Courting Katarina. Carol Steward

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      Chapter Three

      The wedding festivities ended and the family dispersed. Alex watched Katarina with mixed emotions. She and her sister gathered the last of the flower vases from the tables and placed them in a crate. He should have his head examined for flirting with her.

      What exactly does “good as engaged” mean, anyway? He pushed the question aside and concentrated on figuring out a way to make peace with the bride’s sister. He strolled over and stopped in front of her. “Can I carry that to the car for you?”

      “I can manage.” Katarina stacked the crate on a flat box, then deliberately turned away. “Lisa, would you find Mom and Ricky? We’re ready to go.” Katarina’s voice held a tone of defiance.

      He had obviously made her plenty mad. Who knew exactly what it was this time? There were more options than hamburgers on a fast-food menu.

      Lisa eyed the load her sister had prepared. “You sure you can handle all that?”

      Katarina hoisted the teetering load off the table. “I do it all the time. No problem.”

      Her feistiness reminded him of a kitten—delicate, adorable and determined. She rested her chin on the edge of the crate to stabilize it.

      “Okay, I’ll be right back,” Lisa said, eyeing Alex. Lisa hesitated, shrugged her shoulders, then disappeared around the corner.

      Sidestepping to get out of Katarina’s way, Alex matched her gait step for step. “There’s no reason for you to carry all that. I’ll be glad to help.”

      “I don’t need any help. But thanks anyway.”

      Despite her protests, he took the crate of wildflowers from the stack and waited for her to lead the way. “I’d rather carry it than clean up the mess when all this crystal breaks.” He took a deep breath and realized the wildflowers weren’t aromatic. Certainly not the inspiration for Katarina’s perfume.

      “It would have been perfectly fine.” Katarina marched past him, her flowered skirt billowing in the breeze. She stepped outside, and her hair glistened in the sunshine.

      She shoved the box into the back of her station wagon. Alex set the crate into the one empty space left. The remains of Katarina’s gown hung in the back seat.

      It wasn’t his fault, he reminded himself. Nonetheless, he felt responsible. “I hope your dress isn’t ruined.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his wallet. “Here, at least let me pay to have it mended.”

      She laughed softly. “Trust me, it’s beyond repair.” She stood straight and met his gaze. “However, nothing’s ever a total loss.” Katarina waved her hand, as if to shoo away his guilt and his wallet. She reached into the car, grabbed a box marked Cake Top and moved it to a more secure spot. “The dress will be much more practical once I shorten it, anyway. I can always use the scraps of fabric for my dolls.” She rambled on while rearranging supplies inside the car.

      Alex watched Katarina tuck a strand of her chin-length hair behind her ear. He could almost imagine smelling her perfume, and took another whiff, disappointed that he couldn’t pick up the scent again. As Katarina chattered on about possibilities for that piece of fabric, she almost convinced him he’d done her a great favor in tearing the gown.

      “I hope I didn’t embarrass you today. I wasn’t sure how to get out of that ridiculous garter charade.” He chuckled. “Who makes up these traditions, anyway?”

      “These traditions are fun, for one thing.” A momentary flash of disappointment crossed her face. “And once in a while the predictions actually come true. Just look at Emily and Kevin.” She slammed the hatch closed.

      “What did I say this time?” Why it mattered that he understand why she was so irritated he didn’t know. He’d be gone in a few weeks and they’d probably never see each another again. He shrugged his shoulders. “I’m sorry.”

      “For what? Ruining a perfectly beautiful day and turning a joyful celebration into a circus?” She choked out the words, then cleared her throat and forced a smile. “Don’t think another thing of it. It was a no-win situation. We survived.”

      Though he’d meant the comment as a joke—to make light of the awkward situation—she’d taken his ridicule seriously. Couldn’t she see that he’d been kidding? It was impossible to deny his attraction to the icy-blue-eyed, honey-blond woman who could brighten any day with her cheerfulness. Which made it even worse that he was the one person who’d taken her smile away. “I was joking.”

      Katarina let out a soft sigh of frustration. She must have had a long week. She looked up at him and wrinkled her nose as she squinted from the bright sun. “I suppose I should apologize for seeming less than grateful for your help earlier. That broken chair certainly wasn’t your fault.” She rushed through the statement and turned away, obviously uncomfortable with him for some reason.

      “Don’t mention it.” He didn’t want to discuss that again. “Well,” he said with regret, “I guess I should just get right to the point. I have a small favor to ask.” If the woman didn’t want him around, so be it. He needed to get back to Kevin’s house. “My brother and sisters leave in the morning, and we’d all like to spend some time with Ricky before they leave.” He explained their impromptu barbecue, terribly uncomfortable with not inviting her. “I’ll make sure I have Ricky back home in time for bed.”

      “I’m sure that would be okay with Kevin and Emily. Mom and Lisa need to be in Denver to catch their flights in a couple of hours, so I’ll have him change clothes and bring him right over.”

      Lisa ran out of the building and nearly tripped on her bridesmaid gown. “Ricky’s in a tree and can’t get down!”

      Alex hurried after Lisa. “Where are they?”

      Katarina closed up the car. “Boy, is this day going downhill fast,” she muttered. She quickly caught up to them. “Why did Mom let him climb a tree?”

      Lisa led the way past a tall hedge of lilacs around the park’s perimeter. “Mom said he needed to run off some energy. She took him to the playground. Apparently he’s a monkey. Before she could stop him, Ricky was above her head. Need I remind you that we have to leave in an hour?”

      Katarina shook her head. “I СКАЧАТЬ