The Novelty Maker Read Online Free PDF Page B

powerful on the inside, so you get more power for less winding."
                    Cole nodded appropriately, keeping his face blank as Natalie, the other shop girl, walked past with a customer.
                    "So Natalie told Bingley?" Cole asked, tamping down the hurt that Harlowe hadn't asked him to help, or even said anything about his plans.
                    "I don't know for sure, but Bingley asked me if Harlowe had been acting oddly," Susannah said, pursing her lips. She pushed back her hair, then reached out and wound the dog two clicks, making it take a few steps on the table. "I told him a little, but Harlowe didn't want him to know about the letters, so I couldn't use that as an excuse and I may have said something about you helping him with a problem and I think he read into that as you helping Harlowe fund the shop."
                    "He's an idiot, and that dog is terrible," Cole said flatly, gesturing to the jerky movements of the mechanical dog.
                    "I know, but I'm still sorry," Susannah said, shifting the dog back to its original place on the table when it stopped moving. "It also doesn't actually have an innovative winding mechanism."
                    Cole snorted, then jerked his thumb towards the back room. "Can you get him for me? I'll meet him out back if he doesn't want to come on the floor."
                    "Sure," Susannah said, giving him a sweet smile. "Think about the dog? I don't doubt it'll sell fast with as handsome a piece as it is."
                    "I'll think about it," Cole said dryly, watching her walk away. Susannah would be a good partner for Harlowe, though it still stung that Harlowe hadn't even breathed a word of it to him. Did he like Susannah more than he liked Cole? Cole tried to ignore how petty that thought was, wandering around the display table, ostensibly studying the dog.
                    "He'll meet you out back." Susannah suddenly popped up behind him, making him jump. "Come back in if you decide you'd like to get that today."
                    "Sure," Cole said, straightening his jacket and trying to make his heart settle. Susannah gave him another smile and then slipped away to talk to another customer lingering over a huntress-themed music box.
                    Leaving the shop, Cole ducked down the side alley alongside the building. Harlowe was waiting there, leaning against the side of the building. Cole hurried down the alley, slowing when he approached Harlowe.
                    "Afternoon," Cole said, wincing when his voice came out flatter than he'd meant. Harlowe straightened slightly, and Cole tried to get a gauge on his mood, but the mask and the shadowed alley completely obscured any hint of emotion in Harlowe's face.
                    "It is that," Harlowe said, and Cole relaxed slightly because Harlowe sounded tired, but not like he was ready to bite Cole's head off. "I'm sorry Bingley is being an ass—"
                    "Not your fault," Cole said hastily.
                    "I know, but I'm still sorry about it," Harlowe said, his shoulders slumping. "He's being worse than ever, but I didn't think he'd take it out on you."
                    "Why didn't you ask me for help funding your shop?" Cole asked. "I would have done it—"
                    "Because you would have," Harlowe snapped. He stepped away from the wall, scowling at Cole. "I didn't ask you because I didn't want to owe anyone anything for it."
                    "I wouldn't have asked for anything," Cole protested. "Do  you really think me that much of a villain?"
                    "That's not the point," Harlowe hissed, glancing at the door that led back into the shop. It was cracked open, and Cole