“It’s fine. Don’t worry about it.” Luke put his hands in his pockets and stepped back, giving her room. He glanced one more time at Eddie, realizing the little boy had a lot in common with him. Both had been abandoned by their fathers. Eddie was still learning to cope, whereas Luke…well, he’d learned long ago to get angry, not sad, when he felt unwanted.
“And it would be best if we keep our relationship professional,” she said, walking around the car.
Ah, the kiss. “You’re probably right, but I’m not sorry for what happened in there.”
She took a deep, uneven breath. “It won’t happen again, though,” she said, slipping into the driver’s seat.
Luke didn’t say anything as she put her key into the ignition and turned over the engine. She looked at him for a moment as if demanding his agreement, but he didn’t say anything even then. She put the car into gear and drove away, glancing back every so often in the rearview mirror.
Luke placed his hands on his hips and watched her go. She would be back tomorrow, and he wouldn’t kiss her again, because getting Kate’s help was more important than pursuing a doomed relationship.
But he wanted to kiss her again. That, and so much more.
AS EDDIE TOOK a nap, Kate tried to calm her nerves with a cup of chamomile tea and a long talk with herself about keeping her life simple. Responding to Luke’s kiss had been insanity, pure and simple. If she could have done something any more stupid, any more guaranteed to mess up their relationship, she wasn’t sure what it could be.
He shouldn’t have kissed her in the first place, though. If he was concerned about keeping their relationship professional, he wouldn’t have confessed that he found her attractive. Desirable, even. And he definitely wouldn’t have stepped close enough for her to see deep into his dark eyes and recognize the loneliness they shared. He wouldn’t have revealed his own vulnerability while exposing hers.
But he’d done all that and more, and like Pandora, she wasn’t sure how to stuff everything back into the box.
Or even if she wanted to…
She had to, she thought as she jumped up and paced the living room. Luke was paying her well for two weeks’ worth of work. Not pleasure. Above all, she had to keep that in mind.
She placed her tepid cup of ineffective tea on the kitchen counter. She and Eddie were due at Travis and Jodie’s for dinner in about half an hour. She wasn’t looking forward to another grilling by her brother, especially when she had something to feel guilty about now. That kiss. These feelings.
She didn’t need this complication, and she was half-angry at Luke for putting her in this situation. The other half of the anger was directed right at herself for not pushing him away, or even saying one word to stop him. She’d even encouraged him, not that he’d taken advantage of her lapse in judgment.
She stopped abruptly just outside the kitchen. Why hadn’t he taken advantage of her? Why hadn’t he deepened the kiss? Because Eddie was just outside the door, or was there another reason? Maybe he hadn’t been that interested in her. Maybe he was just trying to be nice, in a strange sort of way.
Maybe he felt sorry for her.
“No,” she whispered out loud. Her insecurities were showing, making her think such nonsense. Luke didn’t have another agenda, he wasn’t plotting some grand scheme and he had more important issues to worry about than boosting the ego of a divorced mother.
That’s what she had to tell herself whenever she started slipping into such crazy thoughts, she reminded herself. She was there to help him get ready for Brittany. Kate knew she wasn’t a love interest to Luke Simon; she wasn’t a sexual object to any man. She was a divorced mother, a substitute teacher, a sister and a friend.
That’s all, for now. Maybe later, when her life was settled, when she and Eddie had a home of their own and felt more integrated into the community of Ranger Springs. When she felt more secure, with a contracted job as a teacher. Then she could think about dating again. Not that she’d date Luke. He was too much of everything for her. Too sexy. Too intense. Too…male.
She paused at the doorway to Eddie’s small bedroom. He was sprawled on the single bed, his shorts bunched up and his T-shirt rumpled like he’d been rolling around for hours. He never wanted to take a nap, but he always needed one. As long as he slept during the day, he was still her little boy. She knew before long he’d be older and would become taller and stronger so quickly.
