The Best Man's Bride Read Online Free PDF

on it. Unlike his runaway bride. “Then you can sell it—”
    “It needs some work.”
    Nick shook his head. “Come on, let’s get out of Cloverville. There’s nothing for you here.”
    “I think there is,” Josh insisted, his blue eyes bright with hope. He paused beside Nick and clasped his shoulder. “Maybe there would be for you, too, if you’d give it a chance.”
    What? The town—or a certain brown-haired bridesmaid? He didn’t ask and Josh didn’t offer an explanation before his hand slid away and he left.
    Nick let the door close behind his friend and walked to the sink to splash water on his own face. He should be relieved that Josh was still so optimistic. Optimism was way better than despair.
    Nick acknowledged the fact that he probably didn’t have to worry about Josh, but his heart didn’t lift with relief. Maybe he wasn’t worried about Josh. Maybe he was worried about himself. Because the minute he stepped out of the restroom, he searched the crowded reception hall for her. Colleen, he’d heard her friends call her. She stood with the other bridesmaids huddled near the head table where they’d just eaten the most awkward dinner Nick had ever been a part of.
    The bride’s mom had turned the reception into a welcome-home party for the blond bridesmaid and her young daughter, and while the guests had enthusiastically greeted the young woman and her child, they’d still had time to stare at Josh. And Nick.
    Probably wondering when he was going to blow. How could Josh be so understanding and forgiving? Nick wanted to hurt someone.

Chapter Three
    Colleen shivered as Nick Jameson approached, passing Abby as she headed away from him, toward the dance floor.
    “Do you know Dr. Jameson from the hospital?” Brenna asked. She was one of the few people in Cloverville who knew Colleen volunteered at the hospital in Grand Rapids, but even she didn’t know why.
    Colleen hadn’t actually ever met Dr. Jameson. He never acknowledged any of the volunteers, no matter how desperately some of them fought for his attention. “I only know him by reputation.”
    As a no-nonsense orthopedic surgeon. Not only the volunteers but several of the female staff obsessed over him, longing to experience his “elusive” bedside manner, but Colleen wasn’t one of those women who’d considered breaking her leg to get his attention. As he closed the distance between them now, Colleen’s pulse quickened. She had preferred it when he hadn’t noticed her at all.
    His gaze moved over her like a caress, lingering on her bare shoulders and the low bodice of her dress. Why look at her meager cleavage when she stood next to a Grecian goddess like Brenna? And yet he didn’t even glance at the redhead, although he addressed them both. “Ladies.”
    “Dr. Jameson,” Brenna said. “Have you seen Josh? Is he okay?”
    Nick’s shoulders twitched stiffly in a tense shrug. “I don’t know. He’s looking for TJ and Buzz.”
    Brenna smiled, and her green eyes softened with affection. “The boys are with my parents. I’ll let Josh know.”
    Colleen reached out, trying to catch her friend’s arm, but the maid of honor slipped away, leaving Colleen alone with Nick Jameson. He closed his hand around her outstretched one, entwining his long fingers with hers. Colleen drew in a deep breath as indescribable sensations raced through her. She tugged on her hand, but he didn’t release her.
    “Let’s dance,” he said, leading her toward the crowded floor before she could sputter out a protest.
    And she would have protested. She didn’t want to dance with a man who’d called her sister flaky. Hypocrite. She didn’t want to dance with a man who’d seen her any number of times but had never noticed her before.
    Until today. Until she wore the red dress Brenna had picked out for the bridesmaids to wear. Despite the fact that she was the bride, Molly had made none of the arrangements for her wedding. Given her apparent disinterest,