The Texan's Reluctant Bride. Judy Christenberry

and he didn’t tell me his brother’s age, either.”

      “Tell us about him,” Teresa urged.

      Tommie put down her fork, a dreamy look on her face. “He’s tall, and he has laughing hazel eyes. He’s a take-charge kind of guy, but not rigid.”

      “How much time did you spend with him?” Teresa asked.

      “Five minutes.”

      “And you got all of that in five minutes?” Tabitha asked.

      “I’m a good judge of character,” Tommie assured her sister. “Remember Roger?”

      “I’m sick and tired of hearing about Roger. He’s long gone and I’m not crying any tears.”

      “Not now,” Tommie said with sarcasm, because hers had been the shoulder her sister had cried on.

      “Just make sure you’re not crying over this new guy!” Tabitha retorted.

      “Not going to happen. I’m not about to let some guy ruin my life. I’ve got plans.”

      “Oh, dear,” Teresa muttered.

      “What do you mean by that?” Tommie instantly demanded.

      “I think she’s saying, ‘Pride goeth before a fall,’” Tabitha said calmly.

      “No, I—” Teresa began, but Tommie didn’t let her finish.

      “I’m not proud. Just self-assured.”

      “Did anyone talk to Mom today?” Teresa asked, desperately trying to change the subject.

      “I did,” Tabitha said. “She said she was a little upset because she’d expected you to come see her since school was out.”

      “What about you, Tab? School was out for you, too,” Tommie pointed out.

      “Yes, but I was busy making my video. She understood that. She thinks I’m going to be wildly successful.” Tabitha lifted her chin in a challenge to her big sister.

      “I don’t doubt it, Tabitha,” Tommie said gently.

      “Me neither,” added the other triplet.

      Tears pooled in Tabitha’s blue eyes, the same blue as her sisters’ eyes. She reached for their hands. “You two are the best sisters in the world.”

      Tommie picked up Pete Schofield at nine o’clock, as he’d requested, and they drove to La Madeleine, a French bakery that served breakfast.

      “I wouldn’t have picked you for a French-bakery type,” Tommie told him after they got their food and were seated.

      He grinned. “It’s hard to find something that wouldn’t be improved with a croissant.”

      “That’s true.”

      “So, do you know my mother?”

      Tommie sat back in her chair, surprise on her face. “What? How would I know your mother?”

      “She’s lived in Fort Worth all her life. I just thought you might know her.”

      “Sorry. I didn’t grow up in this part of town.” It was too upscale from what she’d had as a child. “You may not have noticed, but Fort Worth is a big city now.”

      Pete watched her, but she showed no signs of lying. He changed the subject. “How did you get started in real estate?”

      Tommie shrugged her shoulders. “My mother insisted I get a teaching certificate so I’d always have a job, but it didn’t take long after I graduated to figure out that teaching wasn’t for me.”

      “Why?”

      “I was trying to teach English to thirty students at a time, five times a day. They didn’t want to be there and they let me know it.”

      “It doesn’t sound like enjoyable work.”

      “It wasn’t. But since I loved houses, I decided to try selling them. I got my license at night and found a job with Isabel’s company as soon as school was out. And I’ve been there ever since.”

      “Have you lined up some places for me to look at today?”

      “Yes, I have. I made the assumption that you would prefer a condominium rather than a house since you aren’t married and don’t have children. There are some very—”

      “You’re wrong,” he said calmly.

      “You are married?” Tommie asked, her eyes wide. She attributed the sudden pain in her stomach to indigestion, not regret.

      “No, I’m not married yet, but I hope to be soon. I want a large family, a house where we can entertain. No condos for me. I had one in Boston, and while it was beautiful, I’m tired of being boxed in.”

      “Oh, I’m sorry. I should’ve had you fill out some information for me. But I can line up some houses in this area that might work for you, if you’ll give me a few minutes.”

      “Of course. Finish your breakfast first. I didn’t mean you had to work through your meal.”

      “I don’t mind.” After she chewed her buttery croissant, she asked, “Does your brother live with your mother?”

      Pete grinned. “No. She’d drive him crazy in no time. It’s been hard enough for him to be the only son around to torment.”

      “Torment?”

      “Mom can be demanding sometimes.”

      “So I take it you don’t want a house near your mother’s?”

      “Reasonably close would be okay, but not next door.”

      “All right, I think I’ve got the picture. But won’t your future wife want to join us?”

      Shrugging his shoulders, Pete explained, “I haven’t chosen my future wife yet. That’s still on my to-do list. But I want a house that will be suitable for the future. I don’t plan on moving again anytime soon.”

      “I see. Is your brother married?”

      “Nope. Not yet. He wanted to come meet you today, but I wouldn’t let him.”

      “Why not?”

      “We needed to get down to business.”

      “Yes, well, I’ll make a few calls.” Tommie pulled out the notebook that showed all the latest listings. She’d gone through all the available houses in the area in preparation for the executives who would be moving with his company.

      She wrote down the addresses of the houses she thought he’d be interested in, family houses. She had to call two of the owners to set up appointments. The other two homes she thought would do were standing vacant. They’d go look at those first.

      “All right, I’m ready if you are, Mr. Schofield,” she said with a bright smile, trying to hide her disappointment at misreading her client’s needs.

      “Make it Pete.”

      “All right, Pete. Shall we go?”

      “Sure.”

      After the first house she knew she wasn’t hitting the target. “What did you not like about this house?”

      “It’s not very attractive on the outside. And it needs some work before I could move in.”

      “I see. Well, I’m not sure about the next one, but we might as well look at it to be sure. The two homes in the afternoon will be more what you’re wanting, I think.”

      “Is there any reason you’ve lost your enthusiasm?” Pete asked with a frown after they left the next house.

      “No. I’m just flustered that I had the wrong kind of homes lined up for you. And I don’t feel I’m finding