“How would I know?”
“Ask.”
“If she’s back to help while her mom recovers, she won’t be here for long.” The words taste bitter in my mouth. She's probably got a whole life up in the city.
“So she's here now. That's what matters.” Brock shakes his head.
My phone buzzes with a text from Felix.
I need your help with one of the apartments on Sunday. Don't make me come drag you out of that cabin.
I text back.
Maybe.
If that means no, I’m coming to get you.
Great. Another night of my brother complaining about the tenants in his rental properties. Felix means well, but ever since Grandma died, he's been grumpy as hell.
“I should get back to work,” I tell Brock.
“Sure,” He heads for the door, then pauses. “You know, that diner could use some help with repairs. Might take more than one visit to get it all up to code.”
“Roger that. I’ll take care of it.”
“Right.”
I open a new inspection form. But all I can think about is how Noelle looked in that moment after the fire was out, her cheeks flushed, her honey-brown eyes wide behind those thick frames.
My phone rings. It’s my friend Clarence from the repair shop.
“Hey, Gabe. Heard you put out a fire at the diner. Everyone okay?”
I sigh. Nothing gets past Clarence. “All good, just a broiler fire. I handled it.”
“Good man. Jim's lucky you were nearby. That man needs to take better care of that place before it falls apart.”
“His daughter's back. She's helping out.”
“Noelle? Well now. Pretty girl. Smart too. Makes a man think about the future.”
Clarence was a friend of Grandma’s and he taught me everything I know about fixing things. His side hobby is trying to matchmake the single folks in Snowflake, with varying degrees of success.
I sigh. “It's just an inspection, Clarence.”
“Okay, son. Come over later, I have that wrench you wanted back in stock.”
I close my phone and try to focus on my work, but my mind keeps drifting. How Noelle said my name, breathy and surprised, like she couldn't quite believe I was real.
But she’ll be gone after Christmas. That is, unless I can find a way to convince her to stick around?
Chapter Three
NOELLE
I changed my outfit three times this morning.
I’m in dark jeans that actually fit, a soft green sweater that Avery once said brings out the amber in my eyes, and I’ve even put on mascara and lip gloss.
