A Bridge to Dreams Read Online Free

executive secretary to the senior partner in her law firm on the day his picture had been in the Chronicle .
    There was, of course, a negative side to all that fame and obvious sophistication: Brad was probably very experienced at portraying whatever image circumstances called for. Maybe in his circles it was even acceptable for him to pick up and discard women as casually as other people tossed aside old clothes. Since Karyn had never followed auto racing, she had no way of knowing for sure what sort of reputation the Brad Willis of those bold sports page headlines had in the more scandalous tabloids. Just thinking about the possibilities made her doubt her own judgment. She hadn’t exactly dated extensively. She hadn’t had time. Would she even recognize a rogue before it was too late?
    Still, she reminded herself, there were only cars and men in all those pictures on his office wall, no women. She glanced instinctively at his ring finger. It wastanned, well-manicured and unadorned. That was promising, but hardly conclusive.
    â€œAre you married, Mr. Willis?” she asked with the sort of bluntness she’d heard her boss use successfully in taking depositions and cross-examining witnesses in court.
    It didn’t seem to rattle him in the slightest. He grinned, in fact. “It’s Brad,” he corrected pointedly, “and obviously some of your brothers’ caution has worn off on you.”
    The evasive response made her nervous. Though Karyn kept her tone light, she persisted with a deliberateness that would have done her brothers and her bosses proud. “Isn’t it considered proper to know a little about the person one plans to spend an entire vacation with? Even if we aren’t going to be sharing hotel rooms, surely it’s important to know if we have anything in common.”
    â€œSo you want to know if we have my marital status in common?”
    The return of that devilish glint of amusement in his eyes was plain. Karyn hoped that was a good sign. “Something like that,” she admitted. “Doesn’t it matter to you whether or not I’m married?”
    â€œWe wouldn’t be having this conversation if you were.”
    â€œHow do you know, though? You didn’t ask.”
    â€œNo ring.”
    â€œNot conclusive.”
    â€œNo hovering husband on the car lot to poke his head under the hood.”
    â€œMaybe I’m mechanical. After all, I did keep a ’68 VW alive.”
    â€œJoe did that,” he said, his knock-your-socks-off smile emerging again.
    â€œWhich still doesn’t answer my question.”
    â€œWhich one? How I knew you weren’t married or whether I am?”
    â€œBoth, but if I have to make a choice, the latter.”
    Brad folded his hands on his desk, leaned forward, met her gaze intently and said solemnly, “No, Karyn Chambers, I am not married. There are not even any serious entanglements to speak of, now or ever. I’m afraid I’ve lived in the fast lane in more ways than one.”
    There was an intriguing note of regret in the honest admission. “Do you still?” she asked with a mixture of curiosity and trepidation.
    â€œLive in the fast lane? I told you I’d given up racing.”
    â€œAnd women?”
    â€œI’m not a monk, but the times are changing, in case you haven’t heard. And I’m older and wiser.”
    She felt like purring with satisfaction. She doubted her brothers would view the comment the same way. “How much older?”
    â€œI’m thirty-two. Want to see my birth certificate?”
    â€œNo. Your driver’s license will do.”
    Never taking his eyes from hers, Brad reached for his wallet. He moved very slowly, obviously expecting her to back down from the impertinent request. Karyn determinedly held out her hand. “I’m not about to let a total stranger drive my new car until I’m sure he has a valid driver’s