Free Someone Irresistible by Adele Ashworth Page A

sculptor’s, square by design, similar to a conservatory in structure, with windows on part of the angled ceiling, connecting to those on the west wall. This brought in a good amount of natural light, which she preferred to work by, from late morning till dusk. On the north wall were cupboards and racks for storage, drawers containing tools of various kinds, and a small broom closet where she kept cleaning materials. Opposite, in front of the south wall, stood an airtight, metal box for clay, alongside a double, wide-opening door that led to the garden entrance. This she used for moving large pieces from the house to the street, where they could then be carried to museums, should the need arise. Her room also contained a trash bin and flat
    work station beside the sink on the east wall, next to the doorway leading to the main house. The settee sat quite cozily in front of the window, but she’d moved her old worktable, on which now sat the Pteranodon fossil, to the far corner, where both would remain until it was time to sculpt.
    She’d also picked the place up a bit for Nathan’s visit, though she noted suddenly that dust still sprinkled the floor in corners, several fossil samples sat conspicuously on the counter top, and her most recently used papers and tools remained scattered beside the sink. She was never born to be a housekeeper, and certainly it was her workshop to do with as she pleased. This was the first time, in fact, that she felt slightly embarrassed about its somewhat sloppy appearance. But then as a man, Nathan probably wouldn’t notice these things.
    “Quite a complete and functional workshop, you have,” he commented after a moment, without a trace of sarcasm in his voice.
    “Impressive.”
    Mimi felt the tension lift from her shoulders a little, and she smiled in a measure of pride. “Thank you. I’ve grown rather fond of the room, myself. It’s the only place in my home that I feel is totally mine to do with or keep as I like.”
    “Meaning… cluttered to your taste?”
    He’d noticed. But at least he seemed amused by it, not repelled.
    “Sometimes,” she admitted, disguising her abashment with a casual air.
    He nodded and looked back at her. “Did Carter not spend much time in here, then?”
    He always managed to bring Carter into the conversation, and it made her hesitate before answering, wondering why he did that, or why he cared. “No, not really,” she replied slowly, her smile reduced with her thoughtfulness. “Most of the time he was bored with the notion of my desire to sculpt, although he allowed me the time to do as I pleased.”
    Providing her duties as his wife came first, but she didn’t feel it appropriate to mention that to Nathan. He’d probably assume as much.
    “Did he know you sculpted dinosaurs for your father?”
    “No,” she said at once. “He knew I helped my father from time to time, but I didn’t really begin doing complete dinosaur sculptures until after my husband’s untimely death.”
    He waited, staring at her candidly, then said, “I suppose that was all for the best.”
    She didn’t know how to take that; his tone held no color, but his
    words held a world of meaning. Before she could respond, however, he began to walk toward her, turning his attention to the black leather case he carried at his side.
    “I’ve still got a few notes that weren’t stolen two and a half years ago,” he remarked coolly, his manner direct. “Thank God they were in my office at the time, but they’re hardly complete. We’ll more or less have to start from the beginning.” He glanced up again as he stood at her side at last. “Where do you want me, Mimi?”
    He smelled heavenly—clean, with the lingering scent of musky soap.
    He’d obviously had a bath this morning, too, and her first thought was that he could sit next to her all day if he wanted. She wouldn’t put it quite like that to him, however.
    “You’ll need to be close while I’m sketching,”