A Country Affair(87)

Luke claimed he loved her, too. If that was true, why was she fighting him so hard? For one thing, Luke had delivered his declaration of love in such a matter-of-fact, unromantic way, it was hard to believe he really meant it. If she could be sure that his feelings were rooted in more than sympathy and physical attraction, she’d feel more confident. But Luke kept trying to shield her, as though she were a child. Now that she was moving into a place of her own, she’d be able to analyze her changing emotions more objectively. She’d be completely independent, away from the environment they’d always shared. Once they were apart, once it was clear that she could manage by herself, Luke would be free to pursue a relationship with her as an equal, an adult woman—not a little girl who needed looking after.

“I see you’re at it again,” he said, standing in the doorway between the kitchen and the living room.

“Luke—” she slapped her hand over her heart “—you startled me!” Her thoughts had been full of him and then suddenly he was there.

As he did more and more often of late, Luke was frowning, but Kate wasn’t going to let that destroy her mood. She was thrilled with the prospect of moving into her own apartment and settling into a different kind of life.

“I have good news. I’m going to look at an apartment on Saturday morning.” She dragged a heavy box of books across the carpet. “So,” she said, huffing, “I’ll probably be out of here sooner than we figured.”

Luke interrupted her, effortlessly picking up the cardboard box and depositing it on the growing stack at the far side of the room.

“Thanks,” she murmured, grateful for his help.

“You shouldn’t be doing this heavy work by yourself.”

“It’s fine,” she said, rubbing the dust from her hands. “The only trouble I’m having is with these books. We’ve got so many.”

“Kate, dammit, I wish you’d listen to reason.”

“I’m being reasonable,” she said, fixing a reassuring smile on her face. “All I’m doing is giving you what’s rightfully yours.”

Luke’s frown grew darker, and he dragged a hand through his hair. “Listen, I think we may have more of a problem with Fred Garner than I thought.”

“Yes, I know,” Kate said, already filling the next box. “Linda told me after school that he’s doing a thriving business.”

Luke knelt on the floor beside her. “You’re not upset?”

“Would it do any good? I mean, you obviously did your best and that just seemed to encourage the betting. As far as I can see, the only thing that will resolve this issue is time.” She kept her gaze averted and added, “When six months pass and we’re still not married, everyone will accept that nothing’s going on between us.”

“Nothing?” Luke asked bitterly.

Hope stirred briefly within her. “I like to think we’ll always be friends.” An absent smile touched her lips. “Now that I’ve decided to distance my emotions from this lottery nonsense, I find it all rather comical. You should do the same.”

“This amuses you?”

“The good citizens of Nightingale are amused. Everyone seems to assume that because Clay and Dad both got married and the ranch has been sold, I should swoon into your arms.”

“Personally, I don’t think that’s such a bad idea.”

“Oh?” She chuckled and tucked a few more books in the box. Her heart was racing. If Luke was ever really going to declare his love, it would be now. “That wasn’t the message I got the other night. I tried to have a serious talk with you about my evening with Clay and Rorie, and all you could do was glower at me.” She glanced up, shaking her head. “Like you’re doing now.”

Luke walked away from her. He stood staring out the window, although Kate suspected the view was of little interest to him. “I just wish you’d be sensible for once in your life,” he snapped.

“I didn’t know I had a habit of not being sensible,” she said conversationally, disheartened by his attitude. She rose and walked over to the larger bookcase, but even standing on her toes, she couldn’t quite reach the trophies stored on the top shelf. Not to be defeated, she rolled the ottoman in front of the empty bookcase and climbed onto the thick cushioned seat. She stretched up and her fingers were about to grasp the first trophy when she heard Luke’s swift intake of breath.

“Kate!”

Just as he spoke the ottoman started to roll out from under her. She flailed her arms in a desperate effort to maintain her balance.

Kate had never seen Luke move faster. His hands closed around her waist in an iron grip. Her cry of alarm caught in her throat as she was slammed against his solid chest.

“Of all the stupid, idiotic things I’ve ever seen—”

“I would’ve been perfectly fine if you hadn’t called my name.” Her heart was pounding so hard she could barely breathe.

Luke’s hold relaxed. “You’re all right?”

She nodded.

He closed his eyes, exhaling a ragged sigh. When he opened them, he assessed her carefully; apparently he concluded that she was unhurt because he gave her an impatient little shake. “Whatever possessed you to climb up on that ottoman in the first place?” he demanded.