LITMIR.BIZ

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than expected.

      She decided to head in the direction of the shop he’d disappeared into. Waiting for a wagon to pass, she lifted her skirts off the dusty ground and hurried to the other side. She didn’t notice the two men standing outside the post office until she was almost upon them.

      The shorter of the two elbowed his companion in the ribs and muttered words too low for her to hear. That man, whose face had been obscured by his hat’s wide brim, lifted his head and stared hard at her. She recognized him at once. Tyler Matthews.

      Her feet slowed as his hungry gaze devoured her, looking her up and down as if she were a slice of pie to be savored. Feeling violated, she stopped, unwilling to go any nearer. When he advanced a step toward her, Kate whirled and walked as quickly as she could in the opposite direction while trying not to attract attention.

      Glancing back to see if he still followed her, she collided with a muscled chest and her sack slipped out of her hands. It hit the weathered boards with a thunk. Hands came up to steady her.

      “Kate?”

      Josh. “I’m sorry,” she panted, “I didn’t see you.”

      “What has you upset?” Holding her steady with a gentle grip, he gazed down at her with concern.

      “I saw Tyler. He started to follow me.”

      Lips compressing in irritation, he scanned the boardwalk behind her. “I don’t see him. He must’ve ducked in between the buildings. Where did you first spot him?”

      “Outside the post office.”

      Slowly she became aware of his thumb lazily stroking her arm, an unconscious gesture meant to soothe.

      His brows came together. “You okay?”

      “Yes, just a bit unnerved. This is something I’ve never experienced before, having someone fixated on me.” She shuddered. His fingers flexed in response.

      Josh was near enough for her to feel his body heat, to see the leap of his pulse in the hollow of his neck. The dark shirt complemented his tanned skin and brilliant eyes. Her gaze fell to his mouth, noting that his lips looked warm and generous. What would it be like to be kissed by Josh? she wondered suddenly.

      Had he ever kissed Fran? Her sister had been surprisingly coy on the subject, never hinting either way. Jealousy gripped Kate’s heart, startling her. She had no business entertaining such thoughts!

      Tearing her gaze up to his, she sucked in a breath at the confused interest in his eyes. With an almost imperceptible shake of his head, as if to clear his thoughts, he swallowed hard.

      “I want you to be careful.” He bent and picked up her sack. “Stay alert to your surroundings, especially when you’re alone.”

      “Of course, I—”

      “Josh!” a female voice trilled. “Aren’t you gonna introduce us to your fiancée?”

       Chapter Five

      Two young ladies stood watching them, eyes wide with curiosity.

      Kate flushed with embarrassment. No doubt they were drawing their own conclusions to what appeared to be an intimate moment. What would they think when they realized she wasn’t Francesca?

      “Girls, I’d like you to meet Miss Kate Morgan.” Josh put distance between them. “Kate, these are my cousins. Megan and Nicole O’Malley.”

      Like Kate and Francesca, the O’Malley sisters did not resemble each other in the slightest. With her dusky-blond curls and angelic countenance, Megan radiated a sweetness not present in Nicole, who was a striking beauty with raven hair and china-blue eyes.

      Megan’s friendly smile put Kate instantly at ease. Nicole stared at her with undisguised awe, her gaze taking in every inch of Kate’s attire. Compared to their comparatively simple dresses, she supposed her ensemble was a bit much.

      “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

      “Welcome to Gatlinburg, Kate,” Megan said.

      “Kate? But I thought—” Nicole began, only to stop when Megan nudged her shoulder. “Uh, it’s nice to meet you.”

      Hating that Josh had been put in the position yet again of having to explain this horrible situation, she saved him the trouble. “My sister, Francesca, isn’t coming, I’m afraid.”

      “We’ll discuss it later,” he said firmly, searching the street for onlookers.

      That was one advantage of living in a large city, she thought—a person could blend in with the crowd. No one knew your business, and no one cared.

      It was obvious the girls respected Josh, for they dropped the subject like a hot potato.

      “We were on our way to Plum’s for tea. Would you like to join us?” Megan asked, her eyes hopeful.

      “It’s our town’s very first café,” Nicole gushed. “Mrs. Greene, the proprietress, says one day soon we’ll have loads of people coming through here looking at our mountains and that they’ll all need a place to eat. Ma thinks she’s lost her mind—”

      “Nicole, please.” Megan shot her an exasperated glance.

      She waited for Josh to reply, who deferred to Kate. “It’s up to you.”

      After the near run-in with Tyler and her disturbing awareness of Josh, a cup of hot tea might help her to relax. “That sounds like a splendid idea.”

      “Wonderful.” Megan beamed her pleasure.

      Kate hadn’t always been the best judge of character, but she got the feeling Megan O’Malley would make a good friend. And she didn’t have many of those. Most of the young socialites of her acquaintance were like Fran, interested only in the latest fashions, the finest parties and, most importantly, finding a rich, suitable husband.

      While she liked nice clothes, she would much rather take photographs than spend hours poring through Harper’s Bazaar or standing for fittings. Parties among her set were overrated. Same food, same music, same people. Different setting.

      As for a husband, she did want one of those. Longed, actually, for someone to love who loved her heart, mind and soul. But after what had happened with Wesley, well, she worried no man would want her—a used woman.

      He certainly hadn’t wanted her. Once had been enough for him.

      While she’d been sure he would show up the next day with a ring and a proposal, he’d boarded a ship for England instead.

      Shoving the remembered pain and humiliation aside, she crossed the dusty street with Josh, the sisters walking ahead of them. They were chattering and laughing, seeming as close as sisters could be, and Kate experienced a familiar twinge of regret. She and Fran had never shared such a close bond, not even as children. Now that her sister had a new husband and a home of her own, Kate doubted they ever would.

      Plum Café was an unexpectedly charming establishment. Mauve tablecloths covered the round tables, and matching curtains edged with gold ribbon adorned the windows overlooking the street, softening the harsh glare of sunlight.

      An assortment of tantalizing aromas hung in the air. Voices and the clatter of dishes could be heard coming from the kitchen in back. Only one of the tables was occupied—an elderly couple who smiled and nodded but otherwise minded their own business.

      Josh pulled a chair out for each of them and once they were seated, lowered his tall form into the one beside her. He took off his hat and hooked it on the back of his chair, then ran a hand through his hair. It was impossible to judge his mood by his closed expression. Was he thinking of his canceled wedding?

      The proprietress, a meticulously dressed, middle-age lady, appeared and took their orders.

      Nicole leaned eagerly forward. “Kate, you must tell us about New York.

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