An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel Read Online Free Page B

talked and giggled well into the late morning hours. It reminded Annabella of a simpler time when they were young girls dreaming of fairytale lives. Annabella was sure her prince would come and rescue her. But alas, she was aging and still alone. She often wondered what life would be like if she had been just a little more extroverted, social, flirtatious. It was of no matter now. She was entering the years of her life where she would have to settle. Most men her age were out having the times of their lives and actively seeking brides. If she was cooped up in her stately mansion, how would they ever find her? Her smiles and giggles turned into frowns and sighs. And when she thought she could not feel any worse, the phone rang. The ringing sound startled Caroline, who had never heard such a hideous noise. She was used to the modern sounds of her mobile device and wondered who on God’s green earth would ever use such an antiquated piece of machinery. She could not, for the life of her, convince Annabella to get a mobile phone. Annabella could not see the utility of such a thing. Who would need to reach her so urgently? Besides, she was always some place that had a landline. She had neither the time nor the inclination to subscribe to something so incredibly tethering. She believed that if something was of an urgent nature, she could be reached. So, when the house phone rang, she knew that it was something important.
    “Annabella,” a strong , groggy voice started.
    “Warren, what on earth would possess you to call me here? Can’t you bear the thought of me having a little vacation? A little fun, perhaps?”
    “Under normal circumstances, I could care less what you do with your inane life. However, since the matter involves me and my good name, I felt compelled you call you.”
    “Warrenton, the only thing you and I have in common is a street name. What matters of mine would ever involve you?”
    “Yes, and it was on that very street that you mowed down one of my lovely guests. As it turns out, she is suing the both of us. I need you to return home, so we can begin preparing our defense.”
    Annabella was floored. She gasped, clutching the delicate strand of pearls around her frail neck. There must be some mistake. Annabella barely struck the girl and what’s more, she was oh, so kind to her. How could Marigold be suing her? Annabella hung up the phone with Warrenton still on the other end. She was in disbelief, wondering how Warrenton’s perpetual lapse in judgment somehow has her life turned upside down. She felt like suing Warrenton herself. After all, he did trespass on her property to park that asinine vehicle in her driveway. She was as much a victim as Marigold and now she was being punished for having a selfish, dolt of a neighbor.
    “What’s wrong, Bella?” Caroline asked, after what seemed like hours of not caring in the least.
    “I have to leave,” she told her friend.
    “Why? What’s wrong?”
    “It seems Warrenton’s jezebel would like to get her impoverished paws on my purse strings.”
    “Oh, for heaven’s sake! I am so tired of poor people trying to capitalize off the rich. Even when they are successful, they end up squandering it and go right back to being poor. When will they ever learn. The rich get richer and the poor get poorer.”
    Annabella glared at her clueless friend. Caroline dropped her head.
    “I know what you are thinking, but my family is the exception, Bella. We were always meant to be rich and so it was God’s destiny when my father finally made his fortune. You see, it’s not the money, it’s the mentality.”
    “Caroline, give it a rest. You are not exactly Warren Buffett. More like you’ve been sitting on your tuffet. In any event, I must leave now. I will see you back home.”
    “Don’t you want me to come with you?” Caroline offered.
    “No, you stay here and finish what you started with Chad. No sense in both of us ending up without a man.”
    “You have a