Kane and Mabel

by Sharon DeVita

  “Lucas Kane, what on Earth am I going to do with you?” she inquired, laughing and shaking her head.

  His brows rose suggestively and she shook her finger at him.

  “Don’t say it!” she cautioned, holding a hand up and sighing deeply. “Please?” She had to give the man an A for ingenuity and initiative.

  “Are you coming down, or do I have to come up?” he called, making no attempt to lower his voice.

  “Luke,” she protested with a laugh, “I’m not even dressed yet!”

  His grin widened. “Then I’m definitely coming up.”

  “No, you’re not!” she said in a panic, glancing down at her ragged football jersey. She had no doubt that any man who would throw pebbles at her window, confess his intentions openly to the Reverend Powers in broad daylight and weave tall tales in a single breath, would have no hesitancy in coming up whether she was dressed or not. “I’ll come down,” she assured him.

  One brow rose. “How long?”

  “Twenty minutes?”

  “Ten,” he countered with a playful smile.

  “Fifteen?”

  “Deal.” Luke grinned again. “Fifteen minutes, then I’m coming up.”

  “All right. All right.” She turned from the window, anxious to get dressed. Luke hadn’t seen her in anything but her tattered jeans and white blouses she wore for work. Her femininity was crying to be let loose, and today seemed like a perfect day.

  “Kati Rose?” Luke called, stopping her in her tracks. She turned back to the window, feeling a little thrill at the sight of him.

  “Now what?” She had no idea what the day would hold, but she had decided she wanted—no, she needed—to find out just what there was between her and Luke, besides the diner. She was so unskilled in these man-woman things that she didn’t know quite how to behave. When other young women were going through the dating rituals, she had been busy raising her brother and running a diner. It was time, Kati admitted, that she find out just what she’d been missing.

  “You’ve only got fourteen minutes left,” he warned, tapping his watch. “Better hurry.”

  And hurry she did. Anticipation caused her heart to soar and her feet to move—rapidly. She refused to be frightened by the excitement within her.

  Kati suddenly realized that she had been wrong about Luke, dead wrong. He was her partner, deserved to be, he’d proven that. Now Kati knew she wanted a chance to explore all the other things that were going on between them, all the things that had nothing to do with business.

  He had systematically charmed and knocked down every barrier she’d tried to erect. Maybe it was time for her to stop running from herself, and from him.

  Exactly fourteen-and-a-half minutes later, showered, dressed and a bit out of breath, Kati raced out into the warm summer morning.

  “Luke?” she called, looking around and blinking against the morning sunlight. He was nowhere to be found. “Luke?”

  He came dashing around the corner, hiding something behind his back. Skidding to a stop in front of her, his eyes slowly took her in. He was looking at her intently, his beautiful blue eyes taking in the soft knit sweater that fit the contour of her curves like a second skin, sliding down the linen slacks that emphasized her narrow waist and long legs. His eyes slid back upward, slowly caressing everywhere he touched.

  Wondering if she looked all right and nervous at his frank appraisal, Kati lifted a hand to self-consciously touch her hair, which she had pulled back and secured with a tortoiseshell barrette. From the appreciative glint in Luke’s eyes, Kati felt that he approved.

  “Don’t.” He reached out and caught her hand in his, gently giving her an encouraging squeeze. The look of longing in his eyes nearly took her breath away. “You look beautiful,” he whispered, and her heart fluttered wildly.

  “Thank you,” she returned, feeling suddenly shy with him.

  Lacing his hand through hers, he started guiding her down the street, making no attempt to show her what he was hiding behind his back. Her curiosity suddenly grew.

  “What are you hiding back there?” she asked, coming to an abrupt halt and trying to peek behind him. Luke dipped and ducked so she couldn’t see.

  “It’s a surprise,” he said mysteriously, taking her arm again.

  “For me?” She laughed. “I’d say you were full of surprises this morning.”

  Luke came to an abrupt halt and turned to her. Lifting one hand, he gently caressed her cheek. His gaze held hers, a warm smile on his face. “These,” he said tenderly, bringing his arm out from behind him, “are for you.” Kati gasped as Luke presented her with a large bouquet of wildflowers.

