She checked out, loaded the car, and headed home. The guy from the landscaping company was supposed to be coming to do the yard at five thirty, and she had just enough time to meet him. As soon as she pulled into her driveway, she saw Gabriel sweeping up grass and bobbing his head to what she assumed was music coming through the earbuds in his ears. He wore a tank top and shorts, and she sat watching the way the muscles in his arms bunched and flexed with every movement. As if sensing her scrutiny, he turned and smiled. Serenity felt her cheeks warm with embarrassment and quickly pulled into the garage and got out of the car.

The man must think I’m crazy, sitting in the car staring at him like I don’t have good sense. Except it made perfect sense because the man’s body was an absolute work of art. Not to mention, he had a smile that reminded her of pure sunshine, and whenever he looked at her with those beautiful eyes, her heart skipped a beat. She felt the heat between them but was determined to ignore it. Putting her mind back where it belonged, she popped the trunk and grabbed two bags.

Gabriel closed the distance between them, yanked out an earbud, then took out his phone and paused his music. “Hey, Serenity. Need some help?”

“Hi. I’d love some help. Thanks.” He grabbed the other five bags easily and followed her in through the garage entrance. She quickened her steps to the kitchen counter and dumped the bags to catch her ringing cell. “Hello.” Serenity listened to the excuse the landscaper gave and felt her anger rise. She disconnected and tossed the phone on the counter. “Ugh! Why can’t people just do what they say?”

“Um…where do you want these?”

She’d forgotten about Gabriel. “I’m sorry. You can just set them on the island.”

He carefully set them down, then came back to where she stood. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah. Just the lawn care company canceling again. This is the second time this month. Pretty soon I’m going to need a hatchet to cut the grass.”

Gabriel rubbed her arm. “I’ll take care of it.”

Her surprised gaze met his. “Oh, I can’t ask you to do that, but thank you so much for offering.”

“You didn’t ask. I offered, and it’s no problem. My mower is still out, and it’ll only take about an hour or so.”