SUBSTITUTE FATHER
Bonnie K. Winn
From the way his sister looked,
Luke knew he was in trouble
“What’s wrong with you?” Rachel asked without preamble.
“Wrong?”
“Yes, genius. Kealey’s been assigned as caseworker to the kids. Which means she
has control over whether you can keep them.” Her tone grew caustic. “Couldn’t
you have dipped her hands in acid, or set fire to her shoes to really show your
feelings?”
Exasperated, Luke stared at his sister. “She was on the date with me. She knows
we didn’t hit it off.”
“If there was the slightest possibility she’d forgotten, it was certainly
diplomatic of you to remind Kealey that you can’t stand her.”
“Do you think she’ll hold it against me?”
“You’d better hope not. For the children’s sake.”
Luke glanced toward the living room. In a matter of hours he’d turned his life
upside down. And now the fate of three innocent children depended on whether he
could change his tone with Kealey Fitzpatrick.
He shook his head, knowing he had a better chance of getting rid of his sisters
before they drove him crazy.
Dear Reader,
As a hopeless romantic, I am always drawn to a hero who protects and inspires.
Luke Duncan is that kind of hero. Protector of children and animals, he is a man
without equal.
Enter stage left, a heroine who no longer believes people with integrity like
his exist. Throw in three orphans, a menagerie of pets and strays, and you have
Substitute Father.
This book is special to me for many reasons. I hope you will fall in love with
the characters as I have, perhaps even reserve a spot in your heart for the pets
who love us for who we are, rather than who we wish to be. And, most of all, I
hope you enjoy the journey I’m about to take you on.
Sincerely,
Bonnie K. Winn
Books by Bonnie K. Winn
HARLEQUIN SUPERROMANCE
898—THE WRONG BROTHER
964-FAMILY FOUND
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ISBN 0-373-71019-4
SUBSTITUTE FATHER
Copyright © 2001 by Bonnie K. Winn.
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or
utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic,
mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or
retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher,
Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada
M3B 3K9.
All characters in this book have no existence outside the imagination of the
author and have no relation whatsoever to anyone bearing the same name or names.
They are not even distantly inspired by any individual known or unknown to the
author, and all incidents are pure invention.
This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.
® and TM are trademarks of the publisher. Trademarks indicated with ® are
registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the Canadian Trade
Marks Office and in other countries.
Visit us at www.eHarlequin.com
Printed in U.S.A.
Dedicated to my brother, Gary Yedlovsky,
a true hero in every possible way.
CHAPTER ONE
Greenville, Texas
Luke Duncan idly scanned the metallic streamers that hung over the cash register
of the grocery store’s film counter. It looked to him as though the booth
contained enough lottery tickets for half the smallish town.
“Feeling lucky?” the clerk asked, following his gaze to the lottery tickets.
Luke glanced at the sacks of groceries resting in his cart. “Actually, I need to
pick up my pictures. Name’s Duncan.”
She nodded and turned to a drawer holding the developed film. As she did, he
maneuvered his cart to the end of the counter to clear a path for the other
customers. It was clever of the store’s management to position the film and
lottery counter so close to the exit. The location made it easy for patrons who
had already paid for their groceries, to pause and purchase a bit of the
state-run fantasy.
“Did you say Duncan?” the clerk asked, sifting through the drawer.
He leaned over the counter, trying to read the names on the plump yellow
envelopes. “Yes, Luke Duncan. I brought in my film about a week ago. I had two
rolls.”
“Here’s one of them,” the clerk announced, placing the packet on the counter.
Eager to look at the photos, Luke opened the envelope, letting the pictures
spill out into his hands.
The clerk rummaged a bit more, then spun back around with the other packet in
her hand. Her flirtatious smile faded as her brows drew together. “Isn’t that
your cart?”
Distracted by the pictures he was viewing, Luke didn’t glance up. “My cart?”
“Look!” She pointed toward the exit.
Belatedly, he saw what she was talking about. “What the...?”
Luke spotted a young boy wheeling his grocery-filled cart out the door. Shock
held him still for a moment, then he hollered. “Wait!”
The boy turned for an instant. But instead of slowing down, he began to run,
pushing the loaded cart across the lot with remarkable speed.
Luke watched for a few seconds in disbelief, then fumbled with the slippery
pictures filling his hands. Dropping the photos on the counter, he barely
paused. “Keep an eye on these, will you?”
The clerk, looking equally dumbfounded, nodded.
Luke tore off toward the door, still unable to believe the boy was stealing his
groceries. That sort of thing didn’t happen in their midsize Texas town.
Greenville was big enough that you didn’t know everyone, but small enough that
you could leave a cart of groceries unattended and expect it to be safe. But
that same cart of groceries was barreling across the busy street.
Luke sprinted the length of the parking lot, but the light was red when he
reached the curb. Fast-moving cars and trucks filled the road since it was shift
change at the local machine works factory.
Luke’s feet scarcely remained on the concrete as he waited to cross the street,
determined to catch the little thief. But when the light changed and the traffic
cleared, the boy wasn’t in sight.
Cursing to himself, Luke thought he’d lost his quarry, but then he caught a
glimpse of the cart as it whipped around a corner. Luke bolted across the
street, gaining speed as he neared the spot he’d last seen the cart. But when he
turned into the alley, it was empty.
Then his eyes narrowed. One screen door in the deserted lane stirred ever so
slightly, possibly the result of being slammed shut. Luke approached cautiously.
It occurred to him that the boy might not be working alone. Perhaps it was a
ruse orchestrated by an adult who wanted bigger pickings than groceries.
His gaze alert, Luke pushed open the door. It was dark inside, but as his eyes
adjusted to the dim interior, he could see that it appeared to be an abandoned
store. Empty metal racks and cardboard boxes were scattered through the musty
space. But there were no signs of an ambush.
Still, Luke didn’t lower his guard as he stepped farther inside. Then he spotted
it—the shiny metal of a grocery cart gleaming through the dust motes. Although
it was partially pushed behind a curtain, there was no mistaking the distinctive
buggy. The kid was clever, but not clever enough. He’d picked the wrong sucker
to steal from.
Luke ripped open the curtain. “All right you...” The words died away as Luke
stared at the young robber. The terrified boy stared at him defiantly as he
shielded two younger children, a boy and a girl. As Luke fumbled for words, the
girl burst into tears.
The child who had stolen his cart pulled her closer, but she continued crying.
Luke knelt down, patting her shoulder. “It’s okay now, no need for tears. No
one’s going to hurt you.” Then he met the oldest boy’s eyes. “Why don’t you tell
me what this is all about?”
For a few moments the boy stood mute, his mouth set in a stubborn line.
Luke, however, didn’t back down.
Finally the boy wavered a fraction. “You didn’t need this stuff.”
Seeing how frightened the children were, Luke kept his tone mild. “That’s not
the issue. I want to know why you stole my groceries.”
“They gotta eat!” the boy burst out.
Luke stared at the child, a sickening pit forming in his stomach. “What do you
mean?”
“We don’t have no food,” the youngest boy explained.
The pit in Luke’s stomach hardened. “Were you planning to take the groceries
home to your parents?”
The oldest boy momentarily looked panicked, then his mouth thinned again, a
determined if futile gesture.
The younger boy wasn’t as stoic. “We don’t have no parents.”
For a moment, Luke just looked at the children. “Why don’t you tell me your
names?” he urged finally, heartsick at their plight.
“I’m Troy,” the youngest boy offered.
Luke nodded, then smoothed one hand over the girl’s matted hair. “And how about
you?”
“Hannah,” she managed to say, her tears beginning to subside.
Luke leveled his gaze on the oldest boy.
Reluctantly the child spoke. “Brian Baker.”
“And I’m Luke Duncan. Where have you been staying?”
Brian’s gaze traveled to a few ragged sacks on the floor.
Luke had to take a deep breath to hide his shock. Luckily the August nights were
warm, otherwise the kids could have become seriously ill. Straightening up, he
withdrew his cell phone. “I’ll call the police and get you some help.”
“You can’t do that, mister!” Brian hollered, before Luke could dial.
“You can’t!” Hannah echoed, then started sobbing again.
“Whoa!” Luke replied. “I just want to get you some help.”
“They’ll separate us!” Brian shouted. “We can do just fine on our own!”
Luke’s gaze encompassed the bare, dirty space. “I can see that. But if your
parents abandoned you—”
“They didn’t!” Brian shouted in reply.
“Mama died!” Troy told him. “She wouldn’t just go off and leave us!”
Even more perturbed, Luke slowly lowered the phone. “When did she die?”
“Couple weeks ago,” Brian answered sullenly. “They were coming to take us away
when we left.”
“Maybe the authorities had found relatives who could take you in. That doesn’t
mean you’d be separated.”
“They were going to put us in foster homes,” Brian replied. “Separate foster
homes. We heard ’em.”
“What about your father?” Luke asked gently.
“He died a long time ago,” Troy told him solemnly. “When I was borned.”
Luke glanced from face to face, seeing pain, terror and worse—a disheartening
lack of hope. No doubt they were hungry and tired as well. “Okay, I won’t call
the police. For now.”
Brian looked suspicious but relieved.
Luke considered his options and knew he had only one. “You’re all going home
with me.”
“We don’t want nothin’ from you,” Brian asserted. “We’ll pay you back for the
food.”
“I have a better idea. We’ll take the groceries to my house and cook some
supper. Then you can help me figure out how to work my PlayStation.”
Although Troy looked intrigued, Brian was still resistant. “We’re fine here.”
Hannah hiccuped. “I’m hungry.”
Obviously torn, Brian stared first at his younger sister, then at Luke.
Taking charge of the situation, Luke tugged the cart from behind the curtain,
turning it toward the door. After shifting the groceries, he picked up Troy and
deposited him in the cart. Then he lifted Hannah to rest on his hip. Luke kept
his tone mild as he met Brian’s gaze. “You coming with us?”
With no other choice, Brian nodded.
“Where are your things?” Luke asked.
Brian shrugged and again Luke felt his heart constrict. Not even a change of
clothes among them. “Traveling light has its advantages.”
Brian nodded, but Luke could see the boy’s throat working, either from gratitude
or shame. Casually, Luke draped one arm over Brian’s shoulders. “I’ll need your
help to get the younger ones across the street.”
Brian straightened up and nodded, obviously relieved to be assigned some
responsibility. Briefly, Luke wondered at the hand of fate that had placed these
kids in such a predicament. Then he concentrated on getting them out of the
alley.
It didn’t take long to get them into his Bronco. Luke wasn’t certain if it was
fatigue or fear that kept the children quiet once inside.
Within a few minutes, Luke drove the short distance from the grocery store, then
stopped the SUV in front of his rambling, old Victorian home. The large house
looked imposing, but he’d purchased it for a song, doing most of the renovation
and restoration work himself. It had proven perfect for both his home and his
veterinary practice, which was located in the front of the house.
“You live here?” Troy asked, obviously impressed by the proportions of the
house.
Luke unbuckled their seat belts. “Yep. It gets kind of drafty in the winter, but
otherwise it’s okay.”
“Okay...” Brian repeated in awe, staring up at the third-floor dormer windows of
the attic.
Luke wanted to chuckle at their reaction, but realized the children would think
he was laughing at them. Instead, he handed each one a sack of groceries, then
shepherded them up the walk.
Once inside, they stared upward at the impressively tall ceilings. Luke
remembered a similar feeling when he’d first stepped inside the house. Then it
was run-down, in danger of being condemned. But he had seen past the ramshackle
condition to the possibilities contained beneath layers of peeling paint, torn
wallpaper and threadbare carpet.
“Put the sacks on this table,” Luke instructed, showing them an old drop-leaf
hall table that had once belonged to his grandparents.
Although they complied, each one was trying to take in the unusual house.
“Who else lives here?” Brian asked, still gaping.
Just then several dogs started barking ferociously. All three children turned to
stare.
“That you, Luke?” Wayne Johnson called out from the clinic portion of the house.
“Yep! Come on out here.”
Curtained French doors swung open. A fortyish man stepped out, wiping his hands
on a towel. The volume of the dogs’ barking increased with the opening of the
doors. Wayne carefully looked over the trio of children. But he didn’t show more
than mild surprise. “Howdy.”
The kids responded with a variety of greetings.
“I don’t suppose you all are here to help me with the critters,” Wayne
commented.
Luke smiled, realizing his assistant had accurately assessed the situation. His
calm demeanor was helping defuse the tense atmosphere.
“Critters?” Troy asked.
“Yep. Dogs, cats, a raccoon, couple of ducks and even a snake.”
The kids’ faces reflected varying shades of fascination.
“Snakes are icky,” Hannah announced. But the boys didn’t look as though they
agreed.
Relieved to hear her speak without crying, Luke sent his assistant a look of
gratitude. “Tell you what, guys. If we can talk Wayne into giving you the grand
tour, I’ll start some supper.”
“Be my pleasure,” Wayne told them. “Course I might need a volunteer or two to
help with the ornery animals.”
Their eyes grew even rounder as they trailed Wayne into the clinic.
Not bothering with the groceries, Luke strode quickly into the kitchen. In
moments he was dialing the phone. His sister, Rachel, a social worker for the
county, answered her office phone on the first ring.
Quickly he filled her in on the situation.
“Do you want me to send someone to pick them up?” she asked, concern filling her
voice.
He paused. “Actually, Rach, I want to keep them here until you can find their
relatives. That shouldn’t take too long. I was hoping you could get me some sort
of temporary permission.”
“Why you?”
“They’ve been through so much already. They’re scared to death of being
separated. They were tired, hungry. And if you could see their faces...”
Rachel’s own compassion was felt in the sigh that reverberated over the phone
line. “Enough said. I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thanks, Rach. Oh, do I need to call the police, let them know the kids are
here?”
“No, I’ll take care of that. If they’re telling the truth, there’ll be a record
of the mother’s death.”
“Why would kids lie about a thing like that?”
“You forget, I’ve seen more kids in trouble than you have.”
“Granted. But I don’t think these kids had any trouble until their mother passed
away.”
“Maybe not.” She hesitated. “Luke, you’ve been bringing home strays, animals and
people, since preschool. Don’t get too attached. This won’t be more than a
temporary solution.”
“Yeah, I know. And that’s all I want. You’re bound to turn up some relatives
soon. But until then, someone needs to give them a break. Besides, I have a
sister in Social Services who can pull a few strings.”
“Actually, I think that’s called a conflict of interest. I can probably get you
the temporary permission, but I can also guarantee that if anything more is
involved, my supervisor will assign the case to someone else faster than the ink
can dry.”
“Do what you can, sis.”
“Don’t I always?” Rachel questioned wryly. “I’ll get back to you as soon as I
can.”
After thanking her, Luke retrieved the groceries from the front hall and started
cooking. Having been raised with seven brothers and sisters, he’d learned early
on how to cook huge meals. While he chopped and diced, Luke called his oldest
sister, Mary. Hearing about the orphans’ plight, she offered to bring pajamas
and clothes, which was what he had been hoping she’d do. Since she had five
children of her own, she had plenty of hand-me-downs.
Soon the aromas coaxed the children back from the clinic to the kitchen. Luke’s
dogs, Bentley, a golden retriever, Miles, a border collie mix, and Ginger, an
undefinable mix, followed them. His cats, Spencer and Kate, made separate
appearances.
It was clear from the children’s ravenous appetites that they’d missed many
meals. They’d barely finished eating when his sister Mary and her oldest
daughter rang the bell. Apparently, Mary had called his other sister, Ruth, who
came by shortly afterward with three of her children.
There was something about a big family that defied quiet.
In typical Duncan fashion, the house vibrated with noise as they opened boxes
filled with clothes, blankets, pillows and toys. Not much later, his brother,
Peter, arrived in his pickup truck. It was loaded with a set of bunkbeds his
children had outgrown along with a twin bed he’d collected from another brother,
Matt, who had ridden along to help unload and set up the beds.
The children looked overwhelmed by all the people and attention. Just then the
doorbell rang again. It was Rachel, his younger and favorite sister.
She shook her head as they entered the living room, gazing at the confusion.
“How’d they find out about the kids?”
“My big mouth,” he admitted. “I was just hoping for pajamas and a change of
clothes.”
Rachel didn’t restrain her chuckle. “You know what they’re like. Didn’t you tell
them this was just for a few days?”
“Yep. I don’t think anyone was listening, though.” His gaze sharpened. “I hope
you’re not here in person because you have bad news.”
She screwed her face in a noncommittal expression.
“Rachel?”
“It’s not exactly bad.”
The doorbell rang yet again.
Luke swore briefly beneath his breath. “What now? Or should I say who now?”
“Luke—” Rachel began.
“In a minute. I’ll get rid of whoever that is and be right back.”
Luke yanked open the door, but his greeting was never uttered.
Kealey Fitzpatrick stood on his front porch, looking as stiff and uncomfortable
as she had on their disastrous blind date months earlier. But what was she doing
here?
Then it struck him. He turned to stare at Rachel, who had trailed him to the
door.
“I tried to explain,” Rachel began.
“Explain?” he growled.
“I told you the case would probably be assigned to someone else.”
Someone else, yes. Kealey Fitzpatrick, no. The woman had the warmth and
personality of tumbled marble. Still, he kept his voice low as he turned back to
Rachel, so that only his sister could hear. “If this is some sort of convoluted
way of trying to fix me up with her again—”
“No, Luke. It was just the luck of the draw. I didn’t have any control over who
my supervisor chose.”
He groaned, then turned back to Kealey, reluctantly opening the door wider.
“Come in.”
She hesitated, but only for a moment. “I will need to speak to the children.”
Glancing past Luke, Kealey met Rachel’s eyes in silent acknowledgment.
“They’re in the living room.” Luke closed the door, then led her inside. He
hoped she wouldn’t snatch them away tonight, eager to put them in some cold
institution.
Kealey paused as they stepped across the threshold. It seemed noise and movement
came from every square inch of the room. Mary and Ruth didn’t skip a beat,
continuing to outfit the kids with clothes and accessories. It was something
Luke was accustomed to.
But Kealey seemed to pale at all the chaos. She turned to Luke. “Which ones are
they?”
Since Brian, Hannah and Troy were surrounded by his nieces and nephews, Luke
could understand Kealey’s confusion. “I’ll introduce you.”
He did, and the noise subsided considerably.
Before the children could grow fearful of another stranger, Kealey smiled gently
at them. “Hi, I’m Kealey.”
Three small heads bobbed up and down cautiously.
Her smile, warm and reassuring, surfaced and Luke stared at her in amazement. He
hadn’t guessed she possessed any warmth. As quickly, it occurred to him that she
might have a difficult time keeping her job if it became known that she was cold
and uncaring with kids.
Kealey knelt down beside the children. “Can you tell me how you’re feeling?”
“Okay,” Brian answered for the trio, still assessing her.
“We’re going to help Luke with giving them baths,” Mary offered with a tentative
smile. “And we’ve brought over pajamas.”
“Fine,” Kealey replied, before turning back to the children. “Then maybe we can
talk some more.”
Luke leaned close to Kealey. “Could I speak to you for a moment?” Not waiting
for a reply, he cupped her elbow, guiding her out of the room and into the entry
hall. “Look. They’ve had a helluva day. Can’t we wait till tomorrow for the
third degree?”
Something flickered in her eyes and he wondered if his words had penetrated her
icy exterior. Surely they hadn’t offended her, had they?
Then she spoke and he dismissed the notion. “Fine. I’ll be back in the morning.”
He walked her to the door, drawing it open. “I’m sure you will.”
Again that unfathomable expression flickered deep in her eyes and then was gone.
She nodded, turning away.
Closing the door, Luke turned around. To his surprise, Rachel stood in the
hallway. And everything about her stance promised trouble.
“What’s wrong with you?” she asked without preamble.
“Wrong?”
“Yes, genius. Kealey’s been assigned as caseworker to the kids. Which means she
has control over whether you can keep them on a temporary basis, or if she’ll
insist on putting them in a state home.” Her tone grew caustic. “Couldn’t you
have dipped her hands in acid, or set fire to her shoes to really show your
feelings?”
Exasperated, Luke stared at his sister. “She was on the date with me. She knows
we didn’t hit it off.”
“Well, by all means, if there was the slightest possibility that she’d
forgotten, it was certainly diplomatic of you to remind her that you can’t stand
her.”
“Rachel, that’s a bit extreme. What I can’t figure out is why you ever set me up
with a cold fish like her. More importantly, why you’d want her for a friend.”
“That’s the point, isn’t it?” she retorted. “You didn’t bother to find out.”
“Granted. But Kealey didn’t want me to get to know her. She was equally relieved
to have the date end.”
“That’s not exactly a glowing review of you, either!” Rachel reminded him.
“So it’s not.” Luke hesitated. “Do you think she’ll hold it against me?”
“You’d better hope not. For the children’s sake.”
Luke glanced back toward the living room. In a matter of hours he’d turned his
life upside down. And now the fate of three innocent children depended on
whether he could change his tone with Kealey Fitzpatrick.
He shook his head, knowing he had a better chance of getting rid of his older
sisters before they drove him crazy. And from the increasing noise level in the
other room, that, too, would be damn near impossible.
CHAPTER TWO
Kealey Fitzpatrick hitched up the strap of her shoulder bag. After rechecking
her skirt, she made certain her jacket was straight, then smoothed her hair. It
was ridiculous to be nervous, she knew. After all, this was just another case,
another group of children who would probably be inducted into the foster care
system. Then why had she been unable to sleep the previous night, caught up in
thoughts of Luke Duncan?
In fact, when their supervisor had assigned her to the case, Kealey had
immediately questioned Rachel. Although Rachel denied having anything to do with
their supervisor’s decision, Kealey was skeptical. Rachel had always been
disappointed that her matchmaking efforts between her brother and Kealey had
failed. Somehow she had thought that complete opposites should attract.
But that only happened in the movies. Despite her nerves, Kealey smiled. That
was her solitary, secret vice—beautiful, romantic movies, especially those from
the black-and-white era. Funny. Color, much like real life, intruded into the
fantasy.
Climbing the steps on Luke Duncan’s porch, Kealey adjusted her purse strap yet
again and rang the bell. After considerable time had passed, she pushed the
button again.
However, when the door was suddenly yanked open with more force than she
expected, Kealey nearly toppled backward.
Luke Duncan stared for a moment. Then to her surprise, he rearranged his
expression into a more pleasant one. “Morning, Kealey. Won’t you come in?”
Nodding, she stepped inside.
Since he still looked distracted, she managed a small smile. “Is everything all
right?”
He shrugged. “Just a little debate about clothes.”
Kealey glanced at his casual jeans and T-shirt in question.
Luke’s expression grew a bit exasperated. Then his face cleared as he managed a
faint chuckle. Stepping aside, he revealed Troy who was clad in a striped
purple-and-green shirt paired with red-and-yellow plaid pants.
But Kealey didn’t respond as he expected. Instead, her face brightened as she
walked up to the youngster. “Looking good, Troy.”
He grinned. “Thanks!”
She smiled as well. “Do you remember me from last night?”
He nodded. “Uh-huh. Are you Luke’s girlfriend?”
Taken aback, she cleared her throat. “I’m with the county Department of Social
Services. We make sure children are well cared for.”
Troy shrugged skinny shoulders. “Luke’s taking care of us okay. We don’t need
nobody else.”
Her gaze flew to meet Luke’s.
But he didn’t qualify Troy’s comment. “How about some coffee?”
“This is a professional call, not social.”
“Don’t professionals drink coffee?” Luke asked with ease, his lips curling
upward.
Kealey felt herself tighten and wished she had the ability to relax, to take
life as easily as most other people did. “Well yes, but—”
“Come on into the kitchen.” Luke took her elbow, eliminating her need for a
response. “Coffee’s fresh and strong.”
“Did you have trouble getting the children to bed?” she asked, accepting the mug
he offered, dragging her gaze from the appeal of his dark, sleep-tossed hair and
handsome features.
“Nope. They were so tired they could have slept on rocks. Not that they had to,”
he hastened to explain. “As you saw last night, my family brought over some
beds.”
Kealey thought of Rachel’s fuzzy family stories, how she’d deliberately ignored
them. “That was generous of them.”
“I asked for pajamas and got the complete setup for three. Beds, clothes, toys,
you name it, they brought it over. Of course, along with the help comes the
advice.” He pinned her with an even stare. “And I’m not really in the market for
advice.”
Kealey stiffened. “Despite what you may think, I take my job very seriously—”
“I never doubted it.”
“And as such, I’m responsible for the children’s welfare. That means their care
and how it’s administered.”
Luke met her eyes and for a moment she thought he would protest. Instead, he
shrugged. “Then you’d better check out what they’re eating for breakfast.”
Momentarily distracted, she glanced around the tidy, if masculine kitchen. While
the house didn’t resemble the sleek contemporary interiors of many bachelor
pads, it was clear its resident was all male. No fussy curtains draped the large
bay window or the long, tall glass panes over the aged copper sink.
Also evident were the clean lines of the mission table that dominated the center
of the farm-style kitchen. It, too, was unsoftened by fabric covering.
Nonetheless, the room was incredibly inviting. Perhaps it was all the bright
sunshine or the spacious dimensions. She glanced away from Luke’s searching
gaze. She supposed it might have something to do with the house’s owner.
Hearing the other two children approaching, she glanced toward the doorway.
