At the sight of Luke, Alyssa gasped. Apparently, it hadnt yet clicked with her that if Kate was present, her son would be, too. I do not like him, Alyssa said to no one in particular before stomping off to sit beneath a pear tree.
Mandy watched her sisters retreat with wide eyes, then tugged Coles hand. Now what?
Good question.
* * *
OFCOURSE I UNDERSTAND, Kate said into the phone, trying to concentrate on Crystals words instead of staring at the sheriff through the front window. Well get together for lunch or something as soon as everyones feeling better.
Her childhood friend had called with the news that two of her kids had the stomach flu. When the first one had thrown up, Crystal had hoped it was an isolated incident and had planned to leave her husband at home with the kid. But now that there were fevers involved, Crystal worried that even the members of the household not showing symptoms might be contagious.
I cant wait to see you, Crystal said, her tone apologetic. I hate that I wont make the barbecue.
Me, too. Catching up with her old friend would have been a nice distraction from Sheriff Trent. Call me Cole. His rich voice was more tempting than Grams desserts. Hey, Crys, do you know much about the sheriff? Gram invited him and his parents.
Then she has good taste, Crystal said approvingly. Hes a cutie.
Cute did not begin to describe him. The casual cotton T-shirt he wore delineated his muscular arms and chest far more than the crisp polo shirt shed last seen on him. And she felt foolish for noticing that in the full sunlight, his thick hair wasnt simply black. Half a dozen subtler hues threaded through it.
She was not interested in the sheriffs hair. Or his muscles. Mostly, she just wanted to make sure Luke behaved today and didnt further damage his reputation with the sheriffor any of the other guests, for that matter.
One of my boys played soccer in the spring with Mandy Trent, Crystal said. The sheriffs got his hands full, but he seems like a good dad. And hes considered quite the catch among the women in town. Or would be, if anyone could catch him.
So hes not seeing anyone? Kate wished she could take back the impulsive question. The sheriffs dating life was none of her concern.
I dont think hes gone on more than three dates with the same woman since his divorce, which was years ago. Popular opinion is that Becca Johnston will wear him down eventuallyunless he gets a restraining order. Beccas relentless, never takes no for an answer. Every time she calls, I get sandbagged into chairing some PTA committee or local food drive. If you want to volunteer for something like the Watermelon Festival in order to meet people, you should talk to her. If not, avoid her like the plague. And speaking of plague, Id better go check my sick kids.
As Kate was replacing the cordless phone on its charger, the front door opened.
Katie? Grams tone was rueful. No doubt she felt guilty for the way shed ambushed Kate with Coles presence. Are you rejoining us?
Like I have a choice? You raised me better than to hide in the house just because theres someone Id rather avoid. I was talking to Crystal. She had to cancel because theyre dealing with a stomach bug.
Im sorry to hear that. She was excited about seeing you again.
Kate shrugged, trying not to look as disappointed as she felt. Sick kids come with the parenting territory. Ill see her soon.
You know, I thought there was a chance Cole might have to cancel, Gram said. As sheriff, hes got a lot of responsibilities. Just keeping the Breelan brothers under control is practically a full-time job. As fretful as you were about seeing him again, it seemed unkind to worry you needlessly in the event he couldnt make it.
As opposed to giving me time to mentally prepare myself?
Well...we did both agree that it would be best for you to encounter him sooner rather than later, Gram said, taking some creative license with the conversation theyd actually had. Please dont be angry. His mother is a close friend. Your paths were bound to cross. Give him a chance.
A chance to what? Im not angry, Gram. You invited his family before you knew Cole and I had shared an awkward run-in. Im sure hes a nice man. But, at the risk of being repetitive, I really dont
Oh, I just remembered! I need to stir the beans so they dont burn on the bottom. Excuse me, dear. Gram moved with impressive speed for a woman over seventy. Will you let our guests know Ill be back in a moment?
For the record, Kate grumbled with wry amusement, I know perfectly well Im being manipulated.
Gram flashed a cheeky smile over her shoulder. One thing was for sure, living with a crafty grandmother and an unpredictable teen would keep Kate on her toes.
