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All in all, she thought, the day hadn’t gone too bad. Joe’s parents and his brothers were nice people, good people, who had tried hard to make her comfortable. And she had been—until Ed mentioned the kidnapped baby.
    Ginger hoped her reaction didn’t red-flag anyone’s attention. But she knew the baby’s mother hadn’t stolen her back. She knew because the baby’s mother was her best friend and fellow waitress at the Lone Star Country Club, Daisy Parker.
    She stole a glance at Joe, checking his facial expression, as if he could read her mind. His eyes were steadfastly on the road ahead.
    Ginger recalled the day Daisy had confided in her that she was baby Lena’s mother and had had nochoice but to leave the child on the golf course where she knew she’d be found, and then taken care of. Ginger hadn’t judged her friend, only offered comfort to the obviously distraught woman.
    She told no one about Daisy—with one exception—and she silently admonished herself for revealing the truth to a man who’d held her at knife-point in the lot of the country club a couple of months ago. But she’d been terrified and afraid for her life. Now, again, Daisy’s secret was safe with her, she’d tell no one, not even Joe.
    As if to steel herself in her vow, she took a deep breath and let it out in a sigh.
    â€œYou okay?” Joe asked. “It’s been a long day. I bet you’re exhausted. I’m sorry about all the commotion tonight. I’d thought it would just be Mom and Dad.”
    â€œIt was very nice,” she said, staring through the windshield.
    â€œHow about we go straight home tonight? Tomorrow we’ll take care of things.”
    â€œYes, thank you.”
    She wasn’t sure what those things were, but she was ready to call it a night—until she realized Joe had missed the turn to her apartment.
    â€œWhere are we going? You needed to turn back there.”
    â€œNo, sweetheart. My condo is two more blocks ahead. I live in the Blue Shades complex.”
    â€œBut I do not!”
    Joe sighed. “We’re married. That means we live together.”
    â€œBut I don’t have clean clothes. And I need my uniform for the morning,” she said firmly, feeling like an idiot for not realizing what was going to happen.
    Joe turned at the next street corner and headed back the other way. “Okay, we’ll go to your place and you can pack what you need for tomorrow. We’ll get the rest of your stuff later.”
    â€œDo you have enough room for me?”
    He grinned at her. “I have a lot more room than you do. By the way, where do you sleep? I never saw a bed.”
    â€œOn the sofa. It’s called a futon.”
    He shook his head.
    â€œWhat?”
    â€œYou’ll have your own bedroom at my condo. I have three bedrooms, so it will be just fine. I promise.”
    When they finally arrived at Joe’s condo, he unlocked the door and swung her up into his arms. She clutched him around the neck. “What are you doing?”
    â€œIt’s a tradition in America. The groom carries the bride over the threshold of their first house.” He carried her into the place and set her down, giving her a kiss that wouldn’t be easily forgotten. He was breathing a little heavily when he stepped back.
    â€œBut we’re aren’t—”
    â€œShh. I don’t need to kiss you again this soon.But I’ll have to if you’re going to say anything inappropriate.” He grinned, trying to convince her he was kidding. But she took a couple of steps back.
    â€œSo what do you think?” he asked, waving his arm to indicate he was asking about his condo. It was well designed, with blue-and-cream-colored decor. Ginger began to prowl around. When she came to a door, she would ask permission to open it. His bedroom didn’t receive much inspection, but the other two bedrooms, with a bathroom