Brian held his younger sister’s hand. Even though it was apparent he took a
protective role in regard to his younger siblings, she could see the fear
disguised beneath a cultivated layer of bravado. And she was an expert at
recognizing that particular fear.
“Hello,” she greeted them. “Do you remember me from last night?”
Brian nodded warily. “Yeah.”
“I’m here to see how you’re doing.”
Both children stared at her suspiciously. Then Luke turned away from the stove,
his attention focused on her as well.
“I’m with the Department of Social Services,” she explained.
Dead silence greeted her words. The only betraying action was the flexing of
Brian’s hand as he clutched Hannah’s more firmly.
Luke filled the gap. “We’re having scrambled eggs, guys. Everybody take a seat
and we’ll start with some milk.”
Although Brian entered the room, his distrustful gaze remained on Kealey.
Casually she glanced at the half glass Dutch door at the rear of the kitchen,
wondering if the boy was calculating an escape plan. Also wondering how she was
going to connect with this one.
“Brian, you take charge of the toast,” Luke told him. “Bread and butter’s on the
counter. I’ve made six pieces, we’ll need four more. Hannah, see if you can find
some jelly in the fridge.”
Reluctantly the children parted to obey him. Troy was distributing plates and
silverware rather unevenly on the table. As he did, Luke handed him one more
plate, then placed a platter of bacon in the center of the table, not commenting
on the unorthodox place settings. She made a mental note, knowing most adults
automatically corrected such oversights, unconsciously chipping away at the
child’s self-esteem.
Absently counting the plates, she was surprised to see five. “Are you expecting
company?”
“I wasn’t exactly expecting you,” Luke replied.
“Oh, but I’m not here to eat breakfast.”
“You’re here. It’s breakfast time. Don’t fight the inevitable.”
She curled her fingers a bit more tightly around the mug as her discomfort rose.
Then she glanced at the children who had stopped what they were doing to stare
at her.
Realizing they needed reassurance, she smiled warmly at them. “I usually only
have coffee. This will be a treat.”
Luke met her gaze briefly, then turned his attention back to the eggs, spooning
the fluffy yellow mounds into a bowl. A moment later he glanced up at Brian.
“That toast coming along okay?”
Brian carefully buttered one last piece. “Uh-huh.”
“Then let’s eat.”
Kealey watched their interaction closely. Even for a single night’s stay she had
to be certain what type of home the children were in.
It didn’t take long for the kids to assemble at the table. They ate rapidly as
though afraid that the food might disappear before they finished. With equal
speed they reached for seconds, filling their plates. Knowing their mother had
been dead for a while, it stood to reason that the children had gone hungry,
that they were afraid of doing so again. Still, Kealey couldn’t prevent her
distressed reaction.
But Luke didn’t seem perturbed by their behavior. His even, accepting manner
kept the atmosphere light. She wondered if he fully appreciated the
desperateness of their situation.
When the children were finally sated, Luke instructed them in clearing the table
and helping with the dishes. She had to admit that he was pretty good at
handling the kids.
Brian held up the freshly washed frying pan. “Where does this go?”
Luke pointed to a rack on one wall. “Anywhere you can find an empty hook.”
Kealey stacked the dried dishes in a cabinet that was too high for Hannah to
reach. Somehow, Luke had managed to include all of them in the task.
He surveyed the kitchen. “Okay, great job, guys. Now, upstairs, brush your
teeth.”
The children obeyed without protest.
Once they were alone in the room, Kealey focused again on her morning’s mission.
“When I spoke with Rachel yesterday, she mentioned your keeping the children for
a few days. However, there’s no need for you to do so. We have adequate foster
homes already in the system.”
“They’re comfortable here,” Luke responded easily. “And as of last night I have
beds, clothes, toothbrushes...everything they need. And it won’t be for long.
You should be able to locate some relatives soon.”
But she didn’t return his nonchalance. “You don’t seem to understand that we
have procedures to follow. They’re not stray puppies.”
Something in his eyes hardened. “I’m not suggesting they are. But I talked to
Rachel, too. And I’ve put in an official request to keep the children until
their relatives are located.”
Kealey felt some of her control evaporating. It wasn’t a feeling she welcomed.
“I don’t have that request in my file.”
“I filled out the paperwork last night and Rachel took it with her. She said
she’d give it to you this morning.”
“I came here before going into the office.”
He shrugged. “That explains it. I’m sure Rachel will give you the paperwork when
she sees you.”
Kealey firmed her shoulders. “I hate to be obstinate, but you seem to be
forgetting that I’m the caseworker and it’s up to me to decide where it’s best
to place the children. And I’m not convinced that’s with you. You’re a single
man. And I believe children are best served in a two-parent family.”
Luke met her eyes, his own gaze probing. “Is this because of our disastrous
date?”
Nonplussed, she stared back at him. “Of—of course not!”
“I’d hate to think that you’d take out your resentment on innocent children.”
“Resentment?” Kealey sputtered. “What makes you think I gave our date a second
thought?”
“Then why uproot the kids? They’ve lost their mother, been terrified they would
be separated. Now they’ve finally slept safely in real beds without their
stomachs growling in hunger. I may not have the perfect two-parent home, but
it’s a decent one. And I think the kids will be better off with someone they’ve
begun to trust. More important, I can guarantee they won’t be split up. Can
you?”
Kealey wanted to insist that she could do just that. But she couldn’t. “If I let
them stay, and that’s a big if, I’ll need certain assurances.” His eyes again
met hers and she fought the squiggle of unease his gaze caused.
“Sounds reasonable.”
“I want to be certain they won’t be left alone while you’re at work.”
“Since my clinic’s in the house that won’t be a problem.”
Kealey frowned. “I don’t believe you can operate on animals and chase kids at
the same time.”
He grinned, that appealing smile she hadn’t forgotten. “True. But they’ll be at
school a good part of the day, and I have a full-time assistant. Between us, we
can keep the kids in line.”
“And if you can’t?”
“If there’s a conflict, I can call in the reinforcements. You forget, I’ve got
more relatives than Campbell’s has soups.”
“Still, I will be conducting frequent inspections. Despite your opinion of me,
my only concern is the children’s welfare.”
His easy expression faded. “You’re so sure of my opinion?”
She faltered. But only for a moment. Then her professional expression was back
in place. “I’ll get back to you after I’ve read your paperwork.”
Luke nodded.
She picked up her briefcase. Starting to turn away, Kealey was surprised when he
took her arm.
“When you’re making your final decision, will you remember one thing?”
Cautiously, she nodded.
The deep blue of his eyes darkened to near black. And somewhere deep inside, she
felt an irrepressible shiver take hold.
“Just remember, Kealey, that the children want to be here.”
For a moment she couldn’t reply...and she couldn’t move. Snapping herself out of
her paralyzed state, Kealey clutched her purse closer. “Fine.” She started to
step away, but then realized he was still holding her arm. For a moment she
simply stared.
Then he dropped his hand. “Thanks, Kealey.”
Why did his voice have to sound so husky, almost intimate? Swallowing, Kealey
nodded stiffly. Then she nearly sprinted to the door. She didn’t even care at
that point if he knew she felt the need to escape.
* * *
“But why do we hafta go to school?” Hannah asked for the fourth time.
“Because that’s what kids do,” Luke explained, trying unsuccessfully to smooth
her long blond hair into braids. Mary had washed the child’s hair the first
night, carefully combing out all the tangles. Looking up, he met Hannah’s eyes
in the mirror. “You’ve had a few days to get settled, but you’re not on
vacation.”
“We didn’t get to start school ’cause Mama died,” Troy told him in a
matter-of-fact voice.
“That’s okay. You haven’t missed too much,” Luke replied.
“Can’t we stay here with you?” Hannah pleaded.
“And give up recess?” Luke asked in a reasonably horrified tone.
Hannah and Troy both giggled.
But Brian wasn’t convinced. “I wanna stay here.”
“Away from your brother and sister?” Luke questioned mildly.
Conflicted, Brian’s brows drew together. “I guess not.”
Luke managed to fasten a rubber band around Hannah’s crooked braids. “We’d
better hustle, guys, or we’ll be late.”
Luke had shifted appointments and called on an associate to handle any
emergencies so that the entire morning was clear. After collecting lunches, Luke
gave them each milk money and then they piled into his SUV. Glancing at their
freshly scrubbed faces, he could see the apprehension that new clothes and full
stomachs couldn’t abate.
And he understood how they felt. No one enjoyed being the new kid. Brian, Hannah
and Troy had attended an elementary school on the other side of town when their
mother had been alive. But they had been transported along with their mother to
the hospital close to Luke’s home when she’d fallen ill. Which was how they’d
come to be at the grocery store in his neighborhood. It was only a few blocks
from the hospital they’d run away from after their mother’s death.
Despite their reluctance, Luke was taking the kids to the elementary school
assigned in his neighborhood. Since they hadn’t yet started the new school year
at least they weren’t being yanked from familiar classes.
Luke was convinced school, even a new one, would be good for them. Not only the
benefits of learning, but also the interaction with other children their age,
the distraction the entire experience would provide.
After registering the children in the office, Luke accompanied each of them to
their classrooms. Brian, as he’d expected, stoically entered his.
Troy was a touch more timid, but he was soon drawn into the kindergarten play
area. Although the next day he would begin the afternoon session, the principal
had agreed it would be best to let him become accustomed to the new school on
the first day his brother and sister were also attending.
Hannah, however, clung to Luke’s hand, not willing to be left alone with the
other first graders. And when she looked up at him with her huge, blue eyes his
heart melted. With the teacher’s consent, he took one of the short chairs to the
small round table and sat next to Hannah. Aware that he looked ridiculous with
his long legs jutting out and his tall body scrunched into the miniature chair,
Luke winked at Hannah. A tremulous smile hovered on her lips.
The teacher began the session with practicing their printing. To Luke’s relief,
Hannah soon became absorbed in the task. It was obvious this was something she
truly enjoyed. And when the teacher announced reading time, Hannah’s eyes lit
up. As the children broke into designated circles, Luke hung back, allowing her
to blend in with the other kids.
After an hour, when Hannah hadn’t even glanced at him, Luke felt he could slip
away. But he found it was difficult to leave the school...to leave the kids.
Trying to shake off the feeling, he glanced at the cheerfully decorated halls,
remembered the friendliness of the teachers, and continued to worry.
He knew these kids needed a champion. And not to be shuffled into an already
overcrowded foster system. But could he be that temporary champion? And if he
could, would the system allow it?
Luke glanced at his watch, calculating the number of hours until he could pick
up first Brian and Hannah and then Troy. Nearing the office, he considered going
inside to make sure they would call him if any of the kids couldn’t cope this
first day. To his surprise, Kealey Fitzpatrick was exiting as he approached.
“Kealey? What are you doing here?”
She glanced up, also surprised. “Checking on another case. How about you?”
“I wanted to make sure the kids were settled in before I left. Hannah was pretty
apprehensive.”
She frowned. “Aren’t you jumping the gun by enrolling the kids in school?”
“In what way?”
“You haven’t received approval to keep the children, even on a temporary basis.”
“I thought that was pretty much a formality.”
“Based on what?”
He looked into her bluish eyes, feeling his own exasperation rising. “On our
discussion. You know they’re in the best place for the time being.” Then he
remembered his own resolve to be diplomatic. “And I thought you’d want them in
school. It’s a way to ease them back into normality.”
Slowly she nodded. “That’s true.”
He glanced at his watch. “How about getting some coffee? I’ve cleared most of my
day and other than shopping for backpacks, I’ll spend most of it waiting to pick
up the kids.”
She hesitated.
“No pressure, Kealey. But if we’re going to be working together in the kids’
interest, it wouldn’t hurt to keep it friendly.”
“I do have a few open hours. Rachel felt so guilty about asking for preferential
treatment on your behalf that she’s volunteered to take two of my other cases.”
“Good. If we hurry, Carmach’s might have some fresh doughnuts left.”
Unexpectedly, she smiled. “Caffeine and empty calories?”
“Breakfast of champions,” he retorted with a matching smile.
They agreed to walk the two blocks to the doughnut shop. It was a perfect summer
day, one that mixed the warmth of the season with the sweet promise of
approaching autumn. A light breeze skipped through some newly fallen leaves,
shuffling them with the dripping shoots of late-budding trees.
“I love the fall,” Kealey offered. “Even raking leaves. Silly, I suppose.”
“Nothing matches the smell of burning leaves,” Luke mused. “Too bad we’re
environmentally correct and have to bag them now.” He was surprised to see an
unexpected vulnerability change her expression. But in the next instant it
vanished and he wondered if he’d imagined the transformation.
“I haven’t thought about burning leaves in years,” Kealey murmured. “It does
seem more memorable than stuffing them in garbage sacks.”
“Funny, the world spins faster in so many ways. But the seasons still change in
their own time, unrushed by frenetic human activity.”
Again she looked pensive. “I suppose they do. I hadn’t thought about it that
way.”
“We get so caught up in our schedules, there’s not a lot of time to think beyond
the moment.”
“What about you, Luke?” she questioned. “How do you manage to stay apart from
the craziness?”
Surprised, he glanced at her. “I don’t always. But my occupation helps. It’s
difficult not to stay in the moment when you’re dealing with sick or hurt
animals. They have a way of bringing you back to the basics, to what matters.”
She averted her face, staring ahead so as not to meet his gaze. “And what
matters to you?”
Luke tried not to let his continuing surprise show. He also wanted to be honest
with her. “Probably about the same as everyone else. Family, friends... doing a
job that makes a difference.”
Kealey didn’t reply, but her expression dimmed.
“How about you?” he asked, wondering why she continued to look so pensive.
She shrugged. “Like you said, it’s probably the same for most everybody.”
Somehow, he doubted that, but they’d reached Carmach’s. Opening the door for
Kealey, he followed her inside, inhaling the aroma of freshly cooked doughnuts.
“I hear those empty calories calling.”
“You don’t look as though you indulge very often,” she retorted.
Nor did she. But then he didn’t think of Kealey and indulgences in the same
vein. She seemed too stiff and reserved to allow herself to revel in junk food.
So he was surprised when she ordered two gooey doughnuts for herself. He’d
expected her to stick to black coffee.
She glanced at him. “You did say you wanted to eat here, didn’t you?”
Luke smiled. “Absolutely.”
Kealey reached for her wallet.
He held up one hand in protest. “My treat.”
“But—”
“I remember, you pay your own way,” he replied, referring to their only date.
“But this was my idea. Humor me.”
Looking flustered, she replaced her wallet, then accepted a mug of steaming
coffee. Luke carried a tray with their doughnuts and his coffee to the table.
Once settled, Kealey dug into her selection.
When she finally looked up, Luke grinned.
Self-consciously, she dabbed at the corners of her mouth. “Am I wearing most of
the filling?”
“Nope. Most women pick a meal to death like food’s the enemy. You’re a
refreshing change.”
“I suspect that’s a backhanded compliment at best,” Kealey retorted. “But then
I’m not like most women.”
“No,” he admitted, realizing it was true. “You aren’t.”
Her eyes narrowed. “I also suspect I’d rather not know exactly what you mean by
that.”
“Maybe you’d be surprised.”
She stopped midbite, removing the doughnut and staring at him. “Does the
analysis come with the doughnuts?”
He shrugged. “I think you have some preconceived notions about me. And I’m not
sure whether they’re specific to me, or just to men in general. Either way, I
don’t want them to get in the way when dealing with the kids.”
Something flashed in her eyes, something reminiscent of hurt, but surely he was
mistaken.
“I don’t allow my personal feelings to sway my judgment in regard to the
children,” she told him quietly.
He leaned forward, seeming to unsettle her with his proximity. “They’re great
kids, Kealey. Scared, orphaned and uncertain, for sure. But I’d like to do
something about that—I mean until some family member is found.”
She met his gaze, searching. After several seconds had passed, she picked up her
napkin, dabbing at the frosting on her lips. “Then I suppose you’d better buy
those backpacks.”
For a moment Luke simply stared, wondering if he’d heard correctly. “Does this
mean I have temporary custody?”
She sighed. “For a smart man, you’re being a little thick today.”
He felt the grin that split his face. Leaning even closer, he reached forward,
grasping her shoulders. “I could kiss you!”
Startled, her eyes widened.
Releasing his grasp, he leaned back. “Sorry. Guess my enthusiasm got the best of
me.”
Kealey nodded, but her formal, professional demeanor was firmly back in place.
“That’s all right. But you need to understand that this situation is strictly
temporary. Either the children’s relatives will be located within a short time
or they will be placed in a two-parent home. And that’s something I won’t budge
on.”
Meeting her gaze, he realized just how set she was on those conditions. Which
meant he had two options. Resign himself to the inevitable, or win Kealey over.
He picked up his coffee mug, meeting her gaze with a noncommittal one of his
own. Resignation wasn’t part of his makeup. Now, he just had to learn what made
Kealey tick. And that talent was one he possessed.
CHAPTER THREE
Kealey wasn’t certain how Luke had talked her into going shopping with him. Yet
they were standing in front of the display of backpacks, discussing their
merits.
“This looks like a good standard style,” Luke mused, pointing to one. “And it’s
roomy enough for Brian who’ll probably have more to carry.”
He picked up a navy-colored one. “This comes in both large and small versions.
That way no one can disagree over the style. I could get them in different
colors so they won’t get mixed up.”
“Hmm,” she responded, her eyes on a girlish, pink model.
“Don’t you agree?”
Kealey held up the one she’d been eyeing. “Well, actually, I think Hannah might
prefer something like this. It’s probably closer to the kind the girls carry.”
He studied it “Do you think she’ll really care?”
Kealey’s throat tightened, remembering how desperately she had wanted to fit in
with the other girls when she’d been growing up, how impossible that had been.
Her clothes and accessories had screamed outsider as clearly as a label would
have.
Luke reached for the pink backpack, then met her gaze. “If you think she’d like
this one, we’ll get it. Now, what about Troy?”
Amazed that he’d so willingly accepted her advice, she felt an unexpected
warming, a rush of appreciation for a man so tuned in to children.
Together they located a backpack emblazoned with a cartoon-character for the
youngest child.
Luke held up the two smaller backpacks. “I have to admit you’re right. The kids
will like these much better than the plain variety.” Then he glanced at the
sturdy, but unimaginative one he’d selected for the oldest child. “Now, we have
to find another for Brian as well.”
She smiled. “Since you were able to deal with the pink, girly model, I don’t
think you’ll have too much trouble with one for Brian.”
He winced. “I guess I thought that since I have such a big family this stuff
would come naturally. But I see the benefits of the female influence.”
She kept her smile benign. “Luckily, you have lots of sisters.”
He rolled his eyes. “With too many instructions.”
“Even Rachel?”
“She’s not so bad,” he admitted. “Since we’re younger, we both got the brunt of
our older sisters’ bossiness so we kind of stuck together.”
Kealey managed a smile, envying his easy sense of family, the solid reassurance
that never failed. A few bossy siblings sounded like a blessing. But Luke
wouldn’t understand that. “So you and Rachel are allies?”
Smiling, he nodded. “Absolutely. How about you? Do you have a special brother or
sister?”
Kealey shook her head at the question, having learned long ago how to reply to
such questions without revealing her feelings. At the same time, she knew the
conversation was becoming too personal and she needed to put immediate distance
between them. And she was fairly certain Luke would be difficult to dissuade.
“That’s my pager.”
Distracted, he glanced at her purse. “I didn’t hear anything.”
“It vibrates,” she fibbed. “Looks like you’re finished here and I’ve got to get
back to work.”
“But—”
“You’ve made some great choices. I’ll be in touch within a short time.”
“Kealey, you don’t have to—”
“Bye,” she called back, escaping. Glancing back briefly, she saw him standing
there staring, his arms filled with backpacks.
It was her own fault, she realized. She shouldn’t have gotten into such a
revealing conversation with him. Of course it would lead to questions. And he
wouldn’t understand the answers. Worse, despite years of counseling that had
supposedly taught her how to deal with her past, she couldn’t bear to share it.
* * *
The fire roared, not a timid pile of skinny sticks, but huge, dry logs that
crackled and warmed. It was one of the advantages of Luke’s old Victorian house.
The fireplaces were enormous—immense grand spaces intended to heat the home. Not
that it got terribly cold in their part of Texas, but the Victorians hadn’t done
anything by halves.
“We built a good fire, huh, Luke?” Brian asked.
“Yep.” He grinned, thinking he would be up late making sure it was out. But the
kids had loved building the fire and he hated to spoil their fun.
“We never had a fireplace,” Troy told him.
“Lots of people don’t,” Luke replied. “This house is so old, it was built before
central heating.”
“I like your house,” Hannah said softly. “It’s like dress up and make-believe.”
Oh, this child was a charmer, Luke realized. They all were.
The doorbell rang, breaking their quiet circle.
Opening the door, he was surprised to find Kealey. It was the first time he’d
seen her since she had vanished so abruptly in the store. “Hello.”
“Luke,” she replied, gripping her purse tightly.
He opened the door wider. “Come on in.”
Leading the way into the living room, he glanced back, noting the apprehension
on her face. Grimly he wondered if she had bad news.
But when she entered the room, her face softened. “What a magnificent fire.”
“One of the advantages of an old, drafty house.”
Luke’s dogs greeted her with wet noses and wagging tails. Some of her stiffness
evaporated as she petted them, returning their affectionate greetings.
The children spotted Kealey just then, however. While Troy and Hannah remained
relaxed, Brian’s smile fled, replaced by wariness.
She glanced at Luke, then back at the children. “Hi! I’m here to see how you’re
getting along at the new school.”
“It’s okay,” Brian replied, not surrendering any of his trepidation.
“I like it,” Hannah announced. “I got new crayons to put in my backpack.”
Luke took Kealey’s elbow. “Let’s sit down.”
Since the children were grouped into a semicircle in front of the fire, he and
Kealey sat on the couch angled close to them. His cats were splayed out across
the top of the cushioned back, regally surveying the visitor.
“So, tell me about your classes and your teachers,” Kealey began.
With a long-suffering expression, Brian answered for them all. “It’s sort of
like our old school. But the stuff we’re learning in my class seems kind of
different.”
“Has it been difficult for you to catch on?” Kealey asked.
“Nah. Luke’s been helping me.”
Kealey’s gaze flickered toward Luke before veering back to Brian. “How about
your teacher? Do you like her?”
“Yeah.”
“What about the other kids in the class?” Kealey prodded.
“They’re okay, too.”
Since it was evident he was going to remain taciturn, Kealey turned to Troy. He
was much more forthcoming, chattering about the toys and crafts in kindergarten.
As the youngest, he seemed remarkably well-adjusted, obviously trusting his
older siblings.
Finally she turned to Hannah. “And how’s the first grade?”
Hannah bit her lip, her already large eyes seeming huge. “I was scared at
first.”
Kealey leaned forward. “How about now?”
“Not so much anymore. Luke went to school with me three times.”
Kealey glanced at him in surprise.
He shrugged, looking a bit sheepish. “They kicked me out because I was too big
for the chairs.”
Hannah and Troy giggled madly. Even Brian snickered.
Kealey turned back to Hannah. “So now it’s okay?”
The little girl bobbed her head up and down. “Uh-huh. They liked Luke and my
backpack.”
Surprise took over Kealey for a moment. “They did?”
“Mine’s prettiest. I love pink.”
Kealey was immensely grateful that she’d insisted on the girlish backpack. It
was a little thing to be sure, but she remembered how much the little things had
mattered. “I’m glad, Hannah.”
Hannah blinked her cornflower-blue eyes. “Luke says you picked it out.”
Again surprise flitted through her. Most men would have taken credit for the
act. “But it was his idea to buy the backpacks.”
Hannah leaned forward, whispering. “He’s nice.”
Kealey couldn’t resist an answering smile. But she couldn’t yet agree with the
child. So much was at stake here. Luke might very well be nice, but he wasn’t
part of a two-parent family.
“We’re going to make popcorn,” Troy announced.
“You can have some,” Hannah offered. Then she scrunched up her small face,
turning to Luke. “Can’t she?”
Luke met Kealey’s eyes, his own inscrutable. “Sure. We have enough popcorn for
the whole neighborhood.”
“But the neighborhood’s not coming over,” Hannah protested.
“You’re absolutely right, punkin,” Luke told her. Then he reached over, picking
up Hannah and raising her high in the air. “But who knows how much you’re going
to eat?”
Hannah’s giggles spilled into the room. Troy, along with a more reluctant Brian,
joined in as they paraded to the kitchen, followed by the dogs.
Luke was like the Pied Piper, Kealey realized, trailing more slowly. And the
longer the children stayed with him, the more difficult the break would be.
Troy and Hannah collected several bowls, all mismatched, yet somehow perfect for
popcorn.
“I’ll grab the popper,” Luke was saying. “Kealey, do you want to help Brian melt
the butter?”
She blinked, realizing again that Luke had a way of including everyone. “Sure.”
And within a few moments they located a pan and the butter.
“You turn the heat real low,” Brian told her seriously.
“That’s right. How’d you know?”
He shrugged, a forlorn gesture. “I used to help my mom when she cooked stuff.”
Kealey felt his loneliness as deeply as she had once felt her own. As the
oldest, Brian’s loss was keener, more difficult—because he hadn’t allowed
himself to be a child, to simply grieve. Instead he continued watching over his
siblings, taking on the responsibility of being head of the family. She made a
mental note to discuss his case with her supervisor, to see if a therapist might
be in order.
