To Thine Own Self

"I didn't …" he glanced at Jonathan and then back at Carmen. Finally he shrugged. "Maybe I did at that." He lowered his head to give thanks for the food and everyone followed his example. After grace he looked at Jonathan.

"You look nice, Jonathan." His gaze shifted to a bowl of food. "Now, would you pass me those mashed potatoes?"

Jonathan grinned and handed him the potatoes. "Mom took us shopping today and got a bunch of stuff."

Alex turned an innocent gaze on Carmen. "Oh? What brought that on?"

Carmen shrugged. "We all needed some clothes and I had a few errands I needed to run. It was nice spending the day with the children."

His gaze wandered over her face for a moment and then her attire. Finally he smiled, his attention coming back to her eyes.

"You look very nice."

Destiny sat up straight and eyed Alex. "I think she looks like a princess with her hair up like that, don't you, Daddy? I picked some yellow flowers to go in her hair, but she said they looked better in a vase."

Alex glanced at the vase of dandelions on the counter and nodded. "I'm sure they'll stay pretty longer in the vase."

His gaze returned Carmen, following the line of the bodice and caressing her neck. He absently swirled the iced tea in his glass as his gaze finally met hers. He lifted a brow and spoke softly.

"Maybe some pearls around a lovely neck?"

The words were innocent enough, but the look in his eyes increased her pulse. Maybe he thought she looked too good to be gallivanting around in front of the guests - particularly Rob. Why didn't he simply tell her that instead of leaving the impression that the clothes were improper? Then again, maybe he thought she was trying to encourage Rob. What made a man act jealous when he had no cause to be? Hadn't she caused enough trouble trying to avoid Rob, and hadn't she told Alex that the man made her feel uncomfortable? He needn't worry. She had no intention of wearing sundresses when she was with the guests - and it had nothing to do with being concerned about how she appeared to them. A dress would be unhandy for riding.

After supper Alex went upstairs to work in his office. She cleaned the table and then went out to the porch to remove an empty bird nest from the eve. Every year birds built a nest there. Alex suggested she fill it with spray foam to keep them out, but baby birds were one of the things she looked forward to every year. It was no trouble to pull the nest down after they were gone. This was the first year she had tried to remove it with her arm in a sling, though. It would probably be easier to go back and get a stool, but it was only a few more inches. She put a foot on the bottom rail, between the bars and gave herself a boost. She stretched as far as she could. Her fingers felt the rough edge of the nest, and then she was falling. Strong hands caught her by the waist and she turned, dropping the arm from its sling and around his neck. She started to laugh and then realized it wasn't Alex who had caught her.