‘‘Close weather makes some people edgy.’’

‘‘I’m not edgy, I’m hot. Where’s the kid?’’

‘‘Sent him for some ice.’’

‘‘Good idea. I could take a bath in it. There’s no fucking air down there.’’

Ethan nodded. Varnishing was a miserable enough job in this weather, but working below in the little cabin where even the big fans couldn’t reach was probably kin toworking in hell. ‘‘Want to switch off for a while?’’

‘‘I can do my own goddamn job.’’

Ethan merely lifted a sweaty shoulder. ‘‘Suit yourself.’’

Cam gritted his teeth, then hissed. ‘‘Okay, I am edgy. The heat’s frying my brain, and I keep wondering if that alley cat’s gotten Anna’s letter yet.’’

‘‘Ought to. It went out Tuesday as soon as the post office broke the holiday. It’s Friday now.’’

‘‘I know what day it is, Ethan.’’ Disgusted, Cam swiped sweat off his face and scowled at his brother. ‘‘Aren’t you worried a damn bit about it?’’

‘‘It won’t make any difference if I am or not. She’ll do what she’s going to do.’’ His gaze flicked up to Cam’s and was hard as a bunched fist. ‘‘Then we’ll handle it.’’

Cam paced the deck, caught a whiff of air from the fans, paced back. ‘‘I never could understand how you can stay so calm when things go to hell.’’

‘‘Practice,’’ Ethan murmured and kept on varnishing.

Cam rolled his aching shoulders, drummed his fingers on his thigh. He had to think of something else or he’d go crazy. ‘‘How’d the big date go the other night?’’

‘‘Well enough.’’

‘‘Jesus, Ethan, do I have to get the pliers?’’

A smile moved over Ethan’s mouth. ‘‘Had a nice dinner. Drank some of that Pouilly Fuisse Phil’s so wild about. Tastes fine enough, but I don’t see what the big fuss is about.’’

‘‘So, you get laid?’’

Ethan flicked up another glance, took in Cam’s wide grin, and decided to take the question in the spirit it was asked. ‘‘Yeah—did you?’’

Entertained, if no cooler, Cam threw back his head and laughed. ‘‘Damn, she’s the best thing that ever happened to you. I don’t just mean the sex, though that’s got to be part of what’s perked you up around here lately. The woman fits you like the proverbial glove.’’

Ethan paused, scratched his belly where sweat dribbled and itched. ‘‘Why?’’

‘‘Because she’s rock-steady, pretty as a picture, patient as Job, and she’s got enough humor about life to tickle out yours. I guess we’ll be sprucing up the yard for another wedding before long.’’

Ethan’s fingers tightened on his brush. ‘‘I’m not going to marry her, Cam.’’