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Nick was saying. "I had the flu, not pneumonia. Besides, I figured riding the motorcycle was easier than carrying it."
    "You're still a smart ass," Gareth said.
    "Like you said, good habits are hard to break," Nick said, and Kate didn't have to see his expression to know he was smiling.
    She was reluctant to intrude on the unexpected reunion, but the longer she pretended to be invisible, the more awkward it was going to be for everyone when they remembered she was there. Drawing a shallow breath, she pushed back her chair and stood up. The movement drew Gareth's attention and he immediately looked apologetic.
    "Kate! We didn't mean to ignore you." He moved toward her, one hand gripping his brother's shoulder for an instant as he walked past. The gesture was revealing. Obviously, whatever the reason Nick had been absent from the family scene, it wasn't because he was unwelcome.
    "I didn't feel ignored," she said truthfully. She'd been too busy speculating about what was going on to feel left out.
    He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her against his side with gentle affection. "Kate, I want you to meet my little brother, Nick. He made my life a living hell when we were growing up."
    "Gee, thanks, big bro." Nick was smiling as he turned.
    He had dimples, Kate noticed as she held out her a beautiful matched set that gave his smile an air of mischief. She knew that smile, she thought, knew that mouth and the solid thrust of chin.
    "Nick, this is Kate Moran." Gareth's voice was warm and happy as he introduced her. "We're getting married in six months."
    Kate's eyes swept up to meet Nick's, reading shocked recognition in the chocolate brown depths of his eyes. She started to jerk her hand back but his fingers closed over hers, warm and strong and horribly familiar.
    "Kate." The rasp in his voice seemed more pronounced, as if his cold had taken an abrupt turn for the worse.
    And why not? Kate thought wildly. Her own throat felt so tight, it was a struggle to breathe. She tugged on her hand and he released it slowly.
    "Nick." She was distantly pleased to hear that her voice sounded completely normal. Inside, she was starting to babble hysterically.
    "Are you home to stay, Nick?" Philip asked, coming forward to stand beside his younger son.
    With an effort, Nick dragged his eyes away from Kate's. He shrugged, the movement stiff and jerky. "I don't know. Harry didn't say much about the condition of the house but I gather there's quite a bit of work to do. I told him I'd stick around until the job is done. I'm not thinking any further ahead than that right now."
    "This is your home," Philip began. He started to say more but a warning glance from his wife had him swallowing the words. Kate noted the interplay with a distant part of her mind, the part that wasn't frantically praying that this would turn out to be a dream from which she'd awaken any minute.
    "It's good to have you back," Sara said. She brushed her fingers against Nick's arm as if she had to touch him to be sure he was really there. She glanced at Kate, her smile warm with happiness. "I'm so glad that you and Kate will have a chance to get to know each other before the wedding."
    Kate swallowed a hysterical laugh. Oh, God, what was she supposed to do now? Casually mention that, as a matter of fact, she already knew Nick—in the most intimate sense of the word? That she would have mentioned it months ago if only she'd bothered to get his name before she slept with him?

Chapter 2

    "You've been quiet tonight," Gareth said as he snapped the lid onto the plastic container of leftover casserole.
    "I didn't have much to say." Kate knew he was looking at her but she kept her eyes down, as if rinsing the dishes took all her concentration. She'd avoided looking at him for the past forty-five minutes. She wasn't sure whether it was shame or fear that had her avoiding his eyes. Shame that she'd once slept with a man whose name she didn't even know or fear that Gareth might be