start here? In a town that sided with the Wilsons over the Cummingses. In a town where his father had the opportunity to criticize him, showing not one semblance of respect. In a town where Abby opposed him.
And made him want to disregard his vow to stay clear of women.
With all that uproar, why had he remained in New Harmony? A thought unfurled in his brain.
Love for his father did not keep him here.
Debt did.
George Cummings hadn’t shirked his parental duty to his children as their mother had. Wade owed his father, the one who stayed. Wade would stay too, as long as his father needed him.
He’d pay the debt no matter the cost.
True, Wade hadn’t confronted his father about the feud, about his mother leaving, about his father’s aloofness. That might be running as Abby claimed, but Wade wasn’t leaving.
Not that he feared going out on his own. Life would be simpler if he did. But remaining in this town didn’t mean he would give up his dream. He’d take action today. With some work their empty warehouse off Main Street would be the perfect location for his shop.
A knock at the door brought him to his feet. Harrison Carder poked his head in the door. Tall, with blond hair and beard, Harry oozed boyish charm. “Got a minute?”
Wade came around the desk. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”
Harry gave a crooked grin. “Money. Why else would I bother a banker during his workday?” He closed the door behind him. “Got any?”
Chuckling, Wade clapped a hand on his friend’s back then perched on the corner of his desk, motioning to a chair. “Money I’ve got—with interest, of course.”
“Of course.” Harry took a seat, propping an ankle on his knee. “I’m in the awkward position of requiring a small loan to tide me over.”
Harry’s new law practice had a shaky start, but he’d assured Wade that every town needed a lawyer and he intended to get in on the ground floor in New Harmony. In a few months that ground floor had slid to the cellar.
“Before we discuss that loan,” Wade said, “I’m glad you stopped by. I need your services.”
“You do?” Harry straightened, his foot dropped to the floor. “Doing what?”
“I’m opening a business. I’d like you to do the legwork.”
Harry’s gray eyes lit with interest. “You’re finally going to make furniture full-time.”
“As soon as my father can direct this desk.”
“So how can I help? New Harmony doesn’t have complicated zoning ordinances or other legalities that could impede your plans.”
“True, but we’ve both heard of the mistreatment of workers in big cities. I want you to research what I can do to ensure employees’ health and safety.”
“You don’t need a lawyer for that.”
“I need advice from someone I have confidence in. That’s you. Unless you don’t want the work.”
Harry rubbed his hands together. “I want it, all right.”
“I’d like you to start today.” Wade rose. “Better yet, now. Come with me to look at the site I’m considering.”
“Glad to. If you’re paying me, I’ll postpone that loan, at least for another month.” He frowned. “You sure this offer isn’t about keeping a fraternity brother off the dole?”
“You’d take a job shoveling manure before you’d accept charity.” He raised his brows. “Actually I could use some help in our stable doing that very thing.”
Harry rolled his eyes toward the stamped-tin ceiling. “Makes a man thankful he got a law degree.”
“I wish Abigail Wilson could hear you say that.”
“Why? She got something against lawyers?”
“She’s got something for education, as if education guarantees an idyllic life.”
“I’d be happy to fill her in.” He shot Wade a speculative look. “Why care what this woman thinks?”
“We hold opposing opinions on what Seth Collier should do with his life.”
“I know the boy. He cleaned my office before I moved in. Did a good job. Heard his father drinks.”
“Rafe is the main
And made him want to disregard his vow to stay clear of women.
With all that uproar, why had he remained in New Harmony? A thought unfurled in his brain.
Love for his father did not keep him here.
Debt did.
George Cummings hadn’t shirked his parental duty to his children as their mother had. Wade owed his father, the one who stayed. Wade would stay too, as long as his father needed him.
He’d pay the debt no matter the cost.
True, Wade hadn’t confronted his father about the feud, about his mother leaving, about his father’s aloofness. That might be running as Abby claimed, but Wade wasn’t leaving.
Not that he feared going out on his own. Life would be simpler if he did. But remaining in this town didn’t mean he would give up his dream. He’d take action today. With some work their empty warehouse off Main Street would be the perfect location for his shop.
A knock at the door brought him to his feet. Harrison Carder poked his head in the door. Tall, with blond hair and beard, Harry oozed boyish charm. “Got a minute?”
Wade came around the desk. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”
Harry gave a crooked grin. “Money. Why else would I bother a banker during his workday?” He closed the door behind him. “Got any?”
Chuckling, Wade clapped a hand on his friend’s back then perched on the corner of his desk, motioning to a chair. “Money I’ve got—with interest, of course.”
“Of course.” Harry took a seat, propping an ankle on his knee. “I’m in the awkward position of requiring a small loan to tide me over.”
Harry’s new law practice had a shaky start, but he’d assured Wade that every town needed a lawyer and he intended to get in on the ground floor in New Harmony. In a few months that ground floor had slid to the cellar.
“Before we discuss that loan,” Wade said, “I’m glad you stopped by. I need your services.”
“You do?” Harry straightened, his foot dropped to the floor. “Doing what?”
“I’m opening a business. I’d like you to do the legwork.”
Harry’s gray eyes lit with interest. “You’re finally going to make furniture full-time.”
“As soon as my father can direct this desk.”
“So how can I help? New Harmony doesn’t have complicated zoning ordinances or other legalities that could impede your plans.”
“True, but we’ve both heard of the mistreatment of workers in big cities. I want you to research what I can do to ensure employees’ health and safety.”
“You don’t need a lawyer for that.”
“I need advice from someone I have confidence in. That’s you. Unless you don’t want the work.”
Harry rubbed his hands together. “I want it, all right.”
“I’d like you to start today.” Wade rose. “Better yet, now. Come with me to look at the site I’m considering.”
“Glad to. If you’re paying me, I’ll postpone that loan, at least for another month.” He frowned. “You sure this offer isn’t about keeping a fraternity brother off the dole?”
“You’d take a job shoveling manure before you’d accept charity.” He raised his brows. “Actually I could use some help in our stable doing that very thing.”
Harry rolled his eyes toward the stamped-tin ceiling. “Makes a man thankful he got a law degree.”
“I wish Abigail Wilson could hear you say that.”
“Why? She got something against lawyers?”
“She’s got something for education, as if education guarantees an idyllic life.”
“I’d be happy to fill her in.” He shot Wade a speculative look. “Why care what this woman thinks?”
“We hold opposing opinions on what Seth Collier should do with his life.”
“I know the boy. He cleaned my office before I moved in. Did a good job. Heard his father drinks.”
“Rafe is the main
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