The Last Bachelor Read Online Free PDF

his lips landed on hers. The contact surprised both of them. On impulse he pressed his mouth against hers, encouraging her to open to him, as if they were lovers. Even more surprising, Ginger didn’t pull away. He pulled her closer, wanting more, and her arms wound around his neck.
    He heard the front door open and his mother gasped several times. But he didn’t care. He was kissing his wife.
    â€œJoe! Who is this?” his mother asked.
    He released Ginger, his gaze still on her face. “This is my wife.”
    Â 
    Ginger found herself the center of attention, as questions flew fast and furious around her. Joe’s mother seemed happy, his father stared at her and the rest of the people, his brothers and their wives, wanted details.
    â€œWhere did you two meet?” one Turner wife asked.
    Ginger replied, “At the country club.”
    â€œOh, are you a member, too? I haven’t seen you.”
    â€œNo, I’m not a member. I work there as a waitress.” Though she figured that would upset everyone, she couldn’t lie.
    Another woman, who looked vaguely familiar, stepped forward. “Oh, you’re the waitress who’s so patient with the children.”
    â€œYou’re right,” another woman said, then turned to Ginger. “I remember you now. I’m Amy, Bill’s wife,” the woman said, holding out her hand.
    As Ginger shook her hand, a man stepped up alongside Amy. “Hi, I’m Bill. I’m Joe’s oldest brother.”
    Ginger nodded. She stared as the other brothers sorted themselves out and introduced themselves and their wives.
    â€œWhat’s your last name?” someone asked.
    She opened her mouth to say Walton when Joe intervened. “Turner, of course.”
    Joe’s father, who introduced himself as Ed, stepped forward. “Welcome to the family, Ginger. You’re mighty pretty.”
    â€œTh-thank you.”
    His mother, Vivian, herded everyone to the dining room. “Come along now. I fixed a late dinner for these two and snacks for everyone.”
    â€œGood. Ginger was starving in San Antonio. I know she’ll be glad to eat,” Joe said, beaming.
    Actually, Ginger’s hunger had disappeared once she became the center of attention. But to be polite, she nodded and took Joe’s hand and followed everyone else. As she looked at Joe, she wondered why he’d kissed her on the front porch. Had it been for show, or did it mean something to him? And would he repeat it?
    Once all the adults were seated around the table, with the children playing in the living room within sight, the questions began again.
    â€œSee any good shows in Vegas?” one of the brothers asked.
    Ginger looked at Joe, hoping he’d field the questions. She was getting so nervous, she didn’t think she could eat and talk at the same time.
    â€œNope. We were only there one night.”
    â€œToo much to do, huh?” his brother responded, using his elbow to share the joke with his brother beside him.
    Ginger didn’t exactly understand what was so funny. Except that she was starving and too afraid to eat.
    â€œDid you gamble?” one of the other brothers asked. Ginger looked at Joe, hoping he’d provide the answer again.
    â€œNope. Ginger was too concerned about losing her husband’s money,” Joe told them with a grin. Then he added, “Hey, guys, give Ginger a chance to eat. She can’t talk and eat at the same time.”
    â€œJoe’s right,” Vivian said. Then she turned to Ginger. “And I think you did the right thing, not gambling away Joe’s savings.”
    The other men roared with laughter. “Yeah, poor Joe, he’s always broke,” one of them added.
    Ginger was horrified. She stared at Joe. Why had he insisted on paying for everything?
    â€œLet’s change the subject,” Joe suggested. “What happened while we were gone? Any word on that stolen