Just as he would take it out after work, Phillip mused, and slip it back in place. Rings could catch on tools and cost a man a finger. But neither of his brothers left theirs at home. He wondered if there was some symbolism, or comfort, in having that statement of marriage on them, one way or the other, at all times.

Then he wondered why he was wondering and nudged the question, and the idea of it, aside.

Since Cam had reached the work area first, the radio wasn’t tuned to the lazy blues Phillip would have chosen, but to loud, kiss-my-ass rock. Cam eyed him coolly as Phillip tugged on a tool belt of his own.

“Didn’t expect to see you in so bright and early this morning. Figured you had a late night.”

“Don’t go there again.”

“Just a comment.” Anna had already chewed him out when he complained to her about Phillip’s involvement with Sybill. He should be ashamed, he shouldn’t interfere, he should have some compassion for his brother’s feelings.

He’d rather take that brother’s fist in the face any day than a hot verbal slap from his wife.

“You want to fool around with her, it’s your business. She’s a pleasure to look at. I’d say she’s got a wide cold streak in her, though.”

“You don’t know her.”

“And you do?” Cam lifted a hand when Phillip’s eyes flashed. “Just trying to get a handle on it. It’s going to matter to Seth.”

“I know she’s willing to do what she can so he’s where he needs to be. Reading between the lines, I’d say she grew up in a repressive, restrictive atmosphere.”

“A rich one.”

“Yeah.” Phillip strode to a pile of planks. “Yeah, private schools, chauffeurs, country clubs, servants.”

“It’s a little tough to feel sorry for her.”

“I don’t think she’s looking for sympathy.” He hefted a plank. “You said you wanted to get a handle on her. I’m telling you she had advantages. I don’t know if she had any affection.”

Cam shrugged and, deciding they’d get more accomplished working together, took the other end of the plank to fit it into place on the hull. “She doesn’t strike me as deprived. She strikes me as cold.”

“Restrained. Cautious.” He remembered the way she reached out to him the night before. Still, it had been the first time she’d done so, the only time. He clamped down on the frustration of not being sure that Cam wasn’t right. “Are you and Ethan the only ones entitled to a relationship with a woman that satisfies your hormones and your brain?”

“No.” Cam lapped the ends. Deliberately he relaxed his shoulders. There was something in Phillip’s voice that gave away that frustration, and something else. “No, we’re not. I’ll talk to Seth about her.”

“I’ll talk to him myself.”

“All right.”

“He matters to me, too.”

“I know he does.”

“He didn’t.” Phillip pulled out his hammer to nail the laps. “Not as much as he did to you. Not enough. It’s different now.”