A pleasant chime filled the air as the machine processed the information on the barcode and automatically printed out a date slip. Libby handed it to him, careful not to let her fingers brush his. “All done.”
“Thanks.” He put the slip into his pocket and picked up the book.
Pleased with how she handled the situation, Lobby tucked a stray curl behind her ear. She couldn’t help wondering if he’d noticed that she hadn’t accused him of stealing.
He turned to go, and then swivelled on his heel. “Miss Grant.”
“Yes?” Her pulse accelerated.
“I want to apologize.” He paused. “I may have been a little tough on you the other day when I brought you in for questioning.”
You bet you were. Some of the anger and frustration she’d experienced that day came rushing back and she fought for composure.
“I know you mightn’t believe it, but I was just doing my job.”
She struggled to find the right words. “Just as I’m doing my job today, sheriff.” Libby gestured to the library book tucked under his arm.
He smiled wryly. “Truce?” He held out his large, tanned hand.
She hesitated, then placed her hand in his. “Truce.” Electric tremors raced up her arm as his warm hand clasped hers. His eyes held hers for a long moment. Libby held her breath until he suddenly released her hand and nodded, striding out of the library.
###
Music and laughter filled the old Grant farmhouse. Chase and Sarah‘s engagement party was in full swing. It had been a week since the sheriff had apologized to Libby; although she welcomed the apology, she hadn’t bumped into him again.
Surveying the throng of guests, Libby wondered if he was here tonight. She shivered at the thought of encountering him again. What would she say to him? Would she feel that same tug of attraction?
More people entered the living room, including the sheriff. A ripple of excitement ran down her spine when she glimpsed him on the opposite side of the room. He wore denim jeans that fit him like a glove and a pale blue long-sleeved shirt. Her heart skipped and she consciously steadied her breathing. So what if he was a good-looking guy? He wasn’t the first one she’d seen. Ducking her head, she walked over to the punch, hoping he wouldn’t see her.
“Having a good time?” Libby looked up to see her cousin’s smiling face.
“Of course.” She tried to sound as if she meant it, but she couldn’t help wondering if the sheriff had noticed she was here.
“Guess who’s arrived?”
“Who?” Although Sarah had introduced her around town, there were still plenty of people she hadn’t met yet.
Sarah whispered in her ear. “Jake - the sheriff.”
Libby drew back to look at her, trying to appear nonchalant. “So?”
“So…” Sarah’s eyes sparkled. “He’s attractive, don’t you think?”
“I guess so, if you like that type.” She shrugged, hoping her cousin couldn’t hear her heart beating - hard.
“He’s single.” Sarah waggled her eyebrows.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“I want you to be as happy as I am with Chase.” She hugged Libby.
Libby couldn’t help smiling. “I’m sure I will be - one day.”
Sarah grinned mischievously. “Why not today?”
Why not indeed? Libby snuck a peek at Jake standing near the fireplace. She didn’t need Sarah to tell her he was good-looking. Although he made a regular appearance in her dreams - both day and night - she had no way of knowing how he felt about her. He might just regard her as a pesky librarian he almost arrested.
“I could tell him you’re here,” Sarah continued.
“No!” Libby hissed, turning back to her cousin, an alarmed look on her face. “Don’t do that.”
“Uh-oh, too late.” Sarah glanced over at Jake and Libby did the same. His heated gaze held hers. A flush stole through her body.
“Lib?”
“Hmm?” She barely heard her cousin. All her focus was on Jake. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from him.
Sarah chuckled. “I’ll leave you two alone.”
Libby hardly noticed her cousin leaving. What a pity Sheriff Jake Morgan was so uptight. Gruff, tough men were so not her type.
Until now.
“Get a grip,” she muttered to herself. Wrenching her eyes from his, Libby gulped her punch and headed outside. She needed some fresh air, no matter how chilly it would be.
Standing on the porch she breathed deeply, the frosty air filling her lungs. The French doors muffled the noise of the party and she heard a cow moo in the distance. Libby walked down the porch steps to the garden below. A short stroll, even though it was dark and cold outside, would help clear her head. So what if the sheriff had looked at her for a few seconds? It didn’t mean anything.