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and we’re the unfortunate souls who must deal with it.” Adam couldn’t help but notice how fetching Miss Caldwell looked. She had climbed on one of the few remaining chairs so as to reach the higher shelves, like a little girl reaching for a cookie jar. He couldn’t believe anything negative of her. However, he knew his aunt was right—once again. Those who sought to deceive were generally quite good at it.
    Miss Caldwell lifted down the last stack of plates from that cupboard and set them on the counter, then gathered her skirts and hopped down from the chair. She had a pleasing smudge of dust on one cheek. Adam was quite tempted to wipe it off, but then he scolded himself. If he wasn’t careful, the young ladies in his employ would be in more danger from him than they would be from rambunctious guests.
    “Mr. Brody, I wasn’t eavesdropping, and I didn’t hear any of the actual words that were spoken, but I did notice that your aunt was rather displeased with me. I’m sorry if I’ve put you in a bind.” She twisted her hands nervously, and Adam couldn’t help but wonder if it hurt. Was skin actually made to be pulled in so many different directions?
    He pulled his gaze away from her hands and brought it up to her face. “Her concern will always be for my wellbeing.”
    “As it should be. She seems like a very compassionate woman.”
    Adam nodded. “She truly is a blessing to me. She cautioned me not to be so inclined to generosity. I’m sometimes too softhearted for my own good.”
    “I sensed that about you, but I promise, Mr. Brody, I have no intention of taking advantage of it.”
    Adam studied her for a moment, from the strands of hair that had escaped her once-neat bun to the slight quiver of her chin. If she was playing him for a fool, she certainly was convincing, but he couldn’t bring himself to believe it. He’d rather give her the benefit of the doubt than to spend every moment on edge, wondering what scheme she would attempt next.
    “Let’s strike a bargain, you and I—another bargain. We’ll not bring this up again, and we’ll simply get to work and make ourselves useful.”
    Miss Caldwell smiled. “That sounds like a very good bargain, sir.” She turned with a swirl of skirts, picked up the box, and carried it out to the yard.
    As soon as she was off the porch, Caroline walked into the kitchen. “She may not have been eavesdropping, but I was.”
    Adam raised an eyebrow. “And what do you think?”
    “Well, for starters, the two of you certainly had a good time praising me. I’m liable to become conceited.”
    Adam let out a puff of air. “What do you think about her , Aunt Caroline?”
    Caroline walked over to the window and watched Miss Caldwell take the last few pieces of broken china out of the box she carried. “I’ll honor your bargain and not say a word about this arrangement you’ve cooked up. But I will be watching her, Adam.”
    He leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
     
     

Chapter Six
     
    Elizabeth stood in the doorway of the kitchen, leaning on her mop, exhaustion overcoming every muscle. They had pulled all the loose items out of the kitchen, piled them in the yard, and then scrubbed the entire room from top to bottom. She had expected Mr. Brody’s aunt to help, and she did, but she had never expected Mr. Brody himself to lend a hand. Yet there he had been, on his knees, scrubbing the floor. Elizabeth couldn’t think of a time in her entire life when she’d seen a man scrub the floor. There was something remarkably appealing about it.
    She leaned the mop against the wall of the kitchen and went out into the yard to find Mr. Brody. He had taken upon himself the arduous task of separating the useable items from the garbage, making two piles now instead of just one.
    “Mr. Brody, I’d like to go home and check on my mother. Is now a good time?”
    He looked up at the sky, then down at her. “I