Bachelor Available!

“I’m sorry,” Cody said, and he did look contrite. “I didn’t mean to upset you. It just seemed so obvious.”

“Not as obvious as you might think,” she said grimly. “I suppose eventually I’ll want what most women want—a husband, children—but for now I’m just looking for a good time.” Better than saying all she was looking for was to discharge a moral obligation to her cousin so she could settle back down to her usual quiet existence.

That lopsided grin made her stomach do flip-flops. “Damn shame,” Cody drawled, “but I kinda know where you’re coming from. You see, I had a wife who could stop traffic, she was so good-lookin’. When the marriage didn’t work out, I got soured on pretty women.” He looked down at his coffee cup, then slanted her a quick glance. “Like you, for instance.”

“Me?” She’d never thought of herself as anything special in the looks department. All right...passable, certainly...but a traffic stopper?

He laughed. “Don’t look so surprised. The truth is, we’re as different as night and day.”

She grinned back, relieved that he’d realized that. “You say pa-tay-toe, I say pa-tah-toe.”

“Exactly. I like horses and cows and you...”

“Like ballet and concerts. I like cats and you like...”

“Dogs. I like the country...”

“And I like the city.”

“Tough break.” With those words, all his good humor went right out the window.

“There’s plenty of fish in the sea,” she said lightly, not sure whether she believed that or not.

“I’m not looking for a fish.”

“Neither am I.”

Their glances locked and tension sizzled between them. After a very long moment, he said, “I hate not knowing.”

“N-not knowing what?”

“What might have been. We’ll go back to Wanda’s office and she’ll flutter around and give you some fancy guy who likes fancy stuff, and she’ll give me some country girl who likes country stuff, and we’ll both be better off. But I’ll probably always wonder what might have been.”

“But we have to go along with whatever Wanda says,” she reminded him. “I mean, she’s the expert, right?” Her stomach hurt when she said it.

“Right.” His face, in repose, looked strong and a little sad.

“I mean, she has George to help her out. We can’t fight modern science and all that.”

“Absolutely not.”

“Well, then.” Feeling jumpy and out of sync, she glanced at her watch. “Hey, it’s time to get back.”

“If you say so.” He hauled a wallet from his back pocket. He pulled out a bill and dropped it on the table. His gaze captured hers again. “I still say it’s a shame, even if it is for the best.”

“It’s definitely for the best. Whatever Wanda says will have to be the way it is.” But in her heart, she felt a sadness she couldn’t explain.

During the short ride back to the Yellow Rose, Cody thought about all they’d said. Even though they’d probably never see each other again after today, he was glad she didn’t know the truth about him: that his family was one of the most successful ranching dynasties in Texas. He wouldn’t want her if she was just after his money; been there, done that. He’d rather have her think of him, if she ever did, as a simple cowboy.

No harm done.

Back at the Rose, he followed her up the steps and into the pretty yellow Victorian. Teresa looked up with alarm on her face.

“Oh, dear, I don’t even want to face you two.”

Emily stiffened. “What now?”

“Wanda won’t be able to make it at all, I’m afraid. She wonders if you could come back Friday morning at nine.”

“What?” Emily looked distraught, a pretty strong reaction for a woman who claimed she wasn’t all that interested in a relationship anyway.

Not that Cody was all that interested in driving all the way back into San Antonio again so soon, either. “Maybe we should forget the whole thing,” he suggested.

“That’s what I’m thinking,” Emily agreed.

“Please don’t,” Teresa pleaded. “You see, Wanda was in a minor traffic accident on her way here.”

Emily gasped. “Oh, my gosh! Is she all right?”

“Yes, but she’s pretty shaken. She feels terrible about this, but—”

“No problem,” Cody said quickly. “We didn’t understand. We don’t really mind coming back, right, Emily?”

He saw the struggle on her face, but then she nodded. “You’re right. Friday at nine will be just fine.”

Should he ask her out to dinner since they were here with nothing to do? Should he suggest they meet for breakfast before their appointment? Should he—

“Thanks for the coffee, Cody.” She gave him a brief, impersonal nod. “Perhaps I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Watching her let herself out the heavy front door, he knew for sure what he should have done.

He should have acted faster.

From: [e-mail]

Sent: Tuesday, Nov. 3, 7:13 p.m.

To: [e-mail]

Subject: Bummer day!

Today, cousin dear, was a waste of time. I didn’t even *see* Wanda Roland so there’s nothing new on that front. I have yet another appointment Friday morning and maybe I’ll have more to tell you after that. In the meantime, suffice it to say that I am *not* having a good time....

CHAPTER THREE

From: [e-mail]

Sent: Thursday, Nov. 5, 7:11 p.m.

To: [e-mail]

Subject: Just curious.

