“You don’t like Ron, do you?”

Katarina looked at Alex. He leaned one shoulder on the doorframe and crossed his arms over his chest, his muscles fighting the constraints of his sleeves.

“No.”

She was shocked by the lack of hesitation in Alex’s reply. “You’ve never even met him. How can you make that kind of judgment?”

“I don’t like anyone who steals that smile from your face,” he said without pause.

Katarina hesitated, momentarily baffled. Her heartbeat quickened, and she found herself breathing faster. “That kind of comment, Alex MacIntyre, could get you into a heap of trouble.”

One side of his mouth curved into a resigned smile as he raised an eyebrow. “I think I already am.”

CAROL STEWARD

lives with her hero/husband of twenty years and three teenage children in Greeley, Colorado. When she isn’t busy caring for preschoolers in her home, she keeps busy with the activities of her daughter and two sons, and with volunteer work for various organizations. A retired cake decorator, Carol enjoys camping, restoring antiques, tole-painting, needlework, gardening, traveling, sewing and collecting Noah’s Ark items.

She loves to hear from readers. You may write to her at: Carol Steward, P.O. Box 5021, Greeley, CO 80631-0021.

Courting Katarina
Carol Steward

www.millsandboon.co.uk

Delight thyself in the Lord and He shall give you

the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the

Lord, trust in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

—Psalms 37:4,5

Thanks to Bob, and his wife, Vicki,

for their help in understanding the extraordinary

demands of smoke jumpers and wildland

firefighters. What a truly heroic line of work

and special people, to carry it out year after year.

To my brother, Randy,

who doesn’t know a stranger.

And to my sisters, Mindy, Cathy and Cindy, for

inspiring me to write a series about that incredible,

indelible relationship only sisters can understand.

Dear Reader,

Some of you may have read Second Time Around and fallen in love with Katarina and Alex just as I did. When I finished writing Emily and Kevin’s story, I realized there was more to this extraordinary story of God’s everlasting love than one book could ever tell. I wondered how the other two sisters, Katarina and Lisa, would handle the pain of their father’s abandonment, and how it would mold not only their earthly lives, but their spiritual lives, as well.

And these MacIntyre men—they’re pretty special, too. Alex, the daring smoke jumper, Kevin, the charming builder and Adam, the rugged cowboy, are all men of integrity. Men you can count to steal your heart, mold it and give you one incredible ride in the process.

I hope you enjoy this series of two incredible families and how God has brought them together through three totally unique love stories that draw on the individual needs and personalities of each couple. We have all been created in His image, with faults, weaknesses and special gifts that are as unique as our own fingerprints.

I love to hear from my readers. Please write to me at P.O. Box 5021, Greeley, CO, 80632-0021.

Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Chapter Thirteen

Chapter Fourteen

Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Sixteen

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Eighteen

Chapter Nineteen

Chapter Twenty

Chapter Twenty-One

Chapter Twenty-Two

Chapter One

Katarina Berthoff dabbed the tears collecting in the corners of her eyes. Her sister was married. After eleven years, Kevin and Emily had finally gotten it right. Pictures had been taken, the reception was running smoothly and her bridesmaid’s obligations were finished. Until the bride and groom left for their honeymoon and Katarina began to take care of their newly adopted four-year-old, she was free to relax with the other guests.

Laughter and the murmur of voices from the crowd created a constant echo in her ear, so she discreetly removed her hearing aid, placed it in the case and dropped it into her purse. She hated to wear it in large gatherings. She’d pay nearly any price, even this deafness, to avoid the drone from all the background noise, and the headache that always followed. She didn’t need anything else to deal with today. One of these days, I’m going to have enough money to buy one of the new models that won’t be such a problem.

Bypassing the assortment of cheeses and luncheon meats at the banquet table, Katarina studied the chafing dishes filled with mushrooms, meatballs and tiny quiches. She stopped at the elaborately decorative platter of fruit and filled her plate with melon, strawberries and grapes, then studied a pale yellow star-shaped fruit.

A deep masculine voice interrupted. “Katarina?”

She turned and nearly dropped her plate. There stood Alex MacIntyre. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt her cheeks flush. “Hello. We meet again, finally.” With all the last-minute decorations and reception preparations to take care of, Katarina hadn’t had a chance to visit with anyone at the rehearsal the night before. She’d met the groom’s brother only once, at Kevin and Emily’s first engagement party eight years ago. The college graduate had made quite an impression on her as a high school senior. When Kevin and Emily broke their engagement, Katarina had lost hope she would ever see Alex again.

He nodded. “It’s been a long time. When Kevin told me who you were last night, I could hardly believe you’re the same woman I met eight years ago. You’ve…changed.”

And you haven’t. Alex was even more attractive than she remembered. Suddenly overcome by a gamut of perplexing emotions, Katarina glanced quickly away, then back to him. Did he approve of the changes? “Do I hear ‘thankfully’ in that remark, Alex?”

He smiled in a leisurely way, looking a bit chagrined. “It’s definitely meant as a compliment. I wasn’t sure you’d even remember me.”

Like I could actually forget those gorgeous blue eyes? Not a chance. “It amazes me how much you and Kevin look alike.” When Alex had come to Springville a few weeks earlier to help run Kevin’s business after Kevin’s accident, Emily had wasted no time informing Katarina of Alex’s availability.

Though already dating someone, Katarina had to admit she’d been curious to see if Alex had changed. Only for the better, she realized.

Now she wished she’d taken time to meet him before he returned to his own job and life, wherever that might be.

Alex’s smile was white against his bronzed skin. “Don’t hold it against me—that’s where the similarities end. Care to sit with the wild bunch?”

Katarina furrowed her eyebrows. “The wild bunch?”

“Any time you get the entire MacIntyre clan together, it’s chaos.” He tipped his head toward the table nearest the cake, where his siblings appeared to be seated. “I’d love for you to join us.”

Love for her to join him? She couldn’t resist. No wonder her sisters had nicknamed her “the heart specialist.” Despite her older sister, Emily, actually becoming a doctor, Kat’s honorary title remained. When it came to matters of the heart, she was a romantic in the purest form.

She felt color flush her cheeks as she recalled the crush she’d had on Alex MacIntyre—business major, football star and all-around nice guy. She glanced at the happy faces around the table. Did she dare tempt herself twice in one lifetime? I’m practically engaged. There’s no harm in making friends with my sister’s new family. Besides, after the honeymoon Alex will return to his life. No harm done.

She set her plate on the table and Alex immediately pulled out her chair. She chose her seat so that he would sit on the side of her good ear.

Kevin’s twin sisters and another brother were catching up with each other’s lives, laughing and having a good time when she sat down. Alex waited for the chatter to quiet, then went around the table making introductions. By turning her head slightly, Katarina didn’t think she would miss anything.

Alex reminded his family that Katarina had been instrumental in pulling together the wedding decorations at the church and the reception with less than a week’s notice. Everyone showered her with adoration. She wanted to fade into the woodwork. True, she had a knack for decorating or she wouldn’t have celebrated her fourth year as owner of Kat’s Kreations. Yet the attention her talent received still made her uncomfortable. “The credit really goes to Emily. She and Kevin picked it all out. I just put it together.”

“Kevin helped?” The laughter roared, and Katarina realized they probably couldn’t imagine their brother in a flower shop, let alone that he cared to help with wedding plans. Alex smiled apologetically. “Forgive us, Katarina. We haven’t been together much in recent years to see this side of Kevin.”

Still Mr. Nice Guy.

She shifted in her chair and felt as if the seat was sinking beneath her. Katarina’s slim-fitting dress bound her legs tighter, and she raised herself slightly to pull the fabric loose, then sat back down.

With a loud snap, the chair collapsed, and Katarina slid as if on a chute under the table. All she could see were legs. And feet. The tablecloth draped itself over her shoulder, and Katarina ducked her head under the table completely, welcoming the shelter from her embarrassment.

