LITMIR.BIZ

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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.

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