Hand-Picked Husband. HEATHER MACALLISTER

traits had he given himself ?

      “‘Affectionate’? Explain to me how a man who gave me a timing belt one Christmas can be described as affectionate?”

      He looked puzzled—and a little hurt. “But you needed a new timing belt, and you’d spent all your money on Christmas presents. I didn’t want you to get stranded on the road somewhere between here and Fort Worth.”

      He’d done the replacement himself, she remembered. And it had been a relief not to have to worry on the drive back to school. “That’s being considerate,” she allowed. “I’m changing affectionate to considerate. Now, where’s arrogant?”

      “Hey!”

      But Autumn’s attention had been caught by something else. For his dreams and goals, Clay had simply written that he wanted to make sure he maintained the family’s ranch so he could leave it to his children.

      And really, what other goal could he have? Yet if Autumn didn’t get out of the way so Clay could find a wife, then he’d never have children.

      She skimmed over the rest, made a few alterations, her eyebrows rising when he described his ideal mate. “You’re looking for a woman who’s not afraid to ‘work hard, play hard and love hard’?”

      He shrugged. “I thought it was kind of catchy. A lot better than a ‘life partner’.”

      That was what she’d written. “I was trying to find a way to say that I don’t want a man who’s going to boss me around.”

      “I think we’ve got that covered by mentioning that you’re strong-willed and independent.”

      “You can’t put that. I’ll either get a wimp or a Neanderthal.”

      “Well, no, actually, I said you wanted a man who wasn’t afraid to be a man and to let you be a woman.”

      “Give me that!” Autumn stretched across the table and tried to grab the paper from him.

      Laughing, Clay easily held it out of her reach.

      That was how Maria found them. “You two finished?”

      “Yes,” Clay said.

      “No,” Autumn said, and retrieved her profile.

      She erased Clay’s macho comment and rewrote “life partner”.

      “You’ll be sorry,” he murmured as they handed Maria their forms.

      “Okay,” Maria said. “I got to type all this information into the computer. You can pick up your matches on Monday.”

      “Monday?” Autumn didn’t want to wait until Monday.

      “There’s just me in the office today and I’m off at noon. I’ll type as fast as I can.”

      “Did you check off ‘impatient’ on the personality profile?” Clay asked.

      Autumn glared at him.

      “Thank you, ma’am.” Clay stood. “Monday will be fine. We’ve still got that meeting to go to, Autumn.”

      Right. Autumn checked her watch. They were going to be at least twenty minutes late. Even worse, they would arrive at the same time. She sighed, then brightened when she visualized everyone’s faces when she showed up at the Buyers’ Ball with someone other than Clay.

      CHAPTER THREE

      

      FAX

      To: Debra Reese, Reese Ranch

      From: Nellie Barnett, Golden B Ranch

      Dear Debra,

      Clay is in a very good mood. How’s Autumn?

      Fingers crossed, Nellie

      

      FACSIMILE

      To: Nellie Barnett, Golden B

      From: Debra Reese, Reese Ranch

      Dear Nellie,

      Everything’s sunny here. She acts like she’s got a secret. Do you suppose this is IT?

      Holding my breath,

      D.

      

      AUTUMN weighed arriving when the Yellow Rose opened on Monday morning and appearing overeager with the desire to nail down a contribution from them before Clay could. Beating out Clay won.

      Promptly at nine o’clock, Autumn turned down Bluebonnet Drive and parked her Bronco. In her rearview mirror, she saw a red pickup truck pull close to the curb behind her. Clay. It figured.

      He was talking on his cell phone, so instead of waiting for him, Autumn pushed open the gate and ran up the porch steps.

      The outer doors of the Yellow Rose were propped open with a ceramic cat doorstop. Through the glass inner door, Autumn could see Maria in the reception area, but she was turned away.

      As Autumn opened the door, she heard Maria calling out to someone in the back. “I’m telling you, Miss Willie, call my sister’s middle girl, Amalia. She’s the best wallpaper hanger in San Antonio. I sewed the flower girls’ dresses for her wedding, so she’ll give you a discount.”

      The receptionist smiled up at her, but before she could ask if she could help, Maria turned back around, saw Autumn and looked at the grandfather clock across the hall. “Boy, you sure are eager.”

      “Actually, I wondered if you’d had a chance to ask the owner if she’s willing to contribute to the education fund or do you need me to speak to her?”

      “No need. I already did and she’s gonna go the whole hog.” Maria looked at the receptionist and they both laughed.

      Autumn smiled although she’d heard a variation of every pig joke told since the beginning of time. She continued smiling as she wrote up a receipt for a full-page advertisement and handed it to Mana just as the door squeaked open.

      “Morning.” Clay removed his hat.

      “And another eager client.” Maria smiled knowingly. “I’ll go get your files.” She bustled down the hallway.

      The phone rang, and as the receptionist answered it, Autumn turned to Clay. “Good news. Yellow Rose Matchmakers just took out a full-page advertisement in the program.” Autumn smiled in triumph and tucked the order form into her portfolio.

      “Congratulations. I was just on the phone with Garcia and Delgado.”

      “The advertising agency?”

      Clay nodded. “They’re talking about donating the layout for the program. I’m going to meet with them right after I finish up here.”

      “That’s... wonderful.” It was wonderful. After all, they were both working toward the same goal. The more money they brought in, the more there would be in the auction pool for the kids. It was just that the donation would be even more wonderful if it had been credited to Autumn’s Hogs and Kisses instead of Clay’s High on the Hog.

      “Here we are,” Maria said, returning, and gave them each a packet.

      “There, uh, wasn’t any trouble, was there?” Clay asked.

      “What kind of trouble were you expectin’?”

      “Well...you were able to find three matches?”

      Maria pursed her lips and flapped her hands at him. “We found a lotta matches. These are the best three for you.” She tapped the white envelope with her pen. “What do you think? Your future wife could be in there.”

      Autumn stared at Clay’s envelope, an odd fluttering in her chest. His future wife. And she hadn’t looked beyond getting a date for the Champion Buyers’ Ball.

      “There