Free No One Like You by Kate Angell

assistant,” she said flatly. “You’re impulsive and competitive. You want what Ry has. At the moment that’s me, working for him. Am I right?”
    Halo put his hand over his heart. “You wound me.”
    “She saw right through us,” said Landon.
    “My job is for eight weeks,” Beth told them. “The length of time I’m in town. It fits me perfectly.”
    Rylan listened when Halo asked, “Then what? Where will you go after spring training?”
    She shrugged a slender shoulder. “Here and there. Anywhere and everywhere.”
    “The lady is elusive,” said Landon.
    “We have two months to learn her wicked ways,” Halo teased.
    Beth rolled her eyes. “I have no wicked ways.”
    “Hang around us and you soon will,” said Landon.
    “Your play date is over, guys,” Rylan said, moving them along. “I met with our community liaison, Jillian Cates, this morning. Tomorrow we’re putting our footprints in cement at the stadium plaza. Jill’s set up media coverage. Photos, followed by interviews.”
    He paused, continued with, “It’s tourist season. The snowbirds have arrived. There’s a lot going on in town. The Gallery Walk opens to the public late Tuesday afternoon. International and local artists display their photography and paintings along the boardwalk near the pier entrance. Shaye organized the event. Try and make an appearance. Be supportive. Buy something.”
    “Anyone paint nudes?” asked Halo. The man had naked on his brain.
    Rylan shrugged. “Doubtful, the event is family oriented. But see for yourself.”
    “We’re gone.” Halo handed Beth his work gloves.
    Landon gave her his gloves, too. “Later, sweet Beth.”
    “What about the lawn equipment?” Rylan called after them. “It needs to be put away.” The men had left the mower and tools where they’d last used them.
    “Not it,” Halo cast over his shoulder.
    “Not it,” Landon quickly seconded.
    “I’m it,” Beth muttered.
    “It’s your turn to go into the shed,” Halo said from the corner of the cottage. “Watch out for bats.” Both men disappeared down the driveway.
    Rylan shook his head. “Idiots.”
    “ Your idiots,” Beth said. “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop, but your voices carried. I heard them apologize for the bar fight. They respect you.”
    The respect was not always evident.
    “We all have our own way of righting a wrong,” she added.
    “The guys are wrong a lot,” he stated. “They’re like kids. Sorry about something at least once a day. I don’t want them making amends at the cottage whenever they get disruptive in town.”
    “You’re all family, or so their T-shirts say.”
    “They’ll take advantage of being Cateses while they’re here, and they’ll be obnoxious about it. I don’t need any more brothers. I grew up with three.”
    “Dune seems like a nice guy,” she said. “I hope you don’t mind that I contacted him and Shaye. Picnics need games. I’d rather borrow than rent equipment. They were quick to respond.”
    “Working with them is fine. However, next time Halo and Landon show up, don’t answer the door. They’re aimless until spring training starts. They can’t camp out on my porch.”
    He scratched his jaw, felt the stubble. “I’m headed to Theodore’s Barber Shop for my shave and a haircut.”
    He could tell by the immediate change in her expression that something was wrong. It was.
    “Oh, no . . .” she murmured. Her face was pale. Her eyes were wide. She clutched her hands before her. The work gloves slipped through her fingers.
    Atlas picked one up, shook it, and held it in his mouth. Ry snagged it from him before he could gnaw a hole in the leather. He then picked up those on the ground.
    “I didn’t make your appointment,” Beth confessed. “Halo and Landon showed up, and time got away from me. I’m so sorry.”
    He could live without a haircut. What about the dinner reservation? “The Pier House?” he inquired, already knowing the answer. The look on her