Page 8 of Rocky Mountain Devil
“Go now. I can finish this later,” Laurel offered, pushing the rolling cart back toward the front desk of the Rocky Mountain House Public Library. “Did you ever consider keeping your maiden name?” she asked suddenly.
Her supervisor snickered. “I don’t think so. Tomes is an improvement over Ripper.”
“Ouch. Yeah.” She pushed the swinging gate aside for Wendy. “Good decision.”
The other woman grimaced as she pressed a hand to her back and stretched her baby bump forward. “Dawn is starting the Reading in PJs program in a few minutes, so you’re on crowd control as well, okay?”
“No prob.”
Laurel resisted the urge to hum happily as she surveyed her almost brand-new kingdom. Returning to Rocky Mountain House after three years away was an exercise in joy and sorrow.
Joy, because this was home. Sorrow, because not everything that had happened while she was gone had been perfect, and there were deep hurts inside she had to learn to deal with.
The front door opened and a familiar face marched forward, and for one breathless moment, she thought Rafe had walked through the door. Then the man took off his cowboy hat, revealing hair that was far too dark, and she forced herself to take a few slow breaths and dig for calm.
Helping one of the Coleman cousins find a book brought her back to here and now instead of drifting into daydreams about her friend who she hadn’t seen or heard from in a long, long time. They hadn’t kept in touch through texts, or emails, or anything.
Rafe had suggested a clean break would make it easier to do that “live life to the fullest” stuff. She’d teased him it was more because he was too lazy, but she had to agree it’d been the right decision. The total cutoff from him had been hard.Realhard, but she’d gotten on with her life, and now…
Now she was back in Rocky.
The temptation was strong to ask Trevor Coleman if he’d seen Rafe recently. The words were nearly out of her mouth before she restrained herself. It was too dangerous to ask that personal of a question in case the answer made her sad.
Rafe could have moved away. He could be in a relationship—they’d said they weren’t going to wait around for each other.
Passing over a copy of the children’s book Trevor wanted, she slipped away for a moment, waiting for her racing heart to settle to a normal pace. She replaced books on the shelves automatically as her thoughts turned to the real question.
What if Rafewaswith someone?
What if—?
No. She wouldn’t do that to herself. If he was with someone, she’d be fine. And if he wasn’t, maybe they’d be able to pick up their friendship.
She refused to let her brain go to the section labeled “more than friendship” for all sorts of reasons, the strongest of which—she wasn’t sure exactly what she wanted.
On the other side of the stacks, someone spoke sharply, followed by an even louderhushingnoise. Little children thinking they’re being quiet.
Laurel moved quickly toward the children’s area where moms and their toddlers were gathered on pillows on the floor, listening to Dawn read out loud, the oversized book twisted toward the group to show off the pictures.
Her gaze drifted past what looked to be an unusually well-behaved gathering of little people toward the magazine section. Trevor was there, but he wasn’t alone. He was talking with a blond-haired Coleman, and this time there was no mistaking who it was.
Rafe spoke loudly. “Shut. Up. Not here.”
The entire group of toddlers turned and pressed a finger to their lips. “Shhhhhhhhh.”
He glanced up, and his gaze met hers, and for a split second she thought she saw hunger before his face twisted into a familiar expression. The same one she’d seen far too many times before—his sweetwho? innocent me?fake-o one he’d whip out in the hopes whatever trouble they’d gotten into, the punishment would be reduced because they’dmeantwell.
Her feet felt light, and she wanted to dance across the room.
She should have expected it. He would show up and it would be like they’ve never been apart, only now they were both old enough and smart enough to know what type of trouble they were getting into.
Oh, the trouble they could get into…
Heat rushed in as she moved toward the men. Her cheeks were blazing hot, and she deliberately looked Trevor in the eye before turning to face Rafe.
He winked.
She jerked her gaze away before he set her off giggling. “Would you guys take your conversation outside, please?” she asked primly.
