Family Man

Katy say?”
    Matt shrugged. “Katy says the job's not that bad. Says there are worse jobs. I think she's kind of fond of Justine, if you want to know the truth. She says the rest of the Gilchrists are okay in their way.”
    “But you don't like them?”
    Matt flushed. “I didn't say that. It's just that they try to push Katy around sometimes. Maureen and Hayden are always giving her orders. Darren tries to charm her in order to get what he wants, and Eden…”
    “What about Eden?”
    Matt's young eyes hardened. “There was a guy hanging around Katy about a year ago. I didn't like him very much, but Katy did. I think she was in love with him.”
    Luke stilled. “Nate Atwood?”
    “Uh-huh. Eden came along, and the jerk took one look at her and fell like a ton of bricks. They got married a couple of weeks after Katy introduced them. Justine was really pissed.”
    “Son of a bitch,” Luke said quietly.
    “Yeah,” Matt said. “He was. But Katy didn't know that right away. See, the problem is, Katy hasn't had a lot of experience, if you know what I mean. She's twenty-eight and all, but she doesn't know as much about guys as you'd think she would at her age. She's been too busy taking care of me and holding down a job, I guess.”

    After stewing about it all night Luke decided to try the blunt approach the next morning. He walked past Liz and straight toward the inner door of Katy's office shortly after nine o'clock. Liz glared at him through her glasses, but they both knew she couldn't get to the intercom in time to warn Katy that Luke was on his way.
    Luke opened the door silently and found Katy propped on the edge of the desk. She had a folder in one hand, but she was not studying its contents. Instead she was gazing thoughtfully out over the gray sea. She was wearing a green silk blouse and a bright gold skirt. There was a splashy gold scarf around her throat. Her red hair glowed with dark fire in the morning light. Luke decided she looked like a bouquet of spring flowers.
    “What did my cousin want from you yesterday?” he demanded as he closed the office door.
    Katy almost fell off the desk in surprise and whirled around to face him. “Good grief, you startled me. I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't sneak up on me like that.”
    “Sorry.” He walked over to her coffeepot and helped himself to a cup. He'd noticed Katy's coffee always tasted better than anyone else's. “Next time I'll knock. What did he want?”
    Her mouth tightened with disapproval. “It was a personal visit. Nothing to do with business.”
    “Your brother says Darren usually wants something from you when he drops by for one of his little chats. What did he want this time?”
    “He just wanted to talk. Is that so strange? Darren and I have known each other for years. It was no big deal.”
    Luke eyed her consideringly and decided she was not going to tell him a damn thing this morning. So much for the straightforward approach. “If you say so. Be ready to leave for Seattle after lunch. Pack a bag. We'll be spending the night.”
    She stared at him. “Now hold on just one minute.”
    “Separate rooms,” Luke said blandly. “This is business. You're my personal assistant, remember? I want you along. You'll be sitting in on most of the meetings. I'll want your intuitive analysis of management's input afterward. You know those people better than I do.”
    He could tell from the distinctly wary expression in her eyes that she did not believe him. Too bad.
    He could hardly tell her he intended to take her out to dinner, wine and dine her, and hopefully charm her into his bed. If he told her that, she'd get really upset.

    At precisely one o'clock that afternoon Katy zipped her garment bag closed and carried it out into the living room along with her small bag. Matt was waiting along with Luke and Zeke. Zeke glared at her over the rim of the metal dish clamped in his mouth.
    “Are you sure you're going to be all right alone?” Katy asked Matt for the hundredth time.
    “Geez, Katy. How many times do I have to tell you me and Zeke'll be fine? Don't worry.”
    “I'll call this evening,” Katy said.
    “It's Friday,” Matt reminded her patiently. “I'll be working this evening until nine.”
    “Oh, yes, that's right. Promise me you'll come straight home after work.”
    “I promise.”
    “And drive carefully,” Katy added.
    Luke took the garment bag from her hand. “Don't worry about him, Katy. He'll be fine. He's seventeen,