Soon, kernels of corn began bursting into white clouds in the popper, each mini
explosion scenting the air. And Luke brewed hot cocoa as well.
However, Kealey was surprised when he headed back toward the living room with
the refreshments. “Isn’t this kind of messy?” she asked, knowing little ones
tended to scatter and spill.
“My entire house is for living,” he replied with a shrug. “Spills and messes
included.”
Within a few minutes, the kids were sprawled out on the thick rug that anchored
the wide-planked wooden floor. They dug into the overflowing bowls of popcorn
and sipped cocoa from steaming stoneware mugs.
Kealey perched stiffly on the couch, watching.
Luke placed a mug in her hands, then dropped down on the floor beside her,
managing to share the rug with the children, yet not making Kealey feel isolated
from the cozy group.
However, his proximity made her very aware of his tall, strong frame, the slant
of his handsome profile. Kealey had been highly aware of his rugged good looks
when they’d first met. Despite that, she was uncomfortable with someone so open,
so...
So much what she wanted to be but wasn’t.
Kealey had known from the moment Rachel had insisted on setting up the meeting
that it wouldn’t work. But Rachel was one of her rare friends and it had been
impossible to refuse.
Luke turned just then, scattering her thoughts. “How’s the cocoa?”
Realizing she hadn’t yet tasted it, she sipped some, surprised at the rich
taste. “It’s better than I expected,” she admitted.
“It was one of my grandmother’s specials—all of us learned how to make it. And
homemade has its advantages.”
Looking down into his warm, unshifting eyes she had to agree. “I’m sure it
does.”
Hannah rose to her knees, balancing one of the bowls of popcorn. “Do you want
some?” Her small fingers, slippery with butter, were having trouble hanging on
to the large bowl.
As Kealey could have predicted, the bowl slid from Hannah’s hands, tumbling on
to the rug, scattering popcorn in every direction.
“Uh-oh!” Hannah exclaimed, her eyes widening. She looked at Luke as though
expecting a rebuke.
But his calm demeanor didn’t change. “Won’t take a minute to clean up. I’ll
help.” And he did, his big hands scooping up the popcorn far more rapidly than
Hannah’s tiny hands could do on their own.
Kealey wondered if his unflappable reaction was for her benefit. It wouldn’t be
the first time she’d seen a prospective foster parent fake a performance.
Luke rose when all the spilled popcorn had been picked up. “Come on, Hannah.
We’d better wash those hands and get a fresh bowl. This time we won’t fill it
quite so full.”
She scampered behind him toward the kitchen.
When Luke and Hannah disappeared from her line of vision, Kealey turned,
noticing that the two boys were staring at her.
She smiled, directing her words to both boys. “Do you like staying here with
Luke?”
Brian immediately looked wary. “It’s okay.”
Realizing they wouldn’t respond to the usual questions, she changed tactics.
“Did you have any pets at home?”
Surprised, Brian stared for a moment. “We had a hamster, but he died. We were
gonna get a dog when we moved to a house.”
“You can’t have dogs in an apartment,” Troy explained.
“I know. They need yards,” Kealey replied. “That’s why I don’t have a dog.”
Brian drew his brows together. “Really?”
“That, and I live alone and work long hours. That wouldn’t be fair to a dog.”
“That’s what Mama said,” Troy told her.
Kealey’s heart ached for these children who had so clearly loved their mother.
“Then she must have been a very wise woman.”
“She was the best,” Brian replied fiercely.
“I’m sure she was,” Kealey said, knowing it probably was true. Also knowing how
vulnerable the children were without a mother’s protection.
“We like Luke’s dogs,” Troy told her, dividing his attention between her and the
golden retriever. “Bentley got left without a home just like us.”
“He did?”
“Somebody dumped him out in a field when he was little,” Brian explained. “And
he was real sick ’cause he hadn’t had nothing to eat.”
Just like these children, Kealey realized with a pang.
“But he’s all better now,” Troy told her. “Except for one leg that got broke
when he got hit by a car.”
“Luke did surgery on him,” Brian offered. “He’s okay except he can’t run a long
ways.”
“Bentley probably likes being close to home anyway,” Kealey responded, touched
by their story—and even more by the image of a strong Luke rescuing a forgotten
puppy.
“That’s how Luke got Spencer and Kate, too,” Troy told her, referring to the
cats. “They didn’t have a home neither.”
“And Miles and Ginger,” Brian added.
So many orphans under one roof, Kealey realized. All except Luke himself. Which
was why she had run so fast the first time they’d met.
“Fresh bowl of popcorn,” Luke announced as he returned to the room, with Hannah
close behind him. “Did I miss anything?”
Kealey shook her head, unwilling to talk about what she and the children had
just shared. Luke’s kindness had affected her too much and she didn’t want him
to know it. Meeting Luke’s far too beguiling gaze, she realized she couldn’t
make that mistake again.
* * *
Luke swung around the rink, gaining speed on his in-line skates as he neared the
turn. Brian, Troy and Hannah had eagerly jumped on his idea to go skating. It
was something they’d done before losing their mother. And Luke wanted to inject
as much normality as possible into their lives.
And he had to admit that he loved skating as well. He often took to the streets
on his skates, enjoying the workout, the speed and the exhilaration. But he
thought the controlled environment at the rink was safer for the children. No
rough spots to cross or potholes to avoid.
Since it was Saturday afternoon, the rink was crowded. Luckily his last
appointment had been just after noon. Wayne was still at the clinic, closing up.
His assistant had volunteered, knowing the kids needed the excursion. A single
man, Wayne was devoted to the animals in his care. He also had a huge soft spot
for children.
Keeping an eye on Brian, Hannah and Troy, Luke allowed them some distance to
interact with the other kids. It was important for them to make friends, to be
drawn into a world other than that of adults. They’d had too many serious
responsibilities lately. It was time for some fun.
Luke glanced up, surprised to see Kealey hovering near the rails. He wondered if
their fun was about to end. It wasn’t that she was a bad person, she was just so
uptight. If he hadn’t been accustomed to being badgered into a multitude of
blind dates by Rachel, Luke would not have willingly met Kealey since she was so
different from the relaxed, open women he usually dated.
Knowing it couldn’t be avoided, he skated toward Kealey, coming to a tight stop
directly in front of her.
Appearing startled, she stepped back.
“Looking for us?” Luke asked, noticing that the slight flush in her cheeks was
rather attractive.
She cleared her throat. “Yes. Your assistant told me where to find you.”
Rather than replying, he watched her, noting that doing so made her even more
uncomfortable.
“Wh-which made it easy to find you,” she stammered.
He took pity on her. “So, what are you doing working on a fine Saturday
afternoon?”
She firmed her shoulders. “Mine isn’t a nine to five, Monday through Friday
job.”
“I know,” he replied mildly. “From Rachel.”
She flushed at the reminder and again he wondered what wound her up so tightly.
“I need to make my week’s evaluation.”
“Got any more cases after ours?”
Kealey drew her brows together, looking confused. “No. Why?”
“No reason you can’t evaluate and have fun at the same time,” he replied. “Let’s
get you some skates.”
“No, really—” she began, obviously flustered.
“Won’t kill you,” he replied. “Not just once. And the kids will love it.”
Obviously torn, she glanced toward the center of the rink where Brian, Hannah
and Troy were skating along with all the other kids. “They do look like they’re
enjoying it.”
“That’s what Saturdays are for.”
For a moment Kealey looked taken aback as though such a thought would never have
occurred to her. Then a small smile formed on her full lips. “I suppose they
are.”
Luke continued watching her, wondering why he’d never noticed how appealing her
mouth was.
“I won’t intrude on your day,” she continued. “Enjoy your skating. I can do the
evaluation on Monday.” With the words she started to turn away.
Uncertain why, Luke reached out to grasp her arm. “Stay.”
It was only one word. One very small word. But it echoed between them.
Kealey glanced down at his hand and it made him exceedingly aware of the flesh
he touched, the soft warmth of her.
She looked up, her eyes silky green. They were filled with uncertainty,
something he’d never seen in her before. “I don’t know how to skate.”
The admission did something peculiar to his insides. Who was this
superprofessional, rigid woman who had never learned to skate? Who seemed
embarrassed by the confession.
Disturbed by his concern, Luke reached for her briefcase. “Let’s put this in a
locker.”
“But—”
“I can teach you to skate.”
“Really, you don’t need—”
“I don’t need to, Kealey. I want to.”
Again flustered, she allowed him to lead the way first to the lockers and then
to rent some skates.
“Let’s sit down over here.” Luke gestured to a bench.
But as they reached it, several kids flopped down, taking most of the space.
“You sit,” Luke told Kealey. “I’ll help adjust your skates.”
Looking self-conscious, she slipped off slim calfskin shoes, revealing
well-manicured feet.
He couldn’t stop a small smile when he saw the bright-red nail polish decorating
her toes. She quickly pulled on the socks they’d purchased. Still
self-conscious, she pushed one foot into the skates.
Luke reached for the bulky straps, smoothing them in place. He repeated the
process with the other foot, but he found his hands lingering on her calf.
Glancing up, he met her gaze, saw the trepidation in her expression. But it was
mixed with something else, something he couldn’t define. Her eyes had darkened,
the green gliding into gray. And her mouth was slightly pursed as though in
question or perhaps an interest neither of them was yet willing to acknowledge.
Slowly his hands dropped away.
Kealey seemed to hold her breath as she leaned forward slightly.
Unwilling to relinquish her gaze, he stood slowly, reaching again for her hand
to help her up, as well. For an elongated moment they stood together not moving,
scarcely breathing.
Then one of the kids on the bench jumped up, jostling them, and sent Kealey’s
untrained feet flying. Luke drew her close, steadying her.
Her face was just below his and he could see the light sprinkling of freckles on
her nose, the moisture on her lips, the sooty brush of her lashes.
Kealey’s mouth opened and he angled his head a bit, wanting suddenly to know the
taste of her.
Then she pulled away slightly, her feet again sliding awkwardly, her laughter
strained. “I can’t seem to stay upright.”
In an instant he pictured her lounging against him, and with a silent curse, he
moved back as well. “It’s just a matter of balance.”
“Oh,” she replied in a small, very small voice.
He cleared his throat. “Let’s get off this cement and onto the rink.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think I’m ready for that yet.”
Despite the effect her proximity had on him, he found himself laughing. “You
won’t learn by standing here. And you’ll find it’s harder to stand still than to
actually skate.”
Kealey was clearly doubtful. “That’s hard to believe.” She moved her feet a bit
and started to topple.
Although she grabbed for the railing, Luke was there first, catching her. “And
if you do fall, it hurts less on the wood than on cement.”
“I suppose so,” she replied, still looking skeptical.
He pointed at Hannah and Troy, who skated alongside Brian, all looking like mini
professionals. “Don’t tell me you can’t keep up with kindergartners and first
graders.”
“Without wheels I can do just fine,” she retorted, her feet slipping as he
coaxed her nearer to the wooden floor.
“Just hang on to me. I don’t think you can pull me down.”
For a moment her face took on a satisfied bit of glee. “Don’t count out the
possibility.”
“Why, Miss Fitzpatrick, I believe you’re losing your professional demeanor.”
“Think so?” she muttered, her gaze glued to her wildly skittering feet.
He laughed.
For a moment she glared at him. Then humor forced her lips upward, lifting her
face into lines of laughter. In the next moment, she was veering to one side,
nearly toppling again.
Still laughing, Luke caught her, and again they were face-to-face only inches
apart.
Some of the laughter lingered in her eyes, he noted, while inventorying the
effect of her nearness. But as he continued to hold her, it faded, replaced by a
growing wariness.
“Luke!” Troy called, skidding to a near stop.
Luke glanced fondly at the youngest Baker child. “Having fun?”
Troy bobbed his head up and down, staring at Kealey. “Don’t you know how to
skate?”
She colored a bit, then met his gaze. “I’m afraid not.”
“Don’t be ’fraid,” he told her nonchalantly. “I didn’t used to know how to skate
neither. But Brian showed me how.” His eyes lit up. “And I could show you.”
Luke met Kealey’s hesitant eyes. “Troy and I could both help you.”
“Sure,” Troy readily agreed.
The youngster put out his hand, and Luke saw the change in her expression.
Before he could speculate about it, she clasped Troy’s hand.
Luke took her other hand, feeling her fingers stiffen within his. He leaned
close, whispering so only she could hear. “You’d better let me hang on to you. I
don’t think Troy can keep you from crashing.”
After a moment, she nodded in acknowledgment, the movement rigid and controlled.
He wanted to tell her to relax, that he was no more a threat than Troy. But the
thought dwindled, replaced by a realization of another sort. Perhaps she should
be wary.
Shocked by the perception, he didn’t see the skaters slowing down in front of
him. Even as he, Kealey and Troy crashed into the line of skaters, Luke couldn’t
shake that last thought. And the fact that he couldn’t was more frightening than
flying bodies and upended skates.
CHAPTER FOUR
As the oldest child, Brian had always taken his responsibilities seriously. So
when Luke had assigned the children chores, Brian was relieved. He needed to
know he had a place in Luke’s house and that he was contributing. His younger
siblings didn’t have quite the same need or understanding. However, there was no
whining or complaining among them.
But it was Brian who shone under Luke’s tutelage. Soon, he had learned his way
around Luke’s surgery and boarding areas. He had a genuine interest in the
animals and they sensed it. However, Bentley was the one who adopted Brian, who
decided they were a pair. The big retriever was always at his feet, shadowing
the boy with uncommon devotion. And something in Brian seemed to loosen because
of it.
Luke watched as the boy precisely filled water and food dishes, carefully
reading the tags on each cage. It was still early in the morning, so early that
they hadn’t yet eaten breakfast, so early that the school bus wouldn’t be by for
more than an hour.
Luke would have been happy if the boy only helped out for half an hour or so. It
was what he’d expected initially. But Brian didn’t seem to mind, eagerly taking
on more and more responsibility.
And after the first morning, Luke hadn’t had to wake the boy. Brian was up at
dawn, running down the stairs to the clinic. Ignoring the lure of early-morning
cartoons, he walked among the cages of the ill pets and through the kennels of
those that were boarded.
And he patiently taught his younger siblings to help as well. In the afternoons,
the three of them swept and hosed down the floors. They had even figured out how
to work together to load the bags of food on to wheelbarrows, hauling them
inside. It was heartening for Luke to see that they truly cared for the animals.
Hannah, the little mother, babied the kittens and puppies, and Troy mimicked
Brian’s actions, believing his older brother to be nearly perfect.
Seeing that Brian was at the last row of cages, Luke stepped forward. “How’s the
schnauzer?”
“Better,” Brian replied seriously. “He ate more of his food.”
“Water?”
“More than yesterday.”
“He’s a scrappy pup,” Luke replied. “He’ll make it.”
Relief blossomed on young Brian’s face, but he wasn’t yet comfortable with
expressing his feelings. “Good.” Despite the brevity of his words, he reached to
scratch Bentley’s ears in a heartfelt motion. The retriever looked adoringly at
the boy.
“It’s easy to get attached to the animals,” Luke told him casually. “I’m not
supposed to since I’m the doctor, but it’s there anyway.”
Brian studied him. “What if they die?”
“I know I can’t save them all, even though I try my best. A doctor’s supposed to
remain detached but I became a vet because I love animals, so it saddens me to
lose one.”
“But most of ’em get better, don’t they?”
Luke smiled at the touch of optimism Brian was regaining. “For the most part.
Now, you’d better eat your breakfast.”
A half shrug of skinny shoulders told Luke that Brian hadn’t planned to take the
time to eat.
Luke clapped a hand on those same shoulders, ignoring their stiffening. “Nothing
special this morning—just oatmeal. Let’s get washed up, then round up your
brother and sister.”
Brian, however, was frowning. “I didn’t finish cleaning up the back.”
“There were more dogs and cats to feed this morning, which took you longer.
Wayne and I can clean up the kennels.”
Brian’s shoulders stiffened even further. “I want to earn my keep.”
Luke stopped, turning Brian so that he could face him. “I’m glad you have such a
strong sense of responsibility, and I really appreciate all the help you’ve
given me. And I think it’s a good idea for kids to have chores—I had plenty
growing up.” Luke made sure that Brian met his eyes. “But chores or no chores,
you have a place with me here. That’s not going to change if a few kennels don’t
get cleaned on time. You understand?”
Longing filled Brian’s eyes and he had to bite down on his lip to keep it from
trembling. Still a trace of fear lingered. “I don’t want to let you down.”
Luke grasped Brian’s shoulder, giving him a reassuring squeeze. “That’s not
going to happen.”
Together, they headed back to the kitchen. Brian spent more time with Bentley
than usual and Luke suspected the boy was experiencing a slew of unsettled
emotions. Still, it was soon time to get the kids off to school.
Hannah couldn’t find one of her shoes, and Troy insisted that he bring one of
the hamsters for show-and-tell. The hamster, however, had different ideas as
soon as Troy opened the cage door. And fifteen minutes later, they had just
located both the shoe and the pet. Even so, they weren’t in time for the bus.
Leaving Wayne in charge of the clinic, Luke bundled the kids into his Bronco. It
didn’t take long to reach the elementary school. As Luke turned into the
driveway he noticed a banner hanging across the doorway: Soccer Tryouts, Grades
3-6, 4:00 p.m.
“What about that, Brian?” Luke asked, pointing to the sign.
Brian shrugged. “They try out when I’m doing my chores.”
Luke tapped the ballcap Brian was wearing, one Luke had purchased when Brian had
eyed it yearningly. “There’s no set time for chores.”
“But—”
“Let me worry about the grown-up stuff, okay, Brian? I’ll be here at four.”
Delight tempered with caution lit Brian’s expression. “If you’re sure...”
“Get going. And don’t forget—four o’clock.”
“I won’t!” he hollered with a grin, nearly dancing up the sidewalk to the front
door.
And that grin kept Luke smiling all day.
* * *
Kealey searched the field, easily locating the stands that were filled with
parents. Junior soccer in Greenville was the equivalent of pro sports in big
cities.
A tiny shack, barely larger than a telephone booth, sold cans of soda and cold
treats that were stored in Igloo coolers. Kids stood in line, polishing nickels,
dimes and quarters as they waited their turn. Parents chatted easily among
themselves as they tolerantly watched their children run across the grassy field
in the still-warm weather.
Everyone was relaxed. Except Kealey. Watching the ease of the others, she wished
desperately she could be like them. But every bad memory she held manifested
itself in tightly wound nerves. Once she had been able to relax. But that was
before she’d known what was in store...the dangers that lurked everywhere once
your guard was down.
A few boys skipped past her, their shouts of laughter buffeting in the gentle
breeze. Every child deserved that carefree abandon—which was why Kealey had
chosen her profession. If she could, she would protect every unloved and
unwanted child in the world. At the least, she was fiercely determined to watch
over those whose cases she’d been assigned.
Which had brought her out to the soccer field today. Scanning the crowd, she
spotted Luke. Hannah and Troy were on either side of him.
Kealey made her way toward them. “Hi.”
Luke looked up, his expression questioning.
“Wayne told me you were here,” she explained.
“Sit down,” Luke offered.
“Next to me,” Hannah requested with a shy smile.
Pleased, Kealey sat on the weather-beaten bleacher. “Where’s Brian?”
Hannah pointed toward the field with pride. “He’s on the team!”
“That’s great,” Kealey replied, meeting Luke’s gaze over the child’s head.
“Seems if you sign up, you’re automatically on the team,” Luke told her.
“I see.” She glanced down at Hannah and Troy. “Would you mind if they had a
treat?”
“Nope. What’s a game without refreshments?”
Kealey dug into her purse, unearthing quarters for them both.
“I can do that,” Luke protested.
“It’s my pleasure.”
“Thanks!” both kids sang out, already jumping up, then running toward the
refreshment shack.
“Trying to get me alone?” Luke asked wryly.
But she wasn’t smiling. “It’s going to make it more difficult when the kids have
to leave if they become too deeply involved.”
“It’s junior soccer, not adoption.”
“Still...”
“Kealey, kids need to feel a part of things, even if it’s not permanent.”
A flash of remembered pain struck her with unexpected force. “Of course, but—”
“Don’t make more of it than is necessary. It hasn’t been that long since these
kids saw their mother die, fled the authorities and lived in a deserted alley.
They need some normality. And that means school and soccer and ice cream cones.”
Kealey swallowed, remembering how she’d once desperately yearned for just that.
Luke met her strained gaze, his own questioning.
Abruptly, she moved to stand.
“Wait. Don’t you want to see Brian’s game?”
Her throat worked. It would be wonderful to pretend even for an hour that she
was part of a normal family, one that participated in soccer games, barbecues
and picnics. But she couldn’t allow herself that delusion. “I have a lot of
paperwork to do.”
“You don’t want to disappoint Brian, do you?”
“Of course not, but—”
“Then stay. Nobody’s ever reached the end of their life wishing they’d spent
more time doing paperwork.”
An unexpected smile tugged at her lips. “I don’t suppose they have.” She glanced
toward the field. Brian spotted her just then and she waved. He hesitated but
finally his arm came up in an uncertain wave.
And in that moment she knew she had to stay. More than that, she wanted to.
To her relief, Luke didn’t make a big deal out of her decision. Instead, he
glanced over at Hannah and Troy, still standing in line. “How about a Coke?”
“Excuse me?”
“Something to drink.” He glanced at her quizzically. “How long have you been in
Texas? Down here every kind of soda is called a Coke.”
“Oh, right.” She had moved around so much in her life that she had no particular
culture to call her own. And her social interaction since she’d moved to
Greenville had been nearly absent. Only his sister, Rachel, had become a friend.
And that was just because Rachel had pushed and pushed until Kealey had given up
in defeat.
“If you’re lucky, there might be a Dr Pepper left, too,” Luke told her.
Feeling his gaze lingering too long in question, she managed the noncommittal
smile she’d perfected years earlier. “Great.”
Together they walked toward the refreshment stand. Hannah and Troy were just
unwrapping bright-red ice pops.
“Are they good?” Kealey asked, enjoying the look of pure satisfaction on their
faces.
“Yum,” Troy replied.
“They’re the best,” Hannah added.
“The owner of the local ice-cream stand makes them,” Luke explained. “It’s an
old family recipe, but I think there’s Jell-O in the mixture to make it richer.
Nothing commercial can touch ’em.”
Kealey suddenly had a longing to try one. “They do look good.”
“Sold,” Luke told her with a smile.
“Oh, a soda’s fine.”
“Life’s not all about denial,” he responded. “Be daring. Have one. Cherry,
peach, lime or grape?”
Torn, she considered, biting down on her lower lip. “Grape,” she finally
decided.
He conveyed her request and his own to the teenager manning the booth, paid,
then handed one to her. “And if you’re a good girl, you can try another flavor
later.”
She removed the paper wrapper, then tasted! “This is good!”
Enjoying the rare treat, she smiled up at Luke. To her surprise, however, he
seemed intent on watching the movement of her lips and tongue.
As suddenly, her throat dried up and her sense of speech seemed to take flight.
Around them, children hollered to each other, parents chattered, and the thud of
the leather ball being kicked echoed in the sunny afternoon.
Yet neither of them moved, nor looked away.
“Luke! Luke!” Troy hollered. “Look! Brian’s kicking the ball!”
Luke didn’t immediately look away. And when he did, he was reluctant. “Way to
go, Brian!”
Hannah tugged at Kealey’s shirt. “We need’a go sit in the stands so we can see
Brian!”
“Yes, we do, don’t we?” Concentrating on Hannah, their treats, the bleachers,
anything but Luke, Kealey moved away.
The teams of third and fourth graders were nudged into place by the coaches and
assistants—clearly volunteer parents. A few seemed to settle in naturally,
probably veterans of past seasons. Others looked as though they’d been plopped
onto foreign perches. But they all seemed to share the same enthusiasm.
Once back at the bleachers, Troy settled next to Luke and Hannah beside Kealey,
situating the two adults together. Kealey deliberately chose to watch Brian,
rather than Luke.
When she did, Kealey found herself growing curiously involved in the game,
jumping to cheer when Brian first made contact with the ball, then traveled down
the field. Excited, she turned to Luke. “Isn’t that rare? Getting to play
forward when you’re new to the team?”
Luke smiled indulgently. “They’re all new to the team. But, yes, it’s a big
deal.”
Concentrating on Brian, she nodded. At her side, Hannah cheered for her brother.
Kealey’s attention was distracted from the field when Troy jumped up onto the
wooden bench to holler his encouragement. Checking to make sure the child didn’t
topple over, Kealey glanced at Luke. He was mesmerized by Brian’s performance,
sheer pride oozing from every pore. But it was the look in his eyes that
arrested her attention. It was affection so sharp it bordered on parental.
Swallowing deeply, she realized he was feeling like more than a temporary
custodian. And that wasn’t good for either him or the children. Because they
needed to be in a two-parent home, not with a single man who thought treats
solved children’s problems.
* * *
Luke watched Troy’s and Hannah’s small hands carefully. Each was petting one of
the stray cats he’d taken in. It was necessary for the cats to interact with
humans so that the animals didn’t become wild. Luke didn’t want Hannah and Troy
to get scratched, though. But unlike most younger children, they were gentle and
took to the task naturally.
