The Goodbye Bride by Denise Hunter Read Free Book Online

couldn’t find one mention of Lucy’s wedding anywhere on any Portland site. He’d looked up her name in the Portland Press Herald and in the Daily Sun. He’d Googled her name with “wedding” and “engagement.” He’d checked the social media sites to see if she’d joined the rest of the world sometime over the past seven months. She hadn’t.
    Of course not. She didn’t want you to find her.
    He drew in a deep breath and blew it out, his eyes drifting over to the sofa where Lucy had lost her battle with fatigue. She’d followed him into the office hours earlier, much to his dismay. He needed to keep as much distance between them as possible, and she wasn’t making it easy. Looking at him with those soft blue eyes. Saying things he’d only dreamed of hearing since she’d left.
    She was easy to read, an open book. He could see the guilt in her eyes and the remorse in the slope of her shoulders. In the kitchen she’d reached out a hand as if she’d wanted to comfort him. But just as quickly, it had fallen to her side. Just as well.
    How many times had he gone over those days before she left, trying to figure out why she’d done it? It was true he’d been distracted. Moody. Had he chased her away? Or had she never even loved him as she should have? There’d be no answers for him now. Not unless her memory returned.
    She helped him with ideas as he researched, offering quiet suggestions. But he sensed her conflicting emotions. She wanted to help, but she wasn’t eager to return to Portland. She made no bones about that.
    Well, that was too bad. She’d wanted it seven months ago. He’d darn well figure this out and get her back home.
    Resolved, he went back to work, trying to ignore the little sounds she made in her sleep. She’d dozed off right where she sat, her head drooping against the wingback part of the sofa. The quilt he’d used last night was spread across her. Okay, so he’d put it there awhile ago when he’d needed to stretch his legs. She’d been curled up in a ball like she was cold. What was he supposed to do?
    Frowning, he forced his mind back to his search.
    What else? What wasn’t he thinking of? The wedding license. Were those a matter of public record? He did a search, his spirits buoying when he discovered they were. There were even online records!
    He scrolled quickly to the bottom of the page where the county links were. His eyes scanned the counties once. Twice. Cumberland wasn’t on the list. They didn’t offer the online feature. His spirits sank again. So many roadblocks.
    He’d have to wait until they opened tomorrow. He’d get the name of her fiancé from the license, then he’d track the guy down. He hated the delay, but maybe he’d find something else yet today.
    His eyes swung to the sofa again, to Lucy with her hair sticking up at all angles. With her small hand curled under her delicate chin, her long lashes kissing the tops of her cheeks. She looked so vulnerable. She hadn’t been herself since he’d pulled up to the curb in Portland. She was lost and confused, and it pulled at every protective instinct he had. But she wasn’t his to protect anymore.
    She made a little hmm sound as she resituated, curling into the sofa arm and letting out a soft sigh. Where had the bold, quirky Lucy gone? The one who’d snagged his attention the moment she’d walked into his restaurant? Maybe time hadn’t stopped when she’d entered his world, but it had seemed to.
    His brothers were hanging around that evening, the first day of the year that was warm enough to make people believe spring really was on its way. There was a jubilant feeling in the air. The Red Sox home opener had ended in a triumphant win over the Phillies, and the town was in the mood to celebrate.
    The jukebox cranked out country tunes, and a few brave souls danced on the