Jenny sat down in one of the armchairs, curling her feet beneath her. Like Cole? You two looked pretty cozy when we got back to the table.
Emily blew out a disgusted breath and waved her hand through the air. Cole? Why do you think Id handicap my childrens genetics by hooking up with Cole?
Coles brilliant.
Hes barely five foot ten. And this is Texas. You dont think my sons will want to try out for the football team someday?
Cole plays baseball.
Emily arched a brow. This is Texas, she repeated.
You dont even like football.
But my kids will. And I can rah rah on the sidelines along with any good mother.
Okay. How about this? Cole owns twenty percent of the Texas Tigers.
That information seemed to give Emily pause. Seriously?
Thats what Mitch just told me. Jennys thoughts went back to their conversation. You know, Mitch was awfully good with those teenagers. We were right in the middle of an argument, but he just switched on the charm.
Thats our Mitch. Diplomatic and charming, no matter what the circumstances.
As she digested Emilys words, an unsettling thought crept into Jennys mind, hollowing out her stomach. Do you think she began slowly. Do you think he does it with me?
Does what?
Turns on the diplomacy. In the office. When were together. Do you think Ive been seeing the polished, professional Mitch, and not the real guy?
Its possible, Emily ventured. It does seem to be second nature to him.
And its exactly why they appointed him to the interim presidency. He can smooth things over, make everyone feel happy, even when hes telling them no. Jenny swallowed. Oh, dear. This is humiliating.
Why?
Hes been handling me, just like he handles everyone else. I had a crush on the persona. I dont even know the real guy. Jenny stood up and paced across the room. Do you think thats why he slept with me? When she thought back to the conversation, she felt the blood drain from her face. The last thing I said to him before he got all gooey and romantic was that I was upset he hadnt noticed my new look. Then, all of a sudden, he couldnt say enough flowery things.
She hung her head, shoulders drooping. He fed me a line. He told me exactly what I wanted to hear. Good grief, Ive seen him do it to a hundred different people. And then, when I practically threw myself into his arms Jenny couldnt bring herself to finish the thought. She could never, ever face Mitch again.
It was a mercy- Emily pressed her lips shut.
Just kill me, Jenny squeaked. Toss me off the balcony, and put me out of my misery.
Emily came to her feet. Its not that bad.
Not that bad?
Emily braced her hands on Jennys shoulders. He cant read your mind. All he knows is that the two of you had a one-night fling. If it was an unemotional fling for him, theres no reason it wasnt an unemotional fling for you. He wants to put it behind you. You do, too. Case closed.
Case closed? Jenny found her voice trembling.
Youre a logical woman, Jenny. And putting it behind you makes good sense. Heck, youve seen him a dozen times since that night. Youve made it through the awkwardness. The tough part is over.
Yes. Jenny forced herself to nod in agreement. The tough part was over. Shed do her job, professionally and thoroughly, just like shed always done. Mitch was diplomatic. She could be just as diplomatic. And shed keep her emotions well away from anything to do with Mitch.
You going to let him fix you up? asked Emily.
Not a chance.
You want Cole?
I think of Cole as a brother.
An odd expression flitted across Emilys face. Really?
Hes a sweetheart.
Hes stubborn as a mule. I think its short-man syndrome.
Hes barely under six feet. And hes incredibly fit. Jenny knew that Cole was involved in martial arts. He also still played baseball, and he loved the outdoors.
Whatever, said Emily. Hes off the list. Fortunately for us, there are still ten million other men in Texas.
And Jenny was going to be happy with one of those ten million men. She was going to find someone kind and honest, who was as interested as she was in building a loving family.
It was nearly four oclock the following Saturday. Jenny was at the Cattlemans Club offices, finishing work on her database before the office opened up again on Monday. Shed taken over the big boardroom, spreading the membership correspondence out in a way that wasnt possible at her desk.
Her laptop was at one end of the oval table, and she had letters, emails, reports and drawings sorted in neat piles over its expanse. She was almost finished with the metadata, and shed already scanned each of the paper documents to provide easy access for the Board of Directors.
Jenny? Mitchs voice echoed from outside in the hallway, footsteps coming closer. Is that you?
In here, she called, trying hard not to react emotionally to his presence. Shed never had any problem with equanimity before, dealing with all kinds of people on all kinds of issues. But with Mitch logic and reason seemed to fly out the window.
What are you doing here? he asked through the doorway.
I needed to finish up and get this table cleared off, she replied without looking up. She pointed from pile to pile in explanation. Letters against a new clubhouse. Letters against a female president. Pledges to vote for a female president. Letters in support of a new clubhouse. Suggestions for elements of a new clubhouse. And, actual spec, architectural drawings of a new clubhouse. Oh, and these ones are miscellaneous, save the whales, ban antibiotics in dairy cattle, nationalize the high-tech sector and turn the stop sign at Fifth and Continental into a traffic light. I wasnt going to include them in the database.