Her little boy would be grown and she’d be…what? Still a single mother, or would she find someone else? She wasn’t too old to have other children if she got busy with it soon, but she didn’t see that happening. Not while she couldn’t imagine dating, or spent all her free time in angst over a simple kiss rather than using that time wisely.
Still asleep, Eddie rolled to his side. If he didn’t wake in a few minutes, she’d get him up so he could change for Sunday dinner. She’d put on her own best face and try to talk to her brother without getting upset or making him any more anxious than he already was. If she were really lucky, he’d admit he was wrong and apologize for his earlier remarks.
In her dreams. With a sigh, she turned away from Eddie’s bedroom and went into the bathroom. She needed to freshen up before dinner. She hoped Jodie wasn’t serving crow, because Kate might have to eat some after proving Travis right this afternoon.
AFTER A DINNER of roasted chicken with rice and spring vegetables, Kate couldn’t eat a bite of the chocolate cake Jodie served. While Eddie devoured his piece, Travis surprised Kate by asking her to walk out to the patio.
“I’m sorry about coming on too strong earlier today,” he surprised her by saying as she leaned against the rail and hugged her arms against the chill night air. “I’m just worried about you, that’s all, and I have a hard time remembering that you’re a grown woman.”
Kate was so stunned she couldn’t speak for a moment. “I’ll accept your apology, big brother, but I’m a little floored. Since when do you admit you’re wrong?”
“Hey, I can admit I made a slight error in judgment,” he said with a sheepish grin. “I’ve had quite a bit of practice since I married Jodie.”
“Calls you to task, does she?” Kate asked with a smile.
“At times.” He sobered. “Seriously, Kate, you don’t need me to tell you what to think or who to see. If you believe Luke is okay, I’ll lay off the criticism.”
“He’s not perfect, Travis, but who is? And believe it or not, he’s good with Eddie. I think we could be friends.”
“Friends? Nothing more?”
She shook her head. “He’s hardly my style, is he?”
“What do you mean by that?”
She shrugged. “Just that he’s a young, sexy, single guy. True, he has a daughter, but that doesn’t change how I see him. Riding into town on that Harley, looking like a cowboy when he strolled out of his house, acting like a white knight when he swooped Eddie up and took him to the medical clinic. That’s not the kind of man…well, that I might be interested in romantically.”
“You’re a wonderful, beautiful woman, Kate. Any man would be lucky to have you.”
Wow, two men in the same day singing her praises. “I’m not in the same league as Luke Simon and we both know it.”
Travis narrowed his eyes. “Which ‘we’ would that be, and how do ‘we’ know it?”
“Oh, never mind. Just believe me when I say that my relationship with him is professional as I help him with the house, and hopefully, since we’re neighbors, we can be friendly after Brittany arrives. She’s going to need some friends here in Ranger Springs, poor little girl.”
“Okay, I won’t worry about you…for now. I don’t know much about Simon, but I’m going to trust your judgment and take Hank’s word.”
“Thanks, Travis. I know that’s hard for you.”
“I love you.”
Kate sighed. “I know you do, and I love you, too.”
Her brother gave her a big hug. “Just keep your eyes open, okay?”
>
“I promise.” She’d keep her eyes on her goal—making Luke into a daddy—and off his sexy good looks. And she absolutely wouldn’t think about that kiss, because it wasn’t going to happen again.
Chapter Ten
After Kate dropped Eddie off at school, she stopped by the Kash n’ Karry for a cup of coffee and a muffin, then headed to Luke’s property. The ranch road was a bit uneven and narrow, but she knew she was using the poor pavement as an excuse to drive slowly. This would be the first time she and Luke would be alone, and she was a bit apprehensive about their working relationship.
For one thing, how was she going to make him into a good father when she knew so little about him? Whether he’d been around children, such as nieces or nephews, or the children of friends. Or if he knew absolutely nothing about kids, even though he was good with Eddie. Very good, except when faced with some hard questions as any six-year-old would sometimes ask.
