Goodness relaxed and smiled. "I'm not sure yet, but I do know one thing."

"What's that?"

"She's not going to marry Carl."

Sunday morning Brynn quietly slipped inside the pew at St. Philip's, crossed herself, and knelt on the padded kneeler. She closed her eyes and bowed her head, fully intending to pray. But it wasn't thoughts of God that filled her mind. Instead she found herself mulling over the night before with the church youth group and Roberto Alcantara.

Every time Brynn remembered the dance in which they'd shared the duty as chaperones, a warm, expectant feeling stole over her. It had all started innocently enough when they'd first danced together. No one seemed to want to be the first couple on the floor, so Roberto, stiffly, had asked her. She knew from the way his lips tightened that he wasn't keen on being her partner. Taking it personally, she'd glared back at him, letting it be known that she didn't relish his company, either.

Yet from that shaky beginning, something fragile and exciting had blossomed. As the music started, Roberto had held her awkwardly in his arms, his body rigid, as if to avoid touching her.

Then gradually, as they'd warmed to the rhythm of the music, he'd relaxed. Because he had, she had too. Slowly, almost without being aware of what was happening, she'd found herself tucked securely in Roberto's arms. It amazed her how well they performed together, how easy his steps were to follow. Anyone looking at them would have assumed they were longtime partners. Halfway through the dance Roberto had smiled, and she'd shyly returned the gesture. Then he'd tucked his head close to hers, and they'd continued to sway gracefully across the polished gym floor.

From that point forward in the evening, Brynn had looked for an excuse to dance with Roberto a second time. Unfortunately their duties had prevented them from spending any more time together. The teenage dance had gone on until almost midnight, and the high schoolers couldn't have kept them apart more had they plotted to do so.

From the silent messages Roberto had sent her way, from the quick exchanges of eye contact, she'd realized that he was as eager to be with her as she was with him.

After the dance, Roberto had walked her to her car. At first they'd been shy with each other, not knowing what to say. But gradually that had changed, and they'd chatted freely. Brynn was certain Roberto had meant to ask her for a date, but before he'd had a chance, a fight had broken out between two boys. In his frustration, Roberto had closed his eyes and forcefully released his breath. Brynn had felt the regret in him as he'd turned away and hurried toward the scuffle.

Long after she was home, Brynn had found it impossible to sleep. Again and again her mind had reviewed the one dance she'd shared with Roberto. The memory had left her hungering to learn what would have happened had they been free to enjoy one another's company.

The more she thought about Roberto, the more she admired his accomplishments. He worked hard and seemed determined to make his business a successful enterprise. He genuinely cared about his brother's welfare and took an active role in the community. Father Grady, whom Brynn considered to be an excellent judge of character, couldn't say enough good about Roberto.

True, they'd started off on the wrong foot, but Brynn was eager to make up for that and start again. If she did have God's attention, then what she sought was for Roberto to be at church this morning.

Giving up the pretense of praying, Brynn opened her eyes and sat on the hard wooden pew. She didn't see Roberto and couldn't swivel around to look without being obvious.

Triumphant organ music announced the beginning of mass, which Father Grady celebrated. Not until Brynn stood to follow the others to the altar for communion did she spy Roberto. Instantly her heart gladdened.

He saw her too, because she watched as a brief smile touched his eyes.

After mass Roberto was waiting on the top of the church steps for her. Following the throng of the faithful out of the large double-wide doors, Brynn saw Roberto almost immediately and waved.

"So we meet again," she said. She hated the breathless quality to her voice, but she couldn't hide how pleased she was to see him.

He acknowledged her with a short nod.

"Did the boys give you any trouble last night?" she asked, wanting to learn the outcome of the fight.

He shrugged as though to say it wasn't anything serious. "I separated them and had Emilio take Modesto with him."

"I'm glad."

Once again Brynn noted what a fine figure of a man Roberto made. She didn't know what had blinded her earlier.

"So it was Modesto," she murmured. That didn't surprise her.

"Mike and Modesto were going at it until-"

"Mike?" Brynn interrupted. "Not Mike Glasser?"

"That's the name."

Brynn hadn't seen the morose young man all evening. But then it would be characteristic of Mike to conceal himself in the shadows. If he had come to the dance, then perhaps some girl had caught his eye. Brynn hoped that was the case. She genuinely liked Mike and wished she knew how to reach him.

"It surprises me that Mike would fight anyone, especially Modesto." Although she said the words aloud, she didn't expect Roberto to comment. Mike wasn't a fighter. Modesto was much more savvy when it came to such matters. The Hispanic youth would have dropped Mike in record time.

"Whatever plagued him was a hot issue," Roberto commented. "From what the others told me, Mike went after Modesto without provocation. The funny thing is, I don't think Modesto really wanted to fight him."

"But you were able to break it up before anyone was hurt?" she asked, unable to hide her concern.

Roberto nodded, and a hint of a smile turned up the edges of his mouth. "No problem."

Brynn relaxed.

Roberto was about to say something when Emilio strolled past casually and stopped as though surprised to find his older brother spending time with his teacher. "Mornin', Miss Cassidy."

"Morning, Emilio."

The teenager turned to his brother. "Have you asked her yet?"

Roberto answered in Spanish, his voice low and threatening.

Emilio ignored him. "He's going to invite you over to the apartment for breakfast. I'm supposed to make myself scarce." He grinned boyishly and added in a low voice, "I'd be careful if I were you, 'cause it looks to me like my big brother intends to put the make on you."

Brynn couldn't keep from laughing, but Roberto wasn't amused. He spoke again, and his tone was clear. He wanted his brother to shut up and leave them alone.

If Emilio felt the least bit threatened by his brother, he didn't let it show. If anything, the younger Alcantara couldn't have looked more pleased.

"You should have seen Roberto this morning," he continued undaunted. His smile was full and cocky. "He was up at the crack of dawn, shaving and splashing on that fancy cologne he likes so well."

"Emilio." Again Roberto threatened him.

"He likes you, Teach, big time."

Brynn knew smiling was probably the worst thing she could do, but she couldn't make herself stop. Emilio was telling her everything she wanted to hear.

Disgruntled, Roberto pulled his wallet from his hip pocket and jerked out a twenty-dollar bill. "Get lost for a couple of hours," he instructed.

A wide grin split Emilio's face. "I'm outta here." He looked to Brynn and winked. "Have fun, you two." With that he was gone.

"I apologize for my brother," Roberto said flatly.

Brynn arched one brow. "Was what Emilio said true? Do you intend to put the make on me?"

His intensely dark eyes didn't waver from hers. "That depends."