The Best Bride Read Free Page B

were just going to mooch dinner. I know that when you’re between women you hang out with me. I thought this was one of those rare weekends.” Her brown eyes looked more amused than apologetic.
    â€œBut Mandy—”
    â€œBut Mandy doesn’t know if she’s had chicken pox, do you, honey?” Rebecca smiled at the little girl.
    Mandy shook her head and tugged on Travis’s pants. “Travis?”
    â€œHmm?” He didn’t look down at her. Now what washe supposed to do? He couldn’t just leave her in the street. “Rebecca, you’re not helping.”
    â€œTravis?” Mandy tugged again.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œDo I have to stay here?”
    She looked up, her head bent way back, her wide blue eyes gazing at him with absolute trust. He felt as if he were torturing Bambi.
    â€œWhy don’t I make a few calls,” Rebecca said, coming to his rescue. She flicked her dark hair over her shoulder and reached for the phone. “There’s a shelter about twenty miles from here. I’ll see if they have room.” She picked up the receiver.
    â€œTravis?” Mandy tugged again.
    â€œYes?”
    â€œI want my mommy.”
    Travis crouched down in front of her. “She’s in the hospital. She needs to sleep tonight and get better.”
    Mandy held her teddy so tightly, he worried she might squish the stuffing out the side. She leaned close and whispered. “I don’t know that lady. I don’t want to stay here. I want my mommy.”
    He’d spent enough time with kids her age to recognize the quiver in her voice. Tears would come next and after that, he would feel like a heel and— He stood up and jammed his hands in his pockets.
    â€œYou think I should take her home with me?” he asked, already knowing the answer.
    â€œIt would be best for her. Elizabeth isn’t going to need a sick kid on her hands, just as she’s getting out of the hospital herself.” Rebecca rose and walked around the desk. She wore a floral print jumper over a white T-shirt. With her long curly hair and conservative style of dressing, she looked like a Sunday school teacher. Travis suspectedit was a facade and that deep inside, she had the wild streak of the best kind of a sinner.
    When she’d moved to Glenwood six months ago to take over as director of the county facility, he’d asked her out. His big seduction scene had ended up failing badly. They were, he’d realized within the first ten minutes, destined to be good friends. Rebecca had promised to leave his reputation as a heartbreaker intact and not tell the world his kisses had left her cold. Travis stared at her big brown eyes and sighed. He felt mild affection for Rebecca and nothing else. He must be getting old and slowing down.
    â€œYou’re the only friend Mandy has,” Rebecca said. “If I could take her home with me, I would. But my staff is exhausted, and I’m staying here tonight. Anyway, you have Louise.”
    He thought of his housekeeper. Today was her day off but he knew if he called she would come over to help and show off her latest craft project. At least she wasn’t knitting anymore. He already had two drawers filled with ugly, ill-fitting sweaters and socks she’d made for him.
    â€œI suppose that might work. But I don’t know anything about children,” Travis muttered, trying to ignore Mandy tugging on him again.
    â€œYour nephews stay with you.”
    â€œTravis,” Mandy said.
    â€œThat’s different.”
    â€œHow?” Rebecca asked.
    â€œTravis?”
    â€œThey’re family. And boys.” He looked down. Those blue eyes were killing him. “What?”
    â€œI want to stay with you.”
    â€œYou’re the only person she knows in town. Come on, be a hero. It’s what you’re best at.”
    He glared at Rebecca. “Thanks.”
    Undaunted, she smiled. “Let me get you some