The Texan's Reluctant Bride. Judy Christenberry

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СКАЧАТЬ wore her hair down to her shoulders, the ends turned under. Teresa had taken her hair out of its customary braid and it flowed halfway down her back, with the sides pulled away in combs. Tommie sometimes regretted cutting her own hair so short, but the chic style suited her. “You look beautiful, Tab. Both of you do.”

      “And so do you.” Tabitha giggled. “Imagine us going on a triple date. Why didn’t we ever do this when we were teenagers?”

      Tommie knew the answer to that: because it would’ve been a disaster. Just like tonight was going to be. She let the question hang there, unanswered. Instead, she ushered her sisters out the door.

      “I told Pete we would meet them at the restaurant.” She hadn’t wanted to give Pete control over when she arrived and left.

      All three got in Tommie’s Lexus.

      “You know, Tab, when you sell your video, you’ll be able to afford a car like this. Then I’ll be the only one without a nice car,” Teresa said.

      “I use my car as an extension of my office, Teresa. That’s why I have to have a nice one,” Tommie said, almost apologetically. She made a lot more money than her sisters and at times it bothered her. Though she was always more than generous. Often she bought three of an item, telling her sisters the bargain was too good to pass up.

      As they neared the restaurant, Tommie could feel her nerves start to rattle. By the time she pulled in to the lot, she was ready to turn around and run. But that wasn’t her style. She sat there for a moment, gathering her composure, until the valet approached.

      “What’s wrong?” Teresa asked.

      “Nothing,” she replied. “Let’s go.” All three got out of the car, and from the valet’s look, she knew they made quite a picture together. After all, they’d been triplets all their lives. They caused a stir everywhere they went.

      Which was exactly the problem. She should’ve told Pete.

      Pete sat there staring at the door of the restaurant.

      His brother interrupted his vigil. “I’ve never seen you like this, Pete. You stuck on this woman?” Jim asked.

      “You saw Tommie. What do you think?” Pete returned, smiling at his brother.

      “This is the real-estate lady?” the third man asked. He was one of the executives moving to Fort Worth. A single guy, he’d come early to get settled.

      “Yeah, Brett. She’s gorgeous, and successful. If her sisters look anything like her—”

      Just then, Pete caught sight of Tommie. “There she is.”

      All three men turned toward the door.

      Brett agreed with Pete’s assessment of the lady named Tommie. Jim was about to agree when a second…and then a third Tommie came into view. The women were identical, tall, slim, blond. Only their hairstyles were different.

      Jim spoke first. “What the hell, Pete? You didn’t tell us they were triplets.”

      “That’s because Tommie didn’t tell me.” Pete got up from the table and walked over to greet the ladies.

      “Good evening. I’m Pete Schofield,” he said to Tommie’s sisters. Then, “Tommie, would you do the introductions?”

      She motioned with her hand. “This is Tabitha and this is Teresa. May I present Mr. Peter Schofield.”

      “Make it Pete.” He smiled and pointed over his shoulder. “We’re at a table over here.” He took Tommie’s arm and led them to the table. On the way he whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me you were triplets?”

      “Does it matter?” Tommie asked coolly.

      Pete frowned, but they’d reached the table and he introduced the ladies to Jim and Brett. Both men had stood as the ladies approached.

      They all sat down, alternating man, woman. Brett was on Tommie’s left and Pete wasn’t pleased when Tommie began a conversation with his old friend and employee. Tabitha was talking to Jim, which left Teresa, on the other side of Brett, and himself without anyone to talk to.

      When Brett turned to Teresa, Pete immediately drew Tommie’s attention. “You two talking about housing?”

      “Yes. He’s going to look at all the condos I had lined up for you.”

      “Good. Who’s going to show them to him? I mean, we planned on seeing houses tomorrow.”

      “I told him I could work him in tomorrow after lunch. After all, it hasn’t taken you that long to look at the houses I’ve shown you. I’m sure tomorrow won’t be any different.”

      “Are you upset that it’s taking me some time to find a house? I expected it to be quicker, but I just haven’t seen what I want.”

      “I’m taking you to more modern homes tomorrow. That is what you want, isn’t it?”

      “Yes, it is.” Before he could say more, they were interrupted by the arrival of their waiter. After they all ordered, Pete tried to keep the conversation more general. He asked the women about their careers.

      Tabitha launched enthusiastically into her story, but Teresa was more reluctant to talk about her teaching. Tommie encouraged her to tell several funny stories about her kindergarten students.

      By the time dinner was over, Pete realized he’d learned nothing more about Tommie, as he’d hoped. Especially what was bothering her. He tried to extend the evening with dancing at Billy Bob’s, a famous cowboy bar downtown, but Tommie begged off, citing some more work, and after thanking Pete for dinner, the triplets left.

      In Pete’s car, the three men were silent for the first few minutes. Then Brett said, “All three sisters are beautiful. Don’t you think so, Jim?”

      “Sure. I met Tommie earlier today, so I didn’t expect any of them to be ugly, but I also didn’t expect them to be triplets.”

      “Neither did I,” Pete agreed.

      “So, Tommie’s the one you’re interested in?” Brett asked, his voice casual.

      “That’s right. Why? You interested in one of them?”

      “I was impressed with Tabitha. She said I could come watch her make the video tomorrow.” Brett turned to Jim. “What did you think of Teresa?”

      “She seemed nice, but I couldn’t date her. We’d never have any conversation between us. She was as quiet as me.”

      Brett laughed and Pete couldn’t help smiling. “That’s not true, Jim. You can talk about a lot. You just don’t like to compete for time. With Teresa, you’d have all the time you need.”

      “Yeah, too much.”

      “Well, I appreciate the introduction to Tabitha. When you move into a new city, sometimes it’s hard to make connections,” Brett said. “I’m looking forward to seeing her film the video. I bet she wears one of those spandex СКАЧАТЬ