She tried to turn over and crawl out, but her spike heel caught inside her skirt. She was stuck.

I can’t believe this. She squirmed the other way, and made matters worse. Why did this have to happen today, of all days? Katarina closed her eyes. Taunting voices from her childhood haunted her. Klutzy Katarina.

Beyond the veil of linens she could see pieces of the plastic chair in a tangled heap on the ground. Katarina relished the haven from her humiliation. At least she was away from probing gazes.

Feet scuttled around, concerned faces replaced the legs. She saw mouths move and she covered her face, oblivious to what they were saying. She didn’t want their pity or their help. She only wanted to hide.

Katarina again tried to untie herself from the human knot of her twisted body. She rested her forehead on her knees, wrapped her arms around her head and began to giggle nervously.

Only she could get herself into such a ridiculous situation.

Her sister’s new in-laws would probably agree with the playground nickname, “Klutzy Katarina.” Suddenly she was a sickly child again, wishing the jeers of her classmates would stop. “Go away. Just go away,” she whispered. When Katarina opened her eyes, she saw the kitchen doorway just past the table and pulled herself forward. If she could just scoot to the kitchen without drawing any more attention…

The dress tied her legs together like a mermaid’s.

Alex’s younger brother lifted the tablecloth in front of her and took hold of her ankle. Then her calf. Startled, Katarina pulled back. “Just leave me alone,” she begged. So much for a silent escape.

“I’ve got her.” A strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind and slid her out from under the table and into the spotlight. “Are you deaf?”

She looked over her shoulder to see the sun-bleached hair of her handsome rescuer. Alex. Trying to fend off the memories of children’s cruel teasing, she forced herself to focus on him. He didn’t know she was truly deaf in one ear. And only a select few knew the degree of her hearing loss in her “good” ear. Katarina laughed. “Silly me, I must have forgotten my hearing aid today.” Struggling to free her foot, she felt Alex hoist her off the ground. “Wait!”

Before she could explain, he let go and she fell against him. “My heel is caught.”

The warmth of his hands pressed into her upper arms. “Sorry, why didn’t you say something? Here, have a seat while I try to do something.” He helped her over to the chair. Alex knelt on one knee and struggled with her shoe. “You did a dandy job snagging that heel somewhere in there. Maybe we should take it off?”

“Excuse me?” Her voice squeaked.

“The shoe.” As he tugged, she heard the satin rip, and her leg straightened.

He held up her pump. “I’m sorry about the dress.”

Stunned, Katarina stood and turned to look at the tear, then took her shoe from him. No one had ever flustered her like this. The words caught in her throat.

“I’ll replace the dress.” One eyebrow rose as Alex looked at the rip.

It’s over. Just laugh, Katarina. That always helps. “Don’t worry about it.”

Emily rushed over, white lace flowing behind her. “Are you okay, Kat?”

“I’ll be fine.” She twisted to the side to examine the damage to the dress. “I wondered how this would look with a slit.” She lifted her foot and twirled on the other so the bride could see, noting that Alex also watched. Then she straightened the dress and slipped her other shoe off. Glancing up, Katarina saw a smile teasing Emily’s lips. “I don’t want to hear about this again.”

The bride excused herself from her guests to help Katarina and led the way down the hall to the bride’s dressing room. Emily’s concern was genuine. “You are okay, aren’t you, Kat?” Once inside, Emily could no longer restrain her laughter.

“Other than my bruised ego, I’m fine.”

A light tap on the door, followed by their younger sister’s voice, startled Katarina. “Is there a damsel in distress in here?” Lisa opened the door just enough to slip inside with Katarina’s other outfit.

The facade of Katarina’s humor faded. She tossed both shoes into her bag and sighed. “Why do these things always happen to me?”

Lisa turned Katarina around and unzipped the gown, then helped tug it over her shoulders. “What things? It’s not your fault the chair broke into smithereens.”

Katarina buttoned the flowered rayon skirt at her waist, pulled the camisole over her head, then slipped into the coordinating sweater. “Like when I fainted at the all-school concert in sixth grade. Like tripping over the base in kickball. Like dropping my brand-new hearing aid into my punch at the prom. Why is it always me… Klutzy Katarina?”

“This isn’t the same, Kat. Your ear infections were to blame for most of that.” Emily smiled as she gave her sister a hug. “If you wanted to meet Alex, why didn’t you just ask? We’d be glad to set the two of you up.”

“No, thank you.” Her sister’s medical explanation soothed her ego, and she felt the fear subside. “That’s not the issue, and I don’t want to hear about this again.”

Her sisters’ smiles returned. “Well, you can dream on. This is a classic. The tall, rugged, single and not to mention drop-dead-gorgeous hero hauls you, the ‘heart specialist,’ out from under the table, stands you up and you collapse into his arms.” They giggled harder.

Lisa and Emily did a poor imitation of the accident. “You looked like a flamingo balancing on one foot,” Lisa added.

Quelling her own laughter, Katarina crossed her arms over her chest and glared at her sisters until they quieted. “Ha ha ha.” Though she tried to remain cross, just the sight of their fake restraint made her see the humor of the entire situation.

“Why did it have to happen in front of Alex, though?” she whispered, shaking her head.

The room turned silent. Realization hit Lisa. “Ah, yes, Alex.”

Katarina placed the bridesmaid dress on the hanger and zipped it, then turned to help Lisa and Emily with the wedding dress and veil. “I mean, it’s been eight years since I had that childish crush on him, and of course I’m long over that, but still…”

“Of course,” both sisters said simultaneously with mirroring smiles.

“Come on, don’t do this. I’m as good as engaged to…to…”

“Ron?” Lisa suggested.

“Of course, to Ron,” Katarina snapped.

Emily groaned. “Oh, please, Kat. You’ve been ‘engaged’ so many times we quit counting. Don’t try to convince us that you’re serious about marrying Ron. Need I point out you just moved four hundred miles away from him?” The bride slipped the green dress over her head.

“This will only be my second official engagement. Besides, the move is temporary.” She looked at them, putting her hands up in front of her. “It’s all part of a logical, strategic plan. Ron understands my need for financial security.”

“Strategy, my foot. Admit it—the thought of settling down with him bores you to death!”

Katarina looked at Emily—with her hands on her hips—and tried to argue the well-made point. “As does the idea of chasing a man almost ten years older than myself, Dr. Know-it-all.”

“Alex is only nine years older, Katarina.”

“Close enough. Needless to say, I discovered that mistake with fiancé number one. I made it this far without a father in my life. I certainly don’t need some older man to act as a substitute now.”

Just the mention of the father who had abandoned his three little girls sobered them all. Katarina looked at her sisters. “I’m sorry. I didn’t need to bring that up today. I really didn’t mean to. Open mouth, insert foot.”

Lisa remained silent.

As usual, Emily was the first to forgive and console the younger two sisters. “It’s okay, Kat. You can’t have a wedding without missing the father of the bride.”

A loud knock resounded through the room. “Mrs. MacIntyre,” came the groom’s seductive voice. “Are you ready to toss the bouquet?”

Emily opened the door and greeted her husband. “Don’t forget, you have to toss the garter, too.”

Kevin gave his wife a lingering kiss. “Then we’d better get back to our guests.” Kevin looked at Katarina as she passed through the door. “You okay?”

Katarina looked at Kevin, suddenly seeing Alex instead. She blinked the image away, then set her shoes on the floor and stepped into the flats as she walked. “I’m just dandy, thanks.”

Chapter Two

Alex washed shaving cream from the windows of Kevin’s hunter-green pickup with the wand at the car wash while his new nephew and the best man, watched.

Bryan looked at his watch. “We’d better hurry—they should be ready to leave soon. I think Alex got it all off, don’t you, Ricky?”

