The Last Bachelor (12 page)

Leo leaned back against the seat. “Who cares? We'll just shoot him. He doesn't matter.”

“No!” Ginger exclaimed. “He's a good man. He doesn't deserve that.”

“Be quiet,” Leo growled.

When they got to the airport, Ginger noticed her mother putting her small gun in a pocket in the limo door.

“Aren't you taking the gun with you?” she asked curiously.

“Don't be silly. With all the restrictions today, I'd never make it. So we borrowed weapons for our trip.”

Ginger sat back, thinking. So, once they were in the airport, they would have no firearms. She could walk away from them and they couldn't do anything. They didn't have a legal hold on her. There would be armed personnel in the airport who would protect her.

Suddenly, her future looked a lot brighter. She began hurriedly making plans. Once they left the limo, Ginger waited for her moment. When they reached the security gate, her mother shoved her toward the metal detector, but Ginger refused to walk through.

“Come through, miss,” the guard ordered her.

“No, I'm not traveling today.”

All three of her captors stared at her.

Harold, her stepfather, whispered in her ear, “Of course you are, or we'll go back and kill that woman.”

Ginger knew this was the real test. Coolly, she stared at Harold.

“I can't stop you,” she said affecting a careless tone in her voice, “but I won't even know because I'm not going back there. I'm going to another town, and this time I won't make the mistake of calling. But I will tell you this, that woman has five determined sons, and if you lay a hand on their mother they won't quit looking until they find you. Personally, I don't think she'd be worth the trouble. Besides, they've already identified all three of you.”

She only prayed she was right.

“Damn you!” Leo said. “I don't know about that woman being worth the trouble, but you're definitely not. You're not even a virgin anymore.”

Ginger smiled. In the distance, she heard the sound of sirens approaching.

“I think you better get on your plane right away,” Ginger said, trying to look smug. “It sounds like the sheriff has arrived.”

With a string of curses, Leo went through the security gates, followed by Harold and her mother. Her mother stopped once and turned back to face her.

“Don't ever come ask me for anything.”

Ginger stared sadly at the woman.

“Don't worry, Mama. You have nothing I want.” Then she turned and walked away, without ever looking back. Suddenly her heart leaped in her chest. There, coming down the concourse, was the one who had what she wanted. Joe. His arms were opened wide, a smile lit up his face. Racing toward him, she ran into his arms and his lips met hers.

“Where are they, baby?” Joe demanded against her lips.

“They're leaving,” she said with laughter. “Leo doesn't want me anymore. After all,” she said with a spreading grin, “I'm not a virgin anymore.” Joe laughed and hugged her tighter.

“Come on, let's go tell Mom and Dad you're safe. They're worried about you.”

Ginger looked at Justin, who had stood quietly off to the side. “Thanks for helping us.”

“Ginger, I can stop them and have them arrested. All—”

Ginger held up a hand. “No, Justin. Just let them go. They didn't hurt anyone.”

“How did you get away from them, anyway?” Joe asked.

“They told me they had to leave the guns here because of the metal detectors. They said they would go back and kill Vivian, but I didn't believe them. I told them there were five of you and you would get them if they hurt your mother.”

“Well, you told the truth there.”

“I know,” she agreed with a smile. Then her expression sobered as she turned to the sheriff.

“Justin, do you think they're through with me? Or should I leave?”

“No,” Joe said, rejecting her suggestion at once. “Where would you go?”

“Another small town, someplace they wouldn't look.”

Joe pressed his mouth to her ear and whispered, “We have to live together to get your green card. They'd put me in jail if you left.”

“They wouldn't really, would they?”

Justin watched them, not knowing what they were talking about.

“Didn't they say they would?” Joe whispered.

Ginger nodded. “Yes, but—”

“Then I reckon they would, Ginger.”

“Oh.”

Joe grinned at Justin, who was watching them. Out loud, he said, “Come on, honey. Let's go home. We'll work it out.”

Joe took her hand in his and she felt safer than she had in months.

