Page 46 of The Moment He Saw Her

Ryder had told her to go to his place, but she didn’t feel comfortable doing that now she knew he had a girlfriend, even if he’d denied it. She’d find somewhere, then go back to collect her suitcase later.

“I’d let you have the cottage if my eldest wasn’t back using it,” she said.

“Thanks, Meadow, but I’ll find something.”

“It won’t be easy with all the tourists in town, who are only going to increase the closer we get to the Lynpicks. You should just stay at Ryder’s.” Meadow looked worried.

“I’m sure I’ll find something. Ryder’s been more than generous, and I don’t want to inconvenience him any further.”

Libby headed outside before Meadow could say anything else. She walked, looking in shop windows for notices like she had every day.

Lyntacky was familiar to her now, even considering the short time she’d been here. Passing a shop that said it was for lease, Libby looked inside. It was long, with one wall completely shelved.

“Used to sell books and magazines in there,” a voice said from behind her.

Turning, Libby found a man smiling at her. She couldn’t remember seeing him in the cafe over the last four days.

“Beau Keller,” he said, holding out a hand, which she shook. She’d gotten used to that too. Everyone seemed to shake hands in Lyntacky.

“I hear you need a room for the night?”

He had sandy hair, green eyes and a friendly smile that had her returning the gesture.

“Libby!”

Turning, she found Meadow walking toward her, frowning.

“Hi, Meadow. I thought you were heading home. Is everything all right?”

“Just on my way, and I saw you.” She gave Beau Keller a hard stare. “You need more of that jock-itch cream, Beau?”

The man’s face flushed with color. “No, thank you, Meadow,” he said. Raising a hand, he then walked away.

“Just a heads-up, Libby, the Dukes and the Kellers don’t get along real well. In fact, they’ve been feuding for years. Best not to add fuel to the already-smoldering embers by talking to Beau seeing as you’re living with Ryder. See you tomorrow.”

Before she could speak Meadow walked back down the street in her flowing floral skirt and overlarge jacket.Feuding?Does that really still happen? Deciding that was more than her tired brain could comprehend, she kept walking until she reached the Rollaway.

It was dark inside, with minimal lighting, and busy. Some people played pool; others sat watching the big screens. Yet more were on stools by the bar. Libby made her way to where a woman was serving. She wore a long-sleeved shirt opened almost to the navel and a bright red bustier beneath that showed off her cleavage. Her brassy blond hair was pulled up high on her head, and her lips painted bright red.

Libby would love that kind of confidence.

“Hi,” the woman said. “You must be Libby Gulliver?”

“Ah, yes, I am.” She didn’t question how she knew because everyone knew everyone in Lyntacky.

“My hubby met you when he came into the cafe for his cake fix and told me what you looked like. Plus others have been in here gossiping,” the woman said, wiping the bar with a cloth. “How are you enjoying working in the cafe?”

“Ryder is a nice man to work for.”

“Dukes,” the woman said. “Good folks, if a little wild at times.”

Libby had a feeling this woman could be wild occasionally too.

“Delores Heckler,” the woman added, holding out a hand tipped with long, blood red nails. “You met my Red.”

She shook the hand, masking her shock that the big, gentle Red was married to Delores.

“What can I get you to drink?”

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