“Let’s mingle, shall we?” Judith doled out introductions as they passed various conglomerations. Her standard greeting was the double-kiss followed by a haughty, “Darling, so lovely to see you. I’d like you to meet Reese Middleton. She owns a B&B in Wilder.”
Her emphasis on B&B and Wilder nearly screamed, “She’s just a commoner, my dear friends.”And she never once mentioned the ranch or the inn.
The lingering, assessing gazes made the knots in Reese’s stomach tighten. What was worse was that most of the gu
ests had no idea where Wilder was located.
“Hill Country, outside of Austin,” she’d say.
No one was the least bit interested in learning more about the small community. They homed in on the word “Austin”, and then went on and on about one thing or another related to the city.
It was exhausting to keep her chin up and make eye contact, as well as try to look as though these people didn’t intimidate the hell out of her, when they did. She felt several chinks in her armor, but then Caleb swooped in and took her by the arm.
“Thanks for keeping her company, Mother.”
“Yes, well, I do have other guests to attend to.” She swapped out champagne glasses from another waiter and then drifted off in the opposite direction.
“She thinks I’m too old for you and that I want your money.”
He laughed. “I’m not going to have much left when we’re done.”
“So your dad didn’t talk you into a corporate position?”
“You mean he didn’t bribe me into one? No, but he certainly tried. Sam and I are hopelessly devoted to the ranch, though. And I want you to be too.”
“I told you I love the idea. I am one hundred percent dedicated to running the inn.”
“Then don’t let my mother ruffle your feathers.”
“She was very careful not to mention our association to anyone.”
Caleb rubbed the nape of his neck. “I did learn she has someone in mind for me.” His head inclined toward the tall fireplace. “Missy Burton, the blonde. Seems I was supposed to be her date this evening and my parents aren’t pleased I brought a woman along.”
“Nice of them to tell you they’d paired you off.”
He laughed sharply. “They’re always hard at work with some scheme.”
Her heart sank. “Judith will be a dog with a bone over all of this, won’t she?”
He didn’t sugarcoat the situation. “Count on it. But at this point she can’t stop what’s happening with the ranch. I just need to keep my ear to the ground and my eyes open when it comes to her matchmaking. If she starts dropping hints of an involvement that doesn’t even exist, we’re in trouble.”
“What about Missy? Does she get a say in the matter?”
“Both of our parents have wanted to see us together for years. Missy doesn’t disagree.”
Reese studied the other woman’s face and then asked, “How old is she, Caleb? Twenty?”
“Twenty-four. But don’t think twice about that. I am absolutely not interested. And you know it.” He kissed her temple. “Missy can be downright calculating herself. I just have to make sure I’m fully extricated from the equation. And one way to do that is to introduce you two. Come on.”
Reese hedged. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
“I want to avoid any misconceptions.”
She couldn’t argue with that logic. “Okay. Lead the way.”
They insinuated themselves into Missy’s circle of friends. Caleb gave the petite blonde a peck on the cheek and then immediately said, “I don’t mean to interrupt. I wanted you to meet my date before we head out. Missy Burton, Reese Middleton. She’s from Wilder.”
The word “date” did not seem to sit well with the six women who unabashedly sized up Reese.