Page 107 of This Heart Of Mine (Chicago Stars 5)

“We don’t need marriage counseling,” Kevin snapped as he came through the door with Marmie padding at his feet. They’d just gotten back from their gliding adventure, and his hair was windblown. “What we need is that cake. It’s five o’clock, and the guests are waiting for tea.”

Amy moved reluctantly toward the door. “Maybe if you’d both pray…”

“The cake!” Kevin growled.

Amy gave Molly a look that indicated she’d done her best but that Molly was hopelessly doomed to life without sex. Then she disappeared.

“You’re right,” he said. “That kid is irritating. I should have given you a hickey.”

This was a topic Molly definitely didn’t want to discuss, and she focused all her attention on arranging the tea tray. She hadn’t had time to change out of her rumpled clothes or straighten her own windblown hair, but she forced herself not to fidget as Kevin took a few steps closer.

“In case you were worried, Daph… My ears have just about recovered from that scream.”

“You were heading right for the trees. And I didn’t scream.” She picked up the tray and shoved it at him. “I squeaked.”

“One hell of a squeak. And we weren’t anyplace near the trees.”

“I believe that our female guests are anxiously awaiting you.”

He grimaced and disappeared with Marmie.

She smiled. She shouldn’t have been surprised that Kevin was an experienced glider pilot, although she wished he’d mentioned it before they’d taken off. Despite their afternoon together, things weren’t much better between them. He hadn’t said a word about his interviews that morning, and she couldn’t bring herself to ask. He’d also been strangely jumpy. Once she’d accidentally bumped into him, and he’d sprung

away as if she’d burned him. If he hadn’t wanted her with him, why had he invited her?

She knew the answer. After his confrontation with Lilly, he hadn’t wanted to be alone.

The woman who was causing his turmoil slipped into the kitchen through the back door. Uncertainty was written all over her face, and Molly’s heart went out to her. During the drive back to the campground, she’d brought up Lilly’s name, but Kevin had changed the subject.

She remembered what he’d said earlier at the cottage. Am I supposed to feel this sudden attachment to her? Because I don’t! It had been a pointed reminder that Kevin didn’t like close attachments. She’d begun to realize how skillful he was at keeping people away. Oddly enough, Liam Jenner, for all his obsession with privacy, was less an emotional recluse than Kevin.

“I’m sorry about your cat,” Molly said. “It was an impulse. Kevin needs lots of excitement.” She traced the edge of the cut glass serving plate. “I want him to enjoy the campground so he won’t sell it.”

Lilly nodded slowly. Her hands slipped in and out of her pockets. She cleared her throat. “Did Kevin tell you about our conversation?”

“Yes.”

“It wasn’t exactly a rousing success.”

“But not quite a failure either.”

A heartbreaking flicker of hope appeared on her face. “I hope not.”

“Football is a lot simpler than personal relationships.”

Lilly nodded, then toyed with her rings. “I owe you an apology, don’t I?”

“Yep, you do.”

This time Lilly’s smile had something more to it. “I was unfair. I know it.”

“Darn right you were.”

“I worry about him.”

“And the damage a man-eating heiress might do to his fragile emotions, right?”

Lilly looked down at Roo, who’d come out from under the table. “Help me, Roo. I’m scared of her.”

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