Bachelor Available!

Emily was having a tough day at work. As temporary office manager for a brand-new branch of A&B Construction, she had more than enough to keep her busy. When her boss, Don Phillips, poked his head in, she had a whole list of questions for him.

Don was big and bluff and hearty, not to mention a great boss. In his mid-forties, he treated everyone who worked for A&B the same, although he was a partner in the business he’d helped build from the ground up. When all her questions had been answered and decisions made, he refilled his coffee cup and lingered.

“So how are you liking San Antonio?” he asked. “Had a chance to look around?”

“Not much. It’s pretty, though. I saw that right away.”

Don nodded. “That it is. I’m sorry I’ve been such a slave driver.”

“You haven’t! Just yesterday, I took an extra long lunch.” To go to a dating agency, but he didn’t need to know that.

He chuckled. “But you worked the entire weekend. Don’t think I wasn’t aware of it. And you work late almost every night. You’ll probably only be in San Antonio for a few months, so you need to get out and see—”

The telephone on her desk started ringing. With a nod of apology, she picked it up. “A&B Construction.”

“Is that you, Emily dear?”

“Wanda?” Surely she hadn’t made a match already! Emily’s heart fluttered.

“How flattering. You remember my voice. I’ve called to tell you that George has found a match for you already. Isn’t that good news?”

“Wonderful.”

“Yes, well, I wonder if you could come to the office at four o’clock?”

“Four o’clock today?” Emily’s mind raced, coming up with all kinds of reasons why it was impossible. “I’m afraid that’s completely out of the question. I—”

Don interrupted her. “Whatever it is, go ahead. Wasn’t I just telling you not to work so hard?”

Emily felt a touch of panic. “But—”

“Hey, who’s the boss here?” He rose, placed his coffee cup on the desk and picked up his hard hat. “Just lock up when you go and put the Back Tomorrow sign on the door.”

“Oh, Don, I really don’t want to cause anyone any inconvenience.”

“Not a problem. Just do it.”

Emily sat there with one hand over the mouthpiece. There was simply no way to get out of this. Taking a deep breath, she removed her hand and said, “All right, Wanda. I’ll be there at four.”

“That’s wonderfull See you then.” Wanda’s relief came through loud and clear.

Emily hung up, wondering at her reluctance to see this charade through to a speedy end so she could be free of her obligation. And then she remembered Cody James and realized that no matter whom George had matched her with, he was bound to be a big letdown.

Cody walked into Yellow Rose Matchmakers at 4:03 and found Emily standing in front of the receptionist with a puzzled expression on her beautiful face. He couldn’t help smiling at the pretty picture she made in her pink suit with her blond hair tousled around her face by the wind.

She saw him and did a double take. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

Slightly taken aback by her lack of enthusiasm, he shrugged. “Wanda called. I have a four o’clock appointment.”

“Oh, dear.” Teresa grimaced. “Don’t tell me she’s done it again.”

Emily sighed. “Looks like.” To Cody, she added, “I apologize if I sounded unfriendly a minute ago. I was Just surprised to see you again, that’s all.”

“Me, too.” But for him, the surprise had been pleasant. To Teresa, he said, “Does this happen often?”

“Often? No.” She rolled her eyes. “Occasionally... yes. But Wanda has such a great instinct for matchmaking that we tend to overlook it.” She frowned. “You two aren’t upset, are you? I suppose I could always assign one or the other of you to a different mentor—that’s what we call them, mentors—maybe Miss Willie or Moira can help?”

“No!” they exclaimed in unison, then exchanged surprised glances.

Emily added, “I wouldn’t want to cause Wanda any trouble. It could happen to anyone.”

“Yeah,” Cody agreed. “Besides, I’ll be glad to let the lady go first.”

“Thank you,” Emily said firmly, “but that’s not necessary. We could...we could draw straws or something. Just because you’re a man is no reason for you to go last.”

“It’s reason enough for me,” Cody said. “My daddy didn’t bring me up to—”

“Hold on, both of you.” When Teresa had the floor, she continued, “Wanda called just a few minutes ago to say she’s running late. She’ll be here in—” she checked her watch “—about thirty-five minutes. She hopes you can both wait.”

“Oh, dear.” Emily looked positively exasperated.

“No problem,” Cody said, hoping to set a good example for patience and understanding. “Should we just wait here?” He glanced around the reception area.

“Sure, or maybe...” Teresa looked thoughtful. “There’s a coffee shop just a couple of blocks away. Maybe you’d like to kill a few minutes there and then come back about five?”

Cody looked at Emily and Emily looked at Cody, and something seemed to click; her expression softened and he knew what her answer would be before she said it.

“If it’s all right with you, Cody...?”

“I’ll drive,” he said. “See you at five, Teresa.”

Holding the door for Emily to precede him, Cody realized he didn’t mind waiting at all...with her.

“Wanna piece of pie with that coffee? It’s homemade.”

Cody looked at Emily, who smiled and shook her head. But she wasn’t surprised when he hesitated.

“What kind?”

“We got apple, cherry, lemon and...” The waitress craned her head to view the pie case behind the counter. “Looks like pumpkin, but I won’t guarantee it.”

“I’ll take a slab of apple. Could you warm that up and throw a scoop of vanilla ice cream at it?”

The waitress grinned. Cody sure knew how to warm up strangers. “Glad to do it, cowboy.” She headed for that pie case.

Emily stirred a packet of sweetener into her coffee, feeling strangely ill at ease. They hadn’t talked at all on the short ride over in the battered old red pickup truck with the big J painted on the side—with wings yet. Now the silence would have to be broken.

Cody took a gulp of hot black coffee. “Isn’t this better than sittin’ in a waiting room?” he asked rhetorically.