Victoria Chancellor - The Best Blind Date In Texas

The only truly tense moment she’d experienced was when she and Gray literally bumped into Maryanne and her husband during a rousing Texas two-step. Amy hadn’t seen her former classmate for two years. Their last encounter had been at Maryanne’s society wedding to a middle-aged surgeon, Dr. Paul Bridges. Amy hadn’t wanted to attend, but in the end, the invitation was just too intriguing to pass up.

Sure enough, Maryanne had outdone herself. The event had been spectacular. The bride was stunning in a dress whose cost probably equaled Amy’s entire student loan for medical school. And Maryanne hadn’t gloated too much about achieving everything she’d ever desired. Just a few subtle hints about Amy’s single status and group practice.

She sighed. At least tonight they hadn’t had time to “chat.”

“What’s wrong?” Gray asked as they waited for his car to be brought around.

“Just thinking about old times,” she answered with a smile. “You know how it is when you haven’t seen someone in a while.”

“And she still looks stunning,” he added.

Amy blinked. “Did you think so?”

Gray chuckled. “Yes, but in a rather contrived manner. I doubt that particular shade of blond occurs in nature.” His gaze became more direct, his mood more serious. “She’s not as naturally beautiful as you.”

She felt her cheeks heat and her heart flutter. “Thank you for the kind words, but being outrageous isn’t part of your date duties for the evening.”

“I thought I was being rather sedate in my compliments,” he said as he tipped the parking attendant. “I may be a smooth-talking devil, as you said earlier, but I’m also a man who knows a lovely woman when he sees one.”

She eased inside the car, pulling her coat tight against the chill. “I’m flattered.”

He took her hand and placed a kiss right above her knuckles. His silvery, hooded eyes sparkled in the reflected light of the hotel portico. “I’m glad.”

Amy hadn’t felt this giddy from a man’s attentions in a long, long time. Too long. She simply hadn’t had the time or the inclination to start a meaningful relationship in what seemed like ages.

No wonder she found Gray’s flattery and old-fashioned gallantry so appealing. That, combined with his reputation as the perfect date, was enough to get any woman’s attention.

Gray pulled the Lexus into the crawl of downtown Austin traffic. “The night’s still fairly young. Would you enjoy going to one of my favorite spots for an after-dinner drink and a little light jazz?”

Amy thought about it for a moment. She hadn’t planned on anything other than the fund-raiser, but Gray was right; the clock on the dash read only ten-thirty. It wasn’t like her father was waiting in the doorway, tapping his foot. As a matter of fact, he’d probably be tickled pink if she stayed out half the night!

Besides, Gray had been a gracious and charming date; the least she could do was accompany him to a favorite haunt. She didn’t know how often he traveled the distance from Ranger Springs to Austin for an evening out.

“Sure. That sounds lovely.”

Gray nodded, then guided the car through frequent stops and unending road construction. Amy lost track of where they were heading, letting her head fall back and relax against the cool leather. She could get used to this type of luxury…but not on a small-town doctor’s salary. In another two years, if she was careful, she might upgrade to a small SUV, but not anything this fancy. Mainly, she needed reliable transportation. Her father still believed in making house calls when absolutely necessary.

Strange how different the practice of medicine was here than in Fort Worth. Oh, the ailments would be the same, Amy knew. But the attitude, the atmosphere, couldn’t be more opposite. She welcomed the sense of community and the support of her father to help her make the transition. She only hoped she was up to the task. She was a good doctor; she knew her abilities and training wouldn’t let her down. But would she be accepted on her own, or forever compared to her father?

“You look pensive,” Gray observed, breaking into her thoughts.

“I was just thinking about my practice. I’ll start seeing patients on Monday. We arranged the schedule at the clinic so I’ve had a few days to unpack and get settled in. I’m looking forward to helping out my father, but I also know I’ll be compared to him.”

“That’s inevitable, I suppose, but I’m sure most people will welcome you as both a doctor and a returning member of the community.”

“I hope so. I’ve been away a long time.”

“Are you afraid they’ll still think of you as a child?”

Amy nodded. “That’s part of it. The other issues are what any doctor faces—style, reputation and personality.”

“I can’t imagine you’ll have any problem there,” Gray said, giving her an appreciative, thorough perusal as he stopped at a red light.

Amy warmed at both his compliment and the attention. “Thank you. Of course, you don’t know a thing about my medical skills.”

“I have faith that you’re a good doctor. From what I’ve heard about your father, he wouldn’t have just anyone as a partner.”

“I hope you’re right.”

“I usually am,” he said with a smile as he pulled the car back into traffic.

“All that and modest too,” Amy said, then chuckled.

Gray reached over and squeezed her hand. “You’ll be fine.”

“I hope so. I really want to make a future here, and I’d like the community to accept me before my hair turns as gray as my father’s.”

Gray chuckled. “I don’t think you have anything to worry about, at least not for a few dozen years.”

“I’m pushing thirty,” Amy announced. Besides the big birthday coming up, she’d recently begun to hear her biological clock ticking. Of course, she wasn’t about to mention that tidbit to her father. He was already insisting that she find a nice man and settle down. If he started thinking about grandkids, she’d never get a moment’s peace!

“And I’ve already seen my thirty-fourth. I suppose the difference is that I don’t feel a lot of pressure from anyone to do anything I don’t want to do.”

“Lucky you,” Amy said with a little chuckle. “If you ever get lonely for unsolicited advice, just let me know. I’ll send my father over to harass you.”

Gray laughed as he pulled into the parking lot of a two-story brick building with few markings on the outside. A neon beer sign lighted one window and an old-fashioned painted sign swung over the sidewalk in the light, cool breeze.

“I know it doesn’t look like much,” he said as he shut off the engine, “but trust me. The music is great.”

She did trust him, Amy realized as she pulled her coat tight and swung her legs out of the Lexus. She’d only known the man a few hours, yet already they’d learned they had several things in common: both were only children; both loved springtime in the Hill Country; both preferred to eat their salad with their meal instead of finishing it first. Not a bad start for a blind date.

The interior of the club was dark and slightly smoky, but not overwhelmingly so. Gray took her hand as they weaved through small tables and chairs, most occupied by an eclectic crowd of college students, upscale patrons and serious middle-age jazz aficionados. His hand was warm and strong, and she felt her heart rate increase ever so slightly from just a simple touch.

He found a half-circle booth of red tufted vinyl that had seen better days. All part of the ambiance, she supposed. When Gray stopped and let his hand ease away, she felt the absence of his touch more than she would have thought. After all, they weren’t really dating. He’d only touched her a few times, and very casually. Still, she wished she could have rested her hand in his for a while longer.