More Than a Mistress. Leanne Banks

underlying uneasiness she always felt when she was with the Pendleton brothers. The problem was that since they had a shared history, they knew all the inside family jokes, the pecking order and what subjects were taboo. They knew, and she didn’t, which made her feel more like an outsider than ever.

      Daniel nearly groaned. “Carly was busy, like you’re supposed to be.”

      “We needed that part and…”

      “Is the Christmas season keeping you and Carly busy with Matilda’s Dream?” Jarod asked Sara, pulling her attention away from Troy and Daniel.

      She nodded. “Christmas and end-of-the-year reports.” Growing more uncomfortable with each passing moment, she glanced at her watch. “Oh my! Look at the time. I need to get back.”

      “I can walk you,” Jarod offered.

      Anger pulsed through Daniel. He nearly pounded his fist on the table. After all his careful planning he’d lost complete control of this situation. Troy was starting to jaw about being hungry, and heaven help him, it looked as if Jarod was moving in on Sara.

      “I’ll walk her,” Daniel announced in a voice that brooked no argument.

      “Oh, no.” Sara stood. “You can’t leave your brothers.”

      “Why not?”

      She blinked. “Well, they just got here, and…” She shrugged and managed a strained smile. “And now you can discuss whatever it is that brothers talk about. Thank you for lunch.” She waved a hand, encompassing all of them. “I’ll see you at the wedding.”

      Troy and Jarod murmured their agreement.

      Daniel called after Sara. “I’ll pick you up at two o’clock.”

      He watched Sara move her head in a gesture that could have meant yes or no.

      “You’re finally making your move,” Troy piped in with a smirk on his face.

      At that moment Daniel would have traded his name to be an only child. Furious with his lack of privacy, he tried to lay some ground rules. First things first. He turned to Jarod. “Cut the moves on Sara.”

      Jarod lifted his hands in surprise. “Hey, I was just trying to put her at ease.”

      Daniel frowned. “Well, don’t try so hard. And you,” he said, turning to Troy. “If you ever horn in again when I’m with her, I swear I’ll—”

      “Horn in!” Troy lowered his voice. “Does that mean you were getting anywhere with her?”

      Daniel hesitated, remembering how she’d kissed his thumb. For a little slice of time her eyes had gone soft and hazy.

      Then he recalled how quickly she’d left. If he were going to answer Troy, he supposed he’d have to say yes and no. He decided, though, that he wanted his relationship with Sara kept private. Because he felt a strong protectiveness toward her. And because there was no way he could articulate what he felt for her. It was overwhelming and disturbing.

      He looked at Troy and Jarod, and for the first time in his life he made a demand that had nothing to do with the farm or the family and everything to do with himself. “Leave it alone. Just leave it alone.”

      Chapter Three

      Sara watched Garth take Erin in his arms for a long and thorough kiss. Several seconds passed, and Troy started making whooping noises. Another brother, Brick, let out a loud whistle. Pretty soon most of the wedding guests were applauding. The couple finally pulled apart. Erin’s face was flushed with pleasure, Garth’s expression was tinged with awe, and the look they exchanged was so intimate that Sara had to turn away.

      She glanced at Daniel to find him looking at her. Her stomach dipped.

      You don’t belong here, Sara Jean.

      I know. I know. But I can wish, can’t I? Wishing won’t hurt anyone.

      You can wish all you want to, but you’ll never be like these people. You’re too much like—

      Sara mentally cut off her mother’s voice. She heard it only when she was feeling vulnerable, like today. The simple ceremony had made Sara feel a little weepy. It reminded her that she didn’t share a close, loving relationship with anyone on this planet. The reminder hurt.

      “Are you okay?” Carly asked, concern etched on her face.

      Sara shook off her depressed mood and smiled. “Fine. Erin looks beautiful.”

      Carly sighed. “She does. But I’d probably look that radiant, too, if I were going to Martinique.”

      Overhearing that last comment, Carly’s husband, Russ, came up from behind and pulled her against him. He tossed Sara a wink. “We can have our own little island in the sun tonight in the Jacuzzi.”

      Carly laughed. “Have you forgotten that we’re looking after Luke while Erin and Garth are on their honeymoon?”

      Russ shook his head. “He’ll be so tired after all the activity today.” He gave them both a broad grin, kissed Carly, then backed away to answer someone’s greeting.

      Carly rolled her eyes, but Sara could tell she was delighted with her husband.

      “So,” said Carly, pulling her attention from Russ. “How’s everything progressing with Daniel? I hear he nearly beat up Jarod and Troy for interrupting your lunch the other day.”

      Sara blinked at the change in subject, then shook her head. “Daniel and I aren’t progressing anywhere because we’re not well suited for each other. I told you that before.”

      “That was before he decided to go after you.”

      Sara’s pulse accelerated. “He’ll change his mind.”

      Carly looked at Sara with sympathy. “How long have you been suffering from delusions? Get ready for the chase of your life.” She made a tsking sound. “You’re so nice and innocent. Just don’t let him push you into doing anything you don’t want to.”

      Russ reappeared and snagged Carly’s wrist. “You’re not meddling, are you?”

      Carly innocently batted her eyes at him. “Not me.” Then she ducked her head and whispered to Sara, “One more warning: when Daniel wants something, he can have the sensitivity of a Mack truck.”

      Frustrated, Sara shook her head. “But I—”

      “Are you ready for the reception?” Daniel asked from beside her. He placed his hand on her back and watched her take a deep breath. There was turbulence in her green-gray eyes. He wondered what she and Carly had been talking about. He wondered a lot about Sara Kingston. Lately he’d been wondering what her lips would feel like pressed to his. And he decided that tonight he would find out.

      “Thanks for the ride,” Sara said, reaching for her key.

      “No problem,” Daniel said. She was going to try to leave him on the porch. He knew it. “Mind if I have a cup of coffee?”

      Sara jerked her head up to look at him. He could hear his mother’s voice scolding him: Pushy, pushy, pushy. Wait until you’re invited. Tough. At this rate, if he waited for an invitation from Sara, he’d never get past the front door, let alone into her bed.

      Her ever-present politeness warred with a desire to kick him out. He could read it on her face. “Of course,” Sara finally said, then pushed open the door. “Come on in.”

      She started to take off her coat and Daniel helped her with it. He caught a whiff of her sweet and spicy perfume. “You smell great.”

      “It’s new, and I probably shouldn’t have gotten it,” she said, remembering how the romantic fragrance had captivated her at the cosmetic counter just the other day. “I have all these bottles under my sink, but I love perfume and I just can’t seem to resist…” Her