Неизвестно - Megan's mate

See how the frame goes?

Kevin followed the direction of the deck frame as it skirted around the side of the house.

Uh-huh.

Well, we'll keep going till we meet the other deck.

Kevin's eyes brightened.

So it'll go all around, like a circle.

You got it.

Nathaniel hammered the next nail, and the next, then shifted positions.

How do you like the island?

He asked the question in such a natural, adult fashion that Kevin first glanced around to see if Nathaniel was speaking to him.

I like it. I like it a lot. We get to live in the castle, and I can play with Alex and Jenny anytime.

You had friends back in Oklahoma, too, right?

Sure. My best friend is John Curtis Silverhorn. He's part Comanche. My mom said he could come visit anytime, and that we can write letters all we want. I already wrote him about the whale.

Kevin smiled shyly.

I liked that the best.

We'll have to go out again.

Really? When?

Nathaniel stopped hammering and looked at the boy. He realized he should have remembered from his exposure to Alex and Jenny that when children were raised with love and trust, they believed just about everything you told them.

You can come out with me whenever you want. 'Long as your mother gives the go-ahead.

His reward for the careless offer was a brilliant smile.

Maybe I can steer the boat

again?

Yeah.

Nathaniel grinned and turned Kevin's baseball cap backward.

You could

do that. Want to nail some boards?

Kevin's eyes widened and glowed.

Okay!

Here.

Nathaniel scooted back so that Kevin could kneel in front of him.

Hold the

nail like this.

He wrapped his hands over Kevin's, showing him how to hold both the hammer and the nail to guide the stroke.

Hey!

Alex rose from the dead on Planet Zero and raced over.

Can I do it?

Me too.

Jenny leaped on Nathaniel's back, knowing she was always welcome.

I guess I got me a crew.

Nathaniel figured that with all the extra help it would only take about twice as long to finish.

An hour later, Megan pulled up beside the long, classic lines of the T-Bird and stared. The house itself surprised her. The charming two-story cottage, with its neatly painted blue shutters and its window boxes bright with pansies, wasn't exactly the image she had of Nathaniel Fury. Nor was the tidy green lawn, the trimmed hedge, the fat barking puppy.

But it was Nathaniel who surprised her most. She was a bit taken aback by all that exposed golden skin, the lithe, muscled body. She was human, after all. But it was what he was doing that really captured her attention.

He was crouched over her son on the partially finished deck, their heads close, his big hand over Kevin's small one. Jenny was sitting adoringly beside him, and Alex was playing highwire on a joist.

Hi, Megan! Look, I'm the death-defying Alex.

In his excitement, Alex nearly lost

his balance and almost plunged a harrowing eight inches to the ground. He pinwheeled his arms and avoided disaster.

Close call,

she said, and grinned at him.

I'm in the center ring, without a net.

Mom, we're building a deck.

Kevin caught his bottom lip between his teeth and

pounded a nail.

See?

Yes, I do.

Briefcase in tow, Megan stopped to pet the eager puppy who fell over backward in enthusiasm.

And it's my turn next.

Jenny batted her eyes at Nathaniel.

Isn't it?

That's right, sugar. Okay, Captain. Let's drive that baby home.

With a grunt of effort, Kevin sent the nail into the board.

I did it. I did the whole

board.

Proudly, Kevin looked back at his mother.

We each get to do a board.

This is my third one.

It looks like you're doing a good job.

To give the devil his due, she smiled at Nathaniel.

Not everyone could handle it.

Just takes a steady eye and a sure hand. Hey, mates, where's my timber?

We'll get it.

Alex and Kevin scrambled together to heave the next plank.

Standing back, Megan watched the routine they'd worked out. Nathaniel took the board, sighted down

it, set it in place. He tapped, shifted, using a small block of wood to measure the distance between the last board and the new one. Once he was satisfied, Jenny wriggled in front of him. She wrapped both little hands around the hammer, and Nathaniel, a braver soul than Megan had imagined, held the nail.

Keep your eye on the target,

Nathaniel warned, then sat patiently while her httle strokes gradually anchored the nail. Then, wrapping his hand over hers, he rammed it home.

Thirsty work,

he said casually.

Isn't it, mates?

Aye, aye.

Alex put his hands to his throat and gagged.

Nathaniel held the next nail.

There's some lemonade in the kitchen. If someone was to go fetch the pitcher and a few glasses...

Four pairs of eyes turned on her, putting Megan firmly in her place. If she wasn't going to be a carpenter, she'd have to be a gofer.

All right.

She set the briefcase down and crossed the finished portion of the deck to the front door. Nathaniel said nothing, waited.

Seconds later, a shrill wolf whistle sounded from inside, followed by a muffled scream. He was grinning by the time Bird squawked out his invitation: Hey, sugar,

buy you a drink? Here's looking at you, kid.

When Bird began to sing a chorus of

There Is Nothing like a Dame,

the children collapsed into fits of laughter.

A few minutes later, Megan carried out a tray of drinks. Bird's voice followed her.

'Give me a kiss, and to that kiss a score!'

She arched a brow as she set the tray on the deck.

Bogart, show tunes and poetry.

That's quite a bird.

He has an eye for pretty women.

Nathaniel picked up a glass and downed half the contents. He scanned Megan, taking in the tidy French twist, the crisp blouse and slacks.

Can't say I blame him.

Aunt Coco says Nate needs a woman.

Alex smacked his lips over the tart

lemonade.

I don't know why.

To sleep with him,

Jenny said, and caused both Nathaniel and Megan to gape.

Grown-ups get lonely at night, and they like to have someone to sleep with. like Mom and Daddy do. I have my bear,

she continued, referring to her favorite stuffed animal.

So I don't get lonely.

Break time.

Nathaniel gamely swallowed his choke of laughter.

Why don't you

guys take Dog for a walk down by the water?

The i.e. met with unanimous approval. With war whoops and slapping feet, they raced off.

Kid's got a point.

Nathaniel rubbed the cold glass over his sweaty brow.

Nights

can get lonely.

I'm sure Jenny will lend you her bear.

Megan stepped away from him, as if studying the house.

It's a very nice plaoe, Nathaniel.

She flicked a finger over the

sassy petals of a pansy.

Homey.

You were expecting a crow's nest, some oilcloth?

She had to smile.

Something like that. I want to thank you for letting Kevin spend the day.

I'd say the three of them are working as a team these days.

Her smile softened. She could hear their laughter from behind the house.

Yes,

you're right.

I like having them around. They're good company.

He shifted on the deck, folding

his legs Indian-style.

The boy's got your eyes.

Her smile faded.

No, Kevin's are brown.

Like his father's.

No, not the color. The look in them. Goes a lot deeper than brown or blue. How much have you told him?

I

She brought herself back, angled her chin.

I didn't come here to discuss my

personal life with you.

What did you come here to discuss?