Sara's Surprise by Deborah Smith Page B

She fluffed her short red hair as if she hadn't had time to comb it. "I overslept!"
    "No, you didn't," he said cheerfully, going to plug the coffeepot in again. "You were in the back taking care of whatever it is you take care of so secretively."
    Her hands froze around her face. "How what makes you say that?"
    "Intuition." He got out the bowl of pancake batter and put a griddle on the stove top. "Don't be late again."
    "Don't get carried away with this takeover of yours! Are you going to time me?"
    Smiling, he turned around and waved a spatula at her. "If you're more than five minutes late. I'll do my best to break into your lab and see what's keeping you."
    He was immediately sorry that he'd made that threat. Her green eyes filled with anger, but also with fear. She looked horrified and worried. Kyle felt sorry for her.
    She muffled a cry of distress behind one hand and went to the window seat, where she curled her legs under her and hugged both arms around her midsec-tion. She seemed very lost and alone as she stared out at a bleak, overcast day.
    "Sara," Kyle said in a soothing tone. He went over and sat down beside her, then stroked her shoulders with one hand. "I'm not an enemy. I'll keep your secretswhatever they are. What are you so afraid of?"
    "So many people have suffered because of me," she whispered brokenly, her throat flexing. She continued to stare rigidly out the window, but tears slid down her cheeks. "Dinah was kidnapped because she happened to be my friend; my mother's health was ruined because she spent a year worrying about my safety; and you"she struggled for control"you were hurt badly because of me." She shook her head fiercely. "I don't want anyone else to suffer because of what I did."
    "You were innocent."
    "No. I was foolish. I took too many risks. Now I'm afraid that if anything ever happens againto me that more people will get hurt. I can't bear that idea."
    "What people?"
    "Anyone who's close to me."
    Kyle slowly placed his hand on the back of her neck. He caressed with small circular motions and hoped that she wouldn't worry that the gesture was offering something besides comfort. "You can't go through the rest of your life alone. Tinker Bell."
    "Maybe not. But I can try."
    "Don't you ever want a.family? A husband, kids?"
    "Children?" She avoided the husband issue but looked at Kyle with an intensity he hadn't expected. "For years I didn't know if I wanted to be a mother. I couldn't decide if I'd be any good at it." She hesitated, seeming reluctant to say more. "What do you think about having kids?"
    "I think I've missed my chance."
    "You're a young man!"
    Kyle had never considered himself much of a family type. Maybe the fierce longing that grew inside his chest now was provoked by Jeopard's upcoming marriage. Maybe it was provoked by wanting Sara more than he'd ever wanted anyone in his life. He thought of the terrified little boy in the country store. Maybe he should go take a look in the mirror and jerk himself back to reality.
    "I don't do very well with kids," he muttered.
    She gasped softly, and when he studied her eyes he saw that she understood his meaning. Kyle managed to shrug as if it were something he could easily accept. "I've gotten used to it. My sister's little boy cries every time he sees me. It's uncomfortable for him, and me too."
    "How old is he?"
    "He just had his first birthday."
    "Oh, Kyle, at that age children are likely to be shy with strangers. They're starting to form distinct likes and dislikes, and sometimes they're so erratic that you can't ever figure them out. Don't let your nephew's reaction worry you."
    Suddenly she took his face between her hands. Kyle stiffened with self-defense. He wouldn't let himself feel anything, even though she was gazing at him so tenderly that he wanted to kiss her.
    "You'll many some very lucky woman someday, and you'll have children," she assured him. "And they'll adore you."
    He pulled her hands down. "I won't invade your lab if