He stared hard at her. "You're not saying you'll marry me because you're afraid of losing your home, are you?"
"No!"
"Because I can't afford to buy it."
Autumn stared back at Clay—at her future. "I love you, not the ranch. I don't care if I have a ranch. I don't care if you have a ranch. I care if we're together."
Clay gathered her to him in a fierce hug. "That's the first time you've told me you love me. Autumn, I swear, you are the most challenging woman, but you are worth the wait. I hope you just meant what you said."
"I did."
"Good, because although I couldn't afford to buy your ranch, my dad could. And did."
The sale had gone through? "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because knowing you, you would have thought it was like buying you, right? And doggone it, it was just too good of a piece of property to let pass into other hands."
"Wait a minute—you mean that you let him buy it even though you knew I might accuse you of trying to keep me around?"
"You're looking at it backwards. We own it—or will soon. Your mother has already told us she wants to move into town. You're actually going to be farther away."
He was right. "Then I guess we'd better hurry up the wedding or I'll find myself out on the side of the road."
Clay laughed. "Sounds good to me. But what about your school?"
"I can commute or take correspondence courses, or both."
"You've got everything all worked out. I have to tell you that I'm relieved to hear that."
"I had plenty of time to think on the drive back from the Yellow Rose."
He laughed.
"Oh, Clay?"
"Mmm?"
"Maria said I should kiss you."
"Maria is a wise woman," he declared, and lowered his lips to hers.
YELLOW ROSE MATCHMAKERS
MATCH EVALUATION
NAME OF DATE: Clayton Barnett ACTIVITY: Champion Buyers Ball
WOULD YOU DATE THIS PERSON AGAIN? Yes.
WHY OR WHY NOT? I want to date him for the rest of my life.
DID YOU FIND ATTRIBUTES OF THIS MATCH THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH TRAITS YOU DESIRE IN A MATE? BE SPECIFIC A PERSONALITY PROFILE IS ENCLOSED FOR YOUR REFERENCE. He's perfect,
YELLOW ROSE MATCHMAKERS
MATCH EVALUATION
NAME OF DATE: Autumn Reese
ACTIVITY: Buyers' Ball
WOULD YOU DATE THIS PERSON AGAIN? You betcha.
WHY OR WHY NOT? I want to show her off. DID YOU FIND ATTRIBUTES OF THIS MATCH THAT ARE INCOMPATIBLE WITH TRAITS YOU DESIRE IN A MATE? BE SPECIFIC. A PERSONALITY PROFILE IS ENCLOSED FORYOUR REFERENCE. She can be a little hardheaded at times, but that's just going to make life interesting.
YELLOW ROSE MATCHMAKERS CLIENT FILE
NAME: Autumn Reese
STATUS: Moved to inactive, match successful.
YELLOW ROSE MATCHMAKERS CLIENT FILE
NAME: Clayton Barnett
STATUS: Moved to inactive, match successful.
FAX
To: Debra Reese, Reese Ranch
From: Nellie Barnett, Golden B
Dear Debra, These past few days have been so hectic, I don't know how you've been able to cope. I can't believe that after dawdling for years and years, our children want to get married in a matter
of weeks. Can't you persuade them to
wait until April or May?
Hopefully, Nellie
FACSIMILE
To: Nellie Barnett, Golden B Ranch
From: Debra Reese, Reese Ranch
Think, Nellie dear. After what we've gone through, especially in the past few weeks, do you really want to risk delaying their wedding? I didn't think so.
Happily swamped with wedding plans,
Debra
FAX
To: Autumn Reese, Reese Ranch
FACSIMILE
To: Clay Barnett, Golden B Ranch
From: Autumn Reese, Reese Ranch
Prove it. Nine o'clock at the old pecan tree. Bring your lips.
Hand-Picked Husband Page 14
