“I’m planning on building a larger garage with a covered walkway from the house to the barn for convenience during bad weather.”
“Good idea.” Everything he planned was well considered, but she wondered how he would pay for all this construction and decorating. She hoped he wasn’t overextending himself at the bank to get ready for Brittany and fix up his ranch. She had no idea what a stuntman and trainer made. He didn’t seem to be working any longer.
“Did you get rid of your motorcycle?”
“No, but I don’t ride it much anymore.”
They walked around the yard, with Luke pointing out the various pastures. New metal-post fences gleamed in the sunlight. A large pile of trimmed brush and tree limbs showed how much work he’d done to get the land ready for his animals. He’d taken care of them before himself, she realized as they walked toward the barn.
The two barking, bouncy terriers raced around the large run alongside the barn, facing the house.
She’d thought about getting a dog, but envisioned something small, furry and quiet. A dog that would curl up beside her on the couch after quietly playing ball with Eddie.
“Those are my Jack Russell terriers,” Luke said, hunkering down and sticking his fingers through the chain-link fence. “They were in a small circus in Kansas, and the owner didn’t have anywhere for them to go after it closed. They aren’t really trained to be house pets, so I built them a big run beneath the tree, sheltered by the barn.”
“They’re certainly…active.”
“Yes, they are. I’m going to socialize them and hope we can find them homes.”
“That’s good.”
She walked beside Eddie, following Luke, and in a moment stepped into the spacious barn.
“This is nice,” she said, looking at the new stalls and all the places where he’d repaired the structure.
“A good barn is important for animals, especially those who are elderly or infirm. I have a well-stocked supply of basic medical supplies.”
“Do you keep it locked?”
“Yes, I do. Even though it’s just me and my helper, Carlos, I know that people could come looking for painkillers and antibiotics.”
“And children can get into things that can hurt them.” She looked at Eddie, who was peering into each empty stall.
“Where are all the animals?” he asked.
“They’re out in the pasture right now. They like the sunshine and fresh grass when the weather is nice.”
“Do they come inside to sleep?”
“Not unless the weather is really bad.”
“Does Lola come inside?”
“No, she usually stays in the pasture with Lollipop.”
“Oh.”
“This was a nice tour, Luke,” Kate said, hoping to divert Eddie’s attention from those darn zebras. “I have some materials you might want to look at, then we can get busy Monday morning.”
“You’re leaving so soon?”
“Not quite yet, but I can’t stay too long. Eddie and I will be having Sunday dinner with Travis and Jodie,” if I’m still talking to my brother, she silently added, “and I have some laundry to do to get ready for the week.”
“Oh.” He sounded so disappointed.
“I’ll be back as soon as Eddie goes to school Monday.”
“You get to come over and see the animals, Mommy?” Eddie asked in a plaintive, whining voice she didn’t like.
“I’m working for Mr. Simon for two weeks, like I told you earlier. He needs to get ready for his daughter Brittany to come here to live.”
“I know, but I could help.”
“No, your job is to go to school. You’ll have plenty of time to come back over and see both the animals and Brittany after we get all our work done.”
He scuffed his tennis shoe in the soft dirt outside the barn and stuck his lip out just a little, but didn’t protest any further as they walked back to the house. He asked permission to sit on the front porch and Kate told him okay, as long as he didn’t wander off.
Luke worked at moving some items around in the living room while Kate looked through her tote bag and glanced out the door to make sure Eddie hadn’t headed for the pasture.
“Here are a couple of books on children I thought would be helpful. They explain what’s going on at different phases of childhood, both physically and mentally. I think this will give you some insight into Brittany, especially since you didn’t get to watch her grow up.”
“That’s something I’ll always regret.”
“I’m sure you will. But you still have many years with her before she becomes an adult, so don’t dwell on the past. Moving forward will help both of you, although I have to say that I think it’s a mistake not to talk about anything she’d like to discuss. She may want to talk about her mother, her uncle, her friends or her school.”
“Of course, although I don’t know what I can say to her about them. I didn’t know her mother well and I’ve only met her uncle once.”
“She won’t want answers from you, Luke,” Kate said, once again wanting to reach out to touch him but controlling her impulses this time. “Mostly, she’ll want you to listen.”
“I hope she’ll trust me enough to confide in me.”
“It may take some time, but I’m sure she will. Just let her know you’re willing to listen or to help her when she’s ready.”
“I’m going to do my best.”
“I know. You’re very motivated, and that’s the most important thing.” Kate glanced outside again, thankful that Eddie was intently watching some birds in a nearby bush.
“I still have my doubts, but with your help, I feel much more confident.”
“I’m glad.” Kate turned to place the rest of her items back in the tote. She’d need them later. No need to overwhelm Luke right now. “I suppose I should be going.”
He stepped closer, so close she felt his warmth and smelled the detergent in his cotton shirt, mixed with his crisp aftershave. “Kate, I hope Travis isn’t giving you too much grief. I honestly didn’t consider how he might react when I asked you to help me. I was thinking only of myself…and Brittany, of course.”
