Page 1 of Bride By Committee

Prologue

Harry Jones sat in the middle of an office the size of a small house while controlled chaos exploded around him. Close to a dozen VPs and department heads crowded in front of his massive desk, each with a problem of absolute urgency and each needing an immediate answer to that problem. Flicking his pen across a document, Harry sent it spinning down the expanse of mahogany, reducing the number of people clamoring for his attention byone.

At his elbow his private line let out a demanding chirp and he tucked the receiver to his ear with an uplifted shoulder. “Talk to me,” he ordered.

“Busy?” his father asked cheerfully.

Harry gave the door to his office a pointed stare and jerked his head in that direction. That’s all it took. That’s all it ever took. Every last one instantly obeyed his silent command, filing from his office with impressive haste.

“What’s up, Dad?” he asked.

“I have something here that might interest you.”

Harry leaned back in his chair. “I have to give you credit. You do come across the most fascinating bits and pieces of information.”

“It’s my job, remember?”

“Funny. Ithought your job was promoting The Principles of Love. Speaking of which, how’s the book tour coming along? Where are you? Seattle?”

“Portland. Seattle is tomorrow. And the tour is fantastic. Never had so much fun in my life. You were right about all this handshaking and public speaking being up my alley. Iguess I’m just a frustrated old salesman, or something.” There was a notable pause and then Bartholomew said, “But that’s not why I called.”

“I figured as much. What’s going on?”

“I received an intriguing document that I thought you’d find of interest.”

“Can you email or text me a copy?”

“Only if I can send it over your private line. Idon’t want to risk anyone seeing the thing.”

“Why?”

“It involves the Sunflowers.”

“Dammit, Dad. You know I’d rather not get involved in your personal relationships—”

“This isn’t about Sunny. It’s about her granddaughter, Madison. Ithink once you read it, you’ll decide to join me in Seattle.”

“It’s that urgent?”

“Yes, it’s that urgent. Come on, son. Use some of that power I’ve seen you wield. Delegate the smaller jobs and get on this.”

“I don’t have any small jobs,” Harry replied dryly.

“Right. How silly of me to forget. My son is Harry Jones, economic genius and corporate troubleshooter.” There was no mistaking his teasing tone. “I bow down in tribute.”

“Economic genius, corporate troubleshooter, and terror of the financial world. And you cower at my feet, not bow down.”

Bartholomew chuckled. “I stand corrected. Listen, take a look at what I send and decide for yourself. But I’m guessing you’ll be on the next plane to Seattle.”

Five minutes later the text came through. Harry sat at his desk and scrolled through the information and discovered his father was quite correct. He would be on the next plane to Seattle.

ChapterOne

The Ten Principles of Love

by Bartholomew Jones

Principle 1: Sometimes it only takes one look…

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