The Tycoon's Temporary Baby(49)

“Excuse me?” Marie stopped and looked at Wendy as if she’d grown another head.

“Forget Helen and her stupid ideas about a wedding reception. The only point in actually having a reception—and having it in Palo Verde—is so that I can meet Jonathon’s family. If none of them will come to the country club, then I would like to know where we should have the party so that his family will come.”

Marie looked warily at Jonathon, undoubtedly trying to figure out if Wendy was serious. All he could do was shrug. After all, he couldn’t very well tell either woman that the last thing he wanted was to see his family again, let alone introduce them to his new wife.

“Isn’t the party tomorrow night?” Marie asked. “You won’t be able to plan a new party in twenty-four hours.”

Wendy just grinned. She nodded toward him. “I keep FMJ organized and running. This will be a breeze.”

Marie looked from Wendy to him and then back again, but she still looked doubtful. “Okay. If you want…” Marie got a shifty look in her eyes, one he remembered all too well from his childhood. She’d always had a knack for pushing boundaries and his gut told him that just now she was going to see how far she could push Wendy. “You should have it at my house.”

“Marie—” he warned.

“I can’t ask you to do that,” Wendy said, cutting him off. “It’s too much of an imposition.”

“Or…” Marie said archly, “you think my house won’t be nice enough.”

He watched Wendy carefully, curious whether she’d pick up on Marie’s subtle manipulation.

“No, no!” Wendy began. “That’s not what I meant.”

But Marie ruined whatever advantage she might have had by letting just a hint of smug satisfaction creep into her smile.

Wendy caught it. For the briefest second, she looked puzzled, but she recovered quickly. “I’m sure your house is lovely. What time would you like us to be there?” She didn’t give Marie a chance to answer, but linked arms with the other woman and began walking toward the back parking lot, where Marie had been headed before Wendy had stopped her.

Jonathon had little choice but, with Peyton in his arms, to fall into step behind the two women and observe the battle of wills from what he hoped was a safe distance.

“Do you want me to try to find a caterer?” Wendy asked.

“A caterer?” Marie said the word as if it was a curse.

Jonathon would bet she’d never had a catered meal in her life.

“No, you’re right,” Wendy responded. “If Jonathon’s family would be offended by the ostentation of the country club, then a caterer wouldn’t be good either. We’ll just show up with food, if you don’t mind us using your kitchen. My mother is an excellent cook. And my father and Big Hank make some of the best barbecue in the state. Texas, that is.” She flashed a bright smile. “Of course, we’ll have to arrive early for that. Say, seven?”

“In the morning?” Marie squeaked. “You might as well stay with us overnight.”

Wendy pretended not to hear the sarcasm in Marie’s voice. “Jonathon and I would love that! We’ll come over as soon as we get the rest of my family settled at the hotel. I assume Jonathon knows where the house is?”

Marie looked as though she’d been sideswiped by a fast-moving vehicle. “It’s the house he grew up in.”

Marie stopped in front of an old Ford. The car was worn, with a dented bumper and enough scratches that it looked as if it had been mauled by a lion. There were booster seats in the back and toys littering the floorboard.

“Great! We’ll get my family settled at the hotel and see you in a few hours.” Wendy launched herself at Marie and gave her a hug. “I’ve always wanted a sister.”

Wendy stood beside him, her arm around his waist and her head resting on his shoulder while they watched the flabbergasted Marie back out of the parking lot and drive away.

As soon as the car was out of sight, Wendy straightened and sent him an exasperated look as she took Peyton back from him. “You should have warned me how things were between you and your siblings.”

He shrugged. “You were the one who’s been so sure you know me.”

She considered his words and then nodded. “Okay. Fair enough.” She studied him, her head cocked to the side, her expression pensive. “Do you ever see them at all?”

Instead of answering, he asked a question of his own. “You realize, don’t you, that Marie didn’t really invite us to stay with her?”

Wendy scoffed. “Of course I do. I’m not an idiot. But I’m not going to let her believe that we think she’s not good enough.”