Tactless she could handle. It was the crazy that unnerved her. Lucas was probably wondering when Kate was going to keep her end of the bargain. Maybe he didn’t understand that subtlety took time. “We’re getting to know each other. I’m hoping in the next month or so I can introduce the subject of marriage. I’ll let you know how it goes and keep you up-to-date on any progress.”

The chair creaked as Lucas shifted. A cricket chirped from someplace under the deck. “Not worried about that.”

Kate wondered why he brought it up. Oh, well. She was too tired to figure Lucas out.

She wondered if Bryan was still in bed. She wondered if he was alone. There were things she missed about him—mannerisms. Did Bryan set his hand in the small of the woman’s back when he escorted her to the car? Did he hold her pinky on the console as he drove?

A yawn started, and she stifled it. The dream that had chased her from bed kept her from returning for fear that it would resume. Her only hope of escaping it was to stay awake. And even that wasn’t working.

Lucas felt Kate move in the darkness. The smell of her hair, a blend of sunshine and citrus, wafted over on a breeze. Did she know how maddening it was to be so close, so married, and yet have none of the normal privileges?

No, of course she didn’t. From her perspective this was a business deal. Lucas’s presence was a means to a goal. She had no idea how much he craved her. How he loved her slightly pointed chin and her almond-shaped eyes, loved the way she brushed her hair behind her ears when she was intent on something.

His advice to Jamie replayed in his mind: “Don’t be afraid to let him know you like him.” What a hypocrite he was.

Bo rubbed against his leg, and Lucas set a hand on his furry head. His situation was different from Jamie’s. Kate didn’t have feelings for him. She was still in love with Bryan. Was probably thinking about him right now. Maybe that’s why she wasn’t sleeping.

He remembered the nights after Emily had died. Lying awake until his eyes ached. Begging God to fill the hole she’d left. Feeling for her empty pillow and pulling it to his chest. If Kate was going through anything close to that, he needed to give her space. And time to get to know him.

“Go for a walk?” he asked. Bo perked up at the word, but Kate only looked his way.

“I’m in my robe.”

He scooted to the edge of his seat. “Come on. We’ll be back before light.”

“But what about—”

“Who cares?” he said. “It’ll clear your head.” He extended his hand, wondering if she could see it in the moonlight.