* * *
LUKEJAMMEDHIShands in the pockets of his cargo shorts, wishing he could disappear. With his mom and Gram both inside the house, he didnt know any of the other adults. Except the sheriffand Luke would rather not face him.
One of the sheriffs daughters was pleading with her dad to kick a soccer ball back and forth; the other girl had gone off by herself. In Lukes opinion, she had the right idea. He suddenly found himself walking in that direction.
Although the twins were technically identical, they were pretty easy to tell apart. The one beneath the tree had a pink backpack and her hair was braided the same way it had been yesterday; she was the one whod wanted the candy bar. Alyssa, her dad had called her.
She glared when she saw him coming. I dont like you.
A common opinion. Luke wasnt sure his mom liked him, either. Sometimes, he wasnt even sure he liked himself. Whatcha got there?
Nothing. She hunched forward, protectively. He couldnt see what she was drawing, but he could tell she had a sketch pad in her lap. Crayons spilled from her open backpack across the grass.
What are you drawing?
Go away.
The side of his mouth lifted in a grin. For a little kid, she certainly wasnt intimidated by a teenager twice her height. I didnt mean to get you in trouble yesterday. Despite the way his stomach had hurt when hed seen the Trents in the yard, now he was kind of glad they were here. The chance to apologize was an unexpected relief. Im sorry. Really.
Her head lifted, and she studied him for a long moment.
I was just trying to do something nice, he added. I thought he should have bought you the candy bar.
You made a poor decision. The way she said it sounded like she was imitating an adult. Her dad, probably.
Jealousy pinched Lukes insides. It caught him off guard whenever he felt thisenvy for all the regular kids who still had fathers. It wasnt as if he wanted anyone elses dad to die. He just wished his own was still around. Sometimes Luke could hear his dads voice so clearly he could almost pretend they were on the phone. Other days, his dads voice was faded and distorted, like bad audio on a corrupt game file.
His throat burning, he backed away from Alyssa. Ill leave you alone.
Wait! Its a horse. She held up the pad. But its not very good.
It was terrible. The legs werent the right scale to the rest of the body, the neck was weirdly lumpy, and the nose looked like a crocodile snout. Plus, horses shouldnt be purple. But he didnt want to hurt her feelings. What if she cried again?
Wait! Its a horse. She held up the pad. But its not very good.
It was terrible. The legs werent the right scale to the rest of the body, the neck was weirdly lumpy, and the nose looked like a crocodile snout. Plus, horses shouldnt be purple. But he didnt want to hurt her feelings. What if she cried again?
Keep trying. With enough practice, you could get so good you surprise yourself. Hed heard his mom say that to music students. He hoped it would be enough to make Alyssa feel better about her mutant horse. He stared at the picture, trying to find a positive. The tail looks right.
Thank you. She brightened a little. My nana said this is a farm. Do you have horses?
No. There are goats, though. Taking her toward the barn to look for the goats would kill some time until the food was ready and keep Luke away from the sheriff. Wanna go see them?
Okay. She picked up her backpack, frowning as she zipped it. But dont you dare stick candy in my bag.
He recalled his moms stern warning. Do not screw this up. Everyone thought he was too stupid to learn from his mistakes. I said I was sorry.
Then I guess you can be my friend.
Gee, thanks. His first friend in a new town, and it was a five-year-old girl. Still, as they headed to the barn, he had to admit it was kind of nice not to be walking alone.
* * *
COLEHADJUSTretrieved the soccer ball from some rose bushes at the side of the house when his dad clapped him on the back.
You look like you could use a break, son. Harvey Trent said. Mandy, Im not sure your dad can keep up with you! How about Paw-paw takes a turn while your dad grabs a cold drink? Lowering his voice to a whisper, he added, And talks to the pretty girl.
Cole groaned. Did Mom put you up to this?
Harvey took the soccer ball from his sons hands. No one has to put me up to enjoying time with my granddaughter.
If Coles parents thought Kate Sullivan wanted him to talk to her, they must be blind. The womans stay back vibe was so strong, he expected to see gnats and butterflies bouncing off the invisible force field that surrounded her. After the casseroles other women in town had baked him over the years and Becca Johnstons less than subtle pursuit, Kates disinterest should be refreshing. Except...he wouldnt mind seeing those hazel eyes fixed on him with a feminine interest. Thered been a moment at the gas station yesterday, a brief flicker of connection.
