The Boss's Bride. Brenda Minton

catching up with her? The past six months of planning the wedding had felt like being tied to a race car and dragged around the track with no way to escape.

      “It will get better,” his voice continued, smooth and reassuring.

      Gracie looked up at him, studying the handsome face, brown eyes the color of coffee with just enough cream. She blinked a few times to clear her thoughts. She somehow convinced herself it was that exhaustion thing again.

      “Yes, it’ll get better. But I should go.”

      “Of course.” He started to say something but a knock on the door interrupted.

      “And you have company.”

      “I wasn’t expecting company.”

      “Another perk to living in a small town. Always expect company and usually when you least expect it.” She finished the last bite of chili and carried the bowl to the sink.

      Patrick watched her for a brief second and then he answered the repeated knock on the door. Gracie grabbed her purse and keys. When she walked around the corner, Patrick was standing in the doorway. Willa Douglas, single and pretty, stood on the landing with a casserole dish in her hands. Her eyes widened when she saw Gracie.

      Gracie smiled at Willa and then at Patrick. “See you tomorrow, boss.”

      As Gracie hurried down the stairs, she told herself that what she felt wasn’t disappointment or even jealousy. She’d had enough of men in her life. She definitely wasn’t the type of person to have a rebound relationship just days after ending an engagement.

      Patrick Fogerty was a decent man. Maybe even a friend. She liked that idea. He could be her friend. Friendship was easy and uncomplicated. A friend wouldn’t break her heart.