Christmas Getaway by Tina Leonard and Marion Lennox Anne Stuart Read Free Book Online Page B

ridiculous! Bridesmaids can’t wear dark colors in summer!”
    â€œRichard…”
    â€œAnd the gifts have already begun arriving. My mother would have a fit. You know she’s never been all that enthusiastic about the marriage, and if you pull a stunt like this, she’s going to be even more difficult.”
    â€œPull a stunt, Richard?” she echoed, her voice wintry.
    But poor Richard didn’t realize he was dancing on a razor’s edge. “Really, Eloise, it’s time you grew up and gained some sense of responsibility. Putting off the wedding is childish and ridiculous. I won’t have it.”
    Ellie slowly banged her head against the Sheetrock wall, quietly enough so Fitzpatrick wouldn’t hear her. She took a deep breath. “You’re absolutely right, Richard,” she said. “We’re just delaying the inevitable.”
    â€œI’m so glad you see it my way.” Richard’s tones were plummy with satisfaction.
    â€œI do. I’ll have the engagement ring delivered back to you as soon as I return to Boston. I’m afraid there’s been a little problem with your mother’s wedding dress…”
    â€œWhat are you talking about?”
    â€œWe’re not getting married, Richard,” she said, using the worried-mother tone once more. “Not in a week, not this summer, not ever.”
    There was a long silence at the other end. “And what has brought about this change of mind?” he said in a stiff voice.
    â€œI don’t think I’m cut out to be a doctor’s wife, Richard. I’m not cut out for Beacon Hill, not cut out for private hospitals and paperwork. I’m thinking of moving to Canada.”
    â€œThat’s socialized medicine!” he said in tones that equated it with devil worship.
    â€œOr back to Australia. All I know is I’m not cut out to be your wife, Richard. I’m sorry. I just wish I’d come to my senses sooner.”
    â€œYou really expect me to just simply cancel everything?”
    â€œYes, I do, Richard. Goodbye,” she said gently. Because she had no choice. If she’d been on a traditional phone, she would have slammed it down.
    â€œSo no honeymoon?”
    Fitzpatrick was leaning in the doorway, watching her. He was wearing only his jeans, which rode low on his narrow hips, and the bandage looked good. Hell, everything about him looked good, but that wasn’t any of her business.
    â€œNo honeymoon,” she said with a shrug. “I think the realization came when it was a relief to be kidnapped at gunpoint rather than wear his mother’s wedding dress. That’s not the appropriate reaction.”
    â€œAnd you’re always appropriate?”
    She looked up at him. Appropriate would be not to notice how damned good he looked in those low-slung jeans and a bandage. Appropriate would be not to notice his black hair was a little too long and curling down his neck, and that hiseyes were a bright winter blue. Or that his stubborn, sexy mouth looked like it could do amazing things to hers.
    â€œAlways,” she said. “You can take a shower if you think you’re strong enough to stand. Just don’t get your bandage wetter than you can help.”
    â€œWhat if I fall down?” He looked about as likely to fall down as the Prudential Center.
    â€œI can always help you bathe. I’ve done worse in my life.”
    â€œTempting though that sounds, I think I’ll decline the kind offer. The sooner I get on the road the better, and you might prove…distracting. Hand me your phone.”
    â€œHey, I’m on roaming,” she protested.
    â€œYou’re a doctor—you can afford it better than a cop,” he said. “Besides, my phone has got to be bugged. I don’t want to do anything to lead them to me.” He paused, looking at her. “What’s the expression for?”
    â€œRichard called the police last