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?
He looked at Katarina and felt his emptiness deepen as he recalled her last remark. Flippant didn’t fit her style. “That’s not true. You’ve poured your heart into this.” She cast him a “how would you know” look, and opened her mouth to protest. “Kevin’s told me how much your business means to you.”
Her eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Yes, it does. Everything. I merely meant I’m tired of the wait.”
“Ah, an impatient woman,” he teased.
Katarina crossed her arms in front of her and opened her mouth to retort.
“As well as determined.” He had no doubts that Katarina would succeed. She was talented, not to mention as charming as she was beautiful, inside and out. He studied her for a moment, waiting for another objection. The only one he received was her questioning gaze.
“So, Alex. How long are you staying to help Kevin with the business?” his brother-in-law asked. “I thought he only needed temporary help.”
He would have preferred to avoid this discussion altogether. “I’m here as long as he needs me. I don’t know how long that could take.”
“You plan to sit out the fire season?”
He shrugged. “We’re taking it one day at a time.” He needed to change the subject, and quickly. He didn’t want to give Kevin anything more to worry about right now. They had enough to handle without wasting their energy on his problems.
“I thought…”
Alex chuckled. “I need a change of pace.” He paused. “Kevin needs me. I won’t let him down this time.”
Katarina didn’t catch on, thankfully, and they seemed to take the hint to drop the subject before she had a chance to ask. The conversation moved on to the others before making the rounds to him again. “So, Adam, Alex, how long is it going to take you two to follow Kevin’s example and break this silly agreement you made to avoid marriage?” Susan asked. Though playfully asked, Alex knew the question was totally serious.
Thankfully, Adam beat him to the punch. “Forever. Right, Alex?” The youngest MacIntyre stretched out his hand.
Alex forced a smile and silently agreed, shaking hands with his brother. Easy for him to say—he has ten years on me.
Both Elizabeth and Susan scolded them for their boyish attitude. “You can’t be serious!” Elizabeth added with a tight-lipped smile. Her husband’s arm wrapped around her shoulders, and Alex recalled the other reason he and his brother had made the pact in the first place.
Alex couldn’t stand to discuss this now. “Liz, don’t take it so seriously. Adam and I haven’t thought about it in years.”
Adam added his own two cents. “Not since Kevin and Emily broke their engagement—and we can all see that had a happy ending. Don’t get all riled up about it.” Adam backed off, obviously wanting to placate his sisters and mother, though Alex knew in Adam’s own mind nothing had changed. “When the good Lord decides it’s time, I’ll know it,” Adam concluded.
Attempting to add some humor to the conversation, their mother added, “Well then, maybe we’d better have this talk with Him. Sure would save us a whole lot of frustration in our efforts.”
Adam laughed. “Better yet, why don’t you leave the matchmaking to Him in the first place, Mom?”
Alex hadn’t dared to look at Katarina throughout this conversation. Now that it was over, he noticed the laughter in her eyes, and relaxed. Hopefully she didn’t see the tension stretch between siblings.
The conversation changed again, this time focused on the children, and Adam didn’t waste any time slipping away.
Alex was relieved when the chaos subsided and Katarina insisted it was time to get Ricky home and into bed. She turned away, and he noticed something in her ear. He looked again.
It couldn’t be. I thought she was joking. He felt like a total fool.
“Katarina.”