She pulled the red tape off the packet and slipped out a cracker.

"You're busy dodging."

Nik moved the pan onto a dormant burner, temporarily surrendering. He pinned Jennifer with a look. "You know , I am strongly becoming convinced that the theory that men and women originated on different planets is absolutely true. What are you talking about?"

She finished the small cracker and twirled the second one in her fingers, her mind on her brother and not the fact that her stomach was lurching. There really wasn't much she could do about the latter, but there might be about the former " " Let me put it in plainer language for you. What's going on between you and Sara? " She punctuated her question with a crunch as she bit into the next cracker.

Nik looked around. The closest pair of ears belonged to Chris and he was busy flirting with Ginger by the exit.

"I'm her boss, she's my employee." Nik decided that he needed something to occupy his mind other than the conversation , and returned the pan to the burner. "At the end of the week a paycheck will pa.s.s between us."

Jennifer studied her brother. It wasn't like Nik to deny something that was true. Nik was always forthright, facing everything head-on.

Of course, this was probably new to him. She grinned, pleased. "That's not all that's pa.s.sing between you ."

His eyes were not altogether friendly as he looked at his sister. " "

Meaning? "

Jennifer had watched the two of them the first day Sara had come to work, as well as this morning. Each time they were within several feet of each other there was an under Christmas

Every Day 11 I lying current of tension beneath the surface that cut through all the words that flew between them.

"That there's enough electricity going back and forth between you to keep Vegas running for a week."

He kept his expression bland. "I didn't know that hallucinations went along with pregnancy."

"They don't." He wasn't going to talk his way out of this. She cared too much. "You know I don't generally pry into your business- "

"Ha." He reached for the cayenne pepper on the spice rack above the stove.

Jennifer placed her hand on the container, stopping him. "Nik, Julia does that, not me. Give me my due."

He knew she was only being concerned, but he didn't want to be prodded about this, even by family. "All right. So why start now? "

She withdrew her hand. "Because I care." For a second she watched him season the sauteed chicken slices in silence " " Are you going to ask her out? "

He was about to drizzle a handful of finely chopped walnut pieces over the mixture. They fell from his hand in a cl.u.s.ter. " " You mean like on a date? "

It was an outdated word for what she had in mind, but for lack of a better start, it would have to do. "Yes."

Nik stirred quickly, attempting to distribute the walnuts evenly. He slanted a look at his sister. " " Are you crazy? "

She laughed softly. "You'll have to take that matter up with Kane. Are you?"

He stopped sparring with her. Maybe if she had the truth, she'd understand and leave him alone. A date with Sara was a ridiculous idea, even if the woman's kiss had preyed on his mind all night.

"Every time I make overtures of friendship, she wants to have me castrated. This is not a woman a man takes out on a date."

She'd consumed the last cracker and her stomach was still in revolt.

Jennifer crossed to the worktable and picked up another packet. "Brom tells me that she's had a rough time of it."

Nik stopped stirring for a second, considering. It was still no excuse. "That doesn't mean she has to give back in kind ."

Jennifer thought about how gentle Nik could be, how supportive. He'd always been there for all of them. The man had a lot of love to give.

"I figure you're the one to teach her that lesson." She squeezed his arm.

"I'll think about it."

" Think hard, Nik, " she urged softly. "

" Life is ticking by "

He glanced up at the clock. He was going to have to start getting ready for the dinner crowd soon. "So I noticed."

Jennifer refused to be put off. "I don't want you missing out on what I have. On what Julia has."

He gave the creation in the pan one last stir, placed a lid on top of it and then set it aside to simmer. "Fine, you send Kane and Brom around. We'll go out and do something together"

Jennifer laughed. Nik was hopelessly stubborn when he wanted to be.

But he would come around. Or, at least, she hoped so. "You know what I mean. You're the one who taught us all about the importance of family ties, Nik. Go make some of your own "

He thought of Sara and the way she had almost bolted out of the hospital parking lot after he'd kissed her. "The only tie I could manage with Sara is if I bound her up like one of those steers at a rodeo " He walked over to the walk-in freezer to check on the seafood order he had received earlier today.

Jennifer was right behind him. "Maybe she'll surprise you: She stopped short of the refrigerator, waiting for Nik to emerge. " I've been working with her for two days now and I like what I see. "

Mentally Nik checked off the amount of seafood he expected to use tonight. "Fine, you go out on a date with her. I'll make your explanations to Kane."

Jennifer grinned.

He slammed the door shut again and looked at her. "What?"

"I don't think you stand a chance."

What were she and Julia plotting? He was sure Julia was _ the instigator. Jennifer had always been too mild-mannered

" g y q" to push so hard. A ain st you

She shook her head. Nope. Against you. I can see it in your eyes, big brother. You like the lady. "

Maybe he did, but there was no point in going into that one way or the other. "I also like the Angels. That s not a winning pick, either."

"You'll find a way," she promised. She patted his cheek teasingly, knowing he hated that. "You always do."

He didn't have time for any more games. "Did you come in here for any other reason other than to hara.s.s me? Because if you didn't..."

For the time being, she supposed she'd said enough. Nik would undoubtedly take it from here at his own pace. She just didn't want to see him missing out. "Actually, I did want to tell you that the De Carlo party called to add fifty more guests to their wedding for next month: '

Nik nodded, glad to be back on familiar ground again.