Texas Glory

“I have a lot to learn about the appropriate behavior for being a husband, partner, the half of a whole. When I marry, it will be until death parts me from my wife. The Bishop boys believe in forever love.” He paused. “Yes, forever love.”

Oh, no, Glory thought, was that the ache of tears she was feeling in her throat? Yes, it was. Control. She had to gain control of her emotions. Right now.

But, dear heaven, what Bram said had been so touching, so honest and real. The words had obviously come straight from his heart, spoken in a voice low and reverent, with an echo of wistfulness.

Forever love.

What a beautiful way to express it, to define the essence of his hopes and dreams. Bram wasn’t strutting his machismo stuff at the moment, he was simply being a man, rendering himself vulnerable to her censure.

Bram Bishop was asking for her help as a professional, who had expertise in an area where he admittedly was lacking in knowledge.

How could she, in all good conscience, refuse his heartfelt request?

Three

Bram was hardly breathing as he watched the changing emotions on Glory’s face.

She was, he knew, weighing and measuring, reaching a decision regarding his “boot camp for marriage” theory. Personally, he considered the idea nothing short of brilliant.

Of course, his mental patting himself on the back was due to his having concocted a plan whereby he could see a great deal of Glory and really get to know her, the person, the woman.

He certainly didn’t need a training course on how to be a proper husband. All a man had to do was love his wife with his entire heart, mind and soul, be faithful, be honest. That was marriage, pure and simple.

But he didn’t mind pretending he needed training if it accomplished his goal of discovering whether or not Glory Carson was a viable wife candidate.

Glory sure was doing some heavy-duty thinking. Come on, sweetheart, Bram silently directed, open your pretty mouth and say yes to the plan.

“Well,” Glory said finally.

Bram dropped his booted foot to the floor and sat up straighter in the chair.

“Let me be very candid with you, Bram,” Glory said. “I moved to Houston from Chicago about seven months ago to escape the brutal winters. I’m in the process of building my practice here, which takes time and energy.

“I’ve been attending workshops, seminars and giving lectures—all and everything necessary to become known in the psychologist community.”

Bram nodded.

“Your idea of prenuptial counseling,” Glory went on, “just might offer something different, unique and, therefore, bring in new clients.”

“Oh, absolutely.”

“I was wondering, though, if the concept should be offered in group sessions.”

“No,” Bram said, nearly yelling.

Glory jerked in surprise at his outburst.

“Sorry,” he said. “But no, that’s not a good suggestion. The whole thing is too personal, too private. I mean, cripe, Glory, do you think I want a bunch of strangers knowing that I’m worried I won’t know how to be a good husband? A man has his pride to protect.”

“Oh,” she said, frowning. “Yes, of course. You’re right.”

Man, he was on a roll, Bram thought smugly. He could hardly wait to tell Tux and Blue about this genius-level performance.

“So you’d prefer to meet with me privately?” Glory said.

“You bet.”

“Well, over the years research has shown there are ten major causes for divorce. The studies list them in the order of frequency. What if we had ten sessions together here in my office and thoroughly covered that list?”

“No.”

“No? Why not?”

“Glory, look,” Bram said, leaning forward and resting his elbows on his knees. “Yes, I think we should cover whatever is on that list, but there’s more to marriage than we can deal with sitting in this office.”

“What do you mean?”

“For example, a guy on one of my construction crews just separated from his wife. Why? Because he’s an outdoors man who likes to camp, hunt, fish. His wife’s idea of a vacation is a fancy hotel, shopping and going to the theater. It may not sound like a big deal, but it’s blowing them apart now, even though they were aware of it before they were married.”

“And?” Glory said.

“Another guy I know is miserable. He loves his wife, he really does, but they’re in trouble after being married four months. When they were dating, he took her out a lot, wined and dined and courted her. Now he wants quiet evenings at home. She’s still into going out at night.”

“What’s your point, Bram?”

“I want to do this right, Glory, which means boot camp extends beyond the walls of this office. It’s one thing to talk about potential red-alert areas, it’s quite another to actually live them.”

Glory frowned. “What are you suggesting?”

“We pretend we’re married.”

“What!” she said, definitely yelling.

Bram raised both hands quickly. “Don’t stress. Hear me out. Okay?”

“Oh, I wouldn’t miss this for the world,” Glory said dryly. “This is absurd.”

“It is not! I’m not saying our role-playing would include the lovemaking part of marriage. I have my principles, you know, Dr. Carson.”

Glory narrowed her eyes. “Do tell.”

“I’m trying to. We’d spend every evening together for a while, just as though we were coming together at the end of our workday like a married couple. That’s important, don’t you see? It’s not like dating...being at one’s best at all times. This would be the real goods, totally realistic.

“Glory, wouldn’t you, as a professional marriage counselor, gain valuable insight into the nitty-gritty details that rip people apart? Be able to show them how to head trouble off at the pass? Wouldn’t you have a much better handle on how to help couples than you do now just sitting behind that desk?”

“I’m an excellent counselor, Mr. Bishop.”

“Oh, hey, I believe it, but by doing this project with me you’d be even better. We’d both benefit. I’d learn how to be an appropriately behaved husband, and you’d sharpen your professional skills, which would surely increase your client list.” Bram shrugged. “Then we go our separate ways, and that’s that.”