The smile vanished from Sarah’s face and it looked as if a curtain had been drawn in those beautiful brown eyes.

Yeah, he needed to polish his rusty social skills.

“Excuse me, I have to check on my boys.”

Sarah sidestepped to go around him, but he blocked her way. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you. I see there’s bad blood between the two of you regarding Sean, but I didn’t mean anything by what I said. I’m sorry.”

The urge to touch her, offer some comfort to make her believe he meant it, overtook him, but he locked in his control once again. He hoped he could back up without crushing her to him. His whole body begged to pull this woman close.

Sarah’s rosy lips tilted in a small smile. “I accept your apology. I’m tired and a little on edge.”

He nodded, glad the tense moment had passed. “Can I help you get your luggage from the car?”

“I can manage.”

“I’m sure you can, but it wouldn’t be very neighborly of me not to assist.”

She stretched sideways and pressed a fist to her lower back. “If you don’t mind, I’d appreciate the help.”

“How much does that little guy weigh?”

“I think thirty-six pounds at his last pediatric visit. Maybe a bit more. My back says more.” She rolled her shoulders and grimaced.

Damn. Her tight jeans and pink top concealed the strength of her slight frame.

She opened the back of the SUV, revealing three suitcases, a backpack, and two large computer cases. “Did you enjoy the drive down?”

“Once the kids settled in and I finished a conference call, I got lost in the beautiful scenery.” The big yawn punctuated how tired she looked.

“Were you up late last night because of the trip down here?”

She shrugged. “Kinda. Work last night, the kids, more work this morning. A couple fires I had to put out that couldn’t wait. We got a late start on the road, but I managed.”

Luke wished she’d say more about work. He really wanted to know if she actually contributed to the company or just made a good show of it while others did everything. Still, all that plus a call in the car. “You must have had one hell of a day.”

“Every day is one hell of a day.”

Before Luke could ask her about that exhaustion-fueled comment, the boys ran down the steps calling for her.

“Mama, can I have my tablet now?” Jack asked, his eyes pleading with her.

“I’m tired. I want cartoons.” Nick yawned.

“Who are you?” This came from Jack, the more curious one.

Sarah looked up with the question in her eyes, too.

He should have properly introduced himself. His mother raised him better.

“Luke Thompson. I own the ranch behind your grandma’s house.” His eyes fell on her again and he said, “It’s nice to meet you.”

Hers narrowed with anger and suspicion, but she didn’t say anything about him being the lawyer who’d contacted her about this visit because Jack jumped up and down at Luke’s feet. “Grandma says you have horses, and barn cats, and fields of corn. I like to take the leaves off corn. Can we see your horses? We’ve never seen a horse.”