Page 26 of Home Town

Marie Jacobs had arranged for someone to meet her there to let her into the private archives housed on the top floor of the building.

Excited for her research adventure she walked with a spring in her step and the sun on her face…until the familiar sight of the tall, dark-haired man on the library’s front porch stopped her mid-stride and cast a shadow over her sunny day.

Corey.

Chapter Thirteen

“What are you doing here?” Josie demanded with a distinctly accusatory tone.

In answer to her question Corey held up a keychain.

The colorful crocheted loop on which the key ring hung should make it clear to Josie the keys were his mother’s. His mom was on the board of the historical society. She’d made the arrangements with Josie to get inside on a day the library was closed. And she was the one who loved to crochet.

He’d been nice enough to run the keys over so his mother didn’t have to and this was the thanks he got. A scowl from Josie Baldwin as she glared at him like he was some sort of stalker.

“I thought you needed these,” Corey said still holding the keys.

“I do… I just thought, I don’t know, the librarian would let me upstairs.”

“Library’s closed today. She’s off.”

“I didn’t know that,” she mumbled.

“A geek like you doesn’t know when the library is open? Shocking.” He only knew himself because his mother had told him, but he wasn’t about to miss a jab at Josie.

It paid off. Her cheeks got adorably pink at the insult and her frown deepened. “I usually go to the Sidney Library. It’s bigger. And closer.”

The perfection of her quintessential nerdy answer, combined with the indignation of her tone, had him smiling. “Of course. Forgive me.”

She donned a smile of her own. “You’re forgiven. I wouldn’t expect a jock who only graduated thanks to his Phys Ed score would know anything about libraries.”

It seemed they’d entered into a verbal sparring match. He might be on medical leave but he was more than well enough for this battle against her.

“Ouch. I’m wounded.” He pressed one hand to his heart in mock pain.

Actually, he was a little bit hurt. She’d basically just called him stupid.

Sure, he wasn’t a brainiac like she was. His grades hadn’t been the best, but that was because he put in just enough effort to keep them over the threshold to remain on the hockey team.

He was too busy with practice and games—and yeah, partying too—to do more than the bare minimum required, even if he was capable of more.

Besides, he knew he didn’t want to go to college. Joining the Navy was always his plan. Just like his grandpa.

However, given the fact he was seriously worried he might have lost a good amount of brain function in the explosion, the insult hit a bit too close to home.

Josie always had been a cocky smart ass but still, the comment seemed harsh, even for her.

Why did she hate him so much? He still hadn’t figured out what the hell he had done.

They’d gotten along really well that summer she graduated high school and he’d been home on leave.

Something had obviously happened between then and now. Something that even his rescuing her kittens and fixing her wall and delivering the keys she needed didn’t make up for.

“Why exactly do you hate me so much?” he asked, tired of wondering.

Guessing was taking up too much unnecessary mental energy when he was supposed to be resting his brain.

Her eyes widened as she drew back. A crease formed above her brow and she shook her head slowly. “You really don’t know?”

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