The Last Bachelor by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online Page A

wife?”
    â€œYes, we got married on Saturday. I’ll need to talk to you about her hours.”
    â€œNo, Joe, you mustn’t!” Ginger protested.
    â€œYes, sweetheart, I must. You can’t keep the schedule you proposed for today. It’s too much.”
    â€œBut I fixed all your food. I’m sorry the casseroleis not very good, but you didn’t have much food in your refrigerator.”
    â€œGinger, I’m not complaining about the food. I’m complaining about how much you’re trying to do.”
    It frustrated Joe that she didn’t seem to comprehend his concern.
    It was Ginger who spoke next. “Mr. Small, if you will excuse me for five minutes, I need to talk to Joe, er, Mr. Turner, and then I will return to work.”
    Joe hated her kowtowing to Harvey. “We’ll take as long as we need, Ginger. Harvey doesn’t mind, do you, Harvey?” He shot the club manager a determined look as he took Ginger’s arm and led her through the doors into the Men’s Grill.
    â€œJoe, Mr. Small will be mad at me. He may dock my wages,” Ginger said with fear.
    â€œI’ll bet he doesn’t,” Joe said grimly.
    â€œBut what’s wrong? I’m only doing what you said,” Ginger said, a plea in her voice.
    â€œWhat are you talking about? I never said for you to work yourself into the ground. And walking to work from the condo? That’s ridiculous.”
    â€œBut I had to get to work.”
    â€œThat’s just it. You don’t have to come to work.”
    She stared at him, panic in her eyes. “You said I could continue to work, to save my money if they send me back.”
    â€œHoney, I said you could work, but not all the time. You’re taking nine hours a week at the community college and working every other minute here. You need more time to relax. I’m going to tell Harvey to cut you back to…to twenty hours a week. Okay?”
    â€œNo!” Ginger cried, tears in her eyes. “You promised.”
    She had him there. He had promised, but he’d had no idea how many hours she put in. “How many do you usually work?”
    She ducked her head. “Sixty to seventy hours a week.”
    â€œGood Lord, that’s slavery!”
    â€œNo. He pays me and I get tips, too. Please?”
    â€œDo they feed you lunch today?” He’d decided to gather his arguments and renegotiate their terms when they had privacy and more time.
    â€œYes, of course. And…and I will try to get more done tomorrow.”
    He shook his head and then pulled her into his arms for a kiss that he had to have. “I’ll be here at six-thirty to drive you to school.”
    â€œOh, no, that’s not necessary. I can—”
    He kissed her again. “If you’re going to work the rest of the day and go to school, you have no choice, Ginger. My wife will not be walking the streets at night. Understand?” His voice was fierce, and she slowly nodded, watching him with a careful eye. He kissed her gently this time, then he strode out of the room.
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    Ginger slipped back into the café and picked up her tray. As soon as the other waitresses noticed her return, they hurried over to ask her questions.
    Erica Clawson, one of the waitresses Ginger didn’t like, asked, “Did you really catch Joe Turner? I’m impressed.”
    Ginger stared at her blankly.
    â€œLeave her alone, Erica,” Daisy Parker, her best friend and fellow waitress, warned. “Ginger is a wonderful person. Joe Turner is lucky if she married him.”
    â€œWell, someone certainly is,” Erica returned. “I’ve heard he’s loaded. If I didn’t want my guy, I would’ve gone after Joe.”
    Ginger bit her bottom lip. It was tempting to say Joe was hers, but she knew he really wasn’t.
    â€œWe never see you with your guy,” another waitress said. “I’m beginning to wonder if