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.
Chapter Eleven
Luke pulled Kate up from the barn floor, knowing he shouldn’t say anything about all the hay stuck to her plaid shirt and jeans. Or the dusty smudges on her clothes. His handprints, no doubt. He hadn’t been able to stop himself from holding her, pulling her close and kissing her.
Crazy. He was a madman, pure and simple. What was he thinking? Nothing. That was the problem. He hadn’t been thinking at all, at least not with his brain.
“That wasn’t part of the lesson plan,” she said shakily, dusting off her calves and thighs and hips.
“I know.” He sighed and looked away before he offered to help her. He wasn’t sure how much dust and hay he’d remove, but the effort would be…reward
ing. “I don’t seem to have as much self-control as I like to believe I possess. You…you tie me up in knots.”
“I…what?”
He looked away from Kate’s beautiful, refined features. Even with her hair in disarray and dust on her clothing, she looked like a lady.
A lady he’d dragged down into the hay.
“You’re not like any other woman I’ve known, Kate. I shouldn’t have kissed you. I don’t have the right.”
“Because we’re working together,” she stated flatly.
He turned back around. “No, because we’re two different types of people. I’m…well, let’s just say that I’m your opposite.”
“Luke, it’s true we’re at different places in our lives but—”
“Oh, you’re different all right. I never, and I mean never, date women who don’t know the score. The women I spend time with just want to have fun. They know I’m not getting serious. They know I’m not going to ask them to stay. I might not remember their name in a month or two.”
“That sounds like a lonely way to live,” she said softly.
“It’s my life, Kate. You have ‘serious’ written all over you. You’re a staying kind of woman.”
“My ex-husband didn’t think so.” She withdrew her hand from his arm and leaned against the stall. “He just kept several fun-loving women to spend time with.” Kate laughed without any humor. “Silly me, I just thought he was devoted to his job, his clients.”
“That doesn’t have anything to do with you, Kate. His behavior was all about him.”
“How can you know that? You don’t know Ed.”
“I’m a man, so believe me, I know.”
She shook her head. “You’re just trying to make me feel better, but—”
“I’m not trying to make you feel better! I’m trying to make you see the truth. You’re a beautiful, desirable woman and I’m not the kind of man who should be kissing you.”
“You are a fine man, Luke Simon. A good man. Er, not that you should be kissing me. But there’s a sweetness about you that you try to hide.”
“I am not sweet!”
She laughed. “Yes, you are.”
He frowned. “I grew up without a permanent home, with a single mother and no father.” He didn’t tell Kate any more about the man who’d fathered him, about that nonrelationship and the other family Luke would never know.
“Luke, your lack of a father isn’t important. Your mother was obviously an exceptional woman.”
“What makes you say that?”
“Because she raised you to be a sweet, good, caring man.”
He threw up his hands. “I give up. If you say I’m sweet, then how can I argue?”
“Exactly. Never argue with a strong-willed woman.”
“I’ll try to remember that.”
They stood inside the barn, looking at each other, not touching, as different as night and day despite Kate’s insistence that they weren’t. As for keeping their relationship purely business…well, that wasn’t a success.
“We’d better get to work,” she said finally.
“You’re right. The clock is ticking.” Brittany would be here whether he and Kate agreed, whether they kissed again…or not. He might not be a great candidate for a friend or a lover, but he would learn how to be a dad if it took every minute of the next week and a half. If it took every cent he’d earned in Hollywood. If it took all his concentration to stay on topic and away from Kate.
BY THE END of the week, Robin Parker had been out to the ranch and collaborated with Luke on a design plan for Brittany’s room. She’d also made suggestions about the final paint colors for the living room, dining room and study. Luke liked her ideas so much that he decided to paint everything a buttery gold instead of the stark white he’d originally planned. Kate thought that showed he was flexible and easygoing, but she didn’t tell him that because he’d probably argue with her.
He didn’t see himself as noble or sensitive or affectionate. What did he think having all these misfit animals meant? He cared enough to see to their health and happiness. He also cared enough to make sure his daughter was welcomed warmly, in a cozy home with a room decorated just for her.
This Saturday morning, Travis was watching Eddie, and Kate was going with Luke to shop for furniture in nearby San Marcus. If they didn’t find what they needed there, they might have to drive to Austin or San Antonio.
“Are you sure you don’t mind keeping Eddie today?” Kate asked her brother as she stood just inside his kitchen.
“Not at all. With Jodie away on that photo shoot for her new line of perfume, I’m home with Marsha anyway. Eddie can help me keep her entertained. Besides,” Travis said, winking at Eddie, “we guys have to stick together. We’re way outnumbered by women in this family.”
