“I’ll be waiting, sugar. Don’t keep me waiting,” MayBelle purred before letting the door swing shut behind her.
“MayBelle’s waiting for you,” Kati reminded him stiffly, trying not to let on that she was intensely curious about what was going on between Luke and MayBelle. It wasn’t any of her business, she reminded herself, to no avail.
“Let her wait,” Luke returned calmly, and her gaze turned into a glare.
“But she wants something cool to drink!” All she wanted was to get him out of her kitchen and out of her vision so she could try to think, try to breathe and try to figure out just what to do with him.
“What MayBelle wants,” Luke said, holding her gaze and trying not to grin, “is me.”
Stunned, Kati stared at him wide-eyed for a moment. “Why you arrogant, insufferable man!” Her emerald eyes blazed in fury as she gave him a good thump on the chest. “You think I need you in my diner, and MayBelle wants you in her bed! Is there no end to your conceit?”
Luke chuckled softly. “I’m not interested in what MayBelle wants,” Luke returned, not in the least bit daunted by her fury. “But I am interested in you. If you’ll just stop fighting me, you’ll see we can be good together.” His insufferable tone grated at her raw nerves. She had a feeling he wasn’t just talking about their relationship at the diner, either. “You need me,” he added firmly, and Kati’s temper erupted.
Lucas Kane didn’t know it, but he had just issued an open declaration of war! She didn’t want or need him, and she was going to do everything in her power to prove it to him!
“We’ll just see about that,” she snapped smugly, ducking around him and heading toward the door. “We’ll just see!”
Chapter Six
“Kati Rose! Where’s that refill of coffee you promised me?” Mr. Billings yelled. “And what’d you put in this here sandwich? I asked for roast beef, and this looks like tuna!” Mr. Billings wrinkled his nose in disdain as he inspected the sandwich Kati had slapped on the table in front of him just moments before. “Smells like tuna, too,” he grumbled, taking a big sniff.
Sighing in exasperation, Kati snatched the coffeepot from behind the counter, trying to juggle the pot and several empty bowls as she hurried over to his table and poured him a refill.
“This coffee’s cold,” Mr. Billings complained after taking a quick sip. “And this here’s a tuna sandwich. I ordered beef.”
“Eat it. It’s good for you,” Kati scolded, moving on to the next table to clear it. She slammed the coffeepot on the dirty table and looked longingly at the booth. Oh, what blessed bliss if she could just sit down for a moment. She’d been handling the kitchen, the front and the customers for two long days, ever since Luke had sent Bessie home. If the relationship between her and Luke had been a battle before, now it was a full-scale war. She was determined to prove that she didn’t need him. And he was just as determined to prove she did. At this moment, she had to admit the score was ten to nothing, in favor of Luke. He had been dogging her steps, cleaning up after her mistakes and handling the things she just didn’t have time for. Her mind always seemed to be three steps ahead of her feet.
Wiping her brow with the back of her hand, she started clearing the table. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Luke approach Mr. Billings’s table, take his sandwich and head toward the kitchen. She quickly finished clearing the table, grateful at least that the day was half over.
Carrying the tray of dirty dishes into the kitchen, Kati glanced at Mr. Billings’s table. Luke had given him a new sandwich, roast beef this time, and it looked like he had made fresh coffee, too.
Kati dumped the dishes on the counter as a sudden inexplicable wave of gratitude washed over her. Under any other circumstances she would have been graciously appreciative of all of Luke’s help and normally would have gone out of her way to thank the man. But these weren’t other circumstances, she reminded herself.
The phone rang and, with a weary sigh, she crossed the kitchen to snatch the receiver.
“Hello?”
“Kati, this is O’Brien’s Dairy. We had a fire out here last night. Not too bad, but it will be a few days before we can make any deliveries.”
