After a Fashion (A Class of Their Own #1)(102)

“That’s just geography, easily overcome.”

“It’s geography that’s separated by an entire ocean.”

Archibald eyed him for a moment. “Is making more money truly that important to you?”

Oliver blinked, and instead of giving his grandfather the answer that immediately came to mind, he thought about it instead. “I don’t know.”

“Come with me,” Archibald said before he headed for the door, paused, and looked over his shoulder. “Well?”

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see, and bring the mutt. He likes riding in the carriage.”



For the first time in what felt like forever, Oliver felt a sense of peace. Perhaps it was because he was sitting smack in the middle of an old church, the pews empty except for Buford. Or, perhaps it was because his grandfather had spent the ride over to Reverend Gilmore’s church in relative silence, something that was unusual, but something that had given Oliver a feeling of hope, as if his grandfather had figured out all the answers and was simply biding his time to reveal them.

Whatever the reason, Oliver wasn’t feeling quite as despondent as he’d been ever since Harriet had proclaimed a few days before she was going home, and not the home she’d lived in when he’d first made her acquaintance.

“Ah, Oliver, I was hoping you’d pay me a visit soon.”

Getting to his feet, Oliver walked over to greet Reverend Gilmore, who was entering the sanctuary with Archibald by his side. Holding out his hand, Oliver found himself smiling when, instead of taking his offered hand, the reverend pulled him into a strong hug.

“Your grandfather tells me you’ve got a bit of a dilemma on your hands, son,” Reverend Gilmore said, stepping back.

“I do, but I’m not exactly certain how my grandfather expects you to help.”

Reverend Gilmore gestured to the pew. “Why don’t we sit down and discuss what’s on your mind.”

Making his way back to the pew where he’d left Buford, Oliver took a seat, Reverend Gilmore and Archibald joining him a second later.

“He’s quite the hero,” Reverend Gilmore said with a nod in Buford’s direction.

Oliver gave Buford a scratch on the head, earning a whine of delight in the process. “That he is. I’m afraid he’s missed the ladies dreadfully since he’s returned to my house.”

“And you? Do you miss the ladies—or more specifically, Harriet—dreadfully?”

The truth of the matter was yes, he did miss Harriet dreadfully, which was odd considering he and Harriet had not known each other long.

“It doesn’t really matter if I miss her,” he finally settled on saying. “Harriet’s made up her mind, and I can’t say I question her decision. She belongs with her family, but my many business ventures are mostly located here in the States, which means we really have no choice but to part ways.”

“Would you be willing to give up your businesses for her?”

“Surely you’re not suggesting I abandon my multi-million dollar enterprises in order to continue on with Harriet, are you?”

“I don’t make it a point to suggest much of anything to people, Oliver. You should live your life in a manner that makes you happy, or more importantly, a manner in which you believe will please God.” Reverend Gilmore leaned forward and placed his hand on Oliver’s knee. “From what I understand, you’ve managed to amass quite the fortune at a relatively young age. Is that fortune enough for you, or do you still feel compelled to increase it?”

“I have more money than I could probably spend in a lifetime, but since I was a young boy my goal has been to secure a larger fortune than Cornelius Vanderbilt’s. He left behind an estate worth more than one hundred million dollars.”

“And do you believe Cornelius Vanderbilt has any need of his fortune now?”

Oliver frowned. “Probably not, considering he’s dead.”

“And do you think Mr. Vanderbilt embraced and enjoyed his life while he was on this earth, giving more than he received, or do you think he might have spent most of his time collecting money?”

Oliver sat there for a moment, his thoughts whirling as a sense of something odd and quite disturbing flowed over him.

It was true that he had more money than he could ever use, but it was also true that he’d rarely used that money in a manner that would be pleasing to God. Before he’d met Harriet, he hadn’t even bothered to see the poverty that surrounded him, which God could hardly find acceptable, but . . . it certainly wasn’t too late to give to those in need, especially if he had Harriet by his side, pointing him in the right direction.

She’d made her choice, that choice putting an entire ocean between them, but . . . he wasn’t completely tied to America, except for the fact his businesses were there, and yet those businesses didn’t provide him with lovely eyes, a beautiful face, or an intriguing attitude.

They also didn’t keep him warm at night, whereas Harriet . . .

He released a breath. “You’re a very wise man, Reverend Gilmore.”

“My wisdom only goes so far, Oliver. What happens next is completely up to you, but I do hope that you’ll place your trust in God and ask Him for guidance before you proceed with whatever you decide to do.”