At least Brittany wasn’t a baby. He didn’t need to know how to change diapers or make up bottles of formula. She was probably a fairly self-reliant child if her uncle was a truck driver and her mother was gone. Even before her mother’s death, Brittany had probably helped out in the kitchen or around the house. Kate knew that was true with most children of working mothers.
So she supposed she’d concentrate on parenting skills such as listening, discipline, school, friends and family relations. She rather disliked holding herself up as an expert on any of those subjects, with the possible exception of school, but Luke seemed to believe she could impart some knowledge, so she’d do her best. At least the information was fresh in her mind from studying so recently to get back into the classroom.
Her car bumped over the cattle guard at the entrance to Luke’s property. She always wondered why cattle didn’t figure out they could jump over the metal bars placed across a ditch. Or maybe cattle couldn’t jump. She was as ignorant of livestock as Luke claimed to be of little girls.
As she pulled up to the gravel area between the house and barn, she noticed two trucks belonging to workers, with their Branson Construction company logos on the doors. The sound of power tools and the odor of paint wafted out from inside. Luke was nowhere in sight, so she got out with her tote bag and coffee, locked the car and headed toward the barn. She had an idea he might be there, escaping from the noise and smells of home renovation.
She found him in the wide area between the stalls, working with one of the ponies she’d seen in the pasture. “I thought none of your animals performed any longer, except at schools when you’re trying to be especially nice,” she said as she set her bag on what looked like clean hay.
Luke raised his eyebrows in surprise, then gave her a quick perusal. If he’d lingered a little longer, she would have considered the look sexual. But he quickly turned his attention back to the pony. “They don’t usually, but I got a call from a wrangler friend who’s working on a movie. They want to spoof that famous Clydesdale commercial where the horses are playing football. He thought I might be able to help, and sure enough, both Spot and Potsy are trained to place their forelegs on a stand.”
“How will that look like football?”
“They’ll shoot in front of a green screen, take out the stand and put in a soccer ball. Then they’ll animate another pony’s foreleg to make it look like he’s kicking the ball.”
“Sounds very high-tech.”
“So much can be done with computers now that real animals sometimes aren’t even used. However, they want this to look as much like the original as possible, and real horses were used for that commercial.”
“I know you have some obligations to get the ponies ready, but we also have to work on getting you ready for your daughter.”
“I won’t be long. Just have a seat over there,” he said, pointing to a stack of hay bales, “and I’ll be done as soon as I get them accustomed to this stand.”
With a sigh, Kate sat on the bales and sipped her rapidly cooling coffee. Luke worked patiently with first one pony, then the other, letting them circle the round, green metal object and sniff it. Then Luke stepped onto the stand, as if explaining to the ponies that it was safe. When both animals seemed comfortable with the new item, he gave them each a piece of apple and led them outside to the pasture.
“We can get started now,” he said, walking quickly back into the barn. “I wasn’t sure what time you were coming over, so I was trying to get in a little training early. At their age I don’t want to wear them out.”
“I understand. You’re very patient, by the way. That’s a great trait for parents.” She smiled, thinking about how trying any child could be. “Even if Brittany is a great child, you’ll need patience. Just don’t rush her into accepting anything in her new life, except simple rules for her safety, of course.” That’s something Eddie had a big problem with, so Kate maybe wasn’t the best source on how to keep a child on the straight and narrow.
“I’ll do my best to give her time,” Luke said. “There’s so much to learn, to think about.”
“I know, but you’re really good with Eddie. I noticed that when we were at dinner and also yesterday. You’ll be fine with Brittany.”
“Thanks,” he said, looking away.
He seemed a little uncomfortable with praise, so she changed the subject. “I’m concerned about where we’ll be working. The house appears to be…occupied.”
“Yeah, they’re making a mess in there,” he said, putting his hands on his hips and gazing out the barn door. “They’ll be finished by the weekend, but that doesn’t help us today.”
