In the Arms of the Rancher. Jan Colley
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scars take a lot longer.”
“The son of a bitch.”
“That’s my take on him.”
Hawk was quiet a moment. “I’m still thinking of asking her to dinner one night.” He frowned at Vic. “What do you think?”
“Well…” Now Vic was quiet a moment. He shrugged. “It can’t hurt to give it a try.”
“You wouldn’t mind?”
“Why would I mind?” Vice shook his head. “I think it would do Kate good to get out…She hasn’t been since she tossed the creep out.” He grinned at Hawk. “And I know you’d never do anything to hurt her.”
“How do you know that?”
Vic’s grin grew sinister. “Because if you did, I’d have to kill you.”
Hawk roared with laughter. “Get outta here and get me something to eat…and make it good.”
Standing, Vic leveled a stern look at Hawk. “You know damn well everything I cook is good. Excellent, even.”
“I know,” Hawk admitted. “So, go cook.”
Moments later he was served a glass of red wine. Soon after the wine, the server set a steaming plate of pasta before him, with a short, folded note on the side. Hawk opened the note and chuckled. Vic had written just seven words.
Kate’s days off are Monday and Tuesday.
Chapter Two
Kate didn’t have time to think of anything except greeting and seating customers for over an hour. When she again returned to her station, she was both disconcertingly disappointed and pleased.
She needed a breathing break. What Kate didn’t need were the thoughts of the attractive Hawk McKenna, which immediately flooded her mind.
He was just another man, she told herself. And yet he invaded her mind and senses the minute activity around her slowed. Shaking her head, as if she could physically shake the thoughts aside, she busied herself by fussing with the station. She straightened the large menus and made a production out of studying the names not crossed off on the long list of reservations. The few parties left on the list were not due to arrive for a while.
Sighing, she glanced up from the list, right into the dark eyes of the very man she had been trying her best not to think about.
She managed a professional smile. “How was your dinner, Mr. McKenna?”
He gave her a slight frown. “I thought we had agreed on Hawk and Kate.”
“Okay. How was your dinner, Hawk?”
“Superb, as Vic’s dinners usually are.”
Kate felt the effects of his breathtaking smile all the way down to her curling toes.
“That’s true,” she managed to articulate around the sudden tightness in her throat. “Vic is a very talented chef. One of the best.”
“I know.” He nodded, a shadow of his smile lingering at the corners of his too-attractive mouth. “He was taught by another very talented chef…” He paused for effect. “His mother.”
Kate laughed. It felt good to laugh with him. Too good. She quickly sobered. “I know,” she said, sneaking a glance around him in hopes of finding a waiting patron. The entryway was empty.
“You expecting someone special?” he asked, obviously not missing her swift look behind him.
“No.” She shook her head. “Why?”
Hawk studied her a moment. Kate felt strangely trapped, as if pinned to a board like a butterfly or some other species of insects.
“You’re afraid of me, aren’t you?” He was frowning again, this time in consternation.
“Afraid? Me?” She gave a quick and hard shake of her head. “That’s ridiculous.” She raked a slow look down the length of him, the long length of him. “Should I have a reason to fear you?” Kate was babbling, and she knew it. She just didn’t know how to stop. “Do you mean me harm?”
“You’re right. That is ridiculous, Kate.” There was a note, a bit angry, a bit sad, in his soft voice. “I mean no harm to any woman. Why would you even think that?”
Kate bit her lip and closed her eyes. “I…I don’t know…I…”
“Yes, you do.” He cut her off. He drew a deep breath.
“That bastard really did a number on you, didn’t he?” His voice was low, as if to make sure no one could overhear him.
Kate froze, inside and out. How did he know? Who told him? Vic, it had to have been Vic. The mere thought of Jeff, his nasty temper and his accusations caused a cold sensation in her stomach. Dammit, she thought. She had believed she was over it, free of the memories.
“Kate?” Hawk murmured, his soft tone threaded with concern.
Steeling herself, Kate looked him square in the eyes. “My personal life is not open for discussion, Mr. McKenna. I’d like you to leave, please. I have a party of four due any minute.”
As if on cue the party swept into the lobby, laughing and chattering. His face unreadable, Hawk stepped to one side, standing firm.
Kate conjured a pleasant smile and turned to face the new arrivals. “Good evening.” Lifting four menus from the neat pile, she added, “Right this way.”
After the patrons were seated and perusing their menus, Kate started back to the hostess station. Spotting Hawk—how could she miss him?—leaning against the side wall, she couldn’t help noticing again how tall and lean and…
Don’t go there, Kate, she advised herself, trying and failing to ignore the tiny twist of excitement curling around her insides.
She began feeling edgy as she approached the station. There wasn’t a single person waiting in the foyer. She lifted her chin, prepared to glare at him for still being there.
Hawk didn’t move but remained standing there, leaning one shoulder against the wall, his gaze fixed on her, a small, enticing smile curving his masculine lips.
His smile set off a new sensation in her body, one so intense she reached for anger in defense.
“You still here?” she said, inwardly cringing at having stated the obvious.
Hawk glanced down, then at the wall he was lounging against, then at her. “I do believe so. At least, it looks like me.” His smile broadened, his eyes grew bright with a teasing light.
Kate suppressed a shiver of awareness as he pushed away from the wall and strolled to stand directly in front of her.
“Will you have dinner with me Monday or Tuesday evening?” he asked softly.
Nonplussed, Kate stared up at him. Surprise kept her silent. Raking her mind for a reply, she decided that she simply couldn’t brush him off. He was a good friend of Vic’s, besides being a customer. Still…the nerve of the man. She scowled at him while fighting a sudden urge to agree.
Foolish woman. She didn’t even know him, trust him. She was afraid to trust any man, other than her father and Vic. Yet she was tempted to say yes to him.
“How did you know I was off Monday and Tuesday?” she said in a sad attempt at irritation.
He cocked his head.
She couldn’t blame him, when the answer was so evident. Damn him. “Vic,” she answered for him.
“Yes.” Hawk nodded. “I can be trusted, Kate,” he said, voice soft, tone sincere. “And Vic will vouch for me. I promise not to step out of line.”
Dilemma. What to do? Kate knew what she wanted to do. It had