Courting Katarina

As long as he was fighting fires, he wasn’t husband material. Six-month stretches away from home were no way to make a marriage work. No way to raise a family. Not for him, anyway. In his eight years as a smokejumper, he’d seen more marriages fall apart than stay together. “Don’t count me in for Christmas. Who knows where I’ll be by then.”

“Bachelors, gather around,” called Kevin. “Your turn.” With much ado, Kevin seated Emily in the wicker chair, retrieved the garter from his wife’s leg, turned around and tossed it over his shoulder.

Adam slapped Alex on the back. “It’s headed right for you, bro. Better run quick.”

Alex shook his head and laughed as he saw the blue-and-white lace sailing directly toward him. “No way! You’ve got the wrong guy.” The last thing I need is a woman to complicate my life right now. “Wrong guy,” he repeated, staring at the frilly garter in his hand.

The competing bachelors gathered around. With Adam in the lead, they not so gently “guided” him to Katarina. “Now you put it on her,” Adam explained.

Katarina’s eyes grew huge and the color drained from her cheeks. Someone gave Alex a blatant shove and he stopped short of running into her. He looked at Katarina and shrugged. “Do you mind?”

She leaned forward, lifting her ear closer to his mouth. Wildflowers. She smelled like a forest before a fire. Was it the bouquet in her hand, or some carefully concocted perfume? Or his imagination? He didn’t dare explore the answer.

“What did you say? I didn’t hear you over all the noise.” Katarina’s voice held a mixture of shyness and teasing. There was something warm and enchanting about her. If he didn’t get this over with, the crowd wouldn’t give him a minute of peace for the rest of the afternoon. Katarina was trouble with a capital T. He could tell that already.

She was too young. Too sensitive. Too beautiful to be alone all summer long while he jumped out of planes, wondering where the next forest fire would take him. Worried that he might not make it home at all.

He wouldn’t be the man responsible for placing worry lines on that innocent face.

“I asked if you mind?” he said into her ear, inhaling deeply. It was definitely her perfume.

Katarina nodded slightly, obviously too startled by the suggestion to offer any objection. She paused, lifted her chin and met his gaze. He nodded, and she sat down. Her flowered skirt flowed around her feet and dusted the ground.

Alex knelt on one knee and swallowed the lump in his throat. His heart raced as if he’d just bailed out of the Twin Otter at fifteen hundred feet. He’d take jumping into a forest fire over this any day.

She lifted the edge of her skirt little more than an inch above her ankle, challenging him to go through with it. The crowd roared, hooting and hollering suggestions. He had no intention of following any of them. He just wanted this to be over.

As he slid the garter over Katarina’s ankle, he watched a dim flush return to her pale and beautiful face. He stopped at her calf, noting the heated gaze that passed between them. Trying to mirror the light mood of the crowd, he forced a smile.

“You’re off the hook,” Katarina leaned close to say. The glint of humor shone in her blue eyes as she tucked a stray blond hair behind her ear. “I’m as good as engaged already,” she added with a coy smile.

“And what makes you think I want to be on the hook?”

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 don’t need a reminder, or another lecture….”

Lisa hiked her dress up to her knees, struggling to keep up with Alex’s long stride. “Maybe we should call the fire department.”

Katarina stopped. “Good grief, how big is the tree?”

Alex pulled his tuxedo jacket off as he walked, and tossed it to Katarina. “Here, hold this for me.”

She looked at him wide-eyed. “What are you doing?”

“I plan to get our nephew out of that tree, before this day gets any worse. We’ll get him down, don’t worry. No need to call anyone yet.”

Before she could argue, Alex handed her his rented shirt, tie and cummerbund.

Katarina watched as Alex approached the huge maple where her mother stood. Katarina’s hands covered her mouth and she let out a small squeal. Ricky was nearly as high as a second-story window. “Oh, no.”

Alex placed his hands on his hips and looked up. He spoke to the four-year-old in a deep and calming voice. “How you doing, Ricky?”

“He won’t talk to me anymore,” her mother answered. “I think he finally realized how high he is. He hasn’t moved in several minutes.”

Alex acknowledged Mrs. Berthoff’s comments. His eyes remained fixed on Ricky. “Do you want me to come get you?”

Katarina tried to quell the quickening of her pulse as she admired Alex’s control. His voice was gentle. Reassuring. Confident.

Ricky nodded. His knuckles were white as he clung to the small branches. Alex looked at the tree and reached up to the lowest limb.

Lisa squealed.

Katarina grabbed his arm. “You can’t go up there. Wait. Let us call for help.”

“I’ll have him down before they can even get here. Don’t worry. I do this all the time.” He placed his hand on hers, and her heart skipped a beat. “Just in case, you can send up a little prayer.”

“You rescue little boys all the time?” Katarina couldn’t help wanting to know more about Alex MacIntyre. Even if she shouldn’t.

“Not exactly. But don’t worry.”

“What exactly does ‘not exactly’ mean?”

