Read Online Stealing the Groom by Sonya Weiss - Free Book Online Page B

believe everything always works out in the end.” Amelia offered a tentative smile, but he didn’t respond. “Besides, we need a marriage license, and unless I’m sorely mistaken, your grandfather can’t instantly produce one. So no need to stress out just yet.”
    He groaned and rubbed the back of his neck angrily, “Amelia, I’m afraid your positive attitude isn’t going to help us right now. Not everything is glass-half-full. This is one mess you’ve created that you can’t get either of us out of.”
    “There’s always hope for every situation, no matter how dark it appears to be at first glance,” Amelia argued.
    Chad clamped his lips together and Amelia did the same, knowing that nothing she said would make a difference. What could she say? She’d stopped his wedding only to drag him kicking and screaming to the altar for another one?
    If the situation weren’t so dire and if they ended up getting out of this, they could have a good laugh about it later.
    If not, they may end up never speaking again.
    No, this was going to be okay. No matter what. She wasn’t going to let Chad’s doubts and fears creep into her head. After all, they only lived once! And there was still the issue of the license.
    So why were her insides rioting?
    Twenty minutes later, the car stopped before a town square. A lawyer’s office, a medical practice, and a dentist’s office were tucked in one of the buildings. Beside that building, there was a Department of Motor Vehicles office. Right across the street was a repair shop and a gas station.
    Farther down the street, Amelia noticed a small theater advertising the latest movie releases.
    As a movie buff, Amelia could have appreciated spending an afternoon catching one or two of the new releases. Not today, though. Too much spinning in her head. She couldn’t formulate a good escape plan with all this pressure.
    The sheriff pulled the car to a stop in front of his office. He got out and opened the rear door, motioning them both out with a jerk of his thumb. “We’ll wait inside for your grandfather. He said it would take him a couple of hours to arrive.”
    Chad and Amelia walked into the small office where a woman looked up from a desk. She raised her eyebrows questioningly at the sheriff. “Doris, these two are going to wait over there.” He pointed to a waiting area off to one side.
    Amelia settled herself on the hard plastic chair and crossed her legs. Then uncrossed them. Tapped her foot. Looked at the ceiling and then the floor. Stared at the droning television where a talk show host rambled on.
    “Realizing that you’re as trapped as I am?” Chad asked softly.
    Amelia blew out her breath. “It feels surreal.” She pushed her hair away from her face and leaned back so that her head rested against the concrete wall. “I don’t want to marry you.”
    “And I don’t want to marry you. But I will not lose what I’ve worked so damn hard for.” He got up. “I’m going to see if we can get some coffee.” He walked up to the woman at the desk and she pointed to other side of the room.
    Amelia bit her lip. Talk about your bad days. She felt itchy all over. The thought of losing her freedom made her feel as if she were going to break out in hives any second. She squeezed her knees to fight the urge to get up and dart out of the office. Deep breath. Chad needed her. She could do this. No, she couldn’t.
    When he handed her a steaming cup of coffee, she looked up at him, knowing the panic was easily read on her face. “Chad…”
    He shook his head and resumed his place beside her. “Believe me. If I thought I had any other option, I would jump on it.” He sent her a glance. “You’re breathing heavy. Not going to pass out, are you?”
    “Please,” she scoffed. “I’m not a fainter. I’m just trying to think up a solution.”
    “Good luck with that, but after all this, you can count me out of any of your future schemes. Ever.”
    “Stop bitching and help