Courting Trouble (The Texas Two-Step Series, Book 3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

talking."
    "Do you have a better idea?"
    "I think we could trick Jeff and Meagan into getting back together again. How about if we tell them we've arranged blind dates for them?"
    "I don't think that would work. Meagan, unlike your loverboy cousin, isn't ready to date. Hmmm." Diedra's forehead wrinkled as she thought over his suggestion, reminding him of a kitten, and he fought an urge to reach out and smooth the lines. No matter how cute she was, women like her caused ulcers.
    "How about if we tell her we're dating and you want her to come along as a chaperone?"
    Diedra laughed, showing even white teeth. "Now, that she might believe, with all my accidents. But that won't work either. She'd know I wouldn't want her around on a date."
    Why did he feel disappointed she hadn't taken him up on the idea of a date? A.C. stuffed his hands into his pants pockets. "I'm out of ideas. I guess there's nothing we can do."
    Now to get out of here. He tried not to run for the shop door. "Maybe I'll see you around."
    She grabbed his arm. "Wait. I have another idea."
    Of course she did. He'd never get out of here alive—or clothed. He turned and looked down at her. "What?"
    "How about if you and Jeff go out to dinner and we'll go out to the same restaurant? They'll never know we set them up."
    He sighed in resignation. At least he got to keep his clothes on. Although he hated to admit it, she was right. Jeff and Meagan needed to get back together. As a couple, they were right in a way that made sense of marriage and commitment. The sooner they were reunited the better, especially since it meant A.C. could put distance between him and Diedra that much sooner. "Where and when?"

 
     
     
    Chapter 4

     
    Diedra went over the schedule she'd made out, one last time. Seated in the shop's back room, she chewed on her pencil. Every contingency was planned, down to the last second. She'd even accounted for how long it would take Alec to persuade Jeff to go out to dinner. She'd have no problem with Meagan, of course. Food seemed to be all she thought about since splitting up with Jeff.
    Diedra picked up her phone and carefully punched in the number Alec had given her for his direct line. "Hello. Alec?"
    "You've got the wrong number."
    "Wait!" Diedra realized her mistake as soon as he'd answered. "Chuck, it's me. Don't hang up."
    "I ought to hang up. I thought I was Third to you," he replied dryly.
    She knew he had that wry look on his face again and her stomach did another of its flipflopping routines.
    "Very funny. I've worked out a schedule for dinner." Tommy jumped up on the table beside the phone, almost stepping on the hang up button. Diedra grabbed him, plunking the squirming bundle of fur in her lap.
    "A schedule? We need a schedule?" Exasperation was evident in his tone. "We just meet at the restaurant, right?"
    Diedra stroked Tommy's soft coat. Fluorescent overhead lighting reflected off the cat's metallic collar, and highlighted something sticking to it. A straight pin. She grabbed it quickly. Poor Tommy. He might have been injured.
    "Yes, but I think the schedule will help. Really. You'll need time to talk Jeff into eating out and you won't want him to be suspicious."
    "I can handle Jeff," Alec said defensively.
    Great, now she'd angered him. "I'm just trying to help."
    "Look, Diedra. I'm just not convinced this is such a great idea."
    She fiddled with the phone cord. Hadn't he agreed to help? Was she going to have to go through it all again?
    Suddenly a paper clip flew out of nowhere. She felt it on the hand she had buried in Tommy's fur. Where had the cat been? In her desk drawer? "You promised to help."
    She sensed his sigh, rather than heard it. "Okay," he said. "What's the schedule?"
    "At six fifteen exactly, you'll go into Jeff's office..." Tommy growled, then nipped her. "Ouch!" Diedra nearly dropped the phone. "Hang on a sec."
    She stood up, dropping the tabby to the floor. Tommy darted off, leaving two more paper clips, a safety