Finding a Wife For Tanner Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

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  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Epilogue

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  Finding a Wife For Tanner

  Copyright © 2022 Barbara McMahon

  All Rights Reserved

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author's imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  Chapter One

  Tanner Wright stood at the side of the crowded room letting the conversations swirl around him. He took a sip of champagne. Only the best for this crowd. He looked across the room where Marie DuPont held court. She purported to be his date for the evening, not that she’d spent much time with him, or anyone else for that matter. Marie liked to flit and flirt and show off before as many people as possible.

  He studied her dispassionately from across the room. Her sleek blond hair was cut short in a sophisticated style that emphasized her high cheekbones and her almond-shaped cat’s eyes. The slinky black gown she wore highlighted her best features, the curves that declared her all woman.

  But she laughed rather shrilly, and seemed to constantly be switching empty glasses for full ones. He adjusted the sleeve of his tuxedo and noted the time. A stunning woman, and she knew it. But he didn’t care. She wasn’t what he sought, after all. A shame, really. On the surface, she met all his requirements.

  “Tanner?”

  He looked around and smiled. Sean Murphy was a longtime friend. Tanner suspected he'd be here tonight.

  “Sean, good to see you.”

  “I admit I'm surprised to see you here. This isn’t the kind of event you usually attend.”

  “I’m escorting Marie DuPont,” Tanner murmured.

  At Sean’s grimace, Tanner lifted an eyebrow.

  “Something wrong?”

  Sean shook his head. “Marie isn’t exactly on my top-ten list, that’s all.”

  He glanced across the room to the tall blonde, his expression one of blatant disapproval.

  “Ah, and what list does she make?” Tanner asked.

  “Last person I’d wanted to be stranded on a desert island with,” Sean replied without hesitation. “I didn’t know you knew her.”

  “A recent introduction.”

  “Mmm.”

  Sean looked back at his friend.

  “Are these charity events always so crowded?” Tanner asked as he faced the room again, taking in the diamonds and sapphires that glittered, the designer gowns that offered splashes of vibrant color contrasting so sharply with the black tuxedos.

  The ballroom at the St. Francis Hotel seemed to overflow. Standing well over six feet gave him an advantage when studying the crowd. Tanner was used to taking advantage whatever the circumstances.

  “If you’d come to some of them more often, you’d know that they are. Everyone likes to be seen at these things. It’s considered an event, and once here you are supposed to try to donate more than the next man. But only if you're sure everyone knows exactly the amount on your check,” Sean said.

  “You’re getting cynical in your old age, Sean.”

  Tanner scanned the room again, recognizing acquaintances and business associates. He didn’t count the majority of people here his friends. In fact, Sean was probably the only true friend he had in the room. The two of them went back a long time.

  “If so, I’m only catching up with you. What’s the real deal, Tanner? Why are you here tonight and with Marie DuPont of all people?” Sean asked after a moment. “I’ve never known you to socialize at an event like this. Is it business?”

  Tanner shrugged. “Just looking.”

  “For what?”

  Tanner hesitated, then spoke slowly. He didn’t often share his personal plans or ambitions with anyone. But Sean had known him when he was the kid from the wrong side of the tracks, working two part-time jobs and studying constantly to keep his grades up for his scholarship at Stanford University.

  Sean had been born with a silver spoon―an entire service―in his mouth. Yet the two of them, oddly enough, had become friends that first day at Stanford.

  “Looking for a wife,” Tanner said, turning to catch his friend’s reaction.

  Sean didn’t disappoint him. He stared in stunned surprise.

  “A wife? I thought you didn’t believe in love and all that stuff.”

  “You’re correct, I don’t. What does that have to do with anything?” Tanner asked impatiently. “Are you going to tell me there are no women out there who would take me on as a husband because I don’t love them?”

  “Half the women in the city would take you on with your money and looks. You know that. But that kind of a relationship would give you the short end of the stick.”

  “Not if that’s all I want.”

  “And what do you want, exactly?”

  “Someone to start a family with and provide what I don’t have now.”

  “Marie DuPont?” Sean scoffed.

  “Let’s just say she’s in the running.”

  “Forget it, Tanner, she’s not the one for you.”

  “No?”

  “Not Marie. What are you looking for--entrée into the highest of old San Francisco’s society? Money? Family? Roots?”

  “Breeding,” Tanner said softly, an edge to his voice.

  Sean scanned the crowded ballroom, returned his gaze to his friend.

  “Look, I know where you’re coming from, with your background and all. But I think you’re plumb crazy. You don’t marry some woman just for breeding.”

  “You do if you want to make sure your kids never have the problems I had as a child.”

  “Get real, Tanner, with your fortune, no kid of yours is ever going to come close to the life you had.”

