Judy Christenberry - Least Likely To Wed

“Lindsay, I just can’t. I—it’s—”

Lindsay moved closer to Kelly. “I figured, so I worked out some incentive.”

“Lindsay—” Kelly began to protest, but Lindsay stopped her.

“It’s only fair. And it’s something you’ll love because it helps your mother, too.”

For the first time, Lindsay really had Kelly’s attention. “What are you talking about? How could Pete do something that would help my mother?”

Lindsay smiled. “Well, I thought you might refuse, so I decided you’d be more agreeable if the two of you weren’t alone. So I suggested you double-date.”

“It would certainly make it easier, but I don’t see how that would help my mother.”

Lindsay said nothing.

Kelly stared at her. “Well?”

“The other couple would be Mary…and Rafe.”

“Mother and Rafe?”

“You said you wanted her to date, to have fun. And remember those shy looks between them, when you both came to the ranch for dinner? I thought they would be perfect together. I suggested it to Rafe, without mentioning that I thought he was interested in Mary. It was so cute, Kelly. He ducked his head and said he guessed he could help Pete out, if Mary wouldn’t object.” Lindsay chuckled, pleasure on her face.

Kelly closed her eyes and swallowed.

Looks like she was wrong.

She was going to the movies with Pete Crawford.

On Friday night Kelly studied herself in the mirror. She hadn’t gone out in the evening since before Drew’s birth. She was nervous.

But it had nothing to do with Pete, she assured herself. Because she wasn’t interested in Pete…or any man. She was nervous about her mother and Rafe. Especially because her mother was so excited. She didn’t want her mother to be disappointed.

“Kelly? May I come in?” her mother called.

“Of course, Mom.” Kelly stood and headed for the door as her mother entered. “Oh, you look so nice!”

“Thank you. I’m not too dressed up, am I?”

“No, that dress is perfect.” The dress was a navy print with small roses scattered around. The roses matched the color in her mother’s cheeks.

“You look beautiful, Kelly. Pete is going to be pleased.” Mary beamed at her.

“Mom,” Kelly said sharply. “You remember this date is just a pretense, don’t you? I mean, you and Rafe aren’t—but Pete and I don’t—it’s just a pretense, Mom.”

She was afraid her mother would argue with her, but Mary only smiled and said, “But we can enjoy the movie. I haven’t been to a film in ages.”

Kelly smiled. “You can even enjoy the popcorn, Mom.”

“I’d better get some money. I hadn’t thought about popcorn. Mmm, I can smell it now.”

“Mom, I think Pete can pay for your popcorn. After all, he owes us for helping him out.”

Her mother seemed impressed with that idea, reminding Kelly that her mother had been on her own since she was sixteen. Kelly kissed her mother’s cheek. “Just have fun, Mom.”

“You should, too, honey. You don’t ever get to have any fun.”

The doorbell sounded at the outside stairs.

“That should be Lindsay. I’m glad she had the afternoon off since she’s taking Drew home with her. He can be a handful.”

“My grandbaby is perfect, and you know it,” Mary scolded as she hurried to the door.

Lindsay followed Mary into the apartment. “Where’s Drew?”

“Hello to you, too,” Kelly said, grinning at her friend’s enthusiasm for baby-sitting.

Lindsay blushed. “Sorry. But Gil and I are excited about Drew spending the night.”

“Are you sure you want him to spend the night? He might wake you,” Kelly warned.

“He’ll be fine. Besides, you deserve to sleep in every once in a while. Since you’re both dressed, do you mind if Gil and Rafe come up?”

“Of course not.” Kelly said, noting her mother’s panic. She crossed her fingers behind her back, hoping things worked out for her mother. Rafe was a nice man and her mother deserved some fun.

“Rafe’s here?” Mary asked, her voice faint.

“Yes,” Lindsay smiled as she answered. “He was too nervous to wait. Pete is going to meet all of you here so you can go in one car.” She opened the front door and motioned down the stairs for the men to come up.

“I’ll get Drew,” Kelly said and slipped into her son’s bedroom. She’d started him playing with his blocks, one of his favorite toys.

“Drew, Lindsay’s here. Do you want to go play at Lindsay and Gil’s?”

He stared at her, his blue eyes and brown hair just like her own. “Horsie!” he exclaimed. When they’d visited the ranch last Sunday, Gil had taken Drew to the barn to pat a horse.

“Very good, baby,” Kelly exclaimed, proud of her child for making the connection. “Let’s get your suitcase so you can visit the horsie again.” She grabbed a small cloth bag she’d packed earlier and held out her hand to her son.

He stood and took her hand. “Horsie,” he repeated.

She scooped him into her arms and hugged him close. “You’re going to have a lot of fun, aren’t you?” she teased with a laugh, hoping her child didn’t notice the anxiety she was feeling about their separation.

“Of course he is,” Gil said as he came into the room, obviously having overheard her.

She sent him a grateful smile, appreciating his encouragement.

“Hey, I thought he was a baby,” another male voice exclaimed.

Kelly wheeled around to stare at Pete Crawford. She hadn’t realized he’d arrived. “He is a baby!” she exclaimed, irritated by his remark.

“He’s a growing boy,” Mary said tactfully.

“Okay,” Pete agreed, but his gaze was on Kelly. “Shall we go? The movie starts in fifteen minutes.”

Kelly handed her son to Lindsay, then gave the suitcase to Gil. “If you change your mind about Drew spending the night, just call me. I don’t mind coming to get him.”

“We’ll be fine,” Lindsay assured her. She left the apartment, Gil following in her wake.

Kelly followed them so she could see Drew. When she turned to go back inside the apartment, she found the other three adults right behind her. “Oh! Are you ready to go? I have to get my purse.”

“Here it is, dear,” Mary said, holding out the black leather bag Kelly usually carried.

“But I need to—to put on lipstick,” Kelly protested, hoping for a moment alone to collect herself.

“Put it on in the car,” Pete said and grabbed her arm to pull her after him. “I don’t want to miss the start of the show.”

With Rafe and her mother waiting, too, Kelly didn’t feel she had much choice. She accompanied her “date” down the stairs.

Pete drew a deep breath as Kelly slid into the front seat of his mother’s sedan. He’d been afraid she’d insist on the back seat with her mother. Not that he’d mind. He didn’t care where she rode, personally, but it wouldn’t convince anyone they were interested in each other.

He got behind the wheel as first Mary, then Rafe, got in the back seat. “All set?” he asked cheerfully, hoping to make everything seem normal.

“Sure,” Rafe returned.

In the rearview mirror, Pete saw Rafe help Mary with her seat belt. He checked to be sure Kelly had taken care of her own. The scent of her perfume drifted over to him. Her long dark hair seemed particularly enticing. When he’d seen her on Wednesday, it had been pulled back into a sedate braid.

“Uh, you’re wearing your hair down,” he muttered as he started the car.

She turned a startled gaze to him. “Does it matter?”

“No. It’s—it’s attractive.” Dammit, he hadn’t meant to say that.

“Compliments aren’t necessary, Pete,” she said in a low voice. “I agreed to do this. I keep my promises.”