G
inger wasn't surprised to find Vivian anxiously awaiting her return. She knew the generous woman was concerned about her safety.

“I am so sorry, Vivian. My mother—”

“I don't think she meant it, my dear.”

“I hope she didn't,” Ginger said, hanging her head. “But I can't be sure.”

“But they left without you, right?”

“Yes. I guess. Leo decided I wasn't worth it,” she said with a beaming smile.

“So they won't come back for you?”

“No, Leo doesn't want me anymore.”

“Good, because Joe wants you,” Vivian said.

Ginger smiled at her, but she didn't say anything.

At the sound of a car pulling up in front of the house, Joe leaned over to look out the window.

“It's Bill and Amy.”

They got out of the car and hurried up the sidewalk. Vivian opened the front door.

“Did you hear?” she asked.

“Yes,” her son replied. “Is everyone all right?”

“We're all fine. They're not going to chase after Ginger anymore. Joe and Justin scared them away.”

“Mom, we didn't do anything,” Joe said. “Ginger saved herself.”

“Aha! Superwoman,” Bill said with a grin.

Ginger's face turned bright red.

“Isn't it wonderful!” Vivian exclaimed. “Now our lives will be normal. We can settle down and have more grandbabies.”

“Mom,” Joe said in a warning voice. “Ginger wants to get her degree first.”

“Oh, of course, dear. I'm so happy she wants to do that, but I hope it doesn't take too long. I think we should celebrate tonight. Ginger, would you make a cake? And, Amy, would you go call the others? Tell them we're having a celebration.”

Ginger would have preferred a quiet evening, but if Vivian wanted to celebrate, then they would celebrate. She looked at Joe and shrugged her shoulders, then she started for the kitchen with Amy following her.

“Are you really okay with this?” Amy asked.

“Sure. I want Vivian to be happy. After all, my mother threatened to kill her.”

Amy gasped. “You mean there really was a gun?”

“I'm afraid so.”

“Wow! You'd better make it a chocolate cake.”

“I agree,” Ginger said, smiling.

“We better not mention that to the others. The boys are very protective of their mother.”

“I know,” Ginger agreed. “That's why they de
cided to leave without me.” After a moment of silence, she asked, “Amy, may I ask you a question?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Did you ask Bill to make love to you?”

Amy's eyes widened in surprise. “Uh, well, no, I—I mean I didn't have to ask. He convinced me.”

With a sigh, Ginger said, “I knew it.”

“Knew what?”

“I've already asked Joe twice, and he still isn't willing.”

“He isn't? But I thought—You've already asked him twice?”

“Maybe I should ask him for a divorce.”

“You want a divorce?”

“No, but—I'm still a virgin. Maybe I should ask Vivian for help. Because you can't have babies without, you know—”

“Oh, I can guarantee that one,” Amy said with a grin.

Joe stuck his head inside the door. “Everything okay in here?”

Amy put her head down. “I think Ginger has some questions that you need to answer.” She brushed past him at the door before he could stop her.

Joe looked at Ginger. “What's wrong?”

“Nothing's wrong,” Ginger said, looking away from him.

“Then why did Amy say that?”

“I told her I was going to ask you for a divorce.”

“A divorce?” he exclaimed, startled. “What are you talking about? We have to stay married for your green card.” At the disappointed look on her face he asked, “That upsets you?”

“Well, it's just that—Well, Vivian wants us to have a baby.”

Joe stared at her. “But you can't—We don't have to do that.”

“I know. But…it's very confusing. I feel like I'm cheating Vivian.”

“Honey, we got married for you to become a citizen. But I promised you I wouldn't make love to you.”

“But you didn't tell Vivian that.”

“Remember when I said we wouldn't change your virgin status?” Joe cleared his throat. “You want me to tell Mom that we're not going to stay married?”

“No!” Ginger said, her voice rising in protest.

“But, Ginger, if you have my baby, I'm not going to let you divorce me.”

“Oh,” she said, as if she suddenly understood.

