“What?” This time he did take his eyes off the road. He had an incredulous look on his face. “I’m not the one who spoiled the evening for Mason and Drea. They were trying to do a nice thing. And you refused to participate.”
“I didn’t refuse to participate. I just didn’t want to...be with you. And for some reason, you don’t seem to understand that.”
“Oh, I get it all right. But couldn’t you have shown some appreciation to my brother and Drea? You wouldn’t dance, wouldn’t eat. Why was that, wife?”
He said that just to rub salt in her wound. “Don’t be an ass, Luke. I could never be your wife. And you know darn well I didn’t spoil anything.”
Her belly clenched and her face pulled tight as she absorbed the pain. “Uh.” She glanced out the window, hiding her discomfort, hoping Luke wouldn’t catch on.
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She wouldn’t look at him.
Luke steered the car onto the side of the road and parked along the highway.
“What are you doing?” she asked, breathless.
“What’s wrong with you?”
“I told you, nothing is wrong with me.” Once again, her stomach rolled and she bit her lip. She didn’t want to get sick in front of him. They were in semidarkness, the moonlight casting them in shadows. “But I would appreciate it if you took me home.”
“Can we just talk a minute?” he asked.
“I’m not feeling well, okay? It’s all this stress. I’m worried sick about my mother and sister finding out about...about what happened. And being with you makes me go a little nutty.”
“Katie,” he said, his voice ultra-soft now. “I’m sorry you’re not feeling well. Why didn’t you say something before?”
“I didn’t want to ruin the evening. But according to you, I’m guilty of that, too.”
“Katie,” he whispered. “I was just being—”
“A jerk?”
“Okay,” he said, defeat in his voice. “I was a jerk. Of course you didn’t spoil anything. So I make you nutty? Do you hate me that much?”
“Luke, I don’t hate you. I never did. Maybe my problem is that... I like you. And it’s impossible.”
“You like me?” His voice rose, filled with hope.
“Luke, we’ve been... Well, you know. I keep asking myself why I let that happen. True, it was grief over Snow, but—”
“How much do you like me?”
He was crazy to think anything could ever come of the two of them, yet he was asking as if there was a chance. “Not enough to destroy my sister and hurt my mother.” Her stomach cramped and she put her hand on it. “Oh.”
“Katie?”
“Luke, please, take me home.”
Concern entered his eyes. “Okay, just sit back and try to relax. I’ll get you home quickly, sweetheart.”
She wasn’t his sweetheart. She wasn’t his anything, and she hoped this little talk would convince him of that.
A short time later, he pulled up in front of the bakery. “Hold on a second,” he said and got out of the car to open the door for her. He took her hand and helped her out.
“Thanks for the ride.” She turned away from him, but he didn’t release her hand.
“I’ll make sure you get in safely.”
The front door was ten feet away. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll walk you,” he said stubbornly and he walked beside her as she made her way to the front of the bakery.
She unlocked the door and took a step inside.
“Katie?”
“What?” She turned to him.
His eyes were soft on her, his expression etched in concern. “Are you feeling any better?”
“A little.”
He tipped her chin up and planted a sweet tender kiss to her lips. It instantly warmed her insides, soothing her. “Get some rest. I’ll check on you tomorrow.”
Before she could say “Don’t,” he had turned away and hopped into his car. A dreamy feeling flowed through her body as if she was floating.
Until she realized that Luke had just kissed her on the public street.
And someone might have seen them.
She took a peek, noting the sidewalks were empty, and there were no cars in sight, yet her belly twisted up again. And all feelings of warmth quickly evaporated.
* * *
Early the next morning, Luke pulled up in front of the bakery, wondering if he was making a mistake by showing up here. He had Katie on the brain, and just remembering how she’d looked in that sexy gown last night, how delicious her lips tasted when he’d given her a goodbye kiss, gave him some hope that she wouldn’t mind him checking in on her.
She’d admitted she liked him. He’d been floored hearing those words come out of her mouth. It was more than he’d expected, more than he’d thought possible. It was a start. Keeping away from her for the past five years had been hard on him, but Las Vegas had changed all that.
He got out of the car and entered the bakery, disappointed to see her assistant behind the counter helping customers. He was hit with a knot of apprehension. Was Katie still feeling poorly?
And just then she walked out of the kitchen and into the bakery. They made eye contact. There was a spark in her eyes, a light that she quickly extinguished. But he’d seen it and she couldn’t deny that for that one second, she’d been happy to see him.
He took a seat in a café chair and waited, watching Katie and Lori efficiently handle the morning rush. Finally, once the crowded bakery thinned out, Katie walked over to him. “I hope you’re here to give me news...about you know what,” she whispered.
She was speaking about the divorce.
“No change on that, I’m afraid.”
She pursed her lips. “Then why are you here?”
He shrugged. “For coffee.”
She tapped her foot. “Can I get you anything else?”
“Just coffee for now.”
