The Accidental Bride by Denise Hunter Read Free Book Online

around. Go back to their Kmart future. Turn away from Texas and everything he’d dreamed of.
    When he reached the intersection, he saw a No U-turn sign. The light turned green, and he continued ahead. A sign for the upcoming highway caught his eye: State Route 120 Casper.
    He was already in the left lane. His truck seemed to take the route of its own volition. He was on Route 120, headed south toward Casper. South toward Texas.
    His heart rate dropped and his fingers relaxed on the steering wheel. His breathing slowed, the knot in his stomach loosened. He felt better already, just pointing the truck in a different direction.
    Pointing his life in a different direction. A giddy feeling welled up inside him at the thought of all that lay ahead. But it was immediately choked out by thoughts of Shay.
    Shay, waiting for him at the courthouse. He had to call her. How could he explain this drastic change? But it wasn’t drastic really, was it? He’d been waffling since the moment they’d dreamed up this plan.
    She had to know he was struggling. Hadn’t he tried to talk to her about this weeks ago? Hadn’t she asked him a dozen times if he was sure? Hadn’t she asked him just this morning?
    And you said you were .
    He stuffed the thought back down. He’d made the decision, and it felt right. Felt freeing. A marriage couldn’t be God’s will for them, not right now. They didn’t even have their parents’ blessings. That wasn’t honoring, was it?
    Now he just had to break it to Shay.
    He’d stop at the next pay phone, call the courthouse. He’d tell Shay he loved her, that this wasn’t about her at all. That they were too young. They could get married later, after he’d had a chance to chase his dreams.
    He scanned the roadside and saw a phone booth outside a convenience store. He pulled in and entered the booth, racking his brain for the right words. He didn’t want to hurt Shay, but no matter what he said, that was unavoidable.
    The number was in the government section. He deposited some coins and placed the call. The receptionist picked up on the fifth ring.
    â€œUh, yes, I have an appointment for—” He checked his watch. “Well, right now. I need to talk to Shay Monroe. She should be there in your office.”
    â€œShe checked in a few minutes ago, but she went outside to wait for her fiancé.”
    â€œI’m her fiancé. There’s been a—uh, change of plans. Can you get her, please?”
    â€œI’m sorry, sir, I can’t leave my office.”
    â€œPlease, I have to tell her I’m not coming.”
    A second line rang. “Hold, please.”
    â€œNo, wait—” But the line clicked and she was gone.
    Blast it! He hated the thought of Shay waiting outside for him, watching every car as it turned the corner. Had she sensed his agitation? Surely she had. He twisted the cold metal cord around his hand.
    â€œHello?” the woman said.
    â€œYes, I’m here.”
    Another line pealed in the background. “I’m afraid I can’t leave my desk. We’re quite busy.”
    â€œPlease. It won’t take but a few minutes, and I have to tell her—”
    â€œSir. When the phone stops ringing, I’ll run out and get her, but I don’t know when that will be. Call back in fifteen or twenty minutes, and I’ll see that she’s here.”
    It was the best he was going to get. “Thank you.”
    He hung up the phone. He should put the truck back on the highway headed north and handle this face-to-face like a man. He knew it was the right thing to do.
    But if he went back, he knew he wouldn’t have the nerve to leave again. Even now he felt pulled, like he needed more distance between them to think with his head and not his heart.
    He’d keep heading south, just for fifteen minutes, then he’d pull off and call back. He ripped the number from the phone book,