Which was more than Joe did.

After a moment of silence, he said, “I wasn't going to marry, because I was never going to face divorce. I was never going to split up my family.”

“But, Joe, we would have a divorce no matter what.”

“No, because I didn't really count this a marriage.”

“But we got married.”

“True, but we both knew it wasn't real, remember?”

“I'm very confused,” Ginger said, protest clear in her voice.

“Damn it, you think
you're
confused? Do you want to stay married?”

“It will upset Vivian if we get a divorce.”

“So you want to stay married to me because of Mom? That doesn't make sense, Ginger.”

“Yes, it does. You have a wonderful mother. And family. They don't deserve to be hurt. You know, I've been thinking about the bakery shop.”

“What bakery shop?” He looked totally confused by her abrupt change of subject.

“Your father said I could make a lot of money with a cinnamon bun shop. Then I could pay my own way. And if I had babies, I could hire someone to help and keep earning money, and people wouldn't say I was marrying you for your money.”

“Who said such a ridiculous thing?”

She looked away. “There's been talk.”

“Well, it's ridiculous. I would be the lucky one if we married.”

“We don't have to marry. We are married.”

“I know that!”

Vivian stuck her head through the door. “Are you two fighting?”

“No,” he snapped.

“Yes,” Ginger said softly.

“And it's your fault, Mom,” Joe complained.

“What?”

“Never mind. This is the craziest conversation I've ever had.”

“But, Joe—” Ginger protested.

“No more discussion now. We'll talk later, when we're alone.”

“Well, since you're going to save your discussion,” Vivian said, “the rest of the family has arrived, so come on out. Let's all celebrate.”

Ginger left the room with Vivian.

Joe stood there, staring after them. He'd be glad to celebrate.

If he knew what the hell he was celebrating.

 

Ginger's hands were shaking later when she tried to cut the cake. She sent a silent plea to Amy, who with understanding quickly stepped to her side and reached out for the knife.

“I think Vivian forgot the napkins, Ginger,” she said, giving Ginger an excuse to get away and compose herself.

“I'll get some,” Ginger said gratefully as she saw Joe enter the room, leaving the kitchen empty. She certainly didn't want to face him again, alone. She slipped into the kitchen just as he turned to look for her. She realized she'd made a mistake. Joe didn't understand what she was hinting at. He didn't understand her past, in her country.

In Estonia, she'd been in a poverty-stricken neighborhood. Many marriages took place but most were not a love match. People married for financial reasons, or because of children. Ginger had been attracted to Joe because of his manners, the way he treated women, his place in society. Since he'd married her, taken her under his wing, she'd discovered
more reasons. When he held her at night, she felt safe, treasured, even desired, though it was obvious she was mistaken in that.

She wanted Joe to make love to her. She wanted Joe to father her child. He was an honorable man, a father a child could respect, admire, honor. Even if Joe didn't want to stay married to her, she knew Joe would not abandon his child. And she would be able to support her child, especially if she had her own business.

In her neighborhood those would all be good reasons, she knew. But she didn't live there anymore. Coupled with desire, many a marriage had lasted entire lives. But without desire, they didn't do so well. What about her and Joe? Was there desire between them? Twice she'd tried to convince him to take her, to see if he felt anything, but he didn't. What did that tell her?

And would she listen?

Rousing herself from contemplation, she came back with the napkins.

“Are you all right, dear?” Vivian asked, taking hold of her hand. “Amy said your hands were shaking.”

“Delayed reaction, Vivian, that's all. I would never forgive myself if I ever hurt you.” She hugged Vivian. Suddenly Joe was beside the two of them.

“You risked your life to save Mother,” Joe said. “You have nothing to blame yourself for.”

“Thank you, Ginger,” one of the younger brothers
called out. “In case we all didn't say it before, we're very grateful.”

Ginger wanted to roll up into a ball and hide herself. Trying to deflect their praise, she said, “I can't take all the credit, you know. I told them about Vivian's five ferocious sons, and they gave up on me.”

