Kate’s dilemma concerning whether she and Luke were on a real date continued as they left in his powerful truck. She told herself they were simply friends even as she stole glances at him as he drove out of Ranger Springs toward the state highway. He looked rather intent on driving, perhaps even rethinking having asked her to dinner. But he was paying attention to the conversation, making comments and not ignoring her or Eddie.
With her son sitting between them, chatting away about everything from his newfound interest in wild animal behavior to his friend Pete’s new puppy, there were few awkward moments. The logical part of her brain realized she barely knew Luke Simon, while the emotional part urged her to get to know him much better.
Thankfully, he didn’t seem to have any idea she thought of him as anything other than a neighbor. And she wasn’t going to let on that she was attracted to him. She’d never been frivolous before and at thirty-two, she wasn’t about to start. Getting involved with any man was a terrible idea. Besides, she had Eddie to consider. He was her main responsibility.
At least it looked as though she would be able to provide a home for them in the fall.
“This is a celebration,” she told Luke as they finished their entrées and sipped their iced tea.
“What’s the occasion?” he asked.
“The principal told me yesterday that I’m going to be offered a teaching position in the next school year.”
Before she’d left the school, Mrs. Johnson had called her into the office. Kate had a few continuing education credits to make up in the summer, but pending approval by the school board, she’d be teaching second grade in August.
“That’s great news. Congratulations,” Luke said.
Eddie frowned. “Does that mean you’ll be my teacher?”
“No, sweetie. The principal will make sure you’re in the other teacher’s class.”
“Okay, good,” he said. “Can I have dessert now?”
Kate chuckled. “I thought maybe we could have dessert at home. I made brownies and got some vanilla ice cream at the grocery.”
“Mmm! Brownies!”
“What about you, Luke? Do you like brownies? Otherwise, we can get some sopapillas or flan here.”
“No, homemade brownies sound great.”
Kate chuckled. “They’re from a mix.”
Luke called for the check and then they argued over who would pay. Kate wanted to, because that was her way of thanking Luke for bringing the animals to school, but he wanted to because…well, because he was a man.
But this wasn’t a date.
“How about we split it?”
“We’re already splitting it,” he answered, handing the waitress a credit card. “I’m buying dinner and you’re providing dessert.”
Kate knew she wasn’t going to win this argument, so she stopped trying. She hoped he wasn’t going into debt, though. He didn’t appear to be a wealthy man and, as Travis had pointed out on at least two occasions, Luke had no visible means of support. Still, dinner at this family-owned restaurant wasn’t expensive, so she tried not to worry about Luke Simon’s finances.
A few minutes later they walked to the pickup with Eddie skipping along in between. Kate never knew a six-year-old could be such a good buffer. Of course, she hadn’t dated since her divorce, so the subject hadn’t come up.
Not that this was a date.
They chatted about Luke’s animals—individual stories that were sometimes poignant, sometimes sad, but all had a happy ending. He hoped to get more animals, but he was being selective because he had to care for them for the rest of their lives. He’d made contacts with several organizations and vets, letting them know he had the space for abandoned, neglected or aging horses, donkeys—pretty much anything with four legs and hooves. He even confessed to feeding some wild deer, although they were little more than nuisances to most ranchers.
Despite his initially gruff manner, he was good with children. He’d been patient with her class and conversational with Eddie, who hung on Luke’s every word.
She’d have to make sure Eddie realized Luke was only their neighbor—one who couldn’t be coerced into performing favors. One who couldn’t be expected to come around just to chat with a six-year-old and his divorced mother.
“Thanks again for the meal,” Kate said as they continued up the driveway. “Those sour cream chicken enchiladas were great.”
Luke drove smoothly toward the garage apartment. The headlights were directed straight ahead, keeping the main house in darkness. Kate could almost forget that her brother lived so close.
“I enjoyed myself, too,” Luke replied, pulling to a halt and placing the truck in park. “It was nice to go out for a change. I’ve been eating my own cooking too long.”
