A Country Affair(96)

“And you’re suggesting the month of May?” Kate asked, referring to his comment about a bouquet of flowers.

“That would be an excellent choice,” the violinist said, grinning broadly.

“It’s time we left,” Luke said, frowning. He pulled out his wallet, but the violinist stopped him. “Please, your pizza’s on the house. We are delighted that you chose to dine in our humble establishment.”

From the tight set of Luke’s mouth, Kate could tell he wanted to argue, but more urgent was his need to escape. He took her by the hand and charged for the door.

“Your leftover pizza!” Their waitress ran after them, handing Luke a large white box as she cast Kate an envious glance.

Luke couldn’t seem to get out of the car park fast enough. Kate waited until they were on the road before she spoke. “So this is the first time that’s happened to you?”

Luke laughed shortly. “Not really, only I didn’t pick up on it as quickly as you did. Several people have made odd comments about certain months, but until now, I didn’t get what they were actually saying.”

“It’s funny when you think about it. Half the county’s got money riding on our wedding day, and Fred Garner’s making a killing raising and lowering the odds.” Suddenly the lottery was the most hilarious thing Kate had ever heard of, and she started to laugh. She slumped against the side of the cab, holding her sides. She was laughing so hard, her stomach hurt. Tears ran down her cheeks and she wiped them away as she tried to regain control. The wedding lottery and everyone’s interference wasn’t all that funny, but Luke’s disgruntled reaction was.

“Come on, Luke,” she said, still chuckling. “There’s a lot of humor in this situation.”

He snorted.

“Don’t be such a killjoy. I’ve been getting free advice from the butcher, Sally Daley, the paperboy and just about everyone else in town. It’s only fair that you put up with a few of their comments, too.”

“One might think you’d take some of that free advice,” he muttered.

“What?” she cried. “And ruin their fun?”

Luke was oddly quiet for the remainder of the trip into Nightingale. He stopped at her building, walked her to her door with barely a word, then turned and walked away. No goodnight kiss, no mention of seeing her again.

This was the last thing she’d expected. For the entire drive home, she’d been imagining how good it would feel when Luke kissed her. She’d decided to invite him in for coffee, hoping he’d accept. But this was even worse than Clay’s peck on the cheek all those months ago.

“Luke...”

He stopped abruptly at the sound of her voice, then turned back. His eyes seemed to burn into hers as he came toward her, and she stumbled into his arms. His mouth, hot and hungry, sought hers in a kiss that scorched her senses.

His fingers plunged into her hair, releasing the French braid and ploughing through the twisted strands of blond hair.

Instinctively Kate reached up and slid her arms around his shoulders, feeling so much at home in his arms that it frightened her. She trembled with the knowledge, but she didn’t have time to analyze her feelings. Not when her world was in chaos. She clung to him as though she were rocketing into a fathomless sky.

Luke broke away from her, his face a study of hope and confusion. “I never know where I stand with you, Kate.” With that, he stroked her hair and quickly returned to his truck.

Kate was still reeling from the effects of Luke’s kiss. If she hadn’t leaned against her door, she might have fallen onto the walkway, so profound was her reaction.

“Luke,” she called, shocked by how weak her voice sounded. “Would you like to come inside for coffee? We could talk about...things.”

Slowly a smile eased its way across his handsome features. “I don’t dare, Princess, because the way I feel right now, I might not leave until morning. If then.”

Flustered by his words, Kate unlocked her door and let herself inside.

She gulped a deep breath and stood in the middle of the living room with her hand over her rampaging heart. “You’re in love with him, Kate Logan,” she told herself. “Head over heels in love with a man and fighting him every step of the way.”

Groaning, she buried her face in her hands. She didn’t understand why she’d been fighting him so hard. She did realize that Luke wouldn’t have spent years building up her father’s ranch if he hadn’t loved her. He could have left anytime, gone anywhere to buy his own ranch, but he’d stayed at the Circle L. He honestly loved her!

Now she knew what she wanted, but she didn’t know what to do about it.

She guessed Luke was planning to court her, to use that charming old-fashioned term. If so, one more dinner with him would be enough. They’d be officially engaged by the end of the evening. She’d bet on it!

To her disappointment, Kate didn’t hear from him the following day. Fridays were generally busy around the ranch, so she decided the next move would have to come from her.

Early Saturday morning she compiled a grocery list, intent on inviting Luke over for a home-cooked meal. She was reviewing her cookbooks, searching for a special dessert recipe, when she was suddenly distracted by the memory of their kiss. Closing her eyes, she relived the way she’d felt that night. She smiled to herself, admitting how eager she was to feel that way again.