The Last Bachelor Read Online Free Page A

his limo and waved for her to enter. She slipped onto the seat and stared, then scooted over as Joe followed. “Joe, there’s room for many more people,” she whispered as the car began to move.
    â€œYeah, but it will just be the two of us. So we can have privacy.”
    â€œBut everyone is staring.”
    â€œDon’t worry, they can’t see us. Now, we’re going to go to fill out papers and then find a marriage chapel. They’ll have a room where you can change. Is that all right? You have your dress ready?”
    â€œYes.” Her dress was a simple sheath in pale bluethat her mother had made her for her own marriage to Harold, Ginger’s stepfather.
    Something in her voice must have worried Joe. “Should we go shopping first and buy you a new wedding gown?”
    â€œNo! It would cost a lot of money. It’s not necessary.”
    He gave her a strange look. “I have plenty of money, Ginger. You don’t have to worry about that.”
    â€œThe bride is supposed to pay for the wedding.”
    â€œNo, you have that wrong. The bride’s family is supposed to pay. And since you don’t have a family, I’ll take care of everything.”
    She said nothing else, but she determined to keep down the cost of their wedding. After all, he was doing her a favor.
    By the end of the evening, Joe was frustrated. All he’d bought her was a small bouquet of flowers. But he had to admit Ginger looked beautiful in her simple dress. The pale blue color complemented her auburn hair and blue eyes. And the ceremony, although brief, achieved their goal.
    Afterward Ginger was ready to get back on a plane and return to Texas.
    â€œNo, honey, I made us a reservation. We have the honeymoon suite at the Bellagio.”
    â€œWhat is that?”
    â€œIt’s one of the hotels on the strip.”
    When she discovered the suite consisted of a huge space with a tub big enough to hold half a dozenpeople and several bedrooms and a living area, she told him they should ask for a smaller place so they could save money.
    He refused. He needed plenty of room so he could handle the desire to put his arms around her. Especially as the sun went down.
    â€œWill we leave in the morning?” she asked anxiously.
    â€œOur flight’s around noon.”
    She frowned and said nothing.
    â€œWe’re going to dinner in ten minutes. Okay?”
    â€œWhy don’t we eat here? Look at all this fruit.” She gestured to the delicious-looking fruit basket on the cocktail table. “That would be enough for dinner.”
    â€œNot for me. Besides, a wedding dinner is traditional.”
    She kept frowning.
    After dinner, Joe took her to the casino. He changed dollar bills into coins and handed her some, explaining she should put one in a slot machine. She slipped the coin in. He told her to pull the handle.
    She did so and waited.
    With a kiss on her smooth cheek, he said, “Sorry, you didn’t win. Here’s another one.”
    She stared at the coin he held out and then at him. “Why?”
    â€œTo try again. To see if you win.”
    â€œBut I didn’t.”
    â€œSo you try again.”
    â€œNo! I will not give your money away.”
    â€œBut it’s supposed to be fun.” He waved his arm. “All these people are playing the slot machines. Don’t you want to?”
    â€œNo. A good wife does not give her husband’s money away,” she assured him, a determined look on her face.
    He sighed. “Okay, we’ll try again later. Do you want to see a show?”
    â€œWhat kind of show?”
    He tried to explain what was available. The only thing she showed interest in were the famous white Bengal tigers, but that show was sold out.
    Finally, he had an idea. “How about art? The Bellagio has an art gallery with famous paintings. Would you like to see them?”
    Her eyes glowed. “Oh, I would love that. One day in New York I