given me anything to hope for. But I needed someone to want me, and it
sure as hell didn't appear it was ever going to be you."
"Now just a damn minute. I'm not to blame for you marrying Jack."
"No, I take the blame. I take the responsibility, and I don't regret it
because it gave me Aubrey. But I blame you, Ethan." And those
gold-flecked green eyes blazed with it. "I blame you for being too
pigheaded to take what you wanted. And you haven't changed a damn bit."
"You were too young--"
She used both hands, and all the force of her temper went into the
shove. "Oh, shut up. You had your say. Now I'm having mine."
in the kitchen, seth's eyes went hot. He made a dash for the door, only
to be brought up short by Anna, who was eavesdropping as hard as she
could.
"No, you don't."
"He yelled at her."
"She's yelling, too."
"He's fighting with her. I'm going to stop him."
Anna cocked her head. "Does she look like she needs any help?"
His mouth set, Seth glared through the screen. Then reconsidered when he
saw Grace shove Ethan back a full step. "I guess not."
"She can handle him." Amused, she gave Seth a scrubbing pat on the top
of the head. "How come you don't leap to my defense when Cam and I
argue?"
"Because he's afraid of you."
Anna rolled her tongue into her cheek, enjoying the idea. "Oh, really?"
"Half afraid, anyway," Seth said with a grin. "He never knows what
you'll do. And besides, you guys like to argue."
"Observant little brat, aren't you?"
He shrugged, cheerful now. "I see what I see."
"And know what you know." Laughing, she edged closer to the door with
him, hoping for a better view.
"let's move to the next step, Ethan." Grace shoved the empty basket out
of her way with her foot. "Fast-forward a few years. Think you can keep
up?"
He took a long breath because he didn't want to yell at her again.
"You're pissing me off, Grace."
"Good. I mean to, and I hate to fail at something I'm working on."
He wasn't sure which emotion came out on top, annoyance or bafflement.
"What's gotten into you?"
"Oh, I don't know, Ethan. Let's see--could it be the fact that you think
I'm some brainless, helpless female? Yes, you knowa" She jabbed her
index finger into his chest like a drill into wood. "I bet that's just
what's gotten into me."
"I don't think you're brainless."
"Oh, just helpless, then." Even as he opened his mouth she was rolling
over him. "Do you think a helpless woman can do what I've been doing the
last few years? Do you think--what was it you called me once--delicate,
like your mama's good china. I'm not china!" she exploded.
"I'm good solid stoneware, the kind you can drop and it rattles around
on the floor. It doesn't shatter. You have to work to break good