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person standing beside you currently, sir.”
    I flushed.
    I gripped Lucas’s arm, silently indicating I wanted to speak. I nodded toward Gabriel, attempting to disarm him and charm him. I noted again another small smile lurking around his mouth as he studied me. I moved toward the table and Gabriel, needing to ascertain for myself how much he continued to suffer from his injury.
    “You must allow me to apologize for the harm and pain I have caused you, sir—” I stopped short in front of him, examining him with worried eyes. “I have never before hurt anyone in one of my, ah…” My voice trailed off.
    Gabriel had watched my approach warily, leaning away as I neared. “Again, begging your pardon, miss, I do not want to be in too close proximity to you. Especially while you are in motion.”
    I heard a snigger from the man who had let us in and sent a frown in his direction.
    I gritted my teeth in frustration and moved toward the back window, glancing outside. Sunlight streamed into this room. The two buildings that should have abutted the rear of this one were missing. The empty space in the back, which I had originally thought consisted of a garden, was two empty weed-filled lots.
    I stared at the scene outside, surprised to see washing hanging out to dry. I marveled at his neighbors’ apparent lack of inhibition in displaying their clothes, including their most intimate apparel, for all to see. A small smile tugged at my mouth to see a tiny multicolored, though worn, pair of baby’s booties hanging out to dry. It seemed whimsical to me, the incongruity of them hanging next to a large pair of men’s faded gray working pants.
    “You find my neighbors’ wash entertaining, miss?” Gabriel asked in a flat voice.
    I turned toward him with a frown. Uncertainty spread through me, self-doubt quickly replacing the pleasure I had felt upon admiring the innocent domestic scene moments before. I looked away and shook my head in denial. “No,” I contradicted him. “Not amusement. Pleasure.”
    I turned back to face him in time to see shock flit through his eyes before he masked his expression. I admired his ability to hide his feelings.
    “So, you’re the infamous sister,” called out the other man, the one who had answered the door.
    He stood, leaning against the back wall, avidly watching our interaction. He pushed away to move toward me. I looked up and up as he towered over me. He appeared not to want or need to hide his expression, and watched me with open fascination. “You don’t look like a walking disaster,” he said in an amicable tone. “Though Gabe suffered enough on your account.”
    “I am sorry to hear that you know of my, ah…”
    “Your lack of grace?” the man asked with a friendly smile. “You are quite famous at my smithy, thanks to Colin’s frequent visits. His tales of your latest misadventures are some of our favorites. I just never imagined you’d end up harming Gabe.”
    I blushed at Colin’s lack of discretion.
    The man reached out his hand to shake mine, saying, “My name is Richard, and I am the middle McLeod brother.”
    I detected a note of pride in his voice at the name McLeod . He and Gabriel shared the same height, blue eyes and black hair; though if I were honest, I would say that Richard was the more handsome of the two.
    I nodded an acknowledgment, belatedly taking his hand. I waited for Lucas to provide the formal introductions for me, as was proper. Lucas, however, remained stubbornly mute, engaging in a silent staring match with the elder brother. After a few moments of uncomfortable silence, I spoke up.
    “My name is Clarissa Sullivan,” I said to the two McLeod brothers, “of the unfortunate mishaps.” The last was said with a small, regretful smile. I brushed at a wisp of hair that had come loose and tucked it behind my ear. I continued to glance around the room, looking at everything but Gabriel McLeod or his brother.
    “Nice to meet you,” Richard