The Bridal Path: Danielle Read Online Free

until now. When was the last time you actually had a date? And don’t count lunch with Horace to discuss how many pies to bake for his store.”
    For a fleeting instant Dani almost longed for her father’s interference. At least she had learned to tell him to butt out. Sara was harder to dislodge than a burr. She sighed and tried to exhibit a little patience. The more she balked, the longer Sara was likely to stay.
    “Like you just said, there haven’t been any candidates around worth mentioning.”
    Sara’s expression turned triumphant. “Then you do agree that Slade Watkins has potential?”
    Unfortunately, persistence was a trait shared by all three of the Wilde sisters. “If I do, will you go home?” she pleaded.
    “Naturally,” Sara said. “I’ll have what I came for–insider information.”
    Dani waved her spoon threateningly under her sister’s nose. “And you know what happens to people who share insider information, don’t you?”
    “What?”
    At first Dani couldn’t think of anything quite dire enough to terrify her sister into silence. She eventually settled for telling her that she would happily put a bug in Trent Wilde’s ear that Sara and Jake were about to make him a grandparent. Horror spread across her sister’s face.
    “You wouldn’t dare,” Sara said.
    “Oh, but I would,” Dani assured her. “Just imagine how Daddy will be plaguing you two for news about the impending big event. He’ll probably take up a post outside your bedroom door to make sure you and Jake are working on the project. He won’t let it rest until you’ve delivered the perfect grandbaby. You’ve already been married a year. He thinks it’s way past time for you to produce an heir. He’ll be so excited to know you’re trying that he’ll start passing out cigars in town. Everyone in Riverton will know the details of your sex life. Are you beginning to get the picture of the misery your life will become?”
    “Yes, sister dearest, you’ve made your point.”
    Satisfied that Sara was suitably impressed with the consequences of blabbing a single word about Dani’s interest in Slade Watkins, Dani grinned. “So, do I have your word that nothing leaves this room?”
    Sara solemnly crossed her heart. “On my oath to Jake that we will wait at least another year before having a baby. Now, talk.”
    “Slade Watkins makes my knees go weak,” Dani confessed.
    Her sister bounced out of her seat and threw her arms around Dani. “Oh, sweetie, I’m so glad for you. It’s about time.”
    “Way past time, if you ask me.”
    “Does he know how you feel?”
    “Sara, I just met the man this morning. Other than talking about his sons, we barely said two words.”
    “When are you seeing him again?” Sara asked. When Dani didn’t respond, she demanded, “You are seeing him again, aren’t you? Tell me you didn’t let this opportunity slip through your fingers.”
    “I certainly did not. I’m seeing him tomorrow,” Dani finally admitted.
    “Well, hallelujah!”
    Lest her sister get too carried away, she added, “He’s dropping the kids off at eight.”
    Sara looked thunderstruck. “You’re baby-sitting those terrors?”
    “Sara,” Dani warned.
    “Sorry, but I can’t believe you’ve actually invited them back here without seeing to it that they’ve been put through some sort of military school regimen to break their wild little spirits.”
    “Their wild little spirits, as you put it, are what I love about them. Besides, they’re working off the damage they did,” Dani said defensively.
    Sara’s expression turned thoughtful. “And you’ll be seeing a lot of their father. I take it back. That’s ingenious. Subtle. You don’t want to scare him off by appearing too eager. Dani, it’s perfect.”
    “This isn’t just some scheme to lure Slade Watkins back here. I like the boys,” Dani argued. “They’re sweet.”
    “If you say so.”
    “I want them here.”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Go home,