Exactly how long do you expect me to stay? Mandy teased Caleb.
His voice went deep, communicating more emotion than a single word. Forever.
Realizing hed nearly burned the eggs, Reed twisted the burner control to the off position and moved them to one side.
Cute. Mandy patted Calebs cheek, seeming completely unaffected by his staunch declaration.
Well, I should get back, said Katrina.
Oh, no. Mandy walked forward toward Katrina before coming up against the tether of Calebs hand in hers. Stay.
Katrina turned to her sister. Why would I stay?
Stay and ride your bicycle, Reed found himself fuming. The least she could do was give it a try.
You might as well be here as down there, said Mandy. We havent had a chance to talk. She tugged playfully at Calebs hand, while he held her fast. And I dont think this ones going to let me leave.
Out of the corner of his eye, Reed saw Katrina glance his way.
Reeds not going to care, said Mandy.
I dont want to get in the way.
Reed turned to face her full-on. This isnt a country club.
Her head jerked back, eyes going wide, as if hed wounded her, and he immediately felt like a heel.
Reed! Caleb admonished. What the hell?
Its okay, said Katrina, setting down the half-eaten plum. Obviously, I should-
No, you shouldnt. Mandy shot Reed an annoyed glare. Hes in a bad mood, thats all. Terrell men get that way.
Excuse me? Caleb was obviously affronted at being lumped in unfavorably with his brother.
Katrina seemed to be at a loss. She suddenly struck Reed as a fragile, frightened bird. And he had to struggle against an overpowering urge to reach out and reassure her. He wanted to draw her into his arms and apologize for anything hed ever done, thought of doing or might do in the future to hurt her.
But the rational side of him knew that would be ridiculous. Shed trounced all over his best intentions this morning, and now she was using those big, gorgeous blue eyes to bring the world onto her side.
Well, he wasnt falling for it.
Youre more than welcome to stay, Caleb told her staunchly.
Katrina looked to Reed, and he felt his defenses melting like spring snow. He fought against it, but stubborn as he was, she won the battle without lifting a finger.
Youre more than welcome to stay, Caleb told her staunchly.
Katrina looked to Reed, and he felt his defenses melting like spring snow. He fought against it, but stubborn as he was, she won the battle without lifting a finger.
Youre welcome to stay, he echoed his brothers invitation.
Then he determinedly turned his attention back to breakfast. The sausages were overdone, as were the eggs. Hed forgotten to push down the toast, and he couldnt seem to remember what the hell hed done with the strawberry jam.
Katrina felt as though she was ten years old again, trailing along behind Mandy through the Terrell barn, feeling out of place, her nose wrinkling at the smell, making sure she steered clear of anything with hooves and teeth.
Theres a gorgeous meadow up by Flash Lake, Mandy was saying. She stopped beside a stall to scratch the nose of a chestnut mare. Its really not that far to ride. The fireweeds up, and the lilies and columbine. You should see something more than the ranch yard while youre here.
You dont remember, do you? Katrina asked.
Remember what?
That I dont know how to ride.
Mandy turned. Thats ridiculous.
No, its not.
Of course you know how to ride.
Katrina shook her head, then tucked her loose hair behind her ears. You guys used to put me up on a horse a lot. But I could barely hold on. I sure couldnt control it. If her horses hadnt willingly followed her sisters and brothers animals back home, shed have been permanently lost in the wilderness.
I can teach you, Mandy broke in.
Katrina laughed at that, deciding it was time to come clean. It had to be better than riding. Im afraid of horses, Mandy.
Her sisters forehead wrinkled. What are you talking about?
They scare me half to death.
Why?
Because theyre big. Theyre strong. Theyre unpredictable, and one of them bit me once.
Mandy shook her head. You cant put up with that. You have to show them whos boss.
Does that sound like me?
Mandy crossed her arms over her chest, leaning back against a stall fence and lifting one heel to brace it on the bottom rail, while the mare nudged at her ear. I guess not, Mandy allowed, firmly pushing the horses head away.
Katrina gave a self-deprecating grimace. I cant even boss around five-foot-two male ballet dancers.
Mandy laughed at that. I really could teach you.
To boss my ballet partners around?
To ride horses.
Katrina took an involuntary step backward. I dont think so.
Its easy.
Maybe so, but I dont want to learn how.
But-
Im only going to be here for a week, and there arent a lot of horses in New York City.
Mandys eyes narrowed. But youll come back, though, especially once Dads home.
Katrina felt a familiar knot form in her stomach. Maybe it was because shed left home so young and she didnt really know her father. Or maybe it was because shed always sensed his disappointment in her. But the thought of being in the same room, of coming under his scrutiny, of dealing with the walking-on-eggshells feeling she got whenever he looked her way, made her want to turn and run.
