Ruth Dale - Bachelor Available!

Rattled, she jerked back around. “You mean here at this café or there at the Yellow Rose?”

“Let’s start with the Rose.”

She licked her lips, fumbling for an answer. “All the usual reasons,” she hedged, “exactly as I said before. I’m new in town, I don’t know many people—”

“Any woman who looks like you doesn’t need to go to a dating agency to meet people, at least not to meet men people.”

That was exactly what she thought about him and women people. “If that’s a compliment, thank you.”

“It’s a compliment.”

“What about you? Why are you here?”

“Here at the café or there at the Rose?” He gave her that crooked little grin that was so charming. “I’m here because I was curious about you and wanted to know more. I’m there because I want to get married and have a passel of kids.”

“That makes sense,” she said, “I guess.”

He finished the pie, placed the fork on the plate and slid it aside. “But you said you’re not interested in marriage.”

She lifted her chin. “That’s right.”

“Why not?”

“Because there’ll be plenty of time for that later.”

“Are you one of those career women, then?”

“Not exactly. I mean, I have a job I like but I don’t see it as a career, exactly.”

“Ahh,” he said wisely, “I see.”

His tone annoyed her. “What do you see?”

“You’ve been burned. Some guy done you wrong and you’re having a hard time getting over it.”

“Why, of all the—that’s not it at all!” But it was. She’d been burned not once but twice, and two men had indeed done her wrong: the man who’d dumped her, and the man with whom her mother had run away when Emily was twelve. Both were rich and handsome and thought they could buy anything they wanted.

Unfortunately, in the case of Beverly Kirkwood, that had proven to be true. But when her lover tried to use his enormous wealth and power to gain custody of Emily, the child had dug in her heels and fought to stay with the father who had not betrayed her. The legal battles had gone on for years and left her father broken in spirit as well as financially.

“I’m sorry,” Cody said, and he did look contrite. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It just seemed so obvious.”

“Not as obvious as you might think,” she said grimly. “I suppose eventually I’ll want what most women want—a husband, children—but for now I’m just looking for a good time.” Better than saying all she was looking for was to discharge a moral obligation to her cousin so she could settle back down to her usual quiet existence.

That lopsided grin made her stomach do flip-flops. “Damn shame,” Cody drawled, “but I kinda know where you’re coming from. You see, I had a wife who could stop traffic, she was so good-lookin’. When the marriage didn’t work out, I got soured on pretty women.” He looked down at his coffee cup, then slanted her a quick glance. “Like you, for instance.”

“Me?” She’d never thought of herself as anything special in the looks department. All right...passable, certainly...but a traffic stopper?

He laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. The truth is, we’re as different as night and day.”

She grinned back, relieved that he’d realized that. “You say pa-tay-toe, I say pa-tah-toe.”

“Exactly. I like horses and cows and you...”

“Like ballet and concerts. I like cats and you like...”

“Dogs. I like the country...”

“And I like the city.”

“Tough break.” With those words, all his good humor went right out the window.

“There’s plenty of fish in the sea,” she said lightly, not sure whether she believed that or not.

“I’m not looking for a fish.”

“Neither am I.”

Their glances locked and tension sizzled between them. After a very long moment, he said, “I hate not knowing.”

“N-not knowing what?”

“What might have been. We’ll go back to Wanda’s office and she’ll flutter around and give you some fancy guy who likes fancy stuff, and she’ll give me some country girl who likes country stuff, and we’ll both be better off. But I’ll probably always wonder what might have been.”

“But we have to go along with whatever Wanda says,” she reminded him. “I mean, she’s the expert, right?” Her stomach hurt when she said it.

“Right.” His face, in repose, looked strong and a little sad.

“I mean, she has George to help her out. We can’t fight modern science and all that.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Well, then.” Feeling jumpy and out of sync, she glanced at her watch. “Hey, it’s time to get back.”

“If you say so.” He hauled a wallet from his back pocket. He pulled out a bill and dropped it on the table. His gaze captured hers again. “I still say it’s a shame, even if it is for the best.”

“It’s definitely for the best. Whatever Wanda says will have to be the way it is.” But in her heart, she felt a sadness she couldn’t explain.

During the short ride back to the Yellow Rose, Cody thought about all they’d said. Even though they’d probably never see each other again after today, he was glad she didn’t know the truth about him: that his family was one of the most successful ranching dynasties in Texas. He wouldn’t want her if she was just after his money; been there, done that. He’d rather have her think of him, if she ever did, as a simple cowboy.

No harm done.

Back at the Rose, he followed her up the steps and into the pretty yellow Victorian. Teresa looked up with alarm on her face.

“Oh, dear, I don’t even want to face you two.”

Emily stiffened. “What now?”

“Wanda won’t be able to make it at all, I’m afraid. She wonders if you could come back Friday morning at nine.”

“What?” Emily looked distraught, a pretty strong reaction for a woman who claimed she wasn’t all that interested in a relationship anyway.

Not that Cody was all that interested in driving all the way back into San Antonio again so soon, either. “Maybe we should forget the whole thing,” he suggested.

“That’s what I’m thinking,” Emily agreed.

“Please don’t,” Teresa pleaded. “You see, Wanda was in a minor traffic accident on her way here.”

Emily gasped. “Oh, my gosh! Is she all right?”

“Yes, but she’s pretty shaken. She feels terrible about this, but—”

“No problem,” Cody said quickly. “We didn’t understand. We don’t really mind coming back, right, Emily?”

He saw the struggle on her face, but then she nodded. “You’re right. Friday at nine will be just fine.”

Should he ask her out to dinner since they were here with nothing to do? Should he suggest they meet for breakfast before their appointment? Should he—

“Thanks for the coffee, Cody.” She gave him a brief, impersonal nod. “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Watching her let herself out the heavy front door, he knew for sure what he should have done.

He should have acted faster.

From: MataHari@Upzydazy.com

Sent: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:13 p.m.

To: SuperScribe@BoyHowdy.com

Subject: Bummer day!

Today, cousin dear, was a waste of time. I didn’t even *see* Wanda Roland so there’s nothing new on that front. I have yet another appointment Friday morning and maybe I’ll have more to tell you after that. In the meantime, suffice it to say that I am *not* having a good time....

CHAPTER THREE

From: SuperScribe@BoyHowdy.com

Sent: Thursday, Nov. 5, 7:11 p.m.

To: MataHari@Upzydazy.com

Subject: Just curious.

So you won’t see Wanda Roland until tomorrow, huh. That *is* a bummer, but at least you’re trying. I do like what you’ve given me so far. You didn’t mention the “really cute guy” again. Guess that means he was a no-show, too....