I walked into the Eagle River Library first thing the next morning, juggling my keys, my cardigan slipping off one shoulder, and a tote bag full of puppet supplies for story time.
And there they were.
The Magnolia Ladies.
All three of them.
Sitting in my reading nook like pastel-colored gargoyles. I didn’t ask for the library key; it would hurt their feelings, after all. Mable was the librarian here for forty years.
Agnes crossed her ankles. “We need to talk, dear.”
Mabel folded her hands primly. “About the Rangers.”
June handed me a cinnamon roll before I could speak, as if I’d need sugar for whatever judgment they were about to unleash.
I sighed. “What did Trigger do now?”
“Oh, nothing,” Mabel said. “Yet.”
Agnes leaned forward. “But Wyatt Maddox caught you again, didn’t he?”
My face went up in flames. “Caught me doingwhatexactly?”
June flapped her hand. “Existing, dear. The man looks at you like he found the cure for loneliness.”
I stared at them. “No, he— that’s not— I just brought them the brownies.”
“Brownies.” Agnes nodded solemnly. “The universal currency of courtship.”
I groaned. “I amnotcourting Wyatt Maddox, and you three made the brownies.”
“Maybe but you carried them over there,” June said, sipping her tea. “He’s got his eye on you.”
I couldn’t deny the flutter in my stomach at that.
The way he saidma’am.
The way he stood when I entered the room.
The way he watched the street like it was his job to make sure I got across safely.
But before I could dig myself any deeper, the library door swung open.
And trouble walked in.
Spiky boots.
Leather jacket.
Glossy black hair in loose waves that would’ve made a shampoo commercial jealous.
Lipstick the color of rebellion itself.
Rylie Tate.
Sheriff Tate’s daughter.
Eagle River’s resident bad idea wrapped in a breathtaking package.
