Read Belonging to Bandera for Free Online Page B

What?”
    Bandera perked up, hearing the note of surprise in Holly’s voice.
    “Oh. Well, I’m glad everything worked out then. Okay. I’ll call you from the next stop. I think I’ll keep traveling for now. Thank you. I love you, too, Mom. Give Dad a hug and kiss for me.”
    She hung up and turned around, her eyes round. “Chuck got married.”
    Bandera blinked. “The ex?”
    “Yes.” She started to giggle. “I know I shouldn’t laugh, but it’s funny. He married my best friend. He said all his friends and family were already at the church, and the flowers, and the minister, and the food had been catered, and it was all done wonderfully, and he wasn’t going to waste it. He paid my folks for the expenses and got married.”
    “What about the license?”
    “Well, they’re taking care of that now, Mom said, by going on our honeymoon trip to Cancun. They canget officially married there. I’m sure Chuck worked out all the details. He’s good at that.”
    Bandera stared at Holly. “Are you upset?”
    She shook her head. “Strangely, I’m relieved.”
    “I guess your best friend must have liked what you planned.” He scratched his head. “Most brides like to pick everything themselves.”
    “I think she just wanted to get married.” Holly shrugged.
    “Are you sure you’re all right?”
    She nodded. “I was all right when you told me I hadn’t really loved him.”
    He grunted. “Glad I could help.”
    “If you’re through snacking, maybe we should go.” She glanced around the room. “The biker lady really does a nice job of decorating.”
    “Yeah.” He didn’t care too much about that. Right now, there were other things to think about. “I can take you back home, if you want, since the coast is clear.”
    She smiled. “Thanks. But I think I’ll ride with you as far as you’re going.”
    “And then what?”
    “Then I’m going to keep on going. For a while, anyway.” She headed out the door. He pushed the bar stool up to the counter and hurried after her.
    “Do you think the cat will be all right?” he asked, closing the door tightly behind them.
    “I think her owner wouldn’t have left her if she didn’t have provisions made for her.”
    The little cat was in very good condition. “That’s true. So, how long are you going to keep on going?”
    “Well,” Holly said, getting into the truck, “I spent nine months planning the wedding of my dreams, and working, too. I’m going to take a vacation and see the countryside. Then I’ll decide.”
    Starting the engine, he drove away from the little bike shop. “I’ve got to get Mason home as soon as possible, or I’d join you.”
    “Oh, no,” she said, “I’m doing this myself. I just got rid of one man. I don’t want another.”
    “Well, it’s not like I would interrupt your flow or anything,” he said. “I’m in the mood for a little traveling myself.”
    She opened her purse and pulled out a lipstick. She applied it as she looked in the mirror.
    He’d never seen a woman put on lipstick in a truck. It was very sexy, he realized uncomfortably.
    “You have to understand,” she said, “I’m never planning another wedding. Ever.”
    He tried to watch the road, but when she spritzed a light fragrant scent down her halter, his fingers tensed on the wheel. “I wasn’t asking you to marry me,” he said, “especially since you don’t share my belief in premarital sex.”
    She laughed. “Believe all you want.”
    “How do you know you’ll never plan another wedding? Yours or someone else’s?”
    “I’m going into a new business. And the next time I get married I’m not planning my wedding, I’m just going to do it.” She snapped her fingers. “Just like that! He asks, I say yes and we go to…a justice of the peace or something. I think I’m good at planning,” she said, “and maybe not executing.”
    “Ah. That makes sense.” Bandera had experience watching his brothers with that same kind of problem.