taught you better. Try it again.”
Collin paused briefly, looking from one face to the other as they stood staring at him. His mother appeared to be holding her breath, waiting for him to mouth off. His new mentor’s stare was unreadable, the man’s dark eyes only slightly menacing. He finally responded. “Good morning, Mr. Stallion.”
Matthew nodded his approval. He directed his next comments to the two of them. “Why don’t we go in and find a seat? My family is waiting for us.”
Family? Katrina’s eyes widened noticeably. The man had said nothing before about them joining any family. As he guided her into the sanctuary, her hand gently clutching the elbow he’d extended, she could feel her legs quivering ever so slightly. She tossed a quick look over her shoulder to see Collin following obediently behind them, his expression more curious than reproachful.
A uniformed usher led them to the front of the church, then guided them to what was clearly Matthew Stallion’s usual seat. Katrina was only slightly taken aback by the two men who sat in the pews in front and in back of them, both of whom bore a stark resemblance to the man by her side. They each possessed the same distinctive features: black-coffee complexion; chiseled jawline; dark, haunting eyes; plush pillows for lips and the same warm, welcoming smile.
Matthew paused to let Collin enter the pew first. Katrina followed, and he took the seat on the end.
He leaned over to whisper in her ear. “This is my brother Mark and his wife, Michelle,” he said, patting the shoulder of the man in front of them. He gestured to the man sitting alone behind them. “And that’s my baby brother, Luke.”
Katrina smiled in greeting as both men wished her a good morning. A minute later John Stallion eased into the church, led by his wife, Marah. The brother named John gestured for Luke to slide down the pew so the two of them could take a seat beside him, tapping Matthew on the shoulder in greeting as he did. Marah leaned forward, her hand tapping Katrina lightly.
“Good morning,” she whispered softly. “Welcome.”
Katrina smiled again, words failing her as she sat there taking it all in. Morning worship service had yet to begin officially, but a praise session was in full swing. An elderly man was standing two pews in front of them, eulogizing everything he’d been blessed with since the last time he’d been in the sanctuary. He’d barely taken his seat before another senior citizen broke out in song. The atmosphere was warm and welcoming, and Katrina found herself tapping her foot to the music, pleased that she had made herself come. Even Collin seemed interested as he directed his attention to the students sitting in the choir stand.
Matthew had been right. The morning service went quickly. Holy Scripture was followed by prayer, the choir sang beautifully, and the pastor’s message was short, sweet and to the point.
Standing beside her, Matthew was completely engaged. Katrina was moved by his devotion. As he bowed his head in thanksgiving, lifting his hands in praise, she sensed that he took that devotion seriously. Watching him, Katrina instinctively knew that Matthew Stallion was truly a man of faith.
As the pastor gave the benediction, Collin leaned into his mother’s side, his head hovering just above hers. He dropped his chin down to her shoulder. Katrina smiled at him, her soft gaze meeting his.
“What did you think?” she asked him.
Collin shrugged. “I liked the music,” he answered.
Matthew nodded his head in agreement. “That’s my favorite part, too.”
Behind them John laughed warmly. “I always thought the sermon was your favorite part,” he said.
“Just like them passing the collection basket is yours,” their baby brother, Luke, interjected.
The adults all laughed. Collin turned to stare at the men standing around him. His gaze came to a rest on Mark.
“Hey, I know you,” he said suddenly, his large eyes widening with excitement. “You won the national bike race last year. You’ve won all the races.”
Mark extended his hand, shaking the boy’s heartily. “I’m Matthew’s brother Mark. You must be Collin. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
The boy grinned. “Hi!”
“And I’m Luke, and the old guy right there is our big brother, John,” Luke said, introducing himself.
John nodded his head in greeting. “It’s a pleasure to meet you both,” he said as Matthew finished the formal introductions.
Marah smiled sweetly. “Judge Broomes, we’d love to have you join us back at the ranch for lunch.”
Katrina smiled back. “Thank you, but…” She paused, tossing Matthew a questioning look.
Matthew interjected, “Thanks, Marah, but we have plans.”
Marah nodded, clasping her arm around her husband’s. “Well, if you’ll excuse us, we need to say hello to the pastor before he disappears.”
“It was nice to meet you both,” Katrina said as the couple waved their goodbyes.
“We have to run, too,” Mark said. He pressed a large hand to Michelle’s blossoming belly. “Mitch and I are going shopping for baby furniture,” he said, calling his wife by her childhood nickname.
Michelle rolled her eyes. “No, Mark’s going shopping for baby furniture. He’s just dragging me along.”
“Congratulations. Is this your first baby?” Katrina questioned.
Mark nodded, his thick dreadlocks waving against his shoulders. “Yes, ma’am,” he answered, leaning to kiss his wife’s cheek. “My baby is having our first baby!”
Luke grinned. “This is quite an accomplishment for our brother.”
Mark laughed. “You know it!”
Matthew chuckled. “What’s on your agenda, Luke?” he asked.
“I’m spending the afternoon with Joanne and her parents.”
“Where is your fiancée this morning?” Michelle asked, shifting her weight to one hip. “It’s not like her to miss Sunday service.”
“Her mother is here from Paris, and her father wanted them both to go to Sunday Mass at the Catholic church this morning. I thought I’d give them some family time together, so I passed. I told her I’d meet them afterward.” The younger man took a quick glance at the diamond-encrusted Harry Winston watch on his wrist. “I need to get going, or I’m going to be late.”
Luke winked an eye at Collin, who was staring at him. He punched his fist in Collin’s direction and the young man met the gesture with a fist of his own, the two slapping palms and clutching fingers in the newest handshake. “Good luck, kid. He’s really not so bad when you get to know him,” Luke said, his eyes gesturing toward his brother.
Collin smiled. “Thanks, dude,” he chimed, cutting a cautious eye at Matthew.
The family eased their way toward the front doors. The church’s congregation had thinned out quickly. Matthew’s fingertips lightly grazed Katrina’s arm and back as he guided them forward. She felt a tremor of energy sweep through her. Tossing a quick glance over her shoulder, she met his dark stare, saw the tender smile filling his face. The look he gave her was intoxicating, and she suddenly found herself consumed by the sweetest temptation.
“Is everything okay?” Matthew asked, his deep tone soothing.
Katrina nodded, a wave of nervous energy flooding the pit of her stomach. “Everything is fine,” she answered softly, her gaze still locked with his. “Just fine.”
But as she stepped out into the balmy afternoon air, butterflies dancing in her midsection, Katrina Broomes really wasn’t quite sure of anything at all.
Chapter