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so I could arrange my schedule.’
    He had finished his eggs and was pouring himself a second cup of coffee. ‘Since I’ll be working here this morning, I’d like to have lunch around noon. A sandwich will suffice.’
    ‘You’re staying home?’ she questioned disconcertedly. ‘When I’m developing a new design I prefer to work at home. There are fewer interruptions,’ he replied, watching her closely. ‘But apparently this is going to interfere with your plans. Were you considering a whole-scale rearrangement of my workroom? If so, I should warn you that I don’t allow anyone to touch the materials in there without permission. It may look like clutter to you, but I know every inch of that clutter and I don’t want it shifted.'
    'I understand about personal clutter,’ she assured him. ‘The reason I looked a bit dubious was that I’d planned to have a little company today.’ She was about to explain that Helen was bringing her children over for Sara to babysit when Brad interrupted.
    ‘A boy-friend?’ he queried caustically, ‘coming to check on your new living conditions?’
    His manner raised her ire and without thinking, she said haughtily, ‘As a matter of fact, yes, my very best boy-friend!’
    ‘Then please don’t change your plans on my account.’ Pushing his chair back, Brad rose from the table. ‘I would be interested in meeting the man. I’m curious to find out what type of male naive lady artists fall for and what he thinks of your current situation.’
    ‘I’ll be certain to introduce you,’ she snapped.
    ‘Fine!’ he threw over his shoulder as he left.
    The minute he was gone, Sara regretted her deception.
    This continual atmosphere of war between them had to come to an end. She knew it was mostly her fault. She was continuously overreacting to the man in the most childish way. He had good reason to question her judgment and her motives. She had met him under a lie, and considering her staunch conservative stand it did seem irrational that she should have placed herself in the present situation. She tried again to convince herself that it paid well and was an honest position, but considering the people involved, specifically a very virile male employer, the logic didn’t hold; not if she considered the possible harm to her reputation.
    However, right now, the how and why didn’t matter; she needed to correct this present lie before it was too late. After all, she was the housekeeper and she should have asked his permission before making any plans.
    Climbing the stairs, she found his workroom door open. He was standing in the windowed alcove gazing out on to the street below, his hands clasped behind his strong straight back.
    ‘Excuse me,’ she cleared her throat nervously.
    ‘What is it, Sara?’ he asked, turning to face her, his eyes green ice.
    ‘It’s about my company,’ she began hesitantly, embarrassed to admit a lie in the face of his contempt.
    ‘What about your expected visitor?’ he questioned coldly. ‘Are you afraid I might say something to this boy-friend of yours that will besmirch your character or give him the wrong idea?’
    ‘No. I wanted to correct a misunderstanding. The person coming isn’t a boy-friend in the sense you took it. He’s my nephew ... and my niece is coming, too. During the summer I watch them one day a week to give Helen a chance to run errands and do her shopping in peace. But I’ll cancel out for today. This is your home and I apologise for not checking with you first before telling Helen it would be all right.’
    ‘Why didn’t you explain all this downstairs?’ Brad demanded.
    Her mouth tightened into a hard line as her hope for a truce gave way to anger. ‘I started to, but you interrupted.’ He stood rigidly regarding her as if weighing her defence, then his jaw relaxed and the ice left his eyes. ‘I suppose I can be a bit overbearing,’ he admitted gruffly. ‘Guess I sounded like Steve.’
    ‘A little,’ she agreed,