Chapter 6: The Salesman

Dane straightened up with my coat in his hand and stood so that his body covered mine.

"You're in early," he said.

Brady smiled.

It was the smile he used on customers, wide and easy, with a dimple.

"Late shipment from Kerrville," he said.

"I came to count it before church.

"I didn't know you had company."

He looked past Dane's shoulder, and the smile changed.

"Katrina," he said.

"Look at you."

I stepped out from behind Dane's arm and took my coat out of his hand.

I put it on.

My fingers wanted to shake, so I buttoned every button, one at a time.

"Hello, Brady."

"Working for the boss," Brady said.

"I heard you'd landed on your feet.

"I just didn't know how far."

His eyes dropped to my dress, wrinkled at the hem, and to my unmatched shoes, and to Dane's open shirt.

He drew it out, slow and pleased.

Dane said nothing at all.

He stood with his arms at his sides, his chest still flushed from the cold and the rest of it, and he let the silence sit.

He had the stillness of a man deciding whether to break something.

I understood he was waiting for me.

It was the first time anyone had.

"I'm the nanny, Brady," I said.

"I live in the house.

"I'm here to sign a tax form."

"At six on a Sunday," he said.

"I keep odd hours," I said.

"Sure you do," he said.

He turned the clipboard over in his hand.

"Tell me something, Katrina.

"The old man's niece, the little one.

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