Page 55 of Where I Found You
Delia wasn’t wearing a cape, but the woman had always possessed a superhero-type ability with people. His fight deflated, sagging his shoulders. “Mama D, I don’t think Wonder Woman would doubt your powers.”
“Good boy.” She patted his arm. “I’d offer to buy you a coffee for your trouble, but I think that defeats the whole point.”
Elisa offered him a sympathetic half smile. Now that his vision was clearing and his mind settling down from the adrenaline, Elisa’s proximity registered quick and hot on his bare arms. Like maybe there was a fire after all.
Noah cleared his throat, drawing his arms closer to his torso as he angled away from Elisa. If he couldn’t see her, he could pretend like last night didn’t happen. Pretend like he wasn’t still embarrassed about her rejection and desperate to finish what they’d almost started, all at the same time. He focused on Delia. “Are you going back to work today?”
“Waiting on the inspection to clear, then we’ll get all that sorted out.” She studied him, and her eyes narrowed. “Someone sure is looking fancy for a Friday. What have you been up to?”
Uh-oh. He shifted his stare slightly over her shoulder, out the window. From Delia’s position, she could easily see down the street to the bank…which he’d left roughly ten minutes ago.
There was no way she could know about his request for a loan, even if she saw him leaving the building. Still, his stomach knotted. “Just errands. Then rushed here to save the day.”
“You did that earlier in the week.” She dipped her head toward Elisa. “Bothof you took great care of me before they carted me off to the hospital and force-fed me cherry gelatin.”
Elisa ducked her chin and averted her eyes.
Yeah, Delia was up to something. They’d definitely been talking before he showed up.
Noah drummed his fingers on the table. “Mama D, is there a reason no one else is rushing into the Chug a Mug worried about an emergency?”
“You know what?” Delia snapped her fingers. “I just remembered I’m late to meet Sadie at Second Story. She’s been holding a few books for me to read while I’m under doctor’s orders to rest more.”
Elisa’s eyes widened. “You’re leaving?”
“It’s down the street, dear. I’ll manage.” She wheeled herself back from the table.
Elisa’s arm shot helplessly toward Delia. “But?—”
“After all, I’m sure you two have plenty to talk about.” Delia neatly dodged her grasp.
Noah nearly choked. Had Elisa told her about last night?
Delia kept rolling steadily around their table, twisting to speak over her shoulder. “You know, with trying to find the next clue and all.”
The clues. Not the kiss. Noah relaxed slightly. Elisa must have told Delia about the treasure hunt, which was fine. Delia made pretty much every “need-to-know” list in the south.
But what neither of them knew was that if Owen got him this loan, he didn’t plan to finish the hunt.
“Be careful!” Elisa called after Delia, who was already rapidly progressing toward the front door. A college-aged student with headphones draped around his neck stopped to hold it open for her, then lingered in the doorway as he stared toward the counter.
Noah twisted in his seat to follow the young man’s gaze right to Miley, who was unabashedly dancing to the song playing overhead while singing into a bottle of creamer. The guy quickly replaced his headphones and made an about-face, the door drifting shut behind him.
He sighed as he turned back to face Elisa. “I guess word spreads quickly.”
“I’m telling you—the weather report matters.” Elisa nudged her cup toward him. “Try it if you don’t believe us.”
“Weather report is a much better phrase than ‘danger.’” Noah shook his head. “Only Delia. What do you bet I’m the only text she even sent?”
Elisa smirked a little. “Last time I made a bet you got mad.”
“Not mad, remember?” Oh no, they were headed back into flirty waters already. He cleared his throat, stifling the urge to pick up where they’d left off last night. “Well, I’m glad Mama D is feeling good enough to stir up trouble.”
“Speaking of trouble.” Elisa tugged the latest clue card from her purse. “We never got to brainstorm last night.”
“Right. We were…interrupted.”
“Right.”
