"she likes to be in charge, in control of things, you know? It's how she works, how she lives. And always, she keeps that little space, that maneuvering room between herself and someone else."
He found himself smiling again, and liking Alexs Hathaway even more. "she'd never guess how well you know her."
"Most people underestimate me," Lexy said with a shrug. "And mostly I let them. But I figure you did me a good turn today, so I'll do you a good turn back. Don't let her maneuver too much. When the time comes, you sweep her away, Nathan. I don't think anybody's ever swept Jo Ellen away, and it's just what she needs."
she gave him a long, measuring, and very female look, then smirked. "I figure you can handle that part just fine. And I also figure you're smart enough not to tell her what went on around here."
"Not in this lifetime."
Then the sassy look faded. "Find out what's wrong with her, Nathan."
"Wrong?
"Something's eating at her, and whatever it is, she came here to get away from it. But she isn't getting away from it. The first week or so she was here, she'd cry in her sleep, or pace the floor half the night. And now and then there's a look in her eye, like she's afraid. Jo's never afraid."
"Have you talked to her?"
"Me?" she laughed again. "Jo wouldn't talk to me about anything important. I'm the silly little sister."
"There's nothing silly about you, Lexy. And I, for one, don't underestimate you."
Touched, she leaned over and kissed him. "I guess that makes us friends."
"I'd like to think so. Gaff's a very lucky man."
"Only if I decide to give him a second chance." she tossed her head and rose. "Maybe I will-after he crawls some and begs a lot."
"As a friend, I'd appreciate it if you didn't mention this to Gaff either. He'd feel really bad about pounding me."
"Oh, I won't name names." she sauntered to the door, glanced back. "But I think you'd handle yourself, Nathan. I do believe you'd handle yourself just fine. 'Bye now."
Along, Nathan rubbed his eyes, his heart, then his stomach. Handling that one, he thought, would be a real challenge. And he wished Giff the very best of luck.
Jo was just loading the picnic hamper when Lexy strolled into the kitchen. Her camera bag sat on the counter, carefully packed. Her tripod leaned against it.
"Going on a picnic?" Lexy asked airily.
"I want to shoot some pictures on the north end, thought I'd make an afternoon of it."
"All by yourself?"
"No." Jo tucked the wine she'd decided on into the basket.
"Nathan's going along."
"Nathan?" Lexy hitched herself up on the counter to sit, chose a glossy green apple out of the stoneware fruit bowl. "Why, isn't that a coincidence." Smiling, Lexy polished the apple on her blouse, just between her breasts.
"Is it?"
"I just came from his place."
"Oh?" Though her back went stiff, Jo managed to keep her tone casual.
"Mmm-hmm." Enjoying dancing on the edge, and Iceding her sister to it, Lexy bit into the apple. "I was passing by the cottage, and there he was, sitting out on the screened porch having some iced coffee. He invited me up."
"You don't like iced coffee."
Lexy tucked her tongue in her cheek. "Tastes do change. He showed me some floor plans he's working on. A Mexican villa."
"I wouldn't think you'd be interested in floor plans."
"Oh, I'm interested in all kinds of things." The devil in her eyes, Lexy took another crunchy bite of apple. "Especially good-looking men. That one's prime beef."
"I'm sure he'd be flattered you think so," Jo said dryly and slapped the lid down on the hamper. "I thought you were going to see Gaff "I saw him too."
"You've been busy." Jo hefted the hamper, slung her camera bag over her shoulder. "I've got to get going or I'll lose the light."
"Toddle on along then and have a nice picnic. Oh, and Jo? Give Nathan my best, won't you?"
When the door slammed, Lexy wrapped an arm around her stomach and howled with laughter. Another tip, Nathan, she thought-Tile up that green-eyed monster a bit, then reap the rewards.
she wasn't going to mention it. she would absolutely not lower herself to bring it up in even the most casual manner. Jo shifted her tripod, then bent to look through the viewfinder to perfect the angle she wanted.
The sea beat more violently here, whipping and lashing at the rough beach below the jutting bluff. Gulls wheeled and screamed, white wings slashing across the sky.
Heat and humidity were soaring, making the air shimmer.
The south wall of the old monastery was still standing. The lintel over the narrow doorway had held. Through it, light and shadow tangled and wild vines flourished. she wanted that abandoned look-the tufts of high grass, the hillocks of sand the wind built, then destroyed.