Something About Ewe

“Right. But bad timing is no reason to treat me like a pariah. You’ve avoided me from that day to this.”

“I’ve hardly seen you from that day to this. I simply went on with my life and tried to forget it had ever happened. I went away to school, got married—”

“Got a divorce.”

“It happens.” She walked stiffly for half a block, then said, “At least I tried marriage. You didn’t even do that.”

“That’s true,” he agreed. “I was engaged, though. Fortunately, she came to her senses in time.”

“I should have been so lucky. The fact that my marriage didn’t work out—” All the bluff and fire went out of her. “The fact that it didn’t work nearly killed me. I tried, Lord knows I tried. He tried, too, but after three years it seemed wiser to cut our losses and call the whole thing off.”

“Was he a nice guy?”

“That’s a funny thing to ask.” She seemed to consider carefully. “Yes,” she said finally, “he was a very nice guy. He’s an attorney with an independent movie company. Loves his job, is good at it, works very hard. He worked hard at his marriage, too. We just grew in different directions, I guess.”

“I’m sorry,” he said. “But I’m glad.”

“Glad? I must say, that’s the first time my tale of woe has met with that particular response.”

“That’s because I’m glad you came home, and you wouldn’t have if you were still married. Or if you did, you’d bring him and that would be a problem.”

“For whom?”

They’d reached Lorraine’s house, dark except for the soft glow of the porch light. They turned up the walk and halted at the foot of the steps, pine needles crunching beneath their feet.

He rocked back on his heels. “It would be a problem for me.”

“I don’t see why.”

“Sure you do.” Giving up the fight, he put a tentative hand on her shoulder. She stiffened but didn’t step away or otherwise react.

“I don’t.” She sounded slightly breathless, as if she’d been running. Which she hadn’t.

“Then I’ll spell it out.” He lifted his other hand to tilt her chin up. “Because if you’d come home with a husband, I couldn’t have done this with a clear conscience.”

And leaning forward, he pressed his lips to hers.

4

SHE COULDN’T BELIEVE he would kiss her, just like that.

She couldn’t believe she would kiss him back, either, which is exactly what she did. Flinging her arms around his neck, she pressed her body against his and kissed him with so much enthusiasm that it shocked her.

This would never do! She tried to dredge up enough self-control to pull away, but unfortunately, her self-discipline seemed to have vanished. Only when a sweep of headlights passed over them did she manage to find the willpower to push herself out of his arms.

Lorraine braked in the driveway beside them and jumped out. “Oh, it’s you,” she said, as if surprised.

Luke chuckled. “Who’d you expect to find making out at your front door?”

“Nobody, actually.” With a wave, she sailed past. “Take your time.”

“Mother!”

“You, too, Thalia. Don’t let me rush you.” She disappeared inside the house.

Luke moved to take Thalia in his arms again. “Where were we when we were so rudely interrupted?” he murmured seductively.

“Stop that!” She batted his hands away. “I was just about to slap your face, is where we were.”

His laughter sounded incredulous. “What for?”

“For—for—” She swallowed hard. “For taking me for the kind of woman a guy can just grab and kiss on the spur of the moment.”

“Are you kidding?” He stared at her in obvious disbelief. “That wasn’t spur of the moment. I’ve wanted to do that ever since I declined the honor of being your first.”

She groaned. “Will you kindly stop referring to that? It’s not a memory I want to relive.”

“I do, if I can change the outcome.”

She took a hasty step back. “Too late.”

“Says who? Now that age is no longer a factor—”

“Are you kidding?” She stared at him. “Age be damned! You had your chance and you blew it.”

“That’s a bit inflexible. Everybody deserves a second chance.” He edged toward her.

She continued to retreat. “I wouldn’t get mixed up with you again for—for a million dollars. You always were a fun-and-games kinda guy, Luke Dalton, and you obviously haven’t changed a bit. Well, this time you’re barking up the wrong woman.”

“How do you know what I’m after?”

Her heels hit the bottom step. “I wasn’t born yesterday, you know.”

“You’re acting like you were.”

“After what happened, how do you expect me to act?”

“Like a grown-up.”

“I am,” she insisted desperately. “You’re the one acting like a kid. Life is serious business, Luke.” She clenched her hands into fists. “I’m simply not interested in you that way.”

“You were once.”

