Celebration's Family. Nancy Thompson Robards

wasn’t interested in anything more than friendship.

      Thinking about the possibility that gorgeous Kate Macintyre might be interested in him as more than just a friend made him feel foolish and presumptuous. That was enough proof that the dating game was way out of his league. He’d be better off simply donating a little extra to the cause.

      “I realize my colleagues will be paying for a date,” he said. “I understand that the money they spend on the night out will not go directly to the hospital—the guys will spend it on the women who win them in the auction. Since I won’t be paying for a date, I’m happy to donate the money I would have spent. It will go to the cause rather than be wasted on an evening on the town.”

      That hadn’t come out quite right. His trepidation about dating sounded so ridiculous when he voiced it, but that embarrassment was at odds with the betrayal of Joy that pierced his heart when he thought of going through the motions of a date. Even if said date was contrived and a woman was bidding on a prize package—not really the time spent with him so much—the winning bidder still deserved to have a good time. Enthusiasm and interest were not something he could promise to deliver.

      “What I’m trying to say is that I’m happy to donate more if you think that’s appropriate. Especially since I’m obviously being a colossal pain in the... Well, I’ve created more work for you, and I’m sorry about that.”

      She laughed. “You’re not a colossal pain in the... Just get over that, okay?”

      She caught her bottom lip between her teeth. She did that a lot. There was something kind of innocently sexy about it. She had nice lips; the kind that he imagined could be described as bee-stung.

      “As I said,” she continued. “I wouldn’t have offered this alternative if I didn’t think it was a win-win situation for all involved. We’re good, right?”

      She was so gracious. She obviously had a natural talent that put people at ease. Not to mention a pretty face to go along with the nice personality.

      His gaze dropped back to the bottom lip that had just a moment ago been caught between her teeth.

      “So, this new plan—you bidding on me—isn’t going to cause problems with a boyfriend? I don’t want to put you in an uncomfortable position....”

      “Don’t worry,” she said. “I’m absolutely single. No jealous guys will be hulking around threatening to beat you up. Rest assured.”

      She winked at him, and there was something in the gesture that made the blood course through his veins in a way that hadn’t happened in ages.

      “Really? Have you ever been married?” He surprised himself by uttering the words out loud. “And that’s really personal. You don’t have to answer that question if you’d rather not.”

      She had a serene smile on her face, as if his inquiry hadn’t fazed her.

      “I don’t mind answering,” she said. “As long as you’ll answer a question for me.”

      Liam was vaguely aware of the muted background chatter of other customers, silverware clattering on plates, coffee cups clanking on saucers. Background music to their conversation.

      “Fair enough,” he said.

      “I’ve never been married. I came close once, but...nope. Lately I’ve been too busy with work to date much. I figure I’m sort of married to my career right now. Kind of like a doctor, huh?”

      “Is that the question you wanted me to answer? Because, if so, it’s a lot easier than I expected.”

      She laughed. “Are you kidding? That’s a rhetorical question, and you know it. What I want to know is why, if your daughters are okay with you doing the auction, do you still want to go through with the charade of me bidding on you? Which I’m perfectly willing to do. But, again, I’m curious.

      “Because it’s just a night out. You really don’t even have to call it a date. It’s not like you’re obligated to see her again. How painful could one night out with a woman be?”

      Liam shook his head. “I don’t know how to say this without sounding like a pompous ass, but I’ll do my best. There might be women or, should I say, one woman in particular, who would be tempted to bid on me just to put me in an uncomfortable situation.”

      Kate didn’t say anything, but the corner of her mouth quirked up as if she thought the possibility utterly ridiculous. “Would you care to elaborate?”

      “Shortly after Joy died—Joy was my wife...” His voice cracked, and he wondered if he would really be better off not venturing into this territory.

      Kate’s expression softened. “I think everyone in Celebration knew and loved your wife, Liam. She was an amazing woman.”

      He cleared his throat. “She was an amazing woman. I think that’s part of the problem. Some women think a man like me, who is left to raise two teenage girls alone, needs or wants help.”

      “And you’re speaking from experience?”

      Liam felt himself sliding down a slippery slope. “Nah, never mind.” He didn’t need to unload his baggage on Kate. He should be telling her how grateful he was for her willingness to make his part in this fund-raiser as easy and comfortable as possible. But he’d already said too much. It was best to quit while he was ahead.

      “No, wait, this sounds good. So you’re in demand? Throngs of females throwing themselves at you?” Her eyes were sparkling, and her tone was teasing.

      He was sure she was just trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn’t something he wanted to joke about.

      “And you need me to fight off the hordes of women that will turn out to bid on you?”

      He crossed his arms. “I wouldn’t put it that way.”

      She pressed a finger to her chin and narrowed her eyes as if she were thinking. “Maybe I shouldn’t bid on you. Maybe I should be quiet and watch as the bidding war ensues.”

      “There won’t be a bidding war,” Liam said. “And you already offered to bid on me. No reneging on the deal.”

      “You realize that me bidding on you won’t preempt a bidding war. That’s all on you, and if it happens, there isn’t a thing I can do to stop it. We’ll all just sit back and watch Dr. Thayer bring sexy back.”

      He laughed, unsure whether the burning sensation he felt was the blood rushing to or draining from his face. He reached up and ran his hand over his chin as if he could rub away the evidence of his embarrassment.

      “Maybe this is a bad idea,” he said.

      She reached out and touched his arm again. “I’m just teasing, Liam. I know you’ve been through a lot, but I was hoping this might be a chance for you to have some fun. We have a deal, and I fully intend to uphold my end of the bargain.”

      She opened her mouth as if she were going to say something, but closed it and sat back in her chair.

      “What?” he asked, wondering why he was encouraging her.

      She put both of her palms flat on the table. “Okay, I’m just going to say it. You’re a young man. You have a lot of life ahead of you. I didn’t know Joy very well. We only met once in passing, but the little I did know of her was that she was a sweet, kind woman. I can’t imagine that she would want you to put yourself on a shelf for the rest of your life.”

      The truth hung between them as acrid as the smell of something burning. Kate was right, as much as he hated to admit it. Joy probably would’ve wanted him to move on, to meet someone wonderful, who would love the girls like Joy did and for him to fall in love again.

      There were two things wrong with that. First, he and Joy had never had the chance to discuss whether or not she wanted him to remarry should anything happen to her—or vice versa for that matter. He hadn’t expected his thirty-five-year-old