“I’ll explain later.”

Katarina felt the strength in his hand and let out a sigh. The look in his blue eyes was of total confidence. “God, please bring both Alex and Ricky down safely.”

He patted her hand and locked his gaze with hers. There was a tingle in the pit of her stomach. Did I really say that out loud?

“Thank you.” His deep voice faded. “Now leave it in His hands. I’ll be back down in just a bit.”

Stunned back to reality, Katarina whispered to her sister and mother, “He makes it sound like a walk up the stairs.” Pulling her gaze off Alex, she looked at her nephew’s short legs straddling the branch, his arms wrapped around it with equal intensity. “Here comes Uncle Alex, Ricky.” Katarina watched Alex climb the huge old tree with finesse. “What in the world do you do for a living?”

He paused a minute and studied the tree. “Fight forest fires.” He had one more branch to go before he could reach the little boy. “I’m a smokejumper. Wish I had my boots and spurs right now.” Just as he said it, his foot slipped off the branch.

“A-A-Alex!” She covered her eyes and waited to hear limbs breaking from his fall.

“I’m fine.”

Katarina peeked between her fingers, then slowly removed her hands. Alex pulled himself up and leaned against the tree trunk. He secured his right leg on the branch below Ricky, and the left one on the next closest limb. Alex wrapped his hand around Ricky’s ankle. “Okay, Ricky, I’m going to hold your leg and I want you to slide closer to me.”

Ricky didn’t move.

Katarina waited impatiently for a response. “Ricky, you need to help Uncle Alex. Okay?” Her voice quivered. Katarina clutched Alex’s tuxedo and shirt even tighter, praying the frightened little boy would listen. Please, God. Don’t let anything happen to them.

Ricky tried to stand up. Katarina gasped.

“Sit down, Ricky,” Alex said calmly. “It’s okay, I have hold of you. I won’t let you fall.”

Katarina tried to keep the panic from her voice, just as Alex did. “Just scoot backward to Alex on your bottom.” She took a deep breath and held it.

Slowly, Ricky moved.

Alex coaxed the youngster closer and took hold of his hand. He helped Ricky turn around, then wrapped the boy in his muscled embrace. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

She felt her heart beating and she took a deep breath. That was only half the problem. Now they both had to get down.

Alex was calm, collected and in control. A take-charge kind of guy. Not her type. The last thing she wanted was someone trying to replace the father she never had. If her own father hadn’t been able to stick around for the long haul, why would any other man?

Clinging to Ricky, Alex allowed the child to calm down before proceeding. What a picture the two made. Tough and tender. Alex was built lean and solid, yet gentle as a teddy bear. She didn’t even want to think about what her sisters could make of her reaction.

“Alex?” Her voice was still shaky despite her efforts to keep it in control. He looked at her, and she silently pleaded for him to come down.

He nodded, as if he understood what she wanted to say. “You ready to get out of here, Ricky?”

“Yep.”

“Okay, you just hang on tight to me.”

“Like a baby monkey?”

“Sure, like a baby monkey,” Alex agreed.

Ricky wrapped his legs around Alex’s waist and clamped his hands together behind Alex’s neck. Alex imitated a chimpanzee. “Ooo. Ooo. Eee. Eee. Eee. Aaa. Aaa.”

When they reached the lowest branch, Alex wrapped one arm around Ricky’s waist, then jumped. Ricky laughed. Katarina swept the little boy into her arms and gave him a huge hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

He just giggled. “Uncle Alex is funny.”

She set Ricky on the ground, stood and turned to Alex. “Funny? Well, I guess the trauma is over for Ricky, anyway. Thank you.” Katarina looked at Alex’s bare chest. “You have a few cuts.” She started to touch one, then backed away, surprised by what she’d nearly done.

“I won’t break,” he said, grinning. He looked at the scrapes and wiped the drip of blood away. “Nothing major.”

Naomi Berthoff stepped up. “Thank you, Alex. I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d be able to get into the tree, let alone climb so high.”

“I wouldn’t have thought so either, Mrs. Berthoff.” He took Ricky’s hand. “I hope Ricky won’t try that again.”

The little boy nodded silently.

Lisa patted Ricky’s head. “I hate to break in, you monkeys, but we need to leave. Thank you, Alex.” She paused and looked at Katarina, as if tempted to say something else. “We sure appreciate your help.”

“Glad I could be of service.” Alex reached his hand out to Katarina.

She froze.

“I’ll take the tux now.”

Katarina looked at the clothes she’d clung to, and handed them to Alex. “Oh, sorry, I forgot I had them.”

His lips curved into a smile and Katarina felt her face flush.

He looked down and examined his pants for damage. “Guess you have more fabric for that collection of yours.”

She smiled stiffly and handed him the bundle in her arms. “I’ll bring Ricky over in a while?”

“Sure. And if you’re not busy, feel free to join us.”

“I am, but thanks for the invitation.”

