The Texan's Reluctant Bride

“I’ll explain. It will be painless, I promise.”

After they were seated in a nearby restaurant and had ordered their meals, he said, “I want to introduce my staff and their spouses to the area, show them some benefits of being here. So I thought I’d start Monday night by leasing a suite at the Texas Rangers game.”

“That’s a lovely idea.”

“Good, I’m glad you like it. I’d like you to come and act as my hostess. It will give you a chance to visit with the wives on a casual basis. You can tell them about the area.”

“I think your taking them out is a good idea, Pete, but I don’t think I should be the one to play hostess for you. I’m sure your mother would do a good job in that role.”

“I love my mother, but she would have nothing in common with these ladies. The wives are younger and wouldn’t have much interest in the local bridge club.”

Tommie sighed. “I don’t know, Pete. It doesn’t seem right.”

“Do you want me to pay you? Is that the problem?”

“No! I wasn’t trying to get more money out of you. I’ll make plenty selling houses to all your staff and you.”

“And your being the hostess means you’ll do a more efficient job finding what each lady is looking for in a house. Do you hate baseball?”

“No, I enjoy watching the Rangers play.”

“Well, then? After all, you won’t have to do any cooking.”

Tommie’s gaze narrowed. She’d vowed to avoid any social contact with Pete, but after all, this was actually business. She nodded her head. “Fine, I accept.”

Chapter Three

The rest of the week flew by. The third condo Tommie showed Brett pleased him. He put in an offer and it was accepted. In addition, Tommie had a closing on an earlier sale. In the meantime, she researched various homes on the market, trying to match each couple transferring with five or six possible choices.

Pete called her several times to check on her progress. He offered to take her out to dinner to celebrate selling the condo to Brett, but she refused. The man was too attractive to her and she knew only total avoidance would be effective. They were simply not a good fit.

Her sisters were having similar experiences. Tabitha had gone out with Brett several times, but Tommie was pretty sure she wasn’t falling for him. Jim, meanwhile, hadn’t even called Teresa.

By Saturday, Tommie regretted having agreed to the baseball game. She found out Brett had invited Tabitha, which left Teresa as odd man out.

She was sitting in Teresa’s kitchen, watching her bake cookies and sampling a few along the way, when the phone rang. Teresa answered the kitchen extension. “Hello?”

Tommie figured it was their mother calling. But the encroaching blush on her sister’s cheeks made Tommie change her mind.

“Why, I’d love to. I enjoy baseball.”

Tommie’s gaze narrowed. Could this be Jim? Neither Tabitha nor Tommie had mentioned their plans for Monday night, afraid it would upset Teresa not to be included.

When Teresa hung up the phone, she asked, “Why didn’t you tell me about the baseball-game party?”

“Brett had invited Tabitha and I didn’t want you to get your feelings hurt if Jim didn’t call.”

Teresa crossed to Tommie’s side and hugged her. “Silly. I have dates on occasion. I don’t sit at home all the time.”

“Of course not, but…well, I’m glad we’ll all three be there Monday night.”

“Yes. You haven’t said how things have been going with Pete’s house search.”

“He wants to wait until Monday when I can show him a brand-new house. It’s pretty pricey, but that didn’t seem to bother him.”

“Good. When do the other people come in?”

“Actually, that’s the reason for the trip to the ballpark. It’s their first evening in Fort Worth. Pete wants to show them the advantages to the area.”

“That’s good. Are they taking the kids to Six Flags Over Texas?”

“The kids aren’t coming this week. But when they move here, that would be a good thing to organize for them.” Tommie absentmindedly picked up another cookie to munch on as she said, “I thought I’d recommend an evening at the new symphony hall. It’s so beautiful.”

“Casa is open again, isn’t it?” Teresa asked, naming a theater-in-the-round that had been in Fort Worth for many years.

“Good idea. I’ll recommend that, too. And the PGA tournament at the Colonial Golf Course is next week, too. The guys would probably enjoy a day at the tournament, and the ladies could do a luncheon on the same day, probably Friday,” Tommie said.

“I bet that’s more than enough activities for them. Then, after they all move, I’d be glad to take them to Six Flags or to the zoo. Little ones are my specialty, after all.”

“Yes, they are. You have a great calming effect on children. I’ll suggest that to Pete.”

As if she conjured him, Pete called her cell phone.

“My mother invited you to dinner this evening,” he said. “She’s excited to have you over.”

Tommie was instantly concerned with what he might’ve told his mother. Not wanting to sound ungracious, she nevertheless asked, “Why?”

“Because I’ve talked about you a lot.” Before she could protest and decline, he added, “And Jim wanted to invite Teresa, too.”

Great. Now she’d have to go. She wouldn’t begrudge her sister the night out with Jim.

She covered the receiver and asked Teresa, who was thrilled with the suggestion.

“We’ll be there,” Tommie reluctantly reported. Then, as if to salve her conscience, she said, “We’ve been thinking about things you should do for your staff and their spouses. We’ll tell you tonight.”

“Great. I’ll pick you up at—”

“No, I’ll drive us.”

“Tommie, I should come pick you up.”

“No, thank you. We’ll manage.”

“Fine. Seven o’clock.”

After hanging up the phone, Tommie confessed, “I think he’s invited me to dinner so I can see how well his mother cooks.”

“Why would you think that?” Teresa asked.