  “I want more than what money can buy. I want him to have the right family, the right connections, go to the right schools.”

  Not have to claw and scratch his way to the top like his father, he thought. His son would start out with everything in his favor. And Tanner meant to see his son had all the advantages―including a father while he was growing up.

  He wasn’t getting any younger. Time to find a wife and start his family.

  “Marie drinks. Her mother’s a lush and her father’s on the verge of bankruptcy. They give a good show, but they aren't in the top echelons of society. You’ve been in that ivory business tower of yours too long if you think they are. Time to mingle and get to know these people before doing something so entangling as marriage. If it doesn't work, you’ll be stuck with a ton of alimony.”

  “I don’t plan to enter into marriage thinking it’s going to end,” Tanner said calmly.

  “Then you better be darn sure you get what you want first time.”

  “I agree.”

  Sean ran his fingers through his hair in frustration.

  “Tanner, you aren’t going to rush into this, are you?”

  “I’ll be thirty-six on my next birthday, I hardly think I’m rushing into anything. I could be close to forty by the time a baby arrives. I’d like to be young enough to enjoy him.”

  “You can’t run after any old woman and marry her.”

  “I’m not just running after any old woman, I’m very particular in what I want.”

  “You may be some hot-shot financial whiz, but when it comes to knowing what’s what in San Francisco society, you’re a babe in the woods. You haven’t made enough contacts to know who’s worth cultivating and whom you should avoid. Business is one thing, this is different,” Sean protested.

  “I’m sure I can manage,” Tanner said stiffly.

  “What you need is someone who can let you know about these people,” Sean said impulsively. “Someone who knows the backgrounds, the skeletons in the closets and isn’t afraid to share that information.”

  Tanner gave his friend a sardonic smile, and shook his head.

  “Planning to vet my choices?” he asked.

  “I don’t know, maybe. You don’t know these people like I do. You don’t know who’s in financial difficulty and who is not quite top drawer. I’ve been around them all my life. I know the inside gossip.”

  “A lot of which I can find out. Just like I discover which stocks have the best prospective, which bonds are the most lucrative, which start-up ventures hold the most promise.”

  “Tanner, darling.”

  The tall, sleek woman they’d been discussing moments before drifted over to him and slid her arm
possessively into the crook of his.

  Pouting artfully, she batted her eyes at Sean before gazing adoringly up at Tanner.

  “I’ve had enough of this party, darling. Why don’t we go and have one of our own?”

  “If you are tired of being here, we can leave,” he said politely.

  There'd be no private party. He’d had enough and Sean was right. Marie wasn’t the woman he wanted to be the mother of his son.

  “Good to see you again, Sean. Call and set up lunch sometime,” Tanner said, covering Marie’s hand with his own.

  He noticed the glances people threw his way, the speculation that ran rampant. When Marie preened a bit, he knew she’d seen it, as well, and apparently jumped to the same conclusion as the others.

  But he hadn’t come this far in life to be caught in any snare not of his own choosing.

  “Monday,” Sean said. “I’ll be by your office late Monday morning and we’ll go to lunch then.”

  Tanner escorted the lovely Marie home. She was not pleased at the abrupt ending to their evening, but Tanner didn’t really care. His time was too valuable to waste with someone unsuitable.

  “Good night, Marie.”

  He prepared to leave her at her door.

  “Call me, Tanner,” she said, her eyes glittering in suppressed frustration.

  He smiled, but didn’t commit.

  “Mr. Murphy is here.”

  Rachel’s efficient voice announced Sean’s arrival over the intercom Monday at noon.

  Tanner regretted on Sunday that he’d told Sean his plans. He didn’t want a lecture during lunch or to listen to any of Sean’s schemes to choose the right wife. Sean was one of the few people in the world who couldn’t be intimidated by Tanner.

  Sometimes there was a downside to long-term friends.

  Besides, he’d made up his mind. Examining all the aspects of marriage, he’d determined that choosing a suitable bride from one of the top families in San Francisco would insure the best for any children and wouldn’t hurt current business ventures.

  Tanner was pragmatic and goal oriented. He knew his money and success in the market would be a strong complement to the breeding and background of his future wife. A perfect blending of assets to form a strong bond.

  “Send him in.”

  Tanner remained another moment by the large window, gazing over the other high-rise office buildings comprising San Francisco’s financial district. Hearing the click at the door, he moved from the window and crossed the room as Sean entered.

  They gripped hands in greeting.

  “I’ve got it,” Sean said.

  “What?” Tanner asked, shrugging into his suit jacket. “Not the flu, I hope?”

  “No, the solution to your problem. To both our problems, as a matter of fact.”

  “I didn’t know we both had a problem,” Tanner said as they left for lunch.

