Read Bet On Love for Free Online

over there with some fresh baked bread. Jane likes my cranberry nut loaf.”
    “Aren’t you a sweetheart?” I couldn’t help but stare at her flawless appearance, and she came complete with fresh baked goodies. I was ready to assure her, tactfully of course, that her position with Cole was completely secure. He and I were a big mistake.
    “I teach pre-school until noon, so I made sure to get right home and start baking.” Mary Beth placed her hand on top of the decoratively wrapped loaves. “They’re still warm.”
    “Really?” It was my turn to show surprise. She was like a ready-made homemaker, just waiting for a man like Cole to sweep her off her feet and give her justification to be Polly Perfect. I could totally see them being Mr. and Mrs. Small Town Wonderful.
    “Well, you’d better be on your way,” I encouraged. “I’m sure Jane’s been waiting all day to have that bread with her afternoon tea.”
    I began to suspect the Martin matriarchs had their hands in this, and I was more than ready to put out any fires. Mary Beth needed to see me as an ally and not a threat. Her brown eyes flashed confusion, as if she had been expecting some territorial warfare, and yet I was friendly to her.
    “Tell Cole I said hello. Toodles,” Mary Beth said over her shoulder as if she didn’t have a care in the world. Just like that, I’d been dismissed. She continued down the street and I swear colorful, cartoon birds flitted above her head.
    “I will,” I called, waving to her back. Things were finally starting to look up. As soon as I was out of the picture and back to my own life, she could swoop in and pick up the pieces--not that there would be any--and resume her place as the rightful Mrs. Martin.
    Leaving Mission would be easy as soon as Judge Matt gave the word.
    ***
    Pulling out my cell, I called my old friend, Kara. Between the two of us, we’d be able to devise a fool-proof plan to get Mary Beth and Cole together. As soon as she finished laughing, that is.
    “Can we get down to business?” I tried to hide my irritation. Sure, we’d been best friends since first grade, and Kara knew all of my deepest secrets, but I was in no mood to have her rub this in.
    “I’m sorry,” she said between giggles, “but do you remember how many years you silently longed for this guy? You went above and beyond a teenage crush, my dear. How many times did you and I do late-night drive-bys just to see if his bedroom light was on? Oh, man! You got what you always wanted, Shelby. Maybe it’s time you get used to the idea.”
    “I’m so over him.”
    “Are not.”
    “Yes. I am. I’ve been over him for years; definitely after you guys told me he married Heather. And I’ve met their daughter. Their daughter, Kara. I repeat, so over him.” I closed my eyes tight for a moment, thankful she couldn’t see my face as I tried to convince myself of my own words.
    “They aren’t married anymore. What does that tell you?”
    “It tells me nothing.”
    “You woke up in the same bed after a wild night, married to the man. It tells a lot.”
    “Listen, all it says is we were physically attracted to each other. We’d had more than enough to drink. Who doesn’t look good?” I said a bit too loud as a passerby raised her brows and hurried her steps. I lowered my voice, “The marriage thing should never have happened. We don’t know a thing about each other now that we’re adults.”
    “Circumstances change, Shelby, people don’t. You and Cole are the same as you were in school.” Her tone was serious, making me want to change the subject.
    “Hey, I didn’t call you to talk about me. I called to get Cole and Mary Beth together. She’s more his type, anyway, not me. You’re the Queen of Romance, so give me your thoughts.”
    “Sorry.”
    “Don’t worry, you’re my best friend, I’ll forgive you for laughing at me. When it’s all over, I’ll probably have a good laugh, too. But for now put that pretty mind to