Maybe it was because he knew she was leaving? She bit her lip as she brushed her hair. He said he’d wanted this for years. Did he really mean it? How could he want her?
She checked her reflection, the t-shirt went to mid-thigh. It was about the same length as most of her nightgowns. She shrugged. Why not wear it to breakfast?
Padding down the stairs, she stepped into the kitchen. It was even cuter by the light of day. The cabinets were old but Luke had scrubbed them clean. Fresh looking butcher block counters covered them and hard wood floors, gleamed in the morning light. “I just love your house. It feels like a home.”
“And I love you in that t-shirt.” He grinned as he pulled her close, kissing her several times.” Kat sighed. Just hearing the words I love you, sent her pulse racing, even if he was only talking about the t-shirt. “Are you hungry?”
“Famished, but I can’t eat bacon.” She wrinkled her nose.
“Are you Kosher?”
“No, smart ass, I’m on a diet. Remember?”
“To hell with your diet. I told you last night, I like you with a little more weight.” His hand slid down to cup her butt.
She huffed an angry breath. “We have sex once―”
“Twice, maybe three times,” he interjected.
“And you’re already telling me what to eat. I don’t think so. You can go―” She stopped as she heard the front door open. She automatically slid behind Luke, not wanting to be seen by whoever was coming in.
He glanced over his shoulder, giving her a wink. “It’s probably Eric, one of the hands. I’ll get rid of him.”
“Hey man, whose car is in the drive?” Eric called from the hall.
Kat peeked over Luke’s shoulder, her hands resting on his back. The other man was young and well-built with jeans and a cowboy hat. He didn’t hold a candle to Luke, but Kat was sure lots of ladies found him attractive. Luke’s muscles flexed under her hands as he crossed his arms. Excitement pulsed through her again but she gritted her teeth. Everything about him was so sexy.
“I’ve told you a hundred times not to just come waltzing in here,” Luke barked at the other man.
“Sorry about that, I haven’t paid it any mind because you usually live like a monk anyway. Hi there, mystery lady.” He grinned as he addressed her.
“Get out!” Luke made a shooing motion and Lucy gave a bark.
“Whose dog?” Eric peeked in the living room. Kat heard Lucy’s claws tap on the floor.
“Lucy, it’s all right,” she called to the dog, stepping out from behind Luke.
“Damn,” she heard Eric say. Her cheeks flamed. She forgot she was only in Luke’s t-shirt.
“Out now, or you’re fired,” Luke growled, approaching the other man.
“I’m going. Good bye, Sexy,” the other man called.
Kat straightened. “Good bye, Barely Average.”
He burst out laughing, “Feisty, too. I like that.”
The front door opened and then closed, sparing Kat from answering the other cowboy but she rounded on Luke. “Wear my t-shirt.” She raised her eyebrows, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “Parade around my house half naked. You might have mentioned that cowboys would be traipsing in and out.” Lucy reached her side and she bent down to give the mama some good pets. “Does Lucy need to eat?”
“No, I fed her already. And I’m sorry about Eric. He’s a great hand but a total ass.”
“It’s no big deal.” She followed Lucy back to the whelping box. The puppies were a wriggling mass of cuteness. She picked two up, snuggling them in her neck.
“No, it is. I want you to feel comfortable here and that guy walking in―” He waved at the door.
Kat was the ass, she knew it. She was giving him a hard time, as usual, when he had nothing but the best of intentions. “I’m sorry. I always lead with the tongue lashing instead of trying to understand. Are you sure you like me?” She stepped up to him still holding the puppies.
He gave her a soft look, gently petting one of the puppies at her neck. Then he dropped a kiss on her lips. “Beautiful woman, in my t-shirt, holding puppies. There is only one answer here. Yes, I like you.”
She sighed. She could stay like this forever. Tucked up against Luke, puppies in hand, with a comfy farmhouse as the backdrop. Before she could stop herself the words slipped out of her mouth, “I love it here.”
“Oh sweetheart.” He pulled her closer. “Stay.”