  She lifted her gaze to his and her pulse hammered foolishly. “Oh, Luke,” she whispered, touched beyond measure. “They’re beautiful.”

  A lopsided grin curved his lips. “I take my courting seriously, Kati Rose. And we have to make it look official, for MayBelle’s sake,” he added, trying to contain his smile but failing miserably.

  “For MayBelle’s sake, of course.” Kati lifted the bouquet and inhaled deeply, savoring the intoxicating scent. Twenty-seven years old and she’d never had a man give her flowers before. Her breath caught. These were all the more special because they were from Luke.

  “Thank you.” Standing on tiptoe, she planted a kiss on his cheek, holding the flowers close to her pounding heart.

  “You’re welcome. But your kiss missed its target.” He pointed to his lips expectantly. “We have to make this look good,” he insisted, sliding an arm around her shoulder and hauling her unsuspecting body close. On tiptoe again, Kati brushed her lips gently against his. His mouth covered hers, his lips hungry.

  Immediately, she responded to the call of his touch, lifting one arm to lace around his neck and carefully protecting her precious flowers with the other. His sweet scent infiltrated her breathing space and she reeled with a rush of desire.

  Groaning softly, Luke pulled away regretfully. “Kati Rose,” he murmured his voice husky. “If we don’t stop this, courting won’t be the only thing on my mind.” His words brought a rush of color to her face and she took a step back.

  “Now,” he said, taking her hand and lacing his fingers through hers. “Vera said Libertyville Lake is only a few blocks from here. Do we walk or take the truck?”

  “The truck?” One auburn brow rose in inquiry. “You make it sound like it’s the ultimate vehicle.”

  “It is, Kati. It is.” He guided her to the curb where a brown pickup was parked. “This here’s Sylvania,” he declared proudly, giving the truck a friendly pat.

  “Sylvania?” Kati inquired with a raised brow, examining the truck carefully. She didn’t see anything particularly special about the truck except for its obvious ugliness. The paint, although she guessed it was supposed to be brown, was chipped and rusted in places. Splattered mud dulled what paint was visible. In the back bed lay several odd construction tools and a dusty blanket.

  Stenciled on the side door were the words, Kane Construction, Kansas City, Mo. Kati frowned as she read the words.

  “Luke, do you own a construction firm?” She lifted her eyes to his in question. He gave her a moment to examine the truck more closely before he answered.

  “I’m not the owner of a construction company—anymore.” He opened the door and helped her in. Surprisingly, the inside of the truck, in direct contrast to the outside, was immaculate. Carefully, she placed her flowers on the seat next to her. “I’m the owner of a diner. Well, part owner at least,” he corrected, climbing behind the wheel.

  Kati looked at him, intrigued. She really didn’t know anything about Lucas Kane or his life before he came to the diner, and she longed to know everything about this wonderful, fascinating man. “Did you sell your company?” she asked as he started the car and pulled onto the empty street.

  Luke nodded, turning down the street where she told him. “I was burned out, I guess.” He shrugged. “After Leonard died, I kind of lost my desire to keep the bu
siness going. I didn’t want the hassle anymore I just wanted out. I couldn’t stand big business anymore.” Luke shrugged, his shoulders moving against the knit shirt. “My heart just wasn’t in it.” He turned his head, and his eyes pinned hers. “I guess I was looking for something. I didn’t know what it was until I met you.” His husky words caused her stomach to drop and she struggled to ignore the implication, trying to pick up the thread of Luke’s conversation as he continued.

  “Anyway, I worked out a deal with my head foreman. He didn’t have the money to buy me outright, so he took over the company, or at least the day-to-day running of it until a suitable buyer could be found or until I decide what I’m going to do with it. That’s how I met Patrick,” he continued, glancing over at her. “He came to work for me. What’s wrong, Kati?” he asked, noticing her sudden frown.

