His father found a chair on his other side.
“You doing all right, Dad?” he asked softly.
“Better than I have in a long time,” Will said with a smile. “I’ve been playing forty-two with some old friends. It felt good.”
Gabe smiled, glad his father wasn’t feeling left out.
“Will, do you want me to get you some iced tea, too?” Katie asked as she set the glasses down on the table.
“Thank you, Katie. That would be nice.” As Katie walked away, he added, “She’s a beautiful woman, inside and out.”
“Yeah. I’m trying to convince her to marry me.”
“Good for you.” Though he smiled, Gabe noted concern in his gaze.
“You don’t approve?”
“Of course I do. Though I hope you’re marrying her for the right reasons and not to get back at your mother.”
“I’ve had the right reasons about Katie for ten years. I’m just finally letting them surface.”
“Okay. Then it looks like I’ll need to find somewhere else to live.”
“No! I didn’t mean—”
“Don’t worry about it, boy. There are lots of places for me to light. It doesn’t have to be in your back pocket.”
Katie returned with another glass of tea and gave it to Will.
“Thanks, Katie.” Then he looked over Katie’s shoulder. “Hello, I don’t think I’ve met you.”
Gabe’s head jerked up to find Jeff Hausen standing behind Katie. “Uh, this is Jeff Hausen, Dad. Jeff, my father, Will Dawson.”
The two men shook hands just as Florence and George Greenfield sat down across from them.
Doc Greenfield said, “I heard you’re thinking of moving back here, like your son, Will. We all sure would like that.”
Gabe didn’t pay much attention to the general conversation. Jeff was talking to Katie, and Gabe was much more interested in what the man was saying. Until Doc dropped his bombshell.
“No, I’m going to completely retire, except for emergencies and filling in.”
It was as if a bomb had gone off. Everyone in the room stopped their noisy conversations and turned in their direction. Then a burst of questions demolished the silence.
Doc raised both hands. “Now, folks, I’d intended to make the announcement tomorrow. But I guess I jumped the gun. Jeff has agreed to come to Cactus as our full-time doctor, while Samantha continues to work part-time.”
Ed Baxter, one of Doc’s old-time friends, asked, “But Doc, what are you going to do? You’re not old enough to sit in a rocker all day.”
“You’re right. I’m going to become County Medical Examiner. They’ve decided we’re populated enough to need one instead of sending to Lubbock every time a body shows up.”
There was a round of applause, but Gabe didn’t join in. The most significant part of Doc’s speech was when he said Jeff Hausen would be moving to Cactus permanently.
And the man was flirting with Katie.
Gabe slid an arm around Katie and leaned toward Jeff.
“When are you moving to Cactus? I imagine it will take a while to make the transfer.”
“Not really. I’m planning on being moved in in a couple of weeks. I found a place to live this afternoon.”
“But it will be major shock, coming from a big town like Houston, to Cactus,” Gabe insisted.
“You just moved from Dallas, and you look to be doing pretty well,” the doctor pointed out with a grin. Which found an answering smile from Katie.
“But I grew up here. It’s different. Besides, I have friends here, like Katie.” He tightened his hold on her shoulder.
Jeff lifted a brow. “I’m hoping I can count on Katherine as a friend, also.”
Gabe wanted to shout that Katie was his, and Jeff couldn’t have her, but he knew that wouldn’t win him any brownie points with Katie. So he had two weeks to make sure she was his before the good doctor came back to town.
KATHERINE WAS FLATTERED by the doctor’s attention, but Gabe’s obvious jealousy was even more pleasing. Of course, he was merely guarding his inheritance. He figured the only way to get it guaranteed was to marry her himself.
Maybe she should volunteer to marry the doctor. He didn’t stir her senses the way Gabe did. He didn’t tempt her to put her heart at risk. He didn’t make her want to seek out dark places so she could have her way with him.
Nope, only Gabe did those things.
But Jeff seemed like a nice man.
