The smaller cuttings from preparing the logs for the mill were now sitting on a pallet out by the road. Those would end up on his wood lathe, to emerg... as bowls, platters, or whatever the wood showed him once he started cutting.He was eager to get them in the barn and into a drying box, but not so eager as to put down the novel he was reading. It didn’t take long on a short winter’s day for the sun to dip below the horizon, and it was dark by the time he looked up from his book.Jared chuckled. Jan was ready when Bryant walked out of the bathroom. She had her back to him and he noticed she had nice legs."I was wrong," Bryant said.Jan turned to him with a questioning look."You're ready before I am," Bryant said with a laugh.Jan noticed that Bryant was shirtless and she fought an urge to walk over and run her hands over his chest. She felt her face redden at the thought and wondered what was happening to her."You can correct that," she said as she reached into his closet and pulled out. " Yeah," Vanessa grinned wickedly. "Claws!" That'd do it for me," Daphne chimed in. "Give me a good scratching and I'll be forever yours." She and the other girls laughed, nodding with agreement."You girls saying we don't treat you rough enough?" Jeff asked, already knowing the answer. "What are we going to tell her husband when we go back without her?" I don't plan on explaining anything," Alana replied, surprising the others with her sudden irresponsible demeanor. "Unless he asks, of course.. "I had no idea where Crystal was headed. I tried "What? I had some water in my ear." I said Vivian told me about it and it sounds great for her."The girls finished scrubbing me down and I started on Kristin's back. "So, are you two going to be close after all?" asked Crystal from behind."You mean emotionally?" I temporized. "I don't know." You're not making this easy," Crystal claimed as I started on her back."Easy how?" I asked."OK. I'm not sure I should tell you this, but Monday night I was.