The Best Bride Read Free Page A

daughter in a home?” She blinked frantically, but tears spilled over onto her cheeks.
    â€œHey,” he said, standing up and depositing a sleeping Mandy in the chair. He hovered awkwardly by the bed. “Don’t cry. It’s just for a couple of days. If you want me to call someone, I will. Just give me a name.”
    â€œI’m sorry,” she whispered. “Everything is falling apart. It was going so well and now I don’t know what to do or where to turn. I— There’s no one to call.” She looked up at him. “Can’t she stay here, with me?”
    â€œIn the hospital? No. They didn’t even want her to visit you, let alone spend the night. You’re in no position to take care of her, Elizabeth. I know the home sounds bad, but it’s not.”
    â€œYou’re right. I don’t have another choice.” She covered her face with her hands. “It just makes me feel like I’m an awful mother. It’s not the place I’m worried about, I’ve been there. I’m going to work there.” She wiped her cheeks with her fingers. “I’m Rebecca’s new assistant. I moved us here to take the job. I’m supposed to start Tuesday. What’s she going to think about me? I’m dumping my kid on her doorstep, and I’m going to miss my first day of work.”
    The sobs began in earnest. He hesitated about five seconds, then perched on the edge of the bed. Careful not to tangle the IV lines, he patted her shoulder. She clutched at his arm, all the while muttering how stupid she must look to him. The sheet slipped to her waist. He tried not to stare, but couldn’t help noticing the shape of her breasts under her hospital gown.
    Travis told himself he was at best behaving unethically, and at the worst acting like a pervert. He had no business noticing Elizabeth’s body. She’d just had surgery for God’s sake. But he did notice, and admire, all the while calling himself names.
    â€œI’m sure Rebecca will understand,” he said. “It’s not as if you planned this.”
    â€œI know, but Mandy will be there all alone. I wish—”
    â€œDo all the women in your family leak this much?”
    â€œWhat?” She blinked and looked up at him. Her dark lashes stood up in spikes, her nose was red and her cheeks blotchy. She was a mess. It brought out his knight-in-shining-armor side and he resisted getting involved. He knew what would happen then. Better for both of them if he just backed off.
    â€œBetween you and Mandy, I think we could have floated a ship today.”
    She smiled wanly. “Don’t make me laugh. It hurts.”
    â€œOkay, then I won’t tell you the one about the parrot with no legs.”
    â€œHow did he stay on his perch?”
    Travis stood up and winked. “You’ll just have to wait until you get better to find out.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m going to take Mandy over to stay with Rebecca. I’ll call you in the morning and make sure you’re doing all right, then I’ll bring Mandy back here in the afternoon.”
    â€œWhy are you being so nice to me?”
    â€œJust doing my duty, ma’am.” He gave a mock salute and picked up the sleeping child. “I’ll leave my number with the nurse.”
    â€œThank you for everything,” she said, pulling the sheet up and smiling at him. “If Mandy wakes up, tell her I love her.”
    â€œYou can tell her yourself when you see her tomorrow.”

Chapter Two
    â€œW hat do you mean chicken pox?” Travis asked. He stared down at Rebecca, seated behind her desk in her office at the local child services facility.
    â€œI mean I have eight children in various stages of chicken pox, and the other twelve have been exposed. Sorry, Travis. If you’d explained why you were coming by, I would have told you what was going on and saved you the trip. I thought you