She hesitated. “Don’t you have a coffee cart at Boone Inc.?”
“We do, but as you can see, I’m not at Boone Inc. at the moment. I’m here.”
She sighed. “I’ll get it for you.” She turned to leave.
“Katie,” he said firmly.
She gave him a deadpan look.
“How are you feeling?”
“I’m fine. Now will you go?”
“Coffee, please.”
She gave her head a shake and left only to return a moments later holding a steaming cup of coffee. “Here you go.” She set the cup in front of him.
“Sit with me.”
“I can’t, I’m working.”
“Just for a minute.” He pointed around the shop. “The place has emptied out.”
“Only if you promise to leave as soon as you’re through.”
“Fine.”
She sat down facing him, and once up close, he noticed the fatigue on her face and how her eyes were rimmed with red. She’d been moving slowly around the bakery. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel...good.”
She was lying. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you look sluggish this morning.”
“What every girl wants to hear. Thank you for that.”
He shook his head. The woman was constantly sparring with him. Today, it wasn’t cute or funny. “How’s your stomach?”
“Luke, you don’t have to check up on me. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. So please, have your coffee and leave.”
“Is that any way to speak to a customer? One you actually like.”
She sighed. “Luke, I’m beginning to regret telling you that.”
“Just for the record. I like you, too. A lot.”
“Shh.” She glanced at the door.
What was she so afraid of? Was s
he expecting to see her sister or mother walk in this morning? Was that it? Diana and Shelly had to know he and Katie had wedding business to discuss. They were both helping Aunt Lottie put on the bridal shower for Drea and Mason. Luke and Katie had been thrown together lately and it shouldn’t be a crime that the two of them spent some time together.
He sipped his coffee. “Mmm, perfect.”
“I’ll tell Lori you enjoyed it. She makes a mean cup.”
“So, I’ll see you at the bridal shower on Saturday. Are we all set for that?”
“I am. I’m making the cake and helping with some of the activities.”
“I’m good on my end, too.” He actually wasn’t asked to do much, just help the day of the shower behind the scenes. “I can pick you up and bring you out to the ranch.”
“That’s silly. You live at the ranch. You don’t need to come all the way out here to pick me up. I’ll manage.”
She was good at shooting him down.
“I am sorry, you know,” he said. “I don’t like being the source of your stress. But I can’t do anything about that right now.”
“I’ll...try to remember that. So no more sudden visits to the shop?”
“I can’t promise that. I might have a craving.”
Katie gave him a hard stare.
“For a cupcake.”
She nibbled on her lip, trying to keep from saying something. Whatever it was, he was sure he didn’t want to hear it. He finished his drink, then rose and reached out to help her up, but she ignored his outstretched hand.
“Just try to rest. Feel better, Katie.”
* * *
The genuine concern in his voice caused a momentary tug in her heart. The truth was, she hadn’t had anyone care about her this way in a long time. And it felt sort of nice. This was what she’d longed for, what she’d revealed to Luke in Las Vegas. She wanted more out of life. She wanted a partner, someone to share things with. She’d neglected that part of her life to make the bakery a success. Now, she had a thriving business, but no one to share it with.
Perhaps she should start dating again.
And then she remembered...she couldn’t date anyone.
She was married to Lucas Boone.
* * *
Three days later, Lottie opened the front door of the ranch house at Rising Springs to face Drew MacDonald. He was the last person she was expecting this morning and her heart did a little flip seeing him looking so handsome with a salt-and-pepper beard, his graying, windswept hair and his workout clothes the same shade of jade green as his Irish eyes.
It had been awkward between them lately but she wanted to rectify that. They were all going to be family as soon as Mason and Drea, Drew’s daughter, were married. And this weekend, Lottie was throwing the two lovebirds a couples bridal shower.
“Hi, Drew. I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”
Suddenly, she remembered what she must look like. She was cooking up a storm, baking apple cobbler and cookies for her nephews. Not only were her clothes a mess, but she probably had flour on her face and in her hair.
“I didn’t come to see you.”
“Oh.”
“I mean, I’m happy to see you and all, but Luke asked me to stop by some time this morning. He needs a bit of advice about a company I used to deal with. Anyway, I decided to stop by after my walk.”
“I see. I’m glad you’re still taking walks, Drew.”
“I enjoy it. But I sure liked it better when I had a walking partner.” He gave her a direct look.
Warmth rushed up her cheeks. The man could always make her blush. “You need that much motivation?”
“No, ma’am. Just liked the company.” And before she could react, he took a deep breath. “Something smells awfully good in here.”
“I’m baking, in case you can’t tell.” She gestured to her smudged clothes. “Apple cobbler and lemon supreme cookies. I’ll send some home for you and Drea.”
“Thanks. I’d never refuse any of your baking, Lottie. Though I’d probably have to walk farther every day just to burn off the calories.”
“I don’t think apple cobbler would do you any harm. You’re, uh, looking fit these days.”
