Courting Katarina

by Carol Steward

  He paused a minute and studied the tree. “Fight forest fires.” He had one more branch to go before he could reach the little boy. “I’m a smokejumper. Wish I had my boots and spurs right now.” Just as he said it, his foot slipped off the branch.

  “A-A-Alex!” She covered her eyes and waited to hear limbs breaking from his fall.

  “I’m fine.”

  Katarina peeked between her fingers, then slowly removed her hands. Alex pulled himself up and leaned against the tree trunk. He secured his right leg on the branch below Ricky, and the left one on the next closest limb. Alex wrapped his hand around Ricky’s ankle. “Okay, Ricky, I’m going to hold your leg and I want you to slide closer to me.”

  Ricky didn’t move.

  Katarina waited impatiently for a response. “Ricky, you need to help Uncle Alex. Okay?” Her voice quivered. Katarina clutched Alex’s tuxedo and shirt even tighter, praying the frightened little boy would listen. Please, God. Don’t let anything happen to them.

  Ricky tried to stand up. Katarina gasped.

  “Sit down, Ricky,” Alex said calmly. “It’s okay, I have hold of you. I won’t let you fall.”

  Katarina tried to keep the panic from her voice, just as Alex did. “Just scoot backward to Alex on your bottom.” She took a deep breath and held it.

  Slowly, Ricky moved.

  Alex coaxed the youngster closer and took hold of his hand. He helped Ricky turn around, then wrapped the boy in his muscled embrace. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

  She felt her heart beating and she took a deep breath. That was only half the problem. Now they both had to get down.

  Alex was calm, collected and in control. A take-charge kind of guy. Not her type. The last thing she wanted was someone trying to replace the father she never had. If her own father hadn’t been able to stick around for the long haul, why would any other man?

  Clinging to Ricky, Alex allowed the child to calm down before proceeding. What a picture the two made. Tough and tender. Alex was built lean and solid, yet gentle as a teddy bear. She didn’t even want to think about what her sisters could make of her reaction.

  “Alex?” Her voice was still shaky despite her efforts to keep it in control. He looked at her, and she silently pleaded for him to come down.

  He nodded, as if he understood what she wanted to say. “You ready to get out of here, Ricky?”

  “Yep.”

  “Okay, you just hang on tight to me.”

  “Like a baby monkey?”

  “Sure, like a baby monkey,” Alex agreed.

  Ricky wrapped his legs around Alex’s waist and clamped his hands together behind Alex’s neck. Alex imitated a chimpanzee. “Ooo. Ooo. Eee. Eee. Eee. Aaa. Aaa.”

  When they reached the lowest branch, Alex wrapped one arm around Ricky’s waist, then jumped. Ricky laughed. Katarina swept the little boy into her arms and gave him a huge hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

  He just giggled. “Uncle Alex is funny.”

  She set Ricky on the ground, stood and turned to Alex. “Funny? Well, I guess the trauma is over for Ricky, anyway. Thank you.” Katarina looked at Alex’s bare chest. “You have a few cuts.” She started to touch one, then backed away, surprised by what she’d nearly done.

  “I won’t break,” he said, grinning. He looked at the scrapes and wiped the drip of blood away. “Nothing major.”

  Naomi Berthoff stepped up. “Thank you, Alex. I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d be able to get into the tree, let alone climb so high.”

  “I wouldn’t have thought so either, Mrs. Berthoff.” He took Ricky’s hand. “I hope Ricky won’t try that again.”

  The little boy nodded silently.

  Lisa patted Ricky’s head. “I hate to break in, you monkeys, but we need to leave. Thank you, Alex.” She paused and looked at Katarina, as if tempted to say something else. “We sure appreciate your help.”

  “Glad I could be of service.” Alex reached his hand out to Katarina.

  She froze.

  “I’ll take the tux now.”

  Katarina looked at the clothes she’d clung to, and handed them to Alex. “Oh, sorry, I forgot I had them.”

  His lips curved into a smile and Katarina felt her face flush.

  He looked down and examined his pants for damage. “Guess you have more fabric for that collection of yours.”