Although it wasn’t officially part of his animal hospital, Luke dedicated a
portion of his clinic to strays. Some came in injured, others were simply
homeless. He’d garnered a reputation in town as the vet to come to if you found
an animal needing help. And there was something about Luke himself that seemed
to attract strays.
When he’d chosen veterinary school, his father had questioned whether the
decision was due to choice or simply a way to care for all his strays.
But Luke’s vocation was an extension of himself. It was as natural as the way he
combed his hair, played with his multitude of nieces and nephews, and
religiously followed the Dallas Cowboys. He’d never had a second thought about
choosing veterinary medicine.
“Luke,” Hannah spoke, still petting a large tabby. “I think Miss Tansy needs to
play with us more.”
Luke couldn’t repress his smile. “She does?”
Hannah nodded seriously. “I think Kate and Spencer would like her.”
“And you have three dogs,” Troy pointed out. “So you really should have three
cats.”
“I should?” Luke replied, sounding entirely serious.
“Then they’d be even,” Hannah added hopefully.
“But what if we find another stray dog? Does that mean we couldn’t take him in
because they wouldn’t be even?”
Hannah and Troy looked horrified at the prospect. But then Hannah gazed
longingly at Miss Tansy.
Knowing he was doomed, Luke reached out to pat Hannah’s shoulder. “Here’s the
deal. We’ll bring Miss Tansy into the house. If she gets along with all the
other pets, cats and dogs, she can stay.”
“She’ll be good!” Hannah promised excitedly.
Brian, trailed by the ever faithful Bentley, approached. “Luke, we’re almost out
of the food for old dogs.”
“Canine senior,” Luke repeated. “I’ll make sure we have some on order.” He had
two older dogs in with his strays. Knowing it was unlikely he would find homes
for them, he expected them to be permanent boarders. Luke had constructed large
covered kennels in the backyard with a huge running area when he’d built his
clinic. It had come in handy over the years for all the strays.
Hearing a quiet knock on the frame of the open door, Luke glanced up. It was
early for a patient, but he’d come to accept that nothing about his practice was
predictable.
Still, he was surprised to see Kealey peeking around the door, her expression
hesitant.
“Come in,” he greeted her. “Just watch your step.”
Kealey glanced at the orderly stacks of pet food and supplies on the shelves.
Then she gazed at the tangle of cats on the cement floor.
“Is this the cat section?” she asked.
“It’s an area I keep for strays,” Luke explained. “But the dogs are out in their
run. Doesn’t always work to put the cats and dogs together,” he added with a
grin.
“Sometimes they don’t like each other,” Troy explained.
“I see,” Kealey replied in a tone that suggested she hadn’t heard this fact
before.
“But the dogs and cats that live in Luke’s house like each other,” Hannah
elaborated.
“So they do,” Kealey replied, sitting beside Hannah on a scarred, but
serviceable bench. “And who’s this?” she asked, tentatively petting the tabby.
“Miss Tansy. She’s going to come live in the house.” Hannah glanced sideways at
Luke. “If she behaves herself.”
Kealey met Luke’s gaze. “I see.”
Displeased by the unspoken disapproval in her expression, Luke turned to the
kids. “Okay, guys. Time to get ready for school.”
“But—” Hannah started.
“Now,” Luke told her without raising his voice.
The quiet command was sufficient. Hannah and Troy scampered to obey.
Luke picked up a towel, wiping his hands. “What’s up?”
“Luke, I know you’re trying to do what you think is best for the kids.”
“That’s an ominous beginning. What’s the ‘but’?”
“I’m afraid you’re all growing too close.”
He frowned. “You don’t want them to feel at home with me?”
She leaned forward earnestly. “That’s just the problem. They’re too much at home
with you.”
He grew still. “Have you come to take them away?”
“Not today.” She hesitated, not quite meeting his gaze. “But I have filed a
recommendation with the court that they be placed in a two-parent home.”
Luke kept a check on his temper. “Before it can be determined if they have any
relatives they could be placed with?”
She nodded. “It’s nothing personal, Luke. But I know beyond a shadow of a doubt
that every child deserves a two-parent home. And if they’re placed in a foster
home with two parents, they have a greater chance of establishing a bond, one
that could lead to adoption.”
“So, even though they’re coming to feel safe here, that they’re finally having a
chance to adapt to the loss of their mother, you want to uproot them?”
“As I said, Luke, it’s nothing personal.”
Anger pushed past reason. “The hell it’s not, Kealey. Why don’t you just admit
it? It’s personal. And it’s because you haven’t forgotten one very forgettable
date. Don’t try telling me it’s because of the kids. You don’t know a damn thing
about kids being alone, crying themselves to sleep because they want a mother
who’s never coming back, and hanging on to a few bedraggled pets because they’re
all orphans. Do what you have to do, Kealey. But don’t lie to yourself. You
can’t possibly know how these kids feel.” He met her gaze, his own filled with
disdain. “Or, what they want.”
CHAPTER FIVE
That’s where Luke was wrong, Kealey thought, as she drove away from his house.
Because she knew exactly what orphans wanted. Worse, she knew exactly how they
felt.
It wasn’t a terribly extraordinary story. She was only one of hundreds of
thousands of foster children. When she was five years old her mother, Frannie,
had taken her to the toy store and left her in an aisle filled with dolls of all
sorts. Anxiously, Frannie had made Kealey promise she wouldn’t leave, that she
would stay in the same spot. Frannie had also promised she would return.
Hours later, Kealey remained on her ordered spot, forlorn, tired and hungry. But
her mother wasn’t back. Finally noticed by both patrons and store clerks, the
authorities were called.
The initial assumption was that her mother had been in an accident. It was even
whisperingly considered that she’d met her death. But neither the hospitals nor
the morgue had held Kealey’s mother. Frannie Fitzpatrick had simply disappeared.
A single mother who barely remembered the man whose brief affair had produced
young Kealey, Frannie couldn’t deal with the responsibilities of motherhood. It
was fun she craved, not family.
For months, even after she’d been placed in a children’s home, Kealey believed
her mother would return. She imagined that her mother had been in a terrible
accident and couldn’t remember her name. But she also believed that once her
memory returned, her mother would rush to her and take her home.
When Kealey had arrived at her first foster home, she’d been greeted by a
well-meaning guardian. The woman, upon hearing Kealey’s story, promised her that
her mother would return, that her faith would be rewarded. Elderly and kind, the
woman didn’t realize that second promise was nearly as damaging as the first.
And then, the woman fell ill, and Kealey was yanked from her home.
The next home wasn’t nearly as kind. The woman used foster children as a
personal workforce. And after Kealey broke her arm falling from a fence she was
painting, the woman simply cursed and traded her in for an uninjured child.
But Kealey thought the accident was a miracle when Lisa, a young, exuberant
woman, became her next foster parent. It seemed an idyllic situation. Lisa was
filled with energy and promises. And the one Kealey took to heart was that Lisa
was to be her new mother.
Kealey, at that point still able to believe in promises, fully believed that she
was destined to stay with Lisa forever. And then Lisa met Vance. He was
handsome, successful and willing to marry Lisa. But he wasn’t willing to take on
a foster child. Lisa made all sorts of excuses to Kealey, along with even more
promises that she didn’t keep. But the result was the same.
Abandoned and unwanted. That summed up Kealey’s existence. But she still had her
dreams. In those she was adopted by a loving two-parent family. And, despite
numerous disappointments, abuse and an enduring disenchantment, she still
believed that was the ideal for every child. It was what she fought for on
behalf of each child she represented. And it wasn’t an ideal she was prepared to
abdicate.
Not even to Luke Duncan.
Despite the uncertainty he created within her, she had to think of the children
first. Even though she was tempted to slam on the brakes, turn around and
explain, Kealey knew she couldn’t. It simply wasn’t in her. The ability to share
her feelings, really any of herself, had been stolen along with her trust.
There were times when Kealey fantasized about being open, able to trust. But it
was nothing more than that. People like her couldn’t hope to have what Luke
Duncan took for granted.
Biting down on her lower lip, Kealey accelerated, leaving Luke Duncan behind.
And hoping to outrun her own demons.
* * *
Angrily, Luke slammed one of the back doors in the clinic. The children had left
for school some time ago. And Wayne didn’t poke his nose in where he was pretty
certain he wasn’t wanted. In Luke’s opinion, it was one of his assistant’s
finest qualities.
But slamming the door did little to relieve Luke’s anger, even though it had
been two hours since Kealey left. Continuing to stew, he made himself calm down
as he walked into the animal treatment area. They always had a relaxing effect
on him.
The phone rang, the sound only adding to his annoyance. “Yes?”
“Good morning to you, too,” Rachel greeted him.
He put the phone away from his mouth, sighed, then tried not to sound
antagonistic. “Sorry. I haven’t had the greatest morning.”
“So I hear.”
Immediately on guard, he increased the pressure of his fingers on the receiver.
“That so?”
“What’d you do to Kealey?”
“What’d I do?”
“I really don’t want to turn this into a marathon inquisition. I simply need to
get to the crux of the problem.”
“Then why don’t you ask your friend?”
Rachel’s patience evaporated completely. “Look, you nitwit, if you want to keep
those kids even a day longer, you’d better learn how to behave.”
“That’s not the problem, Rach. She’s determined to yank them away. I could
recite poetry standing on my head and it wouldn’t impress her.”
Unexpectedly Rachel laughed. “I’d pay to see that.”
But Luke couldn’t be humored. “Don’t you think I’m doing a good job with these
kids?”
Rachel hesitated, her social worker persona kicking in. “Well, I suppose so.”
“You know damn well I am. But that’s not enough for your pal. She plans to put
them in the first two-parent foster home she finds.”
“Well, that is the ideal situation.”
“Depends on the two people, doesn’t it?”
Rachel’s pause was telling. “Well, of course, but Kealey’s only following our
guidelines.”
“I’ve heard you talk about your cases in the past, Rachel. You’ve placed
children in one-parent foster homes a lot of times because they’re better than
the two-parent ones.”
“Perhaps. But with Kealey it’s a real cause. I’m sure she won’t remove the
children unless she’s certain she has an equally qualified home to place them
in.”
“Why can’t she just leave them alone?”
Rachel hesitated. “It’s because of Joey, isn’t it? Luke, not all foster homes
are like his. I wish you could forget—”
“Forget that one of your friends was taken away from his parents because his dad
was an alcoholic? And that his foster parents abused him so badly that he never
walked right again? Or maybe I should forget that they messed up his mind so
much that he’s still in a state hospital?”
“Luke,” Rachel pleaded. “Don’t torture yourself. Joey’s the exception.”
“Then why did you become a social worker, Rach? To save kids like Joey, if I
remember right.”
Anguish colored Rachel’s voice. “I know. But I don’t believe Kealey would ever,
ever let that happen to one of the kids in her care. The papers she filed today
are a recommendation that will apply more to an adoption situation than a foster
one.”
“Can you guarantee that?”
Again Rachel hesitated.
“I didn’t think so.”
“Luke, you’re still just thinking temporary guardianship, aren’t you?”
“Sure. Why?”
“I wondered if you were thinking about something more permanent...because of
Joey.”
“If I ever decided to adopt a child, Rach, it’d be because I love the kid, want
to be his father, not because of guilt.”
She hesitated.
“What now?”
“Don’t you see, Luke? The longer you keep these kids, you’re more likely to fall
in love with them.”
“It’s a chance I’ll risk. I’m not going to let them be separated right now just
to spare my feelings. Once they’re placed in a permanent home, I’ll get over it.
Hell, they might find a relative tomorrow. What kind of person would I be if I
let my own concerns outweigh those of these kids?”
“You wouldn’t be Luke Duncan,” she replied in a resigned, but loving tone. “Just
try not to get too attached, okay? Kealey’s not going to relent.”
“She’s something else,” he retorted, still not completely mollified.
“You have to understand that you need to work with Kealey, not against her if
you want any chance of keeping the kids on a temporary basis. Aggravating her
only harms your position.”
“She was born aggravated,” Luke retorted.
“In that case,” Rachel replied mildly, “you have even more reason to stop
lighting her fuse.”
“You know I hate it when you’re right.”
Rachel’s tone turned smugly cheerful. “It’s a character flaw of yours.”
“Don’t you have some work you should be doing?”
“Yes, but you’re not on my agenda today.”
Luke chuckled. “Point taken.”
“Then get to work. And I don’t mean on your patients.”
As he hung up the phone, Luke realized he should have come to the same
conclusion Rachel had on his own. He probably would have in time.
And the truth was, he owed Kealey an apology whether she was the kids’
caseworker or not. He’d been rude. They might not have had a magical beginning,
but that didn’t give him the right to throw it back in her face. Sighing, he
realized he had some fence-mending to do. He just wished he’d thought of it
before Rachel had.
* * *
Kealey was exhausted. It had been a long day. Made longer because of the
relentless memories she couldn’t quash. But she’d done her best, pouring all her
energy into one of her cases. It was a heart-breaker. A child, abandoned by her
parents, then taken in temporarily by an aunt and uncle. They were the only
relatives in the family who had even considered giving her a home. All the
others had refused outright. And when they’d agreed, Kealey had high hopes that
the move would be permanent.
But the couple had decided the little girl was more work than they wanted to
take on. And she wasn’t an unusually troublesome child. She was simply an
energetic six-year-old. And she’d cried huge gulping sobs when Kealey had driven
her to the children’s home. No explanation could soothe or make the child
understand why not one person wanted her.
Feeling empty and powerless, Kealey climbed from her car. Neither the prospect
of an empty house nor a frozen TV dinner appealed to her.
She trudged up the sidewalk, turning at the brick half wall that led to her
apartment. Then shock held her in place. Luke, Hannah, Brian and Troy were
grouped around her front door.
Immediately, her damaged spirits sank even farther. Had Luke decided he, too,
had had enough of foster children? It wouldn’t be the first time a foster parent
had dumped children on her without notice. It was the first time it had happened
at her home. But then Luke had probably wheedled her address from an
unsuspecting Rachel.
Hannah rushed toward Kealey. “We thought you’d never get here!” the little girl
told her with a huge smile.
Kealey sent a questioning, almost censorious gaze at Luke.
“We’re gonna have a picnic!” Troy announced, having run up to her as well.
“A picnic?” she asked numbly. “It’s almost dark.” But her words were simply a
mask. What were Luke’s intentions? Was this his way of cutting the ties with the
children? Of choosing to return them to the system? Had her insistence that they
be placed in a two-parent family come to this?
But his gaze was easy and casual. “What? No adventure in your soul? Who says
picnics are just day-time events?”
She blinked, trying to recover. Were they really here on such an innocent
mission? “I—I guess I never thought about it.”
“Then start,” he said with a smile that turned the order into a fun suggestion.
Kealey held up her briefcase. “I just got home from work—”
“Which is why I came by instead of calling,” he interceded. “I convinced Rachel
we had only honorable intentions so she’d give me your address. Hope that was
okay.”
She nodded numbly.
“It was for expediency. After you change clothes we can be on our way in
minutes.”
Kealey wanted to point out that perhaps she had a social life, maybe even a
date, that she wasn’t available on a moment’s notice, but much of her defiance
had been sapped that day. So much so, she doubted she had the energy for
anything other than falling into a chair. “It’s very kind of you to include me
in your plans,” she said, directing her words to the kids. “But I’ve had a
really tiring day.”
“All the more reason to relax now,” Luke told her, obviously not prepared to
relent.
“You four can have a great picnic,” she insisted.
“But we want you,” Hannah said, her big blue eyes pleading.
A touch of Kealey’s impotence faded. Perhaps this was one request she could
grant. “It’ll take me a few minutes to change.”
“We’ll wait,” Hannah told her happily.
The child’s smile brought a lump to Kealey’s throat, as she remembered the other
little girl’s hopeless sobs. She turned to fit the key in the door, her hand
shaking. Then Luke’s hand was over hers, unlocking the door, pushing it open. He
held her back for a moment as the kids scooted inside.
“Is something wrong, Kealey?”
She hesitated, then shook her head. “Just a killer case. The kind you want to
make all better, but you can’t.”
“Don’t you see that all the time?” he asked, his gaze probing.
“Of course. But it never makes me immune. Each child is different, special. And
each one deserves to have dreams and hopes and trust.”
“And you want to give it to them?”
She laughed, a bitter aching sound. “Sounds ridiculous, I suppose. Obviously I
can’t save the whole world.”
“No, but you can chip away at it, one child at a time.”
She met his gaze, his words touching her already oversensitized emotions. It
seemed as if, for just that moment, he read her heart. Again, she swallowed the
lump of choking feelings gathered in her throat.
But he didn’t say anything else. Instead he reached for her briefcase, carrying
it as he shepherded her into the apartment ahead of him.
“There should be some sodas in the fridge,” she began vaguely, looking around as
though not certain which way to turn.
“Why don’t you go change into something comfortable? I’ll make sure the kids
don’t get into any mischief.”
Still distracted, she nodded. “I’ll just be a minute.”
She disappeared behind one of the white doors in the hallway and Luke glanced
around at the apartment. He was struck by its complete lack of character. White
walls, beige carpet, beige furniture. It appeared to be a furnished rental.
Strolling deeper into the living room, he was startled to see there were no
family photos in sight. Perhaps she kept them all in her bedroom. Still, it was
startling that nothing revealing the real Kealey Fitzpatrick was on display.
He entered the kitchen to make sure the kids were behaving. The room was
sparkling clean and tidy, but once again without character. He opened the
refrigerator and found one neat six-pack of soda. And it was accompanied by only
one small carton of milk, three apples and an orange. He didn’t open the
freezer, but guessed it held little more. In fact, the entire apartment looked
as though a solitary suitcase could be packed, leaving behind no clues as to who
the occupant had been.
“Okay, guys, let’s sit down at the table and make sure we don’t spill the
drinks.”
They obliged, and a few minutes later, Kealey appeared in the doorway of the
kitchen, looking self-conscious.
Luke’s gaze traveled over her slim figure, now encased by jeans and a cotton
shirt. It was such a drastic departure from her usual stiff suits that he was
taken aback. Even on their date she’d worn one of her nondescript, conservative
suits.
Kealey clasped and unclasped her hands, then fiddled with her belt. “Is this
okay?”
Okay and then some in Luke’s estimation. Belatedly, he cleared his throat. “It’s
perfect.”
Kealey smiled at the kids. “Sorry I don’t have much to offer you.” She walked
over to one of the cabinets. “I don’t think there’s much to snack on.”
“That’s okay,” Troy replied. “We’re gonna have a picnic, ’member?”
“How could I forget?”
“Are you ready?” Hannah asked, bouncing a bit in her chair.
Luke cautioned her with a look, but Kealey chuckled. “I believe I am. How about
you?”
“We’ve been ready forever,” Hannah replied.
“Not quite that long,” Luke told her, ruffling the child’s hair. “But now we can
get going.”
Hannah, along with her brothers, leaped up from the table.
As Luke stood, he caught Kealey’s gaze. “You’ll find they’re great at taking
your mind off your troubles.”
“Yeah. I imagine they’re pretty great all round.”
He smiled thoughtfully. “I think so.”
She nodded, then hesitated. However, the children were out of earshot. “I’m not
sure why you’re including me in this picnic.”
“Any reason not to?”
She opened her mouth, but no rational answer came to mind. “You just surprised
me.”
“And sometimes, Kealey Fitzpatrick, you surprise me.”
Not sure how to reply, she allowed herself to be ushered out with the kids. Once
in the car, the kids grew more excited, giggling every time the picnic was
mentioned.
When they arrived at his house, Luke shut down the engine and a new wave of
giggles erupted. Kealey glanced at him suspiciously. “Is there more to this
picnic than you’re telling me?”
He looked appropriately insulted. “Such as?”
Again at a loss for words, she climbed out of the vehicle.
Twilight encircled the faded Victorian home, softening its already charming
lines.
Welcoming lamplight flowed out the expansive bay window near the front door.
The children skipped ahead, leaving the door open. Luke took her elbow. “I think
their excitement’s outweighing their manners.”
“It’s okay,” she managed to say, distracted by the feel of his hand on her arm.
“They’re just being children.”
“Too many people today think children ought to be miniadults. When I was kid, my
parents didn’t demand that, but a lot of my friends expect their kids to spout
the classics by first grade and then be bionically attached to a computer before
they’re out of diapers. Whatever happened to childhood?”
Kealey swallowed a boulder-size lump of memories. “Not everyone gets a Rockwell
upbringing.”
“Agreed. But too many adults forget about imagination, make-believe, that sort
of thing.”
“Make-believe,” Kealey murmured. She hadn’t thought about that since her third
foster home.
“I happen to think it’s one of the ingredients that adds up to a healthy kid. My
family wasn’t wealthy—and it’s expensive raising that many kids. But we had
plenty of what really mattered.” He laughed suddenly. “And with the eight of us,
probably more than our share of aggravation for my parents. But they never let
it show.”
She pressed her lips in a thin line, wishing, regretting. “That’s great.”
“And we grew into fairly respectable human beings without the pressure most kids
today get.” When she didn’t reply immediately, he nudged her gently. “Going to
give me an argument about the respectable adult part?”
But her voice was soft, not argumentative. “You and Rachel are the only members
of your family I know, but you both seem to be decent, well-rounded people.”
His gaze sharpened and she glanced away, unable to bear his probing look.
“Kealey?”
But she still couldn’t meet his gaze. “Okay, so where’s this picnic you
promised?”
He led her through the house, but when they reached the French doors that led
into the backyard, he took her hand.
She looked at him in question.
“Sorry. You have to close your eyes. The kids insist on a complete surprise.”
For a moment she couldn’t release his gaze, wishing just for a moment that she
was an average, untroubled woman standing beside this unusually handsome man,
planning to spend a romantic night together.
It was more in defense than agreement that she closed her eyes. Placing what
little trust she possessed in him, she allowed Luke to lead her over the uneven
grass of the backyard. Stumbling a bit, she felt him steady her. Her mouth dried
at his touch, but then he took away his hands.
“Open!”
For a moment, stunned surprise kept her silent.
The kids, however, wouldn’t allow the quiet to linger. Hannah clapped her hands
together. “What do you think?”
“It’s—it’s marvelous!” Kealey replied in a wondering voice. And it was. The aged
gazebo that stood in the corner of Luke’s sprawling yard was set for a picnic. A
checkered tablecloth covered the wooden floor and five plastic plates and
silverware were grouped in a circle. A vase of handpicked flowers decorated the
center. Old barn lanterns hung from the rafters and gables. Each was lit,
casting soft light over the structure.
“I lit the lamps,” Brian told her proudly.
The gesture showed trust, Kealey realized. But then Brian seemed to be proving
he was worthy of the confidence Luke placed in him. “They’re perfect.”
Brian smiled, glancing at Luke for confirmation.
A thumbs-up gesture from Luke broadened his smile.
Two coolers sat beside the gazebo. “One’s for hot food and the other’s for
cold,” Brian explained.
With Luke’s dogs surrounding them, the kids opened the coolers, tugging out
canned drinks and a few bowls. Even the cats strolled up to join the children,
tails swishing in mild inquiry.
“Come sit down,” Luke invited. “The kids want to serve the food.” He leaned
closer, lowering his voice. “They did most of the cooking.”
She kept her voice low as well. “That’s okay with me. I’ve never been a picky
eater.” Growing up, she’d never had a choice. And it had never occurred to her
to indulge her tastes now that she was an adult.
Luke’s smile was teasingly wicked. “Good.”
The kids quickly arranged the serving bowls, a basket of hard rolls, and the
drinks.
Troy proudly handed Kealey one of the smaller bowls. “It’s ‘paste’ salad. Ladies
really like it.”
Managing not to smile at his unintentionally humorous words, she met Luke’s
gaze, before turning back to Troy. “You’re right. It’s my favorite.” She took an
extralarge helping of the shrimp pasta salad. “Umm.”
“We made beanie wienies and macaroni and cheese, too,” Brian told her.
“I like them as well,” Kealey replied, taking generous portions of both.
When the kids were involved with their own food, Luke leaned closer. “You’re
being a good sport.”
“So are you,” she whispered back. “I love paste salad.”
For the first time, they shared a genuine smile. Kealey tried to return her
attention to the meal. But Luke was too compelling, too captivating.
Up this close, she could see the faint lines near his eyes etched by a lifetime
of laughter. Somehow, she knew this with a certainty. Because he was a man of
laughter, of good, easy times, a man carved from a lifetime of care and love.
Kealey didn’t know how she could be so sure of him, but she was. And that
certainty unnerved her. Had she been wrong about him? About his ability to keep
and nurture these children? About her own unsettling attraction to him?
The blue of his eyes darkened. Could blue turn to black? she wondered vaguely.
And were men allowed to have such thick, dark lashes?
“We have ice cream, too,” Troy announced.
His words drew Kealey out of her trance. “Oh, good. I like ice cream.”
“After dinner,” Luke cautioned.
“Okay,” Troy agreed. “But there’s chocolate and strawberry.”
Kealey couldn’t resist one more glance at Luke. “That is something to look
forward to.”
“I like chocolate,” Hannah confided.
“Me, too,” Kealey admitted. “But sometimes it’s fun to have both. Then it tastes
like chocolate-covered strawberries.”
The kids looked intrigued.
