"Less than a year," she said without turning around, "and you and Laura have managed to misfile half of everything. Why the hell is a fire insurance invoice in the umbrella file?"
"Someone should be flogged."
Unamused, she turned, eyed him. "I don't have time for you, Josh. Your wife's making my life a living hell."
"Funny, she says the same thing about you." Despite her ferocious glare, he walked over and kissed the tip of her nose. "I hear you're color-coding the files."
"Somebody has to. The software I installed keeps clean records, but you're better off backing up with hard copy in retail. I told Margo to do this months ago, but she's more interested in selling trinkets."
"God knows how you can expect to keep a retail business running by selling things!"
She drew in a breath, refusing to hear how foolish she sounded. "My point is you can hardly keep any business successful if you don't concern yourself with the details. She's been logging shoes under wardrobe instead of accessories."
"She needs to be punished." He grabbed Kate's shoulders. "Let me do it."
Chuckling, she shoved him back. "Go away. I don't have time to laugh right now."
"I didn't come by for laughs. I need to talk to you." He pointed to a chair. "So sit."
"Can't this wait? I have to be back in the showroom in an hour. I want to get the files in shape first."
"Sit," he repeated and gave her a brotherly nudge. "I just had a meeting at Bittle."
The impatience drained out of her eyes, leaving them cold and blank. "Excuse me?"
"Don't take that tone with me, Kate. It's past time this was dealt with."
She continued to take that tone, quiet and icy, as fear clawed at her insides. "And you decided you were the one to deal wit
h it?"
"That's right. As your attorney—"
"You're not my attorney," she shot back.
"Who went to court to get you out of that speeding ticket three years ago?"
"You, but—"
"And who looked over your lease for your apartment before you signed it?"
"Yes, but—"
"Who wrote your will?"
Her face turned mutinous. "I don't see that that has anything to do with it."
"I see." Idly, he studied his manicure. "Just because I've handled all the pesky little legal details of your life doesn't make me your lawyer."
"It doesn't give you the right to go behind my back and talk to Bittle. Particularly since I asked you to leave it alone."
"Fine, it doesn't. Being your brother does."
Bringing up family loyalty was, in Kate's opinion, hitting below the belt. She sprang to her feet. "I'm not the inadequate, incapable little sister, and I won't be treated like one. I'm handling this."
"How?" Primed to fight, he got to his feet as well. "By color-coding the files in here?"
"Yes." Since he was shouting now, Kate matched her voice to his. "By making the best of the situation. By getting on with my life. By not whining and crying."