help her.”
“Does Harriet know you’re here?” Maggie asked them, wide-eyed.
“No,” Caroline and Jennifer chorused.