***
Luke raked a hand through his hair. He had to pull himself together or he was going to mess this up. It was a fine line. He wanted her to know it wasn’t just a fling without putting too much pressure on her and scaring her away.
He had dated a couple of other women since meeting Kat, but he found himself comparing them to her. They weren’t sassy like Kat, or as pretty, or as tall, or as curvy. They didn’t drive him crazy with their mouth or with their hips. Maybe three years ago, he’d stopped trying to replace her. He’d either win her over or he’d meet a woman that made him forget her. Neither had happened so he’d just stayed single.
But now was his chance, if he just didn’t mess it up. It was mostly going well. She had revealed her insecurities about her weight and her looks. How was that even possible? He wasn’t blowing smoke. She was stunningly beautiful and her curves were not fat, they were amazing. Why would she want to be a stick? She was the ideal that women should be seeking.
He would like to wrap her up and tell her over and over how perfect she was but that led him to his second objective, not scaring her off. So he was trying to walk a fine line. And last night only made him more convinced that she was the girl for him. It had been like magic.
He hit the barn and started tossing bales of hay up into the loft. Some good solid labor always cleared his head and showed him the best path. Some of the men joined him, Eric brought up the rear. “Holy shit, boys. You’ve got to see the sweet treat Boss has got stored up in his house. I mean, damn. I’ve seen some lookers but, wow, she takes the cake. I’ve got to hand it to you, you were holding out for a goddess.”
Luke had been about to pummel the man but he paused, Eric wasn’t wrong. Kat was a goddess. “Eric, I will tell you straight. Just like a god, Kat will mess you up if you tangle with her.”
“I did happen to notice the sharp tongue. She called me average. I mean, a woman would be lucky to land me. There’s a bunch that are trying. And she called me average…. Average! It would have been better if she said I was dead ugly because that, I could write off, you know?”
“A Kat with claws, huh?” Tom joked.
“Is there a kitten underneath?” another called. Someone whistled.
“Why don’t you step on over here and find out,” her voice purred with a false calm.
Oh shit. When had she come outside and how had he not seen her coming? He lifted his head and his eyes locked with hers. He sucked in his breath. She was in a white tank top with a pair of short jean shorts and the new pair of cowboy boots he’d left for her. Her golden blond tresses were trailing over one shoulder, but her eyes were spitting mad.
“Everybody, this is Kat. Kat this is everybody.” His eyes roamed all over her. He needed to get to the drugstore quick.
“Pleased to meet you, ma’am,” one of the men mumbled.
“Oh now it’s ma’am, is it?” She walked into the group. Shoulders straight, head high. This was the Kat that Luke had often tangled with and this was the woman he couldn’t believe ever had a self-doubt. She was magnificent.
Eric cleared his throat. “We didn’t mean nothin’.”
“Shut it, Average.” She didn’t even look at him, her eyes were shooting daggers at Luke.
“Yeah, Average,” another guy called, sniggering. Luke glanced over at Eric, his cheeks looked slightly pink. The name was going to stick to Eric and the man was going to hate it. He tried to tell him not to tangle with Kat.
“Hi sweetheart,” Luke kept his voice even. It was important not to show fear or desire no
w. She would pounce all over either one. “Everything all right?”
Her hands went from crossed in front of her chest to her hips. She looked even hotter. “There is a woman here to see you.” Her eyebrows raised.
His mind went completely blank. What woman? “What?”
“She’s got three boxers in her car with her.” Kat’s lips pressed together.
“Yeah…right…Barb.” He gave her a weak smile. “She’s here to help with the puppies.”
“She came with puppies?” one of the men, Rex, called with a guffaw.
Kat’s eyes swung to him and she looked him up and down. Her mouth opened to say something but the man pulled his hat off.
“Sorry ma’am,” he said as shifted his hat around his hands. Luke had to hide a smile. He knew Rex didn’t want to get slapped with a nickname.
“I’ll walk you over and make the introductions,” he said to Kat. She turned in her cowboy boots and started walking back without him. The men all shifted around him. He knew why. She looked damned sexy walking away in those shorts. Her long legs ate up the dirt as her hips swayed with the movement.
