His eyebrows shot up. "If you'd stop thinking about those trees for a few minutes…"
"I don't dare. You'd have them clear cut before I knew what happened."
His lips thinned and his gaze bored into her for a moment. "You're such a hypocrite."
For a moment she wasn't sure if he was talking about the trees or her feelings about him. She scowled at him. "How do you figure that?"
He glanced at the house. "You live in a wooden house, don't you - or do you think it was constructed of old trees that died a natural death?
She tried to keep her voice even. "I can't do anything about the past…."
"Oh, that's such a pat answer," he interrupted in a caustic tone. "They could use that kind of logic about furs too. After all, the animal is dead. Waste not, want not. The truth is, you've got your house and you don't want anyone else to enjoy one."
It was so unfair. "I never said we shouldn't use any trees. I'm talking about clear cutting and…Oh, for…I've got better things to do than stand around here arguing with a wooden headed…."
He turned to follow her as she moved away and caught his artificial foot on the door jam. She reached out to steady him, but he was already pitching forward. They made a mad scramble for footing and fell together, hitting the ground - he on top of her.
He immediately rolled away, his face turning scarlet. To the world it might have looked like he attacked her, but the world didn't know about his artificial leg - nor would he think of using it as an excuse.
She sat up brushing dust from her clothes. "Brute," she said without conviction.
He turned a deeper shade of red and opened his mouth to speak. His eyes suddenly reflected comprehension.
They scrambled to their feet in an awkward silence. She dusted her backside with both hands and chanced a look at his face. He ran a hand through his hair, his face still red, and gave her a wry smile. "I guess I got carried away with the argument."
His boyish innocence made her think of Billy Ray. She sighed. "No more than me."
He grimaced. "I should go home now and stop pestering you. I've done about as much damage as I can in a day."
She laughed. "Do you have a quota?"