An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel by Annalise Arrington

thoughts that had filled her head the night before. Was this really happening? Was Warren finally ready to make a commitment? When she came downstairs for breakfast, she was ready to tell Hattie the wonderful news.
    “Hattie you were right about Warrenton. He might actually be The One.”
    “Well, just take your time Anna. Don’t put too much pressure on the boy. He doesn’t exactly have monogamy down pat just yet.”
    “In due time, Hattie. In due time.”
    Annabella looked at the clock often, each time wondering where in the settlement negotiations Warren might be. She hoped that by 10 o’clock things would wrap up soon, but there was no such luck. After watching Anna stare incessantly at the clock for hours, Hattie decided to distract Annabella with some shopping.
    “Why don’t you let me take you into town and buy you something pretty.”
    “Hattie, I am not a little girl anymore. You can’t distract me with presents.”
    “How about a new red dress for tonight?”
    “Alright, alright. You are twisting my arm,” she pretended to resist.
    Hattie’s plan worked for a few hours, but by nightfall Anna was beginning to worry. She insisted that they go back home and wait to hear from Warren. Hattie and Annabella pulled up just in time to see Warrenton getting out of his car. He looked distraught. Anna rushed over to see what was the matter, leaving Hattie standing in the driveway. Hattie could not hear the conversation, but she could tell by the hand motions and facial expressions that it was not a pleasant conversation. When she saw her Anna drop her head and walk away, she knew it was nothing good.
    “Anna, what’s wrong?” She asked the girl as Warrenton slowly walked into his house.
    Annabella was silent. She went to her room without a word, no matter how hard Hattie pressed her. Hattie reluctantly went to bed, not knowing what happened between Annabella and Warrenton. But before the night was over, she would know everything.
    “He’s going to marry that trash!” Annabella could no longer hold it in.
    Hattie scrambled into the hallway, tying her robe at the waist and straightening her rollers. She listened intently as Annabella explained that Warrenton agreed to marry Marigold in exchange for her dropping the lawsuit. He thought it was the only way to save his father’s fortune. It was classic Warrenton and Annabella could not believe she had fallen for it yet again. How could he even think that was a viable plan? Annabella’s only conclusion was that he wanted to marry her in the first place. Annabella eventually let Hattie return to her slumber. The girl sat up for hours before quietly slipping out of the house to go to the airport. Annabella was finally ready to complete her trip. She knew it was as good a time as any to go to London. She would not have to face Warrenton and his family at his father’s funeral and Hattie would not have a chance to talk her out of leaving again. She was going to wait at the airport for the first thing smoking to London. Come hell or high water, Annabella Olivia Devereaux was going to make her dreams come true.

Chapter Twelve
    Now just about the time that Hattie began experiencing the Empty Nest Syndrome that was created by the departure of Annabella in the Big House and Dominique at home, she received and unwelcomed surprise. Annabella’s cousin, on her mother’s side, Vidalia, was set to arrive for an extended visit. It seemed the girl was causing all sorts of trouble for her parents and they decided to send her to Hattie to be straightened out. Hattie was looking forward to retiring, spending time at home. She felt the Devereaux’s had cooked up this visit to tether her to the family a bit longer. No doubt Vidalia was a bothersome brat, but Hattie found it all too convenient that she had to come all the way across the country to be dealt with appropriately. Surely there was some stern, Colored help in Seattle to take a switch to Vidalia’s narrow rear end. But