  Kati twisted her hands nervously in her lap, her palms suddenly warm. She hadn’t realized Luke had even owned a construction company, or anything else for that matter. The thought that he had another business that might possibly be waiting for his return brought on a sudden bout of suspicion. Why would a man up and leave his company, his friends and family to claim half ownership of a small-town diner? she wondered. It just didn’t make sense.

  She had tried so hard for so long to get rid of Luke, that now, when she’d finally accepted him as part of her life, when she wanted him to stay, just the thought that he might not be staying made her feel a bit of panic. At this moment, she couldn’t imagine her life, either in or out of the diner, without him. He had so entangled himself in her daily life and in her every thought that at times she didn’t know where her life stopped and his began. He had sailed through her life as quickly and easily as wind whirled through a fence. Just the thought that he might not be staying made her nervous. And a bit suspicious.

  “Who’s Leonard?” she asked out loud. And what about the diner? she asked silently, trying to bank down the fear that tightened her heart.

  Luke’s face changed, not much, but enough for Kati to know that whoever the man was, he obviously was someone very important to Luke. Pulling the car into the beach lot, Luke parked and turned off the motor.

  “Leonard was—” Luke stopped to glance out the window. She could feel the sudden tension in him. “Leonard was my father…of sorts—” he said, choosing his words carefully. “Not my real father,” he corrected quickly. “But that never mattered. He was more of a father to me than any real father could have been.” He turned and flashed her a smile, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. There was that forlorn look in Luke’s eyes again, she thought, feeling a tug at her heart.

  “Were you adopted?”

  Luke shook his head, not looking at her. “No, not officially. I was about sixteen and running away from the latest foster home when I met Leonard. I broke into one of his construction trailers one night, looking for a warm place to sleep.” He laughed softly, but the sound was riddled with pain. “I didn’t know it at the time, but that probably was the smartest thing I ever did. Until I met you,” he added tenderly, reaching out to caress her hand. “It was Leonard’s trailer, and he was in there sleeping on a couch when I broke in. Boy, I don’t know who was more scared, him or me.” Luke laughed softly. “He almost boxed my ears that first night, but when he realized I was all alone like him, something clicked between us. Two souls, all alone and lonely.” Kati squeezed his hand, feeling a deep-seated ache for the troubled boy Luke must have been.

  “Leonard was wonderful,” he continued, looking out the window. “He took me in and straightened me out. Treated me like a son. He made me go to school, gave me a job and taught me to be a man. It was the first real home I’d ever had. He gave me something else I thought I’d never have.” Luke jammed a hand through his hair and sighed heavily.

  “What?” she asked cautiously, longing to know everything about Luke and his life.

  “His name,” he said quietly, and Kati could feel the tension seep out of him.

  “His name?” she whispered, clearly not understanding him. “But what about your parents? Your family?”

  “Guess they didn’t want me,” he said, and Kati watched a wall of hurt slowly unfold and surround him. “My dad ran off and left my ma when she was expecting me. She was young and couldn’t take care of a baby, so she just left me at the hospital. They weren’t equipped to deal with a newborn. So they turned me over to an orphanage. They didn’t know what to call me so they named me John Smith. Original, don’t you think?” Luke laughed harshly, and Kati winced at the pain that was still so vivid in the man. “I lived in a series of foster homes until I was old enough to start running away. I guess I was just running from myself,” he said softly, the hurt still evident in the harsh raggedness of his voice.

  Kati’s eyes slid closed in remorse as she remembered the night Luke had arrived at the diner. The night she told him she didn’t want him here. It won’t be the first time I’ve not been wanted, he had told her then, and now she understood. Kati swallowed hard around the sudden lump in her throat. Her heart ached, and she longed to wipe away all Luke’s sad memories, all the years without love—and all the days that she herself, out of blind stubborn pride had inflicted more hurt, more pain. Luke knew she hadn’t wanted him. She couldn’t have made it plainer. Remorse swept over her. How could she have been so stupid? So cruel?

  When she thought about her own happy childhood, at least before her parents’ untimely death, she could imagine how hard it had been for Luke. Guilt burned through her at the way she had treated him. He’d been nothing but kind to her. Oh, he drove her crazy, constantly underfoot and on her mind, charming, disarming and storming her vulnerable heart until she was certain she would faint. But that certainly didn’t excuse the way she had been treating him.

