Daddy Lessons

“Exactly,” Kate said, frowning at her adventurous son.

“I’m glad Mr. Simon was there for you, then. I’m sure he was more objective.”

“Yes, he was…great.” Kate wasn’t happy to realize how true her words were. Part of her wanted to be angry at him for having the tempting animals. Part of her wanted to resent him for his appeal, both to her and to Eddie. But he had been sensible when she felt the urge to rant and cry and hold Eddie tight. He’d been…great.

“See Gladys on your way out,” Dr. Amy said as she left the examination room.

Within minutes, Eddie was dressed in his stained, rumpled clothes and Kate had given Gladys the insurance information. Only then did Kate look to the waiting room to see if Luke Simon was still there.

Or if he’d taken off because he didn’t want to spend any more time than necessary with a hysterical woman and a meddlesome child.

She inhaled deeply when she saw him, one arm stretched along the back of a couch, booted foot crossed and resting on his knee. His long, dark hair was ruffled as if by the wind or his own fingers plowing through the thick strands. He looked far too good for her peace of mind, just as tempting and exciting as when he’d strolled into the Four Square Café several months ago.

He appeared relaxed at first, but she noticed a bit of tension in his expression, as though he had a lot on his mind. He probably had a ton of chores to do at his ranch. He’d dashed off and left everything. Had he been alone, or were those Hollywood people still there?

She wasn’t going to think about those gorgeous women anymore. Comparing herself to others that physically perfect was an exercise in futility, especially when she was dressed in old shorts and a faded T-shirt.

“We’re ready,” she said just loud enough to get his attention, “if you’re willing to drive us home.”

“How’s Eddie?” Luke asked, rising effortlessly from the couch. Kate nearly sighed when she thought about how strong he had to be to move so gracefully.

“He’s going to be fine, if he’s careful and takes lots of warm baths.”

“Yuck!”

Kate leaned down to eye level with her son. “Eddie, don’t you have something to say to Mr. Simon?”

Eddie nodded. “I’m sorry I tried to ride the zebra, Mr. Simon,” he said in a small voice. “I didn’t mean to steal anything.”

Luke appeared confused, glancing at her for clarification.

Kate hid her smile by biting her lips. “Dr. Amy told him about how taking something, even a ride on someone’s animal, is like stealing.”

“You didn’t steal from me,” Luke said. “I’m really concerned about the zebra, though.”

“Why?” Eddie asked.

Luke hunkered down in front of Eddie. “Because she’s pretty old and she has arthritis.”

“Just like Grandpa Whitaker,” Kate explained.

“His fingers are all knobby,” Eddie said.

“Well, her knees are kind of like that and it hurts her to move. She likes to graze real slow beside her friend. When she has to move fast, like to run away from something that scares her, her knees hurt.”

Eddie looked as though he was about to cry. “I didn’t mean to hurt her. I thought she’d like to go for a ride.”

“Riding is a lot more fun for the person riding than for the animal being ridden,” Luke explained. “Besides, zebras are wild animals. They want to buck whenever they feel weight on their back. That’s why people don’t ride them in Africa, where they’re from. Over there, the wild zebras buck off the lions and other predators who try to eat them.”

“Wow. I didn’t know that,” Eddie said.

Listening to Luke Simon was a lot like watching a very sexy host on the Discovery Channel. Except none of the hosts were as appealing as this newcomer.

“So, even if Lola—that’s the zebra’s name—didn’t have arthritis, you still couldn’t ride her. She’s wild.”

“But why do you have wild animals?” Eddie asked.

“Because Lola and Lollipop, her friend, used to work in a small circus where they pulled a chariot. They went round and round the ring for many years until they got too old. They didn’t have anywhere else to go, so they came to live with me and the other animals. Now they can eat grass and have a nice retirement.”

“Just like Grandpa Whitaker moved to Hilton Head.”

Kate suppressed a laugh. Her father wouldn’t take kindly to his lifestyle being compared to that of two aging zebras, especially with his younger wife, his golf games and tennis matches. “Sort of, but don’t tell him that.”

“Okay. I’m ready to go home now.”

Kate stood and took Eddie’s hand. “Are you sure you don’t mind taking us home?” she asked Luke.

“No, as long as your brother doesn’t come after me.”

“Why would you say that?”

“He doesn’t like me.”

“He’s overprotective and he doesn’t know you.”

Luke’s eyebrows rose as if asking, “And you do?”

Kate shrugged at the unspoken question and led Eddie toward the door. “Whatever Travis says, I’m grateful for your help. I couldn’t have gotten Eddie here so quickly or easily without you.”

“I’m glad I was home.”

Kate paused as he unlocked the truck. “I hope we didn’t interrupt your visitors…again.”

“No, they’re gone.”

Good, she felt like saying, but she didn’t. She absolutely refused to be petty, especially about a man she barely knew.

She helped Eddie into the seat and buckled him up. “I’m sure you’re very busy, though.” Although Luke had been much nicer and more concerned than she would have expected, he had his own life to lead.

She knew so little about him. She’d imagined much more about him than she should have, first thinking him self-possessed to the point of arrogance. In reality, he was very nice. Perhaps even a little shy. And awfully concerned about Eddie, instead of being angry.

Which made him even more endearing. Darn it. She didn’t need this. Her responsibility to provide for herself and Eddie, combined with her need to stand on her own two feet for the first time, made having any interest in a man a very bad idea. And when she did decide to date again, she would be smart to start with someone less exciting and tempting than Luke Simon.

She definitely needed dating training wheels, not a wild ride on a Harley.

Luke paused after inserting the key, his look again pensive. “It’s not so much that I’m busy. I’ve got some things on my mind.”

“I’m sorry to be such a bother.”