Chapter Thirteen

      “Ma’am, I’d recommend not blocking the fire hydrant next time.”

      Noah hated giving the elderly lady a ticket, but she’d parked illegally and apparently the shop owner on the corner had warned her several times he’d call the police.

      “There are no handicap spots on this street,” she argued.

      Noah pulled in a deep breath and glanced around. There were no designated spots, but that didn’t justify breaking the law. He’d talk to the captain about the parking, but for now, Noah had to do his job.

      “You’re new in town,” the elderly woman said. “Maybe you don’t know who I am.”

      His pity for her instantly evaporated. Here he was, his shift over, yet he stood on the sidewalk arguing with a woman who thought she could throw her name around.

      “No, I’m not sure who you are, ma’am,” he informed her, shifting his stance and crossing his arms over his chest. “But I do know that nobody is above the law and Mr. Harris would like for you to not block the front of his store.”

      Noah had worked four hours overtime to help the captain out while he was short-staffed today. The wife of one of the other officers had gone into labor so Noah and the evening officer were splitting the extra shift. Which was how Noah found himself dealing with more traffic violations than usual.

      “My husband is the retired mayor of Stonerock,” she exclaimed. “Maybe you should worry about writing tickets for actual criminals.”

      Noah rubbed his forehead and adjusted his hat. “Ma’am, I can’t pick and choose who gets to obey the law. Please, just find another place to park and I’ll see what I can do about the handicap spaces.”

      She tipped her chin and adjusted her purse over her shoulder before snatching the ticket from his hand. Then she spun on her heel and got into her car, pulling away from the curb and running a red light.

      Noah shook his head as he walked around the corner to where he’d had to park in a legal spot. Now he could head back to the station and end his shift. He was more than ready for a day off. His schedule had been so screwed up over the past week, he’d barely had time to see Lucy other than at work. He missed her, and that was such a telling sign that she was more to him than just a friend.

      Each time her voice came over his radio, he couldn’t help but flash back to when he’d spent that morning in her bed, then the afternoon in her shower.

      Keeping up appearances as just coworkers was becoming increasingly difficult. She’d worked last night, but had left at her regular time while he’d still been out on patrol. When the day shift dispatcher’s voice came over the radio, Noah didn’t like the change. He wanted his lifeline to be Lucy.

      By the time he’d gone back to the station and hopped into his truck to head home, he was more than ready to make plans. He was done with trying to dodge her and pretend they were friends who’d slept together. He’d asked for time and all this past week had done was prove just how much he wanted to be with her. At least to get to know her more, to try to understand what was happening between them.

      He shot off a text, knowing she’d get it when she woke up. He needed to get home and get some rest himself before getting Emma.

      As he drove down the main part of town, he spotted Gray outside the bar. There was a pickup truck backed up on the sidewalk and he and Sam were unloading something.

      Noah pulled into the adjoining lot and jogged up the sidewalk. “Need a hand?”

      Gray had his hands full holding up one end of a long, raw edge piece of countertop. “Your timing is perfect.”

      “This is one heavy counter,” Sam agreed from the bed of the truck. “Another pair of hands will make this so much easier.”

      The three of them finally got the piece into the front door and laid it across some tables that Gray had scooted together. Noah wiped his hands on his pants and propped his hands on his hips as he glanced around the bar. In the daylight with all the lights on, the place looked quite a bit larger.

      “We haven’t actually met,” Noah stated, holding his hand out to Sam. “I’m Noah Spencer.”

      “Sam Bailey,” he replied, giving a firm shake of his hand. “Thanks for helping. Gray is determined to get that bar set up in the back room and he’s hell-bent on us doing it.”

      Gray ran his hand over the new piece of gleaming countertop. “Why would I pay someone when you need the distraction and I need a job done? I give you free beer, so quit complaining.”

      “You just getting off your shift?” Sam asked Noah.

      Noah nodded, stifling a yawn. “Worked overtime this morning and I was headed home when I saw you guys. I can help if you need something.”

      Gray shook his head. “No. Go on home to bed. I’m sure you’re exhausted. The hard part was getting it off the truck. Sam and I can take it from here.”

      “I’ll stop in later to see if you need anything,” he promised. “I’m willing to work for free beer, too.”

      Gray laughed. “You get free beer for not hauling my butt in when I hit you.”

      Noah shook his head. “Don’t think anything of it. But if you hit me again, I’ll hit back and put your butt in the back of the patrol car.”

      “I forgot about that,” Sam stated. Then he turned to Gray. “You need to cool it where Kate is concerned. That woman is nothing but trouble.”

      “She’s the kind of trouble I want to get into,” Gray claimed.

      Noah was not getting involved in anybody’s woman troubles, not when he had his own chaos to deal with. Now was a good time to get the hell out of here.