Alex pulled back, his gaze locked on Katerina’s red lips. Annoyance tightening his gut, he rose and let the blanket fall into her lap. Leaning over her, he gazed into her eyes. “I’ll take a rain check,” he whispered and brushed her soft cheek with his lips. After picking up the orange which had fallen to the ground, he placed the fruit in her limp hands, and left her alone underneath the sliver of crescent moon.
Chapter Four
Kat entered the fifth floor conference room for Monday’s staff meeting to find everyone crowded around the coffee machine. Single orchid specimens were scattered throughout the large room and she shivered in the cool air. Her immediate supervisor, Earl Landauer, caught her eye and waved her to a seat at the table. Gregarious and with a notorious sense of humor, Earl made her feel at home immediately.
“Have a donut, Kat.” The rotund, gray-haired man set a cruller in front of her and one at his own spot as he settled into the swivel chair at the head of the conference table. “I love these things. Now don’t tell my wife.” He wiggled his bushy, gray eyebrows as he took a huge bite.
Eying the tender, swirled donut on her folder, Kat chuckled. “You’re on your own, Earl.” She passed the pile of agendas to the young, blond professor pulling out a chair directly across the table. “Would you like a coffee to wash it down?”
“You read my mind. What’s a donut without coffee?”
The crowd at the coffee urn had settled into their chairs around the table. Kat took advantage of the momentary lull to pour two coffees.
Earl took a sip of the fragrant brew and sighed audibly. “I think I might have to keep you, Kat. What would your college say about that?”
She laughed, but her heart lifted in response to the implied compliment. “I have no idea since they practically had to drag me out the door to get me here.”
“Hold that thought, Kat.” Earl set down his cup and dabbed at his mouth with a napkin. “As a matter of fact, I have a little announcement.”
The staff set down their coffees and picked up their agendas.
“This is not on our agenda because it’s a recent occurrence. You may notice Professor Keune is not with us this morning. She had a little accident this weekend.” At the murmurings from his colleagues, he held up his hands. “No, no, she’s all right, but she’s decided to take a few weeks off.”
“What happened?” Sitting across from Kat, Doctor Schneeman leaned back in his chair, his forehead furrowed.
“You know those three big Bernese Mountain dogs she has? Well, apparently they started roughhousing and plowed into her and broke her leg. Just broke the small leg bone but she has some ligament damage. Since she’s having some trouble getting around on crutches, she and I came up with a solution.” He tilted his head and gave a sideways glance at Kat.
Catching a speculative look in his eye, Kat’s thoughts raced. “What?”
“Professor Keune thought you could take over her literature class.” Eying her with raised eyebrows, Earl leaned back in his chair and sipped his coffee.
“Really? She mentioned me specifically?” Goosebumps popped out on her arms at the realization the professor had chosen her to take over the class. She had been in the country barely over a month. Her heart swelled with pride and heat suffused her face as her new colleagues clapped.
“She certainly did. Would you mind?” Earl’s blue eyes twinkled as he brushed sugar crystals from his fingers.
Kat thought about it for a minute. The fact that both the department head and the tenured professor considered her capable of taking over an advanced literature class surprised her, although she was confident she could handle the class. “I would be honored.”
“It’s settled, then.”
As the meeting continued Kat couldn’t suppress her smile and barely contained an urge to jump for joy. She loved literature and to share that love with a new group of students, of American students…
In California scarcely more than a month, yet she quickly had found a niche in the eclectic group comprising the Language Department. In fact, everyone she had met so far had been helpful and friendly, including the Marino family. She thought back to Saturday, when Wendy and her two sisters took Kat shopping at a nearby mall, where they spent the entire day. Exhausted, she slept ‘til nearly noon on Sunday.
The only disappointment was the disappearance of Alex after their almost kiss in the garden Thursday night…she hadn’t seen him since. She knew February was the start of a busy time in the vineyard and he had been working late every day but still…had she imagined all those moments? She sighed. All in all, her visit to California was going ten times better than she had expected.
Leaving in June would be hard…all the more reason not to get involved with the handsome Alex Marino. A handsome Californian had no place in her carefully planned life.