Her eyes slid shut and Kati swore softly under her breath. She had always dealt with the local small businessmen. A small business owner herself, she appreciated the loyalty of her customers. Occasionally there were problems with deliveries and such, but it had never been anything she couldn’t work around. It was worth a little inconvenience in order to patronize the small businesses in the area. Normally, she’d leave Bessie in charge of the diner and drive over to pick up the needed items herself. But Bessie wasn’t here, and she had no idea how she was going to get the supplies she needed.
“Kati? Are you still there?”
She pressed her hand to her eyes. “I’m still here. I’m sorry about the fire, Ralph,” she said, cursing Mother Nature and every other entity she could think of. “Hope everyone’s fine?”
“They are. No one got hurt. But thanks for asking. I’m sorry about this, Kati, but I’m really short-handed and the place is a mess. Your stuff’s all ready, I just don’t have anyone to come deliver it. We’ll be open until four today if you want to come get the stuff yourself.”
Kati glanced quickly at the large wall clock. It was after two already. She still had pork to roast for the dinner rush. If she hurried, she might just make it to get the supplies she needed for tomorrow’s breakfast rush. But what about the diner? She couldn’t just up and waltz out of here.
“Thanks, Ralph. I’ll be there,” she said firmly, hanging up the receiver and having no idea how she’d get there. Unless she asked Luke to… No, she quickly banished the thought.
“Kati Rose!” Mr. Billings’s voice wafted through the door.
“Damnation!” she muttered, pushing through the door. Now what?
“Where’s my egg custard?” Mr. Billings called. “Today’s Thursday, Kati Rose, and you know I always have egg custard on Thursday.” Kati slapped a hand to her forehead. She had a brand new oven but it certainly didn’t work unless she put something into it.
“No egg custard today, Mr. Billings.” She flashed him and Vera a sheepish smile. They were looking at her very strangely. They had been looking at her like that all week long. “Sorry. How about a nice bowl of ice cream?” she asked, looking from one face to the other.
“Now, Kati Rose, you know Mr. Billings doesn’t like ice cream,” Vera scolded.
“When’s Bessie coming back?” Mr. Billings asked, searching the room for Luke.
“I don’t know,” Kati admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. She’d been wondering the same thing herself. Kati only hoped Bessie would return soon. Very soon.
“Well, you let me know when she does,” Mr. Billings grumbled, getting to his feet. “Maybe when she gets back things will return to normal. And then we’ll be back.” Kati stood stock still, staring as Mr. Billings and Vera headed for the door. But Luke came through the kitchen door, took one look at Kati’s wretched face and Mr. Billings’s scowl, and headed toward the duo. Luke caught up with them just as they reached the door. Kati couldn’t hear what they were saying, but Mr. Billings and Vera were both smiling as they turned around and slid back into the booth.
Flashing her a wink, Luke ducked behind the counter and returned with two dishes of ice cream, which Vera and Mr. Billings accepted with a happy smile.
Sighing, Kati turned and headed back into the kitchen, feeling more dejected by the minute. Even her most loyal customers seemed to have crossed over to the enemy! she thought with a bit of resentment. Who could blame them? she wondered miserably.
Kati opened the refrigerator door and stopped abruptly. Where was the pork she’d been marinating? Oh, Lord, how could she lose twenty-two pounds of pork? Her gaze darted around the kitchen.
Curiously following her nose, she opened the oven door and found the missing pork. Annoyance tightened her lips. Luke again. He must have put
the meat in for her while she was clearing the tables. She looked at the gleaming counters. Where were the dirty dishes she’d left? The kitchen was clean, except for a lone coffeepot that had to be hand-washed. The gentle hum of the dishwasher told her Luke had loaded the dishwasher for her, too. Luke. He seemed to be everywhere.
Sighing, Kati leaned her elbows on the counter and rested her head in her hands. The blasted man was wearing her resistance down. It was hard to maintain her resentment when the man was being so darn helpful. Luke had sailed into her well-ordered boring life and within days had firmly entrenched himself into all of her affairs, turning everything upside down.
