Chapter 20

“Do you have another rake?” Mathias asked. “I could help. We’d be done one-third quicker, not taking into account such variables as wind direction and my lack of skill. I’ve never raked before.”

“You’ve never raked before?” I asked incredulously. Even Dev stopped to stare at the anomaly.

“Nope.” Did I sense a hint of embarrassment regarding his yard work virginity? “We have a guy.”

“Oh.” I’d misread him, and the little nerve in my jaw was set off by the way he’d tossed out the last part.

“Here.” Before I could ask Mathias what else he had a guy for, Devon had relinquished his rake. “Be right back.” He took off then, to get the third one from outside Beth and Julius’s back door, I assumed.

“You don’t have to rake my damned lawn,” I said, a bit more gruffly than necessary.

“Eh, it’ll be fun.”

“Maybe to someone who never has to do it.”