“Katie,” Gabe’s insistent voice sounded in her ear.
“Yes?”
“Where did you go? I spoke to you twice and you didn’t answer.”
“I guess I was thinking. Why, what did you want?”
“I was thinking it’s time to go.”
The sun had gone down and everyone was sitting around chatting, playing with the babies. Katherine had held Tuck and Alex’s baby girl, delighting in her sweetness. Mac and Samantha’s oldest child, Cassie, had toddled over to pat the baby’s hand and talk to Katherine.
They’d also eaten the desserts. Her cobbler had been a big success. Jessica had even asked for a meeting on Monday to discuss using it in the restaurant.
It had been a wonderful afternoon and evening. Katherine didn’t want it to end.
“Well, I certainly enjoyed myself. Thanks for including me.”
Gabe took her arm. “I’m riding with you.”
She stared at him. “But you came with your father.”
“He can follow me to your house.”
“But Gabe, I’ll be fine. There’s no reason to—”
Gabe glared at Jeff, walking toward them, and muttered, “Oh, yes, there is.”
When Jeff reached them, Gabe stuck out a hand. “Glad to visit with you, Jeff, but we’ve got to go.”
“Yeah, me, too.” His gaze traveled to the arm Gabe had around Katherine. “I didn’t realize you two came together.”
“We didn’t. But we’re going home together,” Gabe returned in a firm voice. Clearly sending a male message.
“Gabe,” Katherine protested. He’d sounded rude.
To her surprise, he bent his head and kissed her, there in the kitchen in front of everyone. “Katie,” he said, mimicking her tone of voice.
Those around them laughed, and Katherine’s cheeks flushed. What was wrong with the man? Was he setting the scene for their marriage so no one would suspect the truth? He was certainly doing a good job.
Once they’d said their goodbyes, he followed her out to the van she used for the bake shop.
“Now that you’ve made your point, you don’t have to accompany me home,” she said. It was important to keep a grasp on reality.
He opened the driver’s door and escorted her into the van without saying a word. But before she could drive away, he’d circled the van and slid into the passenger side.
“Didn’t you hear me?” she asked in frustration.
“Yeah, I did. But I’m going with you. We haven’t had a chance to talk today.”
“We talked all evening.”
“Yeah, with Dr. Jeff hanging over your shoulder.”
“He’s a nice man.”
“Keep away from him!”
“Gabe Dawson, you can’t tell me what to do!”
He drew a deep breath, drumming his fingers on the dash. “Katie, look, we need to talk about our marriage.”
His change of subject, when she’d just gotten up a good head of justified anger, took her breath away. She started the motor and began backing out of Tuck’s driveway.
After she’d covered several miles without speaking, he tried again. “Katie, have you thought about it?”
“Yes.” She couldn’t say any more. She couldn’t tell him she’d decided to give him what he wanted. At great risk to her happiness.
She thought about the babies she’d played with tonight. And about the babies she and Gabe could make if they were only a real couple. Her heart ached.
“Look, I don’t know what to
say to convince you, but I believe my grandmother wanted me to inherit. I don’t know what bee got into her bonnet to make her pull such a trick.”
“I do,” Katherine whispered. Then she snapped her lips shut. How could she have been so careless? She wasn’t prepared to tell Gabe that she’d confessed her love for him to his grandmother, after the failure of her own marriage.
“You do?”
“No! I mean, not really. I think she wanted you to settle in Cactus.” That was certainly true enough.
“Well, I am. But I won’t have anywhere to live if I don’t inherit her house.”
She glared at him. “Don’t try that pity routine on me, Gabe Dawson! There are lots of places available. You could rent Jack’s house. I think he’s going to move in with Mom.”
Gabe grinned. “Okay, so I was trying to play on your sympathy. But I love Gran’s place.”
“I know.”
They were almost to her house. She needed to keep things calm just a couple of minutes longer. Then she could have more time to think about her decision. To be sure she could carry through with it. To prepare her resistance to the only man she’d ever loved.
