Page 100 of My Favorite Hero

“I am not an elf, you giant ape!”

I leaned down. “That’s true. I’ve never seen an elf with a spectacular rack like yours.”

Her mouth curved upward, and she struggled to say mad.

“That’s it,” she informed me, her voice haughty. “You’re on the naughty list—permanently.”

I started to laugh, and so did she. I pulled her into my arms and kissed her. “Fine, Pixie, you win. We’ll go get your shit. But only one urn. I don’t want one.”

“But the porch will look lopsided.”

I sighed as we walked back into the garden center. “Fine. But you look after them. The plants die, not my fault.”

She hugged my arm. “Okay.”

I muttered something about being whipped, but the truth was, I didn’t really care. I liked being bossed around by Casey.

“And no more throwing me over your shoulder,” she demanded.

“I dunno,” I mused. “I like you over my shoulder. Makes walking places go quicker.” I smirked down at her teasingly. “Those little legs of yours don’t go very fast.”

“You like my legs. Especially when they’re wrapped around your waist.”

I winked at her. “True enough.”

She grinned. “Funny Jesse is back.”

I shrugged. “Maybe.”

“I’m sure growling Thorne will show up again later, but I’ll deal with him then,” she said with a wink. “For now, I win.”

I let her think that.

Chapter Twenty-Three

CASEY

Iwas glad Jesse decided to build the herb garden boxes instead of me. There was much more to it than I’d thought. He set up some workhorses in the backyard as well as his table saw. He had all sorts of tools I had no idea how to use. He sketched out a better rendering than mine then started cutting and measuring.

I got bored quickly. He let me hold the wood as he cut boards to lengths and assured me I was helping, but I was pretty sure I was being more of a hindrance with all my questions.

“I’ll go make lunch,” I suggested.

“Great,” he replied, measuring a piece of wood and checking his drawing.

“I’ll poke around the garden and stay out of your way.”

“Mm-hmm,” he agreed absently.

“I’ll hang some more wind chimes while you’re busy.”

“Sure.”

Then he stopped. “Wait. What now?”

I laughed. “Gotcha.”

He swatted my butt. “Go get me lunch.”