“I don’t want to get in the way.”

Reed turned to face her full-on. “This isn’t a country club.”

Her head jerked back, eyes going wide, as if he’d wounded her, and he immediately felt like a heel.

“Reed!” Caleb admonished. “What the hell?”

“It’s okay,” said Katrina, setting down the half-eaten plum. “Obviously, I should-”

“No, you shouldn’t.” Mandy shot Reed an annoyed glare. “He’s in a bad mood, that’s all. Terrell men get that way.”

“Excuse me?” Caleb was obviously affronted at being lumped in unfavorably with his brother.

Katrina seemed to be at a loss. She suddenly struck Reed as a fragile, frightened bird. And he had to struggle against an overpowering urge to reach out and reassure her. He wanted to draw her into his arms and apologize for anything he’d ever done, thought of doing or might do in the future to hurt her.

But the rational side of him knew that would be ridiculous. She’d trounced all over his best intentions this morning, and now she was using those big, gorgeous blue eyes to bring the world onto her side.

Well, he wasn’t falling for it.

“You’re more than welcome to stay,” Caleb told her staunchly.

Katrina looked to Reed, and he felt his defenses melting like spring snow. He fought against it, but stubborn as he was, she won the battle without lifting a finger.

“You’re welcome to stay,” he echoed his brother’s invitation.

Then he determinedly turned his attention back to breakfast. The sausages were overdone, as were the eggs. He’d forgotten to push down the toast, and he couldn’t seem to remember what the hell he’d done with the strawberry jam.

Katrina felt as though she was ten years old again, trailing along behind Mandy through the Terrell barn, feeling out of place, her nose wrinkling at the smell, making sure she steered clear of anything with hooves and teeth.

“There’s a gorgeous meadow up by Flash Lake,” Mandy was saying. She stopped beside a stall to scratch the nose of a chestnut mare. “It’s really not that far to ride. The fireweed’s up, and the lilies and columbine. You should see something more than the ranch yard while you’re here.”