He was crowding her. She stepped up on the first step. “That was then and this is now. Besides, I’m not going to be here long enough for anything to develop so you can just back off.”

“Because of what happened.”

She lifted her chin, annoyed by his teasing but incapable of backing down. “That’s right.”

“It looks like you should be over what happened by now.”

“I would be if you’d quit bringing it up.”

He rocked back on his heels, the light casting diabolical shadows across his face. “Yeah, right. Sure you are.”

“Darn it, Luke—”

“Okay, okay, calm down. I’ll change the subject. You’re coming to my birthday party Saturday, right?”

“Yes, as the hired help.”

“As a very special friend. And your mom, too.”

“Thanks but no thanks. I have no desire to crash your party. I’ll help Mother decorate and then we’ll—”

“You’ll stay.”

“I won’t.”

“Your mother will, if just to annoy my mother. Then you’ll have to stay to make sure the two don’t come to blows.”

“Did anyone ever mention you’re a rotten listener? My mind is made up.”

“You can always change it.” Grabbing her hand, he planted a quick, warm kiss on her unprotected palm. “Thanks for walking with me. It was great. We’ll do it again, someday.”

“We certainly won’t,” she shouted after him.

Jogging down the driveway, he waved cheerfully without glancing around. Frustrated and well aware that she’d come off second-best in that exchange, Thalia gritted her teeth and turned to the door. Lucas Dalton drove her crazy!

But he sure did know how to kiss.

“LOOK,” THALIA SAID, “I don’t want you to think there’s anything going on.”

Lorraine looked up from the cup of hot chocolate resting on the tabletop, cradled between her hands. “Going on where?”

“Between me and Luke.” Thalia sat down and reached for the second cup her mother had prepared.

Lorraine feigned surprise. “Something’s going on between you and Luke?”

“Mother! I know you saw us when you drove in.”

“Saw you doing what? You mean kissing?”

“Of course, I mean kissing. But he was doing the kissing and I was getting ready to give him a piece of my mind, which I did as soon as you went inside.”

“Honey,” Lorraine drawled, dropping all pretense of misunderstanding, “from what I saw he wasn’t doing all the kissing. You were doing your share or you’re no daughter of mine.”

“Mother!”

“Calm down, Thalia honey. Luke’s a great guy. You could do worse. In fact, you did do worse.”

“Mother!”

“Oh, pshaw.” Lorraine finished her cocoa and carried the cup to the sink. “I wasn’t born fifty-one years old, you know. I was young once. I had a life.” One brow rose. “In fact, I still have a life—or will soon, if I’m not mistaken.”

“You and Four-Jay?” Thalia stared at her mother, who looked like the cat with canary feathers decorating the corners of her mouth.

Lorraine shrugged nonchalantly. “Who knows? But it’ll be fun finding out.” She started for the door. “See you tomorrow.”

“One more thing before you go—”

“Yes?”

“You won’t be staying for Luke’s birthday party, will you?”

“Absolutely not.” Lorraine shook her red-gold head vigorously. “Under no circumstances. I’m going to work, and then I’m out of there.”

“Thank heavens,” Thalia muttered to herself.

Until Lorraine’s voice sailed through the kitchen door. “Unless somebody gives me a good reason to change my mind, of course.”

THALIA HAD NEVER BEEN to the Dalton mansion, as it was generally called. It had been built after she went away to college. Before that, the Daltons had lived in a splendid ranch house five or six miles out of town.

“Sylvia decided she needed the grandest house in town to support her social ambitions,” Lorraine explained contemptuously while parking the Pretty Posies delivery truck around back near the service entrance. “Joe built this place for her and then died before he ever got a chance to move in. It was just pitiful.”

“You can hardly blame her for wanting to live closer to town,” Thalia pointed out in the interest of fairness.

“I didn’t care where she lived, so long as it wasn’t right down the road from me.” Lorraine made a face. “Then when Luke decided to come back here to practice, she practically forced him to move in with her.”

“She’s got the room, that’s for sure.” Thalia looked around at the impressive three-story stone structure. Surrounded by landscaped gardens and walkways, it really was quite impressive. Over to the far side she could see the matching enclosure, which must shield the pool. Living here alone would certainly be lonely, especially when Sylvia had thought her husband would be here with her. Thalia felt a flash of sympathy, which she carefully hid from her mother.