  She smiled stiffly and handed him the bundle in her arms. “I’ll bring Ricky over in a while?”

  “Sure. And if you’re not busy, feel free to join us.”

  “I am, but thanks for the invitation.”

  Chapter Four

  Ricky bounded up the front steps toward Alex. Behind him, his sister’s kids ran up the stairs screaming, chased by Alex’s brother, Adam. Laughter echoed from the beamed ceiling. Ricky stopped, his eyes opened wide, then he turned around and dived into the folds of Katarina’s skirt.

  “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Alex whispered.

  Katarina spoke softly to Ricky and gave him a hug. She had obviously been around the child quite a bit. He clutched her leg as she stood up again. “This isn’t like him,” she whispered back, “but then, he has had a lot of changes in his life these past few weeks. I guess I should have thought of that.”

  He didn’t want to force them to stay, yet he hoped he could coax his nephew to give them all a chance to get to know one another. Alex squatted. “Ricky, I’d sure like for you to meet the rest of your aunts and uncles. And you even have some cousins now. They’re just your age.” Alex reached out his hand and waited for the frightened child to respond. “Would you like to meet them?”

  Ricky peered out from the fabric and pulled it across his face again, a mischievous grin on his face.

  Alex chuckled. “I see he takes after his shy aunt Katarina.”

  Her cheeks turned pink. Trying to free Ricky from her skirt, Katarina blurted out another option. “Maybe I should stay. Would that be okay with you, Ricky?” She looked up with those bright blue eyes. “That is, if your family wouldn’t mind.”

  Alex stifled his pleasure. Ricky wasn’t the only one apprehensive about being there. And he didn’t want to scare either of them away. “We wouldn’t mind at all.” He tore his gaze from Katarina. “What do you think, Ricky?”

  The little boy nodded and grabbed Alex’s outstretched hand, reaching out with the other for Katarina. “C’mon, Auntie Kat.”

  Alex led the way through Kevin’s house to the backyard. Away from the noise inside, Ricky seemed more like his usual spunky self. “Come see the zebro.”

  “The zebra?” she repeated, puzzled.

  She looked at Alex, and he shrugged his shoulders.

  Katarina looked around the yard. He could see that sparkle in her eyes. She’d figured out what Ricky meant, and was now making a game of it.

  She looked up into the maple tree and shook her head. “I don’t see any zebras.”

  Ricky pointed to the object and giggled. “See, it’s a zebro. An’ Kevin, my new daddy, put a swing in it, too. C’mon.” The little boy took hold of Katarina’s hand and dragged her past the barbecue grill, past the picnic table full of glasses and food.

  Alex followed, playing along with the ruse, as he, too, figured out the mystery. “Ricky, there is no such thing as a zebra with a swing inside.”

  “Yes, sir! See?” He pointed to the ivy-covered gazebo and pulled Katarina inside.

  “Oh, a gazebo. Can you say ga-ze-bo?” Katarina’s smile was warm and enthusiastic.

  “Ga-ze-bro,” Ricky repeated confidently.

  Katarina praised his efforts. “Very good. Come here and try out the porch swing with me.” She sat down and pulled her nephew onto the seat beside her.

  Alex sat next to them and rested his arm on the back of the bench, wishing suddenly that they were alone. The thought surprised him. Katarina was attractive, and also spoken for. Even if she wasn’t, with his life up in the air, he was in no position to set his sights on any woman.<
br />
  His loneliness had nothing to do with Katarina, or coming home to help his brother run his construction company. Katarina wasn’t just some woman he’d like to see a few times. They were practically related. He didn’t need to complicate things. It would only make it that much more awkward to be around each other. After all, they were bound to be invited to the same family gatherings in the future.

  He listened to Ricky and Katarina joking around. She had a contagious laugh, and the two fed off each other. Though the sound brought a smile to his lips, Alex was struck with an uncommon feeling of regret.

  Adam bellowed over the crowd, “Burgers are ready.”

  Alex touched Katarina’s shoulder. “You two ready for a bite?” Her contagious giggles came to an immediate stop, while Ricky’s continued.

