How to Love Her: McCullough Mountain (McCullough Mountain Prequel) Read online

  Kate scowled. “No.”

  Her mother tsked and bustled toward the kitchen. “I’ll make some coffee.”

  As soon as they were alone, Kate hissed at Finn, “What did you do?”

  “What?” he shrugged. “Luke knows him and he said you two were friends.”

  Wait. What? That didn’t sound like Nick. She shook her head. “Who is it?”

  “You’ll see. By the way, I saw Nick making out with two different girls tonight. Stay away from that guy, Kate.”

  Wonderful. “I plan to.”

  Luke stepped through the door and everything inside of her seemed to lift on a deep breath as she recognized Ant’s dark hair.

  “Wow, this place is awesome. Hey, Kate.” He nodded and she wondered if his greeting was so casual because her brothers were watching.

  It didn’t matter. She was thrilled to see him. “Hey.” She stood and tossed the blanket on the couch, frowning at her baggy sweatpants and flannel shirt. That was fine though, because friends saw each other like that. “What are you doing here?”

  “I ran into Luke and asked what you were doing. He said you were in some sort of woman funk so I said we should go cheer you up. The fair was lame anyway.”

  Great. I‘m a charity case. “I’m not in a funk.”

  “Then why weren’t you at the fair?” he challenged, a playful glint in his eye. “They had Dippin’ Dots.”

  “If only I’d known,” she teased with mock regard.

  “Yeah. I was gonna grab you some, but I couldn’t decide what flavor to get and the line was really long. But maybe tomorrow we can get some. Fair’s here until Sunday.”

  “Oh! You should go, Katie!” Her mother barreled into the conversation, smiling brightly up at Ant. “I’m Maureen, Katherine’s mum. Her favorite flavor’s strawberry, by the way.”

  “Mum!” Kate snapped. She couldn’t go to the fair, because that would be too much like a date. “Sorry,” she apologized to Ant, but he just kept smiling.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. McCullough. Your home’s beautiful.”

  Her mother preened. “Thank you. Katie’s told me so much about you.”

  Kate’s smile faltered. “What—”

  “Katherine, the coffee’s probably ready.”

  Anxious to get him away from her mother, she grabbed his arm. “Come on.” Her mother lingered in the hall, probably asking Luke and Finn what Ant’s name was being that she’d heard so much about him!

  “Your mom seems nice.”

  “Nice like a jack in the box. Give her time. Eventually she’ll make you want to scream.”

  He laughed. “What?”

  “Nothing. Do you want coffee?” She grabbed two mugs from the cabinet, returning one as she recalled she couldn’t have caffeine.

  “Hey, are you upset I’m here? I can go.”

  She turned and sighed. She loved that he was there, but…her family…they were a little overbearing and high-handed on most days. “No. You don’t need to leave. I just wasn’t expecting visitors.”

  He took a step toward her, but then hesitated. She had the sense that he would have moved closer if something hadn’t stopped him. Vulnerability flashed in his dark eyes as his grin softened. “I…missed you.”

  Oh God. She turned and filled his mug. “How do you take your coffee?”

  “Cream and sugar.”

  Her hands shook as she poured the cream. His proximity pressed into her like a full body caress even though they weren’t close enough to touch.

  “I can’t stop thinking about you, Katie.”

  “Shit.” Coffee dribbled down the mug as she over poured. “What’s that?” Of course she heard him, but she needed to stall in order to think up a proper response. Once she had the mess wiped up, she turned to find a spoon and stilled.

  He looked into her eyes, blocking her path to the drawer, all humor gone. His skin was utterly flawless. She swallowed thickly. “I need a spoon.”

  He took a step closer and she backed up, her butt bumping into the counter. “I couldn’t wait until tomorrow to see you.”

  They were making sausage together. She hadn’t forgotten, but now, looking into his eyes as her heart pounded erratically just from being close to him, she wasn’t sure that was such a great idea. Several garbled sounds left her throat, the only one that made sense was the repeated, “Spoon.”