“Yup, looks pretty clean.”

The best man laughed. “You’re too kind, Alex,” Bryan said as he opened the door. Ricky jumped into the cab of the truck. “Do you know how many newlyweds Kevin has sent off for their honeymoon in a decorated car?”

Alex slid the wand into the tube and flipped the switch off. “Nice has nothing to do with it.” Alex winked. “I don’t want to take any chances of damaging the paint. I don’t need a repair bill hanging over me. Where are they going for their honeymoon?”

The men climbed into the truck and closed the doors. “You don’t actually think he’s going to tell me, do you?”

Alex turned the key in the ignition and pulled forward. “Well…” He paused, eyeing the orphaned little boy his brother and new sister-in-law had officially adopted at the end of the wedding ceremony. After all these years, it was a shock to see one of the MacIntyre brothers actually married. “Surely they told someone where they can be reached, didn’t they?”

Silently Bryan raised his eyebrows and shrugged.

As if the four-year-old understood, he interjected, “Auntie Kat is ’sitting me, Bryan, ’member? And Uncle Alex promised to take me for pizza. Can Katarina come with us? It wouldn’t be nice to leave her home alone.”

Alex wanted more than anything to ignore the question. He was most likely the last person Katarina Berthoff wanted to spend time with after he’d snapped at her. It wasn’t like him to be so short of patience, but he’d tried to find out what had happened, and how he could help. She’d ignored him. How could he help if she wouldn’t talk to him?

Of course, then he’d hauled her out from under the table like some brute and embarrassed her. “Well, Ricky, we’ll have to see how your aunt Katarina feels about that first.” He certainly wouldn’t mind a dinner with his sister-in-law’s charming sister, yet he wasn’t sure she’d agree.

“She might get lonely.”

The two men looked at one another and laughed, obviously of the same opinion that Katarina would probably relish a few minutes of solitude after two days alone with the talkative little boy. Alex pulled into the driveway that led to the exclusive restaurant perched on a bluff with a view of town. Emily and Kevin exited the Dutch-style building and looked around for the truck. Alex paused for a minute, enjoying the momentary look of panic on his brother’s face.

Alex slowly pulled forward and stopped just in front of the bride and groom, opening his door just as Emily invited all eligible women to gather for the bouquet toss. Alex unbuckled Ricky’s seat belt. “What a ridiculous tradition,” he muttered. “They don’t actually believe catching a bouquet can predict the next bride-to-be, do they?”

Bryan chuckled, “Need I remind you, Emily caught Laura’s bouquet merely five months ago?”

“Coincidence.” Alex tried to ignore the shrill screams of excitement and pleas for Emily to throw the wildflowers. As she did, he stole a quick glance at Katarina. When had the gangly teenager turned into an alluring young woman?

Alex tugged at the knot of his tie and unfastened his collar button, then looked up. The wildflowers were caught in the tree. On the other side of the truck, his brother jumped up and knocked them loose.

Alex batted the bouquet away when it dropped in front of him. The screaming resumed as the bundle glided directly into Katarina Berthoff’s hands.

She stared at it as if it were a kiss of death instead of a prediction of marriage. He couldn’t help but smile as Lisa, the bride’s youngest sister, arched her eyebrows and gave Katarina a hug.

Wishing he could crawl back into the truck and drive away, Alex walked over to his youngest brother and repeated his earlier question. “They don’t actually believe this stuff works, do they?”

Adam laughed. “Doesn’t really matter, does it? Takes two to tango, and I’ve had enough toes stepped on to stay off the dance floor permanently.”

“Those city women are what made you run back to Granddaddy’s ranch?”

His brother looked indignant. “You must be kidding. That ranch has been my dream forever. You should know that. But there’s one thing a guest ranch doesn’t need. Women.”

Alex chuckled. “Give it time, and you’ll be singing a different tune.”

He glanced at Katarina again, imagining her in a white lace gown, holding her own bouquet. Would the owner of Kat’s Kreations put together as fancy a wedding for herself?

Adam’s voice pulled Alex from his daydream. “So, brother, what’s kept you from tying that proverbial knot? Will we be adding one more plate to the Christmas table this year? Or are we going to hold strong to our bachelorhood?”

Alex looked around at the variety of couples in the crowd. If he were only in a different line of business, the first thing he’d do was find himself a wife and start a family. After all, he was thirty-five already. Where had the time gone?

As long as he was fighting fires, he wasn’t husband material. Six-month stretches away from home were no way to make a marriage work. No way to raise a family. Not for him, anyway. In his eight years as a smokejumper, he’d seen more marriages fall apart than stay together. “Don’t count me in for Christmas. Who knows where I’ll be by then.”

“Bachelors, gather around,” called Kevin. “Your turn.” With much ado, Kevin seated Emily in the wicker chair, retrieved the garter from his wife’s leg, turned around and tossed it over his shoulder.

Adam slapped Alex on the back. “It’s headed right for you, bro. Better run quick.”

Alex shook his head and laughed as he saw the blue-and-white lace sailing directly toward him. “No way! You’ve got the wrong guy.” The last thing I need is a woman to complicate my life right now. “Wrong guy,” he repeated, staring at the frilly garter in his hand.

The competing bachelors gathered around. With Adam in the lead, they not so gently “guided” him to Katarina. “Now you put it on her,” Adam explained.

Katarina’s eyes grew huge and the color drained from her cheeks. Someone gave Alex a blatant shove and he stopped short of running into her. He looked at Katarina and shrugged. “Do you mind?”

She leaned forward, lifting her ear closer to his mouth. Wildflowers. She smelled like a forest before a fire. Was it the bouquet in her hand, or some carefully concocted perfume? Or his imagination? He didn’t dare explore the answer.

“What did you say? I didn’t hear you over all the noise.” Katarina’s voice held a mixture of shyness and teasing. There was something warm and enchanting about her. If he didn’t get this over with, the crowd wouldn’t give him a minute of peace for the rest of the afternoon. Katarina was trouble with a capital T. He could tell that already.

She was too young. Too sensitive. Too beautiful to be alone all summer long while he jumped out of planes, wondering where the next forest fire would take him. Worried that he might not make it home at all.

He wouldn’t be the man responsible for placing worry lines on that innocent face.

“I asked if you mind?” he said into her ear, inhaling deeply. It was definitely her perfume.

Katarina nodded slightly, obviously too startled by the suggestion to offer any objection. She paused, lifted her chin and met his gaze. He nodded, and she sat down. Her flowered skirt flowed around her feet and dusted the ground.

Alex knelt on one knee and swallowed the lump in his throat. His heart raced as if he’d just bailed out of the Twin Otter at fifteen hundred feet. He’d take jumping into a forest fire over this any day.

She lifted the edge of her skirt little more than an inch above her ankle, challenging him to go through with it. The crowd roared, hooting and hollering suggestions. He had no intention of following any of them. He just wanted this to be over.

As he slid the garter over Katarina’s ankle, he watched a dim flush return to her pale and beautiful face. He stopped at her calf, noting the heated gaze that passed between them. Trying to mirror the light mood of the crowd, he forced a smile.

“You’re off the hook,” Katarina leaned close to say. The glint of humor shone in her blue eyes as she tucked a stray blond hair behind her ear. “I’m as good as engaged already,” she added with a coy smile.

“And what makes you think I want to be on the hook?”

Chapter Three

The wedding festivities ended and the family dispersed. Alex watched Katarina with mixed emotions. She and her sister gathered the last of the flower vases from the tables and placed them in a crate. He should have his head examined for flirting with her.

What exactly does “good as engaged” mean, anyway? He pushed the question aside and concentrated on figuring out a way to make peace with the bride’s sister. He strolled over and stopped in front of her. “Can I carry that to the car for you?”