Lorraine set the brake, then smiled at her daughter. “Are you ready? Sylvia wants a Hawaiian luau and that’s what we’re going to give her. The flowers alone are costing her a small fortune and the guys over at Bob’s Barbeque have dug a pit big enough to cook a whole pig, but what the hell? It’s only money.”

“I guess so.” Thalia took a deep breath, glad it wasn’t her money. “I’m ready.”

“Then let’s synchronize our watches and do it.”

“LADIES, THE DECORATIONS LOOK great,” Luke announced. “Now you’ve both got to stay for the party.”

He looked expectantly from Thalia to her mother and back again, figuring he knew where the power lay. The daughter nodded no while the mother nodded yes.

Lorraine added with a grin, “I thought you’d never ask.”

Thalia glowered at her mother. “I’m afraid it’s out of the question.”

“Why?”

“For openers—” She glanced down at her jeans and sneakers and simple plaid shirt. “I’m not dressed for it.”

He laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. You look great. Of course, if you want to go home and get a bikini—”

“In your dreams.”

“Okay, failing that, you’re perfect.”

“Really, Luke, I wouldn’t feel right—”

“Thalia! I’m so glad you’re here!” Emily came through the door between the house and the flower-bedecked pool area, carrying a white package wrapped with blue bows. “Isn’t this great? Happy birthday, Luke, and many happy returns.” She gave him a peck on the cheek. “Where do I put this gift? Mrs. Myers, I’m so glad to see you! What—”

While Emily gushed on, Luke caught Thalia’s glance and smiled encouragement. Somehow he didn’t think it would be much of a celebration without her.

THE PARTY DIDN’T START winding down until nine o’clock that evening—not a minute too soon, Thalia thought. She’d spent most of the preceding six hours trying to avoid Luke, which wasn’t as difficult as it might have been. As the host and the “birthday boy,” as his mother announced prior to the cake cutting, he’d had duties of his own. But time and again, he’d appeared at Thalia’s side to make sure she had a drink, food, someone to amuse her—simple enough since she knew practically everyone there.

Thalia had tried to make herself useful by keeping an eye on the proceedings: picking up, cleaning up, making sure the dishes and platters were refilled regularly, that no one’s glass remained empty for long. Many of the guests came prepared for a dip in the enormous Dalton pool while others were content to lounge in the sun, at the many patio tables or around the bar set up in an open-sided cabana at the far end.

Everybody seemed to be having a good time but no one more so than Sylvia. At one point, she’d surprised Thalia by slipping an arm around her waist and whispering, “Thank you so much for staying. It means a lot to Luke.”

Not knowing how to respond, Thalia simply smiled and nodded.

But now, at last, everyone was leaving. She’d help clear the pool area and then maybe she could coax her mother into leaving. Of course, that would only happen if Four-Jay left first. The two had staked out an umbrella table near the bar and held court for most of the evening.

Thalia guessed that only good breeding kept Sylvia from raising a ruckus about that. She had finally managed to coax Four-Jay onto the makeshift wooden dance floor set up at one end of the pool, where a trio looking more western than Hawaiian provided music.

“Hey!” The warm voice in her ear made her jump in surprise and nearly drop the platters she’d been stacking. Hands equally warm settled on her upper arms. “You’re a guest. How come every time I see you, you’re working?”

“Because—” Thalia caught her breath, intensely aware of his touch. “I don’t feel like a guest. I feel like an employee,” she insisted stubbornly.

He turned her to face him, taking the platters from her and replacing them on the buffet table. The two of them were, she suddenly realized, quite alone. In the silence she could hear the water in the pool lapping against the tile, the faint hum of an unseen pump.

He sighed. “You are one stubborn woman,” he said regretfully. “Did you have a good time?”

“It was a nice party,” she said evasively, thinking she should step away from his light grip but indecisive because that might be construed as more than it was. She licked her lips. “I saw a lot of friends and that was nice.”

“I got a lot of nice presents.”

That made her smile. He’d got a lot of gag gifts, like the embroidered hat from Emily which read Doggy Doctor in large script.

He touched the corner of her upcurved mouth with his thumb. “There, that’s what I wanted to see. A smile.”

She tried to stifle it, without notable success.

His voice was low and warm. “I don’t have a birthday gift from you yet.”

“And that ain’t the half of it,” she retorted.

