Page 11 of The Moment He Saw Her

The man accepted it, but Libby could see he wasn’t comfortable.

“Hey, Meadow.” He patted her shoulder awkwardly. “Got anything baked I can take home to your pregnant daughter?”

“I hope she’s taking that ginger tea in the morning to help with the sickness,” Meadow said.

“She is,” Sawyer said, easing out of the embrace and taking a step back.

“Good, I’ll send over some other things I’ve made. But let me get you both a donut, but only one. She needs to eat healthy, and bland foods are better.”

“Is Birdie still feeling sick this many months along in her pregnancy?” Ryder asked.

Libby stepped back a few paces so they could talk in private.

“Where are you going? I thought I was running you to the Circle Left?” Sawyer Duke frowned, which Libby had a feeling he did a lot.

“Giving you some privacy,” she said.

They hooted with laughter over that. Libby wasn’t sure why.

“You don’t get privacy in a town like Lyntacky, sweetheart,” Ryder said. “Everyone knows everyone’s business.”

Libby could honestly say that was her worst nightmare.

“Need another coffee to go, Libby?” Sawyer asked.

“No, thank you,” she added.

“See, Sawyer, manners are important,” Ryder said to his brother, who grunted his reply, which Libby didn’t understand.

“Here you go.” Meadow arrived with a bag, and Sawyer took the tray of drinks.

“See you tomorrow, Libby. If you could be here by 8:00 a.m.?” Ryder said.

“Of course, and thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. You’ll be earning your money,” Ryder said, giving her a steady look she had no idea how to interpret, so she didn’t try. “Leave your car keys with me after you get your things out of the car. Bob will pick them up from here.”

When they stepped out into the frigid air, Libby said, “I’ll be back in a minute,” and ran to her car.

“Don’t run! There may be ice!” Sawyer barked at her.

Libby slowed. Reaching her car, she opened the trunk and stared at the froth of ivory silk. Would they need to look in here to fix her car? The sound of an engine revving had her pulling out her suitcase and slamming the trunk shut with her dress still inside. There had to be a Goodwill store in town. Or maybe she could sell it somewhere?

She then hurried back to hand Ryder Duke the keys. He was waiting in the doorway.

“Thank you for the coffee and the job,” she said quickly. After all, he was going to be her boss, even if he was rude sometimes.

“Not the dance?” He had that mocking look on his face again.

“No, not that.”

“Take a breath, Libby.”

“What?”

“You look like you’re hyperventilating.”

She struggled to haul a breath in and out. Her chest had been tight for days… well, since she’d left that church.

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