My Southern Bride (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 4) (21 page)

Jim set his glass on the small table between their recliners. "Now this is the life."

"You can't convince me you don't settle down at night to watch a little TV before bed."

"Oh, I do. But your home is a lot more comfortable than my downtown loft. And a lot less lonely."

"Tell me about lonely. It's really quiet here in the evenings, so sometimes I turn on the TV even when I have no intention of actually watching it." Ellen shrugged.

"I didn't know anyone else did that, but I do it, too. My loft is like a great big canyon and the sound of silence bounces off the four walls." He grew silent. "Maybe we should do this more often, Ellen?"

Her heart thumped in her chest. What was he asking? Surely he didn't mean anything more by it than what he said, that he was lonely sometimes and so was she. "That's a great idea, but only if you continue helping with the dishes."

"Done. Especially if you throw in one of your famous red velvet cupcakes."

He knew her too well. She definitely had dessert ready and waiting for them. "You've got it."

Just because she agreed to more dinners together, didn't mean either he or she really meant it. There was nothing here to make her believe he had anything on his mind except food and company. Nothing here to make her read anything more into his statement than companionship.

The saying about the way to a man's heart was through his stomach apparently wasn't an old wives tale. Ellen wasn't sure about Jim's heart per se, but he certainly was interested in her cooking. Would he be so complimentary if he knew she had begun thinking of him romantically? Heaven knew, if he were romantically interested in her, he'd had plenty of time and plenty of years to let her know. It was foolish of her to think otherwise. She knew he was never at a loss for a date. Back when Ben had been alive, they'd been on plenty of double dates with Jim. Clearly he knew how to ask a woman out if he were so inclined, and he'd never asked her out.

Perhaps they had too much history. Perhaps he wanted to honor her husband's memory. Perhaps he wasn't in the least bit attracted to her.

As the self-doubt settled in, Ellen reassessed the situation. Maybe she'd be better off concentrating her efforts on finding a man who
would
be interested in dating
her
. "Speaking of cupcakes, are you ready for one while you go over the lease?"

"I thought you'd never ask." Jim lifted the paperwork from the end table and began reading.

Two cupcakes and a land lease later, Ellen said, "Thank you so much for all of your help."

"Is there anything else you need my help with before I go?" Jim asked.

She did need help with one thing—and Jim would know exactly what she should do. "As a matter of fact, I'm interested in buying a new laptop computer. I thought maybe one of those fruity ones, but I wasn't sure. Do you know anything about them?"

"Fruity ones? You mean an Apple?"
 

"That's it." Ellen bit her lip. "The laptop I've been using is ancient and can't do more than email."

"Why don't we go to the store tomorrow? I'd be happy to help you pick one out."

"That's kind of you, Jim. Thanks." Asking him for help probably wasn't her best idea. But he was the sort of man who knew something about almost everything. It's why he'd been such an incredible help after Ben's passing.

Once she got her new computer up and running, she'd set up online dating. Then her crush on Jim would soon be a thing of the past.

She hoped.

Western Pleasure

The Texas Two-Step Series

A Novella

by

Kathy Carmichael

~

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Western Pleasure

from your favorite eBook Retailer,

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Missed the first book in The Texas Two-Step Series?

Page forward for an excerpt from

CHASING CHARLIE

The Texas Two-Step Series

Book One

Excerpt from

Chasing Charlie

The Texas Two-Step Series

Book One

by

Kathy Carmichael

Bestselling Author

With the prissiest barefooted walk she could manage, Charlie Nelson emerged from her bedroom wearing the gorgeous red dress. Joanne looked up and screamed.

"Charlie! I can't believe it!" Joanne ran closer and looked her up and down. "I had no idea you had all those curves."

Charlie laughed. "I don't think I do, but this dress sure makes mountains out of molehills, doesn't it?"

Joanne nodded. "I wish I had molehills like those. Wow." Then she caught sight of Charlie's bare feet and an impish look entered her eyes. "I'll be right back."

Joanne made a beeline for her bedroom and came out carrying a shoebox as if it held the crown jewels. She handed the box to Charlie.

Pulling up the lid and pushing past the tissue, Charlie found the deadliest looking stiletto heels she'd ever seen in her life. "Where'd you find these, Madame's Bordello of Love?"

Joanne flashed an embarrassed grin. "It was one of those buying binges. Once I got them home, I realized I didn't have anything to go with them. We're the same size. Try them on!"

They looked lethal, but before Charlie could figure out a way to decline Joanne's exuberant offering, the doorbell rang. For once, she'd been saved by the bell.

"That must be Mike." Joanne checked the wall clock as she headed for the door. "He's awfully early. I'm not dressed yet."

"He probably couldn't last another moment out of your company. It's been nearly twenty hours since he saw you." Charlie pirouetted, enjoying the feel of the satin against her skin.

"Yeah, right. And once he sees you in that, he may forget all about his poor little fiancée." She pulled open the door.

"Oh, Philip, uh, come in." She stepped back and swung the door wider, sending Charlie a questioning look.