She couldn’t imagine Luke cooking, but that was probably because Ed had never set foot in the kitchen unless he was headed directly for the refrigerator. Travis hadn’t cooked when they were younger, either, but he’d taken lessons after his divorce from his first wife and now was an excellent cook, much to Jodie’s delight.
“Ready for dessert?” Kate asked both the guys.
“Yeah!” Eddie answered first.
“Sounds good,” Luke replied.
As she led the way up the stairs, Eddie chatting to Luke behind her about how she’d made a chocolate cake for his birthday, she felt as though Luke were watching her ascend the steps. Watching her hips beneath the chino, knee-length skirt she’d worn after much deliberation. She hadn’t wanted to wear her “school clothes,” but she didn’t want to get too dressed up, either. The Mexican restaurant was a comfortable family place.
And after all, this wasn’t a date.
She unlocked the door, noticing her hand was a bit unsteady. Not too bad, considering she’d just gone to dinner with Luke Simon, which she might get teased about if—or when—her fellow teachers or friends found out.
“Eddie, why don’t you sit with Mr. Simon while I get the brownies and ice cream?” She peered over her shoulder at their guest. “Would you like some coffee?”
“That would be good, if it’s not too much trouble.”
“Not at all.”
She worked in the kitchen, putting everything except the still brewing coffee on the tray she used when she and Eddie ate on the balcony. The gurgling of the coffee maker helped soothe her nerves, and by the time she carried dessert into the living area, she knew her evening would be ending soon with nothing momentous happening. She was well chaperoned, and besides, Luke wasn’t interested in her that way.
Even if it would be nice to believe he could think of her as something other than Eddie’s mom.
“Yummy, Mommy,” Eddie said, standing up and looking at the goodies on the tray.
“Let me help you,” Luke said, also rising.
She didn’t want to accidentally touch him, so she put the tray down slightly away from where he reached. “I’ve got it,” she said cheerfully. “No problem.”
He sat back down and frowned, as though he wanted to say something, but didn’t. As though he was intentionally trying to be on his best behavior. Which seemed a bit unusual, considering this wasn’t a date….
“I CAN’T BELIEVE my sister is having dinner with Luke Simon,” Travis said as Hank McCauley passed the English trifle to him. “Who knows what kind of moves that guy is putting on her right this minute.”
“Moves? Good gracious,” Gwendolyn McCauley remarked, pouring coffee for everyone, “she’s well chaperoned by her son, wouldn’t you say? Besides, I think he’s rather nice.”
“You think everyone’s nice, darlin’,” Hank replied.
“I most certainly do not!”
Jodie joined in. “Gwendolyn, you have to admit you’re pretty accommodating. Why, you’re even friendly to those tabloid photographers who come around every now and then.”
“I know they’re annoying, Jodie, but I have to think they’re just doing their job, obnoxious as it may be. We English seem more accustomed to those things, with the royals and all.”
“Um, I’m not royal,” Jodie said, taking a bit of trifle.
“You’re my royal,” Travis said, giving her thigh a squeeze under the table. “We’re off the subject here. What about this Luke Simon and my baby sister?”
Jodie frowned. “What about him? He hasn’t done anything wrong—”
“That we know about,” Travis finished.
“Come on, Travis. He’s my friend,” Hank said. “Do you think I’d be friends with someone who was criminal, perverted or just basically a jerk?”
“Maybe you don’t know him well, either.”
“Maybe you’re just being an overprotective big brother,” Jodie said.
“Somebody has to look out for her.”
“Hmm,” Gwendolyn said, raising her eyebrows and thumping her index finger against her chin. “Might that be Kate’s responsibility? She is a grown woman, Travis.”
“She’s just gotten a divorce from a real louse who was cheating on her and stealing his clients’ money.”
“I don’t think that was ever proved,” Jodie reminded him.
“Maybe not, but we know what he was doing. And the point is, Kate didn’t know a thing. She’s pretty naive.”
“So what you’re saying is that the teacher needs education on the ways of the world?” Hank asked.
“Exactly!”
“Then I’d say she’s in good hands with Luke.”