“It’s not too hot yet. We can work out here if you’d like,” she offered.
“Are you sure? This isn’t what you’re used to.”
“A little dust and hay won’t bother me.”
“But your clothes and your shoes will be a mess.”
“They’ll clean up.”
He looked at her as if he didn’t believe her.
“What?”
“I don’t think of you as someone who would spend time around horses and barns and dust, except maybe at a polo match or a fancy racetrack.”
Kate laughed. “I don’t go to polo matches, and the only racetrack I’ve been to was with a group of friends for a birthday, and believe me, I didn’t know anything about horses or betting. I’m a city girl, but I’m learning to like the country.”
“Still, I don’t want to offend you.”
“Don’t be silly! I’m enjoying the fresh air.”
He paused for a moment, then said, “You’re very gracious.”
“Why, that’s a wonderful compliment. Thank you.” Luke narrowed his eyes and tilted his head slightly. “You’re doing that schoolteacher thing again, aren’t you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You’re trying to put me in my place by getting all businesslike.”
“I thought we did have a professional relationship. Was I wrong?” She held her breath as she waited for him to argue with her.
He looked at her until she felt like squirming, then shook his head. “No, we’re all professional here.” Was he thinking of the kiss? Regretting it? She had no idea because he was difficult to read. Or maybe she simply didn’t know much about men. She’d misread—or failed to read—her husband countless times.
Luke dusted his hands off on the rear of his jeans. “So, where do we start?”
BECAUSE THE HOUSE was a mess, Luke reluctantly suggested they go into town for lunch. He wasn’t looking forward to the stares of the locals, but he didn’t see any options. Maybe Kate would choose the fast-food place.
“Lunch? I’m starving,” she said as she placed a book inside her ever-present tote bag. “Is the Four Square Café okay? Monday is chicken and dumplings day.”
“Sure. Let’s go.”
Luke drove. With the windows down, the warm wind whipped around them. Kate produced something to put her hair into a ponytail—he’d have to get some of those for Brittany—and added sunglasses agains
t the noontime glare. She looked happy and relaxed, which was surprising, considering the way they’d spent the last few minutes before parting yesterday. He’d assumed she would be more tense around him while they were truly alone. At least at the ranch, there had been workers in the house, coming and going from the trucks.
Maybe Kate wasn’t as fragile as he’d originally thought.
Just as they entered the “downtown” area of Ranger Springs, Kate said, “Look, there’s Dr. Wheatley and his wife.” Kate waved as they passed a blue sedan paused at a stop sign on a side street.
Great. Joyce Wheatley was one of the biggest gossips in town, along with her cohort, Thelma Rogers, another regular at the café. Both ladies seemed nice, but boy, did they know what was going on in Ranger Springs. Everyone would be talking about Kate driving around with him. He only hoped he didn’t hurt her reputation. She was, after all, an upstanding elementary schoolteacher.
But he needed her help, and he didn’t feel guilty about asking her to educate him on eight-year-old girls.
“I suppose we should stop by the Robin’s Nest and talk to Robin Parker,” she said as they started around the square. “She’ll be very helpful for decorating Brittany’s room, and probably with the other renovations, unless you have something already planned.”
“No, I’ve been more concerned about the place being structurally sound and functional. I know the decorating stuff is important, though, especially to women. Females, I should say, since Brittany is just a little girl.”
“Yes, she’s a girl, but make sure you don’t refer to her as ‘just a little girl’ in her presence. Children that age think they are far more mature than they really are. They don’t appreciate adults bursting their bubbles.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
“But don’t expect her to act older than her years, even though she’s been through a lot. She’ll want to lean on you, depend on you, although she won’t want her need for assurance and stability to be obvious.”
“Fatherhood is getting more and more complicated,” he observed as he pulled the truck to a stop in a parking spot between the café and the corner next to Schuler’s Jewelry.
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