The $10,000,000 Texas Wedding

by Judy Christenberry

  Katherine closed her eyes. She dreaded telling Jessica about the change of plans. She didn’t want any searching questions about her emotional state. “Um, I think it’s going to be larger than planned.”

  “But she reserved the entire room,” Jessica pointed out, referring to the large room attached to the restaurant. On weekends, Jessica featured local bands there.

  “I know. I think she just wanted to let you know.”

  “No problem. Did they decide to invite more people?”

  Katherine chewed on her bottom lip. Finally she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. “Yes. You see, Gabe and I are joining them. I mean, we’re doing a double wedding.”

  Jessica stared at her. Then she reached out and clasped Katherine’s hand. “I’m so happy for you. I hope Cal and I are invited to the wedding?”

  “Of course. Could you tell Melanie and Alex and Samantha? It’s difficult to—to find time for everything.”

  “Of course, Katie. What else can I do to help?”

  Katherine drew a deep breath. Friends were priceless, and Jessica was one of the best.

  KATHERINE HAD PLANNED on baking her mother’s wedding cake. Now it would also be her wedding cake. So she doubled the size and tried to find the time in her schedule to prepare it.

  Ethel, her new employee, was doing an excellent job. She took a lot of work from Katie’s shoulders. Since she and Jessica had come to an agreement about the cobbler, Katherine already had increased the workload.

  Maybe she could clone Ethel.

  “Katherine?” Ethel said hesitantly on Tuesday morning as they were preparing the carrot cakes.

  “Yes?”

  “I thought I should mention my sister, Alice. She said she’d like you to consider her when you want to hire more workers.”

  “Your sister? You have a sister who wants a job?” Katherine asked, her spirits rising. “Is she anything like you?”

  “Yes. But everyone always considers her to be a better cook.”

  Since Ethel had turned out to be an excellent employee, Katherine felt sure her sister would do as well. “Tell her she’s hired.”

  “Don’t you want to interview her?” Ethel asked in surprise.

  “Ethel, I don’t have time to interview. Tell her to come in the morning. We’ll have a trial run. If we’re both satisfied, then we’ll make it permanent. With the cobbler Jess wants, we’ll have to have more help. Especially since she’s calling the corporation in Dallas.”

  “You mean you may be making as many cobblers as you do cakes?” Ethel asked in astonishment.

  “No, at least not yet. We’re only doing two cobblers a day for Jessica.” Katherine sighed. Yes, her life was definitely spinning out of control.

  The door to the serving area opened. “Psst, Katherine!” Mary whispered. “He’s here. Your fiancé.”

  Word had certainly spread fast.

  Katherine swallowed and drew a deep breath. “I have to finish the cakes, Mary.”

  “He said he just needed a minute.”

  Katherine knew she wasn’t going to convince anyone of her enthusiasm for the marriage if she hid in the kitchen. “I’ll be right back, Ethel.”

  Her gaze found him at once, seated at a table for two, munching on a sausage roll. When he saw her, he stood and stepped forward to wrap his arms around her.

  She stood stiffly in his embrace. “Gabe! We’re in public,” she whispered.

  A naughty grin on his face as soon as he’d brushed his lips across hers didn’t denote any remorse. “I know.”

  “What did you want?” She collapsed into the chair opposite the one he’d been using, afraid his touch was affecting her knees.

  “A little more enthusiasm?” he whispered, leaning toward her after sitting down.

  She closed her eyes and prayed for strength and patience. “Mornings are really busy around here.”

  “Okay, okay. I wanted to meet you for lunch at The Last Roundup. Then I thought we’d go to Anderson’s jewelry store. I understand he keeps a good stock since marrying is becoming so popular around here.”

  Her mind wasn’t functioning. Good stock? She knew Gabe didn’t mean cattle, but then it hit her. “You mean buy a wedding ring?”

  “No, an engagement ring.” He grasped her left hand and played with her third finger. “We can pick out the wedding rings, too, but I want a ring on your finger now.”

