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I reached for my phone but hesitated to unlock it. The urge to text Ethan was overwhelming, but I shouldn’t have read his letter. The message was intended for the award committee, not for me.

With a sigh, I set the phone down. I would find a way to thank him, even if he couldn’t know exactly what for.

A knock on my office door startled me out of my thoughts. “Come in,” I called, composing myself.

“Sorry to interrupt.” Clara opened the door and then stepped back. She wheeled in the dolly stacked with packages. “Several boxes came in and it’s too many to keep up front. I’m guessing these are for the author event.”

I got up to help. “Probably so.” I looked at the box on top and saw it was from Kendrick. “We can set these with the other boxes that are piling up in here.” I moved one to the stack.

At this point so much had arrived at the library, I could build a fort if I wanted to.

My thoughts drifted back to Ethan as we stacked boxes.

The coffee meeting at Special Blend had started it all. We’d shared so much in a short time and there’d been a moment there, when our hands had touched, that I’d felt… something.

At the time I’d brushed it off, telling myself it was just the intensity of the festival planning. But now I wasn’t so sure. While there was the reality that he didn’t live here year-round, there were also a lot of possibilities.

My phone buzzed with a text and as soon as we had the dolly emptied and Clara had left, I checked it. My heart did a little flip when I saw it was from Ethan.

Ethan: Hey, just wanted to confirm our meeting this afternoon to go over the judging criteria. Still on for 3pm?

I typed so fast most of the words got autocorrected.

Andre: Absolutely! Looking forward to it. See you then.

As I hit send, anticipation stirred in me. The prospect of seeing Ethan again was undeniably exciting.

I settled back at my desk, trying to focus on the stack of work. But my mind kept wandering. Would I see more glimpses of the thoughtful, passionate man who’d written that letter? Could I continue to build a friendship, or more, with him?

ELEVEN

ETHAN

I arrived at the library fifteen minutes early, carrying a paper bag from Special Blend containing four scones. As I stepped through the doors, I immediately noticed Clara at the front desk looking frazzled and glancing anxiously at her watch.

“Clara? Is everything okay?” I asked, approaching her.

She looked up, relief washing over her face. “Oh, thank goodness. We have a bit of a situation.”

“What’s going on? Can I help?” The words were out of my mouth before I even knew what the problem was.

Clara sighed. “Our storyteller for the children’s reading hour is stuck in traffic and won’t make it in time. I’m the only staff member here since Andre’s not back yet. I can’t leave the desk unattended. And the kids usually want someone besides the parents to read to them.”

My heart rate picked up as I realized what she might be about to ask. I’d rather try to figure out how to check a book out for someone than have to read in public. But I’d already offered to help, so there was no going back now.

“Is there anything I can do?” I tried to keep my voice steady.

Her eyes lit up. “Would you be willing to read to the kids? I’m sure they would love you filling in.”

I swallowed hard but nodded. “Of course.”

Relief flooded Clara’s face. “Thank you so much. You’re a lifesaver.”

As we walked toward the children’s section, I focused on my breathing.

In for four counts.

Hold for four.