Page 53 of Love vs The Ooze Monster!
She made an “hmm” sound of disapproval.
“Lew just looks at me, like he can see right into my heart and,” Boyd shrugged, “I find myself saying, ‘Nah, that’s a lie.’ Nothing else I could do except tell him the truth.”
“He had that way about him.”
“He did. So, I tell him, ‘I only ever wanted one of those overachieving, respectable girls, who sat up in the front of the classroom and didn’t let men like me near them. It’s why I don’t have a wife.’ And Lew nods and goes. ‘It took me quite a while to catch one of those kinda girls, myself. But they’re worth the hunt.’”
“He loved my mother.”
“I believe it. After that conversation, I think he knew I would do for your husband. He was smiling and teaching me stuff, like I was almost a son to him.” Boyd cleared his throat. “I… liked Lew, Mabe. I really, really did.”
Mabel smiled. “He liked you. Obviously. Back home, he never even mentioned his plans to marry me off, of course. I was pleasantly surprised that my firm rejection of his idea had worked.” She sighed. “Then came February. Suddenly, Lew’s planning a Valentine’s Day ball. We had never had one of those before, but now it’s some kind of tradition?” She shook her head. “I knew he was up to no good.”
Boyd’s mouth curved.
“The night before he died, I’m working on the books, and Lew comes wandering into my office. Big grin on his face, so I suspect right away he’s plotting something. And he says, ‘Great news, Mabel Ann. I’ve found you The One. His name is Boyd Cassiday and he’s coming to the party tomorrow. I expect you’ll leave with him, so you might want to pack.’”
Boyd drew in a deep breath, his chest expanding. Never in his life had he ever been chosen for anything, but Lew Irving had picked Boyd for his daughter. It was an honor that made him love that old man.
“I was not in the mood for Lew’s nonsense. I flat out refused to attend his ridiculous Valentine’s Day ball, if it was just an excuse to foist some new man off on me. But Lew’s not having it. He tells me I promised I’d meet The One, once he found him.” She rolled her eyes at the memory. “I’m still not convinced I actuallypromisedthat, but he’s being stubborn. ‘You’re going to need a partner to rule Volstead, after I’m gone, Mabel Ann. Boyd’s strong and he’s got an eye for what’s valuable. He won’t try to harness a tornado of a girl, fighting her for control. He’ll just appreciate the breeze.’”
Boyd grunted, because Lew’s words made a whole lot of sense.
“I was instantly opposed to the idea.” Mabel reported, lost between the past and present. “I had never met you. I didn’twantto meet you. I just wanted to be left alone to do my work. Lew is kicking up a fuss, though. Swearing that you remind him of a young him, and he respects you as an up-and-coming businessman, and pointing out how handsome you are. So, I say, ‘If he’s that handsome, why in the world is he going to want me? It won’t work.’”
Boyd frowned.
Mabel kept talking. “Lew just laughs and says, “‘That boy is bright enough to know the gift I’m handing him.’”
“Yes, I am.” Boyd agreed quietly.
“Lew willnotstop nagging.” Mabel continued. “‘Dance one dance with him and I won’t say another word about finding you a husband. I won’t have to. Boyd will take it from there.’” She shrugged. “Just to shut him up, I finally agreed. I gave him my word that I would dance with you.”
Boyd took a chance and got to his feet. “Come dance with me, then.” He crooked a finger at her.
She edged closer to him. “After he died, I was lost. I didn’t know what to do without Lew. I didn’t fit anyplace. I was just an extra piece. Sylvester took over the business and I didn’t even care. I didn’t care about claiming my inheritance or the future. I didn’t care aboutanything. …Until, I started thinking about you.”
Boyd didn’t move a muscle, as she stopped in front of him.
“The idea of having someone of my own made me feel like… maybe I still had a place in the world. A place to fit. So, I got out of bed and I went to find you.”
“But you didn’t tell me who you were.”
Hazel eyes stared up at him. “I needed you and I don’t like needing anything. That scared me. And you aresohandsome, Boyd.”
“And you’re so beautiful, Mabel.”
“I’m not.”
“That just might be the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard a smart woman say.”
She sighed like he was being difficult, again.
“You know how I feel about you.” He tilted his head to keep eye contact, when she would have looked away. “Youmust. Literally, everyone in Nevermore County has noticed I’m stuck on you. It’s the one part of me I could never hide, even if I wanted to.”
Silence.
“I couldn’t possibly be more attracted to a woman. It can’t physically happen. You are the prettiest girl I’ve ever seen.” He persisted. “I’ve been biding time until I thought of a way to win you over. If I’d understood you were my inheritance from Lew, I would have claimed you the minute we met.”
