From the Heart by Nora Roberts Page A

moment of panic as she looked at him again. Was it too late?
    â€œOh, Uncle Jordan.” He saw Alison’s heart leap into her eyes.
    Love without restrictions. He felt something open inside ofhim. “Oh, yes,” he said quietly and touched Alison’s cheek. “I believe I’ll keep you.”
    â€œAlison,” Beatrice called from across the room. “Where are your manners? Come say good evening to Dr. Rhodes.”
    Alison flashed a grin at Kasey and went to do her grandmother’s bidding.
    â€œWell, Jordan.” Kasey swallowed hard and cleared her throat. “You’re quite a man.”
    He looked back at her and smiled. “Tears, Kasey?”
    â€œDon’t.” She shook her head and swallowed again. “I’ll disgrace myself.”
    Briefly, his eyes swept to Alison. “I have you to thank for that.”
    â€œOh, no. Please.” Kasey shook her head more fiercely.
    He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “Yes. I have a feeling it’s going to be a difficult debt to pay. I had love staring me in the face and didn’t see it.”
    She studied him and let out a deep breath. You still do, she thought. It’s just a bit more complicated. “Jordan, unless you want to send Dr. Rhodes and your mother into fits and soil that perfectly beautiful handkerchief you have tucked in your pocket, you’ll change the subject and fix me a drink.”
    â€œAll right.” He kissed her fingers again. “For now.”
    Â 
    Through courses of onion soup, rack of lamb and chef’s salad, Harry Rhodes prompted Kasey with questions about the science of anthropology. He was unable, even with this second meeting, to equate the Kathleen Wyatt whose work he had read and admired with the quick-witted woman who sat across from him. She bounced from one subject to the next, occasionally making statements that left him completely baffled. Because he knew Jordan well, he was easily able to see that his friend’s interest in her was not strictly academic. And because Kasey had come into the Taylor household on his recommendation, he worried. Had he, in fact, saddled Jordan with a problem rather than a solution?
    Her knowledge in her field, however, was all-encompassing. By the time the peach flambé was served, Harry began to relax.
    â€œAnthropology is not psychology,” Kasey answered to oneof his comments. “As a psychologist, Dr. Rhodes, you attempt to hold culture constant and explore mind and psyche. As an anthropologist, I attempt to hold mind and psyche constant and explore culture. I have a good book on the subject. Perhaps you’d like to borrow it.”
    â€œYes.” Her conversation seemed lucid and relieved his mind. “I’d very much appreciate that, Miss Wyatt.”
    â€œFine. If I can dig it up, you can take it with you tonight.” She took another scoop of dessert.
    â€œI’m afraid all this is far above my head,” Beatrice put in. She sent Harry a warm smile. She ignored Kasey completely. “You psychologists and anthropologists fascinate me with your theories and philosophies on life.”
    â€œNow, Beatrice, I’d hardly consider my theories fascinating,” Harry put in modestly.
    â€œI wonder what Kasey’s philosophy on life might be,” Jordan mused. He sent her one of his engaging smiles. “I’m sure we’d all be fascinated.”
    Kasey licked the back of her spoon. “From this anthropologist’s point of view, Jordan . . .” She paused to pick up her wineglass. “Life is like a moustache. It can be wonderful or terrible. But it always tickles.”
    Jordan laughed as Harry took a rather deep swallow of wine.
    Thirty minutes later the two men were closed off in the game room. Jordan racked the balls on the pool table and listened to Harry’s uneasy comments on Kasey.
    â€œHarry, there’s no need to be concerned.” He