The men cheered and pumped up their muscles to prove how frightening they might be if anyone bothered their mother.

After they settled down, the family lounged in the living room for several hours. Toward the end of the evening, someone asked Joe if he and Ginger were moving back to his condo.

“Not this evening, as long as Mom and Dad don't mind. We'll sleep here tonight and move back to the condo tomorrow.” He paused and then looked at Ginger. “If that's all right with you, Ginger.”

Like a dutiful wife, Ginger nodded and agreed at once.

Amy gathered up the dirty dishes and started carrying them to the kitchen. She persuaded her husband to help her, but they were talking more than they were working, Ginger noticed. She hoped Amy wasn't divulging what Ginger had shared with her earlier.

Some of the younger brothers teased Bill about doing women's work, but it didn't faze him. He pointed out that his brothers should learn the benefit of shared work. With a wicked look at his trim, beautiful wife, he conveyed his meaning quite clearly.
Amy giggled like a carefree teenager as the other men jumped up to offer their belated assistance.

Ginger felt relieved until she saw Bill draw Joe to one side. Then she scurried up to bed, telling Vivian and Ed she was tired. She wanted to be in bed with her eyes closed before Joe came upstairs.

 

“What is it?” Joe asked as Bill motioned him outside.

“Nothing,” Bill said casually, but he kept pulling him farther into the shadows.

Joe waited. Bill led him around to the side of their childhood home. Then he stopped. “Joe, do you need to talk about something?”

He and Bill had been the two oldest. They'd shared a lot as children. “Amy told me you and Ginger have problems.”

Joe's eyes widened. “No! I mean, if it was what happened today, it was nothing. Ginger was shaken up by the events and she hated that you all thought her mother would hurt Mom.”

“No, this was personal about you and Ginger.” Bill swallowed hard, obviously uncomfortable. “Look, Joe, I'll admit I didn't understand what Amy tried to tell me, but…you do still like women, don't you?”

Joe groaned. “Yes, I do, and my wife is at the top of that list.”

He blew out a breath. “I thought so. She's a cute little thing.”

“Yeah. Say, Bill, do you know who owns that empty storefront on the town square?”

Since Bill's law office was located downtown, he knew about the property and its owner, Fred Gunther, and was able to give Joe a few details. When Joe explained Ginger's dream, Bill was excited about the idea. “Have you tasted her cinnamon rolls?”

“Yeah,” Joe said with a nod. “They're real good.”

“As good as the club's?”

“Ten times as good. She'd win that contest hands down.”

“Great! Want me to talk to Fred? Since his Molly died, he hasn't shown much interest in anything.”

“Not yet. Ginger just came up with this idea recently and we've had a lot on our minds the last few days.”

“I guess so. Let me know when I can help you.” He clapped Joe on the shoulder and headed to the car where Amy and their children waited for him.

Joe headed for the stairs after telling his parents good-night.

Much to his relief, Ginger had already fallen asleep. He wasn't up to a serious discussion about their future tonight. But since she was asleep, he could hold her close for tonight and enjoy her warmth. For just a little while.

 

Ginger slipped out of the room the next morning while Joe was still sleeping. She had to force herself to do so, but she was more depressed than she'd been
since she'd married Joe. She had no hope now that he'd want to keep her. She knew now that he had no desire for her. None.

In the kitchen she again made up a batch of cinnamon buns. As the mouthwatering scent made its way up the stairs, she heard someone stirring. She tried not to show her disappointment when Joe's parents appeared. She'd hoped the first down would be her husband.

“Are you sure you don't want to stay here with us?” Ed asked, a big smile on his face.

“Sorry, Ed. I can't do that. The lady who taught me to make these said I should use them to catch a husband. She said a light hand with pastry is a gift and can't be taught.”

“Good thing Joe caught you before anyone here knew about your buns,” Ed said. “At least I get some every once in a while.”

“You're right, Dad. Good morning,” Joe said, bending over to kiss Ginger's cheek. “Did you sleep well?”