Travis gave up. Why weren’t his friends—even his wife—more worried that Kate was in over her head? He loved his sister, and he seemed to be the only one who knew that an experienced, Harley-riding smooth operator like Luke Simon was way too much for Kate.
LUKE TOOK BITES of brownie and ice cream in time with Kate so he wouldn’t finish too quickly. He didn’t want to appear as though he was in a great hurry, which in fact he was. As delicious as the dessert tasted, he wanted to talk to Kate. The more he was around her, the more convinced he was that she was perfect.
Perfect for the task of making him into a dad, that is. Perfect for making his ranch into a home.
“Can I help?” he asked when they were finished and she began to collect the plates, bowls and spoons. She placed everything neatly on the tray.
“No, you’re our guest. Besides, I need to get our coffee.”
“I’m really good with dirty dishes.”
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll just put these in the dishwasher as soon as I get Eddie ready for bed.”
“Aw, Mom, can I stay up to see the show about the sharks on the Discovery Channel?”
“Sharks right before bedtime? I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
Eddie stuck out his lip in a blatant pout. “Can I watch the cartoon channel then?”
Kate crossed her arms and smiled. “I think I’ve just been conned. Okay, you can watch until eight o’clock, then a quick bath and off to bed.”
“Okay!”
Luke used the mother-son exchange as an excuse to grab the tray and carry it into the kitchen. Kate followed him. The small area was compact and clean, much like an efficiency apartment. He’d leased enough of those in his life to recognize the space-saving layouts and generic decorating.
“Thanks,” she said as he turned around. In the close quarters, she was only a couple of feet away. Closer than she’d been earlier. Closer than she’d been when he’d carried Eddie to his truck. From here, he could see Kate’s gray eyes and soft, pink complexion. She appeared so natural and wholesome. Just like an elementary schoolteacher…and a mom. He wouldn’t let himself think beyond that image or he wouldn’t be able to talk to her about his problem.
“I’ve had a good time tonight, and I know Eddie did also,” she said with a smile.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it.” He placed his hands in his back pockets to keep from fidgeting. “If Eddie is going to be busy for a while, could we talk?”
“Talk?”
“Yeah. I’ve got something to ask you.”
She appeared shocked, as if he’d made some outrageous statement. Well, she hadn’t been thinking about and planning this moment for days, so maybe she was surprised. He couldn’t wait any longer, though. Brittany needed him.
“Oh. Very well,” she replied in her best school-teacher voice. “Would you like to take our coffee out to the balcony?”
“Sure. Sounds good.”
She filled their mugs, added sweetener and cream to hers, and headed for the door.
“We’ll be right outside, Eddie,” she said as they passed by the couch and chairs in front of the television.
“Okay,” her son replied, not looking up from the colorful but strangely animated cartoon. Luke remembered a much different type of children’s show, with characters resembling those in the comic books. Brittany probably liked these new cartoons, not the old fashioned kind like his favorite character, Thundarr the Barbarian.
The night was cool now that the sun had completely set. Outdoor lights, probably on a timer, illuminated the wooden balcony. Kate wandered to the railing and looked down at the pool in her brother’s backyard.
“We had a pool with a hot tub at one end and a waterfall at the other,” she said, speaking softly to the night. “Ed and I hardly ever swam, but Eddie loved that pool.”
“I’m sure he did.” Luke smiled at the image of Eddie doing a cannonball into sparkling blue water. He made a mental note to ask whether he should install a pool for Brittany.
“Do you miss your old life?”
She seemed surprised that he’d asked such a simple question. “I miss some of it,” she replied thoughtfully. “We had friends and neighbors, we took vacations that were fun. The house was beautiful,” she said as she looked out over her brother’s backyard, then sighed, “but it was large and took so much time to clean. I’m looking forward to getting my own, smaller place.”
He hadn’t thought about how it had to feel to give up almost everything she’d become used to. Giving up a lifestyle wasn’t easy, and he admired her for the way she’d started over.
“I can’t really say that I miss the total package. I suppose part of me knew that type of life was precarious, especially when everything is mortgaged and borrowed and dependent on financial markets. Still, I’d been brought up wanting for nothing, so part of me expected to ‘have it all’ forever.”
