Changeling by Kelly Meding Read Free Book Online Page B

fault. That if I’d just tried harder, I wouldn’t have broken his heart.
    But Noah . . . I could easily be attracted to him, if I let myself.
    Doubt crept in on stealthy feet as I remembered the Asian girl and her mile-long legs. Him asking about her outfit meant she kept clothes there. The banter was familiar, protective. And the look in his eyes when he realized I had money—a wall had gone up immediately, putting a distance between us where none had existed.
    Why are you worrying about this when there’s a job to do?
    A white service van trundled down the block to my vehicle. Work was my priority; everything else had to wait.

Five
    Noah Scott
    F ifteen minutes later, I entered the security code on the gate at Hill House and it squealed open. I drove forward and waved out the window for the van to follow. His engine ground. He backed up a few feet, and then made a sharp turn toward the driveway. I watched in the rearview, amused, wondering if he had just learned to drive in the last few days. He pulled up behind me and hopped out. He wore the same jeans but had changed shirts, swapping the flannel for a blue polo with his name stitched over the right breast pocket in yellow thread. Sunlight glinted off his eyes, making them radiate emerald fire.
    I climbed out of the Sport and met him by his van door.
    “Hey,” he drawled, and then whistled low. “Nice digs, Dahlia.”
    Those dollar signs hung between us again. “Um, thanks.”
    He opened the side door and rummaged around until he produced a white toolbox, then followed me up the front steps. I still wasn’t certain if he recognized me as Ember, or ifhe suspected who lived here. The mystery wouldn’t last long if we ran into Renee or Marco.
    The house had a long wraparound porch across the entire front and halfway down the east side. A peeling, rusty porch swing shifted in the breeze. Our footsteps creaked the boards. One of the double doors stood open, allowing light to filter through the stained-glass insert. Dots of red, blue, and green hit the porch and created a mosaic of color.
    We entered to the overwhelming odor of fresh paint and the steady thrum of music. Distant, but not upward, it had to be coming from the kitchen located at the very back corner of the main floor.
    Noah gazed around the spacious foyer, glistening with its new paint and polished baseboards. It would be impressive when we got the floor finished, furniture moved in, and a few items added. Teresa had commissioned a glass case to display several items very personal to the old Rangers, including a shadow box that held one of her father’s uniforms.
    Noah walked to the center of the lobby and stared straight up. His neck stretched gracefully, creating a perfect line with back and spine. It was the purposeful stance of someone seeking—
    “Dahlia?”
    I jerked my head. He was asking me a question. “I’m sorry, what?”
    “I asked if you would be replacing the fixture here in the lobby.”
    “What do you think?”
    He raised one shoulder in a half shrug. “I think it’s in good working order and doesn’t show signs of age. As much as I’d like the commission on one more installation, I’m not afraid to admit I think you should keep it.”
    Wow, more honesty than I expected. “Then we’ll keep it.”
    Footsteps approached from the hall leading back toward the dining room and kitchen. Gage came through the arch. He stopped, a question on his lips, eyes glued to Noah.
    Noah gazed back, curiosity shifting to something that looked a lot like recognition. “Hey. Noah Scott, Scott and Sons Electrical.”
    After a brief pause, he said, “Gage,” and shook Noah’s hand. “You seem young for an electrician.”
    “I am. Took over when my dad passed away. It seemed important to keep the business in the family.”
    Gage considered him a moment longer—I recognized the signs. He was reading him, checking his pulse rate for signs of deception. Having a human lie detector on the team was