Her Husband Inheritance

By Leigh Michaels

Will the Merry Widow bring them together … or destroy them?

 

A year after their relationship collapsed because of a generous gesture, Deke and Danielle are once more stuck with a house they don't want – and with each other.

Danielle is surprised when her elderly friend leaves her treasured Victorian house in equal shares to Danielle and the man she's casually dating. But Deke is stunned and horrified at what he sees as a matchmaking plot – and Danielle is furious that he thinks she's part of a scheme to trap him into marriage.

 

They agree to sell the house to a couple who wants to turn it into a bed and breakfast – a quick and private deal that lets them put the whole mess behind them.

 

Until the new owners walk out on their purchase contract, leaving Deke and Danielle stuck with The Merry Widow. Now they have a house they can't sell, a business they can't close, and no idea when they'll be free

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(previously published under the title Her Husband-to-Be)

 

Classic romance from international bestselling author Leigh Michaels

 

Leigh Michaels is the award-winning author of more than 100 books, including historical romance, contemporary romance, and books about writing. Her books have been published in 27 languages and 120 countries, with more than 35 million copies in print.

• Language: English
• Publisher: PBL Limited
• Release date: Mar 23, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215306772

Leigh Michaels

Leigh Michaels (https://leighmichaels.com) is the author of more than 100 books, including contemporary romance novels, historical romance novels, and non-fiction books including local history and books about writing. She is the author of Writing the Romance Novel, which has been called the definitive guide to writing romances. Six of her books have been finalists in the Romance Writers of America RITA contest for best traditional romance of the year, and she has won two Reviewers' Choice awards from Romantic Times (RT Book Review) magazine. More than 35 million copies of her books have been published in 25 languages and 120 countries around the world. She teaches romance writing online at Gotham Writers Workshop.

Book preview

Her Husband Inheritance

By Leigh Michaels

Copyright 1999, 2023

All rights reserved

(Previously published under the title

Her Husband-to-Be)

Will the Merry Widow bring them together ... or destroy them?

A year after their relationship collapsed because of a generous gesture, Deke and Danielle are once more stuck with a house they don’t want – and with each other.

Danielle is surprised when her elderly friend leaves her treasured Victorian house in equal shares to Danielle and the man she’s casually dating. But Deke is stunned and horrified at what he sees as a matchmaking plot – and Danielle is furious that he thinks she’s part of a scheme to trap him into marriage.

They agree to sell the house to a couple who wants to turn it into a bed and breakfast – a quick and private deal that lets them put the whole mess behind them.

Until the new owners walk out on their purchase contract, leaving Deke and Danielle stuck with The Merry Widow. Now they have a house they can’t sell, a business they can’t close, and no idea when they’ll be free.

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

About the Author

Other Books by Leigh Michaels

CHAPTER ONE

He didn’t often come to the Willows anymore, so Danielle was startled when she looked up from the maître d’s stand, flashing the smile with which she greeted every customer, and saw him just inside the door. Her heart jolted as if she’d had a close encounter with a defibrillator.

The reaction was surprise. Definitely not pleasure.

She had to admit, though, that Deke Oliver was as easy on the eyes as he’d ever been. Tall and straight and lean, his almost-black hair as perfectly cut as his herringbone jacket, his face as perfectly chiseled as a Roman statue...

It was just too bad the man inside didn’t match up with the glorious exterior. If he had — well, then Deke Oliver would really have been something.

Hello, Danielle, he said. A table for two, please.

His voice was like hot fudge sauce sliding over vanilla ice cream, slow and rich and sensual. Once, Danielle had thought it was the sexiest thing she’d ever heard. Now she knew it was just part of the man’s stock in trade. A voice which invited women to swoon over him must come in handy, in Deke’s profession.

He added, with just a hint of amusement, At least I presume the restaurant’s accepting business, since you’re standing here?

Danielle wondered what he’d do if she shook her head sadly and announced that since he hadn’t made a reservation, she really couldn’t find him a table.

He’d probably barge past me into the dining room and take his choice.

Of course we’re open. Danielle smiled sweetly up at him and admitted, I wasn’t ignoring you, Deke, it’s just that I was wracking my brain trying to recall which is your favorite table. You’ll have to forgive me for letting it slip my mind.

The woman at Deke’s side giggled a little. Surely it hasn’t been that long since you’ve been out for lunch, Deke.

For the first time since they’d come in, Danielle looked directly at the woman. She’d never seen so much bleached-blonde hair outside of a shampoo commercial. Hello, Norah. I’d heard you were home. She was waiting out a divorce, the gossips said, but it would hardly be tactful to mention that.

Danielle reached for a pair of menus and led the way into the main dining room.

The lunch rush was just getting underway, and since the restaurant wasn’t yet busy, several good tables stood vacant. She hesitated for no more than a second before turning toward a secluded corner.

The table we used to share. But it was also the best one available at the moment, a fact which had far more impact on her decision than unpleasant history did.

