Gift of Gold

arguments.
    She couldn’t help it. She was pushing Jonas and she knew it. But she had to do it. She had to find out how soon he was going to leave. It was easier to force the issue than to wait in cold dread for him suddenly to announce one day that he was departing. Verity had never been the type to wait for fate to overtake her.
    “Leave the man alone, Verity,” Emerson advised blandly. “He’s still healing. That was a nasty gouge he took from that rapier.”
    Verity bit her lip, instantly contrite. “Does your arm hurt very much today, Jonas?”
    “Let’s just say I’m in excruciating pain but bearing up admirably.” He casually turned another page of the newspaper with his injured arm.
    “See? What did I tell you?” Emerson said.
    “If you’re in so much pain,” Verity said, “then you’d better make an appointment with the doctor.”
    “I’ve already got an appointment to have the stitches removed tomorrow. Don’t fret about it, Verity.” Jonas swallowed beer, frowning over a story on the back page of the paper.
    “If you’re in pain, you can make another appointment right now. Use the phone in my office. I pay workmen’s comp for this sort of thing, you know.”
    “Somehow, I don’t think workmen’s comp is going to cover a rapier wound in the arm,” Emerson remarked. “Jonas didn’t even get the injury while working at the No Bull.”
    “Well, if it’s not bad enough to see a doctor about, then Jonas can darn well help me with those cupboards,” Verity said loftily “And after he’s finished, he can get started on those letters I told him to write. There’s plenty of work to be done around here and I intend to see that it gets done, or else.”
    “Or else what?” Jonas asked from behind the paper.
    His total lack of concern was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Already seething with anxiety, frustration, and anger, Verity went up in flames.
    “Or else I’ll fire you and get someone else who knows how to do the job,” she vowed, taking fierce satisfaction from having had the last word. She spun around on her heel and strode briskly toward her own cabin.
    “That does it.”
    Something in the inflection of Jonas’s too-quiet words brought Verity to a halt. She glanced over her shoulder in time to see him crumple the beer can in his hand and toss it aside. The newspaper followed, landing in a heap on the porch as Jonas got deliberately to his feet.
    Verity felt the first trickle of doubt. “That does what?” she demanded aggressively.
    Jonas stood on the top step, his thumbs hooked into the waistband of his jeans. His bare chest and smoothly muscled shoulders looked very broad and strong and male in the warm afternoon sunlight.
    “Threatening to fire me is going too far, Verity, even for you. With a woman like you a man has to draw the line somewhere.” He started slowly down the steps. “I’ve put up with a lot from you, boss lady. I’ve tolerated your scolding and your lectures and a lot of bullshit about proper eating habits. I let you talk me into a situation that nearly got both of us killed. All in all, I think I’ve been very indulgent with you. Don’t you think I’ve been indulgent with her, Emerson?”
    “Too right,” Emerson muttered sympathetically. “Very indulgent.”
    “But enough is enough,” Jonas continued, his eyes gleaming with righteous indignation. “I’ve had enough of your nagging and your shrewish behavior. Most of the time, being the gentle, easygoing soul that I am, I try to rise above it. But for the past three days you’ve been impossible to be around. The only time you shut up is when we’re in bed. Unfortunately I can’t keep you in bed twenty-four hours a day. I’m beginning to see why it used to be a man’s goal to keep his woman barefoot and pregnant.”
    “Jonas!” Verity swung her astounded gaze to her father. “Are you going to let him talk to me like that?”
    “Don’t look at me.” Emerson spread his hands wide. “I’m just an innocent bystander.”
    Jonas went intently toward her. “You’ve gone too far when you start threatening me with my job. I’ve always given you a day’s work for a day’s pay and you’ve got no legitimate complaints, lady.”
    Verity took a couple of quick steps backward as she realized belatedly that Jonas was dangerous in this mood. “Jonas, don’t you dare touch me. You work for me. You’d do well to remember that. You take orders from me. I’m giving you an