Coming Home to Texas by Victoria Chancellor

Author:Victoria Chancellor
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-25T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter Ten

Gwendolyn placed the platter of beef next to the steaming kidney pie on the table and smiled. “We’re so glad you were available tonight. Having this meal with you to celebrate your wedding is very special to us.”

“Thank you so much for inviting us. Sharing this meal in your home is wonderful,” Jodie said. “I’ve eaten in so many different restaurants lately that I forgot what home cooking tastes like.”

“Business dinners?”

“Yes. The creative team from the cosmetics company was made up of mostly people from New York City. A couple of them had never been to California, so they wanted to see everything. They were all in hotels, so they thought nothing of eating out. All I wanted to do at night was go back to my condo and fall asleep.”

“And dream of your handsome husband, no doubt,” Gwendolyn teased.

Jodie smiled and Travis appeared surprised when she grabbed his hand and squeezed it. “Oh, of course I was,” she said. Travis gave her a quizzical look.

“Well, we should have a toast to the newlyweds,” Gwendolyn announced. “Hank, would you do the honors?”

“Naturally, darlin’,” he drawled. He poured wine into Travis’s glass, then reached farther to fill up Jodie’s.

“None for me, thank you,” she said as she placed her fingers across the rim. “I—I’ve about wined and dined myself out this week.”

“Darlin’, do you want some of that sparklin’ grape juice?” Hank asked Gwendolyn.

“That would be lovely.”

He poured her some substitute wine. Jodie realized this was her way to keep them from becoming too suspicious and still join in the toast. “I’ve always wanted to try nonalcoholic wine.”

“Hank, please pour Jodie some.”

Once they had their glasses filled, Hank raised his. “To my best friend Travis and his lovely bride Jodie. Darlin’, you’re a wonderful addition to our little town. Wendy and I wish you both every happiness for many, many years.”

They clinked glasses and sipped their drinks amid smiles and good wishes. Gwendolyn passed the carving knife and fork to Hank to do the honors, and soon their plates were full of her traditional English dinner fare.

After the meal Hank helped Gwendolyn clear the table, insisting Jodie sit down and relax.

“Have you ever had kidney pie before?” she leaned close and asked Travis.

“No, can’t say that I have. It’s…different.”

Jodie chuckled softly. “I don’t think I’ll develop a craving for it.”

“Thank goodness,” he said in relief. “Pickles and ice cream are bad enough.”

“I’m hoping to develop a craving for cookies and ice cream.”

“Good plan.”

Gwendolyn carried in an English trifle and placed it in the center of the table. “My crowning achievement. I do love a good trifle.”

“You’re not the only one,” Jodie said. “This looks delicious.”

“Before we have dessert, we’d like to ask you something, Travis.” Gwendolyn glanced at Hank and he smiled reassuringly. “You know we are having a baby this summer. We would be most honored if you would agree to be our child’s godfather.”

“WHAT A LOVELY DINNER,” Jodie said later as they arrived back at Travis’s house. She

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.