The Reluctant Bride Read Online Free Page B

against his body. Then Karinne hugged Cory.
    â€œIsn’t this great? ” Karinne said. “The four of us together again.”
    Cory kissed Anita on the mouth, then both cheeks. Glossy black hair around a bronze face with dark eyes and high cheekbones reminded Max of Spanish nobility in the early days of Mexico. Anita was exquisitely beautiful. Max appreciated beauty and was the first to acknowledge it—but his sister-in-law had never tickled his hormones like Karinne.
    â€œKarinne, why don’t you ride with me in the Jeep? Cory, you and Anita can follow, okay?”
    Max hugged Karinne’s shoulders with one arm as the other pair split off. They sauntered toward his vehicle, and got in.
    â€œHow was your drive up?” Max asked, his hand resting on her thigh, her fingers entwined with his.
    â€œToo long and too wet. I’m glad I’m here.” She squeezed his fingers.
    â€œSo am I.” Max stopped at the intersection light. He took the opportunity to kiss her before the light turned green.
    â€œI’ve missed you,” he said, watching the traffic as he gradually accelerated. “How’s your father?”
    â€œFine.”
    â€œAnd you?”
    â€œOkay.”
    â€œSounds like something’s not okay.” He always knew when Karinne was troubled. He had when they were children, and still did. “What’s up?”
    â€œI thought it was strange that Cory invited Anita rafting,” Karinne replied. “I thought this trip was supposed to be just for us.”
    Max shrugged. “He wanted to save on the food stuff. We can only freeze so much of it. But the main reason is that he misses her.”
    â€œWell, she has plenty of time to visit now,” Karinne said. “Anita just lost her job.”
    â€œYeah, Cory told me.” Max stopped at a four-way stop sign. “I’m sorry to hear it.”
    â€œAnita wants to get a job up here. Wish I could.” Karinne sighed.
    â€œI just thought you’d be tired of sports by now.”
    â€œHey, I was the girl’s softball champ, remember? I love sports.” Karinne adjusted her sunglasses.
    â€œDon’t you get tired of traveling?”
    â€œSometimes.”
    â€œThat won’t change after we’re married, either… Not with me living here and you working in Phoenix. You could always switch to landscapes—plenty of scenery.”
    â€œDad’s older and he isn’t well. He can’t really move. And when it comes to postcard and calendar shots, they don’t pay enough. Still, I’d love to be able to earn a living with material like this.” Karinne gestured at her open window. The wooded area of northern Arizona and the Coconino Forest shone a brilliant green from the night’s rain. It was the “earn a living” part that posed a problem.
    â€œCan’t blame you there.” Max pointed to the left.
    A doe and her fawn browsed the tender young leaves on a shrub, unconcerned with habitual park traffic. Karinne followed the pair with her eyes until the Jeep’s path around a winding curve put the deer out of sight.
    â€œIt sure beats a sweaty athlete with a bat or ball in his hands,” Max said.
    â€œWell, maybe if you’re the model,” Karinne hedged. Cute shots of fawns in the forest were a dime a dozen. Her action shots with professional athletes were unique. “One of these days you’ll pose for me, Max.”
    â€œIn a suit at our wedding,” he told her.
    â€œWhat about during our honeymoon?”
    â€œJust scenery stuff. No jock shots,” he insisted. Her wicked smile at his unintentional pun prompted Max to add, “You know what I mean.”
    â€œI have other plans for our honeymoon,” she promised.
    â€œHave you talked to your dad about those assisted living homes?”
    Karinne bit her lip. “I—uh—haven’t got to that yet.”
    â€œChecking out the