Page 21 of Bobbing for Bodies

“I’d better get her home. Glad to see you’re safe.” He takes off after her, and I’m left in their wake.

“But I didn’t get your name!” I shout and suddenly feel like an idiot. I don’t need his name. Most superheroes prefer it that way.

Everett and that first encounter we had come back to mind, and a quiet laugh bubbles from me.

He’s going to be my superhero, all right, and Noah isn’t going to know a thing about it.

* * *

Country Cottage Roadis just as cozy as its moniker implies. The streets are narrow and heavily lined with liquid ambers and oaks in every spectrum of the citrine fall color spectrum. Each house has a cluster of pumpkins festooning its porch, and wreaths filled with fall leaves and acorns sit proudly against each and every door.

Noah parks in front of two gorgeous homes, one with white siding and a wraparound picket fence porch and the other a blue split-level with a balcony off the second story just above the front doors.

I take a step toward the white house and fall immediately in love with its bright red entry. “Thatdoor!” I coo. “And the banisters on the porch railing make it look as if it has a white picket fence. I think there’s a clear winner.”

Everett scowls at my quick assessment. “The only practical thing to do is look at both of them.”

“That’s just the logical side of you speaking,” I say as I look across the street. “So, which one is yours?” I ask, threading an arm around Noah’s waist.

“Second from the left.” He points to the cabin-like home adjacent to the one I like.

“Perfect. I’ll set my binoculars to look right into your living room window. I am prone to spy on occasion. I can’t help it. It’s the investigator in me.” I give his side a quick pinch, and he laughs.

“Why do you think I brought these to your attention?” He waggles his brows. “I’m prone to do the same. I can’t help it. It’s the investigator in me.”

We share a warm laugh before heading up to the white house, and Noah punches the combination to the lock box to let us inside. Immediately I’m taken.

“I am head over heels instantly in love,” I say. “And that’s my logical side speaking, Everett.” I skip right out into the spacious living room with a custom cutout in the wall for a television that could fit the one I own perfectly. A large fireplace sits underneath with a stone hearth, and the room opens nicely to a decent-sized dining room. Then there is the pièce de résistance, a spacious kitchen with light granite countertops with enough white glazed cabinets to house everything I own in, an island with a genuine slab of white marble, and behind it sits a commercial grade high-end oven. “Where do I sign?”

Noah rumbles with a laugh. “Let’s check out the bedrooms and make sure it’s exactly what you want.”

“Are you kidding?” Everett balks. “She’s not signing anything until she thoroughly investigates option two. Never sell out before you have to, Lemon.”

“I’m not selling out.” I’m quick to roll my eyes. But, my God, how I would sell out in a second if I had that contract in front of me. Noah already ran the numbers past me on the way over, and both are within my reach.

We sail from room to room, and each inch of this cavernous well-lit place screams home to me.

“Pancake is going to love this place. There’s so much for him to explore, to see, to do!”

“Pancake?” Everett looks as if I’m about to divulge the news of yet another supernatural wonder.

“Her cat,” Noah is quick to divulge.

“My friend. My verybestfriend. But don’t tell Keelie I said that. Pancake has been the dutiful man by my side ever since I brought him home.” I shoot a quick look to Noah, hoping he might offer up his services in that department. I’m not looking for a proposal for Pete’s sake. Just something to affirm how he feels about me.

“He sounds lovely,” Everett says, pointing the way to the door. “Shall we inspect house number two?”

The three of us head over, and I’m pleasantly surprised to see a far more spacious home than the one we just left, with an extra bedroom and bathroom attached.

“It’s amazing.”

“Told you.” Everett rocks back on his heels. “Always keep your options open, Lemon. You never know when you might be standing next to something better than what you have in hand.”

Noah growls as if he were rabid. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means exactly what it says.” He cuts him a sharp look. “I’m taking off. Thanks for letting me tag along for the adventure.” He nods my way. “Lemon, text me when you’re ready to claim your prize.”

My mouth falls open as he strides out the door, and I’m fuming he left us with such a cryptic remark.