The remainder of the week she reviewed Professor Keune’s lesson plans in preparation for a Thursday class. Although the students were accepting of the change and surprisingly gracious, by Thursday night she was mentally and physically exhausted. She eagerly accepted Wendy’s offer to join her in the den for a glass of rosé wine.
“Mm-m. This is outstanding.” Katerina swirled the pink liquid in her glass and closed her eyes as she sipped. She stretched her feet toward the crackling fire. “Ausgeseitnich.”
“I gather that means you approve.” Wendy leaned against the plush leather and stared into the fire. “This wine is one of our best sellers. Do you taste the strawberry?”
Kat’s thoughts immediately went to the night in the garden and Alex’s plans for a strawberry bed. “Yes, I do.” She swallowed half the glass. She suspected Alex didn’t recognize his talent, but the more they talked, the more she realized how knowledgeable he was about his craft.
Wendy giggled as she emptied the bottle into her glass. “Who would have thought I’d become a wine connoisseur?”
“You know how to sell. Selling is selling.” Katerina slipped off her shoes and pulled her feet onto the cushion of the chair. “Your in-laws are very pleased with your contributions.”
“Ha! Like I said…who would have thought? I’ve sold chocolates, vacations, lingerie…then I fell in love with Tony and the rest, as they say, is history.”
Katerina lifted her glass toward her new friend, “To love.” And with another swallow the glass was empty. She set her glass on the low wooden table in front of them and picked up another bottle. She tilted the bottle toward Wendy. “May I?”
Waving her goblet in the air, Wendy replied, “Be my guest.” Setting down her glass, she reached for a piece of cheese. “I think I need something to absorb all this wine. Katerina, you’re a bad influence on me.”
A gentle pop sounded as Katerina released the cork and then filled her glass. “I have never been a bad influence, Wendy,” she responded with a wave of her glass. “I have always been the good girl. My brother and sister were the bad ones, always getting into trouble. Now my sister is a nun and my brother helps my father with the business…sometimes.”
Wendy kicked off her shoes and set her crossed feet on the low trunk. “Sometimes?”
“My little brother has not been the most reliable person. Six years younger than I, he still likes to have fun.”
Wendy waved her glass in the air. “I can relate.”
“I was excited about seeing this country, but I promised my father I would come back after six months.” Katerina slouched in her chair and stared into the fire. This topic always depressed her. “I am the only one he can count on.” She yawned and stretched her toes toward the welcome heat of the crackling fire.
“Surely he has other family members to help.” Wendy reached for a cracker, set a slice of cheese on top, and popped it in her mouth. “What if you end up wanting to stay?”
Surprised at Wendy’s question, Kat sipped her wine and rolled the tart liquid around in her mouth before answering. “I can’t stay. I am the oldest. After my mother died, I took care of my brother and sister. My father
was consumed with the business. I read in my spare time, which is why I’m a book worm, I suppose.”
“You sound like my sister Colleen. She was the responsible sibling, too. Well, take advantage of your time here and have some fun, Kat. Sounds like you deserve it.”
“I’m not sure I know how to have fun.”
“My brother-in-law can help you out.” Wendy gave her a slow smile. “One of the best riders in the country can give you riding lessons.” She raised her eyebrows and wiggled them. “And knowing him, probably any other lessons you’re interested in.”
“I have watched your westerns. The horse always runs off with the lady and she falls off and dies.”
“…or the handsome cowboy rescues her.” Wendy’s eyes narrowed. “Alex qualifies as a handsome cowboy, Kat.” She sipped her wine. “Um-hmm.”
Katerina stared at the fire. “Your brother-in-law is certainly handsome, isn’t he?” She shot a look at Wendy. Eyes shut, her head leaned against the backrest and the wine glass sat precariously on the arm of the chair.
“I am the responsible one,” she said softly. “‘Katerina, be careful. You might get hurt.’” Her father always admonished her, fearful of another accident in the family. Thinking Wendy was asleep, she was surprised at the soft response from the other chair.