  He leaned closer and she sucked in a breath, his scent creeping to the very depths of her. Her stomach flipped nervously as she feared and, against her better advice, hoped he’d kiss her. How could something so wrong seem so right? Why did she have to like him so much? She needed a friend and keeping him as one meant keeping her stupid crush to herself.

  The drawer to her left slid open and he held up a fork. “We keep ours next to the sink too,” he whispered, the full pillow of his lower lip seeming to curve around each syllable. She wanted to lick it. Clearly his heart wasn’t about to beat out of his chest the way hers seemed ready to do, because he could still manage words.

  She licked her lips and tried to get her act together. “That’s a fork,” she rasped, still leaning back as he was too close for her to catch her breath. God, he smelled incredible. Not that cheap stuff everyone else wore. His scent was unique, maybe not even from a bottle. Just…good.

  He reached behind her again, rummaging through the drawer and pulled out a spoon. “I guess it’s only proper to spoon before we fork.”

  “Okay!” she sang, spinning out from between his hard body and the counter. Is it hot in here? Being a total ninny, she did the only thing she knew would keep his flirty ass away, something she’d surely regret. “Mum, you want a cup?”

  Her mother came into the kitchen wearing a smile suited for Christmas morning. “I’d love one.” She collected Ant’s arm and bustled him to the table. “So, Anthony, tell me about yourself.”

  “Um… I go to school with your daughter. Know your son from football. And I’m hoping to apply for a job working for your husband this summer.”

  “Oh,” her mother twittered like this was the best plan in the world.

  So help her, she’d never hear the end of it if the woman found out about his plans to be a bio-whatever doctor with his fancy scholarship to Penn State.

  “Katie’s also plannin’ on workin’ there this summer. You two could have lunch dates.”

  “Mum.”

  “Cream and sugar, dear. You know how I take it. Now, where is that accent of yours from? New York?”

  “Philly.”

  Her mother hummed. “Philadelphia. We went there once. They wouldn’t let me ring the Liberty Bell. I’m loud, so I like loud things.”

  Ant laughed. “So is my family.”

  Her mom laughed. “Oh, we know what that’s like, don’t we Katherine? We’re all loud. Do you have a big family?”

  “Three sisters. I’m the oldest.”

  Her mother’s eyes widened as her smile grew. She was totally seduced by him. “And how long have you known Kate?”

  “We met—”

  “Mum, drink your coffee before it gets cold.”

  Her mother obediently sipped. “This will keep me up all night. I should have made decaf.”

  Inviting her into the kitchen was a mistake. “Do you want to sit out front and talk?”

  “Sure.” He sucked down the last of his coffee and followed her through the screen door.

  Once she was on the porch, she let out a long breath. “Sorry. I think my mother worked for the CIA in a past life. She loves interrogating people.”

  “No problem.” He looked around the dark yard. “Hey, is that a tire swing?”

  “Um, yeah.”

  “Awesome.” He bounded down the steps, his long legs carrying him with the grace of a wild gazelle, and she slowly followed.

  “Haven’t you ever seen a tire swing before?”

  He hopped on the large tractor tire and pushed off the trunk of the tree. “No. There aren’t a lot of big trees in the city. You
r house is amazing, like a real log cabin. You must love living here.”

  She frowned. “How much sugar have you had tonight?”

  His foot dragged over the ground as he brought the tire to a stop. “A little. I’m just happy to see you. Get on.”

  “We both won’t fit.”

  “Sure we will.” He glanced up at the ropes and gave them a tug. “Here…” He pulled his legs out of the hole and stood on the side of the tire, holding his balance with the riggings. “I’ll help you up.”

  Glancing back at the house, she sighed. Where the hell were her brothers? She needed buffers. “It’s really meant for one person at a time.”

  “Oh, come on. Don’t be a chicken.”

  She rolled her eyes. “What are you, five?”

  He blinked those big brown eyes. “Please.”

