Page 57 of Texas Temptation

They looked at the rings, discussing what they liked and didn’t like, finally choosing matching bands with a braided motif.

Somehow, the morning fell flat.

Jordan didn’t know why. She should feel thrilled to be choosing rings for a lifetime. Maybe it was the jeweler’s supercilious attitude, or Cade’s lack of emotion. Somehow, there was no spark, no excitement.

And she couldn’t even have her engagement ring today. It had to be sized to fit her smaller finger.

Still, she reminded herself as they left the shop, it was the marriage that counted, not the trappings.

Cade took her to the Cattleman's Club, one of the nicest restaurants in Tumbleweed. The restaurant was crowded with ranchers and local businessmen, but the hostess managed to find a quiet table for them. As they wound through the main dining room, several people called greetings to Cade. He returned them all, not stopping to introduce Jordan.

After they were seated, he looked at her.

“Time enough to get to know everyone without having to explain to everyone we meet today,” he said. Glancing around the room, he continued, “Most of them will be invited to the wedding.”

“It’ll probably take me months to get everyone straight.”

A familiar person approached. Jordan had no trouble getting Gloria straight. She braced herself, but the woman virtually ignored her.

“Cade, darling. I didn’t know you were coming to town today.”

With a dismissing glance at Jordan, she smiled warmly at him.

“Taking your little secretary out to lunch? How nice.”

Cade had risen when she reached the table. Now he smiled, but Jordan noticed there was no warmth in his gaze.

“Penny’s returned. Jordan’s no longer working for me.”

“Oh?” Gloria looked surprised, but it was nothing to her expression when he added, “Jordan and I are celebrating our engagement. We’re going to be married in August. You and your family will receive an invitation, of course.”

“I didn’t even know you were dating again,” Gloria blurted.

Recovering quickly, she forced a smile onto her face and offered congratulations. Once she resumed her seat several tables away, Cade sat down.

Technically, Jordan thought as she perused the menu, this was probably their first date. Unless she counted the dinner and dancing at the business meal in Los Angeles. No wonder Gloria hadn’t heard he was dating.

From the way people looked their way, Jordan knew Gloria was already spreading the news. But Cade seemed totally oblivious. Taking her cue from him, she ignored the other customers and concentrated on Cade.

As he had said, this was to celebrate their engagement. Putting on a bright smile, she set out to celebrate.

They returned home in the late afternoon, and Cade headed for the office.

“I have time to go over a few things with Penny,” he said, glancing at his watch. “I’ll see you at dinner.”

Jordan looked for Caleb, but when she didn’t find him in his room, she went to check with Rosita.

“He’s over at the cottage with Señorita Amelia. She was going to let him take a nap in that feather bed she has. I guess her stories last night made him want to sleep in it and she dotes on him. He’s a lucky boy.”

“We both are,” Jordan said.

Caleb would have an extended family now, with Amelia and the rest of Cade’s family. Aunts, uncles, cousins. Grandparents.

How would his family feel about this marriage? She hadn’t even met his parents. It was a lot to think about.

Jordan walked the short distance to Amelia’s cottage. She’d never been inside and was enchanted when invited in. It looked like a doll’s house, with feminine Queen Anne furniture, lacy curtains, and colorful pillows everywhere. It suited Amelia to a T.

Pictures crowded the living room walls, some of Cade, others of family members she didn’t as yet know. Knickknacks cluttered the tabletops and shelves, from delicate crystals, to fine bone china, to sturdier snuffboxes and carved wooden figures.

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