Chasing Charlie: A Romantic Comedy (The Texas Two-Step Series Book 1) (4 page)

The fiancée facade had brought home to her how very empty she felt. Well, something good was coming from her deception—she was learning how to take risks that might lead to an end to her inner loneliness. It had to.

Jim was holding Ellen’s face in his big brown hands, murmuring words of love to her. On her hand twinkled a diamond.

Just then, Charlie sensed Davis nearby. Turning, she saw him heading toward her with a crystal cup in each of his hands. When he reached her, she nodded toward the couple at the table. "Your plan worked, Davis. Look at them."

Charlie watched Davis as he gazed at his mother, a tension easing from his face and shoulders, as if he’d been holding himself in check. His expression softened and Charlie wondered what it would feel like to have him look at her that way, with so much caring and love. He might be a John Wayne Lothario, but he was a nice one. "Let’s not disturb them."

"Okay. I’ve got to get more punch. Want to help?"

"Sure."

He handed her one of the cups and waited while she took a sip of the too-sweet pink punch.

She crinkled her nose at the taste. "You’ve got to admit that when this club does a color theme, they go all the way."

He grinned, led her toward the buffet, then nodded back toward their table. "Thanks, Charlie, for helping make my mom happy."

"Anytime. I’m thinking of starting up a new business, Fiancée for Hire."

"You’d be very successful. I’ll give you a reference."

Charlie rolled her eyes at his patently false charm as they reached the buffet. She gazed at the overly ornate cupid fountain spewing punch from his mouth.

She turned to Davis and smiled sweetly. "He looks just like you."

D
avis was tempted
, for a moment, to dunk Charlie into the punch bowl. Amazing how one pint-sized female could tie him in knots. If they’d been in grade school, he’d be occupied dipping her braids into an inkwell or sticking toads down the back of her dress. As an adult, however, he didn’t have those options, appealing though they might be.

Fighting an urge to tickle her until she begged him to stop, he said, "We don’t resemble each other in the least."

"Look at his profile."

He made a show of stepping to the side and examining the cupid carefully, then shook his head. "Don’t see it."

Charlie laughed. "Serves you right for making me come tonight and then trying to sweet talk me. Besides, your expression was priceless."

It probably had been. He should have realized that the dimple playing mischievously about her mouth was indicative of her personality. They’d better get out of here before he did something he’d later regret—like kissing her.

"Being the butt of your jokes is a small price to pay for Mom’s happiness. Let’s drink to their future. Then we can leave."

Charlie was astonished by a momentary disappointment. She’d actually been enjoying herself with Davis. She grabbed another punch cup, then headed toward the table, with Davis following close behind, carrying cups as before. When they arrived, Ellen beamed at both of them.

"Exactly on cue," said Jim as he took a cup from Charlie and handed it to Ellen, then accepted his from Davis. "We’ve got two engagements to toast tonight."

"Don’t tell me Mom finally agreed?" Davis asked, as if he hadn’t already known. Although Charlie knew his surprise wasn’t genuine, his delight as he stooped to kiss his mother’s cheek couldn’t have been feigned. Davis helped Charlie into her seat, then turned to shake Jim’s hand. "It’s about time."

"I’m so pleased you’re happy, Davis," said his mother as he took his chair. She held up her cup, then gazed into Jim’s eyes. "To the most romantic Valentine’s Day ever."

As she took a sip, Charlie’s heart ached at the love she saw exchanged between the couple. What amazed her was how Ellen would have sacrificed it all for Davis.

Although Charlie had some memories of her own mother, they weren’t as complete as she’d like. Mom and Dad had been killed when she was eight and her brothers, Monty Joe, then eighteen, and Bobby Gray, seventeen, had stepped in to raise her. But she couldn’t remember anyone ever putting her happiness before their own, perhaps because she’d been an unexpected blessing, a late in life baby, and then, later, as much a burden as a responsibility.

Davis was extremely fortunate, and she could understand why he’d go to such lengths to ensure his mother’s happiness. Charlie barely knew her, yet she felt protective of her, too.

"This is all happening so fast." Ellen laughed, her eyes glowing with happiness. "Jim suggested we get married next weekend at his cabin on Lake Texoma."

"I bought it with you in mind," added Jim. "That gazebo will be the perfect spot to say our vows."

"We thought we’d call Judge Hawkins to see if he can do the ceremony." Ellen, looking closer to Davis’s age than her own, smiled down at the ring resting on her finger.

"Hawkins had better do it," said Jim with a laugh, "or I’ll have his scrawny hide."

Ellen playfully slapped at his hand. "Seriously, there are a ton of things we’ll have to do this week—marriage license, blood tests—" A look of alarm clouded her face. "—and shopping and packing."