They stared at each other for a few beats of a minute. “Well, if Luke’s home, maybe I could see him now?”
“Oh, right. Sure, he’s in the office. You know where it is. Go on in.”
“Thanks. Oh, and it was nice talking to you this morning.”
“Same here, Drew.”
After he turned and walked down the hallway, she smiled. It seemed they could have a civil conversation if they put their mind to it. She went back to baking and thinking about Drew, her heart lighter than it had been in a long while.
An hour later, she came downstairs after taking a quick shower and changing her clothes. She wore a soft pink bell sleeve blouse. It worked well with her rosy complexion, and silly her, she found herself dressing to impress. She gave a quick knock on the office door and then entered.
Luke was sitting in front of his laptop computer, Drew nowhere in sight. “Hi, Aunt Lottie. What’s up?”
“Oh, I thought you were having a meeting with Drew?”
“I was. He left a little bit ago.” Luke grinned. “Don’t you look pretty today. I thought you were baking.”
“I was and I’m finished now. I meant to send Drew home with some cobbler and cookies for Drea.”
“Just for Drea?” he asked, his mouth twitching.
She chuckled. She’d been caught. “Well, for both of them.”
“So, what’s stopping you? Take it over to them. I’m sure they’d appreciate it.”
“You think so?”
“I know so. Drew loves his sweets.”
“That is true.” She mulled it over for half a second. She hadn’t gotten all dressed up for nothing. “Okay, I think I will.”
Luke smiled the smile of a matchmaker. The only thing missing was him rubbing his hands together gleefully. “Good idea.”
And a few minutes later Lottie was set with a canvas tote containing the lemon cookies and a covered dish of still warm cobbler. She took off on foot; the extra bit of exercise today would do her good. Her heart was aflutter, thinking about Drew and how much he was beginning to mean to her.
As she approached the MacDonald cottage, Drew opened his front door and out stepped a pretty, dark-haired woman she’d never seen before. The two embraced in a passionate hug that lasted far too long. And then the woman took his face in her hands and kissed him right smack on the mouth.
Shocked, Lottie froze for a moment, not believing what she was seeing. She stood on the road, bag in hand, ready to make nice with Drew, and now she was hit with raw pangs of jealousy. She couldn’t watch any longer. She turned on her heels and made fast tracks away from the cottage before Drew could see her.
Goodness, what an idiot she was. Had she been naive to think that Drew didn’t have other options when it came to women? He’d straightened himself out, was ruggedly handsome and had a good heart, for the most part. She’d always thought of him as hers in an odd sort of way. Had he led her on all these years? Or had she been blind to his needs?
Either way, she was roaring mad at him and his sweet-talking ways.
As her anger raged, she picked up her pace, walking as fast as her legs would take her. Running from the hurt, from the loss, from the betrayal as tears trickled down her face.
Five
“I’m here, Mama,” Katie called as she unlocked the door and entered her mother’s house Thursday afternoon.
She didn’t find her right away. But soon Shelly appeared, coming in through the sliding back door. “Mom’s in the backyard, getting some fresh air.”
“That’s a good idea. It’s a beautiful afternoon. How’re you doing, sis? Staying for dinner?”
“No, sorry. I hope you’re okay with making Mom dinner without me. I’m... I’m going to a seminar tonight. It includes dinner.”
“That’s no problem, but another seminar? You know what they say, too much work and not enough play...”
Shelly smiled. “If I’m dull, then I’m dull. I happen to love my work.”
“I get it. I love my work, too.” Then Katie grinned. “Is a certain Dr. Moore going to this event?”
“Take that grin off your face, brat. And actually Dr. Moore is giving the seminar, part two of his Cardiology in the Twenty-first Century lecture. So of course he’s going to be there.”
“Now the evening’s sounding more interesting.” Katie smiled again.
Her sister picked up a pillow and tossed it at her, just like when they were kids. Katie was too fast for her. “You missed me.”
“Only because I wasn’t really trying.”
There was a breezy lightness to Shelly tonight that she hoped would continue.
“So, Katie, any chance we can go shopping with Mom on Saturday? I have the day off and I thought it’d be nice to get her out of the house. You know, have a girls’ day.”
“Oh, that’s a great idea, but I can’t do it Saturday. It’s Drea and Mason’s bridal shower.”
Shelly’s perpetual frown reappeared. So much for light and breezy. “Oh, right. That’s if Mason decides to show up for it. Boones are notorious for disappointing their fiancées.”
“Shel, give it a rest, okay? Drea’s crazy about him.”
“Yeah, well, I was crazy about Luke and look how that turned out. I mean, he was an amazing boyfriend and fiancée until he wasn’t.”
“I know it hurt you, but you can’t change the past,” Katie said, trying to get through to her sister. Trying to ease her own conscience, too.
“I know that. But I also know I can’t suppress my emotions.”
“But you’re suppressing living your life.”
Vegas Vows, Texas Nights Page 7
