Forever Summer - Melody Grace Page 0,18

with boxes and baubles as high as the ceiling. Thank God Cooper had already called ahead for her.

“Faucets are aisle five,” the guy behind the counter said. “Just pick out the styles you like and I’ll see if we can order it in your finish.”

“Thanks!”

Evie followed his directions down the cavernous aisles, but she found herself getting distracted at every turn. Swooping pendant lights … elegant, mirrored medicine cabinets … even those dreaded sconces: they had it all. She had to go retrieve a cart to carry everything—she just couldn’t stop. And sure, maybe she didn’t need a five-foot garden fountain in the shape of a Greek god, but it could be a conversation piece. Right?

Evie was saved from another reckless garden splurg when she spotted the bathroom fixtures she wanted. She hurried over to the display. The matte brass finish was perfect for a classic, chic look, and as for the price?

She pumped her fist into the air. “Score!”

The boxes were stacked on a high shelf, out of reach, and there was nobody around to help, but she found a ladder halfway down the aisle and managed to drag it over. She climbed up and reached for the carton, trying not to bring the whole row tumbling down.

Just a little farther… almost there …

“What is it about you and ladders?”

The familiar voice made Evie yelp. She twisted her head around to find Noah standing beneath her with an amused expression on his face.

“You!” she managed to blurt, flustered. The ladder swayed, and he grabbed her legs to steady her—which had exactly the opposite effect.

What was it about this man who threw her so off-balance? Literally!

“What are you doing here?” Evie demanded.

“Coming to your rescue. Again.” Noah grinned. “You know, you should get yourself one of those panic buttons, like the ones they give seniors. That way, you’d have 911 on speed dial.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Evie said, deadpan. At least today she was wearing pants without any rips in them, but that was a small mercy considering his eyeline was directly level with her ass—again. “But for your information, I don’t need your help,” she lied, still hanging on for dear life.

“Could have fooled me,” Noah said, still smirking. “How about you come down before you do yourself some serious damage?”

Evie paused, torn between pride and a fear of bringing the entire shelf toppling down on both their heads.

Fear won.

She scrambled down and tried to pull herself together as Noah climbed up and easily retrieved the carton. This time, at least, he was out of his firefighter’s uniform—although the soft cotton of his sky-blue T-shirt wasn’t a whole lot better when it came to making her pulse kick. And as for the fit of those jeans …

Noah glanced down and caught her staring. “Are you ogling my ass?” he asked, lips quirked in amusement.

She tore her eyes away. “Fair’s fair,” she replied, somehow managing to sound cool.

He chuckled. “How many more do you need?” he asked.

Evie checked her list. “Six—no, seven!”

He grabbed the rest of the boxes and set them in the cart. “Bathroom faucets, huh?” he said, reading the label. “Glamorous.”

“Yup,” Evie agreed. “After this, I might head over to the cabinet aisle and really go wild with some knobs.”

Noah snorted with laughter, and Evie suddenly realized what she’d said. “You know what I mean!” she exclaimed, blushing. “Anyway, what are you doing here?” she added, narrowing her eyes. Surely Sweetbriar Cove wasn’t small enough to explain all their unexpected run-ins. “Are you stalking me?

“If you’ll recall, last time you called me,” Noah pointed out. “And I’m here for the same reason as you.” He grabbed another faucet from the shelf and waved it in the air.

Evie’s lips twitched. “We live a wild, reckless life.”

Noah grinned at her, but then his smile slipped, almost like he was remembering something. “I should probably go check out,” he said, a little curter this time.

“Me too,” Evie agreed, wrangling her cart and falling into step beside him. “If I stay too much longer I’ll probably spend my entire redecorating budget on ornamental fountains. Something tells me Cooper wouldn’t be too impressed.”

“So, he took the job then?” Noah asked.

“How did you—” Evie gave him a sidelong look. “Wait, were you the one to tell him that I desperately needed help?”

Noah gave a shrug. “Maybe. I am supposed to be keeping an eye on you, after all. For Debra,” he added.

Evie’s shoulders settled.. She could hardly be mad at him for interfering when