The Best Bride by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online

small bag containing her personal belongings on her lap and pushed her out of the room.
    She was surprised to see the T-bird parked in front of the hospital. “This is my car.”
    â€œI know. Did you want to go home in the patrol car? You’re just like your daughter. She’s always trying to trick me into using the siren.”
    She laughed. “I don’t need a siren. I’m just surprised. I was afraid my car was still parked on the side of the road.”
    He set the brake on the wheelchair and opened the passenger door. “I had it moved to the sheriff’s station. Not that we get much car theft up here.”
    She stood up slowly. He offered his hand and she took it. His fingers felt warm and strong as he guided her toward the car.
    â€œWatch your head, darlin’,” he said, wrapping his other arm around her waist and easing her down.
    The incision pulled slightly and she winced. “I’m fine,” she said, before he could ask. She looked up at his eyes and the thick, dark lashes framing them. For a heartbeat, his gaze dropped to her mouth. She had a fleeting thought that he was going to kiss her, and her body tensed in anticipation. Then he stepped back and the feeling disappeared, leaving her surprisingly disappointed.
    What was wrong with her? she asked herself as Travis gave the nurse the wheelchair, then came around to the driver’s side of the car. She wasn’t interested in him or in any man. Dear God, hadn’t she learned the biggest lesson of all?
    Travis didn’t glance at her as he slid inside. She wondered if he’d seen the expectation in her face. Embarrassment filled her. She slumped in the seat and closed her eyes.
    Something warm brushed across her breasts. She jumped and her eyes flew open.
    â€œSeat belt,” Travis said, pulling the belt down and locking it into place.
    She stared at him and her heart fluttered foolishly. He’d simply bumped her when he’d grabbed for the restraining device. Why me? she wondered and sighed.
    â€œI thought we’d go straight to the house,” he said,tossing his Stetson to the back seat. “I want to get you settled. Mandy is at the park with Kyle.”
    â€œKyle?”
    He started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot. “One of my deputies and my youngest brother. She’s already twisted him around her little finger.”
    â€œHow do you know?”
    Travis shot her a grin. “When he left the office, he turned on his siren. Something tells me that was Mandy’s doing.”
    â€œShe can be stubborn.”
    â€œI guess she gets that from her mother.”
    She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, but he was staring at the road. She relaxed in the seat and watched as he drove through the small town. As they neared the park, traffic became heavy. She saw families walking together. Her stomach clenched, not from the surgery, but from envy and regret. She and Mandy should have been part of a family like that. It had all been taken away from them. Stolen. She stared out the window and willed the tears away. No. Not stolen. They’d never had it in the first place. It had all been a lie.
    As they passed the duck pond, she saw the motel. “Wait, I have to get my things.”
    â€œAlready done,” he said, not bothering to stop. “I went there this morning and checked you out. Your suitcases are in the trunk.”
    She didn’t know whether to thank him or yell at him for invading her personal space.
    â€œBefore you get huffy and start hollering at me,” he said, as if he could read her mind, “I knew you would want your things with you even if you’d made other plans. So I didn’t assume you would take me up on my offer.”
    It took too much energy to get angry, so she simplyleaned back in the seat and went along for the ride. He’d been right. She couldn’t have made it work at the motel. They passed a