"Don’t worry," said Davis. "You’ll get it all done. If there’s anything I can do to help, you know you can count on me."

"Thanks," said Jim. "We knew we could. And I do have a favor to ask."

"Name it."

"That you’ll stand up with me as my best man?"

Davis didn’t say anything for a moment. Charlie watched him as he froze, then swallowed, trying to check his emotions.

It was as if a facade was being stripped from him. He wasn’t just a cowboy, businessman or eligible bachelor. Davis had a depth she’d never have suspected if she hadn’t been included in this tableau.

At last he got out the words: "I’d be honored, Jim. Deeply honored."

His eyes looked moist. Charlie lowered her head, aware she was only here as an outsider. She flushed a little with embarrassment. Perhaps she should have excused herself again. Trying to tune out the conversation, she traced the lacy pattern covering the table with her forefinger, following a swirl that she realized was actually a pineapple. The lace was more complex than she’d thought at first—like Davis.

The sound of her name called her back.

Ellen looked at her through worried eyes. "I know it’s a lot to ask on such short acquaintance." She shot a glance at Jim, who took her hand. "But since we’re going to be family…"

Davis coughed. "What Mom’s trying to ask, Charlie, is if you’d be her maid of honor. It would mean a lot to her, a lot to all of us."

Ellen, Jim and Davis were silent, watching her, waiting. What could she say to get out of it? She wasn’t really going to be part of this family. And did Davis really want her to be included? After all, he knew she was a phony. "I…I don’t know what to say," she finally stuttered, a ball of misery settling deep in her chest.

"Please say you will, dear?" Ellen asked breathlessly.

Charlie watched to see what Davis wanted her to do. "I think I’m scheduled to work next weekend."

He draped his arm around her. "I’m sure your boss would understand if you explained the situation."

Measuring out her words, Ellen added, "If it’s a problem, I suppose we could have the wedding in Dallas, at my house." She tried to look like it was a good idea, but Charlie could see that Ellen was attempting, again, to sacrifice herself for someone else’s comfort.

That decided her. As much as she’d feel like an interloper and even more of a liar, she’d be there to make Ellen happy. "No. I’ll trade weekends with another librarian. She owes me, anyway. I’d be delighted to be your maid of honor, Ellen."

"Oh, this is going to be perfect." A tear trickled down Ellen’s happy face. She turned to Jim. "I can’t believe it’s all falling together as if it’s meant to be."

"It
is
meant to be," Jim assured her with a gruff voice. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at Ellen’s face. "Now, no more tears. It’s time for a toast."

"I’ll second that," said Davis. He held up his cup. "To the most deserving couple I know. May your love last an eternity and your happiness grow each day."

Ellen added, "And to my son and his bride to be. May you find happiness and completeness in the face of all of life’s little tribulations." She waited a second, then added, "And may there be many grandchildren for me to spoil."

"I’ll drink to that," said Jim.

"Hold on a minute! Let us get hitched before you start demanding grandkids," Davis said with a mock look of fear on his face. "Now that I think about it, I always disliked being an only child. The two of you need to get to work producing a half-brother for me."

"My child-bearing years are long past," said Ellen with a sassy gleam in her eyes. "Charlie and you are now in charge of infant production."

Charlie laughed. A true daughter-to-be couldn’t have fallen in love with Ellen any faster than Charlie had tonight. Ellen was terrific, and even Davis didn’t appreciate her as he should. If he had, he’d have brought a real fiancé home to meet his mother long before now.

"We could make this a double wedding," suggested Ellen.

The arm Davis had draped nonchalantly over Charlie’s shoulders tightened. She quickly answered, "We haven’t known each other that long, Ellen. We’ve discussed it and feel it would be best if we learn more about each other first."

"You see what I’m having to deal with?" Davis threw up his hands. "I’m lucky to have gotten this far with her."

"It’s your own fault. If you hadn’t had a string of women before me, maybe I wouldn’t worry so much." She narrowed her eyes at him in jest. "I wouldn’t want you to grow bored."

"That could never happen," Davis shot back.

He released her, then traced his forefinger down the bridge of her nose, sending warmth along the length of her nerve endings. He was awfully good at this couple-in-love stuff, she thought, trying to keep in mind it was all pretend.

"I can’t think of anyone more stimulating than you," he said. "Guess I don’t have any choice but to get you to the altar as fast as can be, before some other guy tries to stake a claim."

Charlie tossed her head, more to get away from her reaction to his touch than because she was thrown by his words. She shrugged. "What girl could say no to a guy who begs so nicely?"

"It was worth a try," said Ellen. "But you have to let me know as soon as you set the date. I’d like to come and help out in the plans, if I may?"

