By Private Invitation by Stephanie Julian

do.
     After you’ve been added to Carmen Moran’s stable, I’ll fix you up with some nice,
     quiet friend of Arnie’s.” She paused, wrinkling her nose. “Then again, maybe that’s
     not such a good idea.”
    Annabelle saw something flicker through Kate’s expression, something she’d never seen
     there before. Doubt about her relationship with Arnie.
    Annabelle wanted to do a victory dance even though she shouldn’t be so happy that
     her friend was having doubts about the man she’d agreed to marry.
    Maybe their night in Philadelphia had been good for something if Kate was questioning
     her relationship. Which was a huge mistake just waiting to happen, Annabelle believed.
     But one she couldn’t convince Kate of.
    Seems all Kate had needed was one night at a swanky hotel party. If Annabelle had
     known that was all it would take, she’d have booked them a weekend away a year ago.
     Before she’d said yes to Arnie.
    “You’re right. It’s not a good idea,” Annabelle agreed. “I’m swearing off guys for
     a while.”
    At least she was swearing off playboys who made her hotter and hornier than she’d
     ever been in her life.
    The bell over the door dinged, making Annabelle’s breath catch in her throat.
    Just her luck the woman would be early…
    Turning, she swallowed a groan as Teddy Walters waddled into the room like a two-hundred-pound
     duckling.
    “Hello, Annabelle,” he chirped in his high-pitched squeak. “So, today’s the big day,
     huh?”
    She managed not to roll her eyes, but just barely, and forced a smile for her fellow
     antiques dealer. Teddy and his mom, Dolores, owned a shop just up the road where Dolores
     had a collection of Staffordshire china to die for.
    “Good morning, Teddy. I thought you were visiting your sister this week in Pittsburgh?”
    “Oh, I am, I am.” He nodded to Kate, but never took his eyes off Annabelle. Well,
     Annabelle’s chest. “But I wanted to be sure I said good-bye before I left.”
    Annabelle and Kate exchanged a look, which Teddy never noticed.
    “Well, I hope you have a great time,” she said. “Say hi to your sister for me.”
    “I will. Mom asked if you’d come visit her while I’m gone.” He nodded sagely, the
     perfect copy of his elderly mother, who he still lived with. “You know how lonely
     she gets when I’m not there.”
    Annabelle now had to work to keep from rolling her eyes. Dolores actually loved to
     have her little house to herself. Said she enjoyed the peace and quiet.
    When Teddy turned to look around the shop, she made a frantic face at Kate, who bit
     her lips to stop laughter from bubbling over.
    Annabelle hated to be rude to anyone but she couldn’t take Teddy today. He made no
     bones about the fact that he wanted to date her. But as much as Annabelle adored his
     mother, Teddy didn’t do a thing for her. Which never stopped him from trying.
    And after Jared—
    No. The man had no place sneaking into her thoughts today.
    “I’ll be sure to stop by,” she said with a gracious smile. “Now, I’m sure you need
     to get on the road so don’t let me keep you. I know how your sister looks forward
     to your visits.”
    Teddy’s bright smile made him almost handsome. Almost. “Alright, Annabelle. I’ll be
     sure to stop by when I get back.” He smiled again, and with one last quick glance
     at her chest, he walked out the door.
    Kate and Annabelle sighed simultaneously, then broke out in bemused laughter.
    “I swear, that man would attach himself to your leg if he ever cut his mother’s apron
     strings,” Kate said. “You should put him out of his misery and go out on a date with
     him. Just once.”
    Annabelle shook her head. “Wouldn’t help. He’d never leave me alone then. But I did
     need the laugh. I should thank Teddy for that. I’m a little calmer now.”
    Kate gave her another hug before moving to the door. “Think about good old Teddy’s
     face if you get nervous. That’ll help you smile. I