The Perfect Couple. Valerie Hansen

as much a victim of a meaningless tragedy as he was.

      He bent to place the puppy in Kara's lap. “Here. You do the honors while I get us some coffee.”

      “I can't stay for coffee.”

      “Why not?” he asked pointedly.

      “I have to get home and feed my animals.” She shifted Road Kill so his nose faced Buster's and carefully let the two dogs sniff each other. Neither seemed upset about the encounter.

      “One cup of coffee won't take long.” He flashed her an amiable smile. “Humor me, okay?”

      Kara didn't know what to say. The last thing she wanted to admit was that she was actually enjoying his company, in spite of the way he'd welcomed her at first. There was something soothing about being with Tyler. It was as if she no longer had to worry about doing or saying the wrong thing. He seemed to accept her as she was, not as she thought she should be, and the resulting feeling was strangely peaceful.

      “All right. One cup,” Kara said. “Lots of sugar.”

      Tyler chuckled. “You've heard about my coffee?”

      “No. Why?” She was continuing to monitor the dogs but chanced a quick peek at him. He looked thoroughly amused.

      “Dee used to tell me it would dissolve a spoon. Nobody's ever proved it, though.”

      “Let's hope I'm not the first,” Kara said with a smile. “Maybe you'd better put some cream in it, too. Just to be on the safe side.”

      “Gotcha. Back in a minute.”

      She held Road Kill in her lap and continued to rhythmically stroke Buster's head after Tyler left the room. What was wrong with her? Didn't she have any sense? She hadn't come to the ranch to pay a social call or to befriend Tyler Corbett. She'd come to foist an injured dog on him. That was all. So why was she looking forward to a leisurely cup of coffee as if they were old friends?

      Because he understands, she answered. And I understand how lonely he feels, too, even though I didn't share the same kind of wonderful love he once had.

      Kara gazed down at the puppy, smiled and nodded her head. It looked like the Lord was in the process of healing a lot more than the little dog's broken leg. He was mending Tyler's broken heart, too.

      She was glad to be able to help.

      Chapter Four

      “Here you go.” Tyler held out one of the two mugs he'd just filled. “Lots of cream and sugar.”

      Kara carefully lowered the puppy to the rug at her feet and made sure he was comfortable before she reached to accept the steaming coffee. Cradling the hot mug in both hands, she took a whiff. “Mmm, this smells wonderful.”

      “Thanks.” He perched on the arm of the sofa, purposely locating Buster between them as a buffer. “I have a question. Why were you the one who brought Road Kill to me? Why didn't you send your sister, instead? She's usually right in the thick of things.”

      “No kidding.” Kara blew on the coffee, then took a cautious sip. Her eyes widened. “Wow. You weren't kidding when you described this stuff. I'll bet it keeps you awake all night if you drink much of it.”

      “It's decaf,” he countered. “Don't change the subject.”

      Eyes lowered, she sensed him studying her, waiting to see if she'd answer at all, let alone be truthful. She looked up as she said, “I came because Susan wanted me to do the honors, just in case.”

      “In case of what?” Tyler's brow furrowed.

      “In case you got mad.” Kara faced him squarely, surprised that she wasn't nearly as jumpy as usual, considering the gist of their conversation.

      “What difference would that make to Susan?”

      “Well…” Kara hesitated, taking time to chose her words carefully. “She didn't want to do anything that might adversely affect Mark's position with you, so she—”

      Tyler got to his feet so quickly his coffee sloshed. He set the mug aside. “Whoa. Hold it a minute, lady. Do you mean to tell me that you and your sister think I'd be dumb enough to fire the best foreman I've ever had, just because his wife and sister-in-law happen to drive me nuts on a regular basis?”

      “Well…”

      He muttered under his breath. “You do have a pretty low opinion of me, don't you?”

      “No. It's not like that at all,” Kara insisted. Their pleasant conversation had deteriorated so rapidly she felt she'd better try to say or do something that would reverse the negative trend, if only for Susan's sake. Rising, she cautiously stepped over the resting pup.

      Tyler folded his arms across his chest and remained resolute as she approached. “Oh? Then how is it?”

      “It's a long story.” Kara willed him to understand and hoped she wasn't making a mistake by confiding in him. “Susan and I come from a wonderful family, really we do. It's just that our father had a pretty short temper, sometimes. He yelled a lot. Especially when I was a teen. Susan used to intervene on my behalf all the time.”

      Tyler's frown deepened. “What's that got to do with me?”

      “Nothing, directly. But we've discussed it more than once and decided that may be the reason she and I tend to avoid unpleasant confrontations whenever possible.”

      “I see.”

      Kara could tell by the leery look in his eyes and his standoffish posture that he didn't see a thing. That didn't surprise her. None of her friends had ever believed that her dad could be a monster when he lost his temper, either. His company-face was unblemished. Outsiders had never seen him behave irrationally or heard him shout at his family until he was hoarse, so why should they believe the wild tales of an uptight teenager?

      And then, heaven help her, she'd married a man just like him. She'd been searching for someone who was kind and gentle, who loved animals as much as she did, and she'd been totally fooled into thinking Alex Shepherd was the perfect choice. She shivered. What irony.

      Taking a deep, settling breath Kara managed a nonchalant smile as she turned her back on Tyler and started for the door. “Well, thanks for the coffee. I have to be going.”

      He opened his mouth to ask her to stay longer, then changed his mind. Having a normal chat with this woman was impossible. Every time he decided she was intrinsically antisocial, she came up with some revealing tidbit that tugged at his heart so strongly he was tempted to take her in his arms and offer comfort.

      His breath caught. Now that would be a mistake to end all mistakes. Half the time, Kara was as prickly as a porcupine. Yet she could also be as gentle, as vulnerable, as a doe. With his luck, he'd give in and decide to hug her just about the time she stuck her quills up!

      Following her to the door, he found he was smiling at the analogy.

      Kara caught him grinning. “What's so funny?”

      “Nothing. I was just thinking.”

      “About me?”

      “Sort of.”

      “I don't want to know more, do I?” she asked wisely.

      “Probably not.”

      “I didn't think so.” She extended her hand. “Thanks for agreeing to take Roady. He really is a sweet-natured little guy. I'm sure he and Buster will get along fine.”

      Instead of shaking her hand, Tyler opened the door and stood back. “I'm only keeping the dog until he's healed up.”

      “Of course.” Kara felt like cheering! By the time she got around to removing the cast, Road Kill would be so much a part of Tyler Corbett's life he'd beg her to let the puppy stay. Naturally, she'd have to give in and allow it.

      Stifling a triumphant smile,