Courting Katarina. Carol Steward

deep masculine voice interrupted. “Katarina?”

      She turned and nearly dropped her plate. There stood Alex MacIntyre. Her heart skipped a beat and she felt her cheeks flush. “Hello. We meet again, finally.” With all the last-minute decorations and reception preparations to take care of, Katarina hadn’t had a chance to visit with anyone at the rehearsal the night before. She’d met the groom’s brother only once, at Kevin and Emily’s first engagement party eight years ago. The college graduate had made quite an impression on her as a high school senior. When Kevin and Emily broke their engagement, Katarina had lost hope she would ever see Alex again.

      He nodded. “It’s been a long time. When Kevin told me who you were last night, I could hardly believe you’re the same woman I met eight years ago. You’ve…changed.”

      And you haven’t. Alex was even more attractive than she remembered. Suddenly overcome by a gamut of perplexing emotions, Katarina glanced quickly away, then back to him. Did he approve of the changes? “Do I hear ‘thankfully’ in that remark, Alex?”

      He smiled in a leisurely way, looking a bit chagrined. “It’s definitely meant as a compliment. I wasn’t sure you’d even remember me.”

      Like I could actually forget those gorgeous blue eyes? Not a chance. “It amazes me how much you and Kevin look alike.” When Alex had come to Springville a few weeks earlier to help run Kevin’s business after Kevin’s accident, Emily had wasted no time informing Katarina of Alex’s availability.

      Though already dating someone, Katarina had to admit she’d been curious to see if Alex had changed. Only for the better, she realized.

      Now she wished she’d taken time to meet him before he returned to his own job and life, wherever that might be.

      Alex’s smile was white against his bronzed skin. “Don’t hold it against me—that’s where the similarities end. Care to sit with the wild bunch?”

      Katarina furrowed her eyebrows. “The wild bunch?”

      “Any time you get the entire MacIntyre clan together, it’s chaos.” He tipped his head toward the table nearest the cake, where his siblings appeared to be seated. “I’d love for you to join us.”

      Love for her to join him? She couldn’t resist. No wonder her sisters had nicknamed her “the heart specialist.” Despite her older sister, Emily, actually becoming a doctor, Kat’s honorary title remained. When it came to matters of the heart, she was a romantic in the purest form.

      She felt color flush her cheeks as she recalled the crush she’d had on Alex MacIntyre—business major, football star and all-around nice guy. She glanced at the happy faces around the table. Did she dare tempt herself twice in one lifetime? I’m practically engaged. There’s no harm in making friends with my sister’s new family. Besides, after the honeymoon Alex will return to his life. No harm done.

      She set her plate on the table and Alex immediately pulled out her chair. She chose her seat so that he would sit on the side of her good ear.

      Kevin’s twin sisters and another brother were catching up with each other’s lives, laughing and having a good time when she sat down. Alex waited for the chatter to quiet, then went around the table making introductions. By turning her head slightly, Katarina didn’t think she would miss anything.

      Alex reminded his family that Katarina had been instrumental in pulling together the wedding decorations at the church and the reception with less than a week’s notice. Everyone showered her with adoration. She wanted to fade into the woodwork. True, she had a knack for decorating or she wouldn’t have celebrated her fourth year as owner of Kat’s Kreations. Yet the attention her talent received still made her uncomfortable. “The credit really goes to Emily. She and Kevin picked it all out. I just put it together.”

      “Kevin helped?” The laughter roared, and Katarina realized they probably couldn’t imagine their brother in a flower shop, let alone that he cared to help with wedding plans. Alex smiled apologetically. “Forgive us, Katarina. We haven’t been together much in recent years to see this side of Kevin.”

      Still Mr. Nice Guy.

      She shifted in her chair and felt as if the seat was sinking beneath her. Katarina’s slim-fitting dress bound her legs tighter, and she raised herself slightly to pull the fabric loose, then sat back down.

      With a loud snap, the chair collapsed, and Katarina slid as if on a chute under the table. All she could see were legs. And feet. The tablecloth draped itself over her shoulder, and Katarina ducked her head under the table completely, welcoming the shelter from her embarrassment.

      She tried to turn over and crawl out, but her spike heel caught inside her skirt. She was stuck.

      I can’t believe this. She squirmed the other way, and made matters worse. Why did this have to happen today, of all days? Katarina closed her eyes. Taunting voices from her childhood haunted her. Klutzy Katarina.

      Beyond the veil of linens she could see pieces of the plastic chair in a tangled heap on the ground. Katarina relished the haven from her humiliation. At least she was away from probing gazes.

      Feet scuttled around, concerned faces replaced the legs. She saw mouths move and she covered her face, oblivious to what they were saying. She didn’t want their pity or their help. She only wanted to hide.

      Katarina again tried to untie herself from the human knot of her twisted body. She rested her forehead on her knees, wrapped her arms around her head and began to giggle nervously.

      Only she could get herself into such a ridiculous situation.

      Her sister’s new in-laws would probably agree with the playground nickname, “Klutzy Katarina.” Suddenly she was a sickly child again, wishing the jeers of her classmates would stop. “Go away. Just go away,” she whispered. When Katarina opened her eyes, she saw the kitchen doorway just past the table and pulled herself forward. If she could just scoot to the kitchen without drawing any more attention…

      The dress tied her legs together like a mermaid’s.

      Alex’s younger brother lifted the tablecloth in front of her and took hold of her ankle. Then her calf. Startled, Katarina pulled back. “Just leave me alone,” she begged. So much for a silent escape.

      “I’ve got her.” A strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind and slid her out from under the table and into the spotlight. “Are you deaf?”

      She looked over her shoulder to see the sun-bleached hair of her handsome rescuer. Alex. Trying to fend off the memories of children’s cruel teasing, she forced herself to focus on him. He didn’t know she was truly deaf in one ear. And only a select few knew the degree of her hearing loss in her “good” ear. Katarina laughed. “Silly me, I must have forgotten my hearing aid today.” Struggling to free her foot, she felt Alex hoist her off the ground. “Wait!”

      Before she could explain, he let go and she fell against him. “My heel is caught.”

      The warmth of his hands pressed into her upper arms. “Sorry, why didn’t you say something? Here, have a seat while I try to do something.” He helped her over to the chair. Alex knelt on one knee and struggled with her shoe. “You did a dandy job snagging that heel somewhere in there. Maybe we should take it off?”

      “Excuse me?” Her voice squeaked.

      “The shoe.” As he tugged, she heard the satin rip, and her leg straightened.

      He held up her pump. “I’m sorry about the dress.”

      Stunned, Katarina stood and turned to look at the tear, then took her shoe from him. No one had ever flustered her like this. The words caught in her throat.

      “I’ll replace the dress.” One eyebrow rose as Alex looked at the rip.

      It’s over. Just laugh, Katarina. That always helps. “Don’t worry about it.”

      Emily rushed over, white lace flowing behind