An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [97]
“I’d like to eat at Bobby’s Burgers and then play a game of golf.”
Chase’s eyes widened. “Golf?”
“You heard me.”
“Lesley, I don’t know if you realize this, but there isn’t a golf course within eight hundred miles of Twin Creeks. I’ve never played the game.”
“You’ll pick it up fast, I’m sure. Anyway, those are my conditions. Take them or leave them.”
Chase groaned. “All right, if you want to see me make a fool of myself.”
Miniature golf. That was what Lesley had in mind.
She’d left him worrying all the way through their hamburgers before they drove to the golf course and he learned the truth. It was a just punishment, he decided, for what he’d put her through.
He’d suspected Lesley would be good at it and she was, soundly defeating him on the first nine holes. But as she’d said, he was a fast learner, rallying on the last nine. When they added up their scores, Lesley won by three strokes.
“I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much,” she said over a glass of iced tea. They were relaxing on the patio under a pink-and-orange-striped umbrella, surrounded by children and a handful of adults. “You’re a good sport, Chase.”
“Does that surprise you?”
She hesitated. “A little. Men don’t like to lose, especially to a woman.”
“That’s not true in all situations, just some.”
“Name one.” Her challenge was there, bold and unmistakable.
“When it comes to a woman deciding between two men,” he said thoughtfully. “Naturally, I can’t speak for all men, but there’s one thing that bothers me more than anything.”
“And that’s?”
“When I’m forced to compete with another man for a woman’s affection.”
Lesley grew quiet after that, and Chase hoped he hadn’t offended her with his honesty. He couldn’t apologize for speaking the truth.
“Tell me about the women you saw today,” she said unexpectedly, sounding almost cheerful. He caught the gleam in her eye and realized she was prepared to hear horror stories.
“I was really surprised by some,” he began.
“Oh? Were they that awful?”
“No.” He shook his head. “Not at all—there were some classy women in the group, with good educations. One of the first few I interviewed had her master’s degree.”
“What prompted her to respond to your ad?” The self-satisfied look disappeared, replaced by one of genuine curiosity.
Chase had wondered about that himself. “I asked about her motives right off. Don’t get me wrong—Twin Creeks is a nice, civilized town, but it’s a long way from shopping centers, large libraries and cultural events. Granted, we have TV and the internet, but you aren’t ever going to see any Broadway shows performed there. I explained all that to Christine.”
“And she still wanted to marry you?”
Chase nodded. “At least she said she did. She explained that she’s in her late thirties and has a successful career. But now she realizes how badly she wants a husband and family. She claimed every guy she’s dated in the last few years is emotionally scarred from a breakup or a divorce.”
“Having reentered the dating scene myself, I’m beginning to see how true that is.”
“Christine is mainly interested in starting a family,” Chase concluded.
“How do you feel about children?” She propped her elbows on the table and rested her chin in her palms as she studied him.
“I want a family, but I’d prefer to wait a year or two, to give my wife the opportunity to know me better and for me to know her. In my view, it’s important to be sure the marriage is going to last before we bring a child into the equation.”
“That’s an intelligent way of looking at it.”
Lesley went silent again and he saw pain in her eyes and wondered at the cause. He was about to question her when she spoke again.
“Other than Christine, is there another woman who made an impression on you?”
“Several. A female plumber who let me know she doesn’t, uh, mind kinky sex.”
The look that came over Lesley was very prim and proper. “I see.”
“And Bunny, who has four children under the age of six.”
“Oh, my goodness.”
“She was looking for someone