Disgusted, because in his experience arguing with a woman’s made-up mind was as painful and fruitless as banging your head against a brick wall, he shoved the soap in his pocket. ‘‘I’ll get the damn towels.’’

‘‘No, you won’t. Your hands are filthy. I’ll bring them out.’’

Muttering to himself, he went downstairs. Phillip’s reaction to the bathing arrangements was a shrug. Seth’s was pure glee. He darted outside, calling for the dogs to follow, and sent shoes, socks, shirt, scattering as he raced for the dock.

‘‘He’ll probably never want to take a regular bath again,’’ Phillip commented. He sat on the dock to remove his shoes.

Ethan remained standing. He wasn’t taking off a blessed thing until Grace delivered the towels and clothes and was back in the house. ‘‘What are you doing?’’ he demanded when Phillip pulled his sweat-stained T-shirt over his head.

‘‘I’m taking off my shirt.’’

‘‘Well, put it back on. Grace is coming out.’’

Phillip glanced up, saw that his brother was perfectly serious, and laughed. ‘‘Get a grip, Ethan. Even the sight of my amazing and manly chest isn’t likely to send her over the edge.’’

To prove it, he rose and shot Grace a grin as she crossed the lawn. ‘‘I heard something about fried chicken,’’ he called out.

‘‘I’m about to get to it.’’ When she reached the dock, she set the towels and clean clothes in neat piles. Then she straightened, smiling out to where Seth and the dogs splashed. She imagined they’d scared every bird and fish away for two miles. ‘‘This arrangement suits them just fine.’’

‘‘Why don’t you take a dip with us?’’ Phillip suggested and swore he heard Ethan’s jaw crack. ‘‘You can scrub my back.’’

She laughed and picked up the clothes that had already been discarded. ‘‘It’s been a while since I’ve gone skinny-dipping, and as appealing as it sounds, I’ve got too much to do to play right now. You give me the rest of your clothes, I’ll get them washed before I go.’’

‘‘Appreciate it.’’ But when Phillip reached for his belt buckle, Ethan jabbed an elbow into his ribs.

‘‘You can wash them later if you’re set on it. Go in the house.’’

‘‘He’s shy.’’ Phillip wiggled his brows. ‘‘I’m not.’’

Grace only laughed again, but she headed back to the house to give them privacy.

‘‘You shouldn’t tease her that way,’’ Ethan muttered.

‘‘I’ve been teasing her that way for years.’’ Phillip peeled himself out of his work-stained jeans, delighted to be rid of them.

‘‘Now it’s different.’’

‘‘Why?’’ Phillip started to slip out of his silk boxers, then caught the look in Ethan’s eye. ‘‘Oh. Well, well. Why didn’t you say so?’’