He started after her but not before he heard one of the men mumble, “Hot diggity, damn.”
Another whispered, “She’s an angel and a devil.”
“Luke’s gonna have his hands full.” Eric sounded hurt.
“I wish I had my hands full…”
“Enough,” he barked as broke into a trot to catch up to her.
BARKING MAD LOVE
CHAPTER SIX
KAT TOOK A few deep breaths. She was pissed. They were out there talking about her like a piece of meat and Luke hadn’t said anything. She should have known that is what he thought about her. This whole thing was a mistake.
Barb was out of her car, and the dogs were racing around the yard. “Hi,” the other woman called.
“Hello,” Kat smiled, some of her anger melting. A beautiful dog ran up to her, stubby tail wagging. “Can I pet?”
“Of course. That’s my girl, Annie. She’s the best at herding cattle. Helped Luke out a couple of times.” Kat bent down and scratched the girl between the ears. She immediately licked Kat’s face.
Luke came up next to her. “I see you met Annie,” Luke said bending down to pet the dog. His other hand came to Kat’s back. She straightened but the hand stayed. “Barb, this is my friend Kat. Kat, this is Barb.”
“Nice to meet you, Kat.” The other woman gave her a smile.
“You too. Thanks for coming.” Kat returned the smile.
Luke dropped a kiss on her cheek. “I’ve got to make sure those hooligans in my barn aren’t causing any trouble. I’ll leave you ladies to talk dog. Barb, you want me to take your crew to the barn?”
“That’d be nice, thanks Luke.” She turned to Kat. “I’m dying to meet this Lucy and her pups. How’d the whelping go?”
“Good, I think. Lucy did all the work.”
“That’s the way it should be.” Barb sucked in her breath as they approached the whelping box. “Oh, they’re amazing. They look pure bred and they look like specimens. See the shape of those heads, perfect domes.”
“I wonder what happened to my Lucy?”
“Well, she should have a chip or a tattoo in her leg, it will help identify her.” Barb gingerly climbed in the box. She lifted up Lucy’s leg. Kat peered in, there was the faintest tattoo etched into her skin. “I’ll see what I can find out.” Barb pulled out a little notepad and scratched the numbers down.
“What can I do to help her with the pups?” Kat pet her sweet girl.
“Think of yourself as the daddy. Your job is to feed the mommy, play with kids, and take them all to the doctor’s appointments. My son is a vet so he’s going to come later to give them all a check over.” She picked one up and gave a good look.
“Once Lucy is recovered, we’ll start her on some simple herding tasks with the other dogs. See if she had any aptitude for it. But my guess is some of these pups will be highly trainable. And even as family pets you can sell them at two thousand a piece.”
“What?” Kat looked at her. There were five of them. That was ten thousand dollars.
“We don’t have papers on them so they can’t be show quality but people will still pay for pretty pets. I’ve got a back list of people waiting for boxers. I can get them good homes.” Barb picked another puppy up.
“Thank you, Barb. I couldn’t even send Lucy away. I don’t know how I will send these puppies off.” She bit her lip.
“Are you and Luke keeping any on the farm?”
“Oh, I don’t know if Luke will keep any. I’m headed back to Massachusetts and I live, well lived, in an apartment. I don’t know that there will be room for a…” she stopped talking, her cheeks flushing.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to assume. It’s just that I’ve known Luke a while and I’ve never seen a woman around. And certainly not one that he kissed.” Barb picked up another pup.
“Really? I heard the guys talking in the barn and I wouldn’t think Luke was serious at all.”
“You heard Luke talking or the other guys?” Barb looked at her.
“Well, the other guys, actually. But Luke didn’t stop them either.”
“You’ve got me there, but I am telling you. I’ve never seen Luke put his arm around a woman or kiss her cheek. And he certainly hasn’t taken her and her pregnant dog in. If you ask me, that boy is smitten with you.”
“Me? Luke is the best looking man I have ever met. How could he like me?” Kat eyes cast down to the floor.
“You’re serious?” Barb raised her eyebrows. “Oh honey. If I could look like you for five minutes, the things I would do. Stop doubting and enjoy what you’ve got. You are one fine looking woman.”
