He throws his head back and shakes it like he has a mane, as he puffs through his lips like a horse. “Baby girl, I know so many things about so many things, it would blow your mind. I’ve got a great library, and I’ve been plumbing its depths.”
“Mmm,” I agree around my mouthful before I swallow. “There’s a lot about you that’s mind-blowing, and I appreciate the insights you’ve shared already, and I look forward to learning more… Perhaps tomorrow?”
Daryl winks at me. “Ask Michelle if she minds you staying at the library an hour longer, so you can work on the new searchable database you’re creating for the books.”
I open my mouth, to say that sounds like a lie people will need evidence of, but then I look at his smile more carefully. Not many people know this semi-retired rodeo champ also worked as a coder for a software company, before his pal, Jason, got him into investing. They only know he works from home, for too few hours to be doing anything honorable or worthwhile. But I know this man can ride a bronco, run a self-made charitable foundation and scholarship fund from his kitchen, make my body tingle from head to toe, and do any other damned thing he puts his mind to. “You’re going to help me digitize the catalog?”
“Only if you want me to, Sweetness.”
10
DARYL
Ipeer through the cracked-open storeroom door, watching Cady work and feeling like a total creeper.
To keep her dad’s spies from reporting back to him, I left my truck at home, snuck through the bushes, and broke into the library’s back room again. The stalker-vibes are real and gross, but necessary to keep our love a secret, so I’ll have to embrace them for now, despite how much I’d like to shatter the illusion this sleepy town is under, by declaring my love for her from the rooftops. It would open a few eyes and a few clattering jaws, that’s for sure.
I lean closer, straining to hear what she’s chatting about with Danielle Peters.
“… be a fun night. The Thompson’s are so generous to offer up their big old barn — though I think they only did it, so they’d get some help to tidy it up,” Danielle says, while Cady stamps her books. “That thing is like a museum of old garbage.”
“A real piece of history,” Cady agrees.
“It would have been easier for them to have it in one of their other barns or sheds. They’ve got about a million of them, but I guess those don’t have the same…character.”
Cady nods along. “Character is important.”
Danielle ducks down to look Cady in the face. “You don’t sound too excited about the social gathering of the season. Are you not going?”
Cady shrugs. “I’m not sure I’ll be able to. Dad’s been pretty involved, so he’ll want to be there, and I know Michelle is going, so I can’t ask her to stay with Mom… It’ll depend on if Mom’s having a good day or not, if I can bring her along. But I don’t really have anything to wear, and if I’m honest, I’ll probably have more fun at home reading a book.”
Her tone is lifeless and resigned, and I make a mental note to help her find a babysitter for her mom, because even though she does love to read, I think the truth is that she’d actually love to go to a fucking barn dance and let her hair down. I may have to figure out a way to keep her dad from attending, so she can do it guilt-free…
“Well, that’s a shame. It’d be a great place for a sweet girl like you to meet a nice man. I know your father has very high standards, but there must be someone he wouldn’t mind you dating. What about that Miller kid? He’s quite impressive. I heard your father speaking about him the other day — he only had good things to say. Maybe he’d approve?”
Cady looks up from the books she’s ordered into a pile. “Hansen Miller? He’snineteen. And openly gay, despite everyone very inappropriately trying to deny it and convince him otherwise.” She sighs so loudly, I can feel it as much as hear it from where I am. “Clearly, my father and I have different criteria when it comes to finding me a romantic match, and I don’t intend to turn up to a barn dance, for Hansen and me to be humiliated by the warped intentions of others. So thanks for the heads-up. Social event of the season or not, it’s a definitenofrom me.” She slides Danielle’s books across her desk in a very clear,We’re done here, gesture.
Danielle collects the books and clutches them to her chest. “You’re a bit snippy today, Cadence. You’re usually so sweet and wholesome, and I’m only trying to help. I know you won’t want to be single forever, and you’ll catch more flies with sugar, you know.”
Cady gives her a strained smile. “Thank you for the advice, Ms. Peters. I’ll remember that gem if I ever find myself wanting to catch and marry a fly. You have a nice day, now.” She waves her off and excuses herself from the desk to head my way — to the off-limits back room, where nosy townspeople aren’t welcome to pry.
I press myself back against the wall, so she doesn’t see me and give a surprised scream or something while Danielle Peters is still in earshot.
Cady enters, closes the door behind her, and leans against it with a frustrated groan.
“Tough day at the office, Babe?” I ask quietly, opening my arms for a hug.
She jumps, snaps her head my way and grins. She rushes toward me and jumps into my arms. “Not anymore,” she whispers back, before laying a hot and heavy kiss on me.
I tug up her long skirt, getting it out of the way so she can wrap her legs around me. My hands find her ass bare, and I utter a grunt of approval as I give it a hearty squeeze. “Cadence Malone. You seem to have forgotten to put on underwear.”
“Scandalous, isn’t it?” Her eyes are sparkling, and there’s an energy radiating off her that I adore.
“You’re late,” she whispers, rubbing herself against me as I stroke her pussy. “I thought you might not be coming.”
“I had to go to Morrinsville this morning.”
“You did?” Her brow etches with cute furrows. “Why?”
