An Inconvenient Marriage Read online

  Justin Monroe spoke up. “Maybe we could work out an agreement where they could take another loan to get current on their payments.”

  “But that will only delay foreclosure,” George argued. “If they keep getting deeper into debt, how will they ever get out of the mess they’re in?”

  “Actually, Justin makes a good point,” Jake intervened. “The problems they are having are due to extraordinary circumstances. The boy’s surgery and the hail and tornado are not likely to happen again. It might even help if we could talk the hospital into settling for half the debt they owe.”

  “Perhaps we can settle on some of their debts with us,” Justin added. “We won’t be too bad off if we forgive some of the debt. At least it would keep them from sinking into the quicksand they’re in.”

  “Are you crazy?” George shook his head. “We won’t make any profit if we do that.”

  “Not with the Lewis family,” Jake began, “but there are other customers who make us a suitable profit from their investments.”

  “Then we’ll have to do this for everyone else who comes to us with a sob story.”

  “I think people will understand that given the circumstances the Lewises find themselves in that we wouldn’t offer everyone a break. We might even attract more loyal customers since people seem to like mercy.”

  “I disagree. People need to know that they will be treated fairly. If other customers have to pay their full amount on a debt while someone else gets off with less, then there will be unfairness.”

  “People can see that the Lewises are hurting,” Justin protested. “They will understand.”

  “Let’s take a vote,” Jake said. “All in favor of Justin’s proposal, say aye.”

  To his dismay, he and Justin were the only ones in favor of it.

  “All opposed, say nay,” he continued, already knowing that the other two members would agree with George. Had Conrad been there, Justin’s idea would have succeeded since he would have voted to help Sue’s family, and being the president, he would be the tie breaker.

  He sighed and stood up. “That is all. This meeting is adjourned until next month.” When he left the bank that night, he was in a sour mood. He thought Justin had a good idea. When I open my own bank, Justin will be the vice president.

  Chapter Two

  Sue Lewis was distressed that night as she paced back and forth in her one room apartment in town. She could barely afford the place and was forced to eat bean soup again. She was at her wits’ end. She hated to tell her parents that her efforts had been in vain. Nothing she told the bank employees made any difference. They were all a cold hearted lot. Her father wasn’t able to come in to make his case because he threw out his back and couldn’t afford the wagon ride into town. Her mother was an emotional wreck over the stress of losing her home. Her twenty-seven year old brother and his wife were busy trying to maintain the farm so they could put food on the table. Her sister Emma would have been twenty-four that year but had died three years ago due to pneumonia. Trevor was seventeen, so he couldn’t do anything until he was an adult. The ten year old twins, Luke and Patty, were still children. The burden rested on her shoulders.

  She tried not to cry, but her situation seemed unbearably hopeless. “Lord, what am I going to do? Is there no one who will show mercy upon my family?”

  She spent the past two weeks praying and reading her Bible every night, but the Lord didn’t appear to hear her. Perhaps He is saying no to my request. She knew that God didn’t always say yes.

  She sat on her small cot that served as a bed and stared at the wobbly kitchen table a foot away from her. Her job at the library barely paid the bills. She couldn’t afford to help pay her father’s debts. She was thirty-three. She was hardly of marrying age anymore. Most women by her age had already settled down and had families of their own. Who would want to marry her? Jake’s words penetrated her thoughts. “Perhaps with your family’s debt out of the way, you’ll find a man who’s willing to overlook your constant nagging.”

  She had been accused of coming off as too harsh to members of the opposite sex from other people. It seemed that no man wanted a woman who was strong-willed and outspoken. She hadn’t intended to be so abrasive at the bank, and originally, she wasn’t. But the more her request for mercy was denied, the angrier she got, and when she got angry enough, she said whatever was on her mind, whether or not it was appropriate.

  Oh Lord, I know I need You to tame my wild tongue. It’s so hard.

  Who would want to marry an old maid anyway? She was well past her prime. A man could be Mr. Mitchell’s age and still be an attractive catch, but a woman wasn’t worth much once she reached thirty. She sighed. Her sister-in-law was twenty when she married her brother. Gloria was sweet, quiet and soft. She was fragile. Her brothers often joked that Sue was too hardheaded for a man.

  But didn’t You make me this way? You don’t expect me to be what I’m not, do You?

  She knew what she wanted out of life and pursued it. She didn’t back out of a challenge. She even rode horses bareback and sought adventure when she could find it. She wasn’t content to stay in one place for long. She desired to see the world but couldn’t due to her financial situation, so she spent a great portion of her days in a good book where she could transport herself to places that she longed to see but never would. A man wanted a woman who was content to stay home all day and take care of the children. And she did want children. She just envisioned taking the children with her on her travels. The thought of being confined to a home just didn’t sit well with her.