I see it hadn’t slipped far from your mind after all, Deke said gently as he held his guest’s chair.

And if I’d taken him to another table, he’d have no doubt said something about me wanting to protect my memories!

Danielle didn’t bother to answer, just handed each of them a menu.

Norah didn’t even glance at hers but laid it aside and leaned toward Deke. Her voice was low and throaty. I’m sure I’ll like whatever you order for yourself.

Danielle signaled a waitress and went back to the foyer. With any luck she could stay out of range of their voices. That was more than she could say about Norah’s perfume; there was no avoiding the scented trail the woman had left.

At the register, a small redhead was counting the contents of the cash drawer. She looked up from the stack of bills she was thumbing through and raised an eyebrow. What are you growling about, Dani?

The weather.

Pam Lanning stuffed the bundle of bills into a bank bag. But it’s beautiful. The sun’s shining, the breeze is warm, and if we didn’t both have to work... Her voice softened. It’s Deke again, isn’t it? The office door was half-closed, but I thought I heard his voice out here.

If I was in a bad mood — and please notice that I’m not admitting I am — it would take more than Deke Oliver to put me there. He’s ancient history, Pam. It’s been — what, a year now?

Not quite, and I’d bet you could tell me almost to the hour, if you wanted to. I think he’s still important to you because there’s been nobody else since.

Yes, there has. I’ve dated.

Once in a while, and no more than a couple of times each.

You have to admit the choice around Elmwood has gotten a little thin.

Why do you think I imported Greg? Nobody’s saying you should get married.

On the contrary. Everyone’s saying it. You know what the gossips are like in this town. Another year and they’ll start whispering about what’s wrong with me.

Pam went straight on as if she hadn’t been interrupted. But you don’t even have a social life.

Yes, I do. I’m coming to your party this weekend.

You’d enjoy it a whole lot more if you weren’t coming alone.

"It’s going to be such a boring party that I’ll need to bring my own entertainment? Now you tell me."

Stop changing the subject, Dani. Where’s the harm in going out with someone for a movie now and then?

The harm comes when I want to keep it casual, and they don’t – and I keep running into them over lunch. Danielle picked up a stack of menus and tapped them against the counter till the pile was straight and square.

Like Deke Oliver.

Are you back to him again? As a matter of fact, that wasn’t who I meant.

Then who? You mean Kevin hasn’t given up yet?

Almost, I think. The front door opened, and in relief Danielle turned to greet the newcomers.

Well, it’s about time, Pam mused. Of course, showing guys the door is getting to be a habit, Dani. You never have told me exactly why you broke up with Deke.

And I was hoping you wouldn’t notice that.

Danielle smiled at the Goodwins, who were among her favorite customers, and led them toward their usual table in the solarium. Half of her felt guilty for simply walking off instead of answering Pam, even though it was her job and not rudeness which took her away. The other half felt guilty for not telling the truth about Deke. Yes, she’d been the one who’d officially called a halt to what most of Elmwood had expected would soon be an engagement, followed closely by a wedding. But in fact...

I was really surprised to see it, Mrs. Goodwin was saying as Danielle handed her a menu. I thought they were doing very well. She shook out her napkin and looked up expectantly at Danielle. And with the strawberry festival coming up and everything...

Danielle had no idea what the woman was talking about. You ought to know better than to let your mind wander. I’m sorry?

Mr. Goodwin said gruffly, Always did think it was a silly idea. Begging your pardon of course, Danielle — but Elmwood’s not big enough to support a fancy hotel. The new motels out on the highway are one thing, but this fancy inn stuff—

It’s not a fancy inn, George. It’s a bed and breakfast. Mrs. Goodwin tipped her head to one side like an inquisitive robin and peered up at Danielle. You didn’t know, then, that there’s a CLOSED sign in front of the Merry Widow?

Apprehension tingled through Danielle’s veins. But that was a silly reaction, because the Merry Widow wasn’t her concern anymore. Perhaps the Jablonskis are taking a little vacation.

Right before a holiday weekend? Mrs. Goodwin scoffed. And leaving a sign out front telling everyone they’re gone? Elmwood may be an old-fashioned town, but most folks are smart enough not to hang out an invitation to thieves.

Danielle couldn’t argue with that. Are you certain they’re gone? Maybe they just needed a couple of days off, so they pulled the shades and stopped answering the telephone.

Mrs. Goodwin shook her head. Didn’t look that way to me. All those silly figurines she kept on the front porch are gone.

Danielle frowned. It didn’t seem likely that Kate Jablonski would have moved all her ceramics if she was only going away for a few days. But it was even less likely that the Merry Widow would have closed with no notice, no rumors...

Not in Elmwood, where nothing is too minor for gossip.

Pam was zipping the bank bag when Danielle returned to the maître d’s stand. Anything you need from the bank? she asked. I noticed the register’s low on ones and fives, so I’ll drop those off before the dinner rush.

I can’t think of anything else. Pam, would you drive past the Merry Widow on your way to the bank?