"I’d love your help. Thank you." She would have meant it, too, if a wedding were really going to happen. Which it wasn’t. But it would have been lovely to have a future mother like Ellen to help plan one.

"I imagine your own mother, though, will be very involved."

Charlie shook her head. "I’m an orphan, so having your advice would mean a lot."

Davis shot her a surprised look, then nodded at his mother. "We’ll call you as soon as Charlie makes her mind up when it’ll be."

"I’ll be waiting. If you’d like, Charlie, why don’t you and Davis come up to the lake Friday evening? Maybe we could look through a few bride magazines and get to know each other better?"

"That sounds great." Davis looked pleased. "I’d love to teach you to fish, Charlie."

"Oh, you would?" She batted her lashes at him and his assumption she wouldn’t know anything about the sport. Her brothers had always made her bait their hooks. She was very good at fishing and savored the idea of teaching him a thing or two about making assumptions. "That sounds great, Ellen. I wouldn’t miss it."

Ellen grinned and Charlie sensed it was because she knew exactly what Charlie had been thinking.

Jim handed Ellen her handbag and scarf, saying, "We’ve got a lot to do before next weekend." He winked at Ellen, who blushed.

"Oh, right. A lot to do." Taking his extended hand, she stood. "I hate to toast and run—"

Jim cut her off by kissing her forehead. "You don’t."

Ellen laughed. "He’s right. I don’t hate to toast and run but we did promise you dinner. You will feel free to stay and have whatever you like, won’t you? I am genuinely delighted to have met you, Charlie, and look forward to next weekend."

"Don’t worry about us," said Davis. "Run off and play with Jim."

With that, Jim pulled her away, saying, "We’ll be in touch."

"I adore your mother, Davis." Charlie sighed and leaned back in her chair, allowing herself to relax.

"I knew you two would hit it off."

"You were right." Running back over events, she agreed things had gone very well, until she remembered she’d just agreed to another weekend of playacting. "Are you sure you want me to be there next weekend, Davis? It’s not too late to think up some excuse."

"I need you there. Mom might go through with the wedding but she’d worry that there was a problem between us."

"That’s what I’d decided. This fiancée business is a lot more difficult than I’d thought it would be." And volunteering to prolong it was probably the stupidest thing she’d ever done.

"Yeah. You ready to go?"

"And leave this place of beauty and elegance?" Charlie smiled. "I can’t wait. I keep feeling like all those cupids are looking at me with accusing eyes."

Davis grinned. "I think they’re looking at you in a slightly different way." His gaze met hers.

He’d forgotten to stop acting, she told herself, trying not to drown in the depths of his eyes. She hopped from her chair. "Let’s go."

"Don’t you think that orphan business was overdoing it?"

"I am an orphan."

"I thought you’d said it to get out of having to introduce your parents." In fact, he’d been sure of it. He’d brought it up only because she’d been so nervous when he’d referred to how good she looked.

He wondered if she was unaware of how attractive she was. Maybe she was impervious to him, really didn’t find him attractive or even likeable. He didn’t like the idea one bit.

She had such unusual charm—one moment sweet and innocent, and the next saying something completely outrageous and knocking him for a loop. When she turned that smile on him, it took every bit of willpower he could muster to keep things between them strictly business.

As they left the ballroom and walked down the hallway to the exit, he wondered what had stopped him from kissing her. Maybe the confusion in her eyes? Maybe the need for some reassurance.

"You said you like my mom."

She nodded.

"Do you like me, too? Even a little?"

Her eyes widened. His question surprised him as much as it surprised her.

Then her dimple peeped out. "You’ve grown on me—sort of like fungus."

"I can live with that." He pulled her to him.

"What are you doing?"

"Shut up."

"Davis."

"I’m kissing you, silly. Close your eyes."

Her lips formed an O as he lowered his to meet them.

She tasted like orange spice.

Then he heard his mother’s voice as she teased, "Maybe we’d better make it a double wedding after all, if you two can’t behave better than this in public."

Davis stepped back from Charlie, feeling almost like he had when his mother had caught him with his hand in the cookie jar. When had he ever acted like this before? His mom was right. He wasn’t some overly hormoned teenager, and it was time to stop acting like one.

He glanced at Charlie. Her eyes were still half closed. She opened her eyes slowly and saw his mother, and color gradually climbed her neck and face. Then she yanked Davis by the lapels, drawing him down so she could whisper, "I don’t know how yet, but I’m going to get even with you for this."

She released him and turned to his mother and smiled sweetly. "You may have a point. Good night. Come along, Davis," she continued, glancing back at him. She grabbed him by the necktie and practically dragged him out of the building and into the parking lot.