A Bridge to Dreams Read Free Page B

another perfectly good vacation sitting around in my apartment cleaning the closets.”
    â€œWho said anything about cleaning closets? Thousandsof people come to San Francisco every year. Songs have been written about this place. It’s one of the most romantic, exciting cities in the world. If you want a taste of Asia, it’s here. A suggestion of the French wine country, it’s here. A quaint, cliffside city by the sea like Italy’s Portofino, it’s across the Bay. Why should you go anywhere else?”
    â€œTo get away from my brothers.”
    â€œTurn off your phone. Tell them you’re leaving town, if that’s what it takes. Take a fresh look at this place. Have you ever looked at the Golden Gate Bridge at twilight?” His own enthusiasm was definitely mounting as the impulsive notion took hold. He hadn’t felt this carefree and excited in all the months since his father’s heart attack. He was talking with the fervor of a tour guide. The chamber of commerce would love him. “Well,” he persisted. “Have you?”
    â€œEvery night when I’m stuck in traffic.”
    â€œBut have you ever really seen it?”
    â€œNot really,” she murmured.
    â€œThen for one entire, fun-filled week you and I are going on vacation in San Francisco.”
    She looked thunderstruck. To be perfectly honest, he was feeling a little that way himself.
    â€œYou?” she whispered.
    Brad shrugged. “Why not? I’ve been noble for the past year myself. Even you said so. I deserve a vacation,” he said emphatically.
    â€œBut you could go anywhere.”
    â€œI could,” he admitted readily. “But I can’t imagine a better way to spend a vacation than with a woman who just bought her very first, very flashy convertible.”
    The words rolled off his tongue with all of his practiced charm, but to his amazement he realized that somewhere deep inside he’d never meant anything more in his life. Seeing the world through her fresh, unjaded eyes just might turn out to be the best investment of time he’d ever made. Maybe they’d even turn up a few dragons for him to slay.

CHAPTER TWO
    K aryn had never made an impetuous, throw-caution-to-the-winds decision in her life. She’d certainly never had to make one involving a man who was heart-stoppingly handsome, witty, rich and apparently famous enough to know at least half a dozen very sexy actors, if the framed photos and clippings on the wall were any indication. But during twenty-six years of nonstop struggling just to survive, the longing for adventure and storybook romance had flourished. She’d never quite gotten over “Cinderella.” From what she’d observed, the man sitting across from her had all the qualifications of a handsome prince.
    She studied him closely as she considered his unexpectedly tempting suggestion. She ticked off his attributes with the nervous anticipation of a certified public accountant hoping a column of figures would add up correctly. He had spoken of his father with genuine affection, despite the sacrifices he’d made on his behalf. He was boldly confident without being arrogant. He was impeccably dressed without being flashy. And therewas an energy and vitality about him that counter-pointed her own quiet personality.
    Most important, he seemed to be trustworthy, even if points were deducted for that unnerving glint in his eyes. She had a feeling that glint was exactly the sort of thing her brothers had been worrying about since she’d reached adolescence. She rather liked the champagne-sparkly feelings those eyes set off inside her.
    He’d been very kind, very compassionate to her. She had felt an almost instantaneous rapport with him, which was all the more incredible considering the man apparently traveled in celebrity-studded circles. The closest she’d ever come before to anyone famous was when she’d subbed for the