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?”
“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 against 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.
Kate chuckled. “Wait until she actually arrives.”
THAT EVENING, after Eddie was tucked into bed and the dishes were washed, Kate relaxed on the couch and took inventory of the day. She’d made progress with Luke, mainly by bringing up topics as they naturally occurred. She’d originally planned to be more structured, but that didn’t seem to work with a man who had chores to do and a renovation to oversee.
Besides making progress on turning Luke into a dad, she was most proud of her ability to be professional. Several times she’d had to force herself not to stare, to touch or otherwise humiliate herself with Luke. More than once she’d glanced at his mouth and remembered their kiss. But every time, she’d controlled her wild impulses to make a fool of herself with a man who obviously couldn’t be interested in her despite his flattering words the other day.
And that’s all they were, she convinced herself. He probably flattered all women, just out of habit. She wasn’t going to take it personally.
He’d had no trouble staying focused today, either, so things were working out fine. They were each doing what they were supposed to do.
She picked up a pillow and hugged it to that empty spot directly below her heart. If everything was so great, why did she feel so…deflated? Did she really think that Luke would admit he’d meant everything he said the day before, that he couldn’t live another minute without kissing her again? No, of course not. That was just plain silly.
If either one of them gave in to such crazy urges, they’d never accomplish their individual goals. Luke wouldn’t be prepared for Brittany and Kate wouldn’t have enough money to get a place of her own this fall.
She would do the right thing and earn every penny Luke was paying her. She’d help him with the house and anything else for the next two weeks. She’d feel a sense of accomplishment when Brittany arrived and was welcomed into her new family, her new home.
None of that would happen if she and Luke got personal, and that was unacceptable.
THE NEXT DAY started much as the first day on the job. Kate arrived after Eddie went to school. The workers were already hammering, sawing and painting inside the house. Luke was in the barn, working with the ponies. Kate stood in the doorway and watched him, trying very hard not to admire the play of muscles beneath the white T-shirt or long to smooth back his dark, thick hair as it waved over his forehead. With a sigh, she sat on a bale of hay and waited for him to finish.
In a few minutes, he led the ponies toward their pasture and placed the metal stand in front of a stall, next to a pile of fresh hay and a bucket. “Would you like to see something cute?” he asked, finally acknowledging her.
“Sure.” She stood and brushed the rear of her jeans.
He crooked his finger and smiled, and it was all she could do not to run toward him with a silly grin.
“Step up here,” he said, nodding toward the stand the ponies had just used.
“Are you training me now?” she asked jokingly.
“That’s not my job,” he said, smiling in reply. “You’re the teacher.”
I’ll bet you could teach me quite a few things I never learned in books…or anywhere else, she thought, shocking herself at the way her mind kept coming back to intimate speculation about Luke. She stepped onto the metal stand and peered into the stall.
A tiny pony and her even smaller foal stood near the back wall. “Oh, they’re darling.”
“They arrived last night from a ranch outside Blanco. The county agent picked them up. Their owner moved away and the stock was abandoned.”
“Oh, is she okay? The mare had a tangled tail and her coat wasn’t sleek, but she didn’t look sick or injured.
“She’s underweight and was a little dehydrated, but nothing too serious or she’d be at a vet clinic instead.”
“Will you keep her?”
“Probably. They don’t know who to contact because the place was being rented and the guy skipped out.”
“Brittany will love her.”
“Do you think so?”
“How could she not? They’re both precious.”
“That’s a good name.”
“Oh, no, I didn’t mean to name her.”
“I want you to name the mare. I’ll ask Brittany to name the foal.”
“That’s…thank you.”
“Precious is a good name for a miniature horse.”
“She’s not a pony?”
“The breed is called a miniature horse, even though they look like small ponies.”
“Oh.” Kate took another look at the mare, nudging the cuddly foal toward her flank to nurse, then sighed and turned back to look at Luke, who stood beside her at the wooden planks of the stall. Because of the metal stand, she stood eye to eye with him. Close enough she could see mischief brewing in his dark eyes and feel overwhelmed by his masculine scent.
“We should probably get to work,” she whispered.
“You’re right.” His breath smelled like mint and his lips looked soft yet firm, especially when he smiled ever so slightly.
Kate blinked and leaned back. “Okay, then!” she said briskly, searching deep inside for professionalism. He doesn’t mean to be so sexy, she told herself. That’s just the way he is.
“Kate?”
“Let’s get started.” Without waiting for him to help her down from the stand, she took a step.
“Let me—” he started to say, moving his arm to encircle her waist and then her foot slipped on the uneven floor by the stall. She lost her balance, and when she tried to right herself, her momentum sent him backward. Before she knew what was happening, he tripped and brought her down with him.
They landed in a pile of hay, Luke on his back, her straddling his legs.
“I’m so sorry,” she wheezed, dust from the hay rising around them. “Are you okay?”
Luke started to laugh. “I’m fine.”
She finally realized that his other hand was at her waist and she was in what could only be called a compromising position. “I’m sorry,” she said again, leaning forward to get her hand on the floor so she could push herself up, bringing her even closer to Luke. But she couldn’t help it; she needed to get up now, so she didn’t do something else really stupid.
Before she could lever herself off the floor—and him—Luke’s hands crept up her back and tugged her down. She landed flat against his stomach and chest. “I’m not complaining,” he said softly with those firm, soft lips, with that minty breath. And then he pulled her even closer, one hand on the back of her head, and she closed her eyes as he kissed her.
This time the kiss wasn’t tentative or sweet. It was commanding and powerful, and she just about melted all over his denim and cotton. Her arms snaked around his neck and her fingers slid through his hair. Her heart beat fast and hard as she molded herself as tightly as possible to him. The kiss went on and on, until Luke moaned and pressed upward where he really shouldn’t be pressing, but it felt so good.
She broke the kiss, breathless and wild and not really knowing why she was lying on the floor of a barn with Luke Simon.
“Maybe we should get up now,” she said, her voice soft and not at all professional.
“Are you sure?” he asked, his voice deep and slightly breathless and oh so sexy.