.
Carrington, Lucas’s kindhearted aunt, smiled at her from the other side of the table in the Hospitality Shop. “I said Lucas is lucky you happened into his life.”
“I didn’t exactly stumble into his life. You had a big hand in that.”
“I did, didn’t I?” The woman smiled broadly. Her bouncy personality didn’t quite jive with her prim and proper appearance. Her short silver hair was swept off to one side. Her smooth, porcelain complexion had just a hint of makeup and a pair of dark-rimmed glasses perched upon her petite nose.
“You sound quite pleased with yourself.”
“My nephew needed his eyes opened before that house collapsed around him. Thank you for making him see sense.”
“I don’t think it was me as much as the dripping rainwater.”
Connie reached across the table and patted her hand. “You, my dear, are good for him.”
She highly doubted that. There was an undeniable vibe between them—more like a magnetic force. But he didn’t seem any more eager to explore their options than she was to get in any deeper. Experience had taught her that once they crossed that line, there would be no going back.
“Regardless, I have a feeling the house is going to be a huge success. I just hope Lucas likes what I’ve done.”
“I’m sure he will. It’s about time that boy lets go of the past and starts living again.”
This was a prime opportunity to ask about Lucas’s history and the story behind that locked room at the end of the hall, but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. She and Lucas were forging a friendship of sorts. If she was going to learn about his past, she wanted it to come from him. She didn’t want to sneak around behind his back.
Connie sipped at her coffee and returned the cup to its saucer. “I meant to tell you that splashy headline in the paper was just the publicity we needed.”
“It was?”
Connie nodded. “Tickets are going fast. A little more of that free exposure and we should be able to sell out.”
Kate lowered her voice. “So you think I should go along with Lucas’s idea to play the happy couple in hopes of gaining more publicity?”
Connie reached out and gave her arm a squeeze. “I do. I really do.”
“I...I don’t know.”
“You’ve already started quite a buzz. People want to meet the mystery woman caught kissing the Bachelor of the Year. Many women have tried to capture my nephew’s attention, but few have ever turned his head. And after the divorce, he’s closed himself off. But you—you’re making a big difference—”
“What difference would that be?” questioned a familiar male voice.
Kate turned. Her face warmed, wondering how much he’d overheard.
When neither of them replied, his searching gaze moved between the two of them. “Is it some big secret you’re sharing?”
Kate’s heart pounded in her chest. She was a miserable liar. Her best defense was silence.
Unable to look Lucas in the eye, she lowered her gaze. She noticed his sharp navy suit was tailored to show off his broad shoulders and tapered for his trim waist. Talk about fine packages. Even fully clothed he was definitely Mr. Oh-So-Sexy.
Realizing that she was publicly ogling him, she reined in her thoughts. What was she doing lusting over him? He was here to be a supportive friend. If it weren’t for him and his aunt, she didn’t know where she’d be or how she’d take care of her daughter.
Lucas and Connie made her feel as though she were no longer alone in this world.
“Heavens, no. We don’t have any secrets.” Connie’s voice wobbled just a bit. “I was telling Kate that even though she isn’t doing the guest list and ticket sales that she’s making the biggest contribution by pulling together the venue.”
“I agree. She’s doing a fantastic job.” Lucas gave her an approving nod. “The downstairs is all cleaned up and the painting has begun.” He smiled, causing the ever-present sadness in his blue eyes to disappear. She wished he looked like that all the time.
“Now, if only the upstairs would go just as fast.” Kate finished off the last of her coffee.
“I’m sure it’ll all come together.”
Lucas’s belief in her abilities meant a great deal to her. And the fact he’d shown up today to show his support totally caught her off guard.
She flashed him her best smile. “I’m so glad you decided to take me up on my offer to meet Molly. It’ll be a nice surprise for her. Wait until she finds out she has a special visitor. And I see the milkshake I ordered for her is waiting at the checkout.”
“But I don’t have time—”
“I’ll hurry.”
Embarrassed by the way she’d nervously chattered nonstop, Kate rushed away. Just because he’d shown up didn’t mean she should read anything into his presence. Should she?
* * *
Before Lucas could explain that he was there to meet his aunt for their regular lunch, Kate was already across the room.
With a resigned sigh, he sat down across from his aunt. “What’s going on here?”
“Kate and I were just discussing the fund-raiser. I’m so glad you agreed to do it at the house. I know that must have been a difficult decision for you, but I’m really proud of you for making the right one. Kate hasn’t had many breaks. And at this moment in her life, she can use all of the help she can get.”
His aunt might be far too trusting of people she barely knew and might always be looking for the good in everyone, but in this instance he thought she might actually be right. He’d observed Kate this past week, and though he’d given her plenty of chances to take advantage of him, whether by sloughing her work off on someone else or by sponging off him or by leaving him with the bulk of the housework, she’d been a stellar employee.
He shifted positions on the hard plastic chair to get a better view of Kate’s slim figure as she stood at the checkout. She was a fine-looking woman. The man who’d walked away from her couldn’t be very smart. And best of all, she was as sweet on the inside as she was on the outside.
He jerked his gaze back to his aunt. “And from what I understand, you’re helping Kate organize this fund-raiser.”
Connie glanced at her wristwatch. “Of course. The girl needs someone to steer her in the right direction. Unless you’re offering to take over.”
Lucas held up both hands. “Count me out. I’m no party planner. Besides, I have urgent matters to deal with at Carrington. The San Francisco project has hit a snag. More like a brick wall.”
His aunt’s gaze narrowed in on him. “You aren’t thinking of skipping town, are you?”
“Would that be so bad? Or don’t you trust Kate after all?”
“I trust Kate. It’s you that worries me.”
“Me. Why me?”
“How long are you going to keep hiding and putting your life on hold? Why aren’t you fighting for custody of your little girl—”
His voice lowered. “You know why. And I don’t want to discuss it any further.”
He thought if anyone would understand his need to do this, his aunt would. She’d saved him from being a pawn between his arguing parents more than once. He wouldn’t do that to his daughter.
“But you are missing so much of Carrie’s life—”
“Leave it.” He fought back his rising temper. “I thought by agreeing to