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

said with a sexy smirk. “Long-distance marriages are for the birds. I don’t know how military wives or husbands stand it.”
    â€œThey don’t have a choice. Like me.”
    â€œYou’re wrong. You do have a choice, Karinne. You just refuse to see it.”
    Karinne shifted uneasily in her seat and decidednot to comment on Cory’s observation. She steered the conversation back to the earlier topic.
    â€œYou don’t believe my mother’s alive, do you?” she asked.
    â€œNo way.”
    â€œDad didn’t, either. But I have a feeling—”
    â€œWishful thinking.”
    â€œWe’ve always been straight with each other, Cory. If you were me, what would you do?”
    â€œI wouldn’t take any chances with a deranged stalker,” he said.
    â€œWhy would anyone stalk me? I’m no celebrity.”
    â€œStill, you shouldn’t set yourself up as target for some creepy con artist.”
    â€œI don’t intend to…but I thought I’d wear the top,” Karinne blurted out.
    Cory ran his hand through his hair. “But we just agreed that your mother’s dead.”
    â€œYes…” Karinne took in a deep breath. “If by some miracle she isn’t…wearing it would be a signal, wouldn’t it? Like a green light saying I’m approachable.”
    â€œSkip the green lights for anyone but Max,” Cory said. “Forget about this woman—and go back to flower arrangements for the wedding. Guest lists. Whatever.”
    â€œI still have to tell Max.”
    Cory swore. Karinne stared at him in frank amazement. “Sorry.” Cory piled his tray with the empty dishes and glasses. “It’s just that the same thing’s been happening to Max.”
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œHe’s been getting crank calls from someone who claims to be your mother.”
    â€œWhy didn’t he tell me?” At Cory’s raised eyebrows,she winced. “I know—I’m guilty of the same thing.” She frowned. “Did he go to the police?”
    â€œYes, but he learned nothing. You two need to talk.”
    Karinne nodded. “This trip’s off to a great start.”
    â€œTell him,” Cory ordered, throwing down his napkin and rising. “Now’s as good a time as any.” He gestured toward Max, who was returning to their table. “See you later.”
    Karinne sipped her coffee as Max rejoined her. “I showed Anita where the women’s dorms are, where you and she will be staying tonight.”
    â€œDorms…” Karinne groaned with dismay. “Too bad they don’t have a real hotel down here. Or someplace we could share a sleeping bag.”
    â€œThat’s the story of our life, isn’t it? Never together.”
    Karinne shivered. “Don’t say never.”
    Max pointed at her coffee. “Are you ready to go?”
    â€œNot yet.” She set down her mug. “I wanted to talk to you about a photo I took a few months ago. There was this woman…” She told Max everything that had happened back at the stadium and her visit to the police station.
    â€œI even told Dad about it, but he didn’t buy it.”
    A long pause seemed to fill the air. The other diners faded into the background. Max’s expression seemed so serious Karinne shivered.
    â€œI may have heard from that woman, too,” he finally said.
    â€œCory told me,” Karinne whispered. “And she claimed to be my mother?”
    â€œYes.”
    A million questions jumped into her mind. She asked the easiest one. “When was this?”
    â€œAlmost two months ago. After we put our engagement announcement in the paper. A woman called. Said she was Margot and wanted to wish us well.”
    Karinne shivered again, despite the hot coffee. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”
    â€œBecause the Flagstaff police and park rangers thought it was a crank call. So