“You’ll have to talk to Jodie about that,” Kate said, shaking her head. “A little brother for Marsha would be nice.”
“She’s thinking about it. I told her I’d be willing to cooperate at any time.”
“Too much information, big brother,” Kate said, holding up her hand. She heard a truck pull up in the drive and looked out the window. “My ride’s here,” she said, purposefully avoiding Luke’s name so she didn’t set Travis off again. Although, she had to admit, he’d been less critical of both their neighbor and her judgment lately.
“I’ll be back as soon as possible.”
“Don’t worry about it. Eddie and I will be fine.”
“Okay.” She leaned down and kissed her son on the cheek, smiling when he wiped away her lip gloss. “Be good for Uncle Travis.”
“Bring me something?”
“I’ll try. Mostly, we’re going to furniture stores.”
“Yeah, for Brittany,” Eddie said, disappointed.
“What’s wrong?”
“When am I going to meet her? All I hear is Brittany, Brittany, Brittany.”
Kate laughed. “Very soon. She’ll be here when her spring break comes, remember? We’ll make her feel welcome.”
“I guess.”
Kate figured Eddie was slightly jealous of the little girl who consumed so much of Luke’s time and attention.
“You have your cell phone?” Travis asked.
“I sure do. I’ll see you both soon.”
“Bye, Mommy.”
She kissed Eddie’s cheek again, then waved at Travis before hurrying out the door. She didn’t want to keep Luke waiting. She wasn’t rushing, she told herself, because she was looking forward to seeing him. They’d maintained a professional relationship after that kiss in the hay on Tuesday. Thank goodness. She didn’t have the will or the methods to thwart Luke if he’d wanted to kiss her again.
He stood outside the truck by the passenger door, looking casual yet polished in new jeans and a Western shirt with colorful wide stripes. He had to have taken his clothes to the laundry in town because they were nicely starched.
“You look spiffy,” she said, hoisting herself up onto the passenger seat as Luke held the door.
“Thanks. You look good, too.”
She’d worn a khaki skirt for a change from her jeans, since they weren’t going to be at the ranch all day. She wasn’t sure how long they’d be gone. Luke needed almost everything, from linens to furniture.
Once they were on the state highway, she asked, “Did you ship anything from California that still has to be unpacked?”
“No, pretty much everything I own is already in the house. When I get the rest of the furniture I need, maybe you can help me put it in place.”
“Sure. You don’t have many personal things, do you?”
“No, I never did collect stuff like photos and furniture. I wasn’t sure where I’d be staying next month, so it seemed silly to hang on to it. My mother wasn’t one to collect things, either, and I guess I take after her.”
Kate suspected that his lack of personal possessions had more to do with his inability to put down roots than it did with DNA from his mother. She’d al
ready commented to him that he needed to integrate more into the community, which he seemed to find difficult. He’d said he hadn’t had a relationship with his father, so maybe that gap in Luke’s childhood still affected him. She didn’t want to overanalyze Luke, but she couldn’t help thinking about his past. “Did she move a lot also?” Kate asked.
“Yeah, we moved fairly often,” he said in a voice that told her he wasn’t going to discuss himself much further.
“You know, little girls tend to collect things and keep them forever. Or at least until they go away to college.”
“I want Brittany to have whatever she wants…within reason, naturally. And I definitely want her to go to college. I suppose I should start one of those college funds for her.”
“Perhaps. You’ll need a lawyer and maybe a financial planner, too, because you’ll want to make sure she’s provided for in your will in case something happens to you.”
“Damn, I hadn’t thought of that yet. Sometimes I feel completely at a loss. What if I don’t think of everything?”
“Luke, anyone can hire a decorator or buy clothes or furniture for a little girl, but not everyone can supply love and support. You’re her father. That means so much.”
He was silent for a moment, then said, “I’m just glad that you’re helping me. I’m really out of my element here.”
“That’s understandable. I’d be out of mine if I had to train horses or even care for your animals.”
“Yeah, well, my work isn’t all that complicated, whereas you’re in charge of teaching kids how to read and do math and all those other things they’ll need to know. I wouldn’t have a clue where to start.”
“Please, don’t remind me. I feel overwhelmed enough.”
“You do?” He glanced at her, his expression showing surprise, before turning his attention back to the road.
“Of course. I’ve never really taught, or I should say, been completely in charge of a classroom. I did my student teaching, graduated from college, then settled into married life. I had Eddie and assumed I might teach in the future. Not support myself. Not be a single mom. This wasn’t part of my plans, and quite frankly—and please don’t tell anyone on the school board or in the administration—I’m a little worried about pulling it all together.”
Daddy Lessons Page 12
