Three Brides, No Groom by Debbie Macomber Read Free Book Online Page A

win.” She raced out of the surf and onto the
beach, heading for the blanket. She heard him chuckle and call her a coward as
she passed him.
    His taunts evolved into a sexy smile as he followed her back to
the blanket. It had been a childish thing to do, she thought, challenging him
that way. Especially when the outcome had already been decided. Josh would win
because he always won.
    Soon they were back on the road again, breezing down the
highway, soaking up the sunshine and scenery. And she realized he was right. It was uncomfortable riding in wet jeans.
    The sun was just beginning to set by the time they reached
Newport. Dozens of mammoth kites of various colors and designs battled the wind,
rising and plummeting on the fickle fancy of the currents. Campfires flickered
here and there along the beach, competing in color with the setting sun.
    Gretchen was tired, more tired than she wanted to admit, even
to herself. They hadn’t traveled nearly as far as Josh had hoped they would, but
then, they’d gotten a late start and taken two hours out for a picnic lunch.
    Josh parked the Harley and reached for her hand once they’d
stored the helmets. “Let’s get you a hotel room tonight.”
    She didn’t miss the implication. While she was nestled up warm
in a bed, he would be sleeping on the beach. Alone and cold.
    “Hey, I go where you go,” she said.
    His eyebrows shot up. “Is that an invitation to your bed?”
    She blushed. “No.”
    “Pity.” He grinned at her.
    Josh teasing? Josh joking? His brief smile went a long way
toward lightening her spirits. “You’re nothing but a big phony,” she
declared.
    His gaze narrowed. “What do you mean?”
    “Beneath that he-man exterior, you’re a pussycat.”
    He shook his head. “I wouldn’t count on it, if I were you.”
    “But I already am.”
    Once again she found Josh grinning as he located a quiet spot
on the beach, one protected from the elements as well as the curious stares of
others. Soon they had a fire of their own blazing away. While he unpacked their
things, Gretchen smoothed an area of sand and spread the blanket over it.
Silently they worked together as a team, then sat down in front of the fire.
    “Why’d you want to get me a hotel room?” she asked. They had a
wonderful spot on the beach, she realized. The weather was great, and she was as
comfortable here as she would be on any bed.
    He didn’t answer, and Gretchen, puzzled, glanced at him. “You
assumed I need to be pampered, right?” It irked her that he would think that,
and her tone told him as much. People often assumed that, because her family was
wealthy, she’d been spoiled and coddled her whole life. Certainly she’d been
given opportunities that weren’t available to most people her age, but her
parents had never overindulged her.
    Josh shook his head. “When I first met you, I assumed you’d be
another one of those spoiled rich kids, but you’ve proved otherwise.”
    She was pleased. Pleased enough to forget her inhibitions, lean
over and kiss him. The action had been purely instinctive, without
forethought.
    He leaned back in surprise. “What was that for?”
    “To thank you for the compliment.”
    “I complimented you?”
    Willing to admit her weariness now, she let her body rest
against his, her head on his shoulder. After a time he put his arm around her,
and she smiled, utterly content.
    “Tell me about your family,” she said lazily. If she hadn’t
been propped against him, she might not have felt the tension shoot through him.
His back went rigid, and his arms stiffened slightly. She’d done it again. Just
when it seemed they were comfortable with each other she’d said something to
upset the delicate balance. She couldn’t believe she’d forgotten that his father
was in prison and he didn’t want to talk about it. “Josh, I’m sorry, I didn’t
mean to pry. It’s just that my own family is so much a part of me.”
    He didn’t respond for what seemed like