The Texan's Reluctant Bride. Judy Christenberry

      “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.”

      “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.”