“You know, Barb. You might be my new best friend.”
“Is it too soon to hug?” The other woman gave her a grin.
“No way,” she leaned over wrapping her arms around her new friend.
Barb spent the next forty five minutes explaining the finer points of boxer features and the developmental stages the pups would go through. It was so fascinating that Kat was completely engrossed. She was startled by a knock at the front door.
“That’s probably my son Kurt although he’ll introduce himself as Dr. Simms.” Barb was petting another puppy.
“Okay,” Kat said as she got up to get the door. She had managed to make it the entire morning without getting peed on. “Hello,” she chirped as she opened the door.
“Ah, hi.” His eyes ran up and down her.
“Are you Dr. Simms?” cocking her head to one side, she gave him a questioning look. He seemed to have forgotten he was the doctor.
“Ah…yeah…. Call me Kurt, pleased to meet you. Do you― are you Luke’s friend?” He seemed to be tripped up and Kat had to hide a grin. He was a good looking man and successful too. If it wasn’t for Luke, he’d be just the type of guy she would date. But with Luke around, it was hard to think of anyone else.
“Yes, Kat. It’s nice to meet you too. Though, technically, I’m Luke’s brother’s friend. Have you met Carl?” She stepped aside to let him in and he followed as they headed towards the whelping box.
“Sure, I’ve actually seen a few pictures of you. You were in Carl’s wedding.”
“Best woman,” she grinned over her shoulder.
“Cool.” He took a breath. “How’d you end up out here? Are you staying long?” Kat could feel the heat of his glance.
“Not sure yet. Luke said I could stay for the summer which would be nice. I don’t really want to leave Lucy or the puppies. But…” She stopped for a second. “I don’t want to wear out my welcome either.”
“Somehow, I doubt that.” He stopped as he saw his mother. Giving her a wave he bent down next to her and started examining Lucy and the puppies.
Kat bent down next to them, petting Lucy’s head. “Everything looks great so far. These pups look like pure breeds.”
“I took down Lucy’s numbers already.” Barb pointed towards the tattoo.
“I’ll look her up in the database.” He set a puppy back down, who immediately began eating again.
“I’m going to check on my crew, make sure they’re not giving Luke a hard time. Be back in a few.” Barb stood and headed for the door.
“You’ll have to decide if you want to dock their tails.” Kurt gave one of their tales the tiniest tug.
“What do you mean? What is docking?” She gave him a skeptical look.
“You’ve never had a boxer before, I take it, if you don’t know what docking is. What do you do back East?” Kurt asked, he leaned in as he picked another dog, his body subtly brushing hers. Kat pulled back just a touch. Did he mean to do that?
“I’m a teacher.” She straightened further, adding a little more distance. He leaned closer again.
“First dog?” He reached out and gave her hair a tiny tug like he had done with the dog’s tail.
“It is,” Luke’s voice came from the doorway. He sounded irritated.
Kat grimaced as she ducked her head. For some reason it was embarrassing to be caught this close to Kurt. “Kurt says the puppies all look healthy.” She looked at Luke, then. His expression was black.
“Is that what Kurt says?” Luke sounded even more annoyed. Kat raised her eyebrows. Was he jealous? A little thrill snaked down her spine. It was actually nice to see him this way over her.
“What are you guys up to tonight? I have to see some patients but we could all have dinner.” Kurt wasn’t looking at either of them. He had a stethoscope up to one of the pup’s chest.
“Maybe another time,” Luke mumbled.
Irritation replaced her pleasure. He could have asked her before he said no. She didn’t like him speaking for her. “Why not?” she scowled.
He scowled back stepping closer to her. “It was going to be a surprise but I already made a reservation for us.”
“Oh,” she and Kurt said the same word at the same time.
“I should get headed. Patients. But I’ll talk to you later, Luke. Nice to meet you, Kat.” He gave a quick wave and made a hasty retreat out the door.
Barking Mad Love: Chance Romance with a Canine Helper! (Puppy Love Book 2) Page 4
