Courting Katarina. Carol Steward

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СКАЧАТЬ A smile teased Alex’s lips. “No hiding out allowed. After all, you’re part of the family, too.” Then they were gone.

      She watched as Alex and Ricky hugged Alex’s mother. Ricky met his twin aunts, Elizabeth and Susan, their husbands and Susan’s children, then devoured his supper.

      A while later, Katarina ventured back to the group seated at the picnic table. Alex pulled up another chair and discreetly tested it before allowing Katarina to sit. She blushed, surprised that no one else seemed to notice what he’d done. He brought her a tall glass of lemonade, then sat next to her.

      For the second time that day she wondered why Alex was paying her so much attention. Probably nothing, she decided. He’s just being nice.

      “Hi, Katarina. I’m Susan, Kevin’s sister. It was so hectic at the wedding, I don’t think we were ever formally introduced.”

      “Hello again.” Katarina noted the tactful way Susan avoided mentioning her embarrassing fall. Maybe it could be put behind them after all.

      “My brother tells me you’re a doll maker. I’m guessing it’s an incredible coincidence that you are the Kat in Kat’s Kreations, right?”

      “As a matter of fact, I am. You know my work?”

      “I adore them. What else do you design?”

      “Porcelain dolls mainly, but I hope to sell the design to some toy manufacturers to make a children’s version.”

      Susan smiled. “I’m sure they’ll snatch it up. Kevin says you’re also a shrewd businesswoman.”

      “Thank you. Let’s hope so.” Katarina felt a peace soothe her nerves. “Right now, I just wish they’d respond. Yes or no—I almost don’t even care at this point.”

      Alex could relate. He’d been there before. Indecision. Apathy. Fear. No use denying the truth. He was there right now. Did he go back to smoke jumping? Or come back to work with Kevin permanently? Or could there be some other reason he felt so unsettled?

      He looked at Katarina and felt his emptiness deepen as he recalled her last remark. Flippant didn’t fit her style. “That’s not true. You’ve poured your heart into this.” She cast him a “how would you know” look, and opened her mouth to protest. “Kevin’s told me how much your business means to you.”

      Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Yes, it does. Everything. I merely meant I’m tired of the wait.”

      “Ah, an impatient woman,” he teased.

      Katarina crossed her arms in front of her and opened her mouth to retort.

      “As well as determined.” He had no doubts that Katarina would succeed. She was talented, not to mention as charming as she was beautiful, inside and out. He studied her for a moment, waiting for another objection. The only one he received was her questioning gaze.

      “So, Alex. How long are you staying to help Kevin with the business?” his brother-in-law asked. “I thought he only needed temporary help.”

      He would have preferred to avoid this discussion altogether. “I’m here as long as he needs me. I don’t know how long that could take.”

      “You plan to sit out the fire season?”

      He shrugged. “We’re taking it one day at a time.” He needed to change the subject, and quickly. He didn’t want to give Kevin anything more to worry about right now. They had enough to handle without wasting their energy on his problems.

      “I thought…”

      Alex chuckled. “I need a change of pace.” He paused. “Kevin needs me. I won’t let him down this time.”

      Katarina didn’t catch on, thankfully, and they seemed to take the hint to drop the subject before she had a chance to ask. The conversation moved on to the others before making the rounds to him again. “So, Adam, Alex, how long is it going to take you two to follow Kevin’s example and break this silly agreement you made to avoid marriage?” Susan asked. Though playfully asked, Alex knew the question was totally serious.

      Thankfully, Adam beat him to the punch. “Forever. Right, Alex?” The youngest MacIntyre stretched out his hand.

      Alex forced a smile and silently agreed, shaking hands with his brother. Easy for him to say—he has ten years on me.

      Both Elizabeth and Susan scolded them for their boyish attitude. “You can’t be serious!” Elizabeth added with a tight-lipped smile. Her husband’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, and Alex recalled the other reason he and his brother had made the pact in the first place.

      Alex couldn’t stand to discuss this now. “Liz, don’t take it so seriously. Adam and I haven’t thought about it in years.”

      Adam added his own two cents. “Not since Kevin and Emily broke their engagement—and we can all see that had a happy ending. Don’t get all riled up about it.” Adam backed off, obviously wanting to placate his sisters and mother, though Alex knew in Adam’s own mind nothing had changed. “When the good Lord decides it’s time, I’ll know it,” Adam concluded.

      Attempting to add some humor to the conversation, their mother added, “Well then, maybe we’d better have this talk with Him. Sure would save us a whole lot of frustration in our efforts.”

      Adam laughed. “Better yet, why don’t you leave the matchmaking to Him in the first place, Mom?”

      Alex hadn’t dared to look at Katarina throughout this conversation. Now that it was over, he noticed the laughter in her eyes, and relaxed. Hopefully she didn’t see the tension stretch between siblings.

      The conversation changed again, this time focused on the children, and Adam didn’t waste any time slipping away.

      Alex was relieved when the chaos subsided and Katarina insisted it was time to get Ricky home and into bed. She turned away, and he noticed something in her ear. He looked again.

      It couldn’t be. I thought she was joking. He felt like a total fool.

      “Katarina.” He looked around and realized he didn’t want to bring her hearing impairment up in front of everyone and embarrass her further. “Let me walk you and Ricky to your car.”

      Once they were out of earshot, he gathered his courage. “You must think I’m a real heel.”

      Katarina looked puzzled. “Now, why would I think such a ridiculous thing?”

      “I—I didn’t realize,” he stammered. “You… I asked if you’re deaf. I didn’t know.”

      She tipped her head, concealing her right ear. “Oh. That.”

      “That.” He paused, hoping she would elaborate. She didn’t. “I’m sorry.”

      Ricky reached the car and climbed in. After Katarina buckled his seat belt, she closed the door and turned to Alex. “I didn’t take any offense to the comment. It’s my own fault. The hearing aid is such a bother in large gatherings.”

      The silence stretched uncomfortably between СКАЧАТЬ