Chapter 21
Libby woke with scratchy eyes after a restless night of tossing and turning. In the end, she’d given up and spent a few hours going through the Rollaway’s books. It didn’t take long before she felt a great deal of sympathy for Delores and Red’s accountant.
Doing what she knew how to had helped calm the turmoil inside her for a while. Libby had then snatched a few hours’ sleep and woke to her alarm when it shrieked at her.
She showered, dressed, and repacked her bag. This would be her last night in this house. She couldn’t stay here now after what had happened between her and Ryder.
Only a few weeks ago, she’d been ready to marry a man she’d known for years. A man Libby believed she loved and who loved her. She’d been wrong.
Last night Ryder had shown her what could be between two people. His hands and mouth had made her lose reason. If she hadn’t put a stop to what they were doing when she had, they would have ended up in his bed, and Libby would have welcomed it. Welcomed his body taking hers to places she’d never been before.
Pressing the heels of her palms into her eyes, Libby tried to make sense of everything and failed. In a handful of weeks, the life she’d believed she wanted had derailed spectacularly, and it only continued to do so.
Looking at her watch, she saw it was 6:00 a.m. Ryder would need to leave soon. Libby wasn’t looking forward to facing him, but as staying in this room was the only other option, she had to.
You’re a mess, Libby. Get it together. You’re strong enough to handle this and come out the other side.
Taking several deep breaths, she released each one slowly before she opened the door, clutching her bag and the Rollaway’s books. Ryder was nowhere to be seen. She found a note in the kitchen.
I have a catering job today, so I needed an early start. See you when you get in. R.
She studied the words again, trying to read what he hadn’t said and failing. Feeling relieved she wouldn’t have to face Ryder yet, Libby pulled on her coat and wrapped the second scarf she’d been given—this one by Robyn Duke—around her neck. Last night had been another first for her. Sitting down to a meal with a family who genuinely wanted to spend time with one another had been special, even if she wasn’t part of it.
Ryder was lucky to have his family around him, and she thought maybe he was lucky to live here too. She also knew that this life of his had shaped him into the man he was today. Good and kind, but so much more than that.
Pulling on her hat, she let herself out the front door and began the walk to the Swing Through Cafe. It was dark, the sun only just rising over the hills beyond the lake.
Looking around, she saw no one else. It was just her walking along the street in total solitude. No horns beeping or people talking. Utter peace, and something she’d never thought she needed or wanted. It really was a lovely place, Libby thought. And her life may have been full of turmoil right then, but she could appreciate the beauty of what lay around her.
She saw the lights from the cafe and knew Ryder would be inside the building with his apron on, looking hot and sexy and way too disturbing for a woman who should know better.
Why did she want Ryder more than any man she’d met before him, even Andrew?
“Because he makes you feel protected and special.” The words came out as a whisper, and she knew them for the truth.
Never, not once in her life, had a man put her first, put her needs before his. Never had a man wanted her to be safe and warm. Yet Ryder Duke had done that, even though she was virtually a stranger to him. He was a protector, and that was disarming to a woman who’d never experienced that.
She knew her family loved her in their own way, but she’d never believed they’d put her safety and happiness before themselves. Libby knew Ryder Duke would be that and more for any woman in his life, and especially one he loved.
But not you.
Looking at the glow of light coming from the Swing Through Cafe, Libby knew that one day a woman was going to be very lucky to end up with Ryder, and that thought made her chest hurt because it would not be her.
She was a mess and hadn’t told him the truth about who she was.
Last night he’d wanted to know about her life, but she hadn’t told him because she wanted to just be Libby Gulliver here. Anonymous.
Opening the cafe door, she walked inside. The music was on, and it was toasty warm. She could already smell the delicious scents of baking and coffee and thought they were scents she would always remember when she left here.
She found him in the kitchen, focusing on the dough he was rolling. He wore jeans that were faded at the knees, a gray Henley with the long sleeves rolled up to show really nice forearms, and a ball cap that made his hair curl up at the back. She looked at his hands. They’d touched her last night, and she shivered at the memory of how they’d felt on her skin.
“Hey.”
His head swiveled at the greeting, and their eyes locked.
“Hey, you. How are you this morning?”
“Ryder, about last night?—”
“It shouldn’t have happened, but it does when two people are attracted to each other,” he said, holding her eyes. “But it won’t happen again if you don’t want it to. Okay?”
She nodded.
“So we’re good, and you’re not going to find a hay barn to sleep in tonight or anything reckless like that?”
She found a snort. “No hay barns, but I do need to find a place.”
“Sure, but for now we have lots to get through this morning, so go make us coffee.”
She hesitated. He moved closer and grabbed her shoulders.
“Libby, you need work, and I need a worker. Let the rest go for now.” He gave her a gentle squeeze, then released her. “Now go make coffee. You don’t want an angry boss on your hands, do you?”
She did, pleased they’d talked what had happened through… kind of. He’d said he wanted her, and she knew she wanted him, but they were adults and could ignore that. At least that’s what she told herself. She would find somewhere else to stay tonight.
When Meadow arrived, she had set up out front while Ryder still worked in the kitchens.
“Coffee, stat, Libby.” Nina staggered in at 8:00 a.m. She wore a scarf wrapped around her face so only her nose was showing and a long wool coat to her ankles.
“You’re up early,” Libby said.
