Damn it, Holt, I made a fool of myself.
Funny how we do that around women, isn't it? Did you have a fight with her?
I told her I loved her. She started the fight.
He paced the shop, nearly gave in to
the urge to kick the tool bench.
What happened to the days when women wanted to get married, when that was their Holy Grail, when they set hooks for men to lure them in?
What century are we in?
The fact that Nathaniel could laugh was a hopeful sign.
She thinks I'm moving too
fast.
I'd tell you to slow down, but I've known you too long.
Calmer, he took up a ratchet, considered it, then set it down again.
Suzanna took
her lumps from Du-mont. How'd you get past it?
I yelled at her a lot,
Holt said, reminiscing.
I've tried that.
Brought her flowers. She's got a real weakness for flowers.
Which made him think
that perhaps he'd stop on the way home and pick some up.
I've done that, too.
Have you tried begging?
Nathaniel winced.
I'd rather not.
His eyes narrowed curiously.
Did you?
Holt took a sudden, intense interest in the engine.
We're talking about you. Hell,
Nate, quote her some of that damn poetry you're so fond of. I don't know. I'm not good at this romance stuff.
You got Suzanna.
Yeah.
Holt's smile spread.
So get your own woman.
Nathaniel nodded, crushed out his cigar.
I intend to.
Chapter 10
The sun had set by the time Nathaniel returned home. He'd overhauled an engine and repaired a hull, and he still hadn't worked off his foul mood.
He remembered a quote Horace, he thought about anger being momentary insanity. If you didn't figure out a way to deal with momentary insanity, you ended up in a padded room. Not a cheerful image.
The only way to deal with it, as far as he could see, was to face it. And Megan. He was going to do both as soon as he'd cleaned up.
And she'll have to deal with me, won't she?
he said to Dog as the pup scrambled
out of the car behind him.
Do yourself a favor, Dog, and stay away from smart women who have more brains than sense.
Dog wagged his tail in agreement or sympathy, then toddled away to water the hedges.
Nathaniel slammed the car door and started across the yard.
Fury?
He stopped, squinted into the shadows of dusk, toward the side of the cottage.
Yeah?
Nathaniel Fury?