Читать книгу Rent A Millionaire Groom - Judy Christenberry - Страница 6

Elise Foster paused outside the front window of The Prickly Pear, spotting her two best friends through the plate glass.

The three of them were so different. Phoebe was a tall, beautiful blonde, the kind of woman men noticed. Not that they could ignore Daisy, with her auburn hair and vibrant smile. Elise considered herself to be average in looks compared to the other two, but tonight she had the answer to their problem.

With a pleased smile, she swung open the door and entered their favorite meeting place, a café and bar near Mesa Blue, the condominium complex where they all lived. “Sorry I’m late,” she said by way of a greeting.

“No problem,” Phoebe said with a grin. “We’ve been looking for potential candidates.”

“And?” Elise asked, wondering if her solution might not be needed.

Daisy didn’t smile. “Nothing. No one.”

“Daisy, maybe you’re being too…too choosey,” Phoebe said gently. “You know, there really aren’t any Prince Charmings out there. Just ordinary guys.”

Daisy stared her friend down. “Maybe not, but he should at least make me want—want him.”

“She’s got you there,” Elise agreed. Her friend had recently visited her doctor. After suffering from endometriosis for years, Daisy had to get pregnant in the very near future if she was ever to have a child. And she desperately wanted a baby.

That’s why Phoebe and Elise were trying to help her, in spite of their own reluctance to march down the aisle. So far they’d had no luck.

Elise put a package on the table. “I have a solution.”

Her friends stared at the small shopping bag and then at her.

Daisy leaned forward. “I had someone a little taller in mind, Elise.”

Elise grinned in return. “That’s the solution to finding the man, silly, not the man himself.”

“Whew, that’s a relief,” Phoebe said with a chuckle. “I thought maybe you’d found a store named Daddys Are Us, or something.”

“I wish I had. It would make things easier. No, I stopped by the bookstore on the way here.”

Her friends rolled their eyes.

“Like that’s unusual,” Phoebe muttered.

Ignoring them, Elise pulled a book from the bag. “Ta-da!”

Both women leaned closer, staring at the title, 2001 WAYS TO WED.

“You’re kidding, right?” Phoebe demanded. “You bought one of those books that tells you never to go out without your makeup? To learn how to cook gourmet meals and always agree with whatever he says?”

“No, this book is different. It’s—it’s sensible.”

Daisy pulled the book from Elise’s grasp and opened it.

“Well?” Phoebe asked as she leaned over to look, too.

“It does seem to be practical. It says to smile a lot. To be positive. To think good thoughts about yourself.” Daisy chewed on her bottom lip as she studied the words.

Elise noticed several men with their attention fixed on Daisy, clearly intrigued by her. That was why the entire campaign seemed ridiculous. Men wanted Daisy, but so far Daisy hadn’t come up with a man she wanted.

Phoebe had suggested she and Elise help by introducing any men they knew. Unfortunately, Elise didn’t know many men. She’d sworn off them a long time ago. And the only man in the Foreign Language Department at Arizona State University where she taught was Herr Gutenberg. At 5 foot 6 inches, with no hair, the 60-year-old wasn’t the man for Daisy.

Their favorite waiter, George, arrived at the table. “Hey, Elise, what can I bring you?”

“A diet cola, George. I’ve got to keep a clear mind tonight.” That was a running joke, since Elise always ordered a diet cola.

“Aha, big doin’s this evening?”

“Yep. We’re on a search.”

George, assuming she was joking, said, “Well, if you find the meaning of life, let me know.” Then he took their orders and headed for the kitchen.

When they were alone once more, Elise said, “We’ll all three study this book. Surely, then, we’ll be able to find the perfect candidate for Daisy.”

“And maybe for both of you, too,” Daisy added, a hopeful smile on her face.

“No, thank you,” Phoebe and Elise said together.

They both laughed. Then Phoebe added, “Some people aren’t meant to be married, sweetie. I’m one of those.”

“And I have my career to think of, you know,” Elise added. “No, we’ll help you, but we’re not interested in husbands.”