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“Trust me, you’ll see enough of us tomorrow at the picnic, and you’ll be glad you had the reprieve from the kids. And as far as seeing him again goes, Eric has houses all over, includingRichmond. If you two want to see each other, you’ll find a way.” Brianna’s brows knitted together. “I’ve never seen you this nervous. What’s really going on?”

They went into the bedroom, and Kat slipped her feet into a pair of boots. “He told me not to wear heels. What do you think that means?”

“It means you’re not going flamenco dancingandthat you’re avoiding the question.”

“Fine, but you’re going to think I’m crazy because we both know he’s had abusysocial calendar and nothing can come of this. But…I’m really attracted to him, and not in just a sexual way. Sometimes when he looks at me, I feel like he’s looking inside me, like he can see all the things I’m trying to hide. I feel like so much hinges on this date, and I know that’s insane.” The word tripped the memory of the scene in the parking lot, when jealousy had consumed her, and she knew her feelings for Eric were already bigger than she was letting herself admit.

Bree looped her arm in Kat’s and they headed toward the stairs. “After being a single mother for six years, prepared to be one for twelve more, and then meeting Hugh when I least expected it, nothing seems insane to me.”

“So you don’t think I’m making a huge mistake? Going backward from the progress I’ve made toward being more responsible where men are concerned?”

They stopped near the top of the staircase, and Bree smiled at Kat. “I never thought you needed to change in the first place. That was all inyourhead. I thought you were perfect, and happy, the way you were.” She looked down the stairs, and Kat’s gaze followed.

Eric stood at the bottom of the staircase holding a bouquet of red roses in one arm. His dirty-blond hair was still damp, and he wore a pair of dark, low-slung jeans and cowboy boots, and looked hotter than sin. His black button-down shirt was openat the top, revealing the same patch of chest hair that had Kat’s heart racing when she’d first seen him in the airport. His cheeks were clean-shaven, giving him a completely different edge than the scruff had. His eyes were dark and serious, taking a slow stroll over every inch of her as she descended the stairs. By the time she joined him she felt naked under the heat of his gaze. His spicy, earthy scent swallowed her whole as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

“You look beautiful, darlin’.”

She’d never tire of hearing him call her darlin’.

He handed her the flowers. “These are for you.”

“You didn’t have to get me flowers.” She wondered when he’d even had time to pick them up.

“A little birdie told me that you like romance.”

“I’ll put those in a vase for you,” Brianna offered.

Kat had been so swept up in him that she’d forgotten anyone else was there. “Thank you.” She handed Brianna the flowers, and that’s when she saw Hugh across the room. He was holding Christian and had a wide smile on his lips. Layla and Hal were there, too, and the approval in Hal’s dark eyes was inescapable.

“Are you guys sure you don’t mind if we go out?” Kat asked, feeling fairly embarrassed by the depth of emotion in Eric’s eyes, which she was sure everyone else could see just as clearly.

“Who are we to stand in the way of young hearts?” Hal crossed the room and put a hand on Eric’s shoulder while Kat’s embarrassment etched into her skin.

“Dad said that Eric might be your Prince Charming, like he was Mom’s,” Layla said as she reached for Hugh’s hand.

Kat drank in Eric’s appreciative gaze, his tender, confident smile, and even though she knew the appropriate reaction would probably be to feel guilty for going out and letting a child believe that something could actually come of this date, she couldn’t help hoping that maybe Hugh was right.

CHAPTER 9

FROM THE FIRSTmoment Eric saw Kat standing at the top of the stairs, looking beautiful in a pair of jeans and a tight shirt that showed off every lush curve, he’d wanted to take her in his arms and never let her go. He’d thought about her all day, and after that amazing kiss they’d shared in the parking lot, he hadn’t been able to stop thinking about kissing her again and again, but he’d promised himself he’d take it slow tonight. This date wasn’t about getting her into bed. It was about getting to know her and letting her know he wanted more than a quick hookup.

He closed the door behind them and reached for Kat’s hand as they descended the porch steps and he led her toward the yard.

“Where are we going?” Kat asked as they crossed the grassy lawn to the large barn at the foot of the hill.

Eric pulled open the doors, and the scent of leather, hay, and manure assaulted them. He drew in a deep breath. “Smell that? That’s the scent of stability, family, and strength.”

“Because of Hal?” she asked as they walked into the barn.

“Because of all of the Bradens. Their love knows no boundaries, and it’s always been a source of strength for me.”He walked to the stall of an old red mare named Hope. Hope pressed her muzzle into his sternum, and he petted her wide jaw.

“How’re you doing, Hope?” he said to the horse. “Are you ready to give us a ride?”

“Wait, what?” Kat’s eyes widened. “I don’t ride.”

He took her hand in his. “Not yet, but with me and Hope, you’ll do fine. That is, if you trust me to help you conquer your fear of riding.”

“I don’t know,” she said, nervously stepping back.