Page 24

Outside, a wagon pulled by a pair of draft horses lumbered past, causing the sun-streaked windows to shake.

Aramintastill hadn’t decided what to do about the grand opening festivities and Darius’s expectation that she would attend them. The notion of squeezing more activities into her already busy life and getting even less sleep made her head spin.

Shegrazed her fingertips over the handwritten sign listing the library’s operating hours, which hung from a rope hooked to a bookshelf at one end. They had affixed a similar sign to the wall near the coffeehouse’s entrance at the other end.

Gratefulshe had the rest of the day to complete the unpacking without borrowers interrupting her task, Araminta slid behind the simple but effective barricade, taking care to insert the braided burgundy and gold rope into the hook behind her.

Thebell above the door tinkled as the matron and her companion departed, each carrying a brown paper-wrapped parcel.

Fromwhat Araminta had observed, Westbrook’sBook & CoffeeEmporium appeared to be flourishing. Hopefully, the library would as well. For certain, the book reservation list had grown significantly these past several weeks.

Acomfortable silence descended throughout the bookstore, interrupted occasionally by muted voices from the coffeehouse and the tick-tocking of the giltwood wall-mounted clock behind the counter.

Humming, Araminta lost herself in unpacking the books and placing them on the shelves. She never dreamed that her little library would contain just over three hundred books.

Thoseaccustomed to extensive libraries would no doubt scoff at Woodhaven’s small collection by comparison. Still, the same sense of purpose and accomplishment she’d experienced upon publishing her first novel made her stand a little taller.

Forthe next hour, the doorbell jingled in a steady rhythm as patrons came and went, and a boy delivered a package.

“MissWeldon?”

RecognizingDarius’s harmonious baritone, Araminta glanced over her shoulder. “Yes?”

Lookingentirely too pleased with himself, he lifted a rectangular package. “I took your advice. These just arrived. Ten editions of MadameQuillheart’s latest book—MissWimple’sMarvelousAdventures.”

Momentarilydumbstruck, she could only stare, her jaw slack.

Aramintacleared her throat.

“How wonderful. I assure you, you shan’t regret it.” She waved at her library shelves. “Since we began, people have consistently checked out her first three books, and there is a growing list of people waiting to borrow them.”

Helifted one book from the stack and sauntered over to her. “Here. Add this one to the library too.”

Thebell chimed again, announcing a patron either entering or leaving.

Shesearched his face. “Are you certain?”

Gentlenesscrinkled the corners of his eyes, and her tummy flip-flopped in the most disconcerting manner. Yes, indeed, she did very much admire this congenial Darius.

Perhapsa mite too much, which could prove dangerous for her romantic heart.

Unfortunately, though she’d chided herself thoroughly and presented every argument why she could not entertain such fanciful notions, something deep inside her refused to listen to reason. No matter how much she tried, she could not keep her feelings for Darius in check.

“I am quite certain.” He lifted a shoulder and gave her an endearingly boyish grin. Her heart did another somersault. “I plan on donating books to the library too.”

Shemust resist—put aside this silly infatuation.

But he is donating books.

How can I?

“That is very generous of you.” She accepted the book, the familiar feelings of pride and accomplishment sluicing over her as she grazed her fingertips over the title.

I wrote this.

Ifonly she could share her secret with the world.

WithDarius.