Bride by the Book (Crimson Romance) Read Free

battery recharged, so to speak.
    The girl looked at Garner reproachfully. “I used to leave pizza boxes and French-fry cartons lying around my office in hopes that they’d keep the resident health freaks on the other side of my door.”
    “Did it work?” Cliff asked.
    “Does it work with him?” she asked, nodding at Garner.
    “It gets me a nice lecture on the fat and salt content of French fries and pizza slices,” Cliff said mournfully. “What kind of work did you do in California?”
    “I was a ... an office worker.” Her smile bloomed forth once more. “I do hope they have lots of offices around here. I’m looking for a job.”
    That did it. Garner slid out of the booth, clutching the envelope with its precious contents. “See you later, Cliff. I’ve got to get busy on some telephone calls.”
    “I’m coming. I’m coming.” Cliff cast one more glance of dislike at the remains of the chicken breast on his plate. “It was nice meeting you. You’ve just moved here? We hope you enjoy living in Smackover.”
    “Oh, I love it already,” the girl said, beaming at them. “I adore the flowers and the big shade trees. Now, if I can just find a good job … ”
    “Try one of the employment agencies in El Dorado,” Garner recommended. “We’ll be seeing you around, I’m sure.”
    He paid his bill, feeling vaguely guilty about his curt behavior. He had to squelch the desire to go back and say something friendly by reminding himself she was far too young for a man who felt as ancient as he did this morning.
    “You’re in another weird mood,” Cliff complained. “That was the nicest-looking woman to come along in years, and you hardly gave her the time of day. What the hell happened to you in Dallas that made you hate women so much?”
    Garner felt vaguely ashamed of himself. “I don’t hate women.” He glanced at the ad in his hand. “Although I’ll have to rethink that statement if this résumé turns out to be from Mindy Adams.”
    Cliff shrugged good-naturedly. “Why not hire Mindy and be the boss from hell?”
    “Because I’d have to spend a few minutes with her before I could fire her.” Garner headed out the diner’s glass door.
    “Why not give our little friend a try?” Cliff nodded toward the wide, picture window. “She does office work.”
    Garner glanced back as they waited on the curb for a car to pass before they could cross the street. The young blond was sipping her water. Garner noted she wasn’t watching them and felt vaguely surprised, both because she wasn’t watching them, and because she was enjoying Smackover water. Garner had thought he was the only person who liked the strong sulfur taste.
    “She probably answered the phone for her daddy during Spring Break,” he said.
    “Well?” Cliff grinned at him, brown eyes twinkling. “Wouldn’t getting your phone answered help you out some?”
    Garner laughed and slapped his brother-in-law’s back. “You have a point there. If this ad doesn’t pan out and your young friend shows up looking for a job, I’ll let her take Mindy’s calls. That’ll get Mindy off my back, at least.”
    “You ought to take Mindy out a couple of times.” Cliff pretended to have a great interest in Garner’s battered green Blazer as they approached the driveway of the house that contained their offices. “You could stand a little social life, and Mindy would probably never bother you again once she finds out what a bear you really are.”
    “Come on, Cliff.” Garner paused at the sidewalk leading to the front door. “Mindy’s convinced she can make me over into a society lawyer, but I didn’t know you and Laura thought I needed making over, too.”
    “We don’t.” Cliff headed down the driveway to the front door of his own office and said over his shoulder, “We just think it’s time you quit mourning over whatever happened in Dallas and start living again.”
    Garner remained on the sidewalk with his mouth half-open and no