“It’s never too late, Kat. Take advantage of the time you have here in California.” Groaning, Wendy propped her hands on the chair arms and pushed herself upright. “I better go to bed. My little girl has been keeping early hours. Good night, Kat.”
“Good night, Wendy.” She leaned forward to set her glass on the table and a spell of dizziness rushed through her. Worried about her first lit class, Kat had eaten a half a muffin between classes and nothing since. Add that to the higher alcohol content of the two bottles of California wine they had shared and Kat’s head swam. Maybe she should listen to her American friend and have some fun before she returned home. Seeing only a small amount of wine remained, she emptied the bottle into her glass and thought about the night she had ridden in the ring with the handsome Mr. Marino.
Wendy was right. She had six months to herself, six months before she returned to her familial duties. She should have an adventure because the opportunity might never come again. With a few swallows, she drained her glass.
Fifteen minutes later, Katerina flipped a switch and the lights at the far end of the riding arena came on. The two horses stood, heads drooping, at the rail. “Hello, boys, how are you tonight?”
She placed a hand over the palomino’s soft, velvety nose, his eyes half closed. “Sie schlafen? Sleepy horses, you should be in bed. Your master must be having a good time somewhere.” She propped one foot on the board fence. “Perhaps I shall put you to bed.” After leaning over, she squeezed between the rails. Catching her boot heel, she fell between the two horses, the soft dust of the arena tickling her nose. She sneezed. Two big heads turned to look down at her as if puzzled by the intrusion. Kat stared up into two pairs of huffing nostrils and giggled.
“Not a very good start, eh, Sunny?” She reached for the railing and pulled herself up and realized for the first time the horses had been unsaddled. No matter, they rode horses bareback, didn’t they? She pushed on Sunny’s hip until he was closer to the fence, and then, swaying, climbed to the top rail. From there, she swung a leg over the horse’s broad back and wrapped her arms around his neck. The mane tickled her nose and she breathed in the horsey scent of green grass and sunshine.
“What a good boy you are. Take me for a ride, Sunny.” The horse obediently turned and trotted across the ring. Her arms wrapped around the animal’s neck, Katerina’s entire body bounced up and down on Sunny’s broad back and she laughed out loud at the sensation.
Still laughing as they approached the other side, Kat felt her body shift sideways. Even then she wasn’t afraid. The ground didn’t seem that far away, but then, she was hanging off the horse’s side like a trick rider. The thought spurred another burst of giggles and when the horse stopped, Kat reached for the mane but wasn’t quick enough. Her momentum carrying her forward, she landed in a heap in the dirt.
Oops.
****
Alex couldn’t believe his eyes. Away from the arena for only moments, he returned to the barn to put the horses in their stalls. He hadn’t expected to see the exercise-adverse German, her legs wrapped around Sunny’s bare back, riding. As he watched, she listed to one side and then fell in a heap in the dirt.
Concern tightening his chest, he ran across the ring. He leaned down and put his arm under her head. “Katerina, are you all right? Did you break anything? Did you hit your head?”
Katerina giggled and waved a hand in the air. “I fell off your horse, Alex.”
Alex ran his hands over her body, checking for broken bones. “Katerina, you could have been seriously hurt. What were you thinking? I thought you were afraid of riding.”
“Wendy and I were drinking some of your wine—” her blue eyes twinkled “—not too shabby, by the way—and Wendy said maybe I should have some fun while I’m in America. I thought…by golly, she’s absolutely right. The rest, as they say, is history.” She threw an arm overhead and, her entire body shaking with the effort, laughed with abandon.
Her abrupt movement threw him off balance and he toppled into the dirt, his arm cradling Katerina’s head and his head swiveling to keep an eye on the horses. The horses acted unconcerned, as if humans rolled around in the dirt at their feet every day.
Kat grabbed his chin with her fingers and stared into his eyes. “I was putting the boys to bed for you, Alex.” She sighed, her eyelids drooping. “I guess I didn’t get very far, did I?” She yawned.
Now that he knew she wasn’t harmed, Alex couldn’t help but laugh at Katerina’s predicament. One week ago she had been scared stiff sitting on Sunny’s back. The effects a little, okay a lot, of alcohol could have on a person’s inhibitions never ceased to amaze him.