  Pathetic. But she couldn’t resist him. She reached for the rope and hoisted herself up. The tire spun as her weight was off balance with his. Her feet shifted and she reconsidered how safe this actually was. “We’re gonna tip.”

  “No we won’t. I got you.”

  His hands closed over hers and she shut her eyes, letting the heat of his fingers seep into her skin. She wouldn’t be able to hold onto her resolve if he kept touching her like that. “Ant—”

  “Don’t make another excuse, Katie. I know you feel this thing between us.”

  Her chest lifted as she drew in one deep breath after another. Breathing only pulled his scent deeper, not clearing her head at all. Focus! “That’s not the point.”

  “So you admit it?”

  Her eyes opened. Another mistake. His face rested along the center rope, only two inches from hers. She instinctively leaned back and his hand tightened over hers.

  “Careful.”

  Trapped, she looked back at the house. “I thought we were going to be friends.”

  “I am your friend.”

  “This doesn’t feel like friends,” she whispered, hating how much she wanted to lean into him and press her lips to his.

  His breath teased her cheek, his voice a soft rumble that teased her insides. “What does it feel like?”

  Amazing. Butterflies. Roller coasters. Strawberry ice cream. And strangely sad. “I can’t be more than your friend, Anthony.”

  “So just be my friend.”

  Blinking up at the branches, she swallowed back the pain of unfair timing and forced herself to make responsible choices. “You can’t look at me like that.”

  “Like what.”

  Her gaze met his and it cost her, bringing back the reality of how badly she wanted to throw caution to the wind and give in to him. “Like you’re doing now.”

  The reflection of the moon played over his eyes, making silver pools in his dark irises as his gaze softened. “But I like looking at you.”

  Her head lowered, her resolve depleting with every breath of him. “I have to get down.”

  “Wait—”

  “No, Ant. I need my feet on the ground.”

  He released her fingers and she slid down the rope. When she was back on solid ground, she faced the house. “Maybe we should cancel our plans tomorrow.”

  “Why?” His shoes thumped on the grass as he jumped off the swing. Why did every move he made reverberate through her, emphasizing his graceful strength and gentle mannerisms? “I don’t understand what the problem is.”

  “I…I don’t like you that way.” It was a lie, but she couldn’t keep fighting the amazing chemistry they had, especially when he looked at her like she was somehow more special than every other girl.

  “Oh.”

  Her lashes lifted as the ache in her chest tightened. He sounded so dejected and wounded. She couldn’t possibly mean that much to him, but as his dark lashes fanned down casting shadows on his cheeks, she recognized his disappointment. “I’m sorry. Right now just—”

  “It’s fine.” He waved a hand. “I just assumed…” He laughed to himself, doing a poor job at playing off his frustration. “Sorry. I thought we both felt something.”

  “Anthony—”

  “It’s cool. I get it.” He glanced at his watch. “I should probably get going.”

  She hated seeing him like this. He stopped looking at her and now he was leaving. “Please don’t be mad at me.”

  He laughed, but it wasn’t his usual laugh. This one sounded hollow and forced. “Why would I be mad at you? We’re friends, right?”

  “Right,” she said with little certainty. “Are we still hanging out tomorrow?” She wasn’t sure why she asked, because whatever his answer, she’d be sad. If he said yes, it would be awkward. If he said no, it meant they’d probably never be normal around each other again.

  “Sure.”

  “You don’t sound like you want to anymore.” Sad it was. But perhaps that was for the best. “It’s okay if you don’t.”

  “What do you want, Kate?” His eyes flashed in the shadows as they narrowed, pegging her in place. “I thought we had plans. If you changed your mind, just say so.”

  She didn’t like the challenging tone in his voice. Stiffening her shoulders, she met his glare. “I planned on making sausage.”

  His brow tightened as if he were getting some rush from an argument that only flustered her. “Then we’re gonna make some sausage.”

  Her mouth tightened. “Good.”

  “Fine,” he snapped. “I’ll pick you up at ten.”

  “I’ll be ready.” She shoved her hands on her hips.

