Struck By The Texas Matchmakers. Judy Christenberry

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СКАЧАТЬ wake up and start crying. Janie has powerful lungs.”

      “I know,” Sandy agreed with a quiet laugh. “I heard her.”

      “It’s been a long day. I hope Mom saved me some dinner.”

      The two of them left the room, saying their goodbyes. Diane insisted Sandy call her if the children needed her before morning.

      Diane turned toward the exit, weariness finally hitting her. She sagged against the wall for a moment to gather her strength.

      Warm, familiar hands caught her around the waist. “You all right?” Dr. Hausen asked.

      She went rigid. “Yes, thank you, just—just a little tired.”

      “You should be exhausted. You were a great help today.”

      “Thank you,” she murmured and moved away from him.

      “I’m under strict instructions to bring you to The Last Roundup to join Cal for dinner.”

      Diane turned to face the man she’d only met a few hours ago. “Oh, no, I have to go home. My mother—”

      “I just talked to your mother and explained that we were going to feed you before we let you go home. She agreed that would be best.”

      Diane wanted to sag against the wall again, but the man might decide she needed his touch, and she definitely didn’t want that. Something strange came over her when he touched her. “No, thanks, I need to go home.”

      “And how will you get there?” he asked, his voice casual, as if he had little interest in her response.

      “Why, I’ll drive—my car! It’s—Oh, no, I think I left the motor running! Could you take me—”

      Before she could finish her request, he said, “Of course I will. After we eat. I’ve had a long day, too.”

      What choice did she have? Or what excuse to drag the doctor out for the drive to her car before he ate? “Of—of course. Will it take long? I mean, I’m afraid someone might steal my car.”

      “I’d bet Cal turned off the motor and took your keys. Let’s go ask him.”

      That suggestion dismissed any of her reluctance to join Cal at the restaurant. In fact, she was hurrying along when she felt the doctor’s touch on her arm.

      “There’s no need to run. I’m not as young as you,” he told her, a rueful smile on his handsome lips.

      “Sorry,” she said, slowing slightly.

      “You’re supposed to say, ‘Oh, no, doctor, you’re not old.”’

      Diane couldn’t hold back a grin as he spoke those words in a falsetto voice. So he had a sense of humor. A lot of men did.

      “You’re right. I should have said that, because it’s true. But I’m afraid my mind was on my car.”

      “Hmm, that’s the first time I’ve ever come in second to a dilapidated sedan.”

      Her cheeks burned. “My car may not be in the best condition, but it’s served me well.”

      He seemed embarrassed, too, as if he hadn’t meant to imply any competition between him and the car. “Of course, I was just teasing you. How long have you had the car?”

      “My brother Joe bought it from one of his college buddies for me. It was seventeen years old then and I’ve driven it for six more years.”

      “Wow, that’s impressive. And what’s its name?”

      She spun around to stare at him. “How did you know—I mean, it hasn’t—” She was about to deny naming her car, but she couldn’t lie when she looked into his blue eyes. “I named her Daisy,” she confessed, her chin up.

      He chuckled. “An appropriate name for a car that probably lived through the flower power age.”

      “I can assure you Daisy is a lady,” she said, with just a hint of a smile.

      By that time, much to Diane’s surprise, they’d reached the entrance of The Last Roundup, the nicest restaurant in Cactus, on the town square. Since the owner was Cal’s wife, Jessica, Diane didn’t have any doubt about them getting seated at once.

      When they were escorted to a table, she was surprised to discover Jessica sitting with her husband.

      “Diane!” Jessica exclaimed. “I heard you were back in town, but I hadn’t seen you. How are you?”

      “A little tired,” she replied, but she smiled.

      “Cal told me about your day. And I also heard about your interview. I talked to Alex earlier today. Congratulations.”

      “Thanks, Jess. I guess the grapevine in Cactus is alive and well.” No surprise, especially since Alex was Alexandra Langford, third partner in Mac Gibbons and Gabe’s law firm, and had married Tuck, one of their best friends.

      While Diane and Jess were chatting, Cal and the doctor had been talking in low voices. Since none of them had ordered, she was surprised again when a waitress arrived with a full tray.

      Jessica said, “We ordered for you, since it’s late and I knew you’d be hungry. You were on your way home before lunch, weren’t you? So you haven’t eaten since breakfast.”

      “I’m not the only one,” Diane protested. “The doctor and Cal haven’t eaten, either.”

      “Actually, I grabbed a sandwich while I was making some phone calls,” Cal confessed, an easy grin on his face. “Jeff hasn’t eaten. So we figured whatever we ordered for you, you’d fall on it. Right?”

      “I’m ready,” the doctor said. “And Diane, call me Jeff. People will start looking for Doc, if you don’t.”

      “That’s right,” Jessica teased. “You’re the young doctor.”

      “Or the new doctor,” Jeff added. “Diane’s already told me I’m old.”

      “No, I didn’t!” Diane protested. By that time, the waitress had put all the food on the table, and everyone was distracted by the aroma. Diane tried not to look ravenous, but she soon realized no one else was paying any attention.

      Some time later, Jessica leaned back in her chair, and said, “Well, I hope y’all enjoyed the food. I was hungrier than I thought.”

      “Me, too,” Diane said, putting her last bite of steak into her mouth.

      “So,” Cal drawled, “tell me why you called Jeff here old.”

      Darn. Diane had hoped they would’ve forgotten Jeff’s words. “I didn’t. He said he was older and I forgot to deny it because I was worried about—oh! My car. Did you turn off the engine, Cal?”

      “Of course. I have the keys in my pocket.”

      “Oh, СКАЧАТЬ