“What?” Alice accepted the book in her free hand. “I don’t understand.”
“Aunt Sarah was like you—it just feels like the right thing to do.”
“I—thank you!” Alice pulled the book close as the man melted into the crowd without ordering a drink or chocolate. The fact that he’d found them in all the hubbub was a small miracle—let alone that he’d had the book with him. “Lillian will be so happy.”
Russ kissed her temple. “I’m so glad I have you. I’d completely forgotten about the assignment.”
“You’d be lost without me.” Alice grinned.
He pulled their entwined hands up and kissed her fingers. “I don’t think you understand what this does to me.”
“What?”
“Your touch.”
Alice felt her cheeks warm and glanced through lowered lashes to see if Presley was paying attention. She’d moved to the back counter to add whipped cream to the top of the liquid.
“If I had known what being near you could be, I would have grabbed on to you two years ago and never let go.”
“Me too,” she squeaked as he pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
“Ahem!”
Alice’s ears burned. She knew that aged throat clearing. Opening her eyes, she looked right into a familiar pair of faded blue ones. “Hi, Grandma.”
“I told you two—hayloft.” Though her expression was stern, Grandma’s laugh lines crinkled.
Russ and Alice exchanged a glance.
“Well!” Grandma said a bit tartly. “I assume you’re staying in town, Mr. Phillips.”
Alice smiled. After Russ’s agent had called theTimesand explained the situation, an apologetic retraction was printed on the front page, and Russ was back in the good graces of everyone in Harvest Ranch.
“I am.” Russ gave her hand a squeeze.
“Then you’ll continue to serve on the library board?”
“If you’ll have me, Mrs. Westbrook.”
“Wait—what’s going on?” Alice reached out an arm to steady herself.
Russ looked at Alice like she’d missed a page while reading out loud. “Your grandma is head of the library board.”
Her mouth fell open. She looked back and forth between the two of them, expecting Russ to saykidding. “But you don’t go to meetings.”
Grandma swatted away her comment. “I’m an honorary chairperson. I stepped down when I retired. However, even as an honorary chairperson, I have some sway. And I’m recommending you for our new assistant librarian over the young adult and children’s sections.”
Alice’s head spun, and she clutched Russ’s shirt. “What? But I don’t have my degree yet.”
Grandma smiled kindly. “No, but you’re working towards it. The remodeling project won’t be complete for a while, so you may graduate by then. And you’re very good with the kids. I haven’t seen them as excited about literature as they were with you.” She leaned forward, a conspiratorial look in her eye. “Besides, I think you’re one of the few people in this town who can work with Lillian.”
Alice grinned. “Working with Lillian would be a pleasure.”
“Of course, the appointment would have to be approved by the board.” She winked at Russ. “But I don’t anticipate any problems there.”
Russ kissed her hair. “Congratulations.”
“You two keep it under control, now; there are young ones around.” Grandma shook her finger at them as she walked away. “Presley—hand over one of those peppermint patties, and I’ll get out of your hair.”
