Read Online Runaway Groom by Virginia Nelson - Free Book Online Page A

for a buck, a fuck for a duck, a duck for a fuck and then ten grand for a fucked-up duck.’”
    Braxton chuckled, sipped his beer and studied Lou. “And that story inspired you to give Carnie a duck how?”
    “Dunno. Chicks dig ducks, dude.”
    “But you duct taped his beak.” Still laughing, Braxton held up two fingers and the waitress came their way with more beer.
    Lou shrugged. “Seemed like a good idea at the time. Damn thing was trying to bite me.”
    “Dumbass.”
    “You’re lucky I like you, asshole.” Lou grinned.
    “Yes, I am lucky. I’ll buy the beer. You talk. Tell me your duckless plan.”
    “You’re not going to like it. You’re going to show the old biddies in this town that you care about the town…and that you’re willing to put your back into it.”
    “Keep talking.”
     
     
    “So, your idea is for me to sweat off my frustrations?” Swinging a hammer wasn’t really Braxton’s idea of a good time. The sun shone down on the acre of green lawns, dotted by colorful plants and circling the wraparound porch of the century home, contrasting with all the construction material currently taking up residence in the driveway.
    “Community service is good for the soul. You heard how Jim Demshar is in a wheelchair now. Well, Joanne needs a ramp and we’re putting one in for her.” Lou’s easy grin as he hauled two-by-fours from the back of the pickup truck had Braxton shooting him a one-fingered salute.
    “Great for the soul, hell on the back.”
    Together, it wouldn’t take them long to get the ramp put together. Working side by side brought back memories of days past, building tree houses and ramps for their bikes. Soon they were bullshitting away, almost enjoying the work.
    “Why her?” Lou asked.
    “Lou, you know why her. Are we really going to rehash this again?”
    Lou shrugged. “Abby is a great girl but…really, she isn’t interested. She’s moved on with her life.”
    “Bullshit. If she has, so be it. But there’s something there.”
    “So why did you leave her?”
    Glaring at his friend, he grabbed another board and slotted it into place. “I was scared shitless, man. You were there. I wasn’t more than a kid myself, and how could I take care of her? She deserved better than I could ever give her. So I ran. And ran. But I never let her go. Not really.”
    Lou again shrugged and passed him a fresh box of nails. “Cue the violins.”
    Snorting, Braxton grabbed some nails. “She was my best friend, man. You know that. You were great and all, but it wasn’t like it was between me and Bigfoot. She knows me, she gets me. She acts like she has her stuff together, like when we were kids but…someone has to take care of her. I, well, I want a shot at that, I guess.”
    “That sounds pretty cheesy.”
    “Cheesy…well, fuck it. I’m cheesy, then. Lou, there has never been another woman like her. She makes me want to be a better man. She always did, even when I was a stupid kid and too scared to try. I’m not a kid anymore. I travelled, but no matter where I went, I took her with me. I wrote her. I never got the balls to call her, but I wrote her. I never forgot her. If this shot at her fails and she actually doesn’t want me, fine. But I’m not going anywhere. I won’t walk away again.”
    “I can’t believe you still call her Bigfoot.” Lou smirked. “I wouldn’t give you the time of day, either, if that’s your idea of sexy talk.”
    “You remember her long-ass toes. I called her Bigfoot. I had those gangly old man legs because I was a skinny little shit of a kid. She called me Knobby Knees. Dumb, but it’s me saying I remember, really.”
    “Yeah, it doesn’t get cheesier than that. Why do you suppose she never wrote back?”
    “Stubborn? I don’t know. I mean, that bit. I’m going to be honest. That makes me mad. She acts like she was the only injured party here but… Yes, I screwed up. Yes, I walked away and kept us from making a huge mistake by