The Family Plan (The McClouds of Mississippi 1)

“Don’t start, Lindsey.”

“I still can’t believe you turned Nathan down when he asked you out.”

Caitlin wished now that she hadn’t admitted in a weak moment that Nathan had asked her to dinner. That was what came from having only one close girlfriend, she thought ruefully. Eventually Lindsey learned everything there was to know about Caitlin’s life.

“You would have turned him down.”

“Sure—because of the kid. But you’re just chicken.”

“Cautious.”

“Same thing.”

Caitlin let that pass.

“So,” Lindsey asked, “have you told him you might have a chance with the big L.A. firm?”

“No. The letter was in my mail when I got home from the office yesterday. I haven’t seen Nathan since.”

“Are you going to tell him?”

“Certainly I will, if I decide to go to L.A. for an interview. But there’s no need to mention it yet. Nathan has enough to worry about for now.”

“He won’t like it. He’ll try to talk you out of going.”

Caitlin shrugged, not quite meeting her friend’s eyes. “He could find another associate easily enough.”

“Something tells me it wouldn’t be losing a business partner that would concern him most.”

“What is it with you trying to match me up with Nathan?” Caitlin asked in frustration.

Lindsey grinned. “Hey, I just hate to see a prime young male go to waste.”

Her smile faded a bit then. “And, besides, I really don’t want to see you move to L.A., either.”

“There’s certainly no guarantee that I’ll move to L.A. I don’t even have an interview yet, remember? Even if I should get an interview, that doesn’t mean I would get an offer. And even getting an offer doesn’t mean I would accept if it didn’t feel right.”

Lindsey shrugged. “I just know you’ll get any position you go after. Any firm would be crazy not to want you.”

“Thanks, but you’re hardly objective.”

“There is that.” She set the letter on a table and stood. “I’d better get ready for my sales trip tomorrow. I’ve got another load of laundry to do tonight—or I’ll have to risk being in a car accident wearing ragged underwear, something my mother always warned me against.”

Caitlin stood to walk her friend to the door. “Do us both a favor—don’t have a car accident even wearing brand-new underwear.”

Lindsey laughed. “I’ll do my best.”

Caitlin’s telephone started ringing almost as soon as she c

losed the door behind Lindsey. Somehow she knew whose voice she would hear when she answered and she was right.

“How’s it going, beautiful?” Nathan asked cheerfully.

She settled into a chair, curling her feet beneath her. “Is this an obscene call?”

“It can be. Want me to talk dirty to you?”

“Why don’t you tell me why you called?”