I bit my lip. But Joel was literally on his way. We'd made plans, and I hated the thought of breaking them, especially last-minute. My own disappointment aside, it was so incredibly rude.
In front of me, Derek said, "So I'd get mowing if I were you."
"Oh come on," I said. "Just give me another day, okay?"
"Hey," Derek snapped, "this wasyouridea. Remember?"
What could I say? He was right. I'd practically begged him for the job. And, in my own defense, I was usually really prompt about it. But last week, things had been really crazy with all of those endowment meetings. And then, more recently, things had been crazy with Joel – crazy good, that is.
But if I wanted things tostaygood – as in remotely peaceful – I needed to get rid of Derek, pronto.
"Fine," I said. "I'll mow tonight. There. Are you happy now?"
His lips pursed. "I'd be happier if I didn't have to micromanage everything."
Oh, for crying out loud. Like father, like son.I wanted to argue, but I didn't have the time. So what I said was, "I'll try to do better, okay?"
"Don'ttry. Do." And then, he turned away, stalked to his car, and sped off.
Gazing at the empty driveway, I tried to look on the bright side. At least, there wouldn't be a fistfight on the front lawn.
That was something, right?
Still, I'd have to cancel with Joel. I hated that.
I hated it even more a minute later, when he pulled up just as I was trudging toward the shed to get the mower.
Chapter 36
At the sight of Joel's car, I stopped and changed direction, heading toward him now instead of the shed. When he got out of his car to greet me, I said, "I'm really sorry, but I have to cancel."
He glanced toward my house. "Why? Is something wrong?"
"No. Not at all." I gave him an apologetic smile. "It's just a yard thing. You're not going to believe this, but I've got to mow tonight."
He said nothing as he studied my face, and I felt color rise to my cheeks. Cripes, next I'd be telling him that I had to wash my hair or something equally stupid.
I tried to explain. "It's like a job, actually. And it's got to be done on a certain schedule. Unfortunately, I'm already late." I rolled my eyes. "As I was just reminded."
"Yeah? By who?"
Damn it.I probably shouldn't have said that. I gave a dismissive wave of my hand. "You know, the estate people."
Joel's gaze hardened. "You mean Derek?"
I hesitated. "Him and his dad, actually."
"Your lawyers."
Funny, he hadn't phrased it as a question. Still, I nodded. "Right. But with this, it's more of an estate thing."
"Is that so?"
"Yeah." I tried to act like this was no big deal. "And Derek just reminded me that I'd better get it done, or–" I shrugged. "–you know."
Joel gave me another long look. "Or what?"
"What do you mean?"
