Though a part of him wanted to desperately, he didn’t invite Katie to go with him.
* * *
“Of all the pig-headed, stubborn, mule-brained men on the face of the earth, you are at the top of the list, Luke Cassidy!”
Unfortunately there was no one in the kitchen to hear Katie’s proclamation. The back door was still rattling on its hinges from Luke’s exit.
Katie stood where she was, ticking off all the logical reasons Luke had to distrust his brother. But as rational as his response was, she couldn’t help thinking that maybe, just this once Tommy deserved to be heard with an open mind. If he really was just using the custody suit because it was the only way he knew to get Luke’s attention again, then someone had better listen before they all wound up in court. She was hardly Tommy’s biggest fan, but it appeared it was up to her to get through to Luke.
She hurried upstairs, showered and changed to a pair of khaki shorts, a striped cotton blouse that she tied at the waist and sandals. Filled with determination, ten minutes later Katie was on her way to the park.
She had no trouble at all locating Luke. He was the tallest person in the small playground area with its slides and swings and colorful climbing equipment. Mrs. Jeffers had retreated to a bench in the shade under a huge old oak tree nearby. Robby was screaming with glee as Luke pushed him higher and higher in the swing.
For a moment Katie stood still and simply watched the two of them, wondering at the twist of fate that so unexpectedly had made them part of her life. She’d been married and a stepmother for little more than forty-eight hours and yet the feelings that were growing inside her were as powerful as if Luke and Robby had been a part of her life for much longer. The need to protect them from harm flooded through her as if a dam had burst in her heart.
Right now, though, the need to shake some sense into Luke was stronger. She walked over to the swings, aware that Luke’s gaze was riveted to her as she approached. He didn’t seem exactly thrilled to see her.
“Hi, guys,” she said casually. “Having fun?”
“Wanna swing, Katie? Daddy could push you, too.”
She grinned at Robby. “I think I’ll pass. I might get dizzy going up as high as you. You must be part bird.”
Robby nodded enthusiastically. “An eagle,” he declared. “I told Daddy I wanted to soar like an eagle. We saw one once, in Colorado.”
“I’ll bet that was exciting.”
“Mommy got scared. I don’t think she liked being up on that ridge.” At a look from his father, Robby’s expression faltered. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Absolutely not,” Katie reassured him. “I want to hear about all the things you did before I met you. Maybe we can make a deal.”
The idea seemed to intrigue Robby. “What kind of deal?”
“I’ll read you a story every night, after you tell me a story about something you did. That way I can share vicariously in all of the adventures you’ve had.”
“What’s vicar...vi? You know, that word you said.”
Luke grinned at him. “It means that Katie hasn’t had any adventures of her own, and she wants to pretend she’s shared yours.”
“Should I tell her about the snake?”
Katie was beginning to regret her willingness to hear about the kind of adventures that appealed to a small boy. “The snake?” she said warily.
Robby nodded sagely. “I know, you’re a girl and girls don’t like snakes. Mommy really, really hated that one, too.”
“A sensible woman,” Katie declared.
Luke shot a startled look in her direction, as if he couldn’t believe that she would side with Betty Sue about anything. Their gazes caught and held, and for just a moment air between them crackled with awareness.
“Robby, why don’t you go get your bike?” Luke suggested, his gaze never leaving Katie’s face. “Maybe Mrs. Jeffers will go with you while you take another ride around the park.”
“Yeah, she’s probably all rested by now.” He grinned impishly at Katie. “She says I wore her out before.”
“I can imagine,” Katie said.
As soon as Robby had scampered off, Luke gestured to the swing he’d vacated. “Have a seat. I promise you won’t get dizzy.”
Too late, Katie thought. Her head was spinning from the provocative gleam she’d seen in Luke’s eyes. Still, she took the seat he’d offered and allowed him to give her a slow, steady push until she was soaring almost as high as Robby. On the descent, Luke captured the swing and held it so that her back was pressed against his chest.
“Giddy yet?” he inquired softly, his breath fanning across her cheek.
Katie’s pulse bucked at the seductive teasing. “Steady as a rock,” she claimed.
“Then what are those goose bumps doing on your arms?” he taunted.
“It’s chilly.”
Luke’s laughter rippled over her. “It’s ninety-five degrees out here, and the humidity must be close to that.”
“It was ninety-eight yesterday,” she countered. “There’s been a break in the weather.”
“Not enough to account for those goose bumps. Must be something else.”
She took a huge risk with her already wavering equilibrium and leaned back against his chest. “Such as?”
He slowly trailed a finger up her arm. “Maybe that?”
Katie shivered.
“Gotcha!” Luke murmured triumphantly.
She twisted in the swing until she could gaze up into his face. “There was never any question that you could get a response out of me,” she admitted. “That was true six years ago and it’s true now. The big difference is that now I’m old enough and wise enough not to act on that response.”
Before he could challenge her on that, she slid out of the swing and stood facing him. “I came here to talk, not to play games.”
Luke’s expression sobered at once. “Forget it. I don’t want to discuss Tommy.”
“Then don’t. Just listen. Are you willing