Katrina? Mandy prompted.
My schedules pretty busy.
But you do get time off.
I do. But there are rehearsals. Im doing a little teaching now. Katrina turned and started walking, not wanting to face her sister while she stretched the truth.
Mandy followed her lead. You really do hate it here, dont you?
Its Katrina struggled for the right words. Intimidating.
I dont see why. Mandy urged Katrina down a side aisle.
Of course you dont. Youre like Ms. Super-Rancher.
Mandy laughed while she pushed open a door, and the sunlight flooded through. You make a bigger deal about everything than it has to be. You always have.
I do not. Katrina stopped short, unease shooting through her.
Theyd walked outside into a large, green field, fences in the far distance. It was dotted with horses, in ones and twos, heads down, grazing.
I wont let them get you, Mandy assured her.
Im not in the mood for an intervention. At her mothers insistence, Katrina was here to touch base with her family. But she wasnt here to conquer her fears and become a better human being.
Were just walking. Its nicer out here than it is in the barn.
In the barn, theyre all behind fences.
If they attack, Ill throw myself in front of you.
Funny. Mandy might be taller and heavier than Katrina, but it was still a hundred-odd pounds against two-thousand. If a horse went rogue, Mandy wouldnt be able to save her.
Mandy turned so they were headed along the fence line, and Katrina felt a little better. At least there was a handy escape route if they needed one.
So, whats the deal with you and Reed?
Katrina stumbled on a clump of grass. Huh?
Everything was fine last night.
Everything was fine this morning, too.
Mandy crammed her hands into the front pockets of her jeans. I know Reed very well. We were like brother and sister for the ten years Caleb was away. Hes mad at you, and Id like to know why.
Katrina shrugged. Youll have to ask him.
He wont answer.
Then I guess well never know.
Mandy shook her head. What makes you think you can start lying to me now?
Practice.
Katrina. Seriously. Sometimes I feel like I dont even know you.
Katrina counted to ten inside her head. She knew she should say something innocuous and noncommittal, brushing off the comment and moving on. But some obstinate corner of her brain compelled her to speak up. Maybe its because you dont.
Mandy stopped dead. What?
Katrina knew it was past time to shut up. Unfortunately, her mouth didnt seem to get the message. Travis says you all love me.
We do.
You dont even know me. You dont know Im afraid of horses. You dont know Im afraid of chickens. You dont know Im afraid of Dad.
Mandy drew back in obvious shock. Dad?
Katrinas mouth seemed to be on autopilot. And you have absolutely no idea that Im afraid my ankle wont heal properly and that my dancing career will be over.
Mandy immediately reached for Katrinas hands, drawing her close, searching her expression. Sweetheart, whats going on? Whats wrong with your ankle?
Its nothing, said Katrina.
What is it? Mandy insisted.
Katrina waved a dismissive hand. I had one of my pointe shoes give out, and I twisted my ankle.
Are you okay?
Im fine. Id rather you didnt tell anyone.
Theyll want to know youre hurt, Mandy insisted. Theyll want to help.
Theres nothing they can do. I just need some rest, to let it heal.
It was your shoe? Does this kind of thing happen often?
Hardly ever. Thank goodness. Katrina was having an unlucky streak, and she was going to get past it. Her ankle would heal. She should never have admitted out loud that she was worried. She wasnt. Not really.
She drew a bracing breath. Mandy, Im sorry. I didnt mean to say anything. I dont know what I was thinking-
Im not the least bit sorry. Mandy tugged firmly on her sisters hands. I want to know you, Katrina. No matter whats going on inside that crazy head of yours, we all do love you.
Im not crazy. Just because she didnt like ranching, didnt make her insane.
Bad choice of words.
Suddenly, Katrina felt dead-tired. She didnt want to have this debate. It was bad enough that Quentin was out to get her and that her career might be hanging in the balance; she didnt need to add her childhood baggage to the mix.
Do you think someone could drive me back to our place? Shed make an excuse to catch a flight in the morning.
Mandy gave her head a vigorous shake. Not a chance. Now that weve broken the ice, we are going to talk, young lady. She tucked Katrinas hand into the crook of her arm and began walking again.
Katrina scoffed out an exclamation of disbelief. I dont think so. It was a momentary lapse, not the breaking of an emotional dam ten years in the making.
So, what happened with Reed? Mandy repeated.
Nothing.
I think he likes you.
I think he hates me.
Yeah? Well, youre afraid of chickens, so Im not much for trusting your judgment.
I really want to go home. Katrina sighed.
If by home, you mean Caleb and Reeds house for margaritas, then thats exactly where were going.
I cant drink margaritas. Ill get fat.
Oh, yes, you can. Well burn off the calories somehow. But you, my darling, are in serious need of a stiff drink and a big sister.