It made sense. Maybe he’d only changed majors because he excelled at many things and couldn’t make up his mind. But in light of his passion for teaching, fear of failure made sense. He wouldn’t be the first.

The sound of feet thumping up the stairs warned them they had company coming, and the topic was tabled for the day.

Kate was eating alone at the Even Keel when her agent, Ronald, called with great news. Glamour magazine wanted to feature her in a monthly “Dear Dr. Kate” column. They’d seen her appearance on Dr. Phil and had been tracking her career. It had been between her and another syndicated columnist, and she was their first pick.

Kate paid her bill and rushed back to the shop, hoping Lucas was there, wanting to share her good news. She would have been eating with him except he’d canceled because of an appointment.

But what Kate saw when she neared the shop pushed her good news from her mind and stopped her feet midstride. Someone behind her bumped her, treading on her good heels.

“Sorry,” Kate mumbled as the tourist passed her with a glare, pulling a golden retriever on a leash. She shifted over, moving closer to the gift shop, out of the stream of traffic, her eyes returning to the scene that had stopped her.

Lucas helped a woman from a silver car. The woman unfolded herself from the compact vehicle, and Kate saw her long red hair. Lucas shut the door and followed the woman into his shop.

It was the same woman Kate had seen him with the day Brody stopped by her office a month or so ago. Was she the reason Lucas had cancelled their lunch plans? Had he and Red had lunch together? Something tightened deep in her stomach like a dishrag wrung hard.

She was probably just a friend. Or a business acquaintance.

From a distance, Kate watched Lucas hold the store’s door for the woman. She turned and laughed at something he said, cocking her head.

Kate’s lips pursed in reaction. She disliked the way the woman looked at Lucas. She disliked her own reaction to it more.

It’s not jealousy. She looked away and watched the tourists and locals walking past her. What would people think if they saw Lucas and Red eating together? Especially if the woman was hanging on him like she had the first time Kate saw them together? He was married to her, Dr. Kate, and she couldn’t have people thinking he was wining and dining another woman. As careful as they’d been to make the marriage appear legitimate, she couldn’t believe he’d be so careless.

A passing dog bumped her thigh, and Kate straightened. She’d have to say something to him tonight.

He’ll think I’m jealous.

Not if you handle it carefully.