So you won’t see Wanda Roland until tomorrow, huh. That *is* a bummer, but at least you’re trying. I do like what you’ve given me so far. You didn’t mention the “really cute guy” again. Guess that means he was a no-show, too....

KEEP believing that, Terry, Emily thought as she reread yesterday’s E-mail missive from her cousin. Sitting in the reception area at Yellow Rose Matchmakers, she assured herself that there was no reason her entire life had to be an open book.

She’d arrived a few minutes early for her appointment and now, on the stroke of nine, the front door swung open and Cody James entered. Feeling guilty for no particular reason, she stuffed Terry’s E-mail into her jacket pocket and gave Cody a deliberately impersonal smile.

Before he could even speak to Teresa, Wanda’s door popped open. “How lovely! You’re both here. Please come in, children.”

Cody looked at Emily and Emily looked at Cody. It was as if Wanda’s announcement ended even this tenuous relationship between them. Once matched with different people, they’d go their separate ways and that would be that.

“After you,” he said.

She nodded her thanks and preceded him into the office, feeling intensely his presence just behind her. She’d never met a more magnetic man. When he was in the room, it was as if her entire being was somehow connected to his every move.

Silly. He certainly wasn’t her type. Too good-looking, for openers. Too different in his dreams, for closers.

“Sit down, children, do sit down.” Wanda indicated the same seats they’d occupied before. Turning, she limped behind the desk.

Emily exchanged an alarmed glance with Cody, who looked equally concerned. “Are you all right?” Emily asked the little woman. “Teresa said your accident wasn’t serious.”

Wanda waved concern aside. “No, no, I’m fine. A little stiff is all. That’s to be expected at my age.”

Emily felt greatly relieved. “Thank heaven. Uhh...you have something to tell us?”

“That’s right.”

Wanda just sat there, smiling. Watching attentively, Emily thought she saw a bruise on the woman’s forehead. Perhaps she’d been hurt more seriously than she’d admitted.

Finally, Cody cleared his throat. “We’re both a little curious how you happened to double up on our appointments again,” he said. A glance at Emily drew a nod of agreement. “Not that we mind.”

Another nod from Emily, this one less enthusiastic. Actually, she did mind. She felt uncomfortable around Cody, mostly because she was so attracted to him and knew such feelings were a complete waste of time.

“My goodness, why should you mind?” Wanda cocked her head and furrowed her brow. “I thought you’d have guessed by now.”

“Guessed what?” they asked together. This time, Emily and Cody exchanged frowns.

“Why, guessed that the two of you are made for each other. In fact, this is a match made in heaven!”

Emily gasped and fell back in her chair. “You’ve got to be kidding!”

Wanda looked hurt. “George never kids,” she said with great dignity, “and he never lies.”

“Is George ever wrong?” Cody sounded grim.

Wanda blinked her big blue eyes. “Not to my knowledge,” she said, frowning. “I thought you’d both be thrilled. It was obvious to me from the beginning that you belong together forever.”

“But, Wanda,” Emily protested, “we’re so different!”

“Opposites attract,” Wanda said serenely.

“We came here for different reasons,” Cody argued.

“That’s what makes a horse race.”

Cody looked around, a desperate gleam in his eyes. “But Emily isn’t interested in marriage and I won’t settle for anything less.”

“It’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind.”

“But I don’t want to change my mind!”

“A woman can even change her mind about changing her mind,” Wanda pointed out. She pursed her soft lips. “I don’t know what’s the matter with you two,” she grumbled. “Did you come here because you want the help of a professional or not?”

“Well, yes,” Cody admitted.

“And a computer,” Emily chimed in. “I wanted the latest and most up-to-date guidance to be had.”

Wanda threw up her hands. “That’s what you’re getting, so what’s the problem?”

“Well...” Emily thought fast. “Could I see the computer printout for this match? I’d like to know just what George found about the two of us that’s so compatible.”

Wanda gasped. “No one has ever asked for such a thing.”

Even Cody looked puzzled by that. “Never?”

Wanda shook her silvery head.

“I’d really like to see that printout.” Emily felt she must stand firm. Here was a chance to get the information Terry needed, which would get him off her back once and for all.

Wanda grimaced and drummed her fingers on the desktop. With extreme reluctance, she said, “Of course, if you insist, I suppose I can try.”

“Try?” Emily echoed.

“George is so temperamental. Sometimes he gets his feelings hurt and then you don’t know what he...” As she spoke, she reached out with one hesitant forefinger to touch the keyboard. Instantly, she jerked back with a gasp.

Cody half rose from his chair. “What is it? Did George—did you get shocked or something?”

“The screen went blank!”

“The screen went...?” Cody walked around the desk until he could see the front of the computer. He frowned, leaned down and hit a couple of keys, then shook his head. “She’s right,” he said to Emily. “Nothing.”

“Is it broken?” Something fishy was going on here, Emily just couldn’t imagine what.

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