Page 2 of Caden

I take a leisurely sip of my mocha, leaning my hip into the counter and arching a brow. Marshall ignored my earlier question. It’s not as if he didn’t hear it.

He rolls his eyes. “If I say no, are you going to take back the scones with yourcombat training?”

“Yes.”

Marshall lets out a strange combination of a sigh and a snort. “What do you want?”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing.” All this back and forth sibling banter has been fun, but it’s also given Caden time to finish his workout. I blame the long line atThe Sweet Toothfor slowing me down this morning.

From his machine, I catch Caden’s eye as he wipes down the bar he’d been gripping earlier. He nods at me. I offer a forced smile, hoping he’ll get the hint andnotcome over here. He’s not exactly Mr. Social. At least, not when it comes to me. If I didn’t know better, I’d swear I annoy him. Like some pesky little sister. Thatshouldbe enough to calm my tingling lady bits whenever I’m around him, but unfortunately it has no effect.

“Rubes?”

“I’ve got a landscaping project next door.”

“Next door where?”

“That little park.”

Marshall blurts a laugh. “You mean the dump?”

The small alcove between the gym andDresses for Daysis filled with dead overgrowth, trash, and I highly suspect there’s a rabbit’s nest under the broken picnic table. It’s, in short, a nightmare. But I refuse to let that teeny-tiny truth show in my unwavering expression. I don’t know if it’s sheer determination or if I’m just trying to convince myself I’m not totally in over my head, but I double down anyway. “It won’t be a dump when I’m done with it.”

The park renovation was on the schedule before Grandma Judy sold me the business. It’s the last of her jobs I need to finish before I can focus solely on the new and exciting projects I’ve already booked. I’m eager to get started on Avery Erikson’s photography-ready backyard garden project.

When I read Grandma Judy’s notes, I thought it would be a breeze. A couple of quick days. In and out. That’s why I scheduled everyone else to work on other projects. Turns out, the joke’s on me. This is going to take the rest of the week and probably some of next.

“I’m not helping you,” Marshall says flatly, his attention flickering to the white bakery bag peeking out from under the counter.

“I’m not asking you to help,” I fire back, my annoyance ratcheting higher because Caden is currently approaching the front desk. “Though you should at least pick up all the dog poop.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he says, flashing me a grimace that confirms my theory: Gram has been using the neglected space as his personal dumping ground. Gram looks up from his bed, using those big brown eyes to soften me in a single heartbeat. It’s not his fault, after all.

“I just wondered if I could use your gardening hose,” I ask.

“To water all that dead stuff?”

“To clean the area and eventually water the newstuff.”

“I suppose as long as you’re not tracking dirt in here, that’s fine.”

“Why would I come inside?” Other than to see Gram and sneak him treats, of course.

“Because the spigot’s inside,” Caden chimes in.

“Oh.” I feel my entire body heat. It’s a good thing this man is totally off limits for a variety of reasons. If I’m this stupidly turned on when he’s looking so stern, speaking all matter of fact, I’d probably spontaneously combust if he so much as kissed me. The sex on the other hand…

“Rubes?” My brother’s voice is the bucket of cold water I need.

“Yeah?”

“You can use the hose.”

“Thank you.” I wait expectantly.

Marshall lets out a heavy sigh. “I better show you where it’s at.”

As I follow him to a back area, I swear I feel Caden’s gaze lingering after me. Like a fiery tingle at the base of my neck. But when I turn to look back, he’s petting Gram with his back to me.

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