Once Bitten, Twice Shy

His eyes flashed and he grabbed the front of her shirt, lifting her off the ground. "Listen, little miss high and mighty. You're not doing so well at holding your man, either. Did you know he's already called Lori several times this week?"

She gagged and clawed at his hands, struggling to take a breath. She kicked his shin and he let go of her shirt. She hit the ground like a sack of grain and scrambled away from him, gasping for air and rubbing her neck.

"What are you trying to do?" she croaked.

He stared down at her, obviously shocked by his own violence. "I didn't mean to hurt you."

He reached down to help her up, but she ignored his hand. She staggered to her feet and tried a voice still scratchy. "I don't know where all this anger is coming from, but you might as well get it in your head that you and I are history. I have every intention of marrying Alex, and I'm ready and willing to face a little competition. We're not even engaged yet, so if he wants to talk to Lori, I'll have to live with it. If you're so concerned about Lori, I'd suggest you put a brand on her."

He stared down at her for a moment and then started to laugh. "Hop in the truck. Let's go get your rattle trap home."

She glanced back at the barn. "What about Lori."

He dug the keys out of his pocket. "Her car is parked around back. She had the crazy idea you'd be hurt if you saw it."

She shook her head and strode around to the passenger side of the truck. As she climbed in the truck she glanced over at him and smiled wryly.

"Next time you see her, tell her I'm sorry I got in her way so long."

He slammed his door and started the truck. Then he swung the truck around and honked, calling to Lori as she peeked out of the barn.

"I'll be back in a minute. Carmen's truck broke down and I'm going to tow it home for her."

She waved. Apparently they weren't on such bad terms after all. Finally something was working out for Josh.

Two weeks after the wedding, Carmen was browsing through some wedding pictures with Katie. Katie studied one of the pictures thoughtfully, and then flipped back to another. She pointed at a picture where Alex and Carmen were half hidden behind another couple.

"Are you and Alex holding hands, here?"