  “I’m not hungry, but thanks, anyway. You two can go ahead without me.” She pushed herself from the swing and went across the gazebo to the window on the other side.

  Uncertain what had startled her so, Alex suggested Ricky help him fix his plate.

  As she watched Alex lift Ricky to his shoulders, Katarina’s mind drifted. How easy it had been to let the mood of the day carry her away with the relaxing sway of the swing, the soft voice of her sister’s brother-in-law and the coziness of sharing a gazebo with a handsome man and an equally adorable child.

  Just watching Alex, she had no doubts he’d make a wonderful father. Why hadn’t he married? He seemed nice, considerate, and his looks certainly wouldn’t stand in the way.

  “Katarina?” Alex looked right at her.

  She blinked, suddenly aware that she’d been staring. “What?” Why in the world was she daydreaming about Alex MacIntyre? A take-charge man didn’t fit into her plans.

  Ricky dangled over Alex’s shoulder like a sack of flour, squealing with delight. “I’m going to take Ricky to meet everyone. You sure you don’t want to come?”

  She tipped her head toward the window and shook her head. “I think I’ll just wait here. You two seem to be doing fine.”

  Alex swung Ricky to the ground. A smile teased Alex’s lips. “No hiding out allowed. After all, you’re part of the family, too.” Then they were gone.

  She watched as Alex and Ricky hugged Alex’s mother. Ricky met his twin aunts, Elizabeth and Susan, their husbands and Susan’s children, then devoured his supper.

  A while later, Katarina ventured back to the group seated at the picnic table. Alex pulled up another chair and discreetly tested it before allowing Katarina to sit. She blushed, surprised that no one else seemed to notice what he’d done. He brought her a tall glass of lemonade, then sat next to her.

  For the second time that day she wondered why Alex was paying her so much attention. Probably nothing, she decided. He’s just being nice.

  “Hi, Katarina. I’m Susan, Kevin’s sister. It was so hectic at the wedding, I don’t think we were ever formally introduced.”

  “Hello again.” Katarina noted the tactful way Susan avoided mentioning her embarrassing fall. Maybe it could be put behind them after all.

  “My brother tells me you’re a doll maker. I’m guessing it’s an incredible coincidence that you are the Kat in Kat’s Kreations, right?”

  “As a matter of fact, I am. You know my work?”

  “I adore them. What else do you design?”

  “Porcelain dolls mainly, but I hope to sell the design to some toy manufacturers to make a children’s version.”

  Susan smiled. “I’m sure they’ll snatch it up. Kevin says you’re also a shrewd businesswoman.”

  “Thank you. Let’s hope so.” Katarina felt a peace soothe her nerves. “Right now, I just wish they’d respond. Yes or no—I almost don’t even care at this point.”

  Alex could relate. He’d been there before. Indecision. Apathy. Fear. No use denying the truth. He was there right now. Did he go back to smoke jumping? Or come back to work with Kevin permanently? Or could there be some other reason he felt so unsettled?

  He looked at Katarina and felt his emptiness deepen as he recalled her last remark. Flippant didn’t fit her style. “That’s not true. You’ve poured your heart into this.” She cast him a “how would you know” look, and opened her mouth to protest. “Kevin’s told me how much your business means to you.”

  Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Yes, it does. Everything. I merely meant I’m tired of the wait.”

  “Ah, an impatient woman,” he teased.

  Katarina crossed her arms in front of her and opened her mouth to retort.

  “As well as determined.” He had no doubts that Katarina would succeed. She was talented, not to mention as charming as she was beautiful, inside and out. He studied her for a moment, waiting for another objection. The only one he received was her questioning gaze.

  “So, Alex. How long are you staying to help Kevin with the business?” his brother-in-law asked. “I thought he only needed temporary help.”

  He would have preferred to avoid this discussion altogether. “I’m here as long as he needs me. I don’t know how long that could take.”

  “You plan to sit out the fire season?”

  He shrugged. “We’re taking it one day at a time.” He needed to change the subject, and quickly. He didn’t want to give Kevin anything more to worry about right now. They had enough to handle without wasting their energy on his problems.

