LITMIR.BIZ

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of her past, she found it difficult to be open even with guys she dated. No, especially with guys she dated.

      Ryan had given their relationship his all. She’d given it as much as she could, but refused to pretend to have feelings that weren’t there.

      “Be honest with me,” Lexi pressed. “Do you like Joel better than Ryan?”

      “It’s not that.” Kate took a sip of her cappuccino, stalling for time, considering how much to divulge. She hated discussing her personal life. “Ryan and I were—are—simply friends.”

      That much was true.

      “His feelings go deeper than friendship.” Lexi’s eyes never left Kate’s face. “I know he really likes you.”

      Kate fought a surge of irritation. Coming from Pittsburgh and then doing her residency in Los Angeles, she still hadn’t completely acclimated to living in a small community. Even though Jackson Hole was a thriving tourist destination, it sometimes felt as if everyone knew everyone’s business.

      “I realize you and Nick consider Ryan a good friend.” Kate chose her words carefully, not wanting to offend. While she might travel in their social circle, she hung on to the fringe by a fingernail while Ryan was firmly woven into the fabric of the group.

      “We consider you a friend, too, Kate.” As if she’d read her mind, the attractive brunette reached over and briefly covered Kate’s hand with hers. “As well as Joel.”

      The sincerity in Lexi’s voice touched Kate’s heart. Perhaps she should come clean with the beautiful brunette. After all, it wasn’t as if there was any big secret underlying her relationship and breakup with Ryan.

      Not like there would be if I dated Joel.

      Kate inhaled sharply. Date Joel? Where had that thought even come from? Joel Dennes was the last person she’d ever consider dating. The.very.last.person.

      “I’m sorry,” Lexi said unexpectedly when the silence lengthened, her cheeks now a bright pink. “It’s none of my concern.”

      “Ryan is a great guy,” Kate said honestly. “But you’re right. He was looking for something more than I wanted out of our relationship.”

      Ryan had made it clear he was ready to settle down. He’d been convinced he was in love with her. But how could he be? There was so much about her he didn’t know.

      Lexi gave a little laugh. “That simply tells me he wasn’t ‘The One’ for you.”

      “The problem wasn’t with Ryan.” Kate rose to his defense. “It was me. I’m not ready to settle down.”

      Kate conveniently pushed aside the promise she’d made to herself that when she turned thirty, she’d put her past to rest and move on. That had proven impossible, especially in Jackson Hole.

      “If Ryan had been ‘The One’ it wouldn’t have mattered if you were ready or if this was the right time or not.”

      Kate opened her mouth to argue the point, but Lexi waved her silent.

      “Let me tell you a little story.” The social worker’s hands encircled her cup, the large diamond on her ring finger glittering in the sunlight. “If you’d asked me three years ago why I wasn’t in a relationship, I’d have given the same excuse. I was raising Addie on my own and I was content with that arrangement. Then I met Nick.”

      Kate envied the happiness she saw in Lexi’s eyes and heard in her voice, but she wasn’t about to get drawn into a discussion about Mr. Right. She focused instead on Lexi’s other comment. Even though someone had once mentioned in passing that Nick wasn’t their oldest child’s biological father, it was easy to forget. “Your ex-husband doesn’t live around here, right?”

      While she waited for Lexi’s answer, Kate took a sip of her cappuccino and noted that Joel and Chloe had gotten their drinks “to go.” Obviously they weren’t staying. The tightness in her chest eased.

      “Actually there is no ex-husband.” Lexi’s confession pulled Kate back from her thoughts. “Addie’s dad and I never married. When Drew found out I was pregnant, he made it clear he didn’t want a baby. His career was revving up and he believed having a child would only drag him down. He offered to pay for an abortion.”

      “Did you ever consider—”

      “Not having the baby?” Lexi shook her head. “Never.”

      “How about adoption?” Although Kate felt her lips move, the words seemed to come from far away.

      “It’s a great option, but not for me.” Lexi’s gaze grew thoughtful. “Still, I have to tell you, being a single mom was no walk in the park. Addie and I endured some pretty lean years. In fact, when I met Nick, I was working two jobs.”

      “Not every woman could do that,” Kate murmured. The scone she’d just finished eating sat like a dead weight in the pit of her stomach.

      “Keeping my daughter was easy,” Lexi said, “compared to how hard it would have been to give her up.”

      Kate could only nod.

      “What brings you two fine ladies downtown this morning?”

      At the sound of the familiar baritone, Kate’s heart plummeted to the tips of her toes. Somehow she managed to lift her gaze and smile.

      “I rounded at the hospital early and thought I’d check out Cole and Meg’s new business.” Even though Kate’s heart was above the safe number of beats per minute, thanks to years of practice her tone gave nothing away.

      “Chloe and I were just talking about how glad we are that they opened a coffee shop just down the street from The Dance Studio.” Joel smiled at his daughter. “We’ve become Saturday morning regulars.”

      Kate made a quick mental note not to come here again on the weekend, then settled her gaze on the nine-year-old. Chloe’s straight dark hair, which normally hung past her shoulders had been pulled back into a makeshift ponytail. Like many preteens, her eyes and teeth seemed too large for her thin face. Although it wasn’t obvious to the casual eye, Kate saw the promise of great beauty.

      “What do you usually get when you come here?” Lexi bestowed a friendly smile on the two.

      “Coffee with cream for me.” Joel lifted his cardboard cup. “Nothing fancy.”

      Even though it would have been easy for him to answer for his daughter, to Joel’s credit he merely offered the child an encouraging smile.

      Chloe’s eyes dropped to the clear plastic cup in her hand. “I got an Italian soda.”

      “I almost ordered one of those this morning,” Kate said, surprising herself by jumping into the conversation. Perhaps because she’d been a shy child and knew how hard it was to have all eyes on you. “My favorite flavor is watermelon.”

      Chloe lifted her gaze, her eyes wide. “Mine, too.”

      “Watermelon.” Although Joel shook his head in apparent disgust, a smile tugged at her lips. “Must be a girl thing.”

      Chloe giggled.

      For a second, Kate basked in the warmth of the child’s pleasure. As Chloe’s doctor she’d seen only the little girl’s serious side. She’d even spoken with Joel after that first visit about his daughter’s reticence, thinking it might be related to her mother’s death. But Joel said Chloe had always been shy around strangers.

      “Would you like to join us?” Lexi asked. “We could pull up a couple chairs.”

      Kate remained silent.

      Chloe looked up at her father.

      Kate held her breath, hoping he would say no, but at the same time wanting them to stay.

      “Thanks for the offer,” Joel

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