“He did seem impervious to her remarks that day in Hong Kong.”

“He escaped home at thirteen and came to live with us. Since then, he’s been irrepressibly independent. Mother is no more than an annoying asterisk in his life.”

“Thirteen? Wow. He didn’t mention that. He only said that he’d bought the house down the street when he was sixteen and that you signed for him.”

“He was able to buy the house because our uncle left his business to him in a trust Nick could claim when he turned sixteen. Jordan had always been fond of Nick, often had him down to LA to visit, took him sailing. Uncle Jordan built racing yachts.”

“That’s where Dominic learned to love sailing.”

Melanie nodded. “Jordan died at thirty, washed overboard in a storm at sea. Nick was thirteen. It was devastating for him. But thanks to Jordan, Nick was able to gain independence at a young age. Remind me to show you a photo of our uncle. He and Nick could have been twins. He was my father’s brother,” she added in explanation. “But Jordan didn’t get along with my father any more than Nick did. That might have been part of their bond, although they had much more in common: surfing, sailing, their guitars, a nonconformist mind-set.”

“I think I saw a photo of him in Dominic’s bedroom,” Kate said. “I thought it was Dominic in a masquerade costume: slicked-back hair, a white dinner jacket, a cigarette in one hand, a martini glass in the other, palm trees in the background. The image was pure playboy.”

“No, that’s Jordan. He was a playboy.” Melanie smiled. “And apparently genetic imprinting is holding true in Nicky’s case. But we’re seeing a different side of him tonight with you,” Melanie quickly added.

Kate blushed. “Thank you, but I’m remaining pragmatic about our—er—friendship. When I was researching Knight Enterprises before my interview, I read about all the women who have passed through his life. At the time I wondered if he ever slept?”

It was Melanie’s turn to blush. “Not as much as he should. I wasn’t going to mention it, but since you have—there have always been women,” she said gently. “With the exception of his marriage, during which he was completely faithful, I’m not sure he’s ever turned a woman down. But Nick seems very different with you. I mean it—genuinely different. Considerate, affectionate, happy.” She grinned. “Roscoe’s afraid Nick’s sick because he’s lost his laser focus on business. Have you met Roscoe?”

Kate shook her head. “I just know who he is.”

“I assured Roscoe that Nick was fine. That maybe you were the sickness, as in love sickness,” Melanie said with a little smile.

Wouldn’t that be heavenly. “I doubt it,” Kate said with a little shake of her head. “In fact, I’m determined to keep my feet firmly on the ground when it comes to anything even smacking of romance with Dominic. His dealings with women are casual and cursory.” She raised her glass. “So here’s to sanity.” Putting the glass to her mouth, she drained it.

Melanie sighed. “I suppose that’s sensible. Still”—she grinned—“I’ve always been a romantic. So fingers crossed. Ah—there’s the timer on the ovens. Would you mind calling everyone in to dinner?” Coming to her feet, Melanie turned back to Kate. “And if there’s ever anything I can do to help… if you ever have any questions about Dominic, please let me know. I think you’re good for him,” she finished politely. “Take it from me, Nick could use a little grounding.”

The dinner table was noisy and festive. The children had all made simple birthday gifts for their mother. Dominic said, “You can open mine later. It’s for your collection.” Matt had given his gift before the party. Melanie blew out the thirty-eight candles on her cake with the help of her younger children and Mrs. B’s pizza was fabulous. Dominic teased and joked with all the children, they clearly adored him; all of them sported dinosaur watches that Dominic had brought them, along with electronic, handheld games and Nicole’s special gift of pearl earrings and a necklace.

Seated beside Kate, one arm on the back of her chair, Dominic kissed her from time to time as if eight pairs of eyes weren’t watching. She blushed each and every time. Melanie would nudge Matt and cast him knowing looks, the children pointed and giggled or, in the case of the young boys—eyes wide in horror—they’d moan, “Ewww.”

To which Dominic would nonchalantly reply to their moans in variations on a theme. “Just wait. You’ll find a girl you’ll want to kiss someday. And Katherine tastes like pizza. Good pizza. So she’s worth kissing.”

During the course of the dinner, Dominic also coaxed Kate to relate some of her stories about Gramps’s canoe business. He knew Matt and the boys would be interested. In fact, Matt wrote down the number of Hart Canoe Outfitters and promised the boys a trip to the Boundary Waters next summer.

“You should come too, Nick,” he said.

“I might. I’ve never been there.”

Kate shot him a look.

Dominic smiled. “You could be my guide. You must know the area.”

“Blindfolded.”

He lowered his mouth to her ear. “Speaking of blindfolds,” he whispered.

She blushed even brighter red, her heart pumping overtime.

Melanie gave Dominic a reproachful look. “That’s enough, Nick. Stop embarrassing the poor girl. She’s going to get up from the table in a minute and leave you.”