Somebody thinks we control the traffic lights?
Apparently. Can you get right on that? The letter writer believes its a serious problem. She glanced up to see not just Mitch, but Mitch, Jeffrey and two other men that she vaguely remembered from the football team clustered in the doorway.
Her face heated. Uh
Mitch strode into the room. Jenny, these are some of my teammates. Emilio, Nathan and you already know Jeffrey.
Of course I do. Hi, Jeffrey. She greeted the other two with a smile and a nod.
Hey, Jenny. Jeffrey made his way around the table toward her.
The man named Emilio spoke up. He was huge, with an impossibly deep chest, jet-black hair and no discernible neck. He took in the piles on the boardroom table. You ever want an administrative job with a football team, Ill give you a good reference.
Back off, Mitch growled. Id be lost without her.
Jenny ruthlessly reminded herself that Mitch meant in a professional way. On the personal side, she was just another in a long line of dalliances.
Its easy enough to see why, said Nathan. He was blond, and slighter than the other three, with a wide, white smile. Great to meet you, Jenny.
Its easy enough to see why, said Nathan. He was blond, and slighter than the other three, with a wide, white smile. Great to meet you, Jenny.
Im giving the guys a tour of the clubhouse, Mitch explained. But, do you want some help here?
She quickly shook her head. Im almost done. The boardrooms booked by the Hospital Fundraising Auxiliary at ten tomorrow, and I wanted to make sure my mess was out of the way.
Jeffrey moved closer. I dont mind lending a hand.
Ten minutes, tops, Jenny assured him.
Then Ill still be around and help you carry it all back to the office, said Jeffrey.
Mitch stepped in, an edge to his voice. Leave everything here. Well move it after youre done.
But- She caught Mitchs expression and stopped short. Sure. Okay. Give me fifteen?
Well be back, said Mitch.
Nathan spoke up. And then you can come to dinner with us.
Barbecue at Mitchs place, Emilio sang, clapping Mitch on the shoulder with a meaty hand.
Jenny automatically cringed, knowing it was Mitchs injured shoulder, and that hed had a physio session scheduled for this morning. But, other than a slight tightening of his lips, Mitch didnt react.
And bring Emily, said Jeffrey, doing a mock golf swing. Were hitting the links first, and I need to show off to someone.
Jenny couldnt help but smile at that. She appreciated Jeffreys happy-go-lucky approach to life. You mean a hundred thousand screaming fans doesnt do it for you?
We dont have a game this week. Besides, I prefer my adoration up close and personal.
Fifteen minutes? Mitch confirmed, with a scowl at Jeffrey.
Jenny noticed that Mitch didnt echo the dinner invitation. Just as well. The last thing she needed was to hang out and get personal at Mitchs house. It had been a long week, with Jenny sticking carefully to professional topics only, fearing hed bring up matchmaking again.
After the men filed out, she quickly finished the data entry, saved everything to the server and shut down her laptop. She took it back to the office, fully intending to clean up the boardroom and escape before the men made it back from the clubhouse tour.
Her plan failed.
She met them in the hallway on her second trip, her arms full of paper.
I thought I told you to leave it, Mitch barked.
She immediately understood her blunder. Mitch had been trying to help her graciously exit. Hed expected her to leave the mess and clear out before they got back.
Sorry, boss, she mumbled, feeling foolish. She could have escaped, should have escaped. This was one time when she should have ignored her instincts to finish a job before leaving work.
Its not a problem, Mitch, Nathan put in. Ill grab the rest, and we can head over to the golf course.
They all looked expectantly at Jenny.
Um. She bit down on her lip, mind scrambling for an excuse. Shed never been a good liar, and trying to do it under pressure made it that much worse. I dont think I can- Her glance darted automatically to Mitch.
Mitch wants you to come. Emilio clapped him on the shoulder again.
This time Mitch did cringe with obvious pain. Of course youre welcome to come along, Jenny. Call Emily. Lets make it a party.
Emilys hot, said Jeffrey, and Nathan and Emilio each gave a whoop of approval.
Mitch turned on them. If you guys are going to behave like children
The men immediately sobered and shook their heads. Nope. Not us. Well be perfect gentlemen.
Listen, Jenny put in. Its not the most convenient day for me-
Call Emily, Jeffrey interrupted. I want to impress her with my 9-iron.
Nathan and Emilio guffawed, and Mitch compressed his lips.
Im going to assume you didnt mean that the way it sounded, Jenny couldnt help putting in.
Absolutely not. Jeffrey gave Nathan a shove with his shoulder. I meant it literally.
Jenny looked to Mitch once more. His eyes were softer this time, and there was a hint of a smile on his face. You want me to call her? he asked.
I can do it, Jenny capitulated.