“I can understand that.” His life had been completely opposite, but he was sure Kate didn’t want to hear about his struggling single mom and his absent father’s other family. They’d had the lifestyle of Kate’s family and more, and if he let himself think about it too much, he’d get bitter and angry. That wasn’t what tonight was all about.
“I’m sorry,” Kate said. “I’m babbling on about myself and you obviously had something to say. What is it?”
Now that the time had come, he felt even more tongue-tied than usual. “I kind of wanted…that is, there’s something important that’s come up.”
She waited a moment, then said, “Yes?”
“I don’t know how this will sound to you.” He paused and took a deep breath, wishing he faced an angry grizzly or had to fall from a galloping horse. “Last week I found out that I have an eight-year-old daughter. Brittany.”
Even in the dim light of the balcony, he saw Kate’s surprise. Maybe even shock.
“I take it you weren’t married or you might have known about a pregnancy.”
“Not even seriously involved.”
“Oh.”
Luke rubbed his forehead. He told Kate about Shawna and his mother’s death. “I wasn’t thinking clearly then. I was all of twenty-one and trying to get jobs in California. My mom and I were close, just the two of us when I was growing up.”
Kate nodded. “I understand.”
“Shawna didn’t even know my last name. When she tried to find me, she looked for Luke Moretti. That was my mother’s last name, you see.” Luke paused and looked out at the trees protecting the house to the west. “I wish I would have given Shawna my phone number or address. I wish I would have thought about her maybe needing to find me.”
“I’m sure you were grieving,” Kate said softly.
“Yes, I was. My mother was young. She shouldn’t have died so soon. One minute she was fine, the next her heart just stopped beating and she was gone. Some type of electrical problem with her heartbeat, the doctor said.”
“I’m sorry.”
He shook his head, returning to his story rather than dwelling on his memories. “I didn’t know this at the time, but Shawna stayed in town for a while, then went to live with her brother in Florida. That’s where my daughter Brittany grew up.”
Kate watched him, her expression unreadable, her eyes wide and dark in the night. “What are your plans now? Are you getting back together with Shawna?”
Kate held her breath as Luke frowned. Her question had seemed reasonable. He’d cared enough about Shawna to make a baby with her. Maybe he wanted another chance.
Maybe I’m a fool to care, Kate told herself.
“Shawna? No, I thought I mentioned…Shawna died in a car accident last year.”
Kate hadn’t expected that, hadn’t braced herself for anything so serious. “Oh, poor Brittany.”
“Yeah, but she seems to be doing okay, considering.”
Kate wasn’t sure how his personal life affected her, but he’d wanted to talk, and now she was caught up in the story. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m bringing Brittany to Texas to live with me. Her uncle, who she’s been living with, contacted me. He’s taken a job as a long-haul trucker. He can’t keep her with him, and she doesn’t have any other family. I’m all she’s got, and really, I’m glad. I want to claim her as my daughter.”
That was admirable. Many men—Ed for instance—would have insisted on paternity tests first and tried their best to get out of responsibility for an eight-year-old. “This will really change your life.”
“Exactly!” he said, straightening and, in the process, moving a little closer. She didn’t want him closer. She didn’t want to get any ridiculous notion that he’d asked her out to talk about something…personal.
“I’ve never thought about children much. I’ve never been around them, since I’m an only child and most of my friends are single. Well, except for Hank, but he and Gwendolyn just have a baby. Not the same, really, as an eight-year-old.”
“No, not at all.”
“So I’m going to need some help. I have to get ready for Brittany. Plus I have to get approved by social services.”
“That’s understandable, especially since you don’t have an ongoing relationship with her.”
“I met her last week. I flew down to Florida before I brought the animals to the school.”
“And how did that go?”
“As well as could be expected. We were both kind of reserved, I suppose. I’d say she’s shy, though, rather than resistant to the idea of living with me.”
“And how would she describe you?”
Luke looked at her a moment, then smiled. “See, that’s exactly why I need your help.”
Kate knew her surprise showed on her face. “My help? What…what are you talking about?”