She couldn’t keep this up much longer, Kati realized. She was tired of fighting Luke at every turn. It took far too much of her energy, energy better spent elsewhere. But her pride was at stake. It had been childish of her to behave so badly, she realized a bit belatedly. She let her vicious temper get the best of her. Common sense flew out the window the moment her temper began to rise. After the way she’d treated Luke, she was surprised he had even bothered to help her.
Kati smiled; she’d been so wrong about this man. Luke was a worthy opponent and showed no more sign of giving in than she did. But one of them was going to have to give in, and soon.
She had a sneaking suspicion it was not going to be Lucas Kane. She’d finally met someone as stubborn as she.
Luke had met her head-on and never backed down. The man took everything she dished out and showed no more inclination of bolting than she did. Obviously Lucas Kane wasn’t afraid of a little hard work. It was refreshing, and Kati couldn’t help but admire the man.
Perhaps it was time to call for a truce, Kati decided, jumping up to pace the kitchen. Yes, a truce might just be the thing. Hadn’t her father always told her if you couldn’t beat ’em, join ’em? They would both save face, and surely it would only improve things around here. Luke was a formidable opponent, and a worthy one, but Kati had a feeling it would be better to have him on her side than against her. But how on Earth could she manage a truce without surrendering?
“Kati?”
The soft sound of Luke’s voice brought her feet to an abrupt stop. He was standing right behind her; she could feel the warmth of his body heat, smell the faintly musky aroma of him.
“Kati?” He touched her shoulders hesitantly. “Are you all right?” His voice was so full of concern, she smiled. Or tried to.
“I’m fine,” she managed to get out. She turned to face him. “I’ve been thinking…” Her voice trailed off at the look on his face. She would be perfectly content to stand here and stare at him for the rest of the day.
“What were you thinking about?” he asked. He had a towel thrown over his shoulder and an apron tied around his middle. And he looked right at home.
Deliberately, she turned her gaze to the ceiling, hoping to find some courage or some answers. She found neither. “I have a proposition for you,” she stammered as one dark brow rose in amusement.
“A proposition?” Luke repeated. His voice lilted with humor and Kati scowled.
“Not that kind of proposition!” she scolded, feeling her face flame.
“Pity,” he said matter-of-factly, and the tone of his voice made her heart skip an unsteady beat. Luke’s eyes danced wickedly as they searched her face. How on Earth was she going to get this out if he didn’t stop teasing her? Didn’t he realize how hard this was for her?
Kati took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “I think it’s time to call a truce,” she said quietly. If the man laughed at her, or so much as smiled, she was going to smack him!
“A truce?” he repeated, rolling the word around on his tongue as if trying it out for size. “Does this mean that you’re ready to give up? Throw in the white towel and cry surrender?” he inquired happily, and Kati stiffened.
“Well, you don’t have to gloat about it,” she snapped. The man had a way of igniting her temper with just a few simple words.
“Well, are you?” he inquired, making no attempt to hold the smile from his lips.
“Am I what?” she returned, stalling for time. Luke leaned down and pressed his face close to hers. Her heart immediately began to flutter and her thoughts fragmented. He was so close she could see the way his eyes darkened, see the smile lines along his mouth. His mouth, she thought hazily, was so full, so soft. If she leaned forward just a bit, she’d be able to touch her mouth to his.
“Are you ready to admit you were wrong about me?” he asked softly, making no attempt to move back. His eyes searched hers, and Kati knew she could do nothing but tell the truth with him so close, with his eyes probing hers.
“Yes,” she whispered. He was standing too close to her and she could barely force her lungs to work. “I was wrong.”
“And,” he continued, his voice soft and warm, his breath dancing off her skin. “Are you willing to admit you need me?”
Kati stared into Luke’s eyes, dizzy from all the emotions racing through her. She needed him, she realized suddenly, and not just in the diner.
“Yes,” she whispered, feeling off balance. Kati turned her back to him, wanting nothing more than to break the spell that seemed to be drawing her closer and closer to him. She didn’t want him to see her need, her personal need anyway. Not until she tried to sort it out for herself.