“I can manage.” Katarina stacked the crate on a flat box, then deliberately turned away. “Lisa, would you find Mom and Ricky? We’re ready to go.” Katarina’s voice held a tone of defiance.

He had obviously made her plenty mad. Who knew exactly what it was this time? There were more options than hamburgers on a fast-food menu.

Lisa eyed the load her sister had prepared. “You sure you can handle all that?”

Katarina hoisted the teetering load off the table. “I do it all the time. No problem.”

Her feistiness reminded him of a kitten—delicate, adorable and determined. She rested her chin on the edge of the crate to stabilize it.

“Okay, I’ll be right back,” Lisa said, eyeing Alex. Lisa hesitated, shrugged her shoulders, then disappeared around the corner.

Sidestepping to get out of Katarina’s way, Alex matched her gait step for step. “There’s no reason for you to carry all that. I’ll be glad to help.”

“I don’t need any help. But thanks anyway.”

Despite her protests, he took the crate of wildflowers from the stack and waited for her to lead the way. “I’d rather carry it than clean up the mess when all this crystal breaks.” He took a deep breath and realized the wildflowers weren’t aromatic. Certainly not the inspiration for Katarina’s perfume.

“It would have been perfectly fine.” Katarina marched past him, her flowered skirt billowing in the breeze. She stepped outside, and her hair glistened in the sunshine.

She shoved the box into the back of her station wagon. Alex set the crate into the one empty space left. The remains of Katarina’s gown hung in the back seat.

It wasn’t his fault, he reminded himself. Nonetheless, he felt responsible. “I hope your dress isn’t ruined.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Here, at least let me pay to have it mended.”

She laughed softly. “Trust me, it’s beyond repair.” She stood straight and met his gaze. “However, nothing’s ever a total loss.” Katarina waved her hand, as if to shoo away his guilt and his wallet. She reached into the car, grabbed a box marked Cake Top and moved it to a more secure spot. “The dress will be much more practical once I shorten it, anyway. I can always use the scraps of fabric for my dolls.” She rambled on while rearranging supplies inside the car.

Alex watched Katarina tuck a strand of her chin-length hair behind her ear. He could almost imagine smelling her perfume, and took another whiff, disappointed that he couldn’t pick up the scent again. As Katarina chattered on about possibilities for that piece of fabric, she almost convinced him he’d done her a great favor in tearing the gown.

“I hope I didn’t embarrass you today. I wasn’t sure how to get out of that ridiculous garter charade.” He chuckled. “Who makes up these traditions, anyway?”

“These traditions are fun, for one thing.” A momentary flash of disappointment crossed her face. “And once in a while the predictions actually come true. Just look at Emily and Kevin.” She slammed the hatch closed.

“What did I say this time?” Why it mattered that he understand why she was so irritated he didn’t know. He’d be gone in a few weeks and they’d probably never see each another again. He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

“For what? Ruining a perfectly beautiful day and turning a joyful celebration into a circus?” She choked out the words, then cleared her throat and forced a smile. “Don’t think another thing of it. It was a no-win situation. We survived.”

Though he’d meant the comment as a joke—to make light of the awkward situation—she’d taken his ridicule seriously. Couldn’t she see that he’d been kidding? It was impossible to deny his attraction to the icy-blue-eyed, honey-blond woman who could brighten any day with her cheerfulness. Which made it even worse that he was the one person who’d taken her smile away. “I was joking.”

Katarina let out a soft sigh of frustration. She must have had a long week. She looked up at him and wrinkled her nose as she squinted from the bright sun. “I suppose I should apologize for seeming less than grateful for your help earlier. That broken chair certainly wasn’t your fault.” She rushed through the statement and turned away, obviously uncomfortable with him for some reason.

“Don’t mention it.” He didn’t want to discuss that again. “Well,” he said with regret, “I guess I should just get right to the point. I have a small favor to ask.” If the woman didn’t want him around, so be it. He needed to get back to Kevin’s house. “My brother and sisters leave in the morning, and we’d all like to spend some time with Ricky before they leave.” He explained their impromptu barbecue, terribly uncomfortable with not inviting her. “I’ll make sure I have Ricky back home in time for bed.”

“I’m sure that would be okay with Kevin and Emily. Mom and Lisa need to be in Denver to catch their flights in a couple of hours, so I’ll have him change clothes and bring him right over.”

Lisa ran out of the building and nearly tripped on her bridesmaid gown. “Ricky’s in a tree and can’t get down!”

Alex hurried after Lisa. “Where are they?”

Katarina closed up the car. “Boy, is this day going downhill fast,” she muttered. She quickly caught up to them. “Why did Mom let him climb a tree?”

Lisa led the way past a tall hedge of lilacs around the park’s perimeter. “Mom said he needed to run off some energy. She took him to the playground. Apparently he’s a monkey. Before she could stop him, Ricky was above her head. Need I remind you that we have to leave in an hour?”

Katarina shook her head. “I don’t need a reminder, or another lecture….”

Lisa hiked her dress up to her knees, struggling to keep up with Alex’s long stride. “Maybe we should call the fire department.”

Katarina stopped. “Good grief, how big is the tree?”

Alex pulled his tuxedo jacket off as he walked, and tossed it to Katarina. “Here, hold this for me.”

She looked at him wide-eyed. “What are you doing?”

“I plan to get our nephew out of that tree, before this day gets any worse. We’ll get him down, don’t worry. No need to call anyone yet.”

Before she could argue, Alex handed her his rented shirt, tie and cummerbund.

Katarina watched as Alex approached the huge maple where her mother stood. Katarina’s hands covered her mouth and she let out a small squeal. Ricky was nearly as high as a second-story window. “Oh, no.”

Alex placed his hands on his hips and looked up. He spoke to the four-year-old in a deep and calming voice. “How you doing, Ricky?”

“He won’t talk to me anymore,” her mother answered. “I think he finally realized how high he is. He hasn’t moved in several minutes.”

Alex acknowledged Mrs. Berthoff’s comments. His eyes remained fixed on Ricky. “Do you want me to come get you?”

Katarina tried to quell the quickening of her pulse as she admired Alex’s control. His voice was gentle. Reassuring. Confident.

Ricky nodded. His knuckles were white as he clung to the small branches. Alex looked at the tree and reached up to the lowest limb.

Lisa squealed.

Katarina grabbed his arm. “You can’t go up there. Wait. Let us call for help.”

“I’ll have him down before they can even get here. Don’t worry. I do this all the time.” He placed his hand on hers, and her heart skipped a beat. “Just in case, you can send up a little prayer.”

“You rescue little boys all the time?” Katarina couldn’t help wanting to know more about Alex MacIntyre. Even if she shouldn’t.

“Not exactly. But don’t worry.”

“What exactly does ‘not exactly’ mean?”

“I’ll explain later.”

Katarina felt the strength in his hand and let out a sigh. The look in his blue eyes was of total confidence. “God, please bring both Alex and Ricky down safely.”

He patted her hand and locked his gaze with hers. There was a tingle in the pit of her stomach. Did I really say that out loud?

“Thank you.” His deep voice faded. “Now leave it in His hands. I’ll be back down in just a bit.”

Stunned back to reality, Katarina whispered to her sister and mother, “He makes it sound like a walk up the stairs.” Pulling her gaze off Alex, she looked at her nephew’s short legs straddling the branch, his arms wrapped around it with equal intensity. “Here comes Uncle Alex, Ricky.” Katarina watched Alex climb the huge old tree with finesse. “What in the world do you do for a living?”

He paused a minute and studied the tree. “Fight forest fires.” He had one more branch to go before he could reach the little boy. “I’m a smokejumper. Wish I had my boots and spurs right now.” Just as he said it, his foot slipped off the branch.

“A-A-Alex!” She covered her eyes and waited to hear limbs breaking from his fall.

“I’m fine.”