  Glaring at her, his broad shoulders slowly pumped with each breath. His firm lips softened as his mouth hooked into a grin and his eyes creased. “Damn,” he whispered, biting his full lower lip. “I bet you have one hell of an Irish temper.”

  Her heart fluttered as his glare shifted into such an intense stare she trembled. He looked at her like he wanted to eat her alive. He could never know how deeply he affected her.

  Laughing nervously, she threatened, “Let’s hope you never see it.”

  His mouth held in a cocky grin. “Let’s hope I do. I’ll see you in the morning.” He turned and swaggered off to his car like he’d just won half a battle.

  As he drove away a sense of depletion stole over her. It was getting more and more difficult to combat his flirting. Even arguing with him seemed more like foreplay than anything else. Stepping into the kitchen, she paused as Luke looked up from the fridge.

  “Hey.” He went back to nosing through the leftovers. “Ant leave?”

  “Yeah.” Should she tell him not to bring him here anymore? Would that even solve anything?

  Luke stood and guzzled milk from the carton. “Ant’s a cool guy. You got something going on with him?”

  She frowned. When she’d been dating Nick, Luke never made a comment, yet he seemed to almost encourage her relationship with Ant. “No. We’re just friends.”

  He laughed, his brow creasing as if she weren’t making sense. “He likes you, Kate.”

  “We’re just friends.” How many times would she have to repeat that before it started sinking in?

  Luke shook his head, tucking the milk carton back in the fridge. “You’re nuts. He’s way nicer than that other dipshit you were hanging with. Why do girls always go for the assholes?”

  “I don’t go for assholes, Luke.” Nick technically wasn’t an asshole until after they broke up.

  “Whatever, I’m just saying you can do better than some jerk who hooks up with your friends. Ant’s a good guy and you should give him a chance.”

  “I don’t like him that way.”

  He scoffed and rolled his eyes. “I’ll never understand girls. Suit yourself. I’m going to bed.”

  She stared after him, wondering when he’d stopped being a kid and started acting like one of her peers. Though she’d always been closest with Colin, the older her other brothers got, the more she realized they’d eventually all catch up to one another. Once again she felt guilty for not taking more of an interest in Luke’s life.

  “Lu
ke?” she caught him before he made it up the stairs.

  “Yeah?”

  Blinking at him, she saw so much of her father in his stature and strength, no longer the little boy he’d always been. “Did you make the team?”

  He grinned. “Yeah. Why?”

  She shrugged. “I heard people talking about how great you are. I just thought you should know. Congratulations.”

  His smile doubled. “Thanks, Kate.”

  “Let me know when your first game is and I’ll be there.”

  His brow lifted, giving away a bit of his surprise. “Yeah? That’d be great. I’ll let you know.”

  “Goodnight.”

  He stared a moment longer and nodded. Though Luke wasn’t as congenial as Finn, they were both great guys. She decided to take some time to get to know them better, find out who they really were aside from being her little brothers. Suddenly, her relationships with her siblings seemed crucial and precious in a way they hadn’t before.

  She shut off the kitchen lights and took the stairs. Maybe if she invested more time in her family, the other relationships in her life wouldn’t feel so overwhelming.

  Chapter Six

  Ant pulled up to the log cabin at nine fifty-seven and debated if he should beep or knock or what. He didn’t have the chance to decide as Katie came bounding out of the house in a flash of red hair looking prettier than… Well, she was probably the hottest girl he’d met since moving here. And she was going to spend the whole day with him.

  He got out of the car and grabbed her door. Something told him Kate was the sort of girl that deserved to have doors opened for her. “Hey,” he greeted and she smiled.

  “Hey.” She had the prettiest eyes. Sometimes they looked green, but they were mostly blue.

  As he closed her door and rounded the car, he reminded himself to play it cool. So far, he’d struck out every time he tried to get close to her. He didn’t want to piss her off and he definitely didn’t want to overestimate his chances, but something in his gut told him their chemistry was mutual. He didn’t usually respond to girls the way he responded to her and he liked it—liked her.