“I can guess which flavors they’re going to pick,” Luke told her.
Kealey’s eyes widened. “Oh, I’m sorry I suggested it. I hope you don’t mind.”
His face screwed into a question mark. “Why would I care?”
“Of course. Why?” she repeated, trying to disguise her misspoken remark.
“Luke lets us help pick the groceries,” Brian told her. “Then we make up what we
want for dinner.”
“Really?”
“Within certain guidelines,” Luke responded. “As long as we get in protein,
vegetables, fruits and some dairy, I figure we’re doing okay.”
She relaxed, trying to forget she always had to be on guard. Glancing around at
the healthy kids, she relented. “Looks like it’s working.”
“I know how to make tuna noodles,” Brian told her. “My mom showed me how.”
“She was a smart woman,” Kealey acknowledged. “Every man should know how to cook
and keep house.”
“Keeps us men out of the clutches of scheming women,” Luke told him with an
exaggerated wink.
Brian snickered.
But Kealey couldn’t take offense when Luke so clearly was teasing. Instead she
turned to Hannah. “That’s okay, sweetie. They’ll come crawling when they realize
we can make brownies and they can’t.”
Luke sighed soulfully at Troy and Brian. “Take heart, boys. It only gets worse.”
“Really?” Brian asked.
“Afraid so,” Luke replied. “But they’re so cute and pretty, it takes the sting
out of the whole process.”
Despite her best intentions, Kealey blushed. Not that she really thought Luke
was referring to her. It was just so unexpectedly sweet. So incredibly,
surprisingly sweet.
To distract attention from the telling flush, she smoothed back Hannah’s golden
hair. “Yep. Who could resist this face?”
Luke glanced from Hannah to Kealey. “Not me.”
The beginnings of starlight stabbed through the lattice awning of the gazebo. Or
maybe it was moonlight, Kealey thought irrationally. Didn’t someone once say
that the moon cast more than mere light on young lovers? The whimsy struck her
forcefully. And, unaccustomed to whimsy of any sort, she was helpless to resist
the feeling.
CHAPTER SIX
Rachel added another pink packet of artificial sweetener to her iced tea, the
spoon swirling lazily, occasionally clinking against the tall clear glass.
The noise didn’t bother Kealey, but the delaying tactic did. “You going to tell
me why we’re eating lunch today?”
Rachel continued stirring. “It is a daily event as I recall.” Finally she laid
the spoon down on a paper napkin. “And we have had lunch together before, you
know.”
“True,” Kealey admitted. It had only been occasionally, though. Between their
busy work schedules and Kealey’s reluctance to encourage closeness, it wasn’t
something they did often. “Somehow, I feel you have a particular reason today.”
Rachel nodded. “Actually, I’m feeling guilty about giving your home address to
Luke. I completely trust my brother, but...”
Kealey took pity on her. “Like you, I don’t think Luke would ever do anything
inappropriate with the information.”
A trace of guilt still shadowed Rachel’s eyes. “But it’s against the rules. And
I’d be the first person to object if someone released personal information about
me. Which makes me feel pretty hypocritical.”
Realizing the depth of Rachel’s remorse, Kealey met her gaze. “Rachel, you’d
never do anything to harm a co-worker, a child in your care or frankly anyone
else. Luke’s quite persuasive.” Kealey remembered the touch of his hand on her
arm, her own uncharacteristic weakness. “And he truly did only want to surprise
me.”
“Was it nice?” Rachel asked hopefully.
“More than nice,” Kealey remembered with a wondering smile. “He and the kids
planned an evening picnic and it was...”
“Yes?” Rachel prompted.
“Sweet,” Kealey managed to say finally, trying not to sound dreamy. “Really,
really sweet.”
Rachel’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “I have to say I’m rather amazed.”
Suspicion born of experience slithered close. “You are?”
“Just that Luke’s notoriously laid-back. I’ve never seen him go to much trouble
for the women he knows. Not that he’s a cad, or anything like that. Just that he
kind of goes along with things rather than planning anything out of the
ordinary.”
Pleasure was pushing aside suspicion. “Really?”
Rachel’s gaze turned speculative. “But then I don’t think I’ve ever really seen
Luke really fall for a woman. He’s had zillions of dates, a few semi-serious
girlfriends, but not the big one.”
Embarrassed, Kealey waved away the words. “Don’t be ridiculous. This is just
business.”
“Uh-huh. I know I conduct most of my casework beneath the stars while sharing
supper.”
“It was because of the kids!” Kealey protested, realizing it was true. “Luke
said it was their idea.”
“Without the least bit of guidance from him?” Rachel questioned skeptically.
“Well, I’m sure he helped with the food.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “I don’t know which one of you is denser. But okay,
we’ll play it your way. You had a moonlit picnic, courtesy of the kids. Does
this mean you two are getting on a bit better?”
For a moment Kealey was nonplussed. Had the entire picnic simply been engineered
to sway her decision?
Rachel continued speaking, cutting into those thoughts. “When I spoke to Luke I
realized he was feeling a little guilty about being short with you the other
morning. Like any male, he blurts out the first thing on his mind, then begins
to realize it might not have been too kind.”
“Oh,” Kealey murmured, still wondering about Luke’s motives.
“And the absolute truth is that at heart Luke’s just a big softie. He can bark
pretty loudly at times when he’s defending what he believes in, but he wouldn’t
purposely hurt anyone. Why do you suppose the man has more strays than any
veterinarian within two hundred miles? He just can’t say no. Pretty soon, he’s
going to run out of room to keep them all.”
The last of Kealey’s suspicions dissipated. “Well, don’t some of them, I
mean...”
“Luke has a flat, no-kill policy. He tries to find homes for them, but that’s a
full-time job on its own. So, he keeps feeding and caring for them, and every
once in a while one gets placed in a home. And, of course, the whole family has
at least one pet courtesy of Luke.”
Kealey was overcome. “But he can’t save every stray in the world!” Then it
struck her. Could she and Luke possibly share this flaw? The desire to somehow
save every child and stray animal they could?
“Maybe not. But he’s been trying to since he was about five years old. He
brought home every wounded bird, raccoon and rabbit that got hurt in the fields.
And you wouldn’t believe how many dogs and cats we had.”
“Didn’t your parents mind?” Kealey asked, fascinated in spite of herself.
Rachel laughed. “I guess with eight kids, a few dozen animals isn’t as daunting
as you might think. And they seemed to sense from the start that there was
something special about Luke, something in him that needed to rescue and help.
And not just animals, he brought home every outsider in school who needed a
little attention, even just a decent meal. That’s just Luke.”
Kealey considered this. “You’re lucky your parents were so tolerant.”
Rachel nodded. “They’ve always been great. Never complained about Luke’s
menagerie. I just hope he doesn’t find himself having a problem with the huge
brood he has now. He has a special license because he’s a vet, but I understand
a few of the neighbors have complained. Luckily, even though it’s not a main
artery, his street is a mix of residential and commercial. Otherwise...”
“Hmmm.”
“You have that ‘we’ve got to find a way to fix this’ look on your face, Kealey.
But we’ve got enough kids to deal with, without taking on animals, too.”
“You’re right,” she murmured in agreement, still thinking.
Rachel groaned. “I can see I shouldn’t have told you.”
Kealey smiled at last. “You have been revealing quite a bit lately.”
Rachel grimaced. “So I have. I just hope this wasn’t one too many.”
* * *
It was a regular checkup. And it was a regular Wednesday afternoon. But it had
been several days since Kealey had seen Luke and she was unreasonably nervous.
Wayne had told her that Luke and the kids were back in the boarding area. By
now, Kealey knew her way around the clinic well enough to find it on her own.
She could have predicted the scene. Hannah and Troy sat amid a swarm of cats,
enjoying the animals as much as the cats enjoyed the attention.
Brian, with Bentley at his side, was checking tags on all the cages.
Luke spotted her first. His eyes lightened, not a huge change, rather a shift so
subtle it was barely perceptible. Yet it warmed her more than such mild interest
should. “Hey, Kealey.”
“Hi,” the children chorused only a moment later, noticing her after Luke spoke.
Hannah, despite her enchantment with her feline friends, ran toward Kealey.
“We’re doing our cat job!”
“And you’ve got lots of cats to work on,” Kealey acknowledged, dropping one hand
on Hannah’s shoulder. “Aren’t there a few more than just last week?”
“Seven more,” Troy told her.
“We inherited an entire family,” Luke explained. “The owner decided to get rid
of the mother and her complete litter. Didn’t want any more kittens.
Unfortunately, they didn’t even consider spaying her.”
“That’s so they won’t have more babies,” Hannah whispered to Kealey.
Kealey hid her grin as her gaze collided with Luke’s.
“They’re working with the animals.” His brows lifted. “A few nature lessons are
bound to come their way.”
She tempered her grin. “Are you going to have room for all the new additions?”
“We’ll have to,” Luke replied.
“Until we can find homes for them,” Brian told her.
“Any luck with that?” Kealey asked.
“Uh-uh. We tried but we don’t know any people who want ’em. Nobody we asked took
one.”
Kealey had been thinking about the problem since she and Rachel had discussed
Luke’s growing brood of strays. “Is that the difficult part? Matching people
with the pets?”
“You’ve pretty much hit it on the head,” Luke confirmed. “I know there are
probably people who would be a perfect fit with the strays, but it’s a lot
easier to find the animals than the people.”
Kealey took a deep breath, uncertain how her idea would be received. “How about
having a doggy and kitty adoption party?”
Luke stared at her in silence and she immediately felt like a fool. The man had
been taking care of strays all his life. Why had she thought she could fix the
problem without an iota of experience?
“A party?” Brian asked, obviously intrigued.
“Could we come?” Troy asked.
Kealey’s lids sank shut. Luke was going to want to throttle her.
“I never thought of that,” Luke was musing. “You mean like with refreshments and
balloons and music?”
“Well...I guess,” she replied, stunned that he was actually considering her
idea.
“And we could wear hats!” Hannah crowed.
“So could the dogs and cats!” Troy agreed.
“Well, maybe bandannas,” Luke suggested. “They might not like hats.”
“Miss Tansy would,” Hannah bragged.
“I thought you wanted to keep her,” Luke murmured.
Horrified, Hannah shook her head. “You said—”
“Don’t panic, little one. Just pointing out you don’t want to dress her up too
much, otherwise she could be irresistible.” He glanced up as he spoke, catching
Kealey’s gaze.
Unexpectedly, irrationally, she wondered at the undertone of his words.
Relieved, Hannah agreed. “But people could see how nice she is and want to adopt
another kitty.”
“How will we get people to come to the party?” Brian asked.
“I’ve been thinking about that,” Kealey replied. “We can put flyers in stores
and restaurants, and tack them up on telephone poles. I’m sure we can put an
item about it in the paper. And the local radio and TV channels would probably
announce it on their community bulletin board segments.”
Luke looked impressed. “You have given this some thought.”
She flushed. “I figured you were going to run out of room pretty soon.”
“When are we going to have the party?” Brian asked.
Luke’s expression grew thoughtful. “I guess we could do it the Saturday after
next.” He glanced at Kealey. “If that’s enough time to do the flyers and
publicity?”
“I think so. I know the community bulletin board coordinators from working with
them at the agency. The flyers and newspaper should be a cinch.”
“Then it’s set,” Luke decided, his gaze turning to include the kids. “That’s
means our prospective adoptees will all need baths.”
For a moment Troy looked dismayed. Then he brightened. “Oh, you mean the dogs
and cats!”
Luke chuckled. “I didn’t mean you guys. But the cats will probably just need a
good brushing. They’re not too fond of baths.”
“We can do that!” Brian offered eagerly.
“Yeah!” Hannah added.
“Great idea, Kealey,” Luke said with a smile. Then he lowered his voice so that
it only reached her. “And now you’ll have to let the kids stay with me at least
another week and a half. You wouldn’t set them up with a party and then not let
them come, would you?”
Dismayed, Kealey realized she’d been so caught up in the preparations for the
party that she hadn’t considered the consequences. Luke was right. It would be
incredibly cruel to involve the children in the planning and then deny them the
event.
And meeting Luke’s gaze she couldn’t miss the gleam that said he knew he was
right. Worse, that she was aware of it.
* * *
Luke sat tensely in one of the few adult-size chairs in the elementary school’s
office. Amazing how easy it was to feel like Gulliver with all the miniature
furniture and accoutrements around you.
It was Luke’s first parent-teacher conference. And he hadn’t realized how
nervous it would make him. As he stared at the principal’s door, it seemed the
letters grew larger, almost looming.
A soft touch on his arm nearly made him bolt.
“Luke, is something wrong?” Kealey asked in concern.
“No—no, of course not.”
But she didn’t look convinced. “Are you worried about what the principal will
say?”
“Not really.” Then he wiped sweaty hands against his trousers. “I never did
anything like this before.”
Kealey’s eyes softened. “I’m sure they’re just going to tell us how the kids are
interacting with others, maybe give us a preview of their grades.”
Luke met her gaze. “You think I’m nuts, don’t you?” He rose, unable to stay
still. “It’s just that I’ve been entrusted with a lot and I don’t want to let
the kids down. I think I’ve made sure they’ve done their homework, tried to help
them fit in, but you never know, do you? I could have done something wrong,
something—”
“Luke!” She rose, grasping his arm. “As far as I can tell, you’ve done
everything right.” Her gaze caught his. “The fact that you’re so worried is
incredibly touching. But I think you can relax and simply be happy about what
you’ve accomplished.”
His gaze for once was neither soothing nor amused. “You mean that?”
She could have stayed within the official guidelines and remained neutral. But
somehow she just couldn’t. Raw, honest emotion deserved the truth. “Yes, Luke, I
do.”
He picked up her hand, the motion as simple as her words.
And she couldn’t have drawn it away if she’d wanted to.
Only moments passed before the outer door opened again. Unobtrusively, Kealey
withdrew her hand. And in short time, the conference began.
It didn’t take long to learn that each child’s teacher had only praise for the
children’s schoolwork and behavior. Soon Luke’s apprehension gave way to pride.
The principal stood at the conclusion of the meeting and extended his hand. “You
can be very proud of these children, Mr. Duncan. Your devotion to them shows.”
“They deserve the credit,” Luke replied. “They’re great kids.”
Staying behind, Kealey collected the necessary notes for her files. When she
exited the office, she spotted Luke leaning against the wall, obviously waiting
for her.
She’d assumed he’d left and couldn’t repress a spurt of pleasure that he hadn’t.
She held up the folder. “Got what I needed.”
His gaze lingered over hers. “So did I.”
She looked at him questioningly.
“Thanks for keeping me from falling apart.”
“You wouldn’t have. You’d have handled it on your own just fine.”
“Yeah. But it’s nicer when you don’t have to.”
So it was, Kealey realized. But she still couldn’t admit that to Luke. She
glanced at her watch. “I’m running late.”
The change in his expression was subtle, yet she caught the gleam in his eyes
that said he knew she was escaping. That only made her want to run faster.
“Don’t forget!” Luke called out as she headed toward the door.
For a moment she paused, then tried to think. “What?”
His expression segued into knowing resignation. “The pet adoption party on
Saturday.”
“I did get all the advertising together, so I should remember the date.”
His full lips edged upward. “Yeah, but you’ve got that look on your face that
says you’ve eliminated every thought or action not connected to work.”
Not every single one. Not the ones connected to Luke Duncan, the ones that
remembered the touch of his hand, the gaze she couldn’t forget. “I have a busy
job. It takes a lot of concentration. But that doesn’t mean I’ll forget about
the placement party.”
His partial grin grew, and her stomach struggled to keep pace. “So you’ll be
there.”
“Of course.”
His gaze was unsettling. “Good. Otherwise we’d miss you.”
She nodded, awkwardly turning back to the door, rapidly replaying his words.
He’d said “we,” hadn’t he? Not the kids would miss her, or even more
specifically, Hannah, since she’d formed the closest bond with Kealey.
No, he’d said “we.” We. It was such a small word, one most people peppered their
conversations with. But then Kealey wasn’t most people. And right now, we
sounded like the warmest word she’d ever heard.
CHAPTER SEVEN
There were at least a million reasons why Kealey could have avoided the
party—tons of paperwork that she could never catch up on, a pile of laundry that
was screaming for attention, and then, of course, her own dislike of social
situations.
But there were three more inescapably compelling reasons to attend. Hannah, Troy
and Brian.
While Kealey had initially been surprised at how well the children had taken to
Luke’s strays, now she was overwhelmed by their total and selfless devotion to
them. She knew most kids would have contrived dozens of excuses to avoid the
work. But the Baker trio acted as though the animal-related chores were a
reward. Orphans helping orphans.
Kealey looked upward, frowning as she spotted a few grayish clouds scuttling
across the sky. The one thing that could ruin their outdoor party would be the
weather.
Parking several houses away from Luke’s, she noted that the street was already
filling up. Grabbing two bouquets of balloons, she glanced at her watch, seeing
that she was thirty minutes early, in plenty of time to help decorate.
Bypassing the front door, she opened the arched wooden gate that led to the
backyard. Surprise held her still. Seemingly dozens of people roamed through the
yard. Some were attaching bouquets of balloons to rafters, others were draping
streamers, and even more were filling long banquet-size tables with food.
As she stared, someone coughed behind her. She turned and met a smiling male
face.
“Excuse me, ma’am, we need to bring the canopy through here and set it up,” the
good-looking man told her.
“Sure, didn’t mean to block the way,” she explained, scooting to one side.
“We’re just the troops,” a second man explained. “Luke’s the commandant and
he’ll have our skins if we don’t get this tent thing up in time.”
“Oh,” she responded, guessing the canopy was Luke’s way of guaranteeing dry
weather even if nature didn’t cooperate.
As she ducked out of the way, several women scurried by and Kealey vaguely
recognized Luke’s sister, Mary. Shrinking back against the spiked boards of the
fence, Kealey watched the pandemonium with a sort of horrified amusement. Surely
all these people weren’t Luke’s relatives.
Just then Ruth turned around, her face brightening as she rushed in Kealey’s
direction. “Hi! I thought that was you! It’s great seeing you again.”
“You, too,” Kealey replied politely.
“Have you met everyone?” Ruth was asking. “The two nimrods trying to put up the
canopy are our brothers Mark and Matt.”
The two men, wearing welcoming smiles, waved bits of canvas in her direction.
Mary spotted her as well, hollering out a welcome. “Hey, Kealey!”
At the identification, a horde of people converged on Kealey.
She wondered if this was how the quarterback felt when the opposing team’s
defense attacked. Smiling, she hoped her trepidation wasn’t visible.
“This was all your idea, I hear.” One man exclaimed, extending his hand. “I’m
John, another brother.”
“Well, I wouldn’t say it was my idea—”
“That’s what the kids told us!” yet another man told her. “I’m Peter.”
Kealey couldn’t conceal a startled glance.
But Peter along with his brothers and sisters were laughing. “You guessed it.
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Peter. Mother and Dad aren’t religious nuts. I
think they hoped the biblical influence would have a calming effect.”
Luke moved to stand beside Kealey, offering a steady presence. “Not that it
worked.”
“Nope, they were a bunch of heathens,” an older woman told her as she joined
them. Brunette, just beginning to show a few strands of gray, she was still an
arrestingly attractive woman. “Probably why my parents named me Jane—no doubt as
in Calamity Jane. They were wise enough to know that parental ambitions have
severe limitations.” Jane clasped Kealey’s hands. “I’m Luke’s mother, I’ve been
so looking forward to meeting you.”
Meeting parents, other than in a professional capacity, wasn’t Kealey’s thing.
But she tried to be as friendly as the other woman. “It’s nice meeting all of
you as well.”
“Kind of you to say so, but we can be rather overwhelming. You probably feel
like the sole remaining potato chip at a picnic, with forty hands grabbing for
the last bite. Why don’t you leave your balloons with the boys and come over
with me to the sign-up table? You can help me get it into order.”
Agreeing, she walked toward the makeshift signup table with Jane just as Hannah,
Troy and Brian tumbled outside. Shrieking in delight, Hannah sped toward Kealey
and Jane, her brothers not far behind.
Kneeling down, Kealey got an extra big hug from Hannah. Then she gently tucked a
wayward lock of hair behind the little girl’s ear. “Looks like you guys have
just about everything ready.”
“I put bows on the kitties,” Hannah whispered.
Kealey’s smile erupted. “I see. Even the boys?”
Brian looked disgusted. “She’s got junk on all of ’em.”
Troy drew his brows together. “Do you think that’ll make people want ’em more?”
Kealey remained diplomatic. “I’m sure the pets look wonderful with or without
bows.”
“We gave ’em baths,” Troy announced. He held out one arm with a reddish scratch.
“But Frankie didn’t want one.”
“Frankie?” Kealey searched her memory as she gently ran her fingers over the
scratch, seeing that it wasn’t serious, yet dropping a light kiss on it. “Isn’t
he a cat? I thought Luke told you not to bathe them.”
“He was extra dirty,” Brian explained.
“And we didn’t want him to not get ’dopted ’cause he was stinky,” Troy added.
Kealey again tried not to smile. “I see.”
“And Luke says you can’t put perfume on ’em,” Hannah told her seriously.
Jane hid a laugh behind a cough and Kealey hugged the three Baker children in
turn. “Well, you’ve done a stupendous job. I’m sure Luke’s very proud of you.”
“He says we’re extra...extraorbs,” Troy told her.
“Extraordinary,” Kealey murmured. And so they were.
A speaker screeched just then and they all looked up.
“My grandsons—hooking up the music for the party,” Jane explained.
“It looks like you have a nice group of them,” Kealey replied politely.
Jane laughed. “I realize we may have more family than good sense, but I wouldn’t
have it any other way.”
Kealey pushed the toe of her pink tennis shoe in the grass. “Is it difficult at
times? I don’t mean to pry-”
“You’re not. Of course it’s difficult. I’ve spent many days wondering how we’d
manage. When the children were young, before Timothy got established, I worried
about money for clothes, toys, medical expenses. Then, because we did have so
many kids and with prices soaring, I worried about college, weddings. But it all
worked out somehow. With enough love, you can accomplish anything.”
Unexpectedly, tears misted Kealey’s eyes at Jane’s beautiful words. But she
didn’t allow them to fall. She was surprised the tears even threatened. Years of
cultivating her hard shell had nearly obliterated the impulse. But lately her
emotions seemed to be rising to the surface. “Your children are very lucky.”
Jane shook her head. “No, I’m the lucky one. Nothing in the world gives you
greater joy than children. And now my children are having the same experience.
Finally, even Luke.”
Shocked, Kealey stared at her. “But that’s only temporary!”
Jane’s tone was quiet, gentle. “I know. But the love doesn’t have to be. And
that’s what really counts. Of course the children need a permanent home, but I
doubt they’ll ever forget the care Luke’s given them. And, if in the future,
times aren’t perfect, maybe they’ll look back and remember there was one person
who loved them, and did his best for them.”
Kealey’s voice choked. “What if that just makes it worse? Makes them long for
what they can’t have?”
Kindly, Jane linked her arm with Kealey’s. “There’s no way to predict another
person’s memories. My kids tell me they have only wonderful memories of growing
up.”
“Perhaps it’s because you were a great mother.”
Jane shook her head. “Maybe. And maybe it’s what they want to remember. I didn’t
have a big family growing up. My parents died when I was eight and my
grandfather raised me. He did his best, but he was at a total loss as to what to
do with a little girl. I remember longing for frilly dresses, hair-bows, things
all the other girls had.” She met Kealey’s eyes. “Sounds silly now, I know. I
was hardly scarred by the loss of such trivialities, but somehow at the time it
seemed terribly important. And that could have been my most significant
childhood memory. But do you know what I remember?”
Kealey shook her head.
“I remember my grandfather reading me bedtime stories every night.” Jane laughed
softly. “He didn’t have too many children’s books, so oft as not he read to me
about fishing tackle or the latest tractor or thrasher on the market. But he was
so careful to make certain I knew I wasn’t alone. He always left the hall light
on—told me it was because he couldn’t see if he needed to get up at night,
though I knew the truth. It was so I wouldn’t be scared in the dark. And every
morning, he brushed my hair, said he used to brush my grandmother’s hair when
she was alive. And even when his hands were so gnarled with arthritis he could
barely pick up the brush, he insisted on doing it. I think it was his way of
letting me know he loved me.”
“That’s a beautiful memory,” Kealey murmured, wondering if Jane was right. Could
a person pick and choose their memories, deliberately hanging on to the bad
rather than the good?
“Which is what I think Luke is creating for the Baker children,” Jane replied.
Then her kind but probing gaze met Kealey’s. “With your help, of course.”
“If you mean in my official capacity—”
“Not completely. That’s part of it, of course. Allowing Luke to keep them at
least for now. But, more importantly, your part in helping them believe in
themselves.”
“I don’t understand—”
“You suggested this party. It’s giving the children the opportunity to help
other orphans. True they’re canine and feline orphans, but still, it makes the
kids feel important, that they’re doing something that counts.”
Touched both by her words and her innate kindness, Kealey didn’t know how to
respond.
But that didn’t seem to faze Jane, either. “You’re helping to give them hope,
Kealey.”
“What if we can’t follow through on this, what if we’ve given them false hope?
Doesn’t that frighten you?” Kealey asked in a worried voice.
But Jane didn’t waver. “I haven’t been frightened since the day my parents died.