Chapter Four

Ricky bounded up the front steps toward Alex. Behind him, his sister’s kids ran up the stairs screaming, chased by Alex’s brother, Adam. Laughter echoed from the beamed ceiling. Ricky stopped, his eyes opened wide, then he turned around and dived into the folds of Katarina’s skirt.

“Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Alex whispered.

Katarina spoke softly to Ricky and gave him a hug. She had obviously been around the child quite a bit. He clutched her leg as she stood up again. “This isn’t like him,” she whispered back, “but then, he has had a lot of changes in his life these past few weeks. I guess I should have thought of that.”

He didn’t want to force them to stay, yet he hoped he could coax his nephew to give them all a chance to get to know one another. Alex squatted. “Ricky, I’d sure like for you to meet the rest of your aunts and uncles. And you even have some cousins now. They’re just your age.” Alex reached out his hand and waited for the frightened child to respond. “Would you like to meet them?”

Ricky peered out from the fabric and pulled it across his face again, a mischievous grin on his face.

Alex chuckled. “I see he takes after his shy aunt Katarina.”

Her cheeks turned pink. Trying to free Ricky from her skirt, Katarina blurted out another option. “Maybe I should stay. Would that be okay with you, Ricky?” She looked up with those bright blue eyes. “That is, if your family wouldn’t mind.”

Alex stifled his pleasure. Ricky wasn’t the only one apprehensive about being there. And he didn’t want to scare either of them away. “We wouldn’t mind at all.” He tore his gaze from Katarina. “What do you think, Ricky?”

The little boy nodded and grabbed Alex’s outstretched hand, reaching out with the other for Katarina. “C’mon, Auntie Kat.”

Alex led the way through Kevin’s house to the backyard. Away from the noise inside, Ricky seemed more like his usual spunky self. “Come see the zebro.”

“The zebra?” she repeated, puzzled.

She looked at Alex, and he shrugged his shoulders.

Katarina looked around the yard. He could see that sparkle in her eyes. She’d figured out what Ricky meant, and was now making a game of it.

She looked up into the maple tree and shook her head. “I don’t see any zebras.”

Ricky pointed to the object and giggled. “See, it’s a zebro. An’ Kevin, my new daddy, put a swing in it, too. C’mon.” The little boy took hold of Katarina’s hand and dragged her past the barbecue grill, past the picnic table full of glasses and food.

Alex followed, playing along with the ruse, as he, too, figured out the mystery. “Ricky, there is no such thing as a zebra with a swing inside.”

“Yes, sir! See?” He pointed to the ivy-covered gazebo and pulled Katarina inside.

“Oh, a gazebo. Can you say ga-ze-bo?” Katarina’s smile was warm and enthusiastic.

“Ga-ze-bro,” Ricky repeated confidently.

Katarina praised his efforts. “Very good. Come here and try out the porch swing with me.” She sat down and pulled her nephew onto the seat beside her.

Alex sat next to them and rested his arm on the back of the bench, wishing suddenly that they were alone. The thought surprised him. Katarina was attractive, and also spoken for. Even if she wasn’t, with his life up in the air, he was in no position to set his sights on any woman.

His loneliness had nothing to do with Katarina, or coming home to help his brother run his construction company. Katarina wasn’t just some woman he’d like to see a few times. They were practically related. He didn’t need to complicate things. It would only make it that much more awkward to be around each other. After all, they were bound to be invited to the same family gatherings in the future.

He listened to Ricky and Katarina joking around. She had a contagious laugh, and the two fed off each other. Though the sound brought a smile to his lips, Alex was struck with an uncommon feeling of regret.

Adam bellowed over the crowd, “Burgers are ready.”

Alex touched Katarina’s shoulder. “You two ready for a bite?” Her contagious giggles came to an immediate stop, while Ricky’s continued.

“I’m not hungry, but thanks, anyway. You two can go ahead without me.” She pushed herself from the swing and went across the gazebo to the window on the other side.

Uncertain what had startled her so, Alex suggested Ricky help him fix his plate.

As she watched Alex lift Ricky to his shoulders, Katarina’s mind drifted. How easy it had been to let the mood of the day carry her away with the relaxing sway of the swing, the soft voice of her sister’s brother-in-law and the coziness of sharing a gazebo with a handsome man and an equally adorable child.

Just watching Alex, she had no doubts he’d make a wonderful father. Why hadn’t he married? He seemed nice, considerate, and his looks certainly wouldn’t stand in the way.

“Katarina?” Alex looked right at her.

She blinked, suddenly aware that she’d been staring. “What?” Why in the world was she daydreaming about Alex MacIntyre? A take-charge man didn’t fit into her plans.

Ricky dangled over Alex’s shoulder like a sack of flour, squealing with delight. “I’m going to take Ricky to meet everyone. You sure you don’t want to come?”

She tipped her head toward the window and shook her head. “I think I’ll just wait here. You two seem to be doing fine.”

Alex swung Ricky to the ground. 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?