Page 3 of Texas Made
“You’re one to talk.”
“Marshall,” she said warningly.
“Fine. Want me to wear a tux or is a suit okay?”
“Ha-ha. Just don’t be late. Ruthie’s making her special spaghetti and meat sauce.”
Marshall perked up at that. Ruthie’s spaghetti was one of his favorites. “Why didn’t you lead with the menu?”
But she’d already left. Shaking his head, Marshall swung himself into the saddle and pointed Cappuchino in the direction of one of his favorite rides.
As requested—ordered was more like it—Marshall showed up at the appointed time, showered and wearing one of his better pair of jeans. Since he’d shaved that morning, he drew the line at shaving twice in one day. Dinner with most of the Walker family was not a quiet affair. Jaclyn was seated directly across from him. Damn, she looked better every time he saw her. Tonight she wore a fitted sweater in a soft pink with, he’d seen earlier, blessedly tight jeans. Her blonde hair was down, flowing over her shoulders and down her back. He knew she wore makeup—hell, she owned a makeup company—but she didn’t really look like it. She just looked…beautiful.
“Jaclyn, will you be here for the annual Boots & Bangles gala?” Chantel asked.
Before she could answer, Gabe laughed. “Watch out, Jaclyn. She’s probably got someone in mind to matchmake you with.”
Jaclyn looked puzzled. “Uh, thanks but I’ll pass on that.”
Chantel laughed. “He’s just giving me a hard time. I tried to set him up with someone and well—” she held up her left hand to show off her wedding and engagement rings “—this is what happened.”
Everyone laughed.
“Tell me about this gala,” Jaclyn said. “Where is it and when is it?”
“It’s in March,” Damaris told her. “I can’t believe I never told you about it. The Kellys and the Blues host a charity ball every year at the Kelly ranch. You know who they are, right?”
“I live in Texas,” Jaclyn said dryly.
Of course she knew about the Kellys. Pretty much everyone in Texas knew of the Kellys and their brothers, the Blues. The Kelly holdings were vast, including of course, the world-famous Kelly Boots. Added to that were their oil wells, cattle business and Trey Kelly’s championship quarter horses. And Nick Blue was a former PBA champ who raised bulls since his retirement from the circuit. Wyatt Kelly was the tycoon of the family, though none of them were hurting for cash. And Xander Blue was an IT expert who kept the company’s computer system on the cutting edge.
“I knew they were big into philanthropy. Now that you mention it, I’m sure I’ve heard about the gala. I never have been invited though.”
“Well you’re invited now. I’ll introduce you to Paloma Kelly. She’s the family matriarch and chair of the silent auction that takes place at the ball. I’m sure she’d love to have something from your makeup company donated. The gala would be perfect for you to advertise your company. You could put together a makeup bundle. The proceeds go to charity, so it’s not only advertising but it also goes for a good cause.”
“That sounds interesting, but I’m not sure how long I’ll be here, you know. My condo could be finished by then.”
“It’s about a month away. Mid-March. Wait and see how your condo is going. You don’t want to go back too soon.”
“Even so, I don’t think I should commit to it. But I can certainly donate a basket of our makeup. I’ll tell Rachel to get one together.”
“If you say so. But you could always come back for the ball if you’ve already gone home to Dallas by then.”
Jaclyn gave a noncommittal answer, but Marshall had to hide a grin. Jaclyn might have forgotten how persuasive Damaris could be when she wanted something, but he knew his sister. Jaclyn’s attendance was already assured. She just didn’t know it yet.
*
Later in theweek Jaclyn and Damaris planned to have a girls’ night with just the two of them. They decided to meet at the cottage, figuring there were too many people at the big house. Not only Marshall and Damaris but another of Damaris’s brothers, Chase, and his fiancée, Ella, lived there, although they would be moving as soon as their new house was finished.
They started off with pizza, which Damaris picked up at Lucy’s Pizza, one of the locals’ favorites. Following dinner, wine, popcorn, ice cream, and chick flicks were on the agenda.
“I’m so glad you decided to stay here while your condo is being redone,” Damaris said, grabbing some popcorn and tossing it in her mouth, following it with a sip of wine. “It’s been forever since we’ve had a good talk or seen each other for more than a day or two.”
“It feels like forever, doesn’t it? And speaking of not talking,” Jaclyn said, “I haven’t heard a thing about any men in your life. Have you been dating anyone?”
Damaris lifted a shoulder. “No one special. I’ve been working a lot. And I’ve pretty much dated everyone from around here already.” She laughed.
“Surely not everyone,” Jaclyn said.
