Page 16 of Home to the Cowboy

Surprised, June stared at her. “How …? Oh, yes, small towns.”

Eyes twinkling, she held out her hand. “I’m Taylor Sheenan, the librarian. It’s lovely to meet you. Rumor has it,” she lowered her voice, “one of the most sought-after bachelors in town is already smitten with you.”

Stunned, June stared at the woman. “How …?”

Taylor’s eyes were twinkling. “Oh, Aurelia Hill made sure everyone in town knows which cowboy’s truck was parked in front of your house on Sunday evening.”

At a loss for words, June closed her mouth.

Smiling, the woman patted her arm. “People haven’t been this excited since Rose Dalton arrived a year ago. If you’re willing to read or tell the children one more story, I’ll find you the two books you’re looking for.” Winking, she moved away.

“How do …?” June asked.

“Ellie phoned yesterday!” With a wave she disappeared behind a huge bookshelf.

There was a tug at June’s dress. Looking down, she found a little girl staring up at her. “Will you read us a story? I’m Lucy.”

Smiling, June crouched down. “Hi Lucy. May I tell you a story?” She looked at the other kids. “I’ll let you in on a secret. I want to write a book just like these,” she motioned to the books lying around, “but I’m not sure whether you’ll like it. If I tell you the story, will you let me know what you think?”

“As long as it’s not about another fairy,” a little boy grumbled.

“What about a story about a little dragon?” June asked.

Their eyes lit up. “Yes!” they all cried in unison.

“That’s your chair,” a little girl said, pointing to the chair where the librarian had just sat.

“If you don’t mind,” said June as she sat cross-legged in front of them, “I’m going to join you on the carpet.”

As she settled, a little girl moved closer until she was just about on top of June. As if this was some kind of sign, all the other kids moved closer as well.

“Gather closer,” she said as she dropped her voice, “nobody else can know about our story just yet, okay?”

“Okay!” they called out in unison.

“Well, Pepper was a little dragon with bright purple scales and a tail that was a bit too long. Whenever Pepper tried to walk quietly, his tail swish-swish-swooshed behind him, knocking over buckets and flowerpots and even the laundry.”

Big, round eyes were drinking in every word she was saying.

*

A water line had broken, and when Hayden asked at the breakfast table if anyone was going into town later that morning to pick up a length of PVC pipe, Dylan volunteered. He was restless, out of sorts.

“He’s talking again,” Becket chuckled. “Everything okay, Dylan? You weren’t yourself yesterday.”

“Well,” grinned Willow, “Auraelia Hill has apparently been spreading the news that your truck has been seen parked in front of the house June is staying in.”

Gnashing his teeth, Dylan got up from the table. “Well, I won’t be parking there again.”

“What happened between you two?” asked Ellie. “On Sunday night I picked up on some sizzling between the two of you.”

“Yeah, well,” Dylan said, “apparently, she wants to date other people as well. I’ll see you later.”

As he was leaving the kitchen, Isabella hurried closer. “What time will you be finished in town, Dylan? I need a favor.”

“For you, anything.” His smile was stiff, but how the hell was he supposed to be smiling when all he could think about was June?

“I’m taking some of the younger kids of the workers to the library this morning for story time. I don’t have anything else to do in town so it would be great if you can bring them back when you’re done, then I can return earlier. Susan, Sam’s wife, is going with them, but her car is in for repairs.”