My grandfather promised I never had anything else to fear because he would
always be there for me. And he was.”
But so many promises had already been broken, would continue to be broken,
Kealey wanted to scream.
Jane reached out and took Kealey’s hand again. “Please don’t worry, dear. Luke
has big shoulders. I don’t know if he told you this, but he was determined to
work his way through college and then veterinary school. By then, Timothy was
making good money and we had a decent inheritance of land that we sold for a
good profit, but Luke wanted to do it on his own. I guess he thought eight
college tuitions were still a stretch. He had excellent grades so he was awarded
a scholarship, but it still meant long hours and a lot of hard work. At the same
time, he established the first nonkill animal sanctuary in the county. He’s
always worked big and dreamed big. And he’s brought home every wounded animal
and person he’s encountered.”
Kealey got the feeling Jane was referring to her.
“That must have been quite a lot of extra work for you.”
“Sometimes it was,” Jane replied, surprising Kealey who had expected a selfless
declaration. “In fact, there were times I could have conked him for wrecking a
special dinner by dragging in every door-to-door salesman or missionary. And
sometimes, even when you cook dinner for a family of ten, there’s not enough to
stretch it another half dozen ways.”
“But you got a lot out of each experience?”
“No,” Jane told her, again surprising Kealey. “But Luke did. I didn’t realize it
at the time, but those were the events that shaped him into who he is today. I
wish, that as a parent, you could know automatically which things are important,
which ones will matter in the long run, but it’s not that easy. Sometimes you go
to great lengths to plan events you think will mold character and solidify
family remembrances. And later, your kids either don’t remember them or didn’t
think they were significant. Then, there are those times when you throw
something together and your kids still talk about it years later. Parenthood
doesn’t come with a manual, Kealey. It’s instinct. You either have it or you
don’t. And I think Luke has it.”
Biting down on her lip, Kealey had to agree. Too bad she hadn’t been able to
learn those instincts from a parent like Jane. And that wasn’t something you
could compensate for by picking up a book in the child-rearing section of the
local library.
“And you have the instincts, as well,” Jane continued.
Kealey jerked her chin up, shocked. “You can’t possibly know that from just
meeting me.” Kealey swallowed her own regret. “Worse, I’m afraid you’re
wrong—I’m not mother material.”
“Nonsense. You’re a natural.”
Kealey cleared her throat. “I don’t mean to be disrespectful, but—”
“Kealey, being a mother isn’t a definition from Webster’s. It’s about bringing
out the best in kids, encouraging them in a way that teaches them. Like today.
I’m not saying they’ll grow up to be veterinarians or philanthropists. But just
maybe, they’ll grow into adults who care about others, especially those who
can’t help themselves.”
Kealey gazed over at the Bakers. They fit in among Luke’s many nieces and
nephews as though they’d known them since birth. “If they do gain something like
that from today, Luke gets the credit.”
“I’ve found that credit often comes in pairs. Much like what two people bring to
parenting. I was an only child—and as I’ve told you, one with a less than usual
upbringing. But my husband, Timothy, had a huge family, ten brothers and
sisters. His paternal grandparents also lived with them. I think in a lot of
ways I wanted a large family more than he did. He was ready for a little peace
and quiet. I was ready for what I’d never had, what I thought I’d missed.”
“Do you regret having so many kids?” Kealey couldn’t resist asking.
“Every time they drove me nuts,” Jane replied with a laugh, “which was on a
daily basis.” Then her gaze softened. “And now I can’t imagine a moment without
them. But that’s what life’s about—change. From who we were to who we want to
be.”
“Maybe not all of us are looking for change.”
“I’d say it’s a good bet that none of us are. Change isn’t very comfortable. I
hate to even consider painting the walls a new color, but life has a way of
grabbing you and making you adjust to change whether you want to or not.” Jane
smiled suddenly. “I was thrilled to be a mother, but I wasn’t any too anxious to
become a grandmother. There’s something about that word—implies you’re past it,
one of those smudgy, gray little people who are no longer seen as women.”
Kealey couldn’t halt the laughter that came with Jane’s unlikely description.
The woman was still without a doubt madly attractive. “Smudgy?”
“You bet. It’s my word and I like it. Despite my best intentions, my daughter,
Mary, had her first child.” Jane reached up suddenly to brush at her eyes. “I
can’t believe what a goon I’m being. My heavens, that was fifteen years ago.”
Kealey thought Jane’s reaction was terribly touching.
Jane managed to laugh. “Good thing I recovered. I’ve got twenty-one
grandchildren now.”
Kealey’s voice softened unexpectedly. “I’m just amazed how you can have this
incredible family and still look so young and beautiful.”
Jane’s gaze gentled. “Luke was right about you. You are very special.”
Something deep and warm unsettled her. “He said that?”
“And more. Mothers, however, are supposed to be known for their discretion.”
Jane’s gaze swept across the yard. “I’m afraid I’m known more for my huge brood
than anything else.”
“Another thing to be proud of,” Kealey replied.
Again Jane smiled. “Like you.”
Confused, Kealey drew her brows together. “Me?”
Jane pointed to the Baker children who were efficiently completing the setup.
“Just look at them.”
“But I’m not their mother.”
“Incidentals.”
“Hardly. Mrs. Duncan—”
“Jane.”
Kealey took a deep breath. “Jane. I’m their caseworker.”
“And Luke’s their foster dad. But look how far the kids have come in just a
short time. When I first met them, they were terrified, sad and somewhat angry.
Most of all, I don’t think they believed in anyone. They certainly didn’t
believe they’d still be together.”
“But that’s still not for sure.”
“Granted. But I hope you’ll be able to work out something. Hasn’t there ever
been a time in your life when you wished you could change something for the
better?”
Startled, Kealey felt as though the woman could see inside her.
“This could be that time,” Jane continued. “Luke’s been trying, and in some part
succeeding, for most of his life. But this one would mean the most.”
“If he and the kids become too close, it will be wrenching for them all when
they’re removed from his home.”
Jane’s gaze settled on Luke who was lifting Troy onto his shoulders. “I’m afraid
it’s too late for that.”
Kealey was, too. And that was the brunt of the problem. Should she rip the kids
away from a safe, happy environment to protect them from further pain? Briefly
closing her eyes, she remembered the few good homes she’d been placed in. If she
could have stayed longer, she wasn’t certain it would have hurt worse to leave.
Perhaps she could have been happier longer. What was it Jane had said? That we
choose the memories we hang on to.
“Kealey!” Hannah called out. “We’re ready to start!”
She hesitated, but Jane smiled. “I have things here under control. I just
thought you looked like you needed rescuing from the clutches of my many, many
children. Go ahead.”
Still thinking about Jane’s words, Kealey joined Brian, Troy and Hannah. As the
eldest, Brian was in charge of the kennel gates. Hannah was in charge of the
candy-colored leashes she and the boys had chosen from Luke’s stock. And Troy
was guiding visitors toward the kennels.
Luke caught her eye and then reached her side seconds later. It seemed to her
that he stood a bit closer than usual. “So, what do you think of your ‘little’
party idea?”
“I can’t believe your whole family came out in support.”
“Are you kidding? I’ve talked each and every one of them into adopting one or
more of my strays in the past. They’re just hoping to be saved from taking
another cat or dog.”
“Your mom’s really nice,” Kealey continued, realizing Jane was the kind of
mother she’d always dreamed of. Kind, considerate, but with enough character to
make her interesting.
“Yeah, I’m kind of fond of her,” he responded. “Have you met my dad?”
“Well, no, but—”
“Might as well get it over with, Kealey. You know you’ll have to meet the whole
family.”
“I will?” she responded weakly.
“You don’t want to hurt their feelings, do you?”
“Of course not.”
Luke smiled, taking her hand, tugging her across the lawn until they reached his
father. “Dad, I want you to meet Kealey.”
“Call me Tim.” A tall, older and still handsome version of Luke greeted her with
a grin. “So, you’re the young lady I’ve heard so much about.”
Unsure how to take that, she tried to smile. “You have?”
“With three daughters and four daughters-in-law, there aren’t too many secrets
in our family.”
“Secrets?” she echoed, her discomfort level increasing with each word.
“You’re the young lady who’s helping Luke with those cute kids, aren’t you?”
Luke draped an arm over Kealey’s shoulders. “Dad, we might be coming on a little
strong for Kealey. I don’t know how big her family is, but I’m guessing it’s
nowhere near the size of our mob.”
“Good point, son.” Tim leaned closer to Kealey. “We can talk more later when
we’re not being censored. But before you go, I want to tell you this party was a
great idea. Super job.”
“Thank you, but—”
“Don’t even try,” Luke interrupted as his father lifted his brows, then winked
and moved on across the yard. “It was your idea and my family’s big on
supporting each other.”
“I’m not part of your family,” she replied quietly.
Luke stared at her, seeing the vulnerability she usually masked. “You don’t get
it, do you?”
She shook her head.
“You’re helping part of my family—specifically, me with the kids. To my family,
that makes you part of us. Family’s not about blood and genealogy, it’s about
caring and trusting and helping each other no matter what. Don’t you imagine my
brothers and sisters and their families had better things to do today than come
to a pet adoption party? They’re here because it’s what we do. You’ve never told
me much about your family, but I’m guessing it isn’t that way.”
Her expression clouded.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” he persisted.
“Luke, not everybody’s like your family, throwing around feelings like confetti
on New Year’s. Some of us are more...private.”
Again he searched her eyes. “What makes you shut yourself off, to push away
people when they get close?”
But she was physically backing away. “Luke, stop. I’m here to help with the
party, not to be psychoanalyzed.”
Realizing she might truly run away, he stopped the inquisition. “Why don’t we
give out balloons to the kids who are looking at the prospective pets?”
She blinked, then stared at him suspiciously. “Balloons?”
“That or start passing out the punch. I’ve been thinking people might be more
conducive to taking home one of our little adoptees if they’re in a true party
mood.”
“I noticed there’s quite a spread on the buffet,” Kealey mused.
“My family brought enough food to feed half the town.”
Kealey glanced at the large signs posted around the lawn, stating there would be
no adoption fees. Luke had already spayed and neutered the animals. “I was
worried that the signs might not be large enough when we were making them, but
they look okay.”
“The whole thing is great, Kealey. Just relax and enjoy it.”
If only it was that easy. Still, she joined him as they strolled around the
yard, explaining the adoption procedure to potential owners.
The first hour they had a lot of lookers, but no takers. The kids still seemed
hopeful, but Kealey was beginning to worry. What if this had been a terrible
idea? What if no one adopted a single pet?
Meeting Luke’s gaze, she realized she was conveying her concern when he winked
and sent her an encouraging thumbs-up. Still, the next twenty minutes crawled
by.
Then a young couple with a five-year-old son chose one of the smaller dogs.
Paperwork complete, the dog on one of the candy-colored leashes, they left with
smiles nearly as large as Brian’s, Hannah’s and Troy’s.
A family with three little girls arrived next. The parents insisted they wanted
only one kitten, one that all the girls could agree on. But each child chose a
different kitten and after prolonged pleading, the parents gave in and took all
three.
With four adoptions behind them, the kids were pumped.
It was nearing noon and Kealey worried that they still had a lot more strays
than adopters. Then she glanced at the long table of food and inspiration
struck.
Within minutes she searched for and found the leftover poster board and began
lettering some new signs. Seeing what she was doing, Ruth and Mary joined her.
Kealey couldn’t stem her astonishment at how this family operated.
“This is a smashing idea,” Mary told her, holding up one of the completed signs
that read Free Lunch and Pets.
“I’m not sure it’ll do any good,” Kealey demurred.
“Are you kidding?” Ruth interceded. “If you weren’t so good with kids, you could
be in the PR business. Luke told us how you did all the flyers and the
advertisements as well.”
Struck by the fact that Luke had complimented her to his family, it took her a
moment to reply. “I like kids.”
“It’s obviously mutual,” Mary told her. “Little Hannah can’t stop talking about
you.”
That warm feeling was crawling through her again.
Rachel had joined them, and she placed a friendly hand on Kealey’s shoulder.
“You guys don’t know the half of it. Kealey’s the most dedicated caseworker I’ve
ever seen. She cares about these kids as if each and every one were her own.”
Embarrassed and more than slightly astonished, Kealey flushed. “Rachel, we all
do that.”
“I do my best, but there’s something about you, Kealey. Something that makes you
connect with them in a way I’ve never seen before. With you, it seems incredibly
personal.”
Mary and Ruth sat quietly, seeming to sense any pat comments would be grossly
out of place.
But Kealey was in agony—anytime someone came this close to guessing she had a
special connection to the children in her care, her reason for choosing her job,
Kealey ran. It was why she’d only lived in Greenville a year, why she’d fled
from town to town since the beginning of her career. All the old instincts
jumped into place, even though she’d only told Rachel that she had no family and
that she’d moved around a lot.
At the same time, a new sensation coursed through her. She didn’t want to run
again, to sever her connection with the Baker children...or with Luke.
Rachel picked up one of the signs. “Kealey, Mary’s right. These is a smashing
idea! Who can resist sandwiches, cookies, puppies and kittens?”
“Perhaps we shouldn’t make it sound like that’s our menu,” Ruth mused with a
twinkling smile.
Kealey guessed that Mary and Ruth had somehow realized they were becoming too
personal and were graciously backing off. While she appreciated their
sensitivity, her spirits sank. If they could see her distress, she’d revealed
too much.
Perhaps it was time to move on. Kealey had accepted long ago that, because of
her background, she couldn’t ever be a mother or wife.
At one time she’d entertained the notion that she could draw on her experience.
Then she would remember her mother’s face the day she’d been abandoned. How did
she know she wouldn’t repeat Frannie Fitzpatrick’s mistake? How could she be
sure it wasn’t a genetic flaw, something no amount of willpower could conquer?
Nothing would make her risk the fate of the children she longed to have. As a
caseworker, if she failed, another social worker could step in. But as a mother,
there was no backup.
And since her birth certificate revealed a father she’d never known, Kealey
could only assume her mother had been a failure as a wife as well. And without
knowing anything about the man who appeared in her life only as a neatly typed
name on an official document, she didn’t know what other failings she might have
inherited from him as well.
Rachel and Ruth moved off with two of the completed signs.
Mary remained behind. Her voice was quiet. “I know that we often come on like
gangbusters—especially since there are so many of us. But please don’t think
we’re prying.” Her kindly eyes were filled with a wisdom resembling her
mother’s. “When someone comes into our family, for whatever reason, we find
ourselves caring for them. Though I do realize that not everybody’s comfortable
with what probably seems like nosiness.” She cleared her throat. “But just
because we dig into each other’s lives, we don’t do that to everyone else.”
Kealey’s smile was wobblier than she intended. “I didn’t realize I was so
transparent.”
“You’re not.” Mary’s voice continued to be gentle. “But I’m the oldest sister,
and I’ve been a mother for a lot of years now as well. It gives you a sort of
radar. Although I’m used to how the Duncans operate, I do know that’s not for
everyone. So don’t let us scare you away.”
Kealey swallowed, trying to sound level, unaffected. “I’m made of pretty tough
stuff.”
“I’m certain of that,” Mary replied quietly. “Perhaps even tougher than you
realize.”
Surprise held Kealey still for a moment.
But Mary didn’t let the silence grow uncomfortable. “I know you’ve met my five
children.”
Kealey nodded.
“I was convinced I could never raise one, let alone a handful.”
“But you grew up in a loving, happy family!” Kealey protested.
Mary shrugged. “Sometimes that’s not all there is to it. At least not for
everybody.”
Kealey considered these surprising words. She’d just assumed that being raised
in a loving family insured you’d become a natural parent. “You overcame your
concerns, though.”
Mary laughed softly. “Sometimes, you just have to let go of your fears.” Her
glance traveled across the yard toward her husband, a man who’d begun to gray
and whose waistline had also thickened. “Especially if you love someone enough.”
He looked up just then, his loving gaze landing on his wife.
Mary cleared her throat. “You’ll have to excuse me. I’m still nuts over my guy.”
Then she gazed over at Luke and the kids. “Luke’s a natural, though. I always
thought he’d be great with about a dozen kids.”
Kealey again felt uncomfortable. “You do realize that he may not be able to keep
the kids much longer.”
Mary didn’t seem surprised. “Of course. Having a sister in the foster care
business has clued me in somewhat. But whether he does or not, I hope you’ll
know that you’re always welcome here, with our family.”
Kealey blinked. “But—”
“It’s just who we are, Kealey.” She laid a gentle hand on Kealey’s outstretched
arm. “And we don’t expect you to be like us.” She smiled, a teasing gleam in her
eyes. “We like you anyway, just as you are.”
Startled, Kealey couldn’t immediately reply.
Breaking into the moment, Hannah came over. “Kealey, guess what?”
“What?”
“The signs are working! Look!” She pointed to the trickle of people coming
through the gate.
“Oh, my,” Kealey murmured, inordinately pleased.
Hannah ran off toward the kennels and Mary stood as well, her smile at once
teasing, kind and welcoming. “I just love being right. It was a smashing idea.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
They were all exhausted. But it was a good kind of exhausted. They had found
homes for two-thirds of Luke’s strays. And the Duncans had remained behind to
clean up and put away everything. One by one, as order was reestablished, the
family members took off, until only Luke, Kealey and the kids remained.
Luke had been sure Kealey would escape as soon as possible, but she’d lingered.
The expression on her face was one he hadn’t seen before. She seemed somehow
reflective.
Her idea for free lunch had not only brought in people who had adopted the pets,
it had also wiped out all the food his family had brought over, along with
everything in his kitchen.
“I definitely think it’s a pizza night,” Luke announced. “We have a lot to
celebrate.”
The kids clapped their hands.
“Let’s go to Little Bit of Italy,” Luke continued.
Kealey looked at him in question.
“It’s the oldest and best pizza place in town. The wife of the original owner
was from Italy and now it’s second generation. Can’t beat it.”
She nodded. “I should be going anyway, let you have your dinner.”
“I meant all of us,” Luke replied quietly, still wondering about the softer look
on her face.
“You have to come,” Brian told her. “You’re the reason we had the party.”
Looking touched, Kealey knelt beside him. “That’s very sweet of you, but you and
your brother and sister deserve the credit. You’re the ones who cared so much
about the animals and wanted to make sure they had loving homes.”
“But you will come, won’t you?” Troy asked.
Kealey glanced up at Luke. “I wouldn’t miss it.”
More relieved than he’d expected to be, Luke met her gaze. “Okay, troops. Out to
the car.”
Twilight was giving way to darkness, as they drove toward the oldest part of
Greenville. The center of the little town still had an old-fashioned Main Street
with buildings dating from the 1800s. The street was only five blocks long, but
it held the essence of Greenville’s charm.
Some of the buildings were still false fronted, a few others were constructed of
brick or stone. The two-story building that housed Little Bit of Italy looked as
ancient as its faded brick exterior. But it was the aged grace that made it so
inviting.
Inside, old fresco walls, softened by age rather than design, truly looked as
though they belonged in Tuscany rather than the wilds of Texas. Dozens of
sconces held beeswax candles while a huge iron chandelier filtered muted light
over the room. Framed family pictures that represented several generations were
mixed among subdued, inviting oil landscapes of both Italy and Ireland.
They were greeted warmly and seated within moments among the other diners. As
they accepted menus, Luke watched for Kealey’s reaction.
She looked up just then. “How could I not have known about this place? It’s
delightful.”
“I’ve always liked it,” he agreed. “But then I’m a sucker for history. Daniel
O’Brien went to Italy in World War II, fell in love with Gina Luciano, and
brought her back to Greenville. Back then she must have felt as though he’d
moved her to the real Old West. Legend has it he was so in love with her, he
wanted to recreate a part of home for her, so he bought this old building. They
moved in upstairs and remodeled this level for the restaurant.”
“Sounds like a labor of love,” she murmured.
“I’ll say. Dan O’Brien had two left hands and was about as handy with a hammer
as most people are with laser rockets.”
She laughed, a soft pleasing sound. “Then how’d this come to be?”
“Dan did his best. But when he had done all he knew how to, he bartered for the
rest of the work. He was an accountant and he found plenty of contractors,
electricians and plumbers who needed their books put in order. Gina supervised
the plaster work—wanted it to look like it did back home. Then she and Dan
painted and decorated.”
Kealey glanced at the rustic, Mediterranean tables and chairs. “I wonder where
they found the furnishings.”
“They didn’t. Dan found a cabinetmaker, Gina sketched the drawings, and between
them, it worked. Gina and Dan wrapped the woven straw around the seats of the
chairs themselves. And from what my grandparents told me, at that point, they
were finally ready to open the restaurant. By then, after all that work and
investment, they were terrified that little old Greenville wouldn’t take to
something so foreign. But the fact that it was so different was what attracted
everyone.
“The O’Briens spent the last of their savings on a jukebox, which I guess was a
big splurge. The fantastic food, the charm of the place, and the fact that they
could dance to the music on the jukebox, well, Granddad said it was the Saturday
night hangout.”
Kealey glanced around at the small crowd. “Looks like it’s still popular. Only
in a good way. Friendly, but not too noisy or crowded.”
Luke nodded. “It’s not trying too hard.”
Kealey’s gaze lightened in recognition. “Exactly. Sometimes places like that are
just plain exhausting.”
Luke realized it was one of the few glimpses he’d had of the real Kealey. Again
he wondered what it was she was so carefully preserving.
And why did it seem so important for him to find out?
The air seemed to hush as the evening progressed. The pizza arrived and the
children attacked it with their usual enthusiasm, but it was Kealey who Luke
continued to watch. She assisted Troy with his pizza in a way that didn’t make
it look as though the five-year-old really needed help. The youngest child was
always wanting to act as grown-up as his older brother.
And there was a softness in Kealey’s eyes and her manner as she laughed and
talked with the kids. But when her gaze caught his, he could swear her
bluish-gray eyes changed to the green of her cotton shirt. How could he have
overlooked that before? Especially when her eyes were so compelling....
Kealey glanced up again as she picked up her glass. But she didn’t take a drink.
Instead her tongue nervously touched her lips as though they’d gone suddenly
dry.
The children’s chatter dimmed, much as the night around them had. How was it
he’d never really noticed just how delicately pretty Kealey was? Probably
because delicate never seemed to describe her before.
The old jukebox cranked out another tune, this time a slow song from the
fifties, a sweet, melancholy tune. And Luke knew he wanted nothing more in that
instant than to hold Kealey in his arms.
His gaze still on hers, he stood and held out his hand. “Dance?”
Although she looked startled, she nodded, a wobbly uncertain movement.
Luke was suddenly glad that the room was so small, the dance floor even smaller.
With only the few other couples beside them, it seemed immensely intimate.
And then she was in his arms.
Chest to chest, their hands connected, their bodies leaning closer. Luke had a
wild desire to drag her as close as physically possible, to feel her against
him, if only for a fleeting moment.
But the vulnerability in her eyes stopped him. If he didn’t know better, he
would think it was a silent plea. Another urge possessed him, the urge to
protect her, to uncover what hurt had caused this lingering doubt.
Even as those thoughts surfaced, he glimpsed something else in Kealey’s
expression. Mixed with her insecurity was a longing, at least he hoped it was
longing.
So he drew her an inch closer.
And there was no panic in her eyes. Instead they seemed to change color again,
becoming a mysterious pewter he couldn’t quite read. Was that a flicker of
interest that blossomed when his grip tightened?
Her eyelids drifted shut. The song’s haunting melody seemed to move them even
closer, until their faces were scarcely a breath apart. At this distance he
could see the soft ivory of her skin, the brush of a few defiant freckles, and
the fullness of her lips. Lips that seemed to be curving in invitation.
Luke was just about to accept when the song ended. With a will he hadn’t known
he possessed, Luke forced himself to withdraw, to glance at the children, to
make sure they were okay. Absorbed in their pizza, they hadn’t seemed to notice
anything amiss.
Returning his gaze to Kealey he could almost say the same about her. Except
there was a new flush to her cheeks and a betraying increase in her breathing
that belied his first assumption.
Something stirred inside and made him want to shout. But he had a feeling she
wouldn’t be pleased if he did. In fact, he guessed she would probably run as
fast as she could.
Which meant he was going to have to figure out how to make her stay.
* * *
Kealey avoided Luke’s house for two days, but it was killing her. She wanted to
see Luke, which she knew was the main reason she should stay away.
And she wanted to see the kids, not in a professional capacity, but because she
found she missed them as well. How had these three crept under her skin so
quickly, so surely? She’d had dozens of similar cases. But there was something
about the Baker children she couldn’t name or define.
So, Kealey found herself heading into the kennel area, learning from Wayne that
the kids should be there. Just the kids, she told herself. Not Luke, just the
kids. That’s who she wanted to see.
Hearing voices, she paused. Brian’s sounded agitated and immediately she was on
alert.
“I’m sorry, Luke. I meant to have the kennels all cleaned up, but then practice
took longer and I couldn’t get here on time. But I won’t do it again. I’ll do
better, I’ll—”
Kealey charged toward the corner, prepared to confront Luke and to protect
Brian.
But the big, incredibly masculine man had knelt down, his hands on Brian’s
shoulders. “I’ve told you this before. I meant it then and I mean it now.” Luke
paused, his voice husky with restrained emotion. “Maybe even more now. Chores or
no chores, you have a place with me here. That’s not going to change if a few
kennels don’t get cleaned on time. You understand?”
