Kate thought about her answer for a moment, "Yes, a lemonade will be nice."

As she waited for him to get the lemonade, she wondered why it was so hard to talk to him this time. The first time they had met, they were able to converse easily but this time she was at a loss as to why she was having so much trouble.

When Shade handed her the glass, their fingers briefly touched and what she felt surprised her. The sensation was new to her. It was both nice and a bit scary. In order, compose herself a bit more, she took a sip of the lemonade. "I must thank your housekeeper for making such a wonderful drink. I think I've never tasted such good lemonade."

She smiled at him, hoping that a conversation about the lemonade would as least make it a little easier to talk to him.

"I'm afraid I've become spoiled to Mary's skills in the kitchen. When I have to eat trail grub again, I'm gonna be miserable," Shade answered and smiled. Their fingers had brushed briefly and, for whatever reason, that barest touch had set him at ease with her.

Without thinking too hard about it, Shade asked, "The monthly town social is a week from today. I understand the first mayoral candidate speeches will be held the same day. Would you do me the honor of attending the dance with me?"

Without a moment's hesitation, Kate replied, "Yes."

She smiled at him, happy with the fact that he had asked her out, which in turn made her more at ease. Wanting to say something else she was about to speak, when Mrs. Evans and the housekeeper returned. Seeing that his wife had returned, Pastor Evans rose from where he had been seated with the children and went over to his wife.

Mary after placing the platter on the table, looked, "Well, you can start when you're ready." She was anxious to see what the guests thought of the meal she had prepared.

Following the rules of etiquette, Pastor Evans escorted his wife to the table, leaving Kate to Shade.

Shade felt his chest tighten. She had agreed to go with him. He wanted to say more but Mary was summoning everyone to the table. Shade smiled at Kate and gestured toward the table, "Shall we?" He saw her seated while Mary rounded up the twins and got them settled. Looking at the repast that Mrs. Miller had laid out, he said, "Sage is one lucky man, Mary. This looks incredible and smells even better." He took the seat that was left, which just happened to be next to Kate. Shade could not help wondering if the seating had been engineered by the ranch's engaging housekeeper and cook. If so, he had to say that he did not mind in the least.

Once everyone had filled their plates, Shade found himself at a loss for conversation. Finally, since Kate and having her agree to go to the dance with him was on his mind, Shade said, "How are the preparations for the Harvest Festival and dance going, Pastor?"

As she listened to Pastor Evans tell Shade about the upcoming Harvest Festival, she ate slowly. The food was very good and she wondered if she would have more opportunities in the future to come here. Now that Shade had shown that he was interested in her by asking her to the dance next week, it seemed a strong possibility that there would be.

Stealing a brief glance at the man seated next to her, she felt a tug at her heart. Having never felt something like that before, she wanted to know more but before she could get an opportunity to think about it more, she heard Pastor Evans mention her name and something about the school putting on a play.

In an effort to hide what she was really thinking about, she smiled, "I'm sorry, I was enjoying this wonderful meal so much that I missed your question."

Pastor Evans nodded, "Yes, the food is indeed delicious. Don't you agree, my dear?"

Mrs. Evans finished her mouthful before replying, "Yes, Mary has outdone herself. I will have to remember to tell her that before we leave."

Turning back to Kate, Pastor Evans asked her again about the school putting on play for the Harvest Festival. Kate spent the next couple of minutes talking about the plans she had for the children and the school.

The longer that Katherine spoke, the more enraptured with her Shade became. It was clear that she loved her work and her students. She was truly dedicated to both. How would she take to the isolation of ranch life? Would she even consider it? Was it fair to ask it of her?

Shade put a brake on his thoughts. Whoa! They had only met once before, and that had been very brief. He remembered talking to Chance about Regina after they became engaged. He had asked his brother when he had known she was the one? This had been while Shade was contemplating eloping with Hannah Cory. Chance had told him that you just knew when you met the right woman. It might take a little time for your brain and heart to get on the same page, but instinctively, you would know.

Was this what Chance had meant? Despite the short, almost non-existent, time they had known one another, did he just know Kate Bowen was the woman he was meant to be with? Did she feel any of the same things he was feeling? Shade decided that he needed to find that out, and the only way was to spend time together. Kate had already agreed to go to the dance with him on Saturday. He would ask her there if he could call on her and also if she would spend the Harvest Festival day with him. Mentally, Shade grinned. He might be thirty years old, but this was making him feel sixteen again.

"We were going to bring the twins to town for part of the day. I'll have to make sure they get to see the play," Shade said and smiled at Nettie and Cody, who were being on their best behavior. He looked at Kate, although his next words were for the table, "Some of the hands that live on the ranch have kids, so they get to play with them some. Just not many kids their age close-by us." Who was he kidding? Lost Lake Ranch's boundary line might be within five miles of Kalispell, but the ranch house itself was closer to twenty miles away.