“So, are you going to marry me?”
Of course, he wouldn’t give her more time. Not a romantic proposal, either, but a good reminder that they weren’t dealing in romance. Just practicalities.
“Yes,” she said softly.
He didn’t answer, and she wondered if he’d heard her. She looked at him and found him staring at her, as if in shock. “Have you changed your mind?”
“No! No, I haven’t changed my mind, but I thought you were flirting with the doctor.”
“I was not! I was being friendly.”
“Yeah, right! If that was friendly—”
“Stop, Gabe Dawson. You’ve gotten what you wanted. But just because I’m marrying you for your inheritance, don’t think you can tell me what to do!”
GABE’S HEART WAS THUMPING like a drum. He could scarcely think, much less carry on a conversation. “No, I wasn’t trying to.” Well, maybe he was.
But it didn’t matter. She was going to marry him.
“When?”
Her big blue gaze landed on him and then glanced away. “I don’t know.”
“I’d like it to be soon, to get everything settled.” At least before two weeks was up and Jeff Hausen was back in town.
“I’m not sure.”
“It will look better if we don’t wait until the year is almost up. I don’t want people to think—”
“I know. Alex explained.”
He frowned. “Explained what?”
“That if we don’t appear to be—that the charity Gran named might sue.”
That hadn’t occurred to him. But he didn’t mind. He’d donate some money to the charity. It was only fair. Especially if that convinced Katie to marry him at once, to make their marriage appear normal.
As he intended it to be.
She pulled into her driveway, watching Will pull in behind them. After stopping the van, she said, “You’d better not keep your father waiting.”
“Here’s your hat, what’s your hurry?” he said, glaring at her. “Are you trying to get rid of me?”
“No, but—”
Will appeared beside the passenger door. “Mind if I go say hello to Margaret?” he asked. “I haven’t seen her in years.”
“Of course not. Probably Jack Ledbetter is there, too, Will,” Katie added. “I think that’s his car. They’re going to be married, soon.”
“Really? But Jack is—I mean, I thought he was married?”
“He’s a widower, Dad,” Gabe told his father. “A couple of years now.”
“Well, good for the two of them. I’ll be out in a minute,” he added over his shoulder as he strode to the house.
“When are they getting married?”
Katie seemed startled by his question. “They’re going to have a small wedding next week.”
He grinned as an idea hit him. “Great, come on.” He opened the door and got out of the van.
“Gabe! Where are you—?”
He didn’t answer her question, and he didn’t stop. And he sure didn’t consult her on his idea. He knew what her answer would be. He was planning on some help from the people inside.
He heard her get out of the van and grinned.
Reaching the back door before her, he knocked on it and then opened it.
“Margaret, may I come in?”
“Of course, Gabe, you know you’re welcome,” Margaret said, getting up to greet him. “Where’s—?”
Katie appeared beside him. “What are you up to?”
“I’m visiting with your mom,” he said calmly, ushering her in before him.
“Did you have fun this evening?” Margaret asked, a contented smile on her face.
“Yes, Mom, it was fun. You and Jack should have come.”
“Maybe we will next time. We had a lot of plans to discuss before our marriage.” Her cheeks bloomed with excitement, making her appear ten years younger.
Gabe watched as Katie smiled back. He hoped she kept smiling. “That’s why we came in. We want to talk to you about your wedding.”
“You do?” Margaret and Jack said in unison.
At the same time, Katie asked, “We do?” and frowned.
Gabe drew a deep breath. He was taking a little bit of a chance here, but he was in a hurry. “Yeah, we wondered if you’d mind a double wedding.”
Margaret and Jack looked puzzled. His father’s gaze flickered back and forth between him and Katie.
Katie glared at him.
“What do you mean?” Margaret asked.