  They walked down the street to the small bar and grill on the corner of Montgomery. The restaurant was crowded, but the hostess knew Tanner by sight and reputation and quickly found a secluded table. Once their orders had been given, Sean sat back, raised his water glass in a mock toast and nodded.

  “I’ve got the perfect solution to your problem. And in exchange, you can help me out with mine.”

  Tanner raised an eyebrow.

  “Indeed. And is that a goal of mine, helping you out?”

  Sean shook his head, laughing softly.

  “Probably not, but it'll do you good once in a while to help a friend.”

  “Especially when I have so few of them.”

  “You’d have more than you ever wanted if you’d let anyone close to you,” Sean fired back bluntly.

  “My life’s going just how I want it,” Tanner replied.

  Knowing when to back off, Sean nodded, then continued, “Right. That’s why you want to get married.”

  “Haven’t you thought about it?” Tanner asked.

  Sean was the same age. Didn’t he also long for a family, for a new generation to leave behind when his time was up?

  “Of course. When Betsy was alive, I thought we’d marry and have a slough full of kids. I haven’t met anyone I’ve loved as much since she died.”

  Tanner said nothing. He remembered how his friend had loved Betsy Springer. Her death had hit him hard.

  “But we’re not talking about me, my friend, we’re talking about you and your scheme to marry into some highfalutin society family who can trace its roots back to the gold rush. I have a plan,” Sean said.

  “You have the perfect solution to finding the right woman?” Tanner asked skeptically.

  “Sunny,” Sean said proudly.

  “Sunny?” Tanner asked. Was the word supposed to mean something to him?

  “My cousin Sunny. She can introduce you to the right people, give you some background on the women themselves, match you up with the perfect mate.”

  “You expect your cousin to play matchmaker?” Tanner asked slowly, his eyes narrowing as he studied Sean across the table. He didn’t even know the woman.

  “Sort of.”

  “Sort of.” Tanner continued to stare at his friend. “How does this help you?”

  Sean smoothed his tie, an obvious nervous gesture.

  “Hear me out, Tanner. I figure this could go both ways, she’ll help you and you can help her. And helping her in this case would help me.”

  Sean cleared his throat.

  Tanner narrowed his eyes.

  “Spill it all, Sean.”

  “Sunny's in a bit of a bind. And you’re the cause.”

  “I don’t even know a Sunny.”

  “No, but Brad Peterson does.”

  “Ah, I begin to get the picture.” Tanner nodded, his expression forbidding. “Let me guess. This Sunny persuaded Brad to invest in some wild business scheme and now she can’t pay the return.”

  “Something like that, only her business isn’t so wild. I think she needs a bit of help getting the place off the ground. But since Brad left―”

  “Was fired, you mean? He had no sense of business. We’d be flat busted if he’d continued,” Tanner interjected in a hard tone.

  “Be that as it may, your company underwrote my cousin’s new business. Now that Brad's gone, your new guy is pressing to call the loan. She can’t make it. I don’t want her to go under. Cut her some slack, give her a bit of time, that’s all I’m asking. I think she can pull it off. I wouldn’t ask if I didn’t think so, you know that, Tanner.”

  Tanner studied his friend for a long moment.

  “And in exchange for this bit of time, she’ll find me a wife?”

  Sean winced.

  “Well, let’s just say we can get her to introduce you to possible mates. Sunny can’t really force anyone to go out with you or marry you. But she can introduce you to the kind of woman you are looking for―not someone like Marie DuPont.”

  “How much does this Sunny owe me?”

  “A lot.”

  “You’re worth a lot,” Tanner murmured.

  “Sunny needs help, but she’s too stubborn and proud to accept it from the family. I thought this would make it a business deal―for both of you.”

  “Business deal? This isn’t my idea of business, Sean.”

  “I don’t know. The way you’re going about looking for a wife isn’t very romantic. In fact it smacks of business to me. Just think about it. That’s all I’m asking. Sunny has a small shop, a bridal salon. She started it a couple of years ago and is barely making ends meet, yet I think she does good work, always seems busy. I think she needs someone to help on the business side. It’s not as if you’re going to lose anything by delaying on forcing her out. Give her a chance, and see if you can spot where she needs to tighten up or do something to turn the place around. It gives you a better shot at recapturing your capital, and with Sunny’s help, you could end up with the best trophy bride San Francisco has to offer.”

  “I do not run shops,” Tanner said distinctly.

  “Of course not, who'd expect you to? It's a bridal shop, not something a man like you would be involved in. But you could look over her books, make sure she’s doing things correctly. And then advise her where the business is weak and how to shore it up. That kind of thing. An afternoon’s work at most.”

  “Do you know what I charge for that kind of service?” Tanner said ominously.