He looked hurt. “No present?”

She spread her hands between them. “Do I look like I’m hiding a birthday gift?”

“Well, yes.”

She frowned. “I’d like to know where.”

“Remember, you asked for it.” He stepped closer, until his thighs touched hers lightly. “I’ve been waiting all evening to collect my birthday kiss.”

“Birthday—!” She stepped back, stumbling in her haste. “If you think I’m going to give you a—”

“Watch out!” He made a grab for her. “Don’t—”

But it was too late. Her foot bumped against a stack of ropes coiled on the deck next to the pool. Losing her balance, she tipped backward, grabbing wildly for any support. Her fumbling hands touched the collar of his flower-bedecked Hawaiian shirt and clenched tight.

He let out a muffled and surprised humpf and together they tumbled into the deep end of the pool. They came up coughing and gasping for air.

Thalia, treading water, shoved hair out of her eyes. “Why did you do that?” she cried.

He moved as easily in the water as he did on land. “I didn’t do it. You did.”

“I—did, didn’t I?” And then she couldn’t hold it in any longer and burst into delighted laughter. “I guess that’s your birthday gift, then.” Flipping over, she took off for the shallow end of the crystal-clear pool, stroking strongly.

“Yes!”

His satisfied shout sent fresh shivers down her spine. She’d never before been in the water fully dressed and there was something downright decadent about it. Fortunately, she was a good swimmer.

But he was better. He caught her just as her toes touched the bottom at the shallow end. She struggled to shake off his hold, impeded by her laughter. He turned her around anyway, his amber eyes gleaming with that familiar mischief.

“Happy birthday to me!”

“That’s what you—”

The rest was lost in the pressure of his mouth on hers…his mouth, chilly and wet at first but quickly growing warm and masterful. It is his birthday, she thought foggily. One kiss—one little bitty kiss—

Which led to another, and another—

“Come out of that pool this instant! Honestly, you—” Sylvia’s command ended in a shriek of embarrassment. “Oh, Luke, I’m so sorry! I didn’t know it was you and…is that Thalia?”

Sylvia was no more shocked than the object of her attention. Thalia shoved out of Luke’s slack embrace and moved to the ladder as quickly as she could, which wasn’t very. Waterlogged clothing and shoes weighed her down, but she managed to drag herself up the ladder.

It got worse. Lorraine stood beside Sylvia. Taking a good look at her dripping daughter, she burst out laughing.

From the pool, Luke intervened. “Back off, you two,” he ordered. “Thalia was just giving me my birthday kiss.”

“No, I wasn’t!” Thalia glared at him. “He was taking his birthday kiss. There’s a difference.”

“Really?” Lorraine sounded suspiciously innocent. “From where I was standing, any difference wasn’t immediately discernible.”

Feeling cornered and considerably flustered, Thalia glared equally at them all. “Look, I’m not accustomed to being thrown into a swimming pool with my clothes on,” she tried to defend herself. “I’m not responsible!”

Luke shook his head sadly. “What happened was, she tripped. I was trying to save her.”

“Luke,” she yelled at him, “you’re not acting like a man who turned thirty-two today!”

“Because I’m not a serious person—capital S, capital P?”

Both mothers laughed and looked expectantly at Thalia, who lifted her chin haughtily. “I won’t apologize for being a grown-up,” she announced.

“You’re not a grown-up, you’re an old lady,” he tossed back, his smile never slipping. “You’re only twenty-seven and you act seventy.”

“And you act like you’re thirteen,” she retorted.

“Come to your senses before it’s too late,” he urged, moving through the water toward the steps. “You still have time. Don’t you ever want to just let go and enjoy?”

“Boy,” Lorraine said breathlessly, “I sure do.”

“Mother!”

“Lorraine, you’re too old for that kind of nonsense,” Sylvia inserted. “And in case there’s any doubt, you made a fool out of yourself hanging over Four-Jay that way.”

“Oh, you think so?” Lorraine got a crafty look on her face. “Do I hear a little jealousy in there somewhere?”

“Me? Jealous of you?” Sylvia drew herself up to her full height, looking even more regal than usual in her imported Hawaiian muumuu and six or eight fresh flower leis coiled around her neck. “That will be the day!”

“Maybe, but it wouldn’t be the first time, would it.”

