The Last Bachelor Read Online Free

you?”
    â€œNo, the people were very nice.”
    â€œDon’t ever do that again. There are some evil people out there.”
    â€œNo, Joe, they were very kind.”
    â€œI’m glad, honey, but you’re my responsibility now. I don’t ever want you doing that again.”
    â€œBut we are not really—”
    Joe covered her mouth with his hand to stop her from finishing her sentence. He leaned closer andwhispered, “We don’t ever tell anyone, even strangers, that our marriage isn’t, uh, normal. Okay?”
    Her eyes big over his hand, she nodded.
    He released her and sat back, drawing a deep breath.
    After a moment, Ginger leaned closer to Joe. She whispered, “Won’t everyone think it strange that we came to this place to marry? They will wonder why, won’t they?”
    He took her hand in his, realizing he had a lot of questions to answer. Clearly, Ginger had concentrated on her work and her classes at the junior college, but knew very little about American culture. “You’ll see when we get there. A lot of people go to Vegas to marry. No one will think anything about it.”
    He believed that, as long as she didn’t say the wrong thing. But he’d be on his guard. Maybe if she said something inappropriate, he’d stop her by kissing her. That would make everyone believe they were newlyweds.
    His heart rate tripled just thinking about kissing Ginger. She was so beautiful, so naive and unprotected. He loved the idea of protecting her. He’d never seen himself in the hero role, but it was enticing, especially when he saw that emotion in her gaze. He lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed her smooth skin.
    When she jumped in surprise, he leaned closer. “People will expect me to touch you, Ginger. Trynot to act so surprised. In private I’ll leave you alone.”
    She frowned. “You will?”
    â€œYes, of course. I promise.”
    â€œBut I will be your wife.”
    His heart beat faster. “Yes, but not—” He stopped himself. Great. Now he was the one having problems with their secret. “We’ll talk later.”
    The pilot spoke over the loudspeaker. “We’re now approaching Las Vegas airport, so please be seated and fasten your seat belts. Thank you for flying with us today.”
    Joe leaned over and snapped her seat belt.
    â€œI can do it,” she protested gently.
    â€œI know, but I like to help you. In a few minutes we’ll be on the ground. Are you excited?”
    She met his gaze briefly, then looked away. “Of course.” She thought that was the answer he wanted. But she hated the idea that she was trapping him into marriage.
    Joe was a kind man, offering her his protection. She must try not to take advantage of him. Some of the men at the club, especially when they were in the Men’s Grill temporary facilities, where their wives never appeared, were eager to take advantage of her, not to protect her. But she’d always turned them down. She’d never had to turn Joe down. He had never seemed interested in her in that way.
    She sent up a small prayer that she would never shame Joe, that she would repay his kindness with loyalty and patience.
    The pilot set the plane down smoothly, and when they were parked at the gate, Joe stood in the aisle to gather their luggage from the overhead bin.
    Her cloth bag looked shabby beside his sleek leather one, but he showed no concern about what people might think. “Come on, Ginger. Time for us to go.”
    She slipped out of her seat and stood beside Joe, ready to go where he led her.
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    Much to Ginger’s surprise, they didn’t take a taxi when they exited the airport. A man was standing on the sidewalk with a sign with Joe’s name on it.
    â€œDoes he know you?” she whispered to Joe as he waved to the man.
    â€œNo, honey, I hired him to meet us.”
    â€œOh.”
    The man opened the back door to