Free CAPTURED INNOCENCE by Cynthia Hickey Page B

don’t think the chapels close here in Vegas, at least not for a while yet.” She planted her feet. “I’m not moving until you tell me what happened to your lip.”
                  He pulled her into an alcove. “At least get out of the middle of the sidewalk.”
                  “Well?”
                  “Somebody hit me.”
                  “Somebody hit you.” Her eyes widened. “In the restroom.”
                  “That’s what I said.”
                  “Why?”
                  “How should I know? He just came up behind me and hit me. Slammed my head into the mirror. I think I have a bump.” He reached up to feel his forehead.
                  “You have a cut on your chin and if you don’t stop beating around the bush,” Jo said. “I’m going to give you a bump. A big one.”
                  He flexed his shoulders and rotated his head, trying to loosen the kinks. “I was washing my face when someone came up behind me and attacked me. I’ve never seen him before.”
                  “Well, did you ask him who he was?”
                  “Of course I did!” His brows furrowed as he stared at her. “What do you take me for—a fool?”
                  She bent forward, just a bit. “I take you for a private investigator. A good one, according to you. If you’re so good, how could someone sneak up behind you in a public restroom and beat you senseless?” She turned away from him and folded her arms across her chest.
                  He opened his mouth, only to snap it closed again. He found himself at a loss for words. A rarity.
                  She whirled to face him. “Well? Are we going?”
                  He nodded and took her arm more gently this time, and led her to a small, white, quaint chapel. White pillars flanked the double white doors. White pots on the small porch held white silk flowers. A small non-obtrusive sign with gold lettering stated simply ‘Chapel’.
                  “Thank you,” Jo said.
                  “For what?”
                  “I thought you were going to take me someplace like the Elvis chapel.” She smiled up at Conley. “This is cute. Not tacky at all.”
                  “Thought you’d like it.” He pushed open the doors and steered her inside where a smiling, large busted blonde beamed at them from behind a desk.
                  “Welcome. Getting married?” she cooed.
                  Jo fluttered her lashes and looked away. Conley gave her a little pinch on the tender underside of her arm. “Be nice.” He returned the blonde’s smile. “Right away, please.”
                  “You’re in luck. The chapel is empty. Wait one moment and I’ll return with the justice of the peace.” She waved toward a display of flowers. “We have fresh or silk bouquets for sale. Feel free to browse.” The woman’s exaggerated wiggle as she walked away made him smile. Jo scowled at him.
                  He chose a bouquet of pink roses, baby’s breath, and ferns. He handed them to Jo with a wink and a smile.
                  She buried her face in the blossoms and took a deep breath. “Thank you.”
                  “You’re welcome.” You’re beautiful .
                  “We’re ready for you,” Blondie said. She poked her head through the swinging doors.
                  Jo started to enter the doors, and Conley held her back. “Wait. Would you walk down the aisle to me?” His voice barely rose above a whisper. “I know it’s a marriage of convenience, but, well, I’ve never been married before and…”
                  Her brown eyes met his. “If you’d like.”
                  Feeling shy