Harlequin Heartwarming September 2017 Box Set by Betina Krahn

Author:Betina Krahn
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781488015694
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2017-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FOUR

THE AROMA OF coffee filled the air as Kat headed along the hallway. Tempted, she followed the scent to the dining room, surprised to see that it was empty, apart from a few boys sitting at one end of the table. Luke was with them, she noted with surprise.

Dennis and Dan were giggling together, while Johnny looked on in awe. She could see by the set of Luke’s shoulders that he was angry about something; when wasn’t he angry, though?

Wondering if she might have to intervene, she strode toward the small group. She knew Dennis only too well, and Luke’s face was dark with contained fury.

“What’s going on here?” she asked in what she hoped was a breezy tone.

Luke swung around, and for a moment, she thought she saw a flicker of relief on his face. “This young man,” he announced, “is trying to bribe me.”

The giggling stopped as quickly as it had started when the children saw Kat. “Wasn’t me, Miss,” Dennis quickly announced.

“He told me he would only look out for Ben if I gave him a fiver,” Luke said.

Kat frowned. “Is that true, Dennis?”

“Ben’s weird,” Dennis responded. “So why would I want to look out for him, anyway?”

Kat pulled out a chair and sat down. “You know why, Dennis. We all look out for each other at Flight. A lot of the kids here have had troubles, including you. You were very unhappy when you first came to Flight, remember? Didn’t people help you?”

Dennis stared at the table and shrugged. “I guess.”

“So hasn’t it occurred to you that maybe Ben is unhappy and homesick, too?”

“Dunno,” he muttered.

“Well, did people help you when you needed it?”

“Might of.”

“There you go, then,” Kat said, smiling. “So you’ll help Ben?”

“I guess.”

“Thanks, Dennis. That’s really kind of you. Isn’t it, Mr. Luke?”

Put on the spot, Luke nodded. “Yes, thank you, Dennis. I guess you were only joking about the fiver?”

Dennis pulled a face. “I guess so. Come on, you two. Let’s go.”

As the three children raced off, Kat laughed out loud. “Bribed by a nine-year-old!”

Suddenly Luke was laughing, too. “Want a sandwich?” he asked, handing her the plate.

“Don’t mind if I do,” she said.

They ate in silence for a minute or two. “You’re good with kids,” Luke said eventually.

“It’s my job,” Kat reminded him. “Surely you must understand children, too, though, having worked here for ages.”

Luke shook his head slowly. “Not really. My job description covers everything from mending fences to placing orders for school supplies, but I haven’t had much contact with the kids. That’s more yours and Mike’s department...and Gwen’s, of course.”

“I’m sorry for insinuating that you don’t love Ben,” Kat said abruptly. “I crossed a line.”

“And I apologize for slamming the door in your face,” Luke offered.

Kat held his gaze. “We’re never going to agree, you know.”

Luke nodded. “At least not when it comes to your therapy courses.” He pushed the plate toward her. “Have another sandwich.”

Kat picked up an egg salad sandwich and nibbled at the edges.

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