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“If you say so. You two looked awfully chummy.”

“But then I called you when I needed help,” she pointed out.

“I live closer.”

“You know that’s not the reason.”

His smile said he did.

Taylor went into the linen closet and pulled out a bunch of towels. “Well, might as well get started on this.”

“You sop and I’ll try to fix the pipe.”

“You can do that?”

“With tape I can. I have it in the truck. It’ll be temporary, until the pipe can be replaced. Which I can do tomorrow, if you want.”

“You’d do that for me?”

His head tilted to the side and the look he gave her said she was crazy to ask.

Okay, so if nothing else, he was still her best friend.

An hour later, after cleaning up the kitchen and having a cup of coffee together, Coop rose from the table. “It’s late. I need my beauty sleep.”

She laughed, because it really was funny. Coop was one of the most masculine, appealing men she’d ever known. He wasn’t pretty, except for his striking eyes, yet he had the kind of rugged good looks most women dream about.

She rose as well and walked him to the door. “I can’t thank you enough. I’m sure Julie and Miguel appreciate your fast action in saving the house.”

“All in a day’s work.”

He winked and that one gesture gave her the courage to reach up and kiss his cheek. “Thanks again. I mean it.”

Their eyes met for a few lingering seconds and then he nodded. “I’ll be by in the morning around nine to see about replacing the pipe. Don’t call a plumber just yet.”

“Sounds good.” It really did. She’d have coffee and muffins waiting for him.

He bid her good-night, walked to his truck, started the engine and then waved to her before taking off.

*

By 9:30 thenext morning, Taylor paced the kitchen floor. The faux wood was almost dry, thanks to two box fans she’d set out last night. Banana chip muffins were waiting and freshly brewed coffee was keeping warm in the coffeemaker. Where was Coop? He’d said nine o’clock. Had something come up with his work? Or had he forgotten about her?

She made herself busy by scrubbing the kitchen counters until they sparkled and then checked drawers and cabinets, making sure she hadn’t missed any water damage. Whenever she got antsy, she would clean. It kept her nerves at bay, kept her hands busy and kept her mind from going to crazy places. Yep, Taylor could scrub like the best of them.

Once she was through, she gave the kitchen a good long look. Goodness, the damage could’ve been much worse. She felt responsible for the house in Julie’s absence and it was all fine and good, until something like this happened. Even Muffy seemed to know something was off. She hadn’t made an appearance in the kitchen since it all happened.

Her cell phone rang, but the tone was muffled. She searched the kitchen, sure she’d brought it in here earlier. And on the fourth ring, she finally figured out the ring was coming from the top drawer by the sink. She must’ve dropped it in there accidentally this morning while she was cleaning. She grabbed it quickly, hoping to catch whoever was on the other end. “Hello? Hello?”

“Taylor?”

Coop’s voice was low, pained, and she pushed the phone closer to her ear. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

She knew him. Knew when he wasn’t himself. He sounded somber, bleak. It hurt her heart.

“It’s my dad. He’s in the hospital.”

“Joe? Oh, no.” She clutched her chest, totally not expecting this. “What happened?”