Katarina peeked between her fingers, then slowly removed her hands. Alex pulled himself up and leaned against the tree trunk. He secured his right leg on the branch below Ricky, and the left one on the next closest limb. Alex wrapped his hand around Ricky’s ankle. “Okay, Ricky, I’m going to hold your leg and I want you to slide closer to me.”

Ricky didn’t move.

Katarina waited impatiently for a response. “Ricky, you need to help Uncle Alex. Okay?” Her voice quivered. Katarina clutched Alex’s tuxedo and shirt even tighter, praying the frightened little boy would listen. Please, God. Don’t let anything happen to them.

Ricky tried to stand up. Katarina gasped.

“Sit down, Ricky,” Alex said calmly. “It’s okay, I have hold of you. I won’t let you fall.”

Katarina tried to keep the panic from her voice, just as Alex did. “Just scoot backward to Alex on your bottom.” She took a deep breath and held it.

Slowly, Ricky moved.

Alex coaxed the youngster closer and took hold of his hand. He helped Ricky turn around, then wrapped the boy in his muscled embrace. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

She felt her heart beating and she took a deep breath. That was only half the problem. Now they both had to get down.

Alex was calm, collected and in control. A take-charge kind of guy. Not her type. The last thing she wanted was someone trying to replace the father she never had. If her own father hadn’t been able to stick around for the long haul, why would any other man?

Clinging to Ricky, Alex allowed the child to calm down before proceeding. What a picture the two made. Tough and tender. Alex was built lean and solid, yet gentle as a teddy bear. She didn’t even want to think about what her sisters could make of her reaction.

“Alex?” Her voice was still shaky despite her efforts to keep it in control. He looked at her, and she silently pleaded for him to come down.

He nodded, as if he understood what she wanted to say. “You ready to get out of here, Ricky?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, you just hang on tight to me.”

“Like a baby monkey?”

“Sure, like a baby monkey,” Alex agreed.

Ricky wrapped his legs around Alex’s waist and clamped his hands together behind Alex’s neck. Alex imitated a chimpanzee. “Ooo. Ooo. Eee. Eee. Eee. Aaa. Aaa.”

When they reached the lowest branch, Alex wrapped one arm around Ricky’s waist, then jumped. Ricky laughed. Katarina swept the little boy into her arms and gave him a huge hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

He just giggled. “Uncle Alex is funny.”

She set Ricky on the ground, stood and turned to Alex. “Funny? Well, I guess the trauma is over for Ricky, anyway. Thank you.” Katarina looked at Alex’s bare chest. “You have a few cuts.” She started to touch one, then backed away, surprised by what she’d nearly done.

“I won’t break,” he said, grinning. He looked at the scrapes and wiped the drip of blood away. “Nothing major.”

Naomi Berthoff stepped up. “Thank you, Alex. I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d be able to get into the tree, let alone climb so high.”

“I wouldn’t have thought so either, Mrs. Berthoff.” He took Ricky’s hand. “I hope Ricky won’t try that again.”

The little boy nodded silently.

Lisa patted Ricky’s head. “I hate to break in, you monkeys, but we need to leave. Thank you, Alex.” She paused and looked at Katarina, as if tempted to say something else. “We sure appreciate your help.”

“Glad I could be of service.” Alex reached his hand out to Katarina.

She froze.

“I’ll take the tux now.”

Katarina looked at the clothes she’d clung to, and handed them to Alex. “Oh, sorry, I forgot I had them.”

His lips curved into a smile and Katarina felt her face flush.

He looked down and examined his pants for damage. “Guess you have more fabric for that collection of yours.”

She smiled stiffly and handed him the bundle in her arms. “I’ll bring Ricky over in a while?”

“Sure. And if you’re not busy, feel free to join us.”

“I am, but thanks for the invitation.”

Chapter Four

Ricky bounded up the front steps toward Alex. Behind him, his sister’s kids ran up the stairs screaming, chased by Alex’s brother, Adam. Laughter echoed from the beamed ceiling. Ricky stopped, his eyes opened wide, then he turned around and dived into the folds of Katarina’s skirt.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Alex whispered.

Katarina spoke softly to Ricky and gave him a hug. She had obviously been around the child quite a bit. He clutched her leg as she stood up again. “This isn’t like him,” she whispered back, “but then, he has had a lot of changes in his life these past few weeks. I guess I should have thought of that.”

He didn’t want to force them to stay, yet he hoped he could coax his nephew to give them all a chance to get to know one another. Alex squatted. “Ricky, I’d sure like for you to meet the rest of your aunts and uncles. And you even have some cousins now. They’re just your age.” Alex reached out his hand and waited for the frightened child to respond. “Would you like to meet them?”

Ricky peered out from the fabric and pulled it across his face again, a mischievous grin on his face.

Alex chuckled. “I see he takes after his shy aunt Katarina.”

Her cheeks turned pink. Trying to free Ricky from her skirt, Katarina blurted out another option. “Maybe I should stay. Would that be okay with you, Ricky?” She looked up with those bright blue eyes. “That is, if your family wouldn’t mind.”

Alex stifled his pleasure. Ricky wasn’t the only one apprehensive about being there. And he didn’t want to scare either of them away. “We wouldn’t mind at all.” He tore his gaze from Katarina. “What do you think, Ricky?”

The little boy nodded and grabbed Alex’s outstretched hand, reaching out with the other for Katarina. “C’mon, Auntie Kat.”

Alex led the way through Kevin’s house to the backyard. Away from the noise inside, Ricky seemed more like his usual spunky self. “Come see the zebro.”

“The zebra?” she repeated, puzzled.

She looked at Alex, and he shrugged his shoulders.

Katarina looked around the yard. He could see that sparkle in her eyes. She’d figured out what Ricky meant, and was now making a game of it.

She looked up into the maple tree and shook her head. “I don’t see any zebras.”

Ricky pointed to the object and giggled. “See, it’s a zebro. An’ Kevin, my new daddy, put a swing in it, too. C’mon.” The little boy took hold of Katarina’s hand and dragged her past the barbecue grill, past the picnic table full of glasses and food.

Alex followed, playing along with the ruse, as he, too, figured out the mystery. “Ricky, there is no such thing as a zebra with a swing inside.”

“Yes, sir! See?” He pointed to the ivy-covered gazebo and pulled Katarina inside.

“Oh, a gazebo. Can you say ga-ze-bo?” Katarina’s smile was warm and enthusiastic.

“Ga-ze-bro,” Ricky repeated confidently.

Katarina praised his efforts. “Very good. Come here and try out the porch swing with me.” She sat down and pulled her nephew onto the seat beside her.

Alex sat next to them and rested his arm on the back of the bench, wishing suddenly that they were alone. The thought surprised him. Katarina was attractive, and also spoken for. Even if she wasn’t, with his life up in the air, he was in no position to set his sights on any woman.

His loneliness had nothing to do with Katarina, or coming home to help his brother run his construction company. Katarina wasn’t just some woman he’d like to see a few times. They were practically related. He didn’t need to complicate things. It would only make it that much more awkward to be around each other. After all, they were bound to be invited to the same family gatherings in the future.

He listened to Ricky and Katarina joking around. She had a contagious laugh, and the two fed off each other. Though the sound brought a smile to his lips, Alex was struck with an uncommon feeling of regret.

Adam bellowed over the crowd, “Burgers are ready.”

Alex touched Katarina’s shoulder. “You two ready for a bite?” Her contagious giggles came to an immediate stop, while Ricky’s continued.

“I’m not hungry, but thanks, anyway. You two can go ahead without me.” She pushed herself from the swing and went across the gazebo to the window on the other side.

Uncertain what had startled her so, Alex suggested Ricky help him fix his plate.

