Read Twice Blessed for Free Online Page A

words.
    Noah did not listen to the voice tempting him to tease her. They had gotten off to a bad start, and as he planned to stay around Haven for as long as possible, he would be wise not to alienate everyone in town. He suspected Miss Delancy’s opinions carried a lot of weight in this small village, where everyone would come into her store eventually.
    He set his hat back on his head and tipped it toward her. “I sure will, Miss Delancy. Thank you for your help.”
    â€œGetting supplies for my customers is my job.”
    â€œI wasn’t talking about that.”
    Again pink washed along her cheeks, but this time it was not embarrassment. She was pleased. When she smiled, he did, too.
    â€œYou’re very welcome, Mr. Sawyer.”
    He took the page she held out to him. For a moment, it was a bridge between them, joining them in some nebulous way. Then she released her side and began to tie the other papers back together in a neat stack.
    He folded the invoice and stuck it in his pocket along with his wallet. As he walked out of the store, he heard her cry, “Botheration!”
    He turned to see her standing on tiptoe to put the pages back on the upper shelf. All around her other papers tumbled to the floor.
    Mr. Baker was trying to get to his feet, calling, “Let me help you.”
    â€œNo, let me,” Noah said. “It’s my fault.”
    â€œIt’s no one’s fault.” Miss Delancy tried to capture some of the papers, but even more fell.
    Noah strode back to the counter as she disappeared behind it. He saw her on her knees as she gathered the papers into a single pile. Over her head, the shelf trembled. He catapulted over the counter, ignoring the scale that rang like a bell when his boot struck it. Then he steadied the shelf and shoved back the heavy books before they could fall.
    â€œWhat are you doing?” she cried. “Are you—”
    â€œTrying to keep you from getting some sense knocked into your head.” He drew his hands back slightly, but the shelf tilted again. He used his hands as bookends to lift the books down to the counter. Dropping them there with a thump that drew a grin from Mr. Baker, he said, “These were ready to knock the spots off you.”
    She looked up, brushed her hair back out of her face, and gave him an uneven smile. “Thank you, Mr.—”
    â€œNoah. My name’s Noah. And yours?”
    â€œEmma.”
    He smiled. That name fit her perfectly. Short and to the point, a very no-nonsense name. “Let me help you pick these up.”
    â€œNo need,” she said, stacking the pages again.
    â€œIt’s no trouble.” He squatted beside her in the narrow space between the shelves and the counter. When he noticed she was being selective about which ones she took, he asked, “Do you need these in any particular order?”
    â€œI keep them by date of the order, but you don’t need to bother.”
    â€œIt’s no bother.”
    She raised her eyes again, and he smiled as emotions sped through them like a runaway train. Hastily, she went back to work. “Thank you, Noah.” She picked up one page, then dropped it back to the floor and reached for another. She tossed that one aside again.
    â€œWhat date are you looking for?”
    â€œAnything from January.”
    Noah looked around himself and chuckled when he leaned against the counter so he could hoist one foot and pull out a page beneath his boot. “This one says January.” He brushed dirt from the page with the date written in big letters across the top. “Sorry.”
    â€œYou don’t have to apologize. ’Tis my fault for trying to shove everything up on that high shelf.”
    â€œDid you ever think of getting a step stool? I suspect the owner of Delancy’s General Store would be glad to order one for you.”
    She laughed, and he wondered if she had any idea what crazy things that lilting sound