The Groom Came C.o.d.
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Ben’s heart began to race. He glanced at the newspaper. Since the wedding announcement didn’t seem to have shaken his uncle, there had to be something else bothering him. “What story was that, sir?”
The answer was swift and succinct. “I find it difficult to believe, but I was told your photograph appears on an Internet Web site dating service.”
Confronted by the hole someone had dug for him, Ben froze. He’d been right. It had been too late. How in the hell was he supposed to explain what was, according to Melinda, unexplainable?
His uncle went on. “I can see from your reaction the story is true. Do you mind telling me why, if you knew Melinda Carey well enough to ask her to marry you, why you were appearing on a dating service Web site?” While Ben searched for an plausible answer, any answer, his uncle continued. “Unless, of course, that was how the two of you met?”
“Not exactly, sir. That is, the photograph is a mistake!”
“I would hope so. And the wedding announcement? Is that a mistake, too?”
“No.” From the set look on his uncle’s face, Ben knew better than to confess he was having second thoughts about marrying Melinda. Or to announce the wedding might still be in an iffy stage. “It’s a long story, sir, but you’ll have to trust me. I believe the photograph on the Internet was intended as a joke. I’ve taken steps to rectify it. You have my word.”
“Good, the sooner the better.” His uncle motioned to the newspaper, folded open to the society section. “I’m glad to see you’re marrying Bertie Blanchard’s niece. Good family, good stock. Although Ms. Bertie tends to sometimes sound a little unconventional.”
Ben thought of fate and destiny. “Unconventional” was being polite. “You know the lady?”
“Who doesn’t?” his uncle replied. His expression softened, a smile crinkled at the corners of his eyes. “She’s a fine, highly respected woman. I knew her years ago and I have a great deal of admiration for her now. You could do a lot worse than marry her niece.”
Relieved, Ben mentally crossed his fingers and prayed his uncle would never get wind of the truth. “Glad you feel that way. Did you come to congratulate me, or did you have something else on your mind besides the photograph?”
Ben searched his conscience when his uncle nodded. Outside of Melinda and her fantasy wedding, he was clean.
“Yes to both questions. As a matter of fact, I’d been meaning to talk to you soon.”
“About?”
“The future of the ranch and the distillery.” His uncle’s thoughtful gaze rested on Ben.
Relieved at the change in subject, Ben pushed the newspaper aside. “Sure. The orchards are in fine shape; producing healthy fruit right on schedule. What we haven’t raised, we’ve imported. The distillery and its crew are doing great, too. In fact, the last batches of fruit brandies we bottled were perfect.”
His uncle steepled his hands and continued to study Ben. “As is the family reputation, my boy.”
Ben stirred uneasily. The message was clear; he was expected to keep that reputation intact. And he would—that is, if he could with Melinda and her fantasies. “The Howard legacy and reputation are just as dear to me as they are to you, Uncle Joseph.”
“Good. Then we understand each other. Simply put,” his uncle went on, “you might be interested to know I’ve been considering retiring soon. I’d planned on gifting you with the ranch the day you married. The distillery, too, if you wanted to keep it going.” His uncle paused to let the importance of his announcement sink in. “I was just about to give up on you and make other plans when I saw the wedding announcement in this morning’s paper.” He fixed Ben with a telling stare.
Ben tried a smile. He was afraid to ask just what his uncle had intended to do with the properties if Melinda hadn’t put her fantasy wedding into motion. His uncle’s announcement might have come as a surprise, but Ben was in no condition to inquire what alternative his uncle had had in mind. On the other hand, maybe the announcement was a ploy to move Ben in the direction his uncle wanted. Either way, it was sink or swim. “No problem, Uncle Joseph.”
A childless widower, his uncle had helped finance Ben’s education. After graduation from grad school, he’d invited him to return to Ojai to help manage the Howard ranch and fruit orchards. With the vast ranch practically running itself, Ben had suggested and started a new gourmet fruit brandy distillery as a sideline. Both the ranch and the distillery had prospered. So if it wasn’t money his uncle was referring to, maybe it was time to face up to what he owed to the family legacy.
Come hell or high water, he intended to keep that legacy proud and intact. But what he wanted most of all was his uncle’s respect. He didn’t have a choice, Melinda had made up his mind for him. His unexplainable decision to marry her would answer one of his uncle’s concerns—the family’s reputation. Married, the future of its real estate holdings would be taken care of rather than be sold to some stranger.
One thought led to another. After all, he and Melinda had a lot in common. Each of them had bonded with a close relative other than their parents. He didn’t know where Melinda’s folks were, but his had been lost forever on a holiday during an unexpected Caribbean hurricane. Whatever he was was due to his uncle’s devotion. He owed him more than money could repay. It was pay-up time.
As for Melinda…Whatever was the basis for her close relationship with her aunt, it was touching and real. The two appeared to be harmless romantics. At least, they had been until now. To make them the laughing stock of Ojai was out of the question.
Another reason he had to go through with the make-believe marriage.
“And the photograph on the Internet, Benjamin? You won’t forget to take care of that right away?”
Of course, the photograph on the Internet! Ben didn’t intend to give up until he found the culprit. If Melinda wasn’t behind it, someone was. And that someone was going to answer to him.
“Look, Uncle Joseph. I’ve told you that photograph has to be someone’s idea of a joke. I don’t want to sound like a conceited ass, but you know me well enough to know I don’t need to advertise to find a date!”
“True,” his uncle agreed with a faint smile. “You do have quite a reputation where the ladies are concerned. In fact, I’ve known about it for too long a time.” His smile faded. “All the more reason for you to settle down, accept your responsibilities. Starting the distillery is fine, but it’s time to get on with marrying again. Don’t forget, it’s up to you to carry on the Howard name.”
Children! Ben’s blood ran cold. Being tricked into marriage and going along with it for everyone else’s sake was bad enough, but kids? “Sorry, sir. I can’t promise you children, but at least I can provide you with a niece.”