As she watched Alex lift Ricky to his shoulders, Katarina’s mind drifted. How easy it had been to let the mood of the day carry her away with the relaxing sway of the swing, the soft voice of her sister’s brother-in-law and the coziness of sharing a gazebo with a handsome man and an equally adorable child.

Just watching Alex, she had no doubts he’d make a wonderful father. Why hadn’t he married? He seemed nice, considerate, and his looks certainly wouldn’t stand in the way.

“Katarina?” Alex looked right at her.

She blinked, suddenly aware that she’d been staring. “What?” Why in the world was she daydreaming about Alex MacIntyre? A take-charge man didn’t fit into her plans.

Ricky dangled over Alex’s shoulder like a sack of flour, squealing with delight. “I’m going to take Ricky to meet everyone. You sure you don’t want to come?”

She tipped her head toward the window and shook her head. “I think I’ll just wait here. You two seem to be doing fine.”

Alex swung Ricky to the ground. A smile teased Alex’s lips. “No hiding out allowed. After all, you’re part of the family, too.” Then they were gone.

She watched as Alex and Ricky hugged Alex’s mother. Ricky met his twin aunts, Elizabeth and Susan, their husbands and Susan’s children, then devoured his supper.

A while later, Katarina ventured back to the group seated at the picnic table. Alex pulled up another chair and discreetly tested it before allowing Katarina to sit. She blushed, surprised that no one else seemed to notice what he’d done. He brought her a tall glass of lemonade, then sat next to her.

For the second time that day she wondered why Alex was paying her so much attention. Probably nothing, she decided. He’s just being nice.

“Hi, Katarina. I’m Susan, Kevin’s sister. It was so hectic at the wedding, I don’t think we were ever formally introduced.”

“Hello again.” Katarina noted the tactful way Susan avoided mentioning her embarrassing fall. Maybe it could be put behind them after all.

“My brother tells me you’re a doll maker. I’m guessing it’s an incredible coincidence that you are the Kat in Kat’s Kreations, right?”

“As a matter of fact, I am. You know my work?”

“I adore them. What else do you design?”

“Porcelain dolls mainly, but I hope to sell the design to some toy manufacturers to make a children’s version.”

Susan smiled. “I’m sure they’ll snatch it up. Kevin says you’re also a shrewd businesswoman.”

“Thank you. Let’s hope so.” Katarina felt a peace soothe her nerves. “Right now, I just wish they’d respond. Yes or no—I almost don’t even care at this point.”

Alex could relate. He’d been there before. Indecision. Apathy. Fear. No use denying the truth. He was there right now. Did he go back to smoke jumping? Or come back to work with Kevin permanently? Or could there be some other reason he felt so unsettled?

He looked at Katarina and felt his emptiness deepen as he recalled her last remark. Flippant didn’t fit her style. “That’s not true. You’ve poured your heart into this.” She cast him a “how would you know” look, and opened her mouth to protest. “Kevin’s told me how much your business means to you.”

Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Yes, it does. Everything. I merely meant I’m tired of the wait.”

“Ah, an impatient woman,” he teased.

Katarina crossed her arms in front of her and opened her mouth to retort.

“As well as determined.” He had no doubts that Katarina would succeed. She was talented, not to mention as charming as she was beautiful, inside and out. He studied her for a moment, waiting for another objection. The only one he received was her questioning gaze.

“So, Alex. How long are you staying to help Kevin with the business?” his brother-in-law asked. “I thought he only needed temporary help.”

He would have preferred to avoid this discussion altogether. “I’m here as long as he needs me. I don’t know how long that could take.”

“You plan to sit out the fire season?”

He shrugged. “We’re taking it one day at a time.” He needed to change the subject, and quickly. He didn’t want to give Kevin anything more to worry about right now. They had enough to handle without wasting their energy on his problems.

“I thought…”

Alex chuckled. “I need a change of pace.” He paused. “Kevin needs me. I won’t let him down this time.”

Katarina didn’t catch on, thankfully, and they seemed to take the hint to drop the subject before she had a chance to ask. The conversation moved on to the others before making the rounds to him again. “So, Adam, Alex, how long is it going to take you two to follow Kevin’s example and break this silly agreement you made to avoid marriage?” Susan asked. Though playfully asked, Alex knew the question was totally serious.

Thankfully, Adam beat him to the punch. “Forever. Right, Alex?” The youngest MacIntyre stretched out his hand.

Alex forced a smile and silently agreed, shaking hands with his brother. Easy for him to say—he has ten years on me.

Both Elizabeth and Susan scolded them for their boyish attitude. “You can’t be serious!” Elizabeth added with a tight-lipped smile. Her husband’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, and Alex recalled the other reason he and his brother had made the pact in the first place.

Alex couldn’t stand to discuss this now. “Liz, don’t take it so seriously. Adam and I haven’t thought about it in years.”

Adam added his own two cents. “Not since Kevin and Emily broke their engagement—and we can all see that had a happy ending. Don’t get all riled up about it.” Adam backed off, obviously wanting to placate his sisters and mother, though Alex knew in Adam’s own mind nothing had changed. “When the good Lord decides it’s time, I’ll know it,” Adam concluded.

Attempting to add some humor to the conversation, their mother added, “Well then, maybe we’d better have this talk with Him. Sure would save us a whole lot of frustration in our efforts.”

Adam laughed. “Better yet, why don’t you leave the matchmaking to Him in the first place, Mom?”

Alex hadn’t dared to look at Katarina throughout this conversation. Now that it was over, he noticed the laughter in her eyes, and relaxed. Hopefully she didn’t see the tension stretch between siblings.

The conversation changed again, this time focused on the children, and Adam didn’t waste any time slipping away.

Alex was relieved when the chaos subsided and Katarina insisted it was time to get Ricky home and into bed. She turned away, and he noticed something in her ear. He looked again.

It couldn’t be. I thought she was joking. He felt like a total fool.

“Katarina.” He looked around and realized he didn’t want to bring her hearing impairment up in front of everyone and embarrass her further. “Let me walk you and Ricky to your car.”

Once they were out of earshot, he gathered his courage. “You must think I’m a real heel.”

Katarina looked puzzled. “Now, why would I think such a ridiculous thing?”

“I—I didn’t realize,” he stammered. “You… I asked if you’re deaf. I didn’t know.”

She tipped her head, concealing her right ear. “Oh. That.”

“That.” He paused, hoping she would elaborate. She didn’t. “I’m sorry.”

Ricky reached the car and climbed in. After Katarina buckled his seat belt, she closed the door and turned to Alex. “I didn’t take any offense to the comment. It’s my own fault. The hearing aid is such a bother in large gatherings.”

The silence stretched uncomfortably between them as Katarina walked around the car and opened her door, then started to get inside. He hurried toward her before she could get into the car and leave.

“What about pizza tomorrow night? I don’t want to break my promise to Ricky.”

Looking up as he approached, Katarina studied him openly. “Ah yes, and it appears you never break your promises, right?” Her mouth turned up at the corners. “I plan to catch every word of this story.”

Alex’s heart skipped a beat at her blatant teasing. “There’s nothing more to tell. Adam and I agreed long ago that we don’t want to be caught.”

“I didn’t mean to imply anything. Just sounds like a story that needs to be told…one day.” She slipped into the car and started the engine.

Alex stared after her until the car’s taillights disappeared in the distance.

How long had it been since he’d had dinner with a woman? Never mind that she was engaged, and way too young for him. This isn’t a date, he reassured himself.

No matter how many times he repeated the sentence, something inside told him otherwise. He recalled Kevin’s final advice. “May as well give in now.”

Not on your life, Kevin. No bouquet’s going to determine my future.

Chapter Five

Katarina scanned the want ads for an apartment where she’d have room to live, make dolls and still manage to save enough money to expand her fledgling company. The designing was going really well, yet she needed to get settled and hire help to keep up with the demands of Kat’s Kreations.

