Cutter Mountain Rendezvous by Barbara Weitz Read Free Book Online Page B

’em?”
    “No way. You’ll stand far behind while I tell you my secrets for grilling a perfect steak.”
    “You have secrets?” Kate teased.
    “A few. How about you?”
    “A few.”
    The same mischief she had seen the first time they met atop Cutter Mountain darkened his topaz eyes before he turned to catch up with Lindsay. Kate gripped the edge of the counter as the back screen door closed. She wouldn’t call him drop-dead handsome, but pretty darn close. His face had character with eyes that could mesmerize, and a jaw her plastic surgeon ex might consider too strong. The single dimple took away the sharp edges as did his sincere, ever-ready, oh-so-sexy smile. The rest of him pretty much went without flaws.
    Lindsay’s high-pitched voice drifted into the kitchen. Her daughter was determined to follow his every move and ask twenty questions, which he answered with both patience and good humor. Impressive. And no swears. She smiled.
    In no time, the back door slammed and Lindsay came skipping into the kitchen. “Colton said the steaks are perfect.”
    “Tell him to bring them in.” Kate quickly sprinkled chopped egg, tomatoes, green onion, and croutons over plates of romaine. A cruet of homemade salad dressing of balsamic vinegar, spices, honey, and olive oil was set on a red dish on the print tablecloth. Cheerful bunches of cherries were scattered across a white background, a bridal shower gift she used regularly now that she lived in the country.
    The back screen opened amid happy voices. It was music to her ears. Kate made a quick assessment of the table and pulled a shallow red casserole dish filled with the oven potatoes and set it on a wooden trivet. Lindsay’s chicken nuggets were cooling on her plate.
    “Looks and smells great.” Colton set the large red platter of two steaks on the table.
    “Cola or iced tea?”
    “Iced tea. Where is it? I’ll pour.”
    “In the left frig.”
    “I give services too,” he said in a low voice as he passed behind her.
    Flustered, she found herself at a loss for words. She might not have trouble disagreeing with him, but play? This was foreign territory. Marriage to a man too serious for his own good gave her little experience at verbal play with the opposite sex. Especially in the world he confined her.
    They sat and Colton made a skillful cut of tender pink steak for Lindsay. “Here, try this. I dare you to tell me it’s not perfect.” He held out his fork.
    Lindsay eyed the small steak piece, and let Colton put it in her mouth. Kate’s own fell open then shut.
    “Well?” Colton asked
    “I like it.”
    “You want more.”
    “I’m full.” She looked at him shyly.
    “Okay. But you know what this means?” He raised a questioning eyebrow Lindsay’s direction, and she shook her head. “You’re my official taster. It’s your job to make sure I grill it perfect every time. Can you do that?”
    A nod made Colton drop the subject. “Good girl.”
    While Colton romanced her daughter into eating a piece of beef no one else in the family had managed, he also warmed Kate’s heart a couple of degrees.
    Tinkerbelle eased into the room and took wide berth around Colton. Kate frowned. “I don’t know what’s wrong with that crazy cat. He usually likes men.”
    “He? I thought Tinkerbelle was a girl.”
    Lindsay giggled. “I called him Tinkerbelle when I was little.”
    “You’re still little, honey.”
    Kate saw Colton slip a cat treat from his pocket and drop it on the floor near his foot. Treats he must have pilfered from her pantry. The corners of her mouth quirked up. It seemed the cowboy’s ego had taken a blow by the family cat. Then she imagined he wasn’t used to anything or anyone turning up their nose at him.
    How unexpected it was to be having fun. It replaced the initial dread at his showing up at her place this morning. Not that she would let him know she entertained such a thought. His head might explode.
    As they ate, Lindsay’s endless