  “I thought…”

  Alex chuckled. “I need a change of pace.” He paused. “Kevin needs me. I won’t let him down this time.”

  Katarina didn’t catch on, thankfully, and they seemed to take the hint to drop the subject before she had a chance to ask. The conversation moved on to the others before making the rounds to him again. “So, Adam, Alex, how long is it going to take you two to follow Kevin’s example and break this silly agreement you made to avoid marriage?” Susan asked. Though playfully asked, Alex knew the question was totally serious.

  Thankfully, Adam beat him to the punch. “Forever. Right, Alex?” The youngest MacIntyre stretched out his hand.

  Alex forced a smile and silently agreed, shaking hands with his brother. Easy for him to say—he has ten years on me.

  Both Elizabeth and Susan scolded them for their boyish attitude. “You can’t be serious!” Elizabeth added with a tight-lipped smile. Her husband’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, and Alex recalled the other reason he and his brother had made the pact in the first place.

  Alex couldn’t stand to discuss this now. “Liz, don’t take it so seriously. Adam and I haven’t thought about it in years.”

  Adam added his own two cents. “Not since Kevin and Emily broke their engagement—and we can all see that had a happy ending. Don’t get all riled up about it.” Adam backed off, obviously wanting to placate his sisters and mother, though Alex knew in Adam’s own mind nothing had changed. “When the good Lord decides it’s time, I’ll know it,” Adam concluded.

  Attempting to add some humor to the conversation, their mother added, “Well then, maybe we’d better have this talk with Him. Sure would save us a whole lot of frustration in our efforts.”

  Adam laughed. “Better yet, why don’t you leave the matchmaking to Him in the first place, Mom?”

  Alex hadn’t dared to look at Katarina throughout this conversation. Now that it was over, he noticed the laughter in her eyes, and relaxed. Hopefully she didn’t see the tension stretch between siblings.

  The conversation changed again, this time focused on the children, and Adam didn’t waste any time slipping away.

  Alex was relieved when the chaos subsided and Katarina insisted it was time to get Ricky home and into bed. She turned away, and he noticed something in her ear. He looked again.

  It couldn’t be. I thought she was joking. He felt like a total fool.

  “Katarina.” He looked around and realized he didn’t want to bring her hearing impairment up in front of everyone and embarrass her further. “Let me walk you and Ricky to your car.”

  Once they were ou
t of earshot, he gathered his courage. “You must think I’m a real heel.”

  Katarina looked puzzled. “Now, why would I think such a ridiculous thing?”

  “I—I didn’t realize,” he stammered. “You… I asked if you’re deaf. I didn’t know.”

  She tipped her head, concealing her right ear. “Oh. That.”

  “That.” He paused, hoping she would elaborate. She didn’t. “I’m sorry.”

  Ricky reached the car and climbed in. After Katarina buckled his seat belt, she closed the door and turned to Alex. “I didn’t take any offense to the comment. It’s my own fault. The hearing aid is such a bother in large gatherings.”

  The silence stretched uncomfortably between them as Katarina walked around the car and opened her door, then started to get inside. He hurried toward her before she could get into the car and leave.

  “What about pizza tomorrow night? I don’t want to break my promise to Ricky.”

  Looking up as he approached, Katarina studied him openly. “Ah yes, and it appears you never break your promises, right?” Her mouth turned up at the corners. “I plan to catch every word of this story.”

  Alex’s heart skipped a beat at her blatant teasing. “There’s nothing more to tell. Adam and I agreed long ago that we don’t want to be caught.”

  “I didn’t mean to imply anything. Just sounds like a story that needs to be told…one day.” She slipped into the car and started the engine.

  Alex stared after her until the car’s taillights disappeared in the distance.

  How long had it been since he’d had dinner with a woman? Never mind that she was engaged, and way too young for him. This isn’t a date, he reassured himself.

  No matter how many times he repeated the sentence, something inside told him otherwise. He recalled Kevin’s final advice. “May as well give in now.”

  Not on your life, Kevin. No bouquet’s going to determine my future.