n't like his implication。 Still staring at the house； she said；
〃He's good enough to bring the trash to the dump once a week and put
They had reached the base of the field stone steps that led to Chloe's
back porch。 Ross paused on the first step。 〃And those others I saw here
this afternoon。 Who were they？〃
：〃Workers on our various projects。〃
〃Partners in the firm？〃
She shook her head。 〃We hire part…time people。 They're mostly students；
master's candidates from local schools like URI and Brown。〃
The pale blue of dusk was quickly giving way to the darker purples of
evening in a star…filled sky。 Only the spill of pale gold light from the
kitchen window lit Ross's features now。 It left his lines more
clear…cut； his profile more distinct and dramatic。 Chloe was intrigued。
〃I admire you for your dedication；〃 he said。
She continued to study him。 〃Do I hear wistfulness？〃
His chuckle was suspiciously poignant。 〃Maybe。 There are times…at which；
that's a whole other thing。〃
When she would have pursued it； Lee's shout jarred her。 〃Chloe！〃 Her
head whipped around。 〃Where are the matches？ The pilot light is out on
the broiler。 I can't get it lit。〃
Ross leaned close and murmured； 〃And here I thought he was the one who
always came to your rescue。〃
She turned to defend Lee； only to find Ross's lips a breath from hers。
His eyes were gl