“Is there a reason you’re hiding under there?”
She didn’t speak, just scurried back a bit further.
“I’ve seen you, Kate, so you may as well come out.”
“I’m quite happy here, thank you. Please go back to the fair.”
Rory ignored the primly spoken words and sat, then eased himself slowly back under the tree. He was taller, so the branches had to be parted to accommodate him.
“What are you doing? Get out of here at once; you will hurt your shoulder if you persist.”
“It’s my shoulder, I know when it is hurting.”
“There is no need to be testy.”
“I wasn’t being testy, I was being honest.”
She wore a long emerald coat buttoned up to the neck and thick red scarf. Her cheeks were pink from her time in the kissing booth. She looked like a ripe apple ready to be bitten into, and he wanted to take a bite desperately. Her eyes, however, were cold and unwelcoming, and he knew he deserved that look.
“Is there a reason you are under here with me, Rory? When last we met, you didn’t want my company.” Her voice held none of the warmth of before.
“Not true. When last we met, James paid for you to kiss me. I thought I may get another, this time for free.”
Chapter Thirteen
“Icannot believe you of all people said that.”
Kate shuffled sideways to put some space between her and the large, disturbing male who was settling beside her. She’d seen him with Meredith in his arms and Isabella draped around his legs and wondered how that had come about, as when they’d last spoken he’d told her he wanted nothing to do with this new family of his.
Not that she cared. He’d said nasty things to her, and she wanted nothing to do with him.
“Why me of all people?” He had to hunch, as he was a great deal taller than her and his head was touching the branches above.
“You don’t like to get close to people.”
“Am I so easy to read then?”
“Yes.
He wore a thick black overcoat, unbuttoned. Beneath, she saw a jacket open and gray waistcoat. His shirt and necktie were white and showed off the rich color of his skin. He wore white breeches and black boots and looked far too handsome. Those tawny eyes were focused on her.
“I’m sorry if I hurt you, Kate. I hope you’ll forgive me. Seeing my brother and then learning about the rest of my new family was a shock, and I reacted badly.”
She couldn’t seem to look away but knew she must. This man had made it clear he was not the one for her.
“I accept. Now I must go.”
“Where are you going?”
“Back to the fair. I cannot sit alone under here with you. It is not right.”
“Why were you sitting under here in the first place? A Christmas tree, if my guess is accurate.”
“Yes. One of the locals told James about it. Apparently he saw one in Germany as they are not common in England… in fact I have never seen one until now. The family will decorate it tonight and have gifts.” She was babbling but couldn’t seem to stop. “We are to string popcorn and hang candied fruit, among other things. Plus, there will be gifts given.”
“It sounds like you will have a lovely evening.”
The words were spoken slow and steady and had Kate looking at him once more.
