Page 64 of The Runaway Bride of Blossom Branch

“I probably won’t use them tomorrow. I tried putting weight on the knee a few minutes ago. It hurts, but it holds me up.”

“Are you nuts? You might do more damage.”

His grin took the starch out of her knees. “I like to live on the edge.”

Cate had spent the past couple of hours reminding herself of the many reasons she needed to keep an emotional distance between them. But all he had to do was smile at her, and she was mush.

“Why don’t you go watch TV in the living room?” she said. “I think there’s a Braves game on.”

“I need to be on my feet.”

“Well, then, go walk around the backyard. Carefully.”

Harry cocked his head, staring at her intently. Serious now. As if he was trying to see inside her head. “Do I make you nervous, Cate?”

“Of course you make me nervous. You’re you, and I’m me.” She felt her cheeks heating.

“Translation?”

“You think I’m a kid.”

He scowled. “I most assuredly do not. I’m not blind.”

She blinked. The way he looked at her made her body tighten in secret places. “Um. That’s not what I meant exactly. Jason said I had some growing up to do. I assume you think the same.”

His gaze softened. “I’m sorry he hurt your feelings. I don’t think he meant to criticize.”

“And you?” She tensed, waiting for something. Some proof that Harry saw her as more than a nuisance.

Harry limped in her direction, set the crutches aside and moved to face her. Then he put his hands on both sides of her neck, bent his head and slanted his mouth over hers for a kiss. “I think you’reverygrown-up,” he said huskily. “In all the best possible ways.”

Cate was so shocked she dropped the tongs she was holding. When Harry made it clear this wasn’t a quick kiss like the one on the street last night, she curled her arms around his neck and kissed him back.

“Oh,” she said breathlessly when they came up for air.

It might have been the lighting in the kitchen, but Harry looked pale. “Oh, what?” he said.

“Justoh.” Cate couldn’t decide if she was embarrassed or exultant. Stoic, mysterious, aggravating Harry Harringtonwantedher. She wasn’t misreading the signals after all.

He ran one hand through her hair, separating the strands with his fingers. “Have I shocked you, Cate?”

The rim of silver in his irises seemed to glow with heat.

“A little,” she confessed. “I thought you were only being nice to me because of Jason.”

Harry’s expression went from predatory to wry. “I care deeply for my cousin, but not enough to kiss random women.”

“I’m not random,” she said indignantly.

“True.” He kissed her nose. “You’re adorable.”

“Now you’re back to making me sound like a kid.”

“Not at all. I’m impressed with your maturity in every way.”

“Sarcasm?”

“Not even a little. C’mon, Cate. You’ve survived a very public crisis in your personal life with grace and dignity. You haven’t whinedpoor me. You’ve picked up the pieces and started looking for a new direction. That takes guts.”

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