“How fast can this car go?” she inquired, watching him shift gears, easing the vehicle faster.

He shifted again, settling at a respectable speed, considering the weather. “About two-hundred miles an hour.”

She gave a low whistle, shaking her head. “I bet no one can keep up with you.”

“You could say that.” He didn’t look at her, but a smile played at the corners of his mouth.

Katie wiggled her toes-they were finally getting warm-and watched him out of the corner of her eye. He was way more handsome than Patrick, she decided. Less boyish and far more broad than his brother, Liam had an air of quiet confidence and experience about him that made her feel immediately at ease. She remembered how quickly he had taken charge of things in the basement, but she didn’t dwell on that thought, her face burning at the memory. What had she been thinking?

“I’m really sorry about what happened back there, Katie.” Liam’s words jerked her out of her own thoughts, and she looked at him, startled, wondering if he could read minds. “Patrick never should have posted that ad.”

“It was my fault. I just…” She sighed, toying with the button on her coat. “At the last minute, I freaked.”

“It happens. Don’t blame yourself.” His enormous hand covered hers, giving it a gentle squeeze before moving back to the gearshift. “It was Patrick’s responsibility to take care of you, and he failed.”

She glanced in the side mirror, seeing the headlights of her Honda-dusk was quickly turning to evening-Patrick following close behind. “Don’t be too hard on him.”

“I’ll be as hard as I need to be.” Liam’s jaw tightened and she didn’t argue. She doubted anyone argued with him much.

“I just…” She shrugged. “I realized at the last minute…” Pausing, she tried to find a way to tell him what she’d felt in that moment, how her sudden realization had made it so urgent for her to stop any forward motion.