Courting Katarina. Carol Steward

closest limb. Alex wrapped his hand around Ricky’s ankle. “Okay, Ricky, I’m going to hold your leg and I want you to slide closer to me.”

      Ricky didn’t move.

      Katarina waited impatiently for a response. “Ricky, you need to help Uncle Alex. Okay?” Her voice quivered. Katarina clutched Alex’s tuxedo and shirt even tighter, praying the frightened little boy would listen. Please, God. Don’t let anything happen to them.

      Ricky tried to stand up. Katarina gasped.

      “Sit down, Ricky,” Alex said calmly. “It’s okay, I have hold of you. I won’t let you fall.”

      Katarina tried to keep the panic from her voice, just as Alex did. “Just scoot backward to Alex on your bottom.” She took a deep breath and held it.

      Slowly, Ricky moved.

      Alex coaxed the youngster closer and took hold of his hand. He helped Ricky turn around, then wrapped the boy in his muscled embrace. “There, that wasn’t so hard, was it?”

      She felt her heart beating and she took a deep breath. That was only half the problem. Now they both had to get down.

      Alex was calm, collected and in control. A take-charge kind of guy. Not her type. The last thing she wanted was someone trying to replace the father she never had. If her own father hadn’t been able to stick around for the long haul, why would any other man?

      Clinging to Ricky, Alex allowed the child to calm down before proceeding. What a picture the two made. Tough and tender. Alex was built lean and solid, yet gentle as a teddy bear. She didn’t even want to think about what her sisters could make of her reaction.

      “Alex?” Her voice was still shaky despite her efforts to keep it in control. He looked at her, and she silently pleaded for him to come down.

      He nodded, as if he understood what she wanted to say. “You ready to get out of here, Ricky?”

      “Yep.”

      “Okay, you just hang on tight to me.”

      “Like a baby monkey?”

      “Sure, like a baby monkey,” Alex agreed.

      Ricky wrapped his legs around Alex’s waist and clamped his hands together behind Alex’s neck. Alex imitated a chimpanzee. “Ooo. Ooo. Eee. Eee. Eee. Aaa. Aaa.”

      When they reached the lowest branch, Alex wrapped one arm around Ricky’s waist, then jumped. Ricky laughed. Katarina swept the little boy into her arms and gave him a huge hug. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

      He just giggled. “Uncle Alex is funny.”

      She set Ricky on the ground, stood and turned to Alex. “Funny? Well, I guess the trauma is over for Ricky, anyway. Thank you.” Katarina looked at Alex’s bare chest. “You have a few cuts.” She started to touch one, then backed away, surprised by what she’d nearly done.

      “I won’t break,” he said, grinning. He looked at the scrapes and wiped the drip of blood away. “Nothing major.”

      Naomi Berthoff stepped up. “Thank you, Alex. I’m sorry. I didn’t think he’d be able to get into the tree, let alone climb so high.”

      “I wouldn’t have thought so either, Mrs. Berthoff.” He took Ricky’s hand. “I hope Ricky won’t try that again.”

      The little boy nodded silently.

      Lisa patted Ricky’s head. “I hate to break in, you monkeys, but we need to leave. Thank you, Alex.” She paused and looked at Katarina, as if tempted to say something else. “We sure appreciate your help.”

      “Glad I could be of service.” Alex reached his hand out to Katarina.

      She froze.

      “I’ll take the tux now.”

      Katarina looked at the clothes she’d clung to, and handed them to Alex. “Oh, sorry, I forgot I had them.”

      His lips curved into a smile and Katarina felt her face flush.

      He looked down and examined his pants for damage. “Guess you have more fabric for that collection of yours.”

      She smiled stiffly and handed him the bundle in her arms. “I’ll bring Ricky over in a while?”

      “Sure. And if you’re not busy, feel free to join us.”

      “I am, but thanks for the invitation.”

      Chapter Four

      Ricky bounded up the front steps toward Alex. Behind him, his sister’s kids ran up the stairs screaming, chased by Alex’s brother, Adam. Laughter echoed from the beamed ceiling. Ricky stopped, his eyes opened wide, then he turned around and dived into the folds of Katarina’s skirt.

      “Maybe this isn’t such a good idea,” Alex whispered.

      Katarina spoke softly to Ricky and gave him a hug. She had obviously been around the child quite a bit. He clutched her leg as she stood up again. “This isn’t like him,” she whispered back, “but then, he has had a lot of changes in his life these past few weeks. I guess I should have thought of that.”

      He didn’t want to force them to stay, yet he hoped he could coax his nephew to give them all a chance to get to know one another. Alex squatted. “Ricky, I’d sure like for you to meet the rest of your aunts and uncles. And you even have some cousins now. They’re just your age.” Alex reached out his hand and waited for the frightened child to respond. “Would you like to meet them?”

      Ricky peered out from the fabric and pulled it across his face again, a mischievous grin on his face.

      Alex chuckled. “I see he takes after his shy aunt Katarina.”

      Her cheeks turned pink. Trying to free Ricky from her skirt, Katarina blurted out another option. “Maybe I should stay. Would that be okay with you, Ricky?” She looked up with those bright blue eyes. “That is, if your family wouldn’t mind.”

      Alex stifled his pleasure. Ricky wasn’t the only one apprehensive about being there. And he didn’t want to scare either of them away. “We wouldn’t mind at all.” He tore his gaze from Katarina. “What do you think, Ricky?”

      The little boy nodded and grabbed Alex’s outstretched hand, reaching out with the other for Katarina. “C’mon, Auntie Kat.”

      Alex led the way through Kevin’s house to the backyard. Away from the noise inside, Ricky seemed more like his usual spunky self. “Come see the zebro.”

      “The zebra?” she repeated, puzzled.

      She looked at Alex, and he shrugged his shoulders.

      Katarina looked around the yard. He could see that sparkle in her eyes. She’d figured out what Ricky meant, and was now making a game of it.

      She looked up into the maple tree and shook her head. “I don’t see any zebras.”

      Ricky pointed to the object and giggled. “See, it’s a zebro. An’ Kevin, my new daddy, put a swing in it, too. C’mon.” The little boy took hold of Katarina’s hand and dragged her past the barbecue grill, past the picnic table full of glasses and food.

      Alex followed, playing along with the ruse, as he, too, figured out the mystery. “Ricky, there is no such thing as a zebra with a swing inside.”

      “Yes, sir! See?” He pointed to the ivy-covered gazebo and pulled Katarina inside.

      “Oh, a gazebo. Can you say ga-ze-bo?” Katarina’s smile was warm and enthusiastic.

      “Ga-ze-bro,” Ricky repeated confidently.

      Katarina praised his efforts. “Very good. Come here and try out the porch swing with me.” She sat down and pulled her nephew onto the seat beside her.