No One Like You by Kate Angell Read Free Book Online Page B

mower,” Landon shouted from the shed. He sounded excited. He appeared moments later, pushing a manual reel mower. “My granddad belongs to an old lawn mower club in Milwaukee. This model is rare. The handle’s solid, but the blades need to be sharpened. I’m hoping Rylan has a sharpening stone in the garage.”
    Halo was right behind Landon. “The edge shears need to be oiled. I’ll check for tool lube. The pole pruner seems okay, although the rope’s twisted.”
    The lawn equipment was ancient, Beth thought. They’d be putting brawn and muscle into cleaning up the yard. It was a project that would last longer than planned. The weather was temperate, yet they would still work up a sweat.
    She couldn’t believe these elite athletes were choosing yard work instead of the beach. They would be instantly recognized the moment they stepped onto the sand. Women’s fingers would itch to rub suntan oil on their bodies. They would’ve gotten lucky.
    Instead of bikinied babes and slick skin, they cornered the cottage on their way to the garage. The two moved around Rylan’s property as if they owned the place. Beth wondered what Ry would think of such familiarity. She hoped he wouldn’t mind.
    Halo and Landon were hyped to work when they returned to the yard a short time later. They had slipped on heavy duty leather work gloves to avoid blisters. Landon carried a sharpening stone and Halo a rusted can of WD-40.
    Once the equipment was in working order, Landon called to her. “We’ll start at the back boundary and progress toward the porch. We should have enough room for the volleyball and croquet courts.”
    We . It had become a group project. The guys were being supportive. Her initial angst left her, yet niggling suspicion lingered. She still felt they had a hidden agenda for being at the cottage. If so, it would eventually be revealed.
    Beth went inside, Atlas on her heels. The big dog sat down in the kitchen and stared at the stove . . . as if he was waiting for food to come out of the oven.
    “I owe you biscuits, don’t I? I could make them now.”
    Atlas gave a happy bark.
    She retrieved the doggie cookbook from the counter where she’d left it, scanned the index, and flipped to the Treats section. The recipe for peanut butter biscuits had a big star in the upper right-hand corner of the page. She figured it was a favorite of the dogs.
    She preheated the oven and lightly greased a baking sheet, then selected a large mixing bowl and located a spatula. She went to work. Atlas rested his chin on the counter, sniffing as she measured and stirred together the egg yolk, peanut butter, and honey. Once the ingredients were thoroughly blended, she added the rice flour and wheat germ. Atlas smacked his lips.
    She next turned the dough out on a floured board and rolled the mixture to a one-quarter inch thickness. Using a medium-size dog-shaped cookie cutter she’d found in the cupboard, she cut out the shapes and set them on the baking sheet. Before putting them in the oven to bake, she brushed the tops with egg white.
    Atlas tried to snag an uncooked treat. He would’ve eaten the batter raw had she let him. She did not. She held the baking sheet over her head—which was awkward. She wasn’t going to let him get the better of her. She opened and closed the oven door without his interference. She patted him on the head, praised his patience.
    Cooking time was twelve minutes, followed by cooling on a wire rack. He would have to wait a while longer.
    Beth headed for her office. She could accomplish a lot in a short time. She settled on the edge of her chair and Atlas settled at her feet. She turned on the computer and went to e-mail. According to the information listed under Ry’s brother Dune, besides professional volleyball, he also ran a local volleyball clinic.. She took a chance and sent him a message, asking to borrow a net, poles, and volleyballs for the picnic. She fired off a second e-mail to Shaye, hoping she