Read Online Texas Weddings 3 & 4 by Janice Thompson - Free Book Online Page A

twinkling eyes.
    His mother gave Charity a gentle kiss on the cheek. “I
picked up a little gift for our girl yesterday. . .”
She reached into a bag and came out with a baby doll. “She’s so pretty. See?”
She straightened the doll’s skirt before placing her into the youngster’s
waiting arms.
    “You’re going to spoil
her,” Kent warned, though he knew his words fell on deaf ears.
    “Pshaw!”
    “See you no later than
ten,” he said.
    His mother signaled
for Charity. “Tell Daddy good-bye, honey,” she instructed.
    Charity managed a
joyous “Bye-bye” before turning her attentions toward the television.
    Kent planted a kiss on his beautiful daughter’s cheek. “Bye,
baby.” He turned to his mother and mouthed the words, “I can’t thank you
enough.”
    “Oh, pooh!” she
answered. “I love watching her. You know that. Besides, we’ve wanted to get you
married off for quite some time now.”
    “Mom, don’t. . .”
    “Get on out of here,”
she said with a grin. “And have a good evening. Don’t give us a second
thought.”
    ***
    Shauna slipped on the blue floral dress and gazed at her
reflection in the mirror. “What do you think, Mom?”
    Her mother nodded her
approval. “Nice, babe. But you still haven’t told me anything about your young
man.”
    “He’s not my young
man,” Shauna said nervously, pulling the dress off and reaching for a brown
skirt. “He’s just someone I met at the computer store.”
    “Is he nice looking?”
    “You’ll find out for
yourself soon enough,” she said, slipping into the skirt. “He’ll be here any
minute.”
    “What’s his name?”
    “Kent Chapman.”
    “What does he do for a
living?”
    Shauna paused only
slightly as she zipped up the skirt. “He’s a pastor.”
    “A pastor? Really.”
Her mother’s eyes widened with amazement. “That would explain last Sunday.”
    “Yes, but please don’t
say anything.” Shauna reached for a beige blouse. “At least not yet. I barely
know him.”
    “You must want to get
to know him,” her mother said with a smile, “or you wouldn’t be so worried
about what you’re wearing.”
    Shauna hurried to
button up her blouse. “I’m not worried, Mom.”
    “Really? Then why have
you buttoned your blouse like that?”
    Shauna looked down,
horrified to find the buttons and buttonholes mismatched. “Good grief.” As she
fumbled to straighten out the mess, she could sense her mother’s gaze. “Just
say it, Mom”
    “Say what?”
    “You’re wondering
about Joey. You’re thinking I have no right to be going out with someone I
barely know when Joey is supposed to be my boyfriend.”
    “Actually, I wasn’t
thinking that at all,” her mother said. “And I’ve never even met Joey,
remember? I’m just an incurable romantic, and I want the best for you. This
fella could very well be the one.”
    “You? An incurable
romantic?” Shauna laughed in spite of herself.
    “Yes,” her mother
said, her expression serious. “Whether you want to believe it or not. Now tell
me more about this pastor. How old is he?”
    “I don’t know. Late
twenties, probably.”
    “Wow. That’s young for
a pastor. What does he look like?”
    For some reason, all Shauna could see were his dancing green
eyes. She felt her lips curl up in a satisfied grin. “Very nice looking. But
you’ll find that out for yourself any minute now. He should be here soon.”
Shauna glanced in the mirror and groaned. “Could you hand me the hairbrush? My
hair looks ridiculous.”
    “You look great.” Her mother smiled as she reached to offer
her assistance.
    “Thanks, Mom.”
    The doorbell rang
suddenly, startling Shauna. “Oh, dear.” She gave herself one last glance in the
mirror. “My hair looks terrible. I wanted to put it up.”
    “It looks better
down,” her mother assured her. “Now, do you want to get the door, or should I?”
    “Um. I don’t know,”
she said nervously. “I don’t want to look too anxious. Why