Blame It on Texas

A full moon shone and stars twinkled in the velvety sky overhead. It was shaping up to be a beautiful October evening, Lewis McCabe thought, as he strode briskly up the steps of the Remington ranch house. Before he could press the doorbell, the front door opened. Jenna Lockhart Remington stepped across the threshold, the look on her face anything but welcoming. "I know why you're here," the elegant older woman said firmly."You do?" Lewis McCabe murmured. Darn it, had his four brothers phoned ahead to make his plan public before he put it into action? If so, there was going to be heck to pay, he decided grimly, and then some."And although -- " Mrs. Remington paused to shrewdly peruse Lewis from head to toe, none of her customary hospitality evident " -- I can see your need is dire -- "How could she have known how long it had been since he'd had a date?Lewis thought in irritation. Then again, this was Laramie, Texas, where everyone was family, and nothing stayed secret for long."Lexie is here on vacation.""Exactly," Lewis said, glad they were no longer talking at cross purposes. "I figured since your stepdaughter's in town again I'd use the opportunity to -- ""Take advantage of her kind and generous nature?" Mrs. Remington scolded, clearly annoyed.Was Mrs. Remington intimating he was a pity date? That Lexie would only go out with him if she felt sorry for him? "I assure you, Mrs. Remington, I have nothing but the utmost respect for Lexie," he said sincerely, determined to do whatever it took to get an audience with the woman he'd had his eye on for what seemed like forever. "I hold her in highest regard.""Which is, of course, exactly why you are here," Mrs. Remington interrupted. "Because Lexieisso successful."Given the fact this conversation had started off on the wrong foot, and had been going down the wrong path ever since, Lewis wasn't sure what to say to that. "Of course I admire what Lexie has done professionally," he admitted. "Everyone around here does." Thanks to her stunning fashion sense, she'd become every bit the celebrity her clients were.Footsteps sounded in the background. Jake Remington, Lexie's father, appeared at his wife's side, his tall, lanky frame filling the doorway. Jake nodded at Lewis. "McCabe.""Mr. Remington." Lewis stuck out his hand. After a moment, Jake shook it. Encouraged, Lewis continued, "I was just telling Mrs. Remington that I -- ""My wife is right," Jake Remington interrupted imperiously "There is no way Jenna and I are going to let Lexie see you. Because if we do and you ask her what darn near everyone else around here wants to ask her right now -- "Lewis swore inwardly. "Other guys have been here ahead of me?" He thought he'd gotten the jump on this, since Lexie had only arrived here from London, via her father's private jet, earlier in the day."Let's just say you're not the first to come calling," Mrs. Remington replied. "And the answer to everyone was the same. Lexie is not receiving guests at this time.""Well, then when will she be?" Lewis asked, doing his best to maintain a positive outlook. Not easy, given how unfairly he was being shot down.Jake and Jenna looked at each other. "As far as we're concerned, never," Jake said. "At least during this visit."The thought of letting Lexie leave town without seeing her -- again -- did not sit well with Lewis, maybe because so many chances to connect had already passed them by. Deciding he wasn't going to let the Remingtons's assessment of his chances with Lexie decide the matter, Lewis insisted as politely as possible, "I just need a moment of her time. I won't stay. I promise."Jenna sighed, looking thoroughly conflicted. She ran a hand through her short red-gold hair before frowning at Lewis. "She'd say yes, you know. All it would take is one look at you, and she'd be agreeing to whatever you asked.""And that would not be good for her," Jake Remington clapped a firm hand oThacker, Cathy Gillen is the author of 'Blame It on Texas ', published 2006 under ISBN 9780373751297 and ISBN 037375129X.