Brian’s eyes filled with tears. “But I told you, too. I don’t want to let you
down.”
“That’s not going to happen. Brian, we all make mistakes. That’s just part of
life. The important thing is that you care about making things right, it’s part
of why you’re going to grow up to be a good man.” Luke’s arms wrapped around the
boy. “You believe me, don’t you?”
When Brian finally pulled back, he brushed at his eyes, nodding. “I wish you
could be my father forever.”
Frozen, Kealey watched as Luke’s Adam’s apple worked. “I wish I could be, too.
But I want you to know even if that doesn’t happen, you’ll always have a place
in my heart. Not just today, tomorrow, next week or even next year. I mean
always.”
Kealey fought the tears that were blurring her vision. As sure as she’d been
that the children should be placed in a two-parent home, she knew now she was
wrong. These three were exactly where they belonged, with the man who should
raise them. She had been seeing the signs all along, even as she’d tried to
ignore them. But there was no doubt, no possible opposing reasoning she could
offer. The Baker children were crazy about Luke, and his feelings were clearly
mutual.
A determination as fierce as the one she’d just witnessed gripped her. No matter
what it took, she intended to make certain Luke and the Baker children stayed
together.
Footsteps clattered loudly on the wooden stairs behind her. Troy and Hannah
spotted her as they neared the bottom landing, their voices rising in pleased
excitement. “Kealey!”
She walked rapidly toward them, raising her own voice. “Hi, guys! I was hoping
to find you!”
“We like it when you’re here,” Troy told her.
Already emotional, Kealey had to firm her voice, to keep from sounding too
affected. “Now, that’s the nicest thing anyone’s said to me all day.”
Troy’s smile broadened.
It took so little to please these kids. And they had so very much to give.
“I was hoping maybe I could find someone to have ice cream with,” Kealey told
both Troy and Hannah, hoping the treat would lift Brian’s spirits.
Grins erupted. “We could do that!” Hannah exclaimed.
“Uh-huh,” Troy chimed in.
“You could?” Kealey asked, pretending to consider their offer. “And Brian, too?”
“Oh, but we have chores,” Troy remembered suddenly.
Luke, accompanied by Brian, had just turned the corner toward the stairwell.
Hearing the last of their conversation, Luke glanced at Troy and Hannah. “I
think we could suspend them this once.”
Kealey noticed that Brian lingered very close to Luke. And she realized in that
instant that he needed to do the chores, to prove to Luke and perhaps himself
that he could do the right thing.
“You know. If I helped, we could finish the chores sooner,” Kealey offered.
“Then, if Luke agrees, we could go for ice cream. Hey, even hamburgers. My
treat.” She met Luke’s gaze, her own pleading for him to understand.
To her relief, he grasped her meaning instantly. “Hey, that’s quite an offer,
huh, guys? Tell you what, Kealey. I need Brian to do some of the more
complicated duties. Would you mind helping Troy and Hannah instead?”
Kealey could have kissed him. “That’s great. I like petting the cats.”
“We have to sweep, too,” Troy told her seriously.
“With a big strong boy like you to help, we’ll have that done in no time,” she
replied, meeting Luke’s gaze. She wasn’t certain which direction the gratitude
was flowing, but the feelings it was evoking were putting cracks in the dam
she’d erected over a lifetime.
* * *
“I like cheese on mine,” Hannah told Luke over an hour later as they stood in
line to order their hamburgers.
“You don’t say,” he responded in mock surprise.
She giggled. “You knew that.”
The other two children gave their orders, then Kealey and Luke added theirs. The
cashier tallied the total and Kealey withdrew her wallet.
“Hold on,” Luke protested.
“My treat,” she reminded him.
“I know social workers aren’t exactly loaded.”
But instead of tensing up as he’d expected, a teasing grin sprouted on her lips.
“As opposed to veterinarians who take in every stray in the county?”
“Point taken. But I’m an old-fashioned guy.”
A bit of wonder and confusion colored her expression.
It occurred to him that he’d said that as though they were on a date. Even so he
managed to put his money down on the counter first.
“Then I insist on paying for the ice cream cones,” she retorted, rather than
tussle for the bill.
He raised one brow in challenge. “You think so?”
Again, to his surprise, she reacted by curving her lips in reply. “We’ll see.”
Was it his imagination, or had she begun to loosen up—to not go rigid over the
least little thing?
Once they were seated, Luke patiently helped Hannah with her hamburger, then
poured ketchup for Troy’s French fries. Glancing up, he caught Kealey’s gaze on
him, and he wondered what was going on behind those changing eyes of hers.
But Kealey didn’t dare reveal her thoughts. How could she tell this incredible
man that she was prepared to do whatever it took to make sure he and the
children remained together? It went against her preconceived notions, but it was
time to admit she was wrong. She didn’t care what she might have to sacrifice,
but if reversing her stand cost her this job, so be it. She’d moved around so
much she’d become accustomed to starting over.
Brian was unusually quiet and Luke draped a casual, but bolstering arm over his
shoulders. “You did a great job with the older dogs, today.”
He nodded, not yet smiling. “I wish they had real homes of their own. But
they’re so old nobody would want them.”
Kealey cleared her throat, her gaze darting from Brian to Luke. “I was thinking
about them the day we had the adoption party. It seems like people and pets kind
of have to be matched up—so they’re a good fit. Young families choose young
animals—not necessarily puppies and kittens, but still young adult pets. They
probably think an older dog or cat wouldn’t have enough energy to play with
their kids.”
“Probably,” Luke agreed.
“Well, I was wondering if we could match up your older strays with older people,
perhaps retired seniors who would like the companionship and appreciate the
qualities of an older dog over a rambunctious puppy.”
Luke stared at her in amazement. He’d never even considered that possibility. It
was more than that, though. She put so much thought, so much original thought
into everything.
“Cool!” Brian said, brightening for the first time. “Do you really think we
could do that?”
“It would take some research and work, but I think we could. I can contact Aging
Services to see if they have a list of people living alone who might be good
candidates.”
“And they could be ’dopted, too?” Troy asked.
“In forever homes?” Hannah echoed. “Like us with Luke?”
Kealey’s gaze didn’t look so much startled as it did reflective, determined.
“Sort of.”
Luke again wondered at the change in her. And the change he felt when she was
with them—with him.
CHAPTER NINE
Kealey stared at her supervisor, Jack Olson, in shocked dismay. “I know I
requested a two-parent home for the Baker children, but the situation has
changed. I’m in the process of preparing new documents.”
Jack frowned. “Has he married?”
“No, but on further evaluation, it’s become clear to me that he’s providing a
stable environment.”
Shrugging, Jack started to turn away. “The Hendricks are fine foster parents and
since the children in their care have been adopted, they have an opening.”
“But—”
“Kealey, you know as well as I do that it’s impossible to wait for a home that
would accept all three children. I don’t like dividing siblings any more than
you do, but that’s the harsh reality. At least two of them will be together and
I have several new openings that can take the third child.”
“Split them up?” Kealey whispered, more horrified than she’d imagined she could
be.
“Kealey, you’re not new to this. You know it happens all the time.”
“Jack, why can’t we leave them in Luke Duncan’s care? The children are happy,
becoming well adjusted—”
“You filed the papers with the court, remember?”
“I could talk to the judge,” Kealey argued.
“That you could, but you wrote up a pretty persuasive argument on why they
shouldn’t be allowed to stay in a one-parent home. How do you plan to
backtrack?”
Desperately, Kealey wondered that herself. She could envision the shattered
expressions if she had to tell the children they would be split up, the agony
she would cause them as well as Luke.
Everyone would be devastated, because she had been so sure she’d known best. So
sure she’d refused to see the love between Luke Duncan and the Baker children
until it was too late.
So sure she’d convinced a judge to trust her judgment.
And now Kealey wasn’t nearly as sure she could fix what she had set in motion.
If she couldn’t, Luke would be right. As he’d predicted, to prove a point, she
would be harming the children, yanking them from the one place they belonged.
Remembering her newfound determination, she vowed not to let that happen.
* * *
Seven hours later Kealey knew she had lost. She’d tried every justification,
every plea, every reasonable and unreasonable argument she could muster. She’d
even requested an appeal from the state’s attorney. But it was hard to win an
argument when you suddenly switched sides.
The judge was kind but adamant. Having considered her original petition, he
believed she was right to insist on placing the children with two-parent
families. True, it was unfortunate that they would be split up, but a permanent
resolution was the most prominent consideration. Realistically, he pointed out,
few families would adopt all the Baker children.
As the hearing came to a close, Judge Allred pulled off his reading glasses.
“Perhaps, Miss Fitzpatrick, we can hope that the right two-parent family will
come along and adopt all three children.”
And he refused to rescind the order, instead amending it to remove the children
immediately.
Feeling horrible, ashamed and incredibly cruel for initiating this, Kealey
finally accepted the judge’s decision.
At the same time she knew she had to do something, anything to keep Luke and the
children together. Perhaps her supervisor could help. Jack Olson carried a great
deal of influence in the family court. But would it be enough?
As she rushed back to the office, a portion of the judge’s last words continued
to echo through her fractured thoughts. Perhaps, Miss Fitzpatrick, the right
two-parent family will adopt all three children.
The right two-person family. The phrase resounded relentlessly, an unorthodox
idea building.
The words continued to mock her even as she spent the last hours of the day and
those of early evening behind closed doors with her supervisor, pleading Luke’s
case until she was convinced there was nothing Jack Olson could do, either. At
least not yet.
If only she hadn’t been so sure she was right. Just because her own experiences
in single-parent homes had been negative she shouldn’t have been so unwilling to
believe there were exceptions.
Now, alone in her car as she drove toward Luke’s house, she acknowledged for the
first time that she’d allowed her own memories to cloud her judgment. By
insisting on doing things her way, she had ruined all that—her actions alone
were breaking up this family. And in the approaching darkness, she acknowledged
a second, searing truth. Had another caseworker, any other caseworker been
assigned, this wouldn’t have happened. A different social worker would have seen
beyond the limitations of a single father home to the benefits of a man who had
grown to love these children as his own.
She swallowed against the choking truth. What she’d done was unforgivable—unless
she remedied it. Luke would think she was crazy, perhaps she was, but she had to
do something...she had to do the right thing. Late, true, but hopefully not too
late. Like it or not, she was the only one who could repair the damage.
Trying not to tremble, Kealey gathered her courage and pressed the doorbell. In
a few moments a smiling Luke opened the door. Studying her face, his grin faded.
“What is it?”
“Where are the kids?” she asked, trying with all her might not to burst out the
truth.
“Upstairs doing their homework.”
“Can we talk?” she asked. “Privately?”
Again he searched her gaze. “Let’s go into the backyard.”
Once outside, they sat on the steps of the gazebo.
Luke spoke first. “It’s bad, isn’t it?”
Kealey twisted her hands together. “They found two-parent homes for the
children.”
“Homes? As in plural?”
She swallowed. “There wasn’t enough space in one for all three kids. And we
haven’t turned up a solitary relative. From interviews with the kids, it’s
apparent there wasn’t any extended family.”
Luke’s voice was grim, disappointed. “And you think it’s best to split them up
rather than have them live with me?”
Distress filled her voice. “Of course not! They love you and I think you love
them.”
He stared into the darkness.
“Do you?” she persisted.
“Yep. But I don’t suppose that’s going to do me any good, is it?”
Again she twisted her hands. “I honestly don’t know. I went to court today. I
argued on your behalf.”
His eyes narrowed. “You did?”
“I realize that no one else can do a better job parenting them than you can.
They’re blossoming under your care. Separating the four of you would be
heartbreaking...unforgivable.”
A glimmer of hope crept over his expression. “Then why are you so glum? If I can
keep—”
“That’s just it. You can’t.”
“I don’t get it, Kealey. You’re the caseworker. If you recommend—”
“Before I knew... If you remember before—when I thought I knew what was right
for you and them—I filed papers with the court, recommending they be relocated
to a two-parent home.”
“But surely you can tell them you’ve changed your mind.”
“I did,” she replied grimly.
“And?”
“The judge concurs with my first recommendation, especially in light of the fact
that the kids would most likely be adopted once in a permanent home.”
“What if I want to adopt them?”
She shrugged. “The judge’s order supersedes your request. He’s insisting that
the kids be removed tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” he echoed in horrified shock.
“Yes. And your adoption request could be a problem. Even though they’re more
common these days, single parents still have a long, difficult task in adopting.
As of tomorrow the kids will be in other foster homes. By the time your request
could be processed they might already be adopted by someone else.”
“So that’s it?” Luke asked dully. “Even though I’m sure I want to adopt them?”
“Maybe not.” She hesitated, remembering the heated, unusual conversation, Jack
Olson’s disbelief. “My supervisor and I believe the judge would allow you to
keep the children if you were a two-parent family.”
Confused, he stared at her. “What am I supposed to do? Get married?”
Kealey took a deep breath, feeling the pressure of her nerves pushing at her
lungs, threatening to choke her. “Yes. I think that would do it.”
“And I’m supposed to produce a wife in—what?—twenty-four, forty-eight hours?”
She nodded, her eyes huge and luminescent in the moonlight.
“Where am I...” His words trailed off, his gaze locking with hers. “Kealey?” he
asked in baffled wonder.
Again she nodded as she tried to restrain her nerves, knowing that she had no
alternative to offer, also knowing she alone needed to take responsibility, to
provide a solution. Unless he had another prospective bride in mind, she was his
only hope to keep his new family together. “For the children.”
“The children,” he repeated, his gaze darkening, questioning.
Kealey had attempted to rapidly formulate a plan in the few hours she’d had to
consider this desperate strategy. She knew it would sound insane. “I thought we
could make an arrangement upfront that protects us both. We can set a time
limit—I’m thinking until the judge grants you permanent custody, which may take
a while. If you want to set a definite time period, that’s all right, too. Of
course, we’ll have to tell the children the truth—I wouldn’t want to disappoint
them with an unrealistic fantasy.” Kealey paused, desperately wondering what he
was thinking. “I suppose it would be best to tell your family the truth, as
well. I wouldn’t want to hurt them, either.”
“I think they’ll take it all right. My parents learned a long time ago that I
have to do things in my own way. But what about your family? What will they
think of this?”
Her laugh wasn’t brittle, though she felt as if she were about to break. “There
isn’t any family to consult. I grew up in foster homes.”
“Which is why you care so much about the kids.”
Her chin dropped a fraction. It was so incredibly difficult to reveal herself.
She’d never been able to quash the fear of allowing anyone to get too close.
“Yes. My mother abandoned me when I was five and I never knew my father.”
He made a sympathetic noise, but she waved it away. “I don’t need your pity,
Luke, but you deserve to know the truth.”
His eyes were warm, yet he injected a light note in his voice. “So you’re trying
to tell me your side of the guest list will be small?”
Kealey felt an unexpected moment of relief. “Yes, I guess so.”
“Maybe it’s something we can discuss more when we’re old married folks.”
She stiffened. “It’s only a temporary arrangement.”
He met her eyes. “Accepted.”
The air between them was weighty, heavy with emotions that couldn’t be spoken
aloud.
Nervously, she nibbled her dry lips, realizing how unlike her it was to act on
impulse—especially one this wild, so unexpected. “I suppose you think I’m
awfully brazen.”
“Brazen? Hmmm.” He shook his head as his gaze roamed over her again. “Nope, not
the word I’m thinking.”
“Luke, I know my first assessment was wrong, but despite what you might think,
it wasn’t personal, not toward you, I mean. Although I now realize I shouldn’t
have been so obstinate, I truly only wanted what was best for the kids. They
deserve the finest and—”
Gently he laid two fingers over her lips. “I know. I mouthed off a lot when I
first met you, or should I say when I met you for the second time. Rachel’s
right. You do care. But are you sure about this? It seems the children and I
have everything to gain, but you...”
Kealey had never been less sure of anything in her life. But she couldn’t allow
her own shortsighted decision to ruin four lives. “I caused the situation. It’s
my responsibility to find a solution. But I guess the better question would be,
are you sure?”
His eyes darkened to near black and Kealey wished desperately she could see what
he hid behind the dark shield. “You know I want to keep the kids, Kealey, and
I’ll do whatever it takes.”
It wasn’t exactly the golden proposal most women dreamed of, but this wasn’t a
real marriage. Still, she wished the prospect of her as a wife hadn’t been
uttered as though he’d volunteered to take a dose of cod liver oil. Swallowing,
she gave him the last of the news.
“I spoke to my supervisor and he thinks the judge will go along with our
request, but nothing in the legal system’s a certainty until every i is dotted.
We’ll have to file an emergency motion first thing in the morning.”
“But you’re game to try?”
Kealey nodded, knowing she couldn’t go back on her promise, also knowing she’d
never been so frightened in her life.
* * *
The judge was dubious. But he had worked with Jack Olson for many years and
respected his opinion. Without his recommendation, Judge Allred would have been
tempted to stick to his original order to immediately remove the children from
the Duncan home.
At the barest minimum it was unorthodox. A social worker marrying a foster
parent to create a home for three orphans. But it wasn’t the oddest thing he’d
ever seen. After all, this was the U.S. justice system.
The judge stared down his long, thin nose. Kealey knew from past experience that
despite his forbidding demeanor, he had only the best interest of the children
in mind. He hadn’t chosen a career in family law for fame and fortune.
“Mr. Duncan, I see that you’ve also filed a petition for adoption. While that’s
admirable, you do realize that the children’s interest is the court’s foremost
concern?”
Luke stood tall, self-assured, certain. “Yes, Your Honor.”
“You also realize that I will order strict monitoring from Child Services
regarding this case. Any irregularities and the previous order will be
reinstated.”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“And, Miss Fitzpatrick, I understand from your superiors that you have an
impeccable record. You’re putting your professional career on the line as well
as your personal one. I assume Mr. Olson has already informed you that if this
turns into a debacle your career will head south.”
Kealey swallowed. “Yes, Your Honor.”
Judge Allred studied both Kealey and Luke. Finally, he pushed back his glasses,
then scrawled a signature on the new court order. “This goes against my better
judgment, but I’m granting you temporary custody of the three minor Baker
children, Brian, Hannah and Troy. I will, of course, expect proof of your
marriage in seven days’ time.”
Luke and Kealey nodded in unison.
“I truly hope you’ve both thought this decision through, examined all the
consequences, and most importantly, that you’re thinking of the children, rather
than yourselves.” He glanced over at his court officer. “Schedule a follow-up
hearing in sixty days, Ms. Williams.”
The court officer made the notation.
“Then we’re done here,” the judge announced.
“Thank you, Your Honor,” Luke replied. “For giving us this chance. We won’t
disappoint you.”
Judge Allred looked reflective and not completely convinced. “I hope not.”
A few minutes later, walking away from the courtroom, Luke found he was still
holding his breath. Slowly releasing it, he realized Kealey hadn’t said anything
since they’d left the judge’s presence. And he was pretty certain she wasn’t
daydreaming about an elaborate white wedding. She’d made crystal clear that her
intentions were to keep this marriage solely a practical arrangement.
“Kealey?”
She glanced up at him, her eyes unguarded. “I was so afraid we wouldn’t win.”
It wasn’t the answer he’d expected. “You were?”
She nodded. “If my supervisor hadn’t helped...”
“But he did,” Luke responded gently. “Sometimes that’s all we have in this life,
Kealey. Help from friends, family, even supervisors.”
Her smile was watery, and so untypically Kealey. “Sounds like a Duncan family
pep talk coming on.”
“Ooh.” He hunched his shoulders in mock horror. “Didn’t realize we had the act
down so pat.”
This time her smile was fuller. “You’ve been working on it for a long time.”
“Yeah, well you’d better start rehearsing yourself.”
She blinked in question.
“Don’t forget. You’ll be a Duncan soon as well.”
Kealey couldn’t have looked more surprised if he’d suddenly sprouted wings.
“Hadn’t considered that aspect?”
“Well...” She tried to clear her throat, failed, then swallowed again. “We
haven’t had a lot of time for thinking.”
“Something the judge obviously clued in on.” Luke couldn’t forget the man’s
face, his obvious doubt. But then he’d had a mass of doubts himself. Not the
least of which had been his shock at Kealey’s suggestion.
While Luke didn’t doubt that he’d grown to love the children, he could scarcely
believe Kealey would uproot her entire life for them. Nor could he believe how
his own feelings for her were changing by the day, how it had occurred to him
but not her that their relationship could be more than temporary.
Only one doubt remained. Kealey had made her offer based on her affection for
the children, her guilt over causing the situation, the belief that he would be
a good father. But she’d never mentioned her feelings for him.
The afternoon was dwindling toward dusk, a time of questions and doubt. A time
when nothing seemed clear. Kealey was walking only a few inches away from him,
close enough for him to take her into his arms, to test out her feelings. Then
she turned, a fragile, exposed look eclipsing her normal confidence.
Instinct kicking in, Luke reached for her hand. She stiffened only nominally.
And although she relaxed a fraction, Luke realized they were far from where they
needed to be. He just hoped it wasn’t impossibly far.
* * *
Rachel studied Kealey critically in the pink-lit dressing room. “You’re not
really thinking of wearing that!”
Kealey smoothed the slim skirt of the tailored suit. “What’s wrong with it?”
Rachel sputtered and rolled her eyes in a simultaneous motion. “Do you really
have to ask?”
“It’s practical—”
“Practical’s for work, even church, possibly shopping, but not for your
wedding!”
“It’s not like this is a real wedding,” Kealey demurred.
“You don’t know my brother,” Rachel muttered.
Kealey’s head whipped up with amazing speed. “What did you say?”
“Just thinking out loud about my maid of honor duties.” Rachel’s expression
narrowed. “You are going to ask me, aren’t you?”
Stupefied, Kealey realized she’d never thought of a maid of honor. She’d never
believed she would ever get married, and she’d certainly never before had any
close friends in whom she could confide dreams of weddings. “It’s going to be
casual. Is it appropriate to have attendants?”
Rachel shrugged. “You’re the bride. Ergo you decide what’s appropriate.” She
managed to look forlorn. “Of course if you don’t want me to be your maid of
honor...”
Guilt had stabbed more steadily in the past forty-eight hours than it had in a
lifetime. “It’s not that—”
“Then what?” Rachel asked, her expression a trifle too innocent.
“Rachel Duncan, you’re wasted in child services. I hear SWAT teams are always
looking for negotiators. Fine. You think I need a maid of honor, so I’ll have
one.”
“With a gracious request like that, how could I refuse?” Rachel studied the suit
Kealey was wearing. “But if I’m in this wedding, we’re definitely not doing
dowdy.”
“We’re not?” Kealey asked weakly, a small part of her wanting something less
practical, something more romantic, certainly more alluring.
“You’ve got Luke. I still have to think of my future prospects.” Rachel’s brows
rose speculatively. “And he could be on the guest list.”
It was Kealey’s turn to sputter. “I don’t have Luke. This isn’t that kind of
marriage.”
“Hmm.”
“Rachel!”
“You know, with your skin I don’t think pure white is flattering.”
Slightly distracted, Kealey glanced into the mirror. “It’s not?”
“You were blessed with that peaches-and-cream skin. Why not let it glow?” Rachel
shook her head. “Face it. We’re in the wrong store, chum.”
“We are?”
“I thought so when I walked in,” Rachel replied. She studied the suit again.
“Now I’m sure.”
Kealey found a bit of her usual resistance returning. “I’m not wearing a
traditional wedding gown. I told you that.”
“And I’m not arguing. But you don’t have to dress like your grandmother, either.
Come on. I know just the store.”
Kealey glanced into the mirror one more time. “Well, I guess you could be
right.”
“Good thing we have all day,” Rachel mused.
Kealey unzipped the skirt. “Oh?”
But Rachel’s expression only grew more enigmatic.
“I’ll meet you out front. Bells on your toes!”
* * *
Two hours later, Kealey looked at her friend in exasperation. “Bells in your
belfry’s more like it. You didn’t tell me the perfect dress in the perfect store
was in Houston.”
“Did you really think our little Greenville could produce the dream dress?”
“I don’t recall asking for the dream dress!”
“More’s the pity,” Rachel replied blithely. “And stop complaining.” She turned
off the busy intersection onto a slightly quieter side street. “We’re here.”
“We aren’t planning to hop the Concorde for Paris just in case this shop doesn’t
have the dress, are we?”
Rachel’s face was smug. “No need. Trust me. It will be here.”
They stepped into the shop, La Boutique de Mariage. At first all Kealey could
think of was wringing her friend’s neck. Chic, but traditional wedding gowns
lined the walls. True, they were beautiful gowns, but she wasn’t going to be
pushed into one.
Rachel hooked their arms together. “Wipe that look of horror off your face or
Miss Lily will think you’re having a heart attack.”
“I just might be. Rachel, I told you—”
“Have faith, Kealey.” Her voice had gentled.
Since they’d already driven for hours, Kealey reluctantly nodded. And taking
another glance around the shop, she had to admit it was an incredible place,
almost magical in atmosphere. It seemed to contain everything a perfect wedding
required. And that was the thought that sobered Kealey. Hers was not to be a
perfect wedding, rather a pretend one.
