Courting Trouble (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 3) by Kathy Carmichael Read Free Book Online

away. That had to be them. The light changed and the car turned a corner, heading for the freeway. She quickly followed.
    "When was the last time you had this car serviced?"
    "Last week. Why?" she asked. Then it dawned on her. "You're never going to let me live that down, are you?"
    "Let you live down the fact that you played an outrageously stupid joke on me, making me late for Jeff's wedding? My one and only opportunity to give him away in marriage?" Alec didn't raise his voice, but his tone was deadly dangerous. "I was his best man, for Pete's sake. They held up the ceremony for nearly two hours. You destroyed my tux."
    "I'm sorry, already. I didn't want to miss it any more than you did. Don't forget, I was Meagan's maid of honor. I told you then it wasn't a joke but you wouldn't believe me." She'd been a fool back then, too. They'd met only days before the wedding, and she'd thought Alec was attracted to her, was interested in pursuing a relationship. She couldn't have been more mistaken. At the first sign of trouble, he'd run for the hills, just like every other man she'd ever been interested in.
    None of that mattered now. She pressed her foot harder on the accelerator, trying to catch Jeff and Meagan.
    Alec pulled out his cell phone. "I'm calling Jeff."
    "I hope he answers. Meagan didn't."
    "Jeff, call me," he said to his cousin's voice mail. She handed Alec her phone. "Maybe leave a text message for Meagan, telling her I'm worried?"
    He nodded and did as she instructed.
    About forty-five minutes later, they trailed Jeff's car as it exited off the freeway. The area was remote. No other cars, and the only signs of life she saw were animals' eyes lit up by her headlights. The further into the country they went, the more convinced she became that Jeff would accidently harm her sister.
    "I'm worried, Alec. Where is he taking her?"
    His jaw clenched. "I don't know. I do know Jeff, however, and he won't harm Meagan. He still loves her. After seeing her behavior tonight, I think she deserves whatever she gets."
    "Mr. Sparks, I'll have you know this whole thing has all been Jeff's fault. My sister was a sweet, gentle person until he broke her heart. I should never have tried to get them back together. I should have left well enough alone. At least the baby would still be safe."
    "He's not going to hurt her or the baby. Yell loud enough to give her temporary hearing loss, maybe, for not telling him, but that's it."
    "I should have known he'd act like a brute. Bet you would, too, if you ever found a woman foolish enough to marry you."
    Diedra swerved to avoid hitting an armadillo darting across the dark road. The right side of the vehicle drove onto the shoulder of the road.
    Alec swore. "I'll have you know lots of women want to marry me."
    "Ha! Only women like Mimi LaPeugh."
    The car bounced as she turned it back onto the pavement.
    Suddenly, the car's headlights went out. The engine coughed and then died. It wasn't normal car problems, though. It was her.
    Why now? Why did the blasted car have to conk out when her sister needed her? Why couldn't she be more like normal people?
    "Is it out of gas?" asked Alec, reaching over and flicking the gas gauge.
    That's what happened to normal people. They ran out of gas. Or engines suffered wear and tear. Or tires went flat. But not to her. "I filled the tank this morning." Her voice broke.
    "Diedra Palmer." His voice rose. "You're not pulling this one on me again. Put on the parking brake."
    "I didn't do it, Alec."
    "You think I'm fool enough to fall for the same routine as two years ago?" Alec climbed out of the passenger seat and walked around to the driver's door. "Get out."
    Diedra didn't want to get out. She took one look at Alec's face and wished she'd locked the door. She reached up to do it, but Alec grabbed the door handle first and swung the door open. Rats.
    "Get out of the car."
    She thought about refusing but realized it was futile. With as much grace as possible, Diedra