
"It's Sandy Walker," she said firmly, holding out her hand.
What was supposed to be an impersonal handshake turned into something much more when he took her hand in his. His palm was warm, his fingers long. She didn't know whether to jerk her hand free or jump into his arms.
He grinned. "Sensible Sandy. Walker, did you say? Is there a Mr. Walker?" He glanced around at the front yard, then bent over and stared at the interior of her car. All the while still holding on to her hand.
Heat crept up her wrist to her forearm. Her skin began to tingle, while her heart continued its erratic dance inside her chest. She pulled free of his touch, then casually wiped her fingers against her white shorts. As if she could brush away the lingering sensation of warmth.
"Mr. Walker was killed in a climbing accident two years ago," she said abruptly. "I'm a widow."
Instantly, Kyle's smile faded and his eyes darkened with concern. "I'm sorry."
He sounded as if he really meant it. "Thank you." She paused, not sure what to say next. He was still standing close to her. Too close. She moved back a little more, until she bumped into the station wagon. "What are you doing here?"
"In Glenwood or on your property?"
He didn't smile, but there was no missing the teasing glint in his eyes. Some things might have changed, apparently the Haynes brothers weren't one of them. When she'd first arrived in town, all those years before, she'd been intrigued by the stories about the four brothers, their father and uncles. No female between the age of fourteen and seventy-five had been immune to the famous Haynes charm. Even Sandy had succumbed briefly, dating Jordan Haynes the summer she turned sixteen. It had been a short romance, not even lasting a month. In the end, she and Jordan had decided they made better friends than they did a couple. After that, she'd gotten to know each of the brothers, including Kyle, who was, if she remembered correctly, a couple of years younger than her.
