Creighton Manor by Karen Michelle Nutt Page B

sofa. “Now let me give you a brief history about the Creightons.”
    “Should I bar the exits? She might make a run for it.” Zachary’s sarcasm didn’t sit well with his grandmother.
    Lotti’s gray brows drew together. “Hush now.”
    “Sorry, Lotti, go ahead. Tell all the Creighton secrets. If anything it should prove entertaining.”
    Lotti waved a hand at her grandson to hush him . “Zachary’s father, my son, was a good for nothing, all though lovable, a loser.”
    She doesn’t mince words, does she? Gillian thought.
    “Everything he touched turned sour. He could not hold his liquor and he was an impossible gambler. He lost everything: his respect and his family. His wife died of a broken heart, and finally my son lost his own life in a fight. However, before he died, he forfeited the most prized possession: Creighton Manor that my husband built with his own sweat and money. The man who owns it now is Cyrus Locke, though I have no idea why the man keeps it. The house survived the Yankees, yet Cyrus has let it slowly decay, while he lives in his own grand home on the hill .”
    Gillian glanced at Zachary for confirmation. "Cyrus was on the Ida Belle, wasn’t he?"
    Zachary nodded. "Yes, he was there at our wedding,” he stressed and she realized he was also the man responsible for their predicament.
    Lotti continued the story, “As much as I was saddened by the loss of Creighton Manor, it was just a place. Home is where your heart is.”
    Zachary snorted with a wave of his hand, indicating he didn’t agree with his grandmother.
    She chose to ignore him. “Zachary has been obsessed with trying to win the manor back. He has followed Cyrus Locke for years, entering the same games with him, trying to win all his holdings. Therefore, you can imagine my surprise when I ran into Josephine Locke this morning, and she told me about the two of you getting married. I had given up hope that Zachary would ever find anyone. But, I do have to say, I am most pleased he did .”
    Obviously, Josephine Locke had decided not to reveal the true circumstances of their marriage.
    “So is there … any Irish in your family, that is?” Zachary’s grandmother asked the question once again.
    “I really don’t know. My father used to say we were about everything you could think of .”
    “Used to?”
    “Both my parents have passed away. My mom, when I was a few years old and my father two years ago.”
    “You poor dear,” Lot ti said sympathetically. “You were orphan ed like Zachary and…” She turned toward her grandson. “You have told her about Tyler haven’t you?”
    “I have. Matter of fact, Gillian has agreed to tutor him. She was a school teacher before she came here.”
    “How splendid, but I do say, I don’t know how much learning he will do once he sees how pretty his teacher is .”
    Gillian felt heat rise in her face.
    “Now … ” Lotti continued, “… we must plan the wedding celebration so everyone can meet you .”
    Gillian’s eyes darted nervously to Zachary. They couldn’t have a reception with the marriage actually being a ruse. Then she realized what Zachary and his grandmother had been talking about before she came downstairs.
    “We don’t want to make a big fuss over this,” Zachary told his grandmother. “That is why we had a small ceremony on the Ida Belle.”
    “Nonsense, you must have a reception. You’ll insult all our friends if you do not.”
    Zachary was getting nowhere in this argument. “Mrs. Creighton? ” Gillian drew her attention.
    “Please, call me Lotti. Everyone does. Mrs. Creighton is so stuffy and grandma makes me feel like a hundred.”
    “Lotti.” Gillian smiled. “I would love to meet all your friends, but I don’t have anything appropriate to wear.” She glanced down, indicating her oversized dress. “ My arrival here was… well, let’s say somewhat unexpected.”
    “Not a problem. I have my garments made by a wonderful woman in town. She will be