The Reluctant Bride by Anne Marie Duquette Read Free Book Online Page A

Ranch. Thanks to the brothers’ familiarity with the place, the four of them easily secured seats and dinner trays from the buffet.
    â€œHow was your chopper ride, Anita?” Karinne immediately asked.
    â€œI loved it! I took some great photos. Nothing like yours, of course.” She grinned, patting the pocket where she kept her camera. “But enough to wow my friends at work when I go back to visit.”
    Karinne gave Anita a thumbs-up. “That’s the spirit.”
    â€œMake ’em all jealous,” Cory said between mouthfuls of roasted chicken.
    â€œI love it here,” Anita said.
    â€œYou both could stay longer,” Cory offered, surprising them all. “We have the provisions.”
    â€œI can stay as long as I want. I’m ready to look for work here,” Anita said happily as she kissed Cory on the cheek. “I’m free as a bird, except for Karinne and Max’s wedding. Hard to believe it’s only a few months away.”
    â€œI know,” Karinne said, seated next to Max. She leaned her head on his shoulder for a second. “I’m the bride, remember?”
    Anita scanned the crowd. “Good thing we got a table.”
    â€œI’ve seen worse.” Max buttered his corn on the cob. “Summer holidays are always horrendous.”
    â€œEspecially the Fourth of July weekend,” Cory agreed. “Now that’s a mob.”
    â€œNo,” Karinne said. “For terrible crowds, try Super Bowl Sunday. I remember one game when I couldn’t hear out of my headphones, and I had them on full blast. I’ve had it with noise and chaos. That’s why I wanted a small, quiet wedding. As long as everyone we’ve invited shows up, we’ll be happy.”
    â€œI’ll be there,” Anita said.
    Soon afterward, their plates cleared, Anita rose to go to her room.
    â€œI’ll walk you there,” Max volunteered.
    Cory and Karinne stayed behind to finish their coffee.
    â€œWant dessert?” Cory asked.
    â€œNo, thanks. I’m full.”
    â€œSame here. Wanna go?”
    â€œJust a second. I’ve got a quick question,” she said. “Did you send me a Grand Canyon sweatshirt last week?”
    â€œA sweatshirt?”
    â€œIn the mail—a hooded pink one.”
    â€œNot me.”
    â€œI wish I knew who did,” Karinne muttered. “It’s been bugging me.”
    â€œWas there a note?” Cory asked.
    â€œY-yes.”
    â€œAnd?”
    Karinne hesitated, then decided to tell him. She andCory were close, and Max had unexpectedly left with Anita.
    â€œIt was signed ‘Mom.’”
    â€œDammit!” Cory swore. “That’s not funny, Karinne.”
    â€œNo, it isn’t. It all started when I took this photo of someone who looked like my mother.” She went on to explain, Cory’s eyes serious as he listened to her story.
    â€œAnd you went to the police when the sweatshirt came in the mail?”
    â€œI did after I took the picture.” Karinne shrugged. “Max doesn’t know.”
    â€œYou’d better tell him,” Cory said.
    â€œI plan on it. But he’s already upset enough. He’s worried that we won’t be able to spend any more time together when we’re married than we do now.”
    â€œI can believe it,” Cory said. “What do you expect? It takes both me and Max to run the expeditions. I’m in the same boat with Anita when she’s working.”
    â€œYes, but this was the first time he didn’t act excited about the wedding. He wasn’t…himself. I didn’t want to say anything about Mom to him.”
    â€œDoes Anita know about this? The note? The sweatshirt?”
    Karinne shook her head. “No. She has enough to worry about, losing her job and all.”
    â€œI don’t think she’s that upset about losing her job anymore. And if she is, I’ll make it up to her,” Cory