Okay.  Obviously, it’s not Sunday and I hit publish by accident.  I meant to schedule it for Sunday.   I’ll be scheduling other posts for this week.  I’ll be at the RT Convention all week so I won’t get to comments until after next Sunday (not tomorrow but the one after that).

Let’s hope I remember to hit “schedule” instead of “publish” when I do those.  LOL

For today’s Sunday Story Sample, I’m posting another scene for Kent Ashton’s Backstory.

“I’ve never been so happy in my entire life,” Ann said the next day as Kent walked down the block that would take her home.  “When do you think we should have the wedding?”

“I have to get your father’s approval before we can make plans, but I’d like to do it sooner rather than later,” he replied.

“Before you talk to him, I want to go to him and tell him how much I love you.  I’ve decided if I can’t marry you, then I won’t marry anyone and I’m going to tell him that.”

Touched, he paused and turned to her.  “Really?  You’ll tell him that?”

“Of course.  I don’t want to be with anyone but you.”

“And you don’t mind going to New York?”

“As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter where we are.”

He clasped her hand.  “I love you, Ann.”

She squeezed his hand and smiled.  “I love you, too.”

Once they reached her house, he said, “Let me know when you talk to your father.  I’d like to make our engagement official as soon as possible.”

“I will.  Thank you for walking me home from school.”

“It was my pleasure.” He kissed her hand then bid her good-bye.

Once she entered her house, he headed down her walkway when a carriage pulled to a stop.  His steps slowed when he realized the carriage belonged to Ann’s father.

The footman opened the door and her father gestured to him.  “I need to talk to you.”

Kent noted the stern look on his face and hesitated.  Something told him he didn’t want to hear what her father had to say, but what choice did he have?  Taking a deep breath, he entered the carriage and sat across from him.

“Take us to Mister Ashton’s residence,” her father told the footman who nodded and closed the door.  Once the carriage moved forward, he turned his attention to Kent.  “You’re not allowed to see my daughter anymore.”

“Is this because you didn’t give me permission to marry her?” Kent should have expected this.  He’d hoped Ann would get a chance to talk to her father before her father realized he was still courting her.

“No, though the fact that I said no to your request is enough of a reason.  But as it turns out, I know what’s been transpiring between you and Miss Johnson.”

His eyebrows furrowed.  “What’s been transpiring between me and Miss Johnson?”

“Don’t treat me like a fool.”

“I’m not, sir.  There is nothing going on between us.  Our parents are friends.  That’s all.”

Her father glowered at him.  “You would dare stare me right in the eye and lie to me?”

He swallowed, unsure of how to proceed.

“I found out about your conversation at the bank.”

Kent’s uncertainty slowly gave way to anger.  Todd.  Todd had been watching him.  “Whatever Mister Brothers said, it’s not true, sir.”

“I didn’t find out from Mister Brothers.  I found out from Mister Mitchell.”

“Who?”

“He was from out of town.  I don’t know him and neither do you.”

“I fail to understand how this involves me and Miss Johnson.”

Her father pressed his hands on his knees and asked, “Are you going to deny that you told Miss Johnson you were marrying my daughter for her dowry?  Did you not tell her you had a fondness for her?”

For a moment, he couldn’t breathe.  Had he any idea someone was listening to his conversation, he never would have said anything.  But how was he to know someone who didn’t know him would meddle in his affairs?  When he was able to release his breath, he said, “It wasn’t the way it sounded, sir.  My father is determined that I’ll marry Miss Johnson, but I don’t want to be with her.”

“Then why not just tell her that?”

“It’s not that easy.”

“Of course, it is, if it was the truth.”

“It is the truth.”

Her father held his hand up to stop Kent from saying anything else.  “I’ve heard enough.  Your own words have betrayed you.  I forbid you to marry her, and tomorrow, you will end your courtship with her.”

“But—”

“Don’t disobey me in this.” The carriage came to a stop and he added, “This is the last time I’ll speak to you.  Understand?”

The footman opened the door and Kent struggled with something—anything—he might say to rectify the situation, but his mind drew a blank.

“Go,” her father ordered.

He slightly jerked at the subtle threat in her father’s voice and hurried to obey him.  It wasn’t until the carriage was halfway down the street that a tear slid down Kent’s cheek.