Read It's a Wonderful Wife for Free Online Page B

said somewhat defensively. “It’s not like anything is keeping me here anymore, and there’s a whole world out there to explore.” The hint of a sparkle came into her eyes. “Do your overpaid captains leave your boats unlocked when they’re tied up to the dock?”
    â€œIt’s
ships
, not boats,” Jesse said, fighting a grin again. “And no, they don’t. In fact, there are armed guards on board both in port and at sea. So you’d like to travel?” he asked, remembering his own parents often dropping him and his brothers off at Rosebriar, then hopping on whichever Tidewater ship was heading in the general direction they wanted to go.
    Bram and Grammy Rose, however, preferred escaping on their Sengatti sloop.
    â€œI want to at least
try
traveling,” she said, “rather than always wonder what I missed.”
    Jesse found Miss Glace was getting more interesting by the minute, which made him want to probe deeper. “I can understand not living with a man you weren’t married to out of respect for your parents, considering their ages, but that doesn’t explain your still feeling the same way.” A thought suddenly struck him and, seeing how his somewhat drunk stowaway was being so talkative, Jesse decided to simply go ahead and ask. “Are you a virgin?”
    Her jaw slackened—either in surprise that he’d asked or disbelief that he even thought she might be—just before she shot him a haughty glare. “I was away at college for two and a half years before I moved back home, and I’ll have you know I had
lots
of boyfriends.”
    â€œI’m sure you did,” he quietly agreed, imagining the college boys had also found those big blue eyes, bouncy blonde curls, and lovely curves appealing.
    â€œI’m not a prude,” she insisted, her chin lifting as her cheeks filled with color again, “but I am discriminating. So who’s to say what I’ll do if—no,
when
I finally fall in real love.”
    Lord, he bet she hated having such an expressive complexion.
    â€œBut I can’t very well run around looking for Mr. Right,” she continued heatedly, “if I’m supposed to be engaged, now can I?”
    â€œThat didn’t seem to be a problem for—” Jesse knew he hadn’t checked his words in time when he saw her cheeks turn a blistering red just before she dropped her gaze. “I’m sorry. That was uncalled-for.” He stood up, feeling like a first-class jerk as he watched her slip off her fake engagement ring. “Do you have friends in Castle Cove you can stay with tonight?”
    â€œNo,” she whispered, staring at the ring she was now holding. “And I prefer to get a motel room anyway.”
    Jesse didn’t like the idea of her spending the night alone when she might be depressed and possibly just drunk enough to get in trouble. He crouched down beside her again. “Or, since I happen to have a camper that sleeps six, you could stay here.” He held up his hand in a Boy Scout’s salute when her eyes snapped to his. “My word of honor, Miss Glace; I will be a perfect gentleman.” He blew out a heavy, exaggerated sigh. “And although it goes against company policy, I will also feed you.”
    She rolled to her hands and knees again. “That’s going to be kind of hard,” she said, grabbing the edge of the couch, “since all you’ve got in your cupboards are some weird spices and enough powdered Tang to keep a passel of kids hydrated all the way to Mars.” She straightened to her knees and scrunched up her nose. “Four-year-olds drink Tang.”
    Jesse stood up with a snort. “Remind me to find a good hiding place for my checkbook,” he said, catching her by the shoulders and setting her on the couch when she nearly fell attempting to stand. “And I’m afraid you may have to take me up on my offer,