Baby 2000 by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-05-27T00:00:00+00:00

MATT HUNG UP THE PHONE, a puzzled frown on his face.

“Who was it?” Willie asked.

He turned to stare suspiciously at his housekeeper. “It was Nell. She issued a personal invitation to dine at the Chuck Wagon Café this evening. Said she’d already talked to you.”

“Yep. She’s trying out a new recipe tonight. Wants us to give her our opinion. You don’t mind, do you?”

With a sigh Matt nodded. “I guess not. But I don’t plan to linger. I’m tired tonight.” He gave Willie another sharp look, then added, “I’ll go clean up. Be ready to leave in twenty minutes.”

She nodded, smiling.

Matt had almost reached the stairs when he whirled around. “I’ll call Elizabeth. She should join us.”

Willie’s eyes widened in surprise, but she didn’t say anything. Matt shrugged. Willie liked Elizabeth. There would be no objection from her.

When Elizabeth answered the phone, he got a rush of pleasure, satisfaction, that surprised him. “How you doing?”

“Matt? I’m doing fine.”

“Good. Willie and I are eating at Nell’s tonight. Why don’t you join us?”

“You are? Is Willie sick?”

“Nope. Nell wants us to try out a new recipe. We’ll pick you up in half an hour.”

“Wait!” she called as he started to hang up the phone. “I’m not dressed. I don’t think—”

“You can get dressed. Nell needs us. See you in half an hour.” He hung up the phone before she could protest again, a smile on his lips.

When he and Willie reached Elizabeth’s little house, she was ready. He escorted her to the truck where Willie was waiting.

“What recipe is Nell cooking tonight?” Elizabeth asked.

“She didn’t say,” Matt responded. “Do you know, Willie?”

“It’s a southwest chicken casserole. She picked it up on her trip to Texas. Kinda a mix of Mexican and Southern.”

“That sounds delicious,” Elizabeth said.

Matt watched her out of the corner of his eye as she rubbed her stomach. “Mexican won’t upset Sarah Beth?”

“I don’t think so.”

“There’ll probably be a crowd tonight,” Willie said, “so we might have to share a booth with someone else.”

Matt looked at his housekeeper, finding her words strange, but she stared straight ahead.

“Okay. We’re friendly folks,” he finally said.

It seemed Willie was right. The café was almost completely filled. But Nell had saved the big booth in the back, that held six, for them.

“Welcome, folks. Glad you could make it,” she greeted them with a smile. “Come on back. I saved this spot for you three, but I may have to seat some others with you. Business is booming.”

Matt raised one eyebrow. During the week, there weren’t that many diners in Bison City. Then he caught sight of the sign plastered on the wall, and he understood. Half-price Night.

When they reached the booth, Willie slid in first. As Elizabeth was about to follow, Matt took her arm and guided her to the other side.

“I was going to sit with Willie,” she protested.

“It’ll be more balanced if you sit on this side,” he assured her, hoping she didn’t challenge his logic. He didn’t want to have to explain that he liked having her near him.

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