Read Online The Last Bachelor by Judy Christenberry - Free Book Online

manage.”
    â€œWhen will I have time to teach you to drive?”
    â€œI don’t need to drive. I’ll learn the other bus routes so I can get to school and home. I mean, here.”
    â€œMy family, and half the town, won’t believe we’re married if I let you do that.”
    â€œWhy not?” she asked, a confused look on her face.
    â€œBecause my friends don’t ride the bus.” He knew that was a dumb reason, but he had to start somewhere. “Remember you were worried about me sacrificing myself by marrying you and I said itwould help me, that it would stop my family from trying to set me up with different women?”
    She nodded, but she was frowning.
    â€œWell, it won’t help at all unless we act like married people.”
    â€œMarried people ride the bus all the time!” she exclaimed.
    He sighed. “I know they do, honey, but my friends don’t. They’ll know something is wrong if I let you ride the bus.”
    â€œThen I will walk.”
    â€œThat’s too dangerous, especially at night. Haven’t you ever been scared doing that?”
    He hadn’t expected her to admit anything, but she slowly nodded, avoiding his gaze.
    â€œWhat? When?”
    She bit her bottom lip, then said, “It was before. And he let me go.”
    â€œYou know who it was? Did you report him to the police? Did he hurt you?” Joe felt his heart beat faster at the thought of someone hurting Ginger. “What did he do to you?”
    She only shook her head, not looking at him.
    â€œGinger, did he hurt you?”
    â€œNo, he didn’t. I—I told him what he wanted to know.”
    Joe frowned. Her answer didn’t make any sense. “What are you talking about?”
    Tears began running down Ginger’s pale cheeks. “I betrayed my friend. I wasn’t brave enough.”
    He actually felt jealousy rise in him. “What friend?”
    â€œDon’t make me tell you, Joe, please? I promised myself I would never do that again, even if he used the knife.”
    Joe stood and came around the table, pulling Ginger from her chair into his arms. “Honey, don’t cry. Was your friend Daisy?” He’d suddenly remembered her talking about the other waitress, Daisy, calling her her best friend.
    She began shaking, and the tears turned into sobs as she nodded.
    He drew a deep breath and pressed her closer to him. “Someone threatened you with a knife to force you to reveal a secret about Daisy?”
    With her head pressed into his chest, she nodded.
    He couldn’t imagine a secret about Daisy that would be that important, but he didn’t really care. Ginger was his concern.
    â€œYou didn’t have a choice, honey. I’m sure Daisy would understand that. Where did this happen?”
    â€œWhen I started home one night, he was in the parking lot at the club. He grabbed me.”
    â€œI think we need more lights in that parking lot. I’ll see to it. But that’s why you’re not going to walk the streets at night. Or the daytime, either. I’m going to teach you to drive.” He waited for her response, but she said nothing. After kissing her forehead, he eased her back down into her chair.
    â€œEat some more ice cream.” He sat back down in his chair, too. “You see, Ginger, if I was truly married, I’d protect my wife, just like I want to protect you. And you’re not going to be sent back to Estonia. We’re married, and we’ll stay married for at least a year. Then, when we separate, I’ll give you money to help you manage.”
    â€œNo! You’re giving me a chance to stay here. I can’t take your money.”
    He should have known she would respond that way. “Okay, then, will you help me? Will you pretend like we’re married? I have money, Ginger. I’m going to have to spend some on you. But more important, I’m going to have to spend time with