  She blinked several times. Then she said, “That’s not necessary. A plain gold band will be enough. Then, when it’s over—”

  “Hush!” Gabe ordered with a frown. “Never say that. Someone might overhear you. My fiancée will have an engagement ring.”

  “But the wedding is Saturday.”

  “Can you meet me for lunch?”

  Apparently he’d decided not to discuss the ring issue anymore. “I won’t be through here until about two. Why don’t you go ahead with lunch, and I’ll come to your office at two.”

  “I don’t like you putting in so much time. You need to hire more help.”

  Katherine leaned back and stared at him. “I beg your pardon? I don’t run my shop for entertainment, Gabriel Dawson. I have financial obligations.”

  “When we’re married, I’ll share those obligations.”

  Katherine thought she was going to lose her breakfast right there, which wouldn’t do a lot for business. Clearly Gabe thought he’d offer her a financial reward for giving him his inheritance.

  Springing to her feet, Katherine rushed for the door to the kitchen. She couldn’t deal with this man or his plans right now.

  He caught her at the door.

  Pulling her against him, he lowered his mouth to hers and gave her another of those mind-blowing kisses. “I’ll be back at two o’clock.” Then he turned around and left the shop.

  Katherine stood there staring after him until she realized everyone in the shop was staring in turn at her. Turning a bright red, she retreated to the kitchen.

  GABE STRODE ACROSS the town square, his hands jammed in his pockets. He didn’t want people to see his fists. He was so frustrated he wasn’t sure he could manage.

  She wouldn’t even have lunch with him!

  Well, damn it, after today, he’d have his ring on her finger. She’d belong to him. Sort of. And that was what frustrated him most of all.

  Saturday they’d be married. But they wouldn’t be married. At least not when the sun went down. How long would it take him to convince her their marriage had a chance? And what if he never convinced her?

  Could he live with her, see her every day, pretend in public to be close to her, and not touch her when they went home? Every time he kissed her, he lost control.

  Saturday night, on her back porch, he’d been ready to stretch out on the cement and make love to her. His father’s voice had brought him out of his haze of sensuality.

  He’d gotten the hell out of there before Katie could tell him to leave and never come back.

  But who was going to stop him when they went home together?

  “Morning, Gabe,” Alex sang out as he entered the offices.

  “What are you doing here this early?” Alex usually arrived around nine.

  “I was up early throwing up and decided I might as well come in and get some work done. A nap sounds really good after lunch.” She grinned at him and entered her office.

  He followed her to the door. “Do you mind?”

  “Mind what?”

  “The pregnancy. I mean, you’ve got a successful career, and you already have one child. Did you want this baby?”

  She raised one eyebrow and he started apologizing. “I shouldn’t ask—”

  “No, it’s all right. The answer is yes, I want this baby. I’d like to have more, maybe two more. I love being a mother. And why not? I have it pretty easy. I get to work the hours I want. I have help at home. I have a loving husband and fantastic in-laws.”

  He shook his head and turned to go.

  “Why did you ask?”


  Gabe frowned, unsure what to say. But Alex had been honest with him. “I was thinking about Katie. She’s got a successful business, but it takes up a lot of her time. I wondered if she’d resent—I mean, should—” He stopped, unable to voice his dreams.

  “But I thought you two were, uh, meeting the terms of the will.”

  Gabe felt his cheeks heat up. “I’m hoping for more,” he finally admitted.

  “So she did agree to marry you? I heard a rumor.”

  “Surprise, surprise. Gossip in Cactus?” Gabe said, raising an eyebrow.

  She ignored his sarcasm. “When?”

  “Saturday.”

  “But that’s when her mother and Jack Ledbetter—a double wedding?”

  “Yeah.”

  “That’s brilliant.”

  “Who’s brilliant?” Mac asked from the hallway. Cal stood beside him.

  “Gabe and Katie are having a double wedding with her mother on Saturday,” Alex exclaimed.

  “I know,” Cal said casually.

  Gabe and Alex stared at Cal, and Mac turned to look at his friend, too. Then Gabe asked, “How do you know? I hadn’t told anyone yet.”

