Heart Tamer Read Free

them.
    “They’re expecting a bairn, and they adopted one too. That’s him. Wee Arthur is dancing with the flower girl,” Maisie nodded to the dance floor.
    Kate followed her gaze and smiled, remembering how solemnly the ring bearer had walked up the aisle with the flower girl on his arm. The children were dancing as if they were contestants on a reality dance show. A pang of melancholy made her heart ache as she watched them dance. The baby she had lost in a miscarriage years ago would have had been a bit older than them.
    Her pregnancy had come as a shock, but that hadn’t lessened the devastating loss. She hadn’t told Alec about it because she’d found out shortly after they had split up. He never knew about her miscarriage either. By then they’d grown even further apart. Everyone, especially Kate, had been shocked by the staggering speed of their divorce. It wasn’t until two years later that she could talk about it without crying, especially since she’d lost Alec’s baby too.  
    “Are you all right? You look upset.” Maisie’s worried tone snapped Kate back to the present.
    “Yes, I’m fine.” Kate made an effort to smile. “I didn’t realize I looked sad. Could be watching the kids dance made me want to dance too,” she said, feeling ridiculous at the lame excuse.
    Maisie’s blond brows drew together. “No need to feel sad. Don will dance with you, if you like.”
    “No thanks. Please don’t ask him to,” Kate said emphatically when Maisie turned to Don. “I really don’t feel like dancing. Truth is, I was remembering how much my last boyfriend used to love to dance.”
    Small wonder Maisie gave her an odd look. She wasn’t making any sense, but the last thing she wanted was a pity dance with Maisie’s husband whom she had just met. She gulped down the rest of her wine. “That little boy is so cute. I love the way he twirls her around.”
    “Wee Arthur was one of Dr. MacGregor’s patients before he and Natasha adopted him.” Maisie’s cheeks puffed up proudly. “One side of the lad’s face used to be covered by a purple mark. The mark is much smaller now because of Dr. MacGregor’s laser work. Soon it will be completely gone. That’s what I’ve heard.”
    Kate nodded. “It’s amazing what lasers can do these days. Eileen told me about Dr. MacGregor’s clinic. She’s excited about working there.”
    “How do you know Eileen?” Maisie wasn’t wearing make-up and she didn’t need any. Her lips were ruby red and her fair cheeks tinged scarlet from an abundance of the cabernet sauvignon wine. She ran a hand over her updo of a tumble of blond curls and smiled at Kate, waiting for her answer.
    “We’ve been friends for years,” Kate finally said, choosing not to elaborate. She couldn’t exactly say, “I’m Alec’s ex-wife” without opening a can of worms.
    “You’re American, aren’t you?” Maisie’s bright blue eyes studied Kate with curiosity. She must have seen Alec’s name tag beside Kate’s place and was probably dying to ask more, but so far she hadn’t mentioned Alec.
    “Yes. I’m a New Yorker.” Good thing Maisie and her husband Don were friendly and keeping her company, otherwise she’d be sitting there like a wallflower. The newlyweds had left and were entwined on the dance floor swaying to a slow song.
    Don inclined his head politely. “New York is a fine city. Maisie and I visited last year during Christmas. What do you do there?”
    Kate smiled. “I’m a fashion designer.”
    Maisie’s eyes widened with delight. “A fashion designer! Lovely. Did you make clothes for your dolls as a little girl?”
    Kate smiled at the image. Her childhood had been the antithesis of playing with dolls. She’d had to balance going to school, raising her twin brothers and working for Miss Claire, the fanciful seamstress who made exclusive bridal gowns in Brooklyn. Aunt Loretta had had a kind heart beneath her stern personality, but she had been a