The Rancher And The Runaway Bride: Part 3 Read Free Page A

his voice didn’t deceive her. She knew he was still furious,
     yet maybe he was willing to listen. Did that mean he would give her a chance, or was
     he going to try to trip her up? Either way, she had to risk it. She couldn’t let him
     walk away hating her.
    “Everything I told you about my past is true,” she began. “My mother is very interested
     in the Grand Springs social scene. I’ve always been a disappointment to her.”
    “Gee, I know what that feels like,” he said.
    She winced, then continued. “I never had serious boyfriends. There were a couple of
     guys in high school, but nothing I wanted to pursue, and a relationship or two at
     college. When I came home after graduation, my mother started inviting Hal over. I
     knew what she was doing, and I even knew why. Hal has a political future. If her daughter
     was related to the mayor, or the wife of a future state legislator, my mother’s social
     position would be guaranteed.”
    “None of which excuses what you did.”
    “I know.” She pulled one leg to her chest and rested her forehead against her knee,
     then closed her eyes. It was easier to confess her weakness in the dark. “I just sort
     of went along for the ride. I suppose I kept thinking something would happen to stop
     things, or that I would find out I really liked Hal. But it didn’t stop. We were dating,
     then engaged, and one day I woke up and we were getting married.”
    She sucked in a breath. “I never loved him. I didn’t know what love was.” Until now.
     Until a strong, noble man had entered her life. But she didn’t say that. Brady wouldn’t
     believe her. Besides, it was a cheap trick and she was determined not to resort to
     that.
    “There I was, alone in the bride’s room, listening to the music. As I stared at myself
     in the mirror, I knew I couldn’t do it.”
    “So you ran.”
    “Yes. Yes, I ran and it was wrong. I was young and stupid and I’ve grown up.” She
     raised her head and stared at his stiff back. “I made a mistake. A huge one. I was
     afraid that if I tried to get out of it my mother would convince me to go through
     with the ceremony.”
    He turned to face her. The fury remained, as did the contempt. Her heart sank.
    “That’s it?” he asked.
    She nodded. “I’ve changed, Brady. I’ve learned my lesson. I’m not that young woman
     anymore. I’m responsible. Look at the job I’m doing for you. You don’t have any complaints,
     you’ve said so yourself. Please try to understand.”
    His gaze narrowed. “If you’re so grown up, why didn’t you go back?”
    It was the one question she couldn’t answer. What was there to say? The truth?
    “Forget it,” she said. “There’s no point.”
    “Yes, there is. Rita—” He grimaced. “Randi, why didn’t you go back?”
    “I couldn’t.” She lowered her foot to the floor and stood up. “All right, if you want
     to know the reason, I’ll tell you. You’re not going to believe me, but it’s the truth.
     I swear it is.” She drew in a breath and squared her shoulders.
    “When I was running out of the Squaw Creek Lodge, where we were holding the ceremony,
     I heard some people talking in the corridor. I didn’t want them to see me so I ducked
     into one of the meeting rooms. I was on my way back out when I realized I wasn’t alone.
     There were a couple of men in the room. When they realized I’d interrupted them, they
     pulled guns on me. They were going to kill me. I haven’t gone back because I don’t
     know what to do about those men. I don’t know who they are or what they want with
     me.”
    She felt the tears forming. As Brady’s expression hardened into disbelief, the first
     one trickled onto her cheek. She brushed it away impatiently.
    “I knew it,” she said softly. “You don’t believe me. Do you really think I would make
     up something that stupid?”
    Before he could answer, someone knocked on the door. “Who is it?” he called impatiently.
    “Room