“And you had decided thisbeforemy sister proposed to you?”
“Yes, sir. I can have my pa write to you to confirm it, if you’d like. He knows Frances is the reason I mean to stay here. I told Pa I was pretty sure it’d take her a long time to soften up to me.” Nick gave a soft chuckle, still bemused at how differently the day had gone from what he’d imagined when he woke that morning.
“Sit down.” Luke rubbed his neck. “Your proposition intrigues me. How much do you have to put in—ifI were to agree to this.”
“I’ve set aside a hundred thousand dollars.”
Luke made a choking sound, which Nick hoped was a good sign.
“Set aside?” Luke said when he could speak.
“Yes, sir.” Nick forced his fists to relax in his lap. “That’s half of my ready cash, but I’ll receive an annual income from the oil wells, probably for the rest of my life. I promise you I can afford to support a wife and family.”
“The business proposition is definitely something I’ll consider,” Luke said. “If I don’t agree, do you still plan to marry Frances?”
At the unexpected surge of anger, Nick clenched his jaw and forced himself not to lose his temper. When he could speak calmly, he said, “I ain’t that kind of man, sir. I’ll also warn you that, back where I come from, them’s fightin’ words to suggest the only thing I want from your sister is her money.”
“Just watching out for her,” Luke said, raising his hands. “I’d hate to have to kill you for breaking her heart.”
“Understanding that is why I haven’t taken a punch at you, sir.”
Luke grinned for the first time. “I’m glad to know you’ll stand up for yourself. You ought to start calling me Luke, if you’re going to be my brother.” He stood and extended his hand. “I’ll give the partnership some thought and talk with my accountant.”
“Thank you. Luke.” Nick shook it and turned to leave.
“Frances was talking like she wants to be married right away. Won’t your family want to be here for your wedding?”
“My ma has the cancer, and Pa’s taking her to see a Dr. Grubbe in Chicago for treatment,” Nick said, looking over his shoulder. “They both wished me the best and told me to bring Frances for a visit once things were settled between us.”
“Sorry to hear about your mother. We’ll pray for her.” Luke sat down. “By the way, would you mind living in this house?”
Nick blinked. The marriage thing was all so new to him. He hadn’t even considered where he and Frances might live.
“Assuming Frances and Judith agree, I’m good with it,” he finally said. “I don’t want them to kill each other.”
Luke chuckled and turned his attention back to his paperwork. Nick stepped from the office and found Frances waiting for him.
“What did you two say?” she hissed, pulling him toward the parlor.
Nick kept silent until they were alone in the room, and she’d shut the door.
“I told him about my business proposition. He said he’d think about it.”
“What did he say aboutus?”
Nick took her hand, and she stopped pacing. “He just wanted to make sure of my intentions and that I could support a wife and family. I don’t think he’s opposed to our getting hitched right away, but he asked if we’d live in this house. I told him that was fine.”
“I think he’s been lonely,” she whispered. “I hope he won’t hate me when he knows the truth.”
“Hopefully, by the time this is all settled, he and Judith might be starting their own family. He’ll be distracted.”
“I hope so.” Frances was looking in Nick’s direction but not actually looking at him.
“What’s troubling you?” He dared to take her hand, gratified when she didn’t pull it back.
“I’m not looking forward to breaking this to my sisters.” She heaved out a long breath and met his gaze. “The guys are going to give you a hard time about marrying the boss’s sister.”
“I can handle them.” Nick had already given the possibility a lot of thought. It would help his situation a lot if Luke were to take him up on his offer to become partners. Nick was glad, though, it’d be a short engagement. “So, when were you thinking to get hitched?”
