An Old Fashioned Southern Romance Novel by Annalise Arrington Page A

came from a long line of military men, including forefathers who fought in the revolutionary war and the civil war. Daddy Boatwright was not an elitist, but rather a down-home southerner. Money could not turn him into something he was not. People wanted to work for him because they knew he was a fair man and he had more friends than he knew what to do with. He never kept domestic help on around the clock, because he taught his family to be self-sufficient. Whether Warrenton was a spoiled brat was none of his daddy’s doing. Now Mr. Boatwright was gone and everyone around him would just have to go on with their lives.

Chapter Fifteen
    Hattie feverishly stuffed the new documents in an inconspicuous bag and rushed out to the car. She was sure that what she had obtained from the private detective was enough to implicate Marigold in extortion and put an end to the impending wedding between Marigold and Warrenton. Hattie desperately wanted Warrenton to call off the wedding and resume his relationship with Annabella. Annabella had been in London for weeks and claimed that she was happy, but Hattie knew better. She had raised Annabella for the most part and she knew that the girl was not happy. Annabella and Warrenton were meant to be together and Hattie was going to do everything she could to make sure that happened. But, Warrenton seemed less and less enthusiastic about what Hattie had uncovered. It was almost like he was giving up and resolved to spending the rest of his life with a woman who was extorting him. It was a side of Warrenton Hattie had never seen. She had watched Warrenton grow up and she knew he was not a doormat. Warrenton was a fighter. He was charismatic, strong, and pragmatic. He could solve a problem from every angle and he always came out a winner. So, to see him accept such an asinine deal as the one Marigold was offering him was perplexing. It was especially troubling since he and Annabella had finally made a real connection. Hattie thought for sure that she would be finally marrying off her little Annabella. It was a day she had looked forward to for at least the last ten years. But alas, something always happens to ruin Annabella’s happiness. Hattie still reflects back on that day and wonders what really happened in Warrenton’s driveway. There was no real way to know what happened at all. According to all parties involved, everything happened so fast. But, it was especially interesting to Hattie that Marigold called an attorney before she ever called EMS. Was she hurt or was her pride hurt? Either way, Hattie was sure she had the evidence she needed to prove that Marigold was feigning her injuries and extorting Warrenton. The question was whether or not Warrenton and his ham of a lawyer would be willing to listen. After all, the lawyer stood to earn up to 30% for representing Warrenton. Surely it was enough for him to retire and live out the rest of his years in the lap of luxury. Hattie was convinced that the attorney was not willing to sacrifice his bird in the hand for what was in the bush. But, Hattie had to try. For as much as she knew Warrenton and his reputation, she believed Annabella was the one woman he truly cared about. That was enough for Hattie to stick out her neck and try to make sense of everything that was happening. Annabella had no idea that Hattie was working behind the scenes and trying to get her back together with Warrenton. Otherwise, she would surely tell Hattie to drop the whole thing. Annabella was quick to give up. She never had much confidence in other people. She figured if Warrenton was going to marry Marigold, then it was something he wanted to do all along. But, that did not set well with Hattie. If someone is willing to force you to marry them, then what kind of life could you possibly have together? No, Hattie was not going to let it happen without trying to make sense of things. If, at the end of the day Warrenton was intent on marrying the woman, Hattie would