The Texan's Reluctant Bride

“Make it Pete.” He smiled and pointed over his shoulder. “We’re at a table over here.” He took Tommie’s arm and led them to the table. On the way he whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me you were triplets?”

“Does it matter?” Tommie asked coolly.

Pete frowned, but they’d reached the table and he introduced the ladies to Jim and Brett. Both men had stood as the ladies approached.

They all sat down, alternating man, woman. Brett was on Tommie’s left and Pete wasn’t pleased when Tommie began a conversation with his old friend and employee. Tabitha was talking to Jim, which left Teresa, on the other side of Brett, and himself without anyone to talk to.

When Brett turned to Teresa, Pete immediately drew Tommie’s attention. “You two talking about housing?”

“Yes. He’s going to look at all the condos I had lined up for you.”

“Good. Who’s going to show them to him? I mean, we planned on seeing houses tomorrow.”

“I told him I could work him in tomorrow after lunch. After all, it hasn’t taken you that long to look at the houses I’ve shown you. I’m sure tomorrow won’t be any different.”

“Are you upset that it’s taking me some time to find a house? I expected it to be quicker, but I just haven’t seen what I want.”

“I’m taking you to more modern homes tomorrow. That is what you want, isn’t it?”

“Yes, it is.” Before he could say more, they were interrupted by the arrival of their waiter. After they all ordered, Pete tried to keep the conversation more general. He asked the women about their careers.

Tabitha launched enthusiastically into her story, but Teresa was more reluctant to talk about her teaching. Tommie encouraged her to tell several funny stories about her kindergarten students.

By the time dinner was over, Pete realized he’d learned nothing more about Tommie, as he’d hoped. Especially what was bothering her. He tried to extend the evening with dancing at Billy Bob’s, a famous cowboy bar downtown, but Tommie begged off, citing some more work, and after thanking Pete for dinner, the triplets left.

In Pete’s car, the three men were silent for the first few minutes. Then Brett said, “All three sisters are beautiful. Don’t you think so, Jim?”

“Sure. I met Tommie earlier today, so I didn’t expect any of them to be ugly, but I also didn’t expect them to be triplets.”

“Neither did I,” Pete agreed.

“So, Tommie’s the one you’re interested in?” Brett asked, his voice casual.

“That’s right. Why? You interested in one of them?”

“I was impressed with Tabitha. She said I could come watch her make the video tomorrow.” Brett turned to Jim. “What did you think of Teresa?”

“She seemed nice, but I couldn’t date her. We’d never have any conversation between us. She was as quiet as me.”

Brett laughed and Pete couldn’t help smiling. “That’s not true, Jim. You can talk about a lot. You just don’t like to compete for time. With Teresa, you’d have all the time you need.”

“Yeah, too much.”

“Well, I appreciate the introduction to Tabitha. When you move into a new city, sometimes it’s hard to make connections,” Brett said. “I’m looking forward to seeing her film the video. I bet she wears one of those spandex outfits.”

That was the wrong thing to say. From that point on, all Pete could do was envision Tommie as the exercise guru, wearing bright red spandex and bending over to touch her toes.

The next morning was as unsuccessful as the previous house hunting. Only the kitchen in one home piqued any interest in Pete. Tommie admitted the room was lovely, but Pete’s questions didn’t change her feelings toward him.

“What’s the first meal you’d cook in this kitchen?” he asked, standing at the center island.

She stiffened. Then she said, “Chinese takeout.”

“Come on, Tommie, I said cook.”

“I don’t cook, Pete. I seldom eat at home. If I do, I put a frozen dinner in the microwave or make a sandwich.”

“Tommie, I’m sure you can cook something.”

He obviously didn’t get her point. She was just not a homemaker. She decided to turn the tables. “And what would you cook, Pete?”

“ I don’t cook.”

“Then we have something in common,” she said and strolled out of the kitchen.

Frowning, he came after her. “But, Tommie, you’re a woman.”

“How true. And your point?”

“Well, women should—I mean, my mother is a great cook.”

“Lucky for you.”

“Is your mom a good cook?”

“Not particularly. Since my father died before we were born, she had to work outside the home. Dinners weren’t elegant or well planned. But she took good care of us.”

“I’m sure she did.” He said nothing else until they were in the car. “How did your dad die?”

“He was a fireman. The roof of a burning building fell in on him and another fireman. They weren’t able to get out.” She kept the story short. Though she missed having a father growing up, there was no point sharing those emotions with her client. And that was all Pete Schofield would ever be.

She stuck to business. “The next house also has a nice kitchen. And a study. There are only three bedrooms, however.”

“Then let’s not waste my time. I only want four bedrooms or larger. Don’t you have something nicer?”

“I do, but I can’t show it until next Monday. The builder has one or two things to fix. He’s a perfectionist. He let the Realtors go through it last week, but he told us we couldn’t show the home until Monday. It’s the most marvelous house. Brand-new, with four bedrooms, each with its own bath, another bath downstairs, a study, den, large living room and dining room and a futuristic kitchen.”

“Sounds perfect. Let’s not look at any more houses until you can show me that one.”

“All right, but I must warn you it’s a little pricey.” She named the asking price. “Of course, we can counter with a lower price and he might take it.”

“We’ll decide that after I see the house.”

“All right. Do you want me to take you back to your mother’s, or is there somewhere else I can drop you?” Tommie was feeling a mixture of regret and relief.

“Let’s go to lunch first. I’ve got some ideas I’d like to discuss with you. You have time for lunch before you take Brett around, don’t you? You have to eat, after all.”

Tommie paused before she said, “I can go to lunch with you, but I don’t know how I can help you other than find you a house.”