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sneakiness that amazed her.
    Dani stared straight into his eyes, hoping her unblinking gaze would persuade him that Duke Jenkins was absolutely the last person on her mind.
    â€œWho?” she inquired.
    He returned her gaze with a sharp look. “Don’t play that game with me, gal. You know perfectly well who I mean. Saw you looking at them just a minute ago.”
    â€œI was just curious about what they were doing here,” she insisted. “Usually it’s just family here for the Fourth of July picnic.”
    â€œCan’t tell around here anymore who’s family and who’s not,” Grandpa Harlan grumbled. “Besides, your daddy’s right fond of the boy. Thought I ought to take a look for myself. I have a lot of respect for a man who’s all alone and trying to do right by his kids.”
    So did Dani. She just didn’t want to be any part of the equation. As if he’d read her mind again, her grandfather squeezed her hand, then took off as if someone had lit a fire under him. When she caughtsight of Duke heading her way, a can of her favorite soft drink in hand, she understood why.
    He offered her the chilled can without explaining how he’d known it was the drink she preferred, then took a sip of his own beer. “I counted four cats in the barn when I was out there. How many more have you hidden around the place?” he inquired.
    â€œOh, I lost count ages ago,” she said, even though she knew precisely. “How are the three I left with you?”
    â€œStill alive, which is something to be grateful for, if you ask me.”
    â€œI knew the boys would take good care of them.”
    â€œThe boys? Are you kidding? All three of those blasted kittens have taken up residence in my study. When they’re hungry, they chase after me. I can’t move from one place to another without tripping over one of them.”
    There was too much affection laced in with the grumbling for Dani to take his complaints too seriously. “Won your heart, did they?”
    Duke scowled. “Even if they had, do you think I’d dare tell you?”
    There was a teasing glint in his eyes that Dani found just a little too attractive. She opted for a quick change of subject. “I saw you talking to Jenny when I got here,” she began.
    â€œKeeping an eye on me, were you?”
    â€œIn your dreams, Mr. Jenkins.”
    â€œIt’s Duke, darlin’. Once you’ve given a man kittens, you need to be on a first-name basis.”
    â€œOkay, Duke, ” she said with deliberate emphasis. “Isn’t Jenny remarkable? Most men fall all over themselves when they meet her.”
    â€œReally?” He sounded genuinely surprised. “Guess I’m not most men. I prefer prim little blondes myself.”
    Dani felt her cheeks burning. “Even when they’re unavailable?” she said tightly.
    â€œEspecially when they claim they’re unavailable,” he said. “Makes me wonder why they’re hiding from life.”
    â€œI am not hiding from life,” Dani protested instinctively.
    Duke grinned. “Oh, did you think I was referring to you?”
    â€œGo to hell, Mr. Jenkins,” she snapped and turned her back on him. Infuriating, insufferable tease, she thought as she marched off, spine straight. She could hear his soft chuckle as she went.
    The rest of the afternoon she did everything in her power to avoid him, but no matter where she went, no matter what she did, she could feel his speculative gaze on her.
    â€œDon’t look now, but you’ve made a conquest,” her cousin Angela said when she found Dani sitting all alone in a swing on the front porch.
    â€œIf discussing Duke Jenkins is the only thing on your mind, go away,” Dani retorted.
    â€œAh, so he’s made one, too.”
    â€œAngela, I am warning you. If you say one more word about Duke Jenkins, at least in any connection whatsoever with