She took a small step away and turned to face him. “Of course. I understand.” Taking a deep breath, she continued. “Please, don’t concern yourself with my relationship with my brother. He’s always been overprotective, and I’m a little sensitive right now.”
“Yeah, I guess my timing is pretty bad.”
“It’s not that. It’s just that since the divorce, I haven’t dated or even made any new friends outside of Travis’s circle. He’s convinced I’m going to make bad choices when I branch out on my own.”
“And he’s already decided I’m the spawn of Satan.”
“No! He just doesn’t know you. He’s more accustomed to people who move in and try to blend into the community. He doesn’t understand why you’re more private.”
“Do you understand?”
She looked at him, surprised at the question. She hadn’t even thought about it until now. Every time she talked to Luke, she learned more about his past, but she didn’t know enough. “Not yet.”
“I’m not so mysterious.”
“I know, but you are private. Maybe we could work on getting people to know you better.”
“Maybe. Will you help me with that, too?”
Kate nodded, distracted by his intense dark eyes, and long hair that looked as soft as silk. At this moment, she might agree to almost anything.
“Will your brother mind?”
“Mind what?”
“If you’re seen around town with me.”
Kate sighed, jarred out of her inappropriate thoughts. “Probably, but I’m not going to worry about him. He’s got to start having faith in me. He forgets I’m an adult, not just his little sister.”
Darn it, now she was all upset again, thinking about Travis, which was probably better than thinking impure thoughts about Luke. Still, she wanted her brother to b
elieve in her, not belittle her judgment.
“I’m sorry he’s not supportive,” Luke said, placing a hand on her shoulder. “If you need to talk or just vent, feel free to rant and rave around me anytime.”
Kate sniffed. “Good. You’re practicing what I told you about Brittany.”
“What?”
“About listening and being available for her.”
“Believe me, Kate, I’m not feeling anything like what I feel for my daughter.”
“Oh, of course not! I didn’t mean to imply you felt as strongly about me as your daughter. I know you love her and she’s very important to you.”
“Well, that’s true, but that’s not what I meant, either.” He placed both hands now on her shoulders and turned her to face him more fully. “Again, I’m not doing well at explaining myself.” His lips parted as if he were about to clarify, then he closed his mouth. She frowned up into his face, and finally he said,”I meant that I’m thinking of you as a man does for an attractive woman, not as a father would for a daughter.”
Chapter Nine
She blinked, stunned by his words and the sincere way he’d said them. “You think I’m attractive?”
He smiled and she immediately regretted her impulsive remark. Leave it to her to jump on the one comment he’d thrown out, which probably didn’t mean anything, anyway.
“Do you doubt it?”
Of course she doubted her appeal. She hadn’t kept her husband’s interest. She didn’t exactly have men tripping over one another to ask her out. “I…I don’t know. It’s not something I dwell on.”
“Really? Why not?”
She frowned. “Well, because I’m not that kind of person.”
“What kind?”
“One who worries about how she looks all the time!”
“That’s not what I said. I told you I think you’re attractive, not that you’re self-absorbed or vain.”
She frowned again. “What’s the difference?”
“Not all attractive women spend their time thinking about how attractive they are. They just know.”
“I don’t understand, I suppose, the nuances of self-possession.”
“Can’t you just believe me? I’m a pretty good judge of women, and believe me, you’re attractive.”
“I’m older than you are,” she blurted it, then felt like slapping her hand over her mouth. Why in the world had she said that?
Luke chuckled. “That doesn’t have a thing to do with how attractive you are. Or how desirable I find you.”
“You find me desirable?”
He chuckled again. “Now I have to convince you of that, too?”
She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. Forget it.”
“I wish I could,” he said softly, lowering his head. “Believe me, life would be a lot simpler if I could.”
And then he kissed her.…
LUKE KNEW HE WAS IN way over his head the moment his lips touched Kate’s. She was a good girl, the kind he’d never dated, never really desired. And yet he couldn’t resist the pull of her unconscious appeal. She didn’t know she was beautiful, but he did.
At the last minute he stopped himself from kissing her as deeply, as intimately, as he’d like. He gentled her with his lips, coaxing a sigh and a slight melting after her initial surprise. She felt warm and soft and willing as her arms crept around his neck, and he held her without any pressure. He wanted to pull her tight against him and prove how much she affected him, but he didn’t need to shock her more than he had already by kissing her.
He shouldn’t be doing this. She wasn’t his type. But she’d been so insecure about her desirability. What man wouldn’t find her attractive?
Without giving in to the urge to use his hands and tongue and whatever other part of his anatomy he could use to bring them both pleasure, he eased away from the kiss, nibbling a little here and there until he pulled back enough to see her flushed face, dewy lips and delicate eyelids. Slowly, she opened her eyes and gazed at him.
She didn’t speak. He didn’t know what to say, so he simply looked at her, knowing he’d remember the sight of Kate, flushed and dreamy, for a long, long time.
“Mommy! The donkey is fussing!”
Luke stepped back, keeping a hand on Kate’s arm as she wobbled and then found her balance.