Sure. It’s the most direct route anyway. Why?

Because I want to know what the new sign out front says.

Pam looked thoughtful. You still aren’t over your infatuation with that house, are you?

Yes, I am. It’s big and drafty and expensive and impossible.

And very, very romantic. If you’re not still in love with it, why should you care what kind of sign the Jablonskis put up? You don’t own it anymore.

Technically, Pam was right. Danielle didn’t own the house anymore – not even the half that had once, very briefly, been hers. Call it curiosity, all right? I just want to know.

Pam dropped the bank bag and put both hands to her throat in mock horror. Dani, please tell me you’re not turning into one of Elmwood’s old gossips!

If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, my mother always said. Now that I’m inching closer to thirty without a man in sight, what choice do I have but to start minding other peoples’ business? Danielle burst into laughter. Pam, if you could see your face!

It was your tone of voice that did it. You sounded every bit as self-righteous as Mrs. Hansen when she’s on a roll. Pam grinned. All right. I started it, so I’ve got no one to blame but myself. You can knock it off now — I’ve got the message that I shouldn’t keep asking why you’re interested in the Merry Widow.

Then at least we’ve accomplished something. Danielle looked over her shoulder into the dining room to check that the large table in the center was ready, and went to greet the first of a group of businessmen coming in for their regular Thursday luncheon.

The busboy was just setting the last water glass into place as she showed the men to the table. Danielle ran an eye over the settings and gave the busboy an approving nod.

A high, tinkling laugh rang out from the corner table, and despite herself Danielle turned to look. Norah had placed a hand on Deke’s sleeve, and she was leaning toward him with an expression of calculated worship. Danielle wondered if the woman really thought Deke Oliver was such an inexperienced fish that he’d succumb to that lure.

And she wondered if Deke knew about the Merry Widow. He had every bit as much reason to be interested as she did. After all, he had — once upon a time — owned the other half of it.

Not that she was going to stroll over and ask, or share the bit of information she had. Long training had taught her never to interrupt a customer, and in this case she’d look as if she was trying to sidetrack Deke’s conference... or date, or whatever it was... with Norah and focus his attention on herself. It was hardly the impression she wanted to make.

Besides, the lunch rush had taken hold with a vengeance. Three parties were waiting when Danielle got back to the entrance, and from then on there wasn’t a chance to draw a long breath, much less think up explanations for the Jablonskis’ sign.

But the question nagged at the back of her mind.

The Merry Widow had opened as a bed and breakfast just eight months ago, and this should be the start of the busiest season. The Memorial Day holiday which marked the traditional opening of summer was this weekend, and it would be closely followed by the end of the school year, freeing families to travel. Elmwood’s strawberry festival, the most important civic event of the year, was next week.

The last time Kate Jablonski had come to the Willows, she’d told Danielle that the Merry Widow’s reservation book was already full for festival time. Which indicated that wherever the Jablonskis had gone, they fully intended to be back in plenty of time to cash in on those reservations.

Didn’t it?

The rush ended as abruptly as it had begun. Danielle made change and small talk for a few of the businessmen who’d lingered over their coffee, waved goodbye to the busboy as he clocked out for the day, and took a couple of phoned-in reservations for the evening hours. Only a few scattered tables were still occupied, but one of them was the corner where Deke and Norah sat.

Their waitress was frantic. I took the check to the table twenty minutes ago, but they’re still just sitting there, she told Danielle. And I can’t wait any longer, because I’ve got a doctor’s appointment.

Danielle wanted to sigh. Go on, Sally. I’ll be here anyway.

One by one, the scattered tables emptied, and eventually Deke and Norah emerged from the dining room. I had no idea of the time, Norah was saying. She smiled up at Deke and patted his tie. You just made me forget everything else, you charming man.

Only the self-discipline born of her years of dealing with customers kept Danielle from rolling her eyes heavenward. She focused on Deke’s credit card instead, waiting for the charge to be approved, wishing that he’d paid cash. Then she wouldn’t have to wait even the half-minute it sometimes took for the computer to issue the necessary authorization; she could just give him his change and he’d be gone.

He leaned on the counter, eyeing the textbook she’d pushed aside. Danielle told herself it was silly to be sensitive about her choice of reading matter. If she wanted to read applied statistical methodology in her spare time, it was no one’s business but her own. An on-line course wasn’t her first choice, but it was better than making no progress toward her degree. And someday, when her father’s health was enough better that she could go back to the campus, she’d be happy to have statistics out of the way.

Norah peered over the cash register at the book and shuddered. Danielle here was always the brainy one. I never could understand things like that. She slid her hand through the crook of Deke’s elbow. I’m so lucky to have found you to help me.

He signed for the charge. I’ll happily take care of your money, and I’ll do my best to invest it wisely, Norah.

Danielle wanted to laugh at the blank surprise which flitted across Norah’s face, as though she wanted to say, Only my money? But a split second later the blonde had recovered and looked as if she’d never