Karen Rose: I Can See You

“I got a good deal. Myron didn’t want me telling anyone he’d sabotaged the roof, so he heavily discounted the asking price.”

“But what are you using for money?” she repeated. “You’re not rich.”

David sat back and studied her face. “I sold my garage.”

Eve’s mouth fell open again. “Your body shop in Chicago? You’ve had it for years.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve had somebody running it for me, ever since I joined the fire department, and that guy’s been asking to buy it. So I sold it.”

Eve’s mind was reeling. “Just like that? My God.”

“And I gave my notice to my captain at the fire department,” David added.

Noah sat down beside her, heavily. “Why? You weren’t hurt that badly…”

“No, it’s nothing like that. I applied with the fire department here and in St. Paul.”

Eve sat back, stunned. “David. I can’t keep up.”

He smiled at her. “Actually you led the way. Gave me the push I needed anyway. You were right. I was hiding in Chicago, just like you were. I decided it was time to start fresh, just like you did.” He gave her a wink. “Maybe I’ll be like you when I grow up.”

“So what if you don’t get the job here?” Eve asked, bewildered.

“Then I’ll fix this place up, flip it, buy the place next door and do the same. You reinvented yourself, Eve. It’s about time I did the same.”

“I don’t understand,” Noah murmured. “Do I need to?”

She smiled serenely. “No. It’s all good. I’m going to pack a bag and go to Noah’s. This chair is the only furniture I want. The rest can stay with the house.”

“The rest can go in a bonfire,” David said, shaking his head.

“If I decide not to stay with the new management,” she said archly, “I’ll move my chair to Noah’s.” She glanced up at Noah. “If you can’t bring the mountain to Mohammed.”

Noah’s lips twitched. “I see.”

She smiled at him. “I thought you might.”

“I don’t want to see,” David said with a scowl.

“Exactly my point,” Eve said, rising. “There are some things family shouldn’t see.”

David watched her go back to her room, contemplatively. “Make her happy, Noah.”

“That’s my plan.” Noah gave David a measuring look. “You do body work?”

The measuring stare was returned. “Some. Why?”

“I’ve got this ’69 Dodge Charger that’s been sitting in my garage in pieces.”

Hunter nodded. “I can help with that. And if I don’t get a firehouse right away, I might start up another shop. You know this starting all over might not be so bad.”

“We all need a nudge sometimes.” Noah stood as Eve re-emerged, a bag over one shoulder. “Life’s too short to stand back and watch from the sidelines.”

She tilted her head, hearing the last part of the conversation, her lips curving in that half smile that had first attracted him. “No more dipping our toes in. From here on out, it’s just one big cold pool. Cannonballs, big splashes. Babe .”

Noah laughed as David grimaced. “Sounds painful,” David said.

Eve pressed a hard kiss to Noah’s mouth. “Actually, the water’s warm. Ready?”

And Noah found that indeed, he was.

KAREN ROSE is an award-winning author who fell in love with books from the time she learned to read. She started writing stories of her own when the characters in her head started talking and just wouldn’t be silenced. A former chemical engineer and high school chemistry and physics teacher, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of twenty years, their two children, and the family cat, Bella. When she’s not writing, Karen is practicing for her next karate belt test! Karen would be thrilled to receive your e-mail at karen@karenrosebooks.com.