Once Bitten, Twice Shy

So absorbed was Katie in her wedding, that she didn't notice Alex was always at Carmen's elbow. Nor did she find anything particularly unusual about the fact that Alex stayed all day Sunday and took a plane back to Houston, leaving his truck for Carmen to drive. He insisted that he would rather lease a car for a month than have to drive back, and he didn't like the idea of leaving her with only her old truck to drive.

He must have had a premonition, because the truck broke down on her way home the following week. She walked two miles to Josh's place. His truck was in the drive, but no one answered the door, so she walked down to the barn.

Josh wasn't alone, though. She was surprised to see him with Lori, rolling in the hay - and there was no question about what was going on this time.

She gasped and ran from the barn. At the gate, she finally paused to catch her breath, her face still burning. She shouldn't have walked in unannounced - but who would have thought Josh would be doing something like that? Lori didn't surprise her, but with Josh? But then, why not? Lori had never made a secret of her feelings for Josh. Even Josh had known. So how long had this been going on?

"Carmen, wait up."

Carmen glanced back to see a red-faced Josh striding toward her, still tucking in his shirt. She looked away from him, her face growing even warmer. What could he say?

He joined her at the gate and glanced around uncomfortably.

"Where's your truck."

She couldn't meet his gaze. "Down the road a couple of miles. It broke down and I thought you could give me a tow."

He glanced down at the barn. "I'll go get my chain."

"Forget it. The truck isn't in the middle of the road. I'll walk the rest of the way home and have Bill help me tonight when he gets off work." She opened the gate and stepped through. "Thanks anyway." She couldn't believe they were talking around this situation.

Josh strode off toward his truck. "No, I'll help you," he said over his shoulder.

"What about Lori?" Somebody had to bring up the subject.

"She was just leaving."

"Yeah, it looked like it," Carmen responded dryly. "Honestly, Josh. Why don't you just marry her?"

He opened his truck door and leaned the seat forward. "It isn't any of your business."