  “Leonard Kane was a rare man,” Luke said softly, draping an arm around her. Kati snuggled close to him. Her fingers clutched tightly to the material of his shirt.

  She shifted her face and looked up at him, her heart full of love. Lucas Kane was also a rare man. After all he had been through, other than the last few moments, Kati had never sensed the bitterness, the hurt he must have felt.

  “Oh, Luke,” she whispered, knowing that no matter how hard or how fast she ran, no matter how many barriers she threw up, no matter how she lied or tried to deny it, she couldn’t ignore what she felt for this man. Lord, somehow when she wasn’t looking, this interfering interloper had stolen more than her diner. Luke had stolen her heart, as well.

  “Kati,” he murmured, bending to claim her waiting mouth. Teasing her with his tenderness, Kati slid her arms around him and leaned against him. She could feel the hard muscular length of his thighs against the thin material of her slacks. Feel the rapid beat of his heart against the crush of her breasts.

  All too soon he pulled away, but Kati didn’t move. She stayed snuggled against him, wanting only to feel the warmth he offered.

  “Now, Kati Rose Ryan,” he said finally, all traces of sadness gone from him. “It’s time to start some serious courting, here.” Smiling, he popped open his door and hopped out. She slid over to her own side of the car and started to open the door, but he reached out his hand to slap hers away. “Kati Rose,” he scolded. “A courting gentleman always opens a door for a lady.” Bowing gallantly, in much the same way he had done to Vera, Luke opened her door and extended his hand to help her out. Reaching in the back of the cab, Luke extracted a picnic basket from under a blanket. With their arms around each other, they walked toward the sandy beach.

  Although early, the warmth of the day had brought out a lot of people. Tiptoeing over blankets and dodging toddlers making sand castles, they found a spot on a small ridge. Kati watched in surprise as Luke pulled out a blanket and a thermos of coffee.

  “You certainly came prepared,” she teased, folding her legs under her and sitting Indian style on the blanket.

  “What else have you got in there?” she inquired, trying to peek.

  “You’ll
see,” he admonished, gently slapping her hand away. “Now, tell me about Kati Rose Ryan.” Luke poured them each a cup of coffee and handed one to her before stretching his lean frame alongside of her and resting his head in her lap. She glanced down at him. She felt so comfortable with him, so relaxed, so at peace.

  “There’s not much to tell,” she admitted, suddenly realizing how boring her life had been. Until she’d met Luke. “I was born and raised in Libertyville and have never even thought of leaving.” She glanced around at the familiar surroundings. “This is home. My parents were killed when Patrick was still rather young. I had a normal childhood, until then.” Her voice dropped an octave as memories overwhelmed her. Talking about her parents was still hard, even after all this time. “I took the little bit of insurance money they left and bought the diner. It was a way to support myself and Patrick. I sold the house, and we moved to the apartment upstairs.” She took a sip of her coffee, aware that Luke’s eyes were watching her intently.

  “What about boyfriends?” he asked, and Kati laughed shortly, grateful to change the subject.

  “I was too busy raising my brother and trying to keep the diner afloat.”

  “Come on, Kati,” he teased, lifting a hand to stroke her cheek. “Don’t tell me you never had a serious relationship? No old flames lurking in the background with a broken heart?”

  “Well, there was Eddie Fredricks—”

  “Aha, the plot thickens. Tell me about poor Eddie,” he said, clearly enjoying himself. “I’ll bet you broke his heart, didn’t you?”

  Kati gave him a mysterious grin, deciding to play him along for a while. “I guess I did. Poor Eddie.” She sighed expressively, struggling not to laugh. “He was an older man,” she confessed, the smile winning out. “He was in third grade, and I was in first. He used to walk me home from school every day. One day he cornered me behind the old lilac bush in front of Vera’s and tried to kiss me.”

  “And?” Luke prompted, lifting one brow.

  “And I popped him one right in the kisser,” she admitted, delighted at the whoop of laughter that shook Luke’s frame. “I broke his glasses.”