The Bachelor Read Online Free PDF

help in accomplishing
     his goal. They’d been good friends, nothing more, but back in high school, he’d asked her out anyway. They’d gone out a few
     times and had had sex in the backseat of Chase’s car—because she was willing and he’d been horny. But mostly because he’d
     been in desperate need of ego-soothing after Charlotte Bronson’s rejection. If he didn’t “do it” for Charlotte, he’d decided
     he was damn well going to “do it” for Beth.
    And that had been all male ego, he admitted now. But he and Beth had stayed together till graduation because it was fun and
     easy, going their separate ways after. Neither had been hurt and their camaraderie obviously remained.
    “Give Raina my love, okay?” Beth asked.
    “Will do.”
    “So how long are you here for this time?” Her bright eyes sparkled with curiosity.
    Beth didn’t attract him like Charlotte had, but she had a good heart. Was she still interested? Roman wondered. And if so,
     would she settle for a friendly but loveless marriage? He leaned closer. “How long do you want me here?”
    She laughed and punched him in the shoulder. “You’re still such a tease. Everyone knows you don’t stick around any longer
     than you have to.”
    From behind him, Chase cleared his throat, a noise that sounded more like a warning. “Give Beth congratulations, Roman. She’s
     gotten herself engaged to a big-city doctor. A plastic surgeon.”
    Roman gave his brother a grateful smile for the heads-up before he made a bigger ass of himself by actually making a move
     on Beth.
    “I hope he knows what a lucky guy he is.” Roman grasped her hands, noticing for the first time the huge rock on her finger.
     “Wow. I hope his heart is as big as this ring. You deserve it.”
    She looked at him through honest eyes. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
    If that was the sweetest, her fiancé had to work on his delivery, Roman thought.
    “Listen, I’ve got to go take my seat. Don’t want to lose our table.” She gave him a friendly kiss on the cheek. “Don’t be
     a stranger while you’re in town, okay?”
    “Okay.”
    He slipped back into his seat, hoping his brothers would forget that he’d obviously been scoping out Beth as a potential candidate.
     He watched as she walked away and settled into a table out of earshot before glancing back at Rick and Chase.
    The brothers looked at each other, neither breaking the silence until Rick let out a smothered laugh. “You hope his heart
     is as big as that ring?”
    Roman grinned. “What other comparison was there?” Without stating the obvious, he thought.
    “For a minute there I thought you were going to mention the size of her … Never mind.” Rick shook his head, an amused grin
     still on his face.
    “You know I have more class than that.”
    “Think they were worth ten grand?” Chase asked. “Not that her fiancé charged her or anything.”
    “They were … impressive,” Roman said.
    “Obviously impressive enough to make you consider taking the plunge.” One side of Chase’s mouth lifted in a smirk.
    So much for hoping they’d back off. They’d always been good-natured jokers, that much hadn’t changed. “So I considered her
     for a minute. I was falling back on the good times we had, not the size of her … You get the picture.”
    The brothers all nodded in agreement.
    Izzy stopped by with their drinks, ending that conversation.
    “How ’bout Alice Magregor?” Chase asked as soon as Izzy was out of earshot. “She came by the paper the other day with a home-cooked
     meal in a picnic basket and a bottle of Merlot. When I wasn’t interested, she asked about Rick. There’s an obvious sign she’s
     looking to settle down.”
    “With you two,” Roman muttered. There wasn’t a single available woman in Yorkshire Falls who hadn’t attempted to bait and
     entice both Chase and Rick with her wares— baked and otherwise. “Wasn’t Alice the one with the