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She picked another nail from her bun. “Hmm, true.” Then she let out a sigh and put her hands on her hips while she surveyed him. “Apparently, you are still in need of employment.”
“Guilty.”
“Out of curiosity, did you drop the bucket by accident or sheer incompetence?”
“Accident,” he said, giving her another sheepish grin. “I was, uh…a bit distracted.”
His gaze flickered to Nora, who still stood gaping at him from across the street.
Mrs. DuVere’s eyes widened a bit. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go down the matrimony route?”
He shuddered. “Believe me when I tell you that I’m doing womankind, and Miss Schumacher in particular, a favor by taking myself off the marriage market. I think I’m more than any woman would be willing to put up with.”
Mrs. DuVere snorted. “I don’t think you know women as well as you think you do. But, your choice, of course. Why don’t you come to the tavern after breakfast tomorrow? I’m sure Reggie could use a hand.”
“Mrs. DuVere,” he said, taking her arm so he could lean in and kiss her cheek, “you are a saint.”
“Get on with you,” she said, playfully slapping his arm. “Just be a dear and get the rest of these nails picked up, would you?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he said, a little overwhelmed at her kindness.
He bent to scoop up the nails, glancing up when a pair of boots and shapely, trouser-clad legs stopped beside him, briefly blocking out the sun.
His gaze traveled up her long, nicely muscled legs, her ample backside scandalously encased in the trousers, past the hint of a bosom that was covered by a too-large man’s shirt, up to a pair of amusement-filled eyes. “Miss Schumacher.”
“Husband,” Nora said, gazing down at him with a raised brow.
He glowered a bit at that and stood. “I’m not your husband.”
“I’m hoping if I say it enough, you’ll get used to the idea.” His snort brought another smile to her lips. “Having a good day?” she asked, her eyes twinkling.
“The best.”
“Hmm, your definition of ‘the best’ must differ from mine.”
“I don’t know. I spent the day tossing about hammers and sharp metal spikes and managed not to maim anyone. Though it was a close call, I’ll admit,” he said with a half grin.
She tilted her head and regarded him for a second. “You like to make jokes, don’t you?”
“About damn near everything, yes, ma’am.”
Her lips twitched again. “Why is that?”
“Why not?” He shrugged. “I’m not going to get out of this life alive…might as well enjoy myself while I can. I’d be pretty miserable if all I did was mope about my situation. Especially since my situations are almost always worthy of excessive moping.”
She folded her arms and regarded him a moment. “That’s annoyingly optimistic of you.”
He laughed. “That’s one of the nicer ways of putting it.”
“Ready to admit we’re married yet and sign the papers?”
He took a step back. “My day wasn’tthatbad.”
“All evidence to the contrary, husband,” she said, shaking her head. But he saw a smile peeking out before she turned away. “Have a good rest of your day, Mr. Shady. Try not to maim anyone else.”
“Brady!” he called after her.
“Whatever,” she replied, waving him off over her shoulder. He rolled his eyes, though his lips tugged into another smile. Damnable woman.
