Her Small-Town Romance

“My pleasure.” Libby backed up a step. “We won’t keep you.”

“You don’t mind, do you?” Jake pulled out the chair next to Bryan and sat.

“We don’t want to interrupt.” Libby gave Jake a pointed glare.

“But, Libby, all the tables are full.” Jake grabbed a menu. “I’m starving.”

“Please, join us.” Jade gestured to the empty chair next to hers. Libby draped her purse over the back of it.

Bryan asked Jake about his job, but his eyes met Jade’s. Questions lurked in there, ones she couldn’t decipher.

“So, Jade, tell me all about yourself.” Libby gave Jade her full attention. She beamed with interest...and hope. Why the hope?

“What do you want to know?”

“How did you meet my brother?”

“Well, I moved here yesterday...”

“Oh! The T-shirt shop, right? You’re in Mrs. Reichert’s building around the corner. I think it’s a fantastic idea.”

Jade didn’t know how to respond. How did Libby know so much?

Bryan’s eyes glimmered with amusement as he said, “No secrets in this town.”

Apparently not. “Yes, I specialize in custom-designed shirts.”

“Embroidered?” Libby splayed hot-pink fingernails on the table. Jade couldn’t help but be charmed.

“Sometimes. Mostly I make standard screen prints, but I enjoy playing around with glitter lettering, rhinestones and shimmer decals.”

“Glitter and sparkles?” Jake snorted. “Sounds right up Libby’s alley.”

Libby’s laugh tinkled. “Exactly. You’ll have to show me some of your designs.”

“I’d love to.”

“So how did you two meet?” Libby’s lips parted slightly as she gestured to Bryan, then to Jade.

“Jade’s from Las Vegas. She’s taking my outdoor course.” The way Bryan said it discouraged additional questions. A point in Bryan’s favor. He was discreet.

“Outdoor class.” Libby made a face and stuck her tongue out. “Don’t tell me you’re a nature nut, too, Jade.”

“No.” She grinned. “I can’t say I am.”

“That’s a relief.” Libby brought her hand to her lips. “Oh, me and my big mouth. What if you were obsessed with the outdoors? My sister, Claire, is always saying I need to think before I speak.”

Jade laughed. “I wouldn’t be offended. I don’t know much about nature.”

“Well, Bryan will help you. He knows everything there is to know about trees, bugs, fishing, making a fire. He’ll go on for hours about soil and worms and how the silver undersides of leaves mean rain’s coming.” Libby turned her attention to Bryan. “I mean that in the nicest possible way.”

His jaw clenched, but he didn’t reply.

Libby continued. “Talk about uncanny. I mean, you moved here yesterday, you want to learn about nature and Bryan just happened to be teaching a class this morning. It’s as if God planned it.”

Jade did a double take. She’d thought the same, but hearing it from a stranger? She stole a peek at Bryan. He frowned as though he, too, pondered Libby’s words.

“What’s Las Vegas like?” Jake asked. “I’ve never been there.”

All the things Jade loved about it bubbled up inside. “It’s hot, loud and over-the-top. A fun place to visit. There’s so much to do—that is, if you can handle the crowds.”

“I’m not much of a crowd person.” Jake grinned.

“Tell me about it.” Libby shook her head. “That leaves you out, too, Bryan.”

Everything Libby was saying didn’t add up to the picture Jade had been painting of Bryan, the one where he was another too-good-to-be-true guy poised to let her down.

It didn’t matter. Jade was not interested.

“How many are in your family?” Jade asked Libby.

“Depends on how you define family,” Libby said. “There are five of us kids. Add Jake, Reed, Stephanie and Macy, plus Dad. And Aunt Sally and Uncle Joe, and...”

Libby listed more names, but the pizza arrived. Bryan dished out the slices. Half an hour later, Jake and Bryan paid the bill, and they all walked Jade back to her apartment.

“It’s so cute.” Libby stopped in front of the store. “If you need help with decorating or anything, call me.”

“Thanks.” Jade liked Libby already. “Do you all want to come up? It’s a disaster, but...”

“Oh, no,” Libby said. “We’ll let you settle in. It was nice to meet you.”

With his arm slung over her shoulders, Jake steered Libby in the opposite direction.

The air had grown even cooler, and Jade shivered under her coat.

“So,” she said. “I guess I’ll see you next week.”

He frowned. “You still want to come to the classes?”

“Yeah, why?” Had he changed his mind during pizza or something? If he told her he wouldn’t teach her anymore, she didn’t know what she’d do. Her backup plan was dicey and not well thought out. Sure, she could try finding another counselor, but would that cure her when past sessions had failed? She was counting on Bryan’s class. Lake Endwell was too important—the key to her dream life. She didn’t want to start over somewhere else.

“More people will be there,” he said. “You might not be ready to go into the woods.”

“Oh, right.” Her good mood disappeared. She’d assumed she’d be the only one to show up, the way she’d been today. But he was correct. If more people came, she wouldn’t be ready to hike in the woods. It might take weeks—months—for her to be prepared. An overwhelming urge to crawl into bed and duck under the covers came over her.

“What are you doing tomorrow afternoon?” The intensity in his stare made her blink twice, and her pulse quickened.

“Unpacking, why?”