Cinderella Wore Tennis Shoes: A Novella Read Free Page A

in and rescued her, but he’d indicated he wasn’t going to walk away and leave her to fend for herself. Maybe there was some hope for mankind after all.
    Charlie really took a look at the man who was piloting the big truck. His hair wasn’t really black, but a dark brown that bordered on black. When he turned and offered her a reassuring smile, she saw his eyes were almost colorless. Gray, she supposed he wrote on forms, but they weren’t quite. They were the type of eyes that changed color according to mood. The kind of eyes that had no secrets. Eyes that could be trusted.
    Kind eyes.
    Maybe she should have paid more attention to Winslow’s eyes. She doubted they had an ounce of kindness in them. Condescending eyes. As if the fact he was rich should be enough for her. But it wasn’t. She wanted love too.
    “Thank you,” she finally said.
    He didn’t acknowledge the thanks. Instead he asked, “What are you hungry for?”
    “Something fattening and greasy. Something you wouldn’t serve if the president was coming to dinner.” Something as far removed from the most elaborate wedding dinner possible that her mother and Winslow had planned.
    Again his lips quirked, as if he’d like to smile but wasn’t quite sure how to go about it. “I think I can manage that.”
    “Like I said, you’re my hero.”
    Rather than some smart comeback, he just gave a brief nod in her direction and kept his eyes on the road.
    Charlie sighed and sank back into the seat. Twenty-four hours ago she’d been eating at the country club with her fiancé, her mother, and the ten bridesmaids that her mother and husband-to-be had insisted on. She’d been wearing silk and planning a life with Winslow.
    Now she was riding in the cab of a semi, broke, not even owning the clothes on her back, and she was more content than she’d been since . . . she was hard-pressed to think of a time she’d been more content.
    “How’s this?” Dan asked as he pulled into a truck stop. “It doesn’t look like much, but it’s got good food.”
    “I’ve never been one to worry too much about appearances. It’s what’s inside that counts. And if good food is what’s inside, then I’m all for it.”
    “Then this is our place.” Dan parked at the edge of the parking lot, maneuvering the big rig with an ease that amazed Charlie.
    He was waiting as she tried to back out of the cab. Strong hands wrapped effortlessly around her waist, and he gently lowered her to the ground. As she trailed after Dan across the parking lot, Charlie realized that she hadn’t minded his hands at all.
    She had never been comfortable with strangers touching her, but this man’s touch didn’t offend. As a matter of fact, it felt . . . she searched for the word.
    Right.
    It felt right that he should touch her.
    She trailed slightly behind him, watching her knight in shining armor and trying to understand what it all meant.
    He turned and grabbed her hand. “Coming?”
    Charlie smiled. “Let’s go.”
    He held the door open for her.
    “Thanks.” Charlie walked into the small diner.
    “Dan, honey,” a woman shouted from across the room.
    “Hey, Shirl,” he called back with a nod as he led Charlie to a booth. “Let me see if I can find a menu. The odds of Shirl bringing one for me is slim to nil. I’m a regular.”
    “Don’t worry.” She slid into the seat. “They have cheeseburgers, right?”
    Dan took his seat across from her. “The best in the state.”
    “Well, that’s what I’ll take, with all the fixin’s and fries.”
    Shirl appeared at the table. “Regular?” she asked Dan.
    “Do I ever get anything else?”
    “Honey, you’re a man I can count on. And your friend?”
    “Cheeseburger, the works, fries, and . . .” He turned to Charlie. “Drink?”
    “Do you have milkshakes?” Charlie asked Shirl.
    “The best.” The woman flashed a toothy, friendly grin.
    “Strawberry, please.”
    “Gotcha.” The waitress leaned over and kissed