  She picked up the birth announcement that rested on the table next to her. It was from her childhood friend Belinda. Belinda married at eighteen to Jim Hawke, a man twice her age. Because of Sue’s single status, she was not allowed to see Belinda much. They would talk if they happened to run into each other, but there was an unwritten rule that women who were married needed to stick with other married women. And a single woman was to never be alone with a married man since they tended to find the unmarried women a temptation. Sue made it a point to avoid private encounters with any male since her virtue was important to her. It was all she had that was worth of value. But even her virginity didn’t attract respectable single men.

  “Maybe Jeremiah is right,” she muttered. “Maybe I need to find anyone who is willing to marry me.” But it wouldn’t be just anyone. If she was going to commit her life to a loveless marriage, she would make it worth her while. She would marry a rich man who could bail her family out of debt. Then at least, her sacrifice wouldn’t be in vain. She took a deep breath.

  Alright, Lord. I don’t see what other choice I have but to be a gentle and quiet woman who will sit at home and take care of the children while my husband has all the adventures. Since I can’t talk anyone at the bank into showing me mercy, this is the only option I can see that will save my family.

  She did have one small consolation. Eventually, she would die so her time on Earth in misery would be limited. Besides, what were a few decades compared to eternity in Heaven? She felt much better now that her decision was made. She would set her sight on every available and wealthy bachelor. Perhaps someone would notice her and marry her. What other choice did she have?

  ***

  That Friday evening, she took all of her savings and bought an elegant light blue dress which accentuated her curves while leaving her modesty intact. She even went to the hairstylist who trimmed her long blond curly hair and set her curls in gentle waves against her face. She put on make up too. She couldn’t afford any jewelry so she borrowed Belinda’s diamond necklace. She hadn’t realized her hair reached slightly past her shoulders since she wore it in a bun so much. She stared at her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t recognize herself. She almost felt like a different woman. Deciding to use that thought, she went to the upscale dance, determined that she would find her future husband that very night.

  Her heart raced with nervous dread. She wasn’t looking forward to
this. She loved to dance but since this wasn’t a social function on her part, she had a tough time enjoying herself. She entered the grand ballroom and sighed as she studied the available men in the room. Most of them were around her age or older, but they seemed to have set their eyes on the eighteen to twenty-five year old women. She sighed again. Who would want to marry a thirty-three year old? A seventy year old man from the corner of the room winked at her.

  She involuntarily shuddered. Of course, only an old man would be interested in her. But perhaps that was a good thing. He didn’t have many years left to live.

  “Sue?” Mrs. Walker called out as she walked to her.

  Sue relaxed. She liked her employer and was glad to see her there. It helped ease her anxiety. “Good evening, Mrs. Walker.”

  “I hardly recognized you.” The older woman took her to the side of the large room. “You look so different.”

  “I hope that’s a good thing.”

  “Oh, you’re a nice looking woman no matter what you wear.”

  Sue grinned. “Only you would be so kind as to say that.”

  “You sell yourself short, Sue. You have a lot to offer.”

  She shrugged.

  Mrs. Walker softly patted her shoulder. “What brings you here? You’ve never made an appearance before.”

  “I’ve given up on the bank.”

  “Did you speak to Mr. Mitchell like I suggested?”

  She shuddered at the mention of his name. “Yes, I specifically went to his office. I have talked to him a couple of times and nothing ever gets resolved.” She shook her head in aggravation. “I don’t know why you speak so well of him. He’s just like George Leroy.”

  “That’s not true. Mr. Mitchell is a competent businessman. He knows his job and does it well. He has helped out a lot of people in this town. If there is anyone who would show mercy, it is him.”

  She didn’t feel like hearing a list of his qualifications. “That may be true of everyone else, but he refuses to help me.”

  “Speaking of him...”

  Sue turned in the direction she indicated. She noted that several prominent, younger women turned their attention to him as he entered the room. He was irritatingly attractive in his black suit and light gray tie. He seemed to be oblivious to the fact that so many women were staring wistfully at him. Instead, he walked over to a couple men and began talking to them.

  “I don’t see what’s so great about him,” she finally commented. She looked at Mrs. Walker. “It’s disgusting that a thirty-five year old man can have his pick of any available woman in the room but a thirty-three year old woman has to settle for someone who’s desperate enough to marry her.”

  The older woman’s eyes widened. “Is that why you’re here?”

  She nodded. “I don’t have a choice.”

  “I’m sorry, Sue. I tried to raise enough money to help your family.”

  “I know, Mrs. Walker. The debt is overwhelming. You have been most kind. It is not your problem. It’s mine. I do not wish to burden you anymore with my family’s troubles.”

  The older woman looked at her sympathetically. “Is marriage something you want, Sue?”

  “I don’t know. I have learned to be content without a man. It would be nice to marry for love but I’m not the kind of woman who attracts attention.”

  “There are several men looking your way.”

  “The old and creepy ones.”

  Mrs. Walker grinned. “It appears that Mr. Mitchell just noticed you.”

  “How flattering,” she sarcastically stated.

  “You should be flattered. He hasn’t given any of the other women a second glance. I do believe you caught his attention.”

  “That is ridiculous. He can obviously have any woman he wants.”

  “Which is why you should be flattered. He’s coming over here.”

