Page 20 of Never Been Gargoyled
I started in that direction with him following, pushing the wheelbarrow, the tools clattering as they bounced around.
“If the forsythias had been planted in the grounds, I’d let them go wild. I love when they get big, and when they flower, they’re simply amazing. Some of the first color in spring.”
“You can put it there.” I pointed to a spot near one of the forsythias and grabbed the shears from the cart when he brought it to a stop. In no time, I was clipping, humming as I worked.
He removed the rest of the tools and started picking up the shorn branches, placing them in the wheelbarrow, which was also kind of him. Maybe he was bored. This was probably the first activity he’d seen around the estate in years.
“I always thought the blossoms looked like tiny bananas.” I laughed.
He grimaced.
Wincing, I went back to pruning again. So, he wasn’t truly interested in hanging around with me. That sucked. But it was better to know it now than start falling and discover it then.
Good thing I wasn’t even in like with him yet.
He wandered off, probably bored with my inanechatter, and I kept going, trimming the bushes back until I could find the building’s windows.
A wheezing sound was followed by the roar of an engine, and with wide eyes, I strode over to stand on the stone walkway, watching as Feydin ran the mower back and forth across one of the bigger sections of overgrown lawn.
“What are you doing?” I called out when he came near.
His wings flared out, and he looked my way, which told me he’d heard me, but he only waved and kept mowing.
I strode closer to him. “I can do that! I planned to do it after I got done with the bushes!”
When I tried to step between him and the mower, he brought it to a halt, releasing the lever that stopped the blades from whirring.
“I can do it,” I said again in a quieter voice.
“So can I.”
“But you’re a lawyer.”
He scowled. “Lawyers can mow lawns, can’t they?”
“I’m sure they can, but you don’t need to.”
He lowered his face, pressing it close to mine. “What if I want to do this for you?”
If he’d said he needed the exercise, I might’ve nodded and walked away, leaving him to it. But no, he had to go and say he was doing this forme.
I didn’t know what to think about that, let alone what to say.
“Why?” popped out.
“Because I want to help you.”
“I’m not a pity case.” Alright, maybe I was a little. Things had been going so well for me until that letter dropped into my lap, and a second cousin appeared, determined to take away the one good thing in my life.
His brows rose. “I never said you were.”
“You’re doing this because you feel bad for me.” Who wouldn’t? It kinda sucked. Lots of sucky things in my life lately.
“I’m doing it for you.” He abandoned the mower and latched onto my shoulders, his wings flaring, encircling me like the nicest version of a cocoon.
Then he planted his lips on mine.
Chapter 10
