Page 75 of This Heart Of Mine (Chicago Stars 5)

“You have no idea what you’re talking about. I keep telling you: I date lots of American women.”

“And I’ll bet they’re interchangeable. Beautiful, not too bright, and—as soon as they turn demanding—out the door.”

“The good old days.”

“I insulted you, in case you didn’t realize it.”

“I insulted you back, in case you didn’t realize it.”

She smiled. “I’m sure you don’t want to stay under the same roof with someone who’s so demanding.”

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily. As a matter of fact, living together could have some advantages.” He rose from the glider and gazed at her with an expression that conjured up images of sweaty bodies and messy sheets. Then he reached into the pocket of his robe, breaking the spell which had probably all been in her imagination anyway.

He pulled out a crumpled sheet of paper. It took her only a moment to recognize the drawing she’d made of Daphne diving into the water.

“I found this in the trash.” He smoothed it out as he came toward her, then pointed down at Benny. “This guy? He’s the badger?”

She nodded slowly, wishing she hadn’t discarded the drawing where he could find it.

“So why did you throw it away?”

“Safety issues.”

“Uhm…”

“Sometimes I use incidents in my own life for inspiration.”

His mouth quirked. “I can see that.”

“I’m really more a cartoonist than an artist.”

“This is a little too detailed for a cartoon.”

She shrugged and held out her hand to take it back, but he shook his head. “It’s mine now. I like it.” He slipped it his pocket, then turned back toward the kitchen door. “I’d better get dressed.”

“Good, because staying here won’t work.”

“Oh, I’m staying here. I’m just going into town for a while.” He paused and gave her a crooked smile. “You can come along if you’d like.”

Her brain sounded a warning. “Thanks anyway, but my German’s rusty, and too much chocolate makes my skin break out.”

“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were jealous.”

“Just remember, liebling, the alarm goes off at five-thirty tomorrow morning.”

She heard him come in sometime after one, so it was a pleasure banging on his bedroom door at dawn. There had been rain overnight, but as they walked silently down the lane, they were both too groggy to appreciate the freshly washed, rosy-gray sky. While Kevin yawned, she concentrated on putting one foot in front of the other and avoiding puddles. Only Roo was happy to be up and about.

Molly fixed blueberry pancakes, and Kevin sliced uneven chunks of fruit into a blue pottery bowl. As he worked, he grumbled that someone with a 65-percent pass completion record shouldn’t have to do kitchen duty. His complaining stopped, however, when Marmie strolled in.

“Where did that cat come from?”

Molly dodged his question. “She showed up yesterday. That’s Marmie.”

Roo whimpered and crawled under the table. Kevin grabbed a tea towel to dry his hands. “Hey, girl.” He knelt and stroked the animal. Marmie immediately curled against him.

“I thought you didn’t like animals.”

“I love animals. Where did you get that idea?” Marmie put her paws on his leg, and he picked her up.

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