Or was that wishful thinking on his part?
Not that it mattered, he thought as he pulled a can of soda from the cooler and popped the tab. Whatever spark might have been there seemed to have been extinguished when he busted her son. Still, this welcome party was in her honor. Not talking to her would be rude. He approached the table where the women were chatting. Mr. Ross stood a few feet off to the side, working the grill.
As Cole neared the group, he overheard Mrs. Ross bragging about her son, Jarrett. ...so good with young people. He spends a few weeks every summer working at a horse-riding camp. Its a shame he couldnt be here today.
Kates expression was a discordant cross between placating smile and deer-in-the-headlights stare. Cole experienced a twinge of sympathy. Were they already trying to fix her up with someone? Jarrett Ross was a good guy, but he was gone a lot on the rodeo circuit. Although Mrs. Ross might be eager for her son to settle into a steady relationship, as far as Cole knew, Jarrett was thoroughly enjoying the admiration of his female fans.
Its also a shame Crystal couldnt be here, Kate interjected, surprising Cole by glancing his way. She was obviously desperate for a change of subject. If her family had made it, your girls would have had more kids to play with.
Luckily for me, the girls are pretty good at entertaining themselves. Mandys happy as long as she has a soccer ball, and Alyssa... He looked toward the tree where his daughter had been sitting. She was often content with quieter hobbies, like coloring or reading her favorite picture books. But she was no longer there.
Following his gaze, Joan Denby said, Shes with Luke. I watched them walk over that hill a few minutes ago.
Youre kidding. Last Cole had heard, his daughter was still ticked off at the teen. What had enticed her to wander off with him?
Joan nodded. They headed in the general direction of the barn.
Maybe I should round them up. Kate shot hastily to her feet.
Was she worried the two kids were into mischief? Cole didnt know Luke Sullivan. Had the kids shoplifting been an aberration, or was he a habitual troublemaker?
Ill go with you, Cole volunteered.
Kate bit her lip. Whether she wanted his company or not, it wasnt as though she could forbid him to check on his own child.
They fell into step with each other, making their way down the small green slope that curved behind the farmhouse. The barn was visible, the distance of a couple of football fields away, but he didnt see the kids yet. They might have been inside or around the corner, where the overhang provided shade. Kate was quiet as they walked, her gait stiff. He attempted to defuse the situation with humor.
Could be worse, he deadpanned. You could be stuck at the table, sitting through countless pictures of Jarrett Rosss rodeo buckles on Mrs. Rosss phone.
Did I look as trapped as I felt?
So much that I was questioning whether Id need my hostage negotiation training to rescue you.
Her lips curved in an impish grin. Think Mrs. Ross would have let me go in exchange for a fully fueled helicopter and a briefcase of unmarked bills? Not that she was the only guilty party. Before she started regaling me with Jarretts many fine qualities, Gram Oh. She sucked in a breath as her foot slid sideways, catching a root that jutted out from the hillside.
Cole reached for her automatically, his hands going to her waist so she wouldnt tumble. As soon as his fingers settled above her hips, a potent sense of awareness jolted through him. The only thing separating her skin from his was the soft thin cotton of her dress. It was an absurdly tantalizing thought, given the hands-on nature of his job. From shaking hands with voters to demonstrating first-aid techniques in community classes, his days were full of physical contact. Yet he couldnt recall the last time hed been so deeply affected.
Kate, however, didnt seem to share his enjoyment of the moment. Her eyes were wide, as if she found his touch disconcerting. As soon as he noticed, he let go of her so fast she almost lost her balance again.
He winced. When had he become such a bumbling ass? Sorry. This time he steadied her with a strictly platonic grip on her elbow.
No reason to be, she said, her voice shaky. You were, um, just trying to be helpful.
Exactly. Helpful. Not lustful.
Well, maybe a bit of both. I didnt mean to startle you, grabbing you like that. The expression on her face had been damned near panicky.
Its been a really long Her cheeks reddened. I guess I shouldnt be tromping around the farm in wedge sandals. Theyre not exactly all-terrain. What was I saying? Before?
The better question was, what had she been about to say now, before shed interrupted herself to denounce her shoes?