  “I have nothing to say to him.” He was the last person she felt like talking to.

  “He has something to say to you.”

  Before Sue could protest, the woman walked away. Maybe he’ll just walk by me.

  “Miss Lewis, we missed you at the bank,” he said once he was right behind her.

  She spun around. “It’s obvious you have no intention of helping me, so I’m taking your advice.”

  “Your father’s going to turn over his property?”

  Did he actually sound sad by that possibility? She pushed the thought aside. “No. I’m going to marry a wealthy man and pay off my family’s debt.”

  “So you’re here for business.”

  She nodded and examined the men in the room. Some of them were with their wives but there were some who were available.

  “I come here for business as well,” he continued. “I’m not interested in the women here. I’m interested in the men’s pocketbooks. I come here to establish rapport with existing customers and potential customers.”

  “Is everything about money for you?”

  He shrugged. “I suppose it is. I’m in the business of making money and I do it well.”

  “You disgust me.”

  “Excuse me?” He sounded offended.

  “Think about it, Mr. Mitchell. You aren’t interested in people. You’re interested in things.”

  “That’s not entirely true. I do care about people. Sometimes the best way to show care for others is to help them financially.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You’re one to talk.”

  “If you had been at the meeting Wednesday evening, you would understand.”

  She put her hands on her hips and glared at him. “Fine. Then explain what happened.”

  He shook his head. “I’d only be wasting my time.”

  “I thought as much.”

  “So you’re here to snag some poor rich bachelor into a life filled with misery? That doesn’t sound very warm-hearted to me.”

  Just as she was about to make a clever retort, a twenty year old beautiful redhead walked up to him.

  “Good evening, Mr. Mitchell,” she softly spoke. Her eyes met his and she offered him a gentle smile. “It is nice to see you here.”

  He warmly smiled back. “Miss Gordon, the pleasure is all mine.”

  Even though Sue didn’t know either of them well, she could tell they were lying to one another. Neither one really found the other one interesting.

  “I do hope you’ll come to my dinner party this Sunday,” she invited. “I saved a seat especially for you.”

  “I will try to make it,” he replied.

  Sue could tell he was lying.

  Jennifer Gordon continued to stand by him.

  “I would ask you to dance, but I already promised this one to Miss Lewis,” he politely said. Turning to Sue, he asked, “Are you ready?”

  She almost said no but there was an anxious look in his eyes that stopped her. She silently nodded and took his hand to the dance floor. She tried to ignore the way his strong arm felt around her waist and how his firm hand felt on hers. He was six inches taller than her.

  “I owe you one,” he whispered. His breath caressed her ear in a way she didn’t anticipate.

  “Do you find her so repulsive that you would dance with me?” she finally asked.

  “Yes,” he simply said.

  She rolled her eyes.

  He continued, “She’s only after my money. I can smell a vulture from a mile away.”

  “You must have smelled me as soon as you entered the room then.”

  He shrugged. “Not really. You’re looking for someone to fix your family’s problems. That’s different from what she’s doing.”

  “It’s not something I want to do. I just don’t know what else to do. I know I can’t change what the contracts say, and I don’t have the ability to make a lot of money in a short amount of time. So my only hope is to find a husband.”

  “And spend the rest of your life miserable.”

  She nodded.

  He sighed. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do anything for you. I don’t
own the bank, so I can’t make any changes that aren’t approved by the board members.”

  “I know. I don’t like it, but I understand.” She took a deep breath. “Sometimes you just do what you have to do.”

  He seemed like he wanted to say something but decided against it.

  “You dance fairly well,” she said, changing the subject.

  “As do you,” he replied. “I haven’t had a dance partner worthwhile up to this point. I am impressed.”

  “Oh, I don’t know. Mr. Wilkins taught me and my siblings to dance in exchange for some steak.”

  He frowned. “That’s an odd exchange. Why didn’t your father just take the money?”

  She blinked. “Mr. Wilkins didn’t have any money and his family needed the food.”

  He stopped dancing and pulled her aside. “Mr. Wilkins just bought a new horse and buggy. He’s been showing it off all over town. Weren’t you aware of this?”

  Her cheeks grew hot. “No.”

  “Your family really needs to be careful when making business decisions. Mr. Wilkins isn’t exactly noted for his honesty, but he does have a large sum of money at the bank. What your father needs to do is start drawing up his own contracts demanding money. The last thing your family needs right now is dancing lessons. I could offer those for free.”

  “We only accepted it because we thought he had no money.”

  He closed his eyes for a moment. “I can understand why your father did what he did, but he’s making poor financial decisions. It’s no wonder that he can’t make his payments to the bank. I’m not even sure he’ll be better off if you do marry someone who pays off his debts for him. He’ll probably just end up back in the same hole he’s in now.”

  “Surely that doesn’t have to be the case.”

  “Not if someone talks some sense into him. I’m guessing he won’t listen to his daughter either. It has to be someone who carries some financial weight, someone he can respect.”

  “Then what I am supposed to do? Let my brothers and sisters get kicked out of the house and go hungry?”