“Katie and I are going to get married and we wanted—”
Margaret leaped to her feet and hurried over to hug her daughter, beaming at Gabe over her shoulder. “I’m so happy for you. Oh, yes, yes, a double wedding would be wonderful. Wouldn’t it, Jack? You wouldn’t mind, would you?”
She turned loose of Katherine and hurried back to the table to see if Jack agreed with her.
“Gabe Dawson, I’m going to kill you!” Katie muttered under her breath.
Jack, in the meantime, was answering Margaret’s question. “Of course I don’t mind, honey. It seems like a good idea.”
Will, still watching Katherine and Gabe, said, “As long as Katie doesn’t mind. Her wedding should be what she wants.”
Gabe knew his father was hinting about his jumping the gun, but he’d known he was taking a risk. Hell, the worst risk was letting Katie fall in love with the damned doctor. He’d lost her ten years ago to duty. He wasn’t going to lose her again.
Margaret looked at Will and then Katherine. “Dear, do you not want to have a double wedding? I thought—we can wait if you want to get married first.”
“Hey!” Jack exclaimed. “But we planned—”
Margaret stared at him.
“Uh, well, whatever you want, Margaret,” he finally said, his devotion to Margaret filling his gaze.
Jack’s attitude, more than his father’s words, affected Gabe. He grimaced and said, “I think I owe Katie an apology. I got carried away when she said she’d marry me. I didn’t want to wait. But Dad’s right, Katie. This is your decision.”
He was rewarded by Katie’s glare disappearing. “I hadn’t thought about it, but you may be right, Gabe. It would certainly save a lot of work and expense.”
Will frowned. “I’ll take care of the expenses of the wedding, Katie. I don’t want you to worry about that. After all, Gabe is my only son.” He grinned. “Oh, and by the way, welcome to the family.”
Gabe shot his father a grateful smile.
“Thank you, Will,” Katie said, her voice sincere.
“Oh, this is so exciting,” Margaret enthused. “We’ve made a list of things to do. Why don’t you look it over, Katie? We’ll have to double the numbers, because you’ll want to invite your friends, of course. I thought I’d ask Florence Greenfield to sing, and…”
Gabe put an arm around Katie. “Maybe later, Margaret. I have a few things I need to discuss with Katie. Dad, can you give us a couple of minutes?”
He hoped his father understood his meaning. He couldn’t afford to spend more than a couple of minutes with Katie at this point. Not with what he had in mind.
His father nodded.
Then Gabe pulled Katherine to the door.
Once it had closed behind them, she raised her chin. “What do we need to discuss now? And isn’t it a little late for discussion, since you’ve already made the decisions?”
“Sorry, Katie. I got carried away.”
She glared at him but said nothing. Neither did he. He was afraid she’d hate his next idea even more.
“Well, what do we need to discuss?”
“Uh, I didn’t exactly have discussion in mind. More like practice.”
“Practice?”
“Yeah, for when the pastor says ‘You may kiss the bride.”’
And he did.
Chapter Fourteen
Her world in a spin, Katherine wanted to hide away until the dust settled.
But she couldn’t.
Monday, she met with Jessica.
“I think your new dessert is a perfect complement to the carrot cake. With a scoop of ice cream on it, it will be a huge success.”
“Are you sure, Jessica? You’re not offering to buy it because we’re friends?” Katherine asked, less sure of herself as changes swirled around her.
Jessica stared at her. “Don’t be silly, Katie! I don’t make decisions about my business based on friendships. I tasted the cobbler Saturday, remember? It’s going to be as big a success as the cake. Several ladies have asked for something lighter than the cake.”
“Really? With the cobbler, you might offer two sizes of servings. A small dish might be very popular.”
“Oh, good thinking. You’re right. And it would be easier to vary the size with the cobbler.” Jessica made some notes on the yellow pad in front of her. “Oh, your mom called and left a message for me. I haven’t had time to call her back. Is there any problem about the reception Saturday?”
The $10,000,000 Texas Wedding Page 14