The Texan's Reluctant Bride by Judy Christenberry

Author:Judy Christenberry
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

The shrill cry startled Tommie and she almost dropped the cup. Once she had it under control, she looked at Mrs. Schofield. “You don’t like this pattern?”

“Oh, it’s a lovely pattern, my dear. If you like it, then I think we should choose it.” She leaned closer to Tommie and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “But I want to apologize for my son. I know he’s busy, but he shouldn’t be sending you out to choose the china without him. Especially since he hasn’t gotten you a ring yet!”

“A ring?” Tommie asked, confused by the turn of the conversation. Mrs. Schofield reached out and grabbed her left hand, as if trying to hide her son’s faux pas. Then the meaning hit Tommie. “Oh, no! Mrs. Schofield, I’m working for your son. There’s nothing personal about it. He’s paying us.”

The older woman yanked her hand back. “I see. Well…even if it started out that way, surely you can’t resist him. He is very handsome, you know.”

“I—I certainly agree that he’s attractive, but I can assure you we’re just business associates. Nothing more.” Tommie hoped she’d convinced the woman.

“Well, I think you would make a perfect bride. I’ll speak to him about it as soon as I see him.”

“Oh, no! No, don’t do that. We need to concentrate on choosing the china. I really like this pattern. Don’t you?”

“Oh, yes. It’s lovely. Teresa, dear, do you think so?”

“Yes, I do. But what crystal pattern do you think goes with it?”

That question got both the salesclerk’s and Mrs. Schofield’s attention. Tommie nodded a thank-you to Teresa. Her plan of including Mrs. Schofield was backfiring on her.

Both Teresa and Tommie worked hard to keep the subject on what Pete needed in his house. His mother chose a number of silver trays, a bar set and several other items after they had decided on the crystal. Twenty-four of every size and shape went down on the order pad.

Tommie explained that all the purchases should be sent to the furniture department so it could be delivered on Monday morning.

“Oh, that’s good planning, Tommie. Now, does he have a dining-room set? I know a wonderful store nearby. Shall I show you?”

“First let me show you some breakfast stools for the kitchen. I saw them here the other day. There’s a nice breakfast bar in the house where Pete could have his coffee. Right now he has no place to sit.”

“Oh, mercy, I didn’t realize he was roughing it so much,” his mother said and rose to follow Tommie.

Tommie bit her cheek to keep from laughing. It was hard to call living in that house roughing it, even if there was no furniture.

Mrs. Schofield approved of the stools and Tommie ordered four to be delivered on Monday. Before they left, Mrs. Schofield suggested they stroll through the furniture department. Within an hour, they had furnished the dining room, the master bedroom and a second bedroom. Plus, Tommie had selected a beautiful antique desk for Pete’s study, and a leather chair that looked terrific with it.

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