walk on and marvel at up close, thanks to terrorist precautions.
To the left and slightly behind them was the parking lot at the base of a hill, near the head of several hiking trails. Beyond that, a grassy area next to the river boasted a few picnic tables, most of them occupied. Frowning, he steered the bike toward the parking area. Of course there’d be a gazillion other people enjoying a nice Sunday, complete with a horde of screeching children, a couple of big dogs, and some sort of family get-together taking up three tables.
As much as Howard adored kids and pooches, he’d hoped for a more intimate setting to woo his prospective lady love. He’d have to improvise. Bypassing the revelry, he steered the bike to the far end of the lot, near where the cultivation of the picnic area ended and native foliage took over. He stopped and shut off the engine.
Kat slid off the back and he felt the absence of her body heat immediately. He liked having her squashed against him, and wondered if she’d enjoyed their closeness half as much. Beside him, she unstrapped the helmet, pulled it off, and shook out her hair. A fall of shiny, white-blond silk belonging to an angel.
“That was fun!” she enthused.
Lifting off his own helmet, he ran a hand through his spiky hair. “Glad you thought so, ’cause we’ll have to do it again when I take you home.”
“Maybe we can take the long way back.” Her green eyes danced with mischief as she nibbled her lower lip.
Climbing off the bike, Howard swept her a gallant bow. “This knight and his noble steed are ever at your service, milady.” He felt more than a little ridiculous, but her merry giggle made acting like an idiot worthwhile.
“You’re a romantic, milord?”
“Nope. History Channel buff.” She slapped his arm playfully and he laughed, securing their helmets to the rear of the bike. “What do you want to do first? We can go for a walk or—”
“Oh, Howard, look!”
Kat’s expression melted and she pointed over his shoulder in the direction from which they’d come. Turning, he scanned the large group they’d passed. A baby girl dressed in jeans and a pink cotton turtleneck detached herself from the distracted grown-ups and made a beeline for one of the tables, little legs churning, wispy blond hair flying. She couldn’t be more than two years old, in Howard’s estimation, but determination made up for size.
Unguarded on top of the table sat a rectangular cake with white icing, perhaps for a birthday or anniversary. In seconds, the tot scrambled up to kneel on the bench, and with a squeal of glee, slapped her chubby hand smack into the middle of the dessert. Holding her hand up to view her accomplishment, the baby opened and closed it in fascination, squishing the sticky confection between her fingers a few times, then shoved them into her mouth.
“Isn’t she adorable?” Kat breathed.
Arrested by the longing in Kat’s eyes, his chuckle of amusement at the baby’s antics died in his throat. Glancing to the little girl again, his lungs constricted painfully. A desperate ache that never quite went away, and returned sometimes without warning to rip at his heart.
There were more reasons than one for Howard to remain alone. Complicated, honest-to-God relationship killers tangled in the phantoms haunting his broken sleep. He’d never be able to make a nice, stable, family-oriented woman like Kat happy. How could he have forgotten?
Because you’re praying for the impossible, Six-Pack. No smart woman will settle for what you have to offer.
A tall young lady with light brown hair finally noticed the miscreant, who was now holding out her tiny hand to a golden retriever eagerly licking the rest of the icing, and bolted for the table. “Oh, Emily Jean !”
“Yeah, she’s a cutie,” Howard said hoarsely, turning to the leather bags hanging behind the seat of his bike. He fumbled with the straps, his fingers clumsy. “You hungry? I brought some deli
To the left and slightly behind them was the parking lot at the base of a hill, near the head of several hiking trails. Beyond that, a grassy area next to the river boasted a few picnic tables, most of them occupied. Frowning, he steered the bike toward the parking area. Of course there’d be a gazillion other people enjoying a nice Sunday, complete with a horde of screeching children, a couple of big dogs, and some sort of family get-together taking up three tables.
As much as Howard adored kids and pooches, he’d hoped for a more intimate setting to woo his prospective lady love. He’d have to improvise. Bypassing the revelry, he steered the bike to the far end of the lot, near where the cultivation of the picnic area ended and native foliage took over. He stopped and shut off the engine.
Kat slid off the back and he felt the absence of her body heat immediately. He liked having her squashed against him, and wondered if she’d enjoyed their closeness half as much. Beside him, she unstrapped the helmet, pulled it off, and shook out her hair. A fall of shiny, white-blond silk belonging to an angel.
“That was fun!” she enthused.
Lifting off his own helmet, he ran a hand through his spiky hair. “Glad you thought so, ’cause we’ll have to do it again when I take you home.”
“Maybe we can take the long way back.” Her green eyes danced with mischief as she nibbled her lower lip.
Climbing off the bike, Howard swept her a gallant bow. “This knight and his noble steed are ever at your service, milady.” He felt more than a little ridiculous, but her merry giggle made acting like an idiot worthwhile.
“You’re a romantic, milord?”
“Nope. History Channel buff.” She slapped his arm playfully and he laughed, securing their helmets to the rear of the bike. “What do you want to do first? We can go for a walk or—”
“Oh, Howard, look!”
Kat’s expression melted and she pointed over his shoulder in the direction from which they’d come. Turning, he scanned the large group they’d passed. A baby girl dressed in jeans and a pink cotton turtleneck detached herself from the distracted grown-ups and made a beeline for one of the tables, little legs churning, wispy blond hair flying. She couldn’t be more than two years old, in Howard’s estimation, but determination made up for size.
Unguarded on top of the table sat a rectangular cake with white icing, perhaps for a birthday or anniversary. In seconds, the tot scrambled up to kneel on the bench, and with a squeal of glee, slapped her chubby hand smack into the middle of the dessert. Holding her hand up to view her accomplishment, the baby opened and closed it in fascination, squishing the sticky confection between her fingers a few times, then shoved them into her mouth.
“Isn’t she adorable?” Kat breathed.
Arrested by the longing in Kat’s eyes, his chuckle of amusement at the baby’s antics died in his throat. Glancing to the little girl again, his lungs constricted painfully. A desperate ache that never quite went away, and returned sometimes without warning to rip at his heart.
There were more reasons than one for Howard to remain alone. Complicated, honest-to-God relationship killers tangled in the phantoms haunting his broken sleep. He’d never be able to make a nice, stable, family-oriented woman like Kat happy. How could he have forgotten?
Because you’re praying for the impossible, Six-Pack. No smart woman will settle for what you have to offer.
A tall young lady with light brown hair finally noticed the miscreant, who was now holding out her tiny hand to a golden retriever eagerly licking the rest of the icing, and bolted for the table. “Oh, Emily Jean !”
“Yeah, she’s a cutie,” Howard said hoarsely, turning to the leather bags hanging behind the seat of his bike. He fumbled with the straps, his fingers clumsy. “You hungry? I brought some deli
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