The Texan's Suite Romance. Judy Christenberry
need to leave now to be sure we get there a little early.” She smiled, even though she expected no smile in return. Turning on her heel, she led the way to the door.
When they reached the elevator, she kept her distance, remembering his remark that he didn’t like to be touched. It still amazed her that he could’ve written that inspired book. She intended to reread it after the tour.
When they got in the taxi, she looked at her notes once more. “The interviewer is Helen Wilson, a life-styles reporter. I’ll give her the questions we worked on and talk to her about the limitations you want her to follow.”
“Thank you. I want to apologize for my behavior, Tabitha. And I hope you’ll call me Alex. It’s…unfriendly to remain so formal.”
Tabitha turned to her companion. He was staring straight ahead, his features devoid of emotion. She wondered if she’d imagined his words. “That will be fine…Alex.”
“I appreciate the patience you’ve shown.”
He was like a ventriloquist, speaking without moving his lips. She blinked several times. Then she said, “Perhaps you’ll tell my sisters that. Though I doubt they’d believe you.”
That response actually made him turn his head to look at her. “Your sisters? The other two of the triplets?”
“Yes. I’m the most impatient of the three of us.”
“I’ve thought about doing a study of multiple births,” he said slowly. “But most people don’t like to be studied.”
Tabitha smiled. “That’s because they’ve been stared at too often. We enjoy each other’s company, but when the three of us appear together, we have to deal with a lot of surprise and questions.”
“Do you resent it?” he asked, showing interest for the first time.
“No, not exactly. We just get tired of feeling like circus freaks.”
“Did your mother dress you alike?”
“When we were little, she did. But when we got old enough to make our own decisions, that ended. Our closet was a free-for-all.” She smiled as she reminisced.
“I was an only child,” he said, frowning.
“I’m sorry. That must’ve been—” She caught herself and took a different approach. “Some people like that, though, because they’re the center of their parents’ attention.”
He didn’t respond.
She didn’t know why he changed back to his silent mode, but she regretted whatever she’d said that offended him. The taxi pulled to a stop and she mentally promised she’d apologize later.
Once they were in the television studio, she met Helen Wilson, an effervescent woman who swept everyone along in her wake.
“I’m so excited to meet Dr. Myerson. His book is so wonderful. It’s like falling in love all over again when I read it.”
“That’s a wonderful way to describe it, Helen,” Tabitha said, feeling better about the interview. “However, Dr. Myerson wants to focus on the applications people can find in his book rather than on the—the personal aspects.”
“Well, of course, he wants his readers to benefit from his wisdom. By the way, did his wife accompany him? I’d love to meet her.”
Tabitha carefully controlled her expression. “No, she didn’t.”
“That’s too bad, but Dr. Myerson will be quite enough for our audience. I’m sure he’s charming.”
Tabitha smiled, not showing her doubts about his charm. “Yes, of course. Shall I introduce you now?”
Mentally crossing her fingers, Tabitha led Helen over to Dr. Myerson. Alex, she reminded herself.
“Alex, allow me to present Helen Wilson, your interviewer. She loved your book.” She hoped her bright smile might induce him to warm up a little.
To her surprise, he took Helen’s hand and smiled at her, as if he were delighted to be there. Tabitha blinked, wondering if she was seeing clearly.
“I’m pleased to meet you, Helen. I love your beautiful city.”
“I know. I feel privileged to live here. Have you visited us before?”
“Yes, but it’s been awhile.”
“We’re glad you came back.” Helen tucked her arm into Alex’s and drew him with her to the set in front of the television cameras.
Tabitha had sucked in a sharp breath when Helen reached out and touched Alex, afraid his reaction would be unfriendly. Instead, one would think he escorted women around the town all the time.
Taking a seat behind the cameras so she could watch the interview, Tabitha prayed Helen kept the discussion away from Alex’s wife. In spite of the wonderful behavior he’d shown the interviewer, she wasn’t sure it would continue.
Half an hour later, she stood and applauded as did everyone on the set. Helen had asked the right kind of questions, and Alex had been more relaxed, more charming, than Tabitha had ever seen him. She walked over to shake Helen’s hand and commend her for the wonderful job she’d done.
When she turned to Alex, intending to repeat her compliments, he leaned close to her and growled, “Get me the hell out of here!”
Again, his facial features didn’t match his words. She was beginning to think she was dealing with a ventriloquist. Facing Helen again, she said, “I hope you’ll excuse us. We didn’t have time to get anything to eat beforehand, so we’re going to fit in a quick meal before the book-signing. But it was wonderful working with you this afternoon.”
“Of course, I understand. Have a great book-signing, Alex.”
He smiled and waved, but he was already on his way out of the studio.
“Are you all right?” Tabitha demanded when she caught up with him, fearing he might be feeling sick.
“Yes, but can we stop for coffee or something?” He continued to sprint forward.
“Yes, of course,” she said, frantically trying to remember if they’d seen any coffee shops in the area. And wondering why he was acting as he was.
When they exited the studio, they saw a coffee shop down the street and walked half a block to it.
“Why don’t you sit down and I’ll get the coffee? Do you want decaf?”
“No, I need the caffeine,” he said roughly, avoiding looking at her.
Were they returning to their earlier cold war? Tabitha hoped not. She wasn’t sure she could handle six weeks of battle with Alex Myerson.
She ordered two coffees and two pieces of carrot cake. A little sugar might make it easier to get through the signing.
Carrying everything on a tray, she reached the table where Alex sat with his head in his hands. Again, she wondered what was wrong. The interview had been spectacular. She couldn’t imagine what had happened that would draw the devastation she saw in his body language.
Tabitha transferred the dishes to the table. Then she returned the tray to the counter and came back to sit down in the chair across from Alex.
He hadn’t raised his head. In fact, she didn’t think he’d moved at all since he’d sat down. “Alex, is there anything else I can get you?”
Finally, he looked up and said no, but his gaze didn’t meet hers.
She shoved his coffee and cake closer to him. “Do you like carrot cake? It’s one of my favorites.”
Instead of answering, he picked up the cup and took a sip of coffee.
Tabitha gave it another try. “The interview went really well. I think it—”
Alex