  “Katie told Jess yesterday because there’ll be more guests at the reception, right? We’re invited, right?”

  “And she didn’t call me?” Alex said, mock outrage in her voice.

  “She was going to last night, but Ricky had a tummy ache. You know how she is. She held him all evening. Wouldn’t even let me take over for a while.” He grinned. “I don’t know what we’ll do when we have another one.”

  Alex’s eyes widened even more. “You’re expecting again, too?”

  Both she and Mac congratulated Cal.

  Gabe felt envy. He wanted a family, too. But he didn’t hesitate to congratulate his friends.

  “It’s too early to be sure, but you know Jess. She’s absolutely sure.”

  Alex clasped her hands together. “Oh, it’s wonderful. Now our baby will have someone to play with.” Then her eyes widened even more. “I’ve got to call Melanie. I bet she and Spence are thinking the same thing. Sam and Mac won’t be the only ones with two children.” She sent her partner a triumphant smile.

  “Hey, don’t say anything yet,” Cal warned, an anxious look on his face. “She’ll kill me. You have to promise to act surprised when she tells you.”

  “Cal Baxter, you weren’t supposed to tell?” Alex asked, outrage in her voice. “I don’t know what kind of sheriff you are when you can’t even keep your new baby a secret!”

  “Hey, I’m a good sheriff!”

  Gabe decided he’d better intervene. “You’re the best, Cal. I understand how it could slip out. Because you’re so happy about the new baby, right?”

  “Yeah, that’s it. And you’ll all pretend not to know?” he asked anxiously.

  “Sure,” Gabe said, and then looked at the other two.

  “Sure,” Mac agreed.

  “Well…I suppose,” Alex added.

  Gabe hurriedly said, “And you’re all invited to the wedding on Saturday. Will you be there?” That should change the subject.

  They all agreed.

  “I’m going to have my dad as my best man. Oh, and he’s renting Jack Ledbetter’s place.”

  The men all commented about that piece of information, but Alex had girl things on her mind. “I have to talk to Katie and see if she needs to take a shopping trip into Lubbock. We could go this afternoon.”

  “What about your nap?” Gabe asked.

  “It can wait.”

  “Well, actually, I’m meeting her at two to buy her engagement ring. I don’t think she’ll have time today.” And he wasn’t going to put off getting the ring.

  “Good idea,” Cal said. “I didn’t like the way that doctor was following her around.”

  “He’s a nice man,” Mac said. “Sam is impressed with his credentials.”

  Gabe frowned at his friend as if he’d betrayed him. “Katie’s mine!”

  Mac raised both hands. “Hey, I’m not arguing that. But Sam said—”

  “I don’t care if he’s the best doctor in the world. I don’t want him hanging around Katie.” He glowered at all of them.

  “Calm down, son,” Cal said, clapping him on the shoulder. “The lady’s agreed, so you’re home free.”

  Gabe knew differently. But one day. He wasn’t going to give up. And the first step was putting a ring on her finger.

  “DID YOU EAT LUNCH?”

  Katherine turned startled eyes on Gabe as he asked his question, leaning against the doorjamb, his arms crossed over his chest.

  She’d planned to meet him at his office. What was he doing here? “I was going to come to your office.”

  “You haven’t answered my question.”

  She rolled her eyes. What was wrong with the man? “I eat all day long. I work in a kitchen. Are you afraid I’ll dry up and blow away?”

  His gaze roamed her figure and Katherine felt her body heat up. Damn, Gabe Dawson could still turn her inside out with a look. He always had had that talent.

  “Come on. Let’s go,” he finally said, abandoning his questioning.

  “Let me wash up.” She hadn’t worn her uniform today because she hadn’t been waiting on customers. With Ethel’s sister Alice starting tomorrow, if things worked out, she might be able to remain in the kitchen all the time.

  When she came to Gabe’s side, he took her hand and headed outside, waving goodbye to Evelyn and Mary.

  “Are we in a hurry?” she asked as he pulled her along.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to rush you, but I’m looking forward to putting a ring on your finger.”

