“Amazing.Thank you so much.I will definitely be back soon.”
“That’s what we like to hear.Thanks for coming in, Reegan.”
“Bye, Kannon.”I headed for the door, pausing to let someone in before I stepped back out into the afternoon sunshine.I glanced once more at Josh and his wife, then pushed him from my mind and set out to explore my hometown for the summer.
Amethyst Bay was beautiful.A small mountain town set along the shore of Lake Champlain.It was quaint and quiet and easy.In many ways, it reminded me of MacKellar Cove.Nestled against the shore of a body of water with a little town that sprouted up and made a home for a lot of people.
Ashlyn said it was alive in the summer but quiet in the winter.I smiled at the thought as I wandered along an empty stretch of the sidewalk.It was quiet in the summer, too.Quieter than I was used to.Then again, my summers the last few years had been spent as a nanny to the only child of MacKellar Cove’s most famous resident.Trent MacKellar’s family founded MacKellar Cove, and he ran from it as soon as he could.He only returned when he got Finley, a local who didn’t know who Trent was, pregnant.Their love story was one that gave me hope, but it also reminded me how lonely I was in MacKellar Cove.
I was always on the outside, invited to the events the MacKellars hosted but not really part of their group of friends.Not really one of them.And when Landon’s wife started hanging around with the group, I knew for sure I needed to keep my distance.Casey was sweet, but the ex hanging around was never a good idea.
A brick building next to me captured my attention and brought my thoughts back to Amethyst Bay.A library.I smiled.Reading was one of my favorite pastimes, second only to taking pictures.With so much free time on my hands, a book or two would be a nice distraction.
Especially since Josh wouldn’t be.
I walked inside, the familiar scent of books making me sigh with relief.It was like being home.Wherever I was, if I could find a book, I could find home.
“Welcome,” a woman said from behind the desk.
“Thank you.”
She smiled in a friendly way.She was pretty and dressed in a loose top that flowed around her.Her blonde hair fell in gentle waves down her back.A pair of glasses rested on top of her head.Her amber eyes reminded me of a cat.Sharp and assessing.
I continued into the library, finding the fiction section easily.It was a small space, only slightly bigger than Ashlyn’s entire house.Shelves lined the walls with windows above them to let in the afternoon light.In the middle were more shelves, taller to hold more books.I strolled down the aisles, looking for something that grabbed my attention.
I grabbed a book and read the back, taking care to put it back in its place when I decided against it.After fifteen minutes, I had five books to take back to Ashlyn’s house.
“All set?”the librarian asked.
“I am, thanks.I don’t live here, though.How do I check these out?”
“I can give you a card.We have a lot of campers here.”
“I’m not a camper.Well, not really.My friend lives here, and I’m staying with her for the summer.”
“Who’s your friend?Maybe I know them.”
“Ashlyn Whittier.”
“The real estate agent.I know Ashlyn.She has a card.Do you want to use it?”
“Oh, sure.If that’s okay?”
“Of course.I’m Brinley, by the way.I love your top.”
“Thanks,” I told her, running my hand over the blue daisy-printed top.It was an impulse buy last time I was shopping, but the daisies made me happy.“I’m Reegan.”
“Nice to meet you, Reegan.”Brinley scanned the books and slid them across the counter.“You’re all set.We don’t have late fees anymore, but Ashlyn will get an email with a due date.If you can have them back by then, it’s great.If not, she can renew them online.”
“I am on vacation, so I have a feeling I won’t have any trouble returning them on time.”
Brinley chuckled.“Sounds good.”
“Mom!”a voice came from somewhere else in the library.
My eyes widened.I hadn’t realized someone else was there.
“Sorry.My son is bored in the summer.Camp starts next week, but for today, he’s stuck with me.”