She recalled Ron’s long-term plans and tried to ignore the shiver that went up her spine. “You need to sell your designs to a company that can put your name all over the world. Let them do the production,” he’d insisted, followed by, “Dream big if you’re going to dream at all.”

Yes, she wanted her business to be successful, but he made it sound so…cold. These were more than dolls—they were her heart and soul. More than simply business. Surely once they married and he transferred to a Colorado branch, he’d see that. Even Alex seemed to understand, and he hardly knew her.

Katarina turned back to the baby doll she’d been dressing before she’d started searching the want ads for an apartment. She adjusted soft ruffles on the velveteen skirt, ran her finger over the delicate porcelain nose and gazed into the baby doll’s soft brown eyes.

This is what she truly loved, making something that would bring a smile to someone’s face the same way each doll did her own. She couldn’t deny there was a certain amount of excitement in the idea of seeing her own creations in stores across the country. Selling her designs surely didn’t mean she’d have to stop making them, too. And thanks to Alex’s comments yesterday, hope had blossomed within her again. She dreamed of the day when a children’s version of Kat’s Kreations collectable dolls would be available in toy stores throughout the country.

Ricky and his friends burst into the kitchen, mud caked on their knees. “Can we have a drink, Auntie Kat?”

“Sure, go wash your hands.” She circled an ad, then pushed the newspaper aside and poured three glasses of cherry juice for the boys. The clock above the fireplace chimed three. “Another hour. What do you say we go to the park before I take Jacob and Chad home?”

They cheered. She gathered the boys, loaded them into the huge plastic wagon and pulled them down the block. Even after an hour of swinging, sliding and playing space station on the monkey bars, the boys complained when it was time to leave.

“I want a ride in the wagon,”

Ricky whined. Ricky had been a handful all day. When she awoke, he’d already tried to fix himself a bowl of cereal for breakfast and spilled milk all over the floor in the process. While cleaning it up, she’d heard a crash upstairs, and had found him exploring the top of his closet.

“Uncle Alex is coming for pizza tonight, isn’t he?”

Katarina’s heart beat a little faster. She mumbled a confirmation. Her cheeks warmed. Alex MacIntyre was the last person she wanted to see today. He reminded her of a fantasy no man could ever live up to. Mr. Right was an illusion. Reality had burst her hopes of ever finding such a trustworthy man. Over and over again throughout the past twenty years of her life she’d learned that opening her heart only led to pain. First her father, then her fiancé. Stable and predictable didn’t look so bad after all.

Why did I have to promise Ricky he could see Alex again today?

Kevin and Emily would be home tomorrow, and Katarina had yet to find a place to live. Emily would try to talk her out of moving, but she realized newlyweds didn’t need a houseguest. A new family required time to bond.

Besides, Katarina longed for her own independence, as well. Katarina wanted the freedom to come and go as she pleased. And with her business, she needed room to spread out without imposing on anyone else. She certainly didn’t need to worry about who could be getting into it.

When she’d agreed to stay at Emily’s house, neither Kevin nor Ricky were a part of Emily’s life. Not that Katarina disagreed with their decision to have a quick wedding. That wasn’t the case at all. In fact, it was the best solution for everyone.

Even from the beginning, Katarina had never meant to stay more than a few weeks, until she could find a small place of her own.

Kat turned into the driveway, surprised to see Alex waiting on the porch with a pizza box.

“Looks like you wore him out,” Alex said, smiling.

She grinned. Ricky was sprawled across the wagon. One leg was tucked into the wagon, the other dangled over the edge. “You mean finally wore him out.” She parked the wagon and reached for Ricky.

“Here, you take the pizza and open the door. I’ll carry him.”

Before she had a chance to argue, Katarina had accepted the box and Alex lifted Ricky into his arms. “Where do you want me to lay him?”

Annoyed at how easily she’d let Alex take charge again, she unlocked the front door and pointed to the sofa. “I doubt he’ll sleep long.”

Katarina continued into the dining room, still upset with herself for not being more assertive. How could she make it clear to Alex MacIntyre that she wasn’t some helpless female who needed a man to take care of her? I have a hearing impairment. I’m not disabled. Katarina shoved the newspaper to one end of the table and dropped the pizza in the middle, then went to get dishes.

“Ricky’s settled. Can I help?”

Katarina spun around. “Do I look like I can’t do anything on my own?”

He looked at her as if she’d thrown darts at him. “What in tarnation brought that on?”

She placed her hand upon her hip and looked into his blue eyes, temporarily forgetting what she was going to say. Good-looking or not, he can’t jump in and take over. “You do…um, did…uh, every time I see you, you assume I can’t handle anything.”

“I what?” His blue eyes widened. “How do I do that?”

Katarina crossed her arms over her beating heart, raised one arm and rested her finger on her chin. “Hmm, let’s see now. You yanked me out from under the table….”

“You were stuck. I was trying to help,” he protested.

“I would have been absolutely content to stay out of the limelight after that humiliation, thank you very much. Then you insisted on carrying those flower vases to my car. You charged right in to get Ricky out of the tree….”

Alex clenched his jaw and his face turned red. “And what would you have liked me to do? Stand there and give you a list of my qualifications to rescue a frightened little boy? Or were you thinking you’d climb the tree in that frilly dress of yours?”

“That isn’t the point. However, you could have explained instead of rushing right in and taking charge. Which brings us to today. I’m perfectly capable of carrying Ricky inside. And now you assume I need your help in the kitchen.” She stepped around the counter and reached up to open the cabinet. “I do believe I’m…”

Alex put his hand against the cabinet door to hold it closed. Surprised, she looked over her shoulder, inhaling his clean outdoorsy scent. Her gaze moved from his long, muscled arm to his shoulder, neck and finally to his freshly shaven jaw. He didn’t come straight from work. He took the time to go home and shower.

“I happen to love kids, okay? I’ve already lost too much time with my sisters’ children. I don’t plan to miss the chance to spend time with Ricky. And as far as my offer to help, I’m not one of those chauvinistic men who thinks a woman’s place is in the kitchen. I was raised sharing the load. You have a problem with any of that?” Alex’s clipped words forbade questioning him further.

Alex’s explanation took the punch from Kat’s anger. She’d fought for everything as a young child, constantly fended off illness and struggled to keep up with missed schoolwork. Maybe that was why she was so determined to be independent. What’s wrong with me? She felt Alex’s nearness, confused by the quickening of her heart and shortness of breath. Somehow, a smile found its way through the mask of uncertainty. “No problem. Just so we understand each other.”

Alex bent his elbow and leaned closer. His gaze caressed her face before he offered a forgiving smile. “Who is it that doesn’t understand your capabilities, Katarina? Because it certainly isn’t me. I wouldn’t dream of standing in your way.”

She looked at his feet, then into his eyes. “Talk’s cheap.”

His smile disappeared and he backed across the kitchen. With one of Alex’s hands resting upon the counter and the thumb of his other hand hooked in his jeans pocket, his shoulders looked even broader than they had up close.

Katarina turned her back to him, opened the cabinet and closed her eyes, hoping to catch her breath and recollect the protective wit that served as her shield of armor. Not even Ron could unravel her as Alex had after only two days.

“So, is there anything I may do to help, or would you prefer I go sit down?”

“I’ll have everything together in just a minute.”

Alex moved to the dining-room side of the island dividing the two rooms. He didn’t much like the image Katarina seemed to have of him. Though he heard her reasons, he still didn’t understand what he’d done wrong. Was it so terrible to be helpful? To be a considerate guest? He knew the logical answers to the questions, but couldn’t for the life of him figure out why the obvious wasn’t clear to Katarina. “May I ask you a question?”

“Sure,” Katarina said, cheerful again. She brought in the plates and glasses, then returned to the kitchen and opened the refrigerator.