Alex rose to his knees but jerked to a stop as Kat’s head moved with him. Her tightly-wound hair, fashioned into a neat braid, had hooked a jacket button. He tugged on the braid.
“Ouch.” She slapped his hands.
“Hold on, your hair is caught on my button.” One arm under Kat’s head, Alex worked at the snag with his fingers. The more he tried, the more tangled it became.
“Umm…take out the band.” Her eyes focused on his, Katerina’s lips barely moved.
He unwound the red hair band and stuck it in his shirt pocket. His fingers shook as he pulled the hair free and continued to unwind the braid into soft golden waves. Mesmerized, he undid the other braid, quickly removed the pins and band and combed his fingers through her silky hair. She lay across his lap in the soft dirt of the arena, the wavy, golden hair spilling onto her shoulders.
Their laughter stilled. Her red lips parted as if to say something, but no words came out. He stroked her cheek with his finger and marveled at the contrast between his skin, dark from hours spent in the California sun, and her cheeks, pale with just a hint of rose. Her hand reached around his neck and she pulled him toward her voluptuous mouth. Like the middle of the jump, when time stood still and sounds receded, the arena and the horses disappeared, and the world consisted of just two. His lips met hers, and he relished the softness of her mouth and familiar taste of his wine lingering on her lips. Her arms tightened around his neck.
Smoothing the hair from her face, he trailed kisses across her pink cheeks before returning to her sweet lips. He didn’t know how long they kissed, lying in the dirt of the arena, the horses standing patiently on either side of them, before he came to his senses. He trusted his horses, but lying on the ground between them wasn’t the smartest thing he’d ever done, although he wasn’t about to complain.
“Katerina,” he breathed her name softly, his lips inches from hers.
“Hmm.” She lay in his arms, head tilted back slightly, eyes closed.
Alex shifted, pulling one leg underneath him in an
effort to stand. “Can you walk?”
“Um-hmm.” But she didn’t move, sprawled across his lap, a dead weight.
“Katerina, wake up.” He shook her shoulder, eliciting a moan.
He lurched to his feet, his hands gripping her wrists securely. Kat sat in the dirt of the arena, head lolling on her chest. Releasing her wrists, Alex caught her under the arms and pulled her to her feet and she fell against his chest. Her warm breath tickled his neck and he suppressed the urge to kiss her again.
“Woman, you are one sound sleeper.” He bent down, grasped her around the legs, and, as gently as he could, threw her over his shoulder. His kisses had never put a woman to sleep before, but then he’d been out of the game for a while.
With a shake of his head, he carried the sleeping woman back to the house. Maybe he was losing his touch.
Chapter Five
Katerina woke to the trilling of a persistent bird just under her window. Across from the bed, sunlight filtered through sheer snow white curtains. Her gaze drifted to the hillside vineyard painting on the wall and a pang of homesickness stabbed her. The familiar streets of the village where she had grown up, the well-known shops, the neighbors she knew by name… Her own bed, in her own childhood room… She rolled over and pressed her face into the soft lavender-scented pillow and smoothed a hand over the crisp sheets, the sudden pain easing. She stretched lazily and ran her fingers through her hair, spread out over the pillow.
Come to think of it…this room was much nicer than her childhood room. She sat up and tossed her hair over her shoulder, a sense of comfort flooding through her. This is a nice bit of a change, isn’t it, Katerina? A satisfied smile on her face, she looked around the room. Through the open door of the bath, she glimpsed a white orchid on the edge of the tub.
Next to the window, a comfortable chaise stood with a convenient table and lamp close by for reading. Her riding boots in a pile in the middle of the floor… The lovely paintings… Her gaze snapped back to the riding boots. Wendy’s blue, green, and purple paisley riding boots lay in a heap in the middle of the Oriental rug. As she looked around the room, bits of memories from the night before flashed into her mind accompanied with a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. Her jeans hung haphazardly over the back of the chair. What had she done last night? She flopped onto the pillow and caught sight of the shirt she had worn crumpled on top of the dresser. She didn’t remember undressing.
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