The Perfect Solution by Leclaire Day

Author:Leclaire, Day
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi, pdf
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2013-09-03T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

“I’LL BE DAMNED,” Hickory murmured. “Right there on the lawn.”

Rube blinked in astonishment. “Oh, my. That’s not like our Jane, is it?”

Dipstick thrust between them, peering out the window. He voiced his own opinion with a low, drawn-out whine.

“Not even a little. She’s acting totally out of character.”

“She did it, didn’t she?” Rube released a yelp of delight. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a fistful of sour balls and tossed them into the air. Dipstick scrambled after the unexpected treat. “Yahoo! She actually did it. Yes, she did. Her perfume works.”

“Can’t be sure,” Dogg rumbled.

Hickory slammed his cane against the floor. “What else could it be? It’s certainly encouraging.”

“Encouraging. Yes.”

“But not conclusive proof. Is that what you’re saying?” Hickory pulled the drapes closed, affording the lovers some privacy. Though considering they were grappling around in the front yard in full view of anyone strolling by, his consideration was undoubtedly wasted.

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

Hickory sighed. “Thanks for your clarification.”

Rube slipped past and stuck his head through the narrow gap in the curtains. “My, oh, my,” he breathed.

Hickory hooked his cane in Rube’s belt and towed him away from the window. “Still... Even if the night’s events aren’t a result of her potion, there are some side benefits for Jane. I guess we could call it a bonus.” He smiled at the thought. “We didn’t take that into consideration when we purchased Mr. Morgan. Did we?”

“No bonuses tonight.”

“Dammit all, Dogg!” Hickory glared. “Your predictions can be so pessimistic. Are you telling me they’re not going to—”

“Yes. They’re not.”

“Hell.”

“No?” Rube pouted, cautiously unhooking Hickory’s cane. “Why not? They looked so eager. Yes, they did. Very eager. Want me to check?”

“No, I don’t want you to check.” Hickory reacquired his wayward brother before he reached the curtains and propelled him toward the couch. “Dogg doesn’t know for sure that nothing will occur. He’s just making a prediction based on random elements combined with assumptions of probable behavior.”

“I’m right.”

In a practiced move, Hickory tossed the cane toward a freestanding mahogany coatrack. The gold ball on the handle caught neatly on a hook and swung wildly back and forth like a giant pendulum before clattering to the floor. He sighed. “Dammit. What could go wrong? What random elements have I overlooked?”

“No protection.”

“Oh, please.” Hickory threw himself into his chair, dismissing his brother’s comment with a sweep of his hand. “A man of Flynn’s experience comes to a party without his gift wrapped? I find that difficult to believe.”

“Better for Jane if they wait.”

“More dangerous, you mean,” Hickory shot back. Dipstick approached with the cane and deposited it at his feet. “It allows their relationship to progress instead of remaining a meaningless fling, doesn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“So what do we do now? If he’s reacting to her perfume, then what’s happening makes perfect sense. But what if it’s not her scent? What if there’s something more between them?”

Dogg shrugged.

Rube sucked on his sour ball, his anxious gaze drifting toward the closed curtains.

Hickory sat silently, contemplating the atomic reaction decorating the tip of his cane.

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