He hemmed and hawed for a minute, still uncertain if it was wise to push her. “Could you help me understand exactly how to correct my mistakes…um, so I don’t make the same ones with anyone else?”

“Anyone else?” Katarina pulled out a cutting board and placed it on the counter between them. “I thought you weren’t interested in being ‘caught.”’ She raised her eyebrows and shot him a devastatingly beautiful grin as she chopped up a head of lettuce.

“Who said anything about anyone catching me?”

She scooped up a handful of lettuce and placed it into a bowl. “Ah, you’re just in it for the chase, huh?”

He shook his head and leaned across the counter. “Never said that, either. I just don’t like walking on burning embers. I have enough of that in my line of work.”

Katarina stifled a laugh, picking up each stray piece of lettuce. “I’m sorry for snapping at you.”

“I wasn’t asking for an apology.” He covered her hands with his own and waited for her reply. There was none. “Why did that offend you so, offering to help?”

“Are you always so pushy?”

He smiled. “Yeah, I guess I am. Is that what’s bothering you? You don’t like people to ask too many questions? Or don’t you want to let anyone get too close?”

She paused, staring him in the eye with a cool smile on her lips. “I simply don’t ‘need’ people the way a lot of other women do.”

“Fiercely independent,” he said, assessing her. “You don’t want to be depended upon, or to depend on anyone else?”

Silence.

“Guess I hit a nerve.”

“Are you a psychologist in the off-season?” Katarina pulled her hands loose and opened a brown paper sack in front of her. “Hmm, a smoke jumping shrink. Has a nice ring to it.”

Alex chuckled.

She took out two Italian tomatoes, washed them, quartered them and tossed them into the salad.

“So, you think accepting help is a sign of weakness?”

“Listen, Doc…”

“That’s your sister. My crew calls me Mac, but I really prefer it if you’d stick to Alex. Bury the hatchet, Katarina. You don’t need anyone, and I’m not in the market to be needed. You’re as good as engaged—” he cocked his head “—though I don’t quite understand why you’re here, and he’s not.”

She smiled. “Ron happens to believe in individual independence. He encourages it, in fact. He doesn’t want me to depend upon him any more than I want to.”

“Probably believes in prenuptial contracts, too,” Alex muttered.

“And what’s wrong with that?”

He’d better stop before they were at each other’s throats again, he thought. What in the world had given her such a distorted view? All he’d done was offer a little help.

“Alex? Why don’t you approve of prenuptial agreements?”

His name rolled off her tongue like a breeze through the forest—soft, gentle and refreshing. “Never mind. Just a different view of commitment, I guess. But what do I know? I’m thirty-five and haven’t even been close to the altar. You on the other hand…are as good as engaged. Friends?”

Her mouth twisted into a crooked grin. “On the other hand, I’m no expert, either. This will be my second engagement, and I’m not so convinced it’s a great idea, either.” She extended her hand. “Friends.”

Alex took her graceful hand into his and met her coy smile with one of his own. “Which aren’t you sure of, Katarina? The prenuptial agreement or the engagement?”

Katarina thought for a moment.

“Neither.”

Chapter Six

Katarina looked out the window. “What is Alex doing here again?” Emily and Kevin had returned from their honeymoon less than an hour ago.

Kevin moved their suitcases out of the way. “I called him on the way into town. He needs some invoices signed. What do you mean, ‘again’?” Before Kat could answer, the doorbell rang, and Kevin rushed through the house to answer it, Ricky right on his heels.

Not ready to face another hundred and one questions from the smoke jumping shrink, Katarina suggested she and Emily take their tea to the deck in the backyard.

“Bearly Toys just called, and want to see my designs and a prototype,” she said when they were settled.

“Katarina!” Emily gasped. “That’s wonderful. When is the presentation?”

Katarina took a deep breath and mentally slowed her racing mind. “Wednesday. At eleven. They’re trying to beat a deadline. That’s why I have to get on the road as soon as possible. It’s around a thousand miles. I figure it should take—”

“What? That’s the day after tomorrow.” Emily furrowed her eyebrows. “You’re going to drive a thousand miles? Why don’t you fly?”

Katarina stood up and walked over to the deck railing. “Right, I’m going to get my entire portfolio into two suitcases. And even if I could, do you know how much airfare is to Spokane?”

“Spokane? Kat…” Emily started to protest.

“I can’t afford to fly. End of discussion. According to the map site on the Internet, I’ll make it in plenty of time.” Katarina had been suppressing a scream of excitement since the call had come early that morning, and now finally let out a high-pitched squeal. She’d called Ron to share her news, but he’d had to rush off to a meeting.

“Congratulations, Katarina.” Alex’s voice resounded through the house and out the screen door. He slid the screen open and the two men joined them. Ricky rushed past them to climb on his new swing set. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but I could hardly miss the news. Would you mind giving me a lift?”

He casually wrapped an arm around her shoulder and gave her a friendly hug. Katarina tried to ignore the piney scent of Alex’s aftershave. “Thanks, but where are you needing to go? I’m going to Washington.” Katarina stepped away.

“I’m aware of where Spokane is. Missoula is right on the way. If Kevin’s going to need me to help him for a while longer, I need my own truck.” Alex leaned back against the deck railing and crossed his arms over his chest. “I can’t keep borrowing everything, especially now that we aren’t in the same house. I’d be glad to share the driving and the expenses. As you say, airfare isn’t cheap. You’d save me a lot of money, and having a second driver would make the trip easier.”

Kevin had a puzzled smile on his face.

“That’s a perfect solution!” Emily got out of her chair and nuzzled up to her husband. “Isn’t it, Kevin?”

“That’s great news, Katarina. Sounds like Alex has everything at work running smoothly and we’re back on schedule. It would be a big help to have his own supplies. I don’t see any problem with you going, Alex.”

Katarina was speechless. She looked from Emily to Kevin to Alex.

“I’m so relieved you won’t be driving alone,” Emily exclaimed.

Kevin agreed.

Alex waited for her response.

There was no way Katarina could explain why this was a terrible idea without her sister claiming Katarina still had that teenage crush on the man. There couldn’t be anything further from the truth. Having had three days to get to know him better, she knew her first impression of Alex was obviously wrong. Mr. Nice Guy—what a joke. The man was annoying. He was domineering, pushy and presumptuous. That might work on a mountainside, but not on her!

Yet, before she knew it, Alex had convinced her to let him ride all the way to Montana with her. He and Kevin left, while she and Emily packed.

Katarina added the finishing touches to her portfolio of drawings and tried to make her sister understand why she wanted to find a place of her own. Then Katarina, Emily and Ricky had the oil changed on the car and filled it with gas. On the way home, Katarina took Emily to see the apartment she had looked at to rent. When they returned to Emily’s, the discussion was still going strong.

“You don’t even know how long you’re going to need a place to live, Katarina. And if you do get married, what if Ron doesn’t want to move to Colorado after all? What if you sell your designs to a company that wants you to relocate? Kevin and I don’t mind if you stay here until you’re more certain of your plans.”

“I came here to set up my business, Emily. Ron understands how important this is to me.”

Emily sighed. “How many times have you two broken up in the two years you’ve dated, Kat?”

“This isn’t the same. We’re just taking a short break to concentrate on our careers before we have to settle down.”

“If the man were any more settled, he’d be petrified, Kat. Surely you don’t think that’s going to change? I cannot see you ‘settled down’ with anyone, let alone Ron. If he wanted to be here with you, he would be.”

“We have complementing personalities,” called Katarina as she carried the last ten-gallon tote from the basement to the back of her station wagon. She hoped her sister would stop talking about Ron before Alex returned.

When she saw Alex at the top of the stairs, Katarina realized it was already too late. He’d probably heard the entire argument. Without a word, Alex stepped out of her way.

Конец ознакомительного фрагмента.

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