Read Online Three Brides, No Groom by Debbie Macomber - Free Book Online Page B

interview room
where Josh was being questioned, but she was barred. With nothing else to do,
she sat with her hands tucked under her thighs in a small waiting area, while
Janet did battle alone.
    A couple of times Gretchen thought she heard raised voices, but
she wasn’t able to make out the words or even figure out who was speaking. About
ten minutes later the door opened and Josh walked out of the room, freed from
the handcuffs and rubbing his wrists.
    Gretchen leaped to her feet, restraining herself from rushing
forward.
    Josh stopped when he saw her. And grinned. It was the biggest,
most beautiful smile she’d ever seen. She felt her own mouth relax into a
matching smile, and the next thing she knew they were rushing toward each
other.
    She closed her eyes as he swept her into his arms. His hug was
fierce. Speechless, they clung to each other as if they never intended to let
go.
    “Okay, you lovebirds,” someone said gruffly from behind Josh.
“Move it outside, will ya? The last thing anyone wants to see around here is a
little happiness. We don’t know how to handle it.” The officer chuckled.
    Reluctantly, Josh released her. She lowered her feet to the
floor and smiled up at him, battling back emotion.
    “Where’s the Harley?” he asked, looping his arm around her
shoulders.
    “Right where I parked it,” she told him with more than a hint
of pride.
    “You rode it into town?”
    “Yup. Ten miles over the speed limit, too. I was in a
hurry.”
    He stared down at her. “I don’t believe it.”
    “Believe it.”
    “All by yourself?”
    “Yup.”
    “Clearly I underestimated you.”
    She grinned. “It would seem so.”
    Janet appeared. “You’re free to go,” she announced.
    “He is?” Gretchen couldn’t keep the delight out of her
voice.
    Janet nodded and strutted across the room like a peacock with
its feathers on full display. She was obviously very pleased with herself. “This
calls for a celebration,” she said. “I don’t suppose you two have had lunch yet,
have you?”
    Josh looked at Gretchen. “As a matter of fact, we haven’t had
breakfast.”
    “Great. Then you’ll be good and hungry. Lunch is on me.”
    Josh started to protest, but Janet stopped him, chuckling
softly. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll just add it to your bill.”
    Gretchen wasn’t sure where they were headed, but they laughed
and joked like old friends as Janet led them to an outdoor barbecue place two
blocks away. The aroma of pungent sauce, alder smoke and sizzling meat made
Gretchen’s empty stomach growl. She planted her hand over it, hoping to still
the rumbling.
    Josh glanced down at her and reached for her hand, lacing their
fingers together. “I’m sorry,” he said as they stood in front of the large
printed menu posted on one side of the red building. Picnic tables in bright
primary colors dotted the grassy area.
    “For what?” she asked.
    “Last night,” he answered, keeping his gaze trained on the
menu.
    “Oh.” Why he’d chosen now, of all times, to tell her, she would
never know. Then again, maybe she did. Since he was apologizing within Janet’s
hearing, she herself couldn’t very well question what had prompted his visit
last night. Or why he’d lied. And she knew he had, because the way he’d held her
when he’d been released from custody, the way he’d pressed her close to his
heart, contradicted everything he’d said.
    They all ordered the barbecued-pork sandwich, with baked beans
and corn bread. “This isn’t the fanciest place in town,” Janet said, “but I have
my reasons for choosing it.”
    “What are they?” Gretchen asked.
    “You’ll see soon enough.”
    She was right. Halfway through their lunch, several patrol cars
arrived.
    “I’d say those reasons are here,” Josh said, then licked his
fingers clean of barbecue sauce.
    The attorney chuckled again. “Okay, so I like to gloat now and
again. It serves old O’Malley right. He hauled Josh in just so he could