Page 3 of The Moment He Saw Her

“No last name?”

“Ah… yes, it’s Gulliver,” she said, not sounding sure that was her name, and he wondered if it was her real one or if she’d made it up. Then he wondered why she would.

“So, Libby Gulliver, I know you’re not from around here, so what are you doing in Lyntacky at the ass crack of dawn?”

Ryder watched as she dropped her eyes again.

“Just passing through.”

“To where?”

“I’m not sure yet. I’m just on a vacation.”

“Good morning!”

Meadow McAllister breezed in, dressed in a long pink-and-orange caftan. Her jacket had to belong to one of her sons because it was way too big. Around her neck was a green wool scarf the color of rotten cabbage. She wore thick knitted socks and sandals on her feet.

Ryder admired her simply because she held true to her values, even if they made him shudder sometimes.

“What a beautiful day!”

Meadow was the future mother-in-law of Ryder’s oldest brother, Sawyer. A hippy right down to her toes, she lived on the outskirts of town off the grid with her husband, a menagerie of animals, and all the organic fruit and vegetables a person could need.

“Are we opening early today, Ryder?” Meadow arrived at the counter in a whirl of color and earthy scents, looking at Libby. “I know the Curlers would be happy if we did so.”

“No. Libby Gulliver, this is Meadow McAllister. Libby’s car broke down,” Ryder said. “She’s thawing out in here.”

“Oh dear, well, that’s not good at all. Are you vacationing in our wonderful town?”

Ryder loved Lyntacky because his roots were here, along with everyone he cared about, but in no way could it be termed a top-ten vacation destination, unless you were into adventure sport or square dancing.

Meadow thought her town the best in America and was sure to tell anyone who asked.

“I think so.” Libby was eyeing Meadow like she was a foreign species she didn’t know how to communicate with. “For a few days at least, yes,” she added with more certainty.

“Well, you’ve come to the right place to start off your vacation. The Swing Through Cafe has the best baked goods and coffee in town.” Meadow leaned toward Libby. “But don’t tell any of the other food places I said that.”

Meadow was the best baker in Lyntacky as far as Ryder was concerned, and he was a close second, so when she’d wandered in one day and asked if he needed her help in making his cafe a zone of peace and harmony, he’d told her to give it her best shot. Then he’d found her out back helping his niece, Ally, put together some muffins. After tasting one, Ryder had asked her if she’d wanted a job. She’d informed him she’d take it until the wind blew her in another direction.

As he had no idea what the fuck that meant, he’d said great.

“Libby, dear, your aura needs cleansing. You have a lot of negative energy,” Meadow added, digging around in the enormous bag she carried with her everywhere. “Hold out your hand.”

Libby shot Ryder a look that was full of panic. He smiled and nodded. Silently communicating to her to just roll with it.

“I’ll make your turmeric latte, Meadow,” he said.

“Lovely. Ah, here it is.” Meadow came out with a necklace. Leather, with a stone on the bottom. “Amethyst, Libby. The spiritual community believe that wearing or carrying amethyst will attract calm and peace.” She then placed it over Libby’s head. “Excellent. Now I need to get baking.”

Meadow floated off toward the kitchens.

“Don’t try to understand that, just roll with it,” Ryder said when Libby dragged her eyes from Meadow and looked at him. “I’ve known her all my life and still don’t understand her.”

“It was very nice of her,” she said, touching the stone with the hand not clutching the coffee.

“Very nice,” Ryder said solemnly.

“I should go.”

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