making up her own mind? She knew her sister was marrying his brother. So what? She and Reed were adults.
From the empty round table she caught a glimpse of him far across the ballroom. His gaze scanned the cavernous room, stopped on her and he immediately headed her way. She took a bracing sip of her champagne.
Annoyed. She was definitely going with annoyed.
Her brother Travis dropped down in the chair beside her. “What’s this I hear about you being afraid of horses?” he asked.
“What’s this I hear about you riding bulls again?”
“Who told you that?”
“Mandy said you did the rodeo down in Pine Lake.”
“At least I’m not afraid of them.”
“You ought to be. You’re not eighteen anymore.”
“Nice deflection,” Mandy put in as she took the chair on the opposite side of Katrina. Caleb pulled out the one next to her.
“Music’s nice,” Katrina observed, turning her attention to Mandy.
“I could teach you to ride in under a week,” said Travis.
“A nice eclectic mix of songs,” Katrina noted to no one in particular. “That’s my preference for an evening like this.”
“Excuse me?” an unfamiliar male voice sounded just behind her.
Katrina turned to see a rather handsome man in his mid-thirties, his hand held out to her, palm up.
“Would you care to—” The man’s gaze abruptly flicked upward. “Never mind,” he muttered, dropping his hand. “I’m sorry.” Then he turned away.
Katrina watched his retreat in puzzlement. Not that she wanted to dance. Her ankle was starting to ache. But it was very strange behavior.
“Thing is,” Travis carried on in a firm voice. “There’s absolutely no reason for you to be afraid of them.”
Katrina turned back, knowing she wasn’t going to be able to avoid the topic forever. But as she turned, she met Reed’s hard gaze. He’d planted himself on the chair directly across from her, his face twisted into a tight frown. She guessed that explained the would-be dance partner’s abrupt departure.
“You’re in pretty good shape,” Travis continued talking to Katrina. “And you must have decent balance.”
“Decent,” Katrina agreed, still watching Reed. The meddler.
“You might want to tackle that chicken fear, too,” said Mandy, a gentle teasing note in her tone.
Katrina took a long swallow of her champagne. It was her third glass tonight, and she noted the alcohol was putting a pleasant lethargy in her limbs. Reed’s expression began to look faintly amusing, and the company of her siblings didn’t seem quite as intimidating as usual.
Abigail arrived and took the chair next to Reed. “What are we talking about?” She glanced to the faces around the table.
Travis spoke up. “Katrina’s irrational fear of Colorado.”
“It’s not a fear,” she defended. “More…” She paused to find the right word. “A distaste.”
“That’s silly,” said Abigail. “What’s not to love around here? The mountains, the trees, the clear air, the clean water.”
“The dust,” said Katrina, polishing off her champagne. She glanced around for a waiter. Hang the calories. She wanted to maintain this buzz.
“You get used to the dust,” said Mandy.
“You’re missing my point.” Katrina’s tone was sharp enough that her siblings sat back in surprise. A little voice inside her told her to shut up, but just then a waiter came by, offering her a fresh glass of champagne, and she knew this was the day to go for it.
She accepted a fourth glass.
“Then what is your point?” Travis demanded.
In her peripheral vision, she saw Reed direct his frown at her brother.
“I don’t want to change for Colorado,” she carried blithely on. “I want Colorado to change for me.”
“Now that’s what I call a diva,” said Travis.
“Travis,” Mandy objected.
“Is that what you all think of me?” Katrina knew they did, but this was the first time she’d brought it out into the open.
Travis opened his mouth to speak, but Caleb intoned in a low warning. “Travis.”
Katrina’s champagne glass was suddenly removed from her hand. Startled, she glanced down and realized Reed had leaned across the table to take it from her. He set it down out of her reach.
“Hey,” she protested.
“Excuse me while I put on the kid gloves,” Travis drawled.
“She’s your sister,” said Caleb.
“And that means I get to have an honest conversation with her.”
“Not tonight, it doesn’t,” said Reed. Somehow, he had appeared by her side.
Katrina glared at Travis. “I am not a diva.” She knew divas, and Travis had obviously never met one. “Just because I don’t happen to like horses or Holsteins or cowboys.”
“Your family is full of cowboys,” Travis pointed out.
“But you all clean up nice,” chirped Mandy in