He touched her shoulder. “Kati?” He waited for her to turn around and face him again. Taking a shaky breath, she turned and met his gaze, realizing she was just as susceptible to his charm as every other female. “I know how hard that was for you. Thank you.” His voice was sincere now, with no trace of humor, and she smiled, grateful at least that he hadn’t made a fool of her. Her admiration for him grew. And then grew some more.
“A truce, then.” He held out his hand and Kati stared at it. Finally, she laid her hand in his and he tugged her gently, pulling her close. With a relieved sigh, she went into his arms and laid her head on his shoulder. Having someone to lean on, to depend on, did have its benefits.
Her instincts about the man had been right. Lucas Kane wasn’t a man that could be handled, not by her, not by anyone. Perhaps that’s what made him so appealing. He was different from her brother Patrick, and any of her brother’s other friends. Lucas Kane was a different kind of man in every sense of the word. He had stood toe to toe with her and never backed down.
“Luke?” The word came out a breathy whisper as she raised her head to look at him. “I’m sorry.” Remorse and shame caused a lump to form in her throat. She wasn’t a mean or cruel person. Just a scared one. More scared of this man than any other. Scared of him and the feelings she felt for him. Perhaps that’s why she had wanted to get rid of him, before it was too late. She realized now, it was already too late.
“It’s all right,” Luke murmured. “It’s not a criminal offense to need someone, Kati. We all do at one time or another.” He was trying to make this easy for her. But if she wanted them to have a fresh start, a real truce, then she’d have to clear the air, and her conscience.
“I’m not sorry about needing you,” she explained. “I’m sorry about the way I’ve treated you.” Nodding, Luke tightened his arms around her and urged her head back down on his shoulder. His hand stroked the back of her head, his words as soothing as his touch. Taking a shuddering breath, Kati reveled in the scent of him. Lord, he smelled so good. Felt so good. His heady scent seethed to daze her senses, and she buried her face closer, wanting only to stay here, enveloped in the protectiveness of his arms.
He smiled, and reaching in his back pocket for a handkerchief, lifted her face and wiped at the tears she hadn’t known were there.
“Thank you,” she murmured, dragging up a shaky smile and wishing she could just stay here in his arms forever. The thought shocked her and she blinked up at him, surprised at the intensity of her own feelings.
“I’d better go back out front, Kati. We’ve still got work to do.”
“Do you think you could go to
the dairy and pick up a delivery?” she asked, holding her breath and waiting to see how he would react. She’d never actually asked him outright to do anything.
“I’ll take my truck and go get the supplies. Do you think you can handle things until I get back?”
Sniffling, Kati nodded, unwilling to let go of his shirt just yet. Unwilling to let him go just yet. Just having him there, knowing he was going to help her brought on a tidal wave of relief.
“You don’t know how to get there,” she remembered with a frown.
“So you’ll give me directions. I’d like to leave soon. Are you sure you’ll be all right until I get back?” he asked, lifting a finger to wipe another fallen tear.
Kati smiled and nodded her head. She was going to be fine. Now.
“Luke?” she asked hesitantly. “Do you think you can stop at the bank and make a deposit for me?”
“Sure thing.” Luke smiled. “You just make a list of all the things you want me—”
“Oh, Luke, honey?” MayBelle’s voice floated in through the door and Luke groaned softly.
“Damn!” He jammed a hand through his hair.
“What’s wrong?” Kati asked hurriedly, unaccustomed to seeing Luke flustered.
“It’s MayBelle.” His voice dropped to a whisper. “Kati, now don’t get mad. I didn’t want to hurt her feelings so I told her—” He stopped and grinned. The smile lit up his blue eyes and Kati found herself smiling in return.
“What? What did you tell her?” Kati asked, her curiosity aroused.
His grin widened. “I told her that…well…now don’t get mad, but I told her that there was more to our relationship than just business.”
“You what?” Kati cried, and Luke clamped a hand over her mouth and started to laugh.
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