“But this time, he’s attracted to you, too.”
Kelly leaned on the cane she’d come home from the hospital with and stared at her cousin.
“Don’t look at me like that. You should see how he looks at you when you’re not paying attention.”
“That’s just because of Ari,” Kelly said.
“It’s not only because of Ari. When he carried you out of the truck yesterday, he held you as if you were the most precious thing on earth.”
“I’m sure you’re wrong. I’m betting Jace wants the Kendall. He’s only hanging around here until he can get on his feet and find a permanent place.” Kelly said the words, but she knew the man who’d kissed her, and those kisses couldn’t be delivered by someone who had no feelings for her.
“If you say so.”
Kelly knew Mira didn’t believe her. She didn’t truly believe her own words.
“I can have proof in just a moment. He’s coming up to carry you downstairs,” Mira said. The smirk on her face was unmistakable.
As it was, both Kendall males came to fetch her. Jace didn’t hesitate. He swept her into his arms and carried her down the stairs and into the large kitchen. The table was set for five and everyone took a seat. Drew arrived just as they were sitting. Since Mira had come to help for a few days, Drew had joined her.
Kelly glanced at Jace. She considered whether Mira saw something she had not. Sure he’d kissed her more than once and she enjoyed it. She admitted she wouldn’t mind exploring where their relationship might go, but she still had a purpose that took top priority in her life. Men, she knew, could complicate that. Did Jace?
His coming to the Kendall had nothing to do with her. Even when they were kids, he had never really looked at her. She had noticed him, though. Often she could only see him from a distance. Yet secretly she wanted him to notice her, too. But he was into himself, his problems, and his efforts to get his father’s attention. From what Kelly could tell, that never happened. She didn’t know that at the time. She thought he was rebelling, like most teenagers. And then he was gone. For months she wouldn’t see him. Then she’d get off the bus to watch the horses and he’d be racing along the far fence or driving through town as fast as the car would go.
But even her red hair, which everyone said was like watching fire burn, wasn’t bright enough for him to see her. She was invisible perched on that fence.
“You’re very quiet,” Jace said. “Are you in pain?”
Kelly shook her head. “My leg is beginning to tingle.”
“Wow. Tingle,” Ari said. “Tingle, tingle, tingle.”
He must have liked the sound of the word, since he repeated it several more times.
“What do you mean?” Jace asked.
Kelly could feel the vibes coming from Mira. She refused to look at her cousin for fear she’d say or do something to give Kelly away. “The doctor said that was a sign it was healing.”
“Put no weight on it for three full days,” Jace said.
She nodded.
“He just wants to carry you around,” Mira said teasingly.
“I do,” Jace admitted. “It’s the hair.” He indicated Kelly’s red hair. “It smells good.”
Mira laughed. “It used to smell like horses.”
“I’ve grown up,” Kelly said. “Now I wash it.”
“Can I wash it?” Ari asked.
Kelly suddenly had an image of Ari’s little hands tangling in her mass of hair.
She hadn’t said anything and the child must have thought she was going to say no. As a suggestion, Ari said, “Dad can help.”
Mira and Drew laughed. Kelly and Jace turned red.
* * *
KELLY HADN’T BEEN in her office in days and she was glad to be ambulatory again, even if it was with a cane. The swelling had gone down on her ankle enough for her to put on shoes. She finally had a chance to feel elated at the income from the first open house. They’d taken in enough fees to cover the expenses for the month. The next four weeks would be gravy. Kelly looked up from her computer screen. Tears gathered in her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. It worked, she thought. She was going to be able to support the house at least through the summer and fall seasons. Winter would have far fewer visitors. She’d been working on school programs, but they required deep discounts to look appealing. Still...
More than likely, there would be some loss leaders, but over time they would gain other paying guests.
She went back to the computer. She needed to prepare for the next open house. Even though one open house had gone well, there was no guarantee that others would be the same. Kelly had enough inventory of brochures, donation forms and one-page summaries of the history of the house. She was going to have to hire more kitchen staff and maintenance people. Jace had done an excellent job, but she couldn’t be sure of his continued employment.