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her hand along the inside of his right leg, again. This is my punishment for neglecting my car, she agonized. I didn’t feed it oil, and I lied to it, and the Car Fairy is getting even.
    Ken Callahan cleared his throat nervously. “Uh, you really should put it into fourth.”
    â€œI know that.” She glanced at him in the rearview mirror and realized he was biting back laughter. “Something funny?”
    â€œYou’re kinda cute when you’re all flustered.”
    She made a grunting sound of pure annoyance. The only thing worse than being flustered was having him know she was flustered. She wrapped her fist around the gearshift and plunged it back with a vengeance.
    â€œYeow!” he gasped, jumping out of the way and smashing the surprised dog against the car door. “Watch what you’re doing with that thing. I hope to have children some day.”
    â€œIf you make me any more nervous you’re not going to live to have breakfast…much less children.”
    He settled into his seat, and Chris felt his eyes watching her speculatively. Embarrassment, and some other emotion she didn’t care to analyze, rose in fiery waves clear to the roots of her hair.
    He touched her flaming cheek with the back of his hand. “You’re blushing.”
    She groaned inwardly. Blushing was an understatement. If her face got any hotter, she’d be able to fry an egg on her forehead.
    â€œThis is a first for me. I’ve never been able to make a woman blush. I didn’t think modern women did that sort of thing.” He wound his finger around an orange curl and tugged lightly. “It’s nice.” His voice was soft and low. It reminded Chris of fine brandy that had the unusual ability to simultaneously soothe and stimulate. “What’s your name?”
    â€œChris Nelson.”
    â€œThat’s a very no-nonsense name for a slightly crazy lady. You look more like a Tootsie or a Fanny…or maybe a Lucy.”
    â€œLucy is my daughter’s name.”
    â€œYou have a daughter?” There was a moment of pregnant silence while he digested the fact of her motherhood. “How old is she?”
    â€œSeven.”
    â€œAnd her father?”
    â€œGone.”
    â€œPoor man. Life must always seem dull after living with you.”
    She gave him a sidewise glance and saw a smile threatening to emerge at the corners of his mouth.Damn him. He was laughing at her again. How dare he enjoy himself when she was so uncomfortable. And he didn’t even have the good grace to be obnoxious—the rat was downright adorable.
    He shifted his broken arm, trying to find a more comfortable position. “Is it much farther?”
    â€œThe hospital turnoff is just ahead. Does your arm hurt?”
    â€œIt’s down to a dull throb.”
    Chris had an insane urge to kiss his arm and make it better. Maternal instincts, she assured herself. Nothing more than a hormone imbalance left over from childbirth. The fact that he was incredibly handsome had nothing to do with it.
    They were traveling down a four-lane highway with a safety island running down the middle. Chris pulled into the left-turn lane, stopped at the intersection, and watched the oncoming traffic. Rain pelted the windshield, making it difficult to see openings in the morning rush of commuters.
    â€œHere we are,” Chris announced, finally able to complete the turn. She pulled the truck into the brightly lit parking lot and rolled to a stop in a space near the emergency entrance.
    Ken Callahan gave an audible sigh of relief. The Rottweiler looked around expectantly and thumped his tail against the upholstery.
    For some reason Chris suddenly felt annoyed that everyone was so happy to have arrived at their destination. It was as if they were overjoyed at the prospect of quitting her company. Not very complimentary, especially since she was unaccountably depressed at the thought of leaving Ken Callahan.