While the two bickered, Luke hauled himself out of the pool. His white shorts clung; his flowered shirt did likewise, leaving little to the imagination. Thalia shivered.

“You’re cold,” he said with quick concern. “Come in the house and I’ll find something dry for you to—”

“That’s not necessary. I’ll just go on home.”

“Suit yourself.” But his expression conveyed his disapproval. Grabbing a towel from a stack on a nearby bench, he tossed it to her. “At least put this over the car seat to protect it.”

“Thank you.”

“And Thalia…”

“Yes, Luke?”

“Thanks for my birthday kiss—or maybe we should call that kisses. Because no matter how you spin it, you were there, sweetheart.”

“That’s your opinion.”

“Sure is,” he agreed cheerfully. Unbuttoning his shirt, he dragged the soggy thing off and tossed it aside.

Nice chest. Real nice chest.

“Mother,” Thalia said forcefully, “are you coming with me? If not, I’d like the keys.” She held out a steady hand.

“I’m coming.”

“In that case—” Thalia smiled impersonally at Sylvia and her maverick son “—thank you for inviting us.”

“You had a lovely time, right?” Luke raised his brows.

“Of course.”

“Seriously, if you’d relaxed, you might have enjoyed yourself even more.” He cocked his head. “Aren’t you ever tempted to give it a try?”

“Absolutely not.” But was that true?

Later, alone in the second-story bedroom of her youth, Thalia sat in dark silence staring out the window, her heart full of questions. Maybe she did take everything too seriously. It might be fun just to relax and let life happen.

But could she actually do that? At this point, she really wasn’t sure.

Yet those few minutes spent floundering around completely clothed in the swimming pool with Luke Dalton had been not only fun but exciting and sexy and very, very provocative.

Which was all the more reason to stay away from the man, she decided.

“LOOK,” LORRAINE SAID bright and early Monday morning, “I’ve got a ton of stuff to do at the shop today since all of Saturday was devoted to the Dalton soiree—”

“I’ll help,” Thalia cut in quickly. “No problem.”

“Great.” Lorraine looked relieved. “That’s what I was expecting you to say. What I need you to do is take old Reckless to the vet.”

Thalia frowned. “Did I just get set up or what?”

“Of course not, dear.” Lorraine looked offended. “I’m really worried about that dog. He’s been off his feed all week and he just mopes around.”

“You take him to the doggy doctor. I’ll open the shop for you.”

“When did you become a floral designer?” Lorraine’s brows rose. “Seriously, if you want to help me, this is what I need you to do. That way I’ll have the first wave of orders ready by the time you get there and you can help out with deliveries.”

Thalia groaned. “If this is just some trick to throw me and Luke together—”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake.” Lorraine finished her coffee and rose from the breakfast table. “Why would I do that? For all I know, Luke won’t even be there. Ask for Doc Miller, I don’t care. Just do this for Reckless, okay?”

“I suppose I can if you insist.”

“Great. We’ll take him with us, then. You can drop me at the shop and go straight to the clinic. Thanks, honey.”

Lorraine bustled out. Thalia sat alone at the table for a good two minutes, feeling dejected. Doc Miller wouldn’t be there, or if he was, he’d be busy elsewhere. She’d have to face Luke again and that was getting harder and harder to do.

Worse. He knew it.

LUKE GAVE RECKLESS a thorough going-over, up to and including the drawing of blood for further tests. Reckless just sat there like a furry lump, sad brown eyes accusing.

What the hell was going on? Luke asked himself for about the twelfth time. This was one miserable dog when he should be in tall cotton. He had a great life: plenty of food, lots of room to run and roam, people around when he wanted attention.

Opening the door to the examining room, he gestured for Thalia to enter. This she did without the slightest flicker of recognition. It was as if she’d met him for the first time five minutes ago.

That made him grin. She sure was working hard to keep things between them impersonal.

And failing.

She sat down in the chair next to the dog. Automatically she began to scratch his ears, then stroked the dog between the shoulder blades. She had a wonderful smile, especially when it was sincere. As now—for a dog, not for Luke.

She looked up and the smile evaporated. “What’s wrong with him, Lu—Doctor?”

Luke sighed. “I can’t find a thing physically wrong,” he said honestly. “There are still a few tests to do and then I’ll talk the results over with Doc Miller. The bottom line is, this dog seems perfectly healthy to me.”