Before any of the adults could respond, Cody looked up and said, in a voice that sounded far older than any five-year-old's should, "We don't mind playing by ourselves, Uncle. Miss Clara sees that we have fun, and her lessons are interesting."

"I know you and Nettie don't mind just each other for company, Cody. But, you guys need some time with kids your own age, too," Shade told him gently. He understood Cody's reluctance to leave the safety of the ranch after witnessing the deaths of his parents and two older siblings. It had not been all that long ago. It would take time for Cody to regain a sense of being safe.

Shade looked over at Kate and added, "I could not ask for a better niece and nephew. Hope to someday have more just like them here."

Kate turned her head to face Shade as he complimented his niece and nephew. Being this close allowed her to finally see the colour of his eyes. They were the bluest eyes she had ever seen, almost dark enough to...

A comment by Mrs. Evans about Shade not needing to worry about having more children around in the future, suddenly bought her out of whatever had just happened to her. Quickly, she faced Mrs. Evans, who had taken a sip of her lemonade before continuing, "Now that you have settled down, you've become one of the most eligible bachelors in the area. I don't think you will have any problems in finding someone."

Kate frowned at what Mrs. Evans had just said. Shade probably would have a lot of women interested in them and a few who were far more beautiful than she was. In fact, she could think of a couple of ladies she knew in town who would have no problems getting Shade's attention. The thought of that saddened her. She had only been in town for a couple of months and this was only the second time she had seen him. The purpose of today's visit was to meet the children and to see the countryside. It wasn't to start something that maybe would finish before it really began.

Since she had already accepted his invitation to the dance, it would be rude to throw it back in his face but that would be it. She was here in Kalispell to teach school and nothing else. With that in mind, she looked over to the children. "What sort of things does Miss Clara like to teach you?"

Although Cody ducked his head shyly, Nettie had no problem with speaking up, "She is teach us our letters and sums. We are doing really well," the girl announced proudly. "Uncle Shade reads from his history and natural history books to us. We are always learning something new. Uncle Quentin tells us stories, but they are just that, stories about knights and ladies." Nettie's eyes danced with excitement. Cody was just as studious as his twin, but Nettie had embraced learning like a duck embraced the water. She was always the one asking questions and seemed to never get enough information on any subject.

Shade grinned at his lively niece before looking back at his guests, "Miss Clara is doing great with them," he echoed Cody's comments about Clara Redmond. We are luck to have her. Unfortunately, it is just too far into town to bring the twins to the school every day and, for now, I am not willing to board them in town."

Looking at Nettie, Kate smiled, "I have yet to meet Miss Clara but she sounds like she is a lovely young lady. I am glad that you are enjoying your lessons with her and your uncles."

Kate turned her attention back to her lunch. The meal was very good and in a way it was helping her to focus her attention on something else and not the man next to her. She was in such a muddle with part of her wanting to get to know him better and the other part was scared with the way she was beginning to feel about him. It was way to early for this sort of thing. For heaven's sake, it was only their second meeting.

As she the lunch progress, she listened to the conversation, interjecting with a comment or two when she was addressed. Other than the occasional glance at Shade, she mainly looked at her food or to whoever had mentioned her name.

When lunch was over, she wasn't sure what would happen next. Pastor Evans was asking about having a quick tour of the house while his wife talked the housekeeper. She had seen so little of the house so far, she thought it was a good idea but then she realised that the men might use this time to talk about things that didn't concern her, so she just sat there waiting.

Shade nodded at the Pastor and smiled, "I would be happy to show you and Miss Bowen around the house," he said, "I need to put the twins down for a nap anyway."

Rising to his feet, he stepped behind Kate's chair to help slide it back from the table. "I hope you understand that I can't show you the occupied bedrooms. I want to respect Miss Mercer's and Quentin Cantrell's privacy."

"Let's start upstairs," Shade said and gathered the twins up with a smile. Both nodded sleepily. Cody scuttled up close to Shade's legs, but Nettie boldly took Kate's hand. She beamed up at the teacher as they all followed Shade into the house and across the main entryway to the grand staircase.

The first stop was the rooms just across the landing on the second floor. Double doors opened into the combination of the schoolroom and playroom. Just beyond that was the twins' bedroom. This arrangement would have to be modified someday, once the kids were older. Right now, they took comfort in sharing the room, and Shade saw no reason to change it.

He let the pastor and Kate look around while he sent the twins into their bathroom, one at a time, to change into their sleep clothes. While waiting on them, he folded their clothes and put them on the chests that stood at the foot of each bed. It only took a few minutes to see them ensconced under their blankets. Both were asleep before Shade, and his guests left the room.

Outside the schoolroom, Shade gestured to his left, "This end of the hall is my study and bedroom." Shade could not help glancing at Kate as they stepped in that was now his private domain.