Read Online The Best Bride by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online

didn’t know what time you got up.”
    She felt a little awkward talking about the intimate details of living together. She barely knew Travis. She tilted her head toward the table, then glanced up at him through her lashes. She liked the way his hair curled slightly around his ears, and the trimmed mustache outlining his upper lip. Last night she’d felt the faint tickle of his mustache against herskin. She wondered what that soft, groomed hair would feel like—
    The back door opened, cutting off her dangerous train of thought.
    â€œYoo-hoo, Travis, are you up?” a loud female voice called.
    He grinned. “If I wasn’t, Louise, I would be now.”
    A woman entered the kitchen. She was in her mid to late forties with short blond hair and a figure that could only be described as an hourglass. Her pants were a bright lime green color, her short-sleeved blouse a blend of greens, yellows and oranges. A wide gold belt emphasized her small waist, while a trio of silver chains dipped toward her generous bosom. Dark eye shadow and lots of mascara highlighted her blue eyes. Her red lipstick clashed with everything, but somehow looked all right.
    â€œYou must be Elizabeth,” Louise said, moving forward and holding out her hand. “Your daughter is the sweetest little girl.” She smiled and her eyes got a faraway look. “Maybe I should have had children.” She paused. “No, I think Alfred is more than enough trouble, don’t you?”
    â€œAlfred?” Elizabeth asked as they shook hands. “Your husband?”
    Louise laughed. “No, my dog. Hi, I’m Louise.”
    Elizabeth didn’t know whether to be embarrassed or laugh back. She settled on smiling weakly. Louise bent over and gave Travis a kiss on the cheek, then moved to the refrigerator and started pulling out food.
    â€œLouise is my housekeeper,” Travis said.
    â€œI figured that.”
    â€œShe works here three days a week—”
    â€œBut I’m willing to come in more while you’re getting better, Elizabeth,” Louise said, cutting Travis off. “When I heard what happened, well, I just had to rush over and dowhatever I could to help.” She set a pitcher of orange juice on the counter. “Maybe you would like to work on some crafts while you’re recovering. I’m thinking of doing something with clay.”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” Travis said. “There will be no clay in this house.”
    Louise mumbled something under her breath about men being pinheads.
    Travis leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Louise is going through a stage right now.”
    The chesty blonde glared at him. “I can hear every word you’re staying and this is not a stage. I’m exploring my art.”
    â€œShe’s driving me crazy. She makes things and gives them to me.”
    â€œIt’s a sign of affection, but if you’d rather I didn’t, then fine.” She slammed the refrigerator door shut and turned her back on them.
    â€œI have this drawer full of sweaters and socks.”
    Elizabeth stared at him. “Why is that a problem?”
    â€œThey’re not—” he glanced from her to Louise and back “—normal. Most of the socks have no heel. The sweaters aren’t anatomically correct.”
    Louise walked over to the table and grinned. “I’ll admit I didn’t quite get the hang of knitting. I never could figure out parts of the patterns, but some of the wool was real lovely.” She held two eggs in her right hand. “How would you like them cooked?”
    Elizabeth blinked several times. “Scrambled?”
    â€œFine.” She glanced at Travis. “I know what you want, but the way you’ve talked about me this morning, I’m of a mind to let you go hungry.”
    â€œYour threats don’t scare me.” As Louise passed him, he reached out and patted her rear end