Forever Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Book 7) by Verna Clay Read Free Book Online Page B

He'd always liked Sally. Did he like her enough to give marriage a try? Since his girlfriend had run away with his best friend years ago, he'd never considered marriage again; he liked his freedom. He liked being able to pick up and go anytime he wanted. But he wasn't a young man anymore. Hell, he wasn't old either.
    He heard the bathroom door open, but he didn't turn around immediately.
    Sally said, "I think I'd like to cut this vacation short and return home."
    He turned around. She had taken a shower and towel dried her hair. It lay flat against her face with none of its waviness softening her features. Her eyes were bloodshot and she looked like hell.
    He gave her a slight smile. "I guess I can understand that. First, though, let's go to breakfast and discuss this turn of events—decide what to do."
    She frowned. "There's only one thing we can do. If we can't annul the marriage, then we need to file for divorce."
    He cocked his head to the side. "Like I said, we'll discuss it." Before she could respond, he grabbed the keycard off the table and walked out the door.

Chapter 11: Understanding
     
    Sally sat in the chair Flatfoot pulled out for her. They were seated beside a wall of windows with a great view. Apprehension gripped her as she watched the comings and goings outside. A lovely fountain spurted a light display that tourists were snapping pictures of. Their waitress returned with water and asked for their drink orders. Flatfoot said, "Sally, would you like coffee?"
    "Yes. Thank you."
    He said to the waitress, "Two coffees and two orange juices." After the waitress left, he picked up his menu and said, "Looks like they have some great omelettes."
    Sally suppressed an urge to scream. All she wanted was black coffee and an airline ticket home—and a divorce.
    The waitress returned with their drinks and asked for their orders. When she declined anything, Flatfoot frowned and ordered two Denver omelettes.
    "I'm really not hungry," she declared.
    "Then don't eat it."
    Flatfoot leisurely sipped his coffee.
    Sally said, "Look, I don't blame you for what happened last night. We were both drunk and not thinking. I'll contact a lawyer when we get home and see what it takes to get out of this marriage."
    He sipped again and then said softly, "Why don't we give the marriage a try?"
    Sally's mouth gaped and her eyes widened. "What?" she gasped.
    "Why don't we give the marriage a shot?"
    "Why would you want to do that? You don't even know me except as an acquaintance."
    He tilted his head and gave her a look that said, "Really?"
    She felt her face flame.
    He said, "Just hear me out."
    She couldn't have spoken if she wanted to.
    He continued, "I think you're a mighty fine woman, Sally. And, as you know, I'm at a crossroads in my life, and you are, too. You've been hurt real bad but you're a survivor, like me. We'll both go on, but why go on alone? You've got a nice spread that needs lots of work and I can fix just about anything. But don't take me wrong. Your home is yours. I don't want no legal part of it. All I'm sayin' is why not give the marriage a month or two, see how it works out. If it doesn't, you got your place all fixed up with no strings attached. I'll just pack my bags and leave 'cause it'll be your call. I don't stay where I'm not wanted. And as far as sleeping arrangements, we'll stay in separate rooms, unless we both agree to more. Nothing physical will happen between us that you don't want."
    He picked up his coffee, sipped again, and Sally wondered how he could be so cool, calm, and collected.
    He said, "All I'm askin' is for you to consider what I'm sayin'. Anytime you ask me to leave I'll pack up and be gone within the hour."
    Sally met his gaze, looked back out the window at a couple kissing beside the water fountain, and replied, "You promise you'll leave if I ask you to? If I decide things aren't working out."
    "I promise on my family's name."
    "And you'll not make any advances toward me."
    "I swear on my