Free Forever His Bride by LISA CHILDS

probably more than his ego was bruised. “You and your parents opened your home to me and my sons. And I repaid your kindness like that?” He shook his head. “Of course we’ll find another place to stay, or we’ll go back to Grand Rapids.”
    “That’s not necessary, really,” she heard herself say when she should have just nodded and let him leave. That would have been the smart thing to do. “I’m actually almost never home.”
    “Pop mentioned that.”
    “Yes, the bakery is only open until noon on Sundays, so I don’t bother going in. That’s why I’m home today. But every other day I leave at daybreak and don’t come home until after dark.” She’d stretched her hours a bit, but she fully intended to hold herself to that schedule while Josh and the boys were staying with them.
    He shook his head. “I don’t feel right about this. Things are going to be awkward between us because of what I did.”
    “Mr. Hyde,” she reminded him. “Because of what Mr. Hyde did.”
    “I wish I could blame someone else.”
    Blame me. She’d wanted him to kiss her. Staring over his head at the paisley-patterned wallpaper of the hall and foyer, she inhaled a deep breath. “We’ll forget last night ever happened.”
    “Are you sure?” he asked, his gaze intent on her face.
    That she could forget their kiss? No. In fact she was pretty damned positive she’d never forget it. Her skin warmed with embarrassment and desire. Why him? Why did she have to be so attracted to him? But that was her problem, not his. “I’m sure.”
    “I was so worried that I’d betrayed your trust.”
    As she had Molly’s?
    He continued. “I really want to be your friend.”
    “We are friends,” she assured him. Because he, most of all, could only be her friend.
    Molly would undoubtedly return soon. Especially since, as everyone suspected, she probably hadn’t even left Cloverville. And when Molly was back, how would Brenna explain to her friend that her maid of honor had kissed the groom? She had no excuse for betraying a more than twenty-year-long friendship in that way.
    The screen door rattled as someone knocked. Josh peered down the hall toward the foyer and groaned. “Nick.” He pushed a hand through his hair. “Now there’s a friend I don’t need to see right now.”
    “He’s here?”
    “He must have kept the directions I gave him for the rehearsal dinner.”
    “But he didn’t show.”
    “He was working.” Josh sighed. “But he should have showed up. He didn’t know anyone’s names yesterday. Of course, he’s always been bad with names.” His mouth lifted in a wry grin. “He refers to his patients by their diagnoses and surgical procedures.”
    But Josh wouldn’t do that. Even though she had never seen him at work, Brenna instinctively knew that Josh would have a warm, charming bedside manner. Patients were people to him, and not just ailments.
    She reached out to pat his arm, but then pulled her hand back before she touched him, remembering what had happened the last time she had.
    “Go in the kitchen,” she advised him. Noise drifted from the room in the back of the house, running footsteps, more giggling and then the crash of something breaking.
    Josh grimaced. “I’d better, just to relieve your parents. And reimburse them.”
    “Don’t worry about it.” She waved off his concern. Her parents wouldn’t care, no matter what had broken, but she knew that their house, with all its antiques and collectibles, made people nervous. Her friends had usually preferred the sturdier no-frills McClintock house to the Kellys’. “And don’t worry about Nick. I’ll take care of the best man.”
    “Thanks,” Josh said. And he touched her then, just skimming his knuckles over her bare shoulder.
    But it was enough to have her pulse quickening, her senses humming. She drew in a breath, not exhaling until he left her alone in the hall. She waited another moment before greeting his fair-haired friend at the