Just then a tiny woman emerged from the rear of the store. Expecting a tall,
ravishing French woman dripping with disdain, she was shocked to see this
grandmotherly figure. But then perhaps she was the seamstress.
Rachel held out her arms. “Miss Lily.”
The elderly woman’s face transformed in welcome and Kealey could see that once
she had been quite pretty. “Rachel, I’d begun to despair about your wedding
gown,” she replied in a soft voice tinged with only the barest trace of an
accent.
Rachel smiled gently. “All in good time. I’m not here for me today. This is my
friend and future sister-in-law, Kealey Fitzpatrick.”
Lily took Kealey’s hand, looking deeply in her eyes. “And for this one,
something as exquisite as she is, and almost as important, something
nontraditional.”
Kealey gasped, touched by the compliment, amazed by the woman’s insight. “How
did you know that?”
“It’s what I do,” Lily responded simply. “For all of my life. You want a
miracle. And you want it soon.”
Kealey swallowed, then glanced at Rachel.
But Rachel’s smile was knowing, rather than smug. “No, I didn’t call ahead. Miss
Lily is a wonder. And that’s why she’s the preeminent wedding designer and
consultant in the state.”
For a moment Kealey wavered, thinking of her not overly generous salary. “I
would like something special, but I do have a budget...”
Miss Lily waved her hands. “Let us talk of dresses and tiaras and satin
slippers.”
Helplessly, Kealey followed as Miss Lily turned and headed toward the rear of
the store.
Once in the inner room, she caught her breath. It seemed they were awash in
silk, satin and chiffon. But it wasn’t the ordinary, not even the typical. These
dresses were softer, unique.
Even Rachel drew in her breath. “Oh, my.”
Miss Lily walked straight to one dress, and lifted it from the rack. But rather
than holding it up for Kealey to view, she motioned for her to step into the
dressing room.
Kealey considered asking to see the rest of the selection, but there was
something in Miss Lily’s eyes that quashed the request.
A few minutes later she stepped out of the room and up onto the pedestal area
that was flanked on all sides by mirrors.
“Oh, Kealey,” Rachel murmured.
It was just a slip of a dress, a creamy ivory strapless frock. Kealey hesitantly
touched the delicate lace that seemed to shimmer over the silk.
“It’s Irish lace,” Lily explained. “Seemed appropriate.”
Although she’d never known her roots, Kealey was aware that with a name like
Fitzpatrick her ancestors must have come from somewhere in Ireland. But people
without families rarely considered heritage.
Miss Lily met her gaze. “It suits you.”
Haltingly, Kealey lifted her head, staring into the mirror. It was a dream of a
dress, not the traditional full-skirted wedding gown, yet something incredibly
special.
“It’s perfect. And you look perfect in it.”
Kealey resisted the urge to blush. Still her gaze slid sideways to view her
friend. “You really like it?”
But Rachel didn’t joke. Instead her eyes misted. “It was made for you.”
Kealey thought of her budget and for once in her adult life practicality flew
out the window. “Then I guess we’ll have to buy it.”
Rachel’s smile shone through her tears. “Yes! And Mom will be so pleased!”
“Your mother?”
“Oh, didn’t I tell you? This is where she bought her wedding gown, as did Mary
and Ruth. It’s sort of a family tradition.”
Kealey clamped down on her bottom lip so hard it almost started the tears she
was trying to halt. Family tradition. She, Kealey Fitzpatrick, part of a family.
Miss Lily was right. They had come to this store seeking a miracle.
CHAPTER TEN
Sunshine sweetened the blooming roses, age old bushes that rambled around the
borders of the spacious yard. The faded Victorian house, the fluttering paper
lanterns, the towering magnolia tree—all looked as though they’d been plucked
from a previous century, a calmer, slower time. A collection of wicker chairs
and tables gathered by the Duncan family completed the illusion.
Actually, it was the Duncans themselves who completed the illusion. Dressed in
their Sunday finery, Luke’s parents, all his siblings, their spouses, and many
children filled the grounds. The youngest girls wore long, flowing chiffon
dresses, making up an entire squadron of flower girls. Even though they’d been
clued in as to the purpose and probable duration of the marriage, the family had
insisted on helping to make the day perfect.
A weathered white trellis was decorated by nature’s hand, honeysuckle and
bougainvillea trailing effortlessly over and around the old wood. Beneath it,
buffet tables, covered in linen tablecloths procured by Ruth, were filled with
food also provided by the Duncans. Even the towering wedding cake had an
old-fashioned aura. Fresh flowers decorated each layer and the sugary marzipan
frosting had been colored to match Kealey’s dress.
And for a moment Kealey wanted to pinch herself. Surely it couldn’t be real,
this beautiful, perfect setting, this seemingly wonderful family. Again she
touched the single strand of pearls at her neck, family pearls Jane had loaned
her. They were Jane’s own wedding pearls, the ones her mother had worn, the ones
her own daughters had worn. Kealey had tried to refuse, but she couldn’t squelch
the pleasure in Jane’s eyes, nor could she completely suppress her own desire to
wear something so traditional, to pretend even for a day that she truly was part
of the family. Jane had told her that this day would be special, regardless of
the outcome of their union, one she maintained should be as memorable as the
bride and groom themselves.
Peeking around the corner of the gate, Kealey glimpsed Luke. Vaguely she
wondered if she was remembering to breathe. He’d always looked handsome, but
today...
She’d never seen him dressed in anything but casual clothes. Now he looked as
though he could have stepped from the pages of GQ. The European cut of his suit
accentuated his tall, lean form, just as the crisp white of his shirt showed off
his tan.
His father clapped Luke on his back, then turned toward Kealey, winking as he
walked toward her.
Reaching her side, his smile broadened. “Luke’s liable to faint dead away when
he sees you. You look mighty pretty, Kealey.”
Again, an unfamiliar blush threatened. She had been so touched when Timothy had
offered to give her away. Luke’s oldest brother, Peter, was his best man.
However, Luke had asked Brian and Troy to stand up with him as well.
Luke and Kealey had talked with the children extensively, explaining that the
arrangement was to be short-term, that it was something they were doing so that
Luke could keep them permanently. Hannah had anxiously asked if they could treat
Kealey like a parent as well. Unable to refuse this request, they had said yes,
also agreeing that for the duration of their time together, they would behave as
any typical family. The children had also been told that the wedding was the
first day of Luke and Kealey’s “marriage” and that their adoption by Luke would
mark the last day.
Despite this sobering news, young Hannah shone as Kealey’s junior bridesmaid.
And Rachel’s deep fuchsia dress was the perfect foil to Hannah’s girlish frilly
pink frock.
One by one, Rachel and Hannah started down the bridal path.
Kealey swallowed, glancing up at Luke’s father for reassurance.
He squeezed her arm. “Now if I get light-headed, you prop me up, okay?”
For a moment she stared at him in alarm, but then she saw the teasing glint in
his eye. Taking a deep breath, she smiled at him in gratitude. Then, clutching
her bouquet, they started across the lawn.
The minister stood on the top step of the gazebo. On the right, Luke stood tall,
his face sober as he watched her approach. Although Peter, Brian and Troy stood
beside him, Kealey could only see Luke.
Luke was equally focused. Amazingly, despite the crowd of family and friends, it
seemed that Kealey was the only person he could see. Mouth dry, he could only
stare.
Her dress looked like some magical thing. In no way traditional, the flowing
silk and lace swirled around her as though with a life of its own. Kealey’s long
golden hair was partially swept up, a few soft tendrils curling about her face,
some cascading over the long, loose waves that flowed over her shoulders. Among
the strands was a delicate pearl tiara.
As he watched, she removed one hand from her bouquet of ivory and pink roses.
Discreetly she stroked one of the pearl teardrop earrings he had given her.
Although she’d averted her face when he’d presented her with the gift, he was
sure that he’d glimpsed the beginnings of a few tears.
She’d tried to return the earrings, and he’d half expected her to refuse to wear
them today. But they graced her delicate lobes, sunlight glinting on the ivory
pearls.
She was a vision, soft, romantic, enticing, incredible. It took his entire
concentration to remain standing in place when all he wanted was to pull her
into his arms to see if she could possibly be real.
Then she was standing beside him. The pastor uttered a few words and his father
moved aside. Then it was time to take her hand. To his amazement, it trembled
within his. A fierce protectiveness rose in unison with his desire. Could this
be the same cold, rigid woman who’d sent him running on their blind date?
The pastor continued to speak. Words as old as love and marriage itself.
Luke was a traditional guy, a man who’d always assumed he would meet and marry
the love of his life and in time have children with her. That together they
would form a family much like the one he’d been raised in, then grow old
together.
Now, however, he was standing beside a woman he’d scarcely begun to know. True,
he was wildly attracted to her. But deep in his consciousness, he had begun to
acknowledge that his feelings for her were strong, increasingly strong.
Kealey, however, hadn’t reciprocated those feelings, had never spoken of
anything other than a businesslike arrangement for their marriage. Was that
enough for him?
Then he looked at the Baker children, their eyes shining in hope and excitement.
Luke’s grip on Kealey’s hand tightened. He would make it enough.
Studying Kealey, Luke watched her eyes close briefly when the words till death
do you part were uttered. But her eyes widened when it was time to exchange the
rings. He knew from Rachel that Kealey had purchased a simple band for him. She
probably thought he’d done the same. She clearly wasn’t prepared for the
exquisite antique gold band that he slipped on her finger.
She looked to him questioningly, but he kept his expression blank. It wouldn’t
do to tell her its origin.
Then in seeming moments, it was time to kiss his bride.
It was only a kiss. An innocent touching of lips, just a symbol.
But he made the mistake of looking into her eyes as his head angled ever so
slightly. And those ever-changing eyes captured him, shining with a combination
of fear and hope. He couldn’t help himself then—he had to give her a real kiss.
Then applause broke out, drowning out the private moment, bringing them back to
reality. Family and friends surrounded them, exchanging hugs and
congratulations.
The children, having been given small bottles of soap, opened them and soon,
huge iridescent bubbles filled the yard. Some of the bubbles were enormous, and
when they burst, the children laughed in delight.
Jane and Timothy hugged both Luke and Kealey long and hard, each trying
unsuccessfully to disguise the tears in their eyes.
Watching them, Kealey felt her own eyes moisten. Surely, she hadn’t felt this
tearful since she’d been an abandoned child. And then for such very different
reasons.
But it’s not real! she screamed inwardly. As perfect and beautiful as it all
was, none of it was real.
Then Luke’s hand was on her elbow as music, provided by a talented quartet of
his nieces and nephews, filled the air.
“I believe this dance is mine,” he told her quietly.
Even more uncertain, Kealey nodded, turning to fit into his arms. Why did it
seem so right to be there, she wondered desperately, knowing how temporary their
marriage would be.
As the guests stepped back, creating a space for them, Luke led them in an
old-fashioned waltz. And somewhere in the gentle swirling motions of the dance,
amid the huge circle of his family and friends, she fell in love with him. She’d
known all along that her feelings had been shifting out of control. But she
hadn’t known her heart could ignore her logic and become helplessly, hopelessly
his.
The music tapered off and in the hush, Kealey met Luke’s eyes. But they were
dark and unreadable. Was he already regretting this?
Then their guests surrounded them again, their joyful voices filling the air,
their laughter spilling through the romantic moment.
Tearing her gaze from her brand-new husband, Kealey looked for the children.
While Hannah and Troy looked elated, Brian furtively wiped a tear from his eyes.
She walked over to him and knelt beside him. “Hey, how’s my little man?”
Brian shrugged, still unable to voice his feelings. Knowing exactly how he felt,
she gently kissed his forehead. “I think the tradition is that this dance is
ours.”
He scuffed his right shoe into the grass. “I don’t know how to dance.”
She leaned closer and whispered, “I’m not so good, either. Maybe we can make
each other look better.”
He lowered his eyes, then lifted them cautiously. “You sure?”
Her smile bloomed. “Absolutely.”
Together they walked to the makeshift dance floor, the circle of grass
designated for that purpose. Kealey kept her steps slow and easy. With great
deliberation, his face scrunched into a mask of concentration, Brian followed
her lead.
Glancing up, Kealey saw that Luke was dancing with Hannah, making her giggle
with delight. Rachel reached for Troy’s hand, coaxing him to dance as well.
When the dance was over, another round of applause broke out.
Jane Duncan’s eyes were suspiciously moist as she approached Kealey. “That was
the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen.”
Still unsettled by all these open feelings, Kealey could only smile.
That, however, didn’t seem to faze Jane. She took one of Kealey’s hands. “I’m
delighted to have another daughter.”
At a complete loss for words, Kealey could only swallow against the rush of
unwanted emotion. “You know—”
“I know what I know,” Jane replied enigmatically. Then she glanced up, seeing
her son approaching. “I’m sure your groom wants to claim you,” she said before
slipping away.
“You’ve completely won her over,” Luke told Kealey, thinking again how beautiful
she looked.
“Your mother’s a special person,” Kealey murmured.
But Luke didn’t reply to her comment. Instead, he gently cupped one of the
teardrop earrings. “I wasn’t sure you’d wear them.”
Her gaze turned touchingly shy. It was so uncharacteristic, it unsettled him
even more. Especially when she didn’t answer immediately.
“They’re perfect with the pearls your mother lent me,” she explained finally.
Vaguely disappointed, he wondered if that was the only reason. Not yet ready to
believe that she hadn’t done it simply to please herself—or even him—he took her
hand. “One dance wasn’t enough.”
She nodded, and he wondered what she thought the timbre of her voice would have
revealed.
Despite the noise of conversation, laughter and music he could discern the
subtle swish of her dress, the gliding of silk against skin, the quiet rush of
her breath, the nearly silent sigh as the music wound to an end.
They were again claimed by friends and relatives, yet Luke could still feel the
warmth of her body pressed against his, the indention of her breasts against his
chest, the alluring brush of her hips against his. How could it be that she was
nearly the length of the yard away, yet the feeling was so real he expected her
to still be in his arms?
Like all Duncan family functions, this one had no end in sight. Luke’s mother,
sisters and sisters-in-law discreetly kept the tables replenished while tidying
at the same time. As the afternoon crawled toward twilight, there was no huge
mess to clean. And Luke’s brothers had already arranged to pick up the tables
and extra furniture the following day.
Brian, Troy and Hannah were going home with their new foster grandparents. Jane
and Timothy were insistent, convinced that, despite the circumstances, Luke and
Kealey needed to be alone. And the kids were excited by the prospect of having
grandparents for the first time in their lives. Their natural grandparents had
passed away before Brian was born. Their mother had been an only child and their
father’s single brother had died in childhood. Having never known the joys of an
extended family, the kids thought the Duncans were fantastic.
Kealey and Luke waved goodbye as the last of their guests departed. Glancing at
each other and then away, they entered the quiet house.
The all too quiet house.
Kealey fiddled with the lace on her dress, realizing despite the spaciousness of
the house, that it seemed terribly intimate. Usually the old Victorian was
filled with sounds of Brian, Troy and Hannah. Even when they were in school,
Wayne was usually around in the clinic, but, he, too, had left after the
wedding. Even the animals seemed unusually quiet and still.
“Maybe we should check on the cats and dogs,” she suggested hopefully.
His gaze took a long walk over her as though appraising each inch. “Wayne
already took care of that. Besides, I think we’re just a tad overdressed for
kennel duty.”
“We could change—”
He grabbed her hand. “Not just yet.”
Self-consciously, she glanced down at the amazing gown. “I’m not used to wearing
dresses like this.”
“It was a special occasion,” he reminded her.
Kealey wished he would stop looking at her like that. It’s just the dress, she
wanted to tell him, nothing else about her had changed.
Nothing...
But her new feelings would make a liar out of her.
“I saved one bottle of champagne,” Luke announced, walking to the sideboard that
held an ice bucket. Before he reached for the champagne, however, he paused.
Kealey heard the scrape of a match, smelled the pungent burst of sulphur, then
watched as he lit two fat candles that flanked the ice bucket.
Mesmerized by the flickering light, she swallowed nervously. “We had a toast
earlier.”
“This one’s just for us,” he replied.
“Oh,” she responded, wondering why her voice sounded so small. With great
effort, she put more force into her next words. “Don’t tell me you have an extra
wedding cake tucked away as well.”
“Nah, I think we did that okay the first time.”
And they had.
Kealey remembered flinching, expecting he would follow the recent, boorish habit
of smashing the cake into her face. Instead, he’d gently offered her a small
bite, then reached out, wiping away a small bit of frosting that had edged her
lips. Just thinking of that touch sent her stomach into a dive.
But Kealey recognized her own vulnerability, the likelihood that she had read
far more into a simple touch than it warranted. Even if Luke did feel a physical
connection, it would be only that.
Surprised that she still harbored even a fraction of that dream, she backed
away. Immediately, an offended yowl greeted her.
Turning, she saw the cats, Kate and Spencer, just behind her. Uncertain which
one she’d trod upon, she knelt down. “Sorry, guys.”
“They’re always underfoot.” Luke crossed the room, carrying two full champagne
flutes. “I’m so used to it, I forget they’re there.”
“I’m not even sure who I stepped on,” Kealey confessed.
Luke looked between the cats, one black, the other white. “Okay, fess up, who
got under Kealey’s feet?”
In typical cat fashion, they ignored Luke, the black one scooting closer to
Kealey. She reached out to pet the cat. “I hate to admit this, but I’m not sure
who’s who.”
Luke smiled. “The white is Kate, the black Spencer.”
“Unusual names,” Kealey mused.
“Well, I’m a big fan of Hepburn and Tracy, so...”
Startled, yet feeling as though a piece of an unknown puzzle had just clicked in
place, she stared at him. “You like their movies?”
“I’m a sucker for anything from that time period.” He studied her closely. “How
about you?”
Kealey considered confessing her love of Hepburn and Tracy, her amazement that
they shared this unusual connection, but it wasn’t in her to do so. “Yes,” she
replied, not realizing the tone of her voice had changed. “I like them a lot.”
“I feel a video night coming on.”
She smiled unexpectedly. “Brian, Troy and Hannah could become the only
aficionados in elementary school.”
“They’re already known as the dog and cat kids,” he told her, lifting his glass
to gently clink the delicate flute against hers. “To you, Mrs. Duncan.”
She froze; it wasn’t in her to fake a response, to pretend his words hadn’t
shaken her.
“It’s okay, Kealey. I know the boundaries of our agreement.”
Boundaries. That sounded so cold, so technical. But that’s what their
arrangement was. Trying to maintain her composure, she nodded, then took a sip
of champagne.
Her hand tightened around the fragile stem of the flute. “These are beautiful
glasses.”
His smile was unexpectedly pleased. “They’re the family wedding flutes. They
were a gift to my great-grandparents for their wedding and they’ve been used by
all the Duncans since then.”
All this family, this tradition. Incredibly touched, she was at the same time
painfully aware how she didn’t fit in.
Luke didn’t press, instead glancing at the staircase. They had only briefly
discussed the sleeping arrangements and it was still an awkward subject. Kealey
had seen the kids’ rooms when she’d made her in-home inspections and knew that
Brian and Troy shared one room. Hannah had a smaller one.
The only other bedroom upstairs was Luke’s. They had agreed there was no other
choice but to share. The house’s original floor plan had a small study and
conservatory on the main floor, but they had been combined into the clinic
space. And Luke had told her that he’d converted the fourth bedroom upstairs
into a master bathroom. Although the attic could be renovated, there wasn’t time
to do so before their wedding. Besides, they’d reasoned, they were adults who
could handle the situation.
But reason seemed far away at the moment.
Kealey cleared her throat. “I put my overnight bag upstairs, in...your room.”
Unblinking, Luke nodded.
Silence thundered between them, and Kealey clenched the skirt of her gown,
looking as though she might bolt.
Luke glanced at the nervous gesture. “I know what we discussed, but I can bunk
on the couch.”
Kealey ran an agitated hand over her forehead. “And how’s that going to look to
the kids? We told them that for the duration of our marriage, we’d be a real
family. They’ve watched enough television to know that the dad’s not supposed to
sleep on the sofa. I didn’t cancel the lease on my apartment just to make an
appearance for the court. Kids are intuitive. If they see you sleeping on the
couch, they’ll think something’s wrong. I don’t want that.”
“We are mature adults,” Luke responded in what he hoped was a normal tone, since
the thought itself was insane.
“And we should be able to share the same room,” she added in a nervous tone.
“It’s not as though we’re like average newlyweds.”
But Luke couldn’t answer. More than simple tension flowed between them. A new
word would have to be invented to define the pressure that bent the air.
The house was still incredibly quiet. Then he looked at Kealey’s hands. She was
twisting them, her nerves and fragility evident. And, despite the desire to
accept her offer, he had to do the right thing. “Tomorrow, when the kids are
home, we’ll tackle sharing the bedroom. But tonight I’ll take the couch.”
“You don’t have to,” she replied, unable to bide the relief in her voice. “I
could—”
He held out his hand. “You could dance with me again.” He glanced at the two
candles that still flickered on the sideboard. “Until they’ve burned down.”
Trepidation, anticipation, uncertainty, and possibly a trace of hope—all
cascaded over her face in mere seconds. Luke knew he’d done the right thing.
He wondered if that righteous thought would keep him warm through the night. He
suspected, instead, that he would spend it tossing and turning. And holding her
in his arms in one slow dance after another was just going to make it much
worse. But glancing down at her beautiful eyes, he decided it was worth the
sacrifice.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The next day was even more tense than Kealey had anticipated, despite many
distractions. The children, returned by Luke’s parents because the following day
meant school, had been excited to share the details of their sleepover. It
seemed the senior Duncans were a huge hit.
Shortly after they returned home, however, Hannah had a small crisis with Miss
Tansy. The cat had wandered off and the child was certain she was gone for good.
Knowing how fragile the children still were, they’d set out to search. Within a
short time Luke had found the errant cat, a rush of joy ensued and the evening
kept advancing.
Earlier in the day, Kealey had taken an inordinately long time to collect her
clothing from her apartment and bring it back to the house. It seemed terribly
intimate to hang her things in the closet next to Luke’s.
The reality of what she’d committed to finally hit her. She still had some boxes
to pack, but she’d never been one to collect things. The few possessions she’d
ever been given as a child had been taken away or lost in her many moves. And as
an adult she’d never come to truly believe anything was permanent. So, all she
owned besides clothing were a very few toiletries and a lean supply of household
goods, not even a complete set of china or cook-ware.
The furniture was rented along with the apartment. Her landlord had been both
understanding and lenient in allowing her to cancel the lease once she told him
the reason for the sudden move.
Everyone seemed to be understanding, thoughtful. But that didn’t keep Kealey’s
nerves at bay. Had she been completely nuts to insist on maintaining the
appearance of being truly married? That couch was looking better and better.
Then she’d remember three earnest little faces, and her internal debate
continued.
Even dinner seemed to zoom by in a flash.
Luke insisted on helping with the dishes.
“I really can do this on my own,” she told him, desperately dreading any more
time spent alone with him. He seemed too near, too attractive....
“No need to,” he replied, placing a plate up in one of the higher cabinets. “I’m
used to washing a lot of dishes. One of the pitfalls of a big family, too much
cleaning up.”
But Kealey couldn’t smile at his lighthearted attempt at conversation.
His voice remained casual, easy. “I rented a few movies.”
Relieved, she washed the last plate. Movies had always been an escape for her.
And if it meant delaying the moment when they had to go upstairs, she wouldn’t
even mind watching a macho action film or a Disney tale.
She lifted her hands from the soapy water and reached for the sprayer.
Luke intercepted her hands, then lifted the spray nozzle to gently rinse the
suds away. It was a little thing, probably something he’d done without
particular thought. Yet, she stared at their joined hands, amazed that such a
domestic chore could seem so much more.
He picked up the dish towel, carefully drying her hands, the basic cotton as
sensual as the most exotic silk.
Kealey wasn’t certain if her breath slowed, quickened... or perhaps stopped
altogether.
They might have stood that way all night, overcome by some sort of temporary
paralysis, but Troy burst into the kitchen.
“I can help with the popcorn so we can see the movies,” Troy offered cheerfully.
Luke didn’t reply at first. And it took several more moments before he
grudgingly released Kealey’s hands to turn to Troy. His voice when he spoke, was
uncommonly husky. “That’s movie for you. Just one, not plural. And yes, you can
help us with the popcorn.”
“But you got a bunch of videos!” Troy protested.
“So I did. But grown-ups get to stay up later than children.”
Kealey’s gaze flew to his. However, she didn’t see any hidden meaning to the
words.
In short time, they popped the popcorn, collected bowls and trooped into the
living room. Luke inserted a video, while the children sprawled on the floor.
Then he settled beside Kealey on the couch.
Although the kids were open to watching any kind of movie, they looked baffled
when the black-and-white credits began to roll.
Kealey turned to stare at Luke. “Pat and Mike? You rented a Hepburn and Tracy
movie?”
He nodded.
Although she wanted to beam with pleasure, she eyed the children with dismay as
she lowered her voice. “They aren’t going to like it.”
He shrugged. “It’ll expand their horizons.”
“Possibly. But it might also put them to sleep.” Yet Kealey was incredibly
touched that Luke had chosen these particular videos. He’d obviously read more
into her casual comment that she, too, liked the Hepburn-Tracy movies than she’d
realized. Was she becoming more transparent? Or was Luke growing to know and see
more of her than she’d realized?
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