The Last Bachelor

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

Book: The Last Bachelor by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online
Authors: Judy Christenberry
he’s real.”
    Her words didn’t faze Erica. “Oh, he’s real, all right. Look at this.” She reached in the neckline of her blouse and pulled out a gold chain with a large diamond hanging from it. “See what he gave me?”
    After looking at Erica’s necklace, the women, almost in unison, looked at Ginger’s left hand.
    â€œThat’s a lovely band,” Daisy said, smiling at Ginger.
    â€œYeah,” Erica said, syrup dripping from her voice. “You can find a lot of them at the drug store.”
    Harvey opened the door, and the waitresses scattered to do their jobs. Daisy squeezed Ginger’s hand before she hurried to the kitchen.
    Harvey came over to Ginger. “Did he really marry you?”
    She nodded, staring down at the table.
    â€œAre you going to quit working for me?”
    She shook her head no. “He promised me I could keep working.”
    â€œYou want to keep working? Well, okay, then. That’s good.” He smiled brilliantly at her and headed back to his office.
    Ginger knew why Harvey wanted her to continue to work. She never complained about working long hours and she always came in when he asked. She had been grateful for the opportunity to earn more money.
    When the lunch crowds began to come into the café, the tables were properly set and everything was spic and span. Ginger smiled and greeted her customers, efficiently taking orders, just like any other day, until Amy, with her three children and Mrs. Turner, Joe’s mother, entered.
    The hostess seated them at the last of Ginger’s tables. As she turned to go, she stopped by Ginger and whispered, “These people asked for your section.”
    Ginger continued serving meals at the table two rows over, but she peeked in their direction and found Joe’s family smiling and waving to her.
    She hurried over. “Hello.”
    â€œDo you mind that we asked for you?” Vivian Turner asked.
    â€œOf course not, Mrs. Turner. What would you like to eat today?” She nodded to the children, Robbie, Drew and Katie. “I bet you want hamburgers with French fries. Am I right?”
    The three children nodded and Ginger looked at Amy for approval. The two ladies made their choices. As Ginger turned to go to the kitchen, she heard a familiar voice. “No, I need to sit in Ginger’s section.”
    Joe had come back to the café for lunch. Had he not liked the sandwich she’d made for him?
    â€œBut, sir, all her tables are full.”
    â€œShe’s my wife and I’m sitting in her section.”
    He was going to announce their marriage to everyone in Mission Creek if she didn’t do something. Ginger hurried over to the hostess and whispered that she would take care of him. Then she took him by the hand and led him to his mother’s table. “You can sit here with Robbie, Joe. Robbie, will you keep an eye on your uncle for me?” she asked with a teasing smile for the little boy.
    Robbie, eight, giggled, and nodded.
    Before he sat down, Joe leaned over and kissed her briefly. Ginger was horrified at his behavior, but he sat down as if nothing unusual had happened.
    â€œI’ll have a club sandwich, sweetheart. Okay?”
    â€œYes, of course, Mr. Turner.” Then she hurried away.
    Â 
    â€œI think you embarrassed her,” Amy whispered to Joe.
    â€œYeah. She thinks she still has to call me Mr. Turner, even though we’re married.”
    His mother frowned at him. “Everyone doesn’t know you’re married. There’d probably be somecomplaints about her behavior and she’d be reprimanded.”
    â€œShe’d better not be,” Joe said grimly. “After all, she didn’t kiss me. I kissed her.” He reminded himself to stop by Harvey’s office and be sure Ginger wasn’t punished for his behavior.
    â€œMom, I need to talk to you.” He waited until his mother switched her attention

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