“What?” she asked shakily.
“He’s making a big noise like he’s mad.” Eddie grabbed Kate’s hand, then Luke’s, and tugged them both toward the door. “Come look.”
Sure enough, Gordon was standing at the fence, braying across the driveway at the newest arrival at Last Chance Ranch, a bay mustang mare. “She must be in season.”
“What’s that?” Eddie asked.
“Uh…” Luke hadn’t thought about what he’d said. He should have. He looked to Kate for guidance.
Kate smoothed her hair back behind her ears in fluttery, nervous movements, but her voice was steady when she explained, “That means the pretty little horse is looking for a daddy horse.”
Good answer, Luke thought, relieved he didn’t have to come up with an explanation censored for a six-year-old.
“Do you have a daddy horse?” Eddie asked, looking up with wonder in his eyes.
“No, all my horses are either girls or they’re boy horses who can’t be daddies.”
“Why?”
Luke felt a little like squirming under Eddie’s scrutiny. “Because the vet fixed them so they would be good horses who didn’t ever want to be daddies and wouldn’t bother the girl horses.”
“Oh,” Eddie said, looking quizzically around the ranch. “But—”
“Tell us about the new mare,” Kate interrupted, putting her hands on Eddie’s shoulders and looking at Luke. “Where did you get her?”
Once again, Kate had saved the day. “She was adopted from one of the mustang roundups the government has periodically, but didn’t work out with her owners. They didn’t know what to do, since they couldn’t really sell her to another family when she wasn’t a riding horse. They’d thought about the rendering plant in Fort Worth.”
“Oh, no! She’s beautiful.”
“Yes, but still pretty wild.” Luke hunkered down so he was eye level with Eddie. “She can’t be ridden, Eddie, just like the zebras. I’m not sure how wild she is, so don’t ever go near her pasture. She could really hurt you.”
“Okay. I promise.” He looked around again. “When are you going to get horses that people can ride?”
Luke stood up and ruffled Eddie’s hair. “That’s a good question. I’m going to get some riding horses soon.” He had one in mind, a stunt horse named Jack that Luke had worked with about six months ago. If Jack’s owner would part with him, he’d have him shipped to Texas. He’d need a horse for Brittany, though, and maybe he should get a couple of ponies for her friends.
His ranch was starting to grow by leaps and bounds, and not exactly in the direction he’d intended. He’d wanted to provide a home for neglected or abused animals, not a ranch of riding horses and pets. However, if his daughter liked horses—and he couldn’t imagine why she wouldn’t—he’d get whatever would make her happy.
“Eddie, we need to go home,” Kate said.
“Thanks for coming by and bringing me the texts.”
“Thanks for the tour.” Kate said, taking Eddie’s hand. “And I suppose I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
She looked away, obviously uncomfortable, reading more into his comment than he meant. “I mean, I’m anxious to get started on changing the house and changing me.”
“How are you changing?” Eddie asked.
“I need to get everything ready for Brittany.”
“Because you’re her daddy?”
“That’s right.”
Eddie frowned. “Do you want to be a daddy?”
“Yes, I do.”
“You didn’t get fixed like the horses so you don’t like girls, did you?”
“Eddie! That’s not something you should ask!”
Luke laughed. He was far, far from being “fixed.” “No, I didn’t.”
Kate shook her head and started walking toward her compact sedan. “I’m sorry, Luke.”
“No problem.”
She opened the passenger door and put her tote bag inside, then went to the rear door to get Eddie in the car. Before he scooted into the booster seat, he grabbed Luke’s hand and tugged.
“I think my daddy got fixed so he didn’t want to be a daddy anymore,” the little boy said softly. “Maybe that’s why he went away.”
Luke froze, not sure what to say, if anything. He looked at Kate for guidance, but she appeared as stunned as he felt. What could anyone say to a child who was so obviously hurting?
“Eddie, let’s talk about this at home,” Kate said, her voice shaking.
“But Luke’s our friend, and he’s a daddy now.”
Luke didn’t really understand Eddie’s logic, but he seemed to need to reach out to someone other than his mother to make sense out of his father’s desertion.
“Yes, but he didn’t know your father, so we’d better talk about him ourselves, okay?”
Eddie looked up plaintively, as if he wanted to argue with his mother but knew he shouldn’t. Maybe deep down inside, he knew there were no answers.
Lord knew, Luke could understand how Eddie felt. When Ronald Lucas Simon failed to acknowledge him, Luke had been confused and angry. He’d wanted a father just like everyone else. He’d never understood why it was so easy for some men to walk away from their responsibilities. His heart went out to Eddie. He had to be hurting even more than Luke because Eddie had a father for nearly six years before the jerk left him and Kate.
“Eddie,” he said as Kate buckled him in, “maybe someday soon, when I get some riding horses, you can come over and I’ll give you a lesson, if that’s okay with your mother.”
“I can ride my uncle Travis’s horses.”
“That makes you almost a real cowboy, doesn’t it?”
“Yep!”
“Thank you, and I’m sorry for the questions,” Kate said, closing the rear door.
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