“Tough,” he muttered to himself and slammed the hammerhead into the siding so hard as to leave a dent. A whirlpool kicked up dust in the corral, spinning a few dried leaves and blades of grass in a crazy dance. Overhead a hawk circled lazily.

Katie’s Jeep appeared and for a moment Luke thought he was seeing things. What could she possibly want? Probably another story now that the Isaac Wells mystery was cleared up she’d need another topic. Maybe she wanted to do a piece on this place. The concrete foundation had been poured; in less than six months he hoped to be open for operation.

He slid his hammer into a loop on his jeans and walked across the gravel lot to the spot where she’d ground to a stop. She hopped out of the cab and marched up to him.

“Do you have anything to say to me?” she demanded.

“Such as?”

“I just got a call from Ralph Sorenson.”

“And—?”

“He seems to think he’s going to send Josh some money for a trust fund.” She threw up one hand and he couldn’t tell if she was furious or pleased. “I think this has something to do with you.”

“I told Ralph I was out of it.”

“Well, you’re wrong, Gates,” she argued, her eyes crackling like green lightning. “You’re in it big time.”

“How’s that?”

She drew in a long breath and he braced himself. Her cheeks were rosy, the pulse at the base of her throat beating erratically. The fingers of one hand opened and closed as if she was so nervous as to be tongue-tied and the scent of her perfume tickled his nostrils. Damn, but she was beautiful. And she didn’t seem to know it. “Because I want you to be,” she said, her voice a little softer.

“You do?”

“Yes.” She licked her lips and he found the movement ridiculously provocative. “I—I want you in my life, Luke.” She seemed embarrassed, but held his gaze. “I love you.”

He didn’t move, didn’t feel the wind play with the tails of his shirt or ruffle his hair. “What?”

“I said, ‘I love you.’”

He couldn’t believe it and before he could respond, she started to turn. “Wait.”

“Why?” She was halfway to the Jeep, when it finally hit him. He caught up with her before she reached for the door handle.

“Katie—”

She shook her head and disappointment darkened her eyes. “Look, just let me go, okay? I’ve embarrassed myself enough as it is, and—”

“I love you.”

“You don’t have to say anything. Really.”