"I wouldn't think so." He considered what they called the house white
down at Shiney's one shaky step up from horse piss. "How are things
going there?"
"Fine." She gave serious attention to her chicken, wondering if Ethan
had mentioned the incident. Unlikely, she decided when Phillip didn't
press. She relaxed again and let Phillip entertain her while she worked.
He was always full of stories, she mused. Of easy, even careless
conversation. She knew he was smart and successful and had slipped into
city living like a duck in water. But he never made her feel inadequate
or silly. And in a cozy way, he made her feel just a little more
feminine than she had before he'd come into the room.
That was why Grace's eyes were laughing and her mouth prettily curved
when Ethan came in. Phillip sat, sipping wine while she put the
finishing touches on the meal.
"Oh, you're making that up."
"I swear." Phillip held up a hand in oath and grinned as Ethan came in.
"The client wants the goose to be the spokesperson, so we're writing
dialogue. Goose Creek Jeans, fine feathers for everyday living."
"That's the silliest thing I ever heard."
"Hey." Phillip toasted her. "Watch them sell. I've got a few phone calls
to make." He rose, deliberately rounding the table to kiss her and make
Ethan seethe. "Thanks for feeding us, darling."
He strolled out, whistling.
"Can you imagine, making a living writing words for a goose." Amused,
Grace shook her head as she tucked the bowl of potato salad into the
refrigerator. "Everything's done, so you can eat when you're hungry.
Your clothes are in the dryer. You don't want to leave them sitting in
there after it's done or they'll be wrinkled."
She moved around, tidying the kitchen as she spoke. "I'd wait and fold
them for you, but I'm running a bit behind."
"I'll drive you home."
"I'd appreciate it. I'm dealing with the car on Monday, but until
thena" She lifted her shoulders and saw with one last glance that she
had nothing left to do. Still, she eyed every nook and corner as she
walked through the house to the front door.
"How are you getting to work?" Ethan demanded when they were in his
truck.
"Julie's taking me. Shiney's taking me home himself." She cleared her
throat. "When I explained what happened the other night he was upset.
Not mad at me, but really upset it had happened. He was set to skin
Steve, but under the circumstances--they had a boy, by the way. Eight
and a half pounds. They're calling him Jeremy."
"I heard," was Ethan's only comment
Now she drew a bolstering breath. "About what happened, Ethan, I mean
afterward--"
"I've got something to say about that." He'd worked it out carefully,
word by word. "I shouldn't have been mad at you. You were scared and I
spent more time yelling at you than making sure you were all right."
"I knew you weren't really mad at me. It was just--"
"I've got to finish this," he said, but waited until he'd turned into