  She blinked several times, thinking about his words. Why? While the marriage would bring him his inheritance, an engagement would do nothing for him. “But it’s the marriage that counts.”

  “Uh, yeah.”

  They’d crossed the square and reached Anderson’s jewelry store, so Katherine didn’t pursue the mystery of why the ring was so important to Gabe. The shop was empty when they entered, but the bell on the door alerted Mr. Anderson, and he came from his office.

  “Good afternoon. I was wondering if I’d be seeing the two of you,” he said with a big smile.

  “Cactus gossip at work, I suppose,” Gabe returned. “Since you know why we’re here, what have you got to show us?”

  “I have a wide array of choices. I need to know what you have in mind. A ring set? A gold band? Two matching rings?”

  Katherine opened her mouth to suggest a solitary gold band. Before she could get the words out, Gabe took charge.

  “I want a nice diamond engagement ring, with a matching wedding ring and a gold band for me.”

  Mr. Anderson stared at Gabe, as if asking a silent question. Whatever he saw in Gabe’s expression must have been an answer he liked. “I see. Well, now, I have a special group of rings in my office. I’ll be right back.”

  Katherine tugged on Gabe’s hand, still holding hers. “Gabe,” she whispered, “there’s no need to spend a lot of money. A plain band will mean just as much as something expensive. You’ll still get your inheritance.”

  “I don’t want people to think I’m not proud of my wife,” he assured her, staring into her eyes.

  “But—”

  “Here we go. These are the finest rings I carry. Let’s see if any of them fit your needs,” Mr. Anderson said, setting a black velvet tray on the glass counter.

  Katherine drew in her breath at the beauty of the jewelry. Normally she didn’t wear rings, because she’d only have to remove them when she worked. But she admitted to herself that she loved wearing them.

  Gabe surveyed the selection and chose a diamond solitaire with a particularly brilliant shine. He took Katherine’s hand and slid the ring onto her third finger. It was a perfect fit.

  “What do you think?” he asked softly.

  “It’s beautiful, but I think it’s too big.”

  “Three carats,” Mr. An
derson said promptly. “And of a particularly fine quality. In fact, Gabe, you’ve got quite an eye. That’s the finest diamond I have, though not quite the largest.”

  “It fits you,” Gabe pointed out.

  “We can size any of the rings,” Mr. Anderson inserted. “Some people don’t like the traditional rings, so I have some colored stones mixed in.” He pointed out a sapphire surrounded by diamonds.

  Gabe smiled but said, “We’re traditional people, Mr. Anderson. I’ll buy my wife other rings if she wants them, but for our wedding rings, we want traditional.”

  “Well, you’ve made an excellent choice.”

  “And the wedding band that goes with it?”

  Gabe took the band the man handed him and showed it to Katherine, but he didn’t put it on her finger.

  “Shouldn’t I try it on?”

  “It’s the same size as the engagement ring. It’ll fit.”

  “Are you going to wear a ring?” she asked softly. They hadn’t really discussed that point.

  “Oh, yeah,” Gabe said, grinning at her.

  She was becoming more and more confused. Why was he so enthusiastic about appearing to be married? Was it all part of the window dressing Alex had thought was necessary? If so, he was doing a great job.

  He tried on several wedding bands until he found one they both liked. When Katherine tried to pay for his ring, he insisted they all be charged to his account.

  Katherine stood her ground. “No. I want to pay for your wedding band.”

  “That is the traditional way,” Mr. Anderson said helpfully.

  A smile slowly spread across Gabe’s face. “Then that’s the way we’ll handle it, because this marriage is going to be traditional all the way through.”

  It occurred to Katherine that she had a lot of questions to ask Gabe Dawson, like what did he mean by that statement?

  Chapter Fifteen

  Gabe didn’t want to answer questions.

  Katherine was frantically busy the rest of the week, but she could have made time to have a long talk with her fiancé. If he’d shown any inclination to talk.

  But, if anything, he avoided her.

  Which didn’t bode well for their “traditional” marriage.