“I know. I have to open up, and apparently the first customer is in at 9:00 a.m. Who actually wants a facial done at 9:00 a.m. I ask you?”
“A customer?” Libby said.
“It’s uncivil is what it is,” Nina muttered. “What flavor are the scones today?”
“Maple and date.”
“I’ll take four. Are you still looking for a place to stay, Libby?” Nina asked her. “Although I’m clueless why you want to leave Ryder’s house. That man is hot.”
“I really can’t just stay with him, Nina. It’s not fair. I’m only there because he’s kind enough to let me, as there was nowhere else,” Libby lied. She couldn’t tell her the truth.
“You wouldn’t get me out if I moved in there, but that’s just me. Now, I know somewhere you can stay.”
“Really?” Libby said quickly. “I’ll take it.”
“At least wait until I tell you where it is before you say yes.” Nina leaned in closer. “It’s not far from Ryder’s.”
As long as it got her out of his house and away from his body, Libby was good with that. She needed to call Bob again and check on her car’s progress too.
“Plus, if you want more work, we need someone to clean up the Gnat at night. Sweep floors and wipe down surfaces, so I don’t have to do it,” Nina said.
“I’ll do it, but I’m not sure how long I can work there,” Libby said quickly. The more money she earned, the faster she’d get out of Lyntacky and away from Ryder. “When should I start?”
“I’ll ask JD and call here to let you know. Knowing him, he’ll probably say tonight because he hates cleaning as much as I do. We’ll ask around for someone to start when you leave.”
“Stop distracting my staff,” Ryder said, wandering out of the kitchen.
“I’ve come to save you, actually,” Nina said, smiling in a way Libby had never been able to at him.
Libby always had been hopeless at flirting. In fact, her fiancé— ex -fiancé had said he loved that about her because he never had to worry about her flirting with anyone.
Bastard.
“Klaus and Lea have that sleepout around the back of their place she can stay in, and after what that assface Fletcher did, it will give them something else to think about.”
“Thank you, I’ll take it,” Libby said as Ryder opened his mouth.
“You haven’t seen it yet. It might not suit, Libby,” he said.
“You’re not serious?” Nina said. “Because Klaus and Lea are those types of people who clean all the time.”
“Those types of people?” Libby asked.
“They have set days for things,” Nina said, frowning. “Windows on Saturday, changing the bed on Tuesday.” She waved her hand about. “You could eat off the floor. Not that I’m sure why you would, but the point is you could.”
“Sounds perfect,” Libby said.
“But is it warm enough?” Ryder asked.
“Their children have all used it, so my guess is yes,” Nina said.
“Why is he frowning?” Brody said, walking in with Phoebe.
“Libby’s moving out, and he wants her to stay,” Nina said.
“Jesus, what is with this town always making up stories about me? I didn’t say that. I was just making sure that Klaus and Lea’s sleepout is suitable in these conditions for Libby.”
“I’ve been in there, actually,” Brody said. “It’s nice and warm, plus really clean.”
“Great. I’ll take it, then,” Libby said. She needed to get out of Ryder’s house ASAP, and this was her chance. “If you could give me their number, Nina, I’ll call and talk to them.”
“Fine,” Ryder said, not looking fine at all.
“Made any chocolate yet?” Phoebe asked. “I’m a good sampler of chocolate, and I’m offering my services.”
“I’ve made a few,” Ryder said.
“Oooh.” She clapped her hands. “Exciting, can we sample some?”
“Honey, we’re here to discuss the birthday party, not eat chocolate,” Brody said.
“Can’t we do both?”
Libby’s family liked to keep their emotions—joy, anger, anything—closed away inside, so these Dukes were a revelation to her with their oversharing and constant need to either annoy or love one another.
“Come on, Pheebs, I’ll be your chocolate dealer and feed your habit,” Ryder said.
She wanted to follow because one thing Libby knew was chocolate, but she made herself stay behind the counter. Nina gave her the Beckers’ phone number, and she said she’d call during her lunch break.
After cleaning the cabinets and wiping down tables, she took some things to the kitchen and found Phoebe with her eyes closed, mouth open. Ryder dropped a dome of chocolate in.
“Oooh, I like that one. It has a strawberry flavor to it.”
Brody ate one too. “Not to be critical, bro, because they are good, but the texture isn’t quite right. Kinda grainy.”
Libby put the dishes in the sink and washed them.
“You think?” Ryder said, taking a bite of the chocolate.
“You try, Libby,” Phoebe said.
“I’m all good, but?—”
“It’s not poison, Libby,” Brody drawled. “Try the damn chocolate.”
Wiping her hands, she took a piece from the tray Ryder held out. Sniffing it, she then took a small bite of the outside and swallowed before the inside.
“Well, that’s a different way of eating chocolate,” Brody said.
“Are your molds dry when you pour in the chocolate, Ryder?” Libby asked.
He frowned.
“Just a thought,” Libby muttered, going back to the sink.
“Who has a thought like that if they don’t know about chocolate making?” Ryder asked.
She shrugged and continued washing the dishes loudly.
“Well, are they?” Phoebe demanded.
“I washed them earlier, but maybe I didn’t dry them properly,” Ryder said, and Libby could feel his eyes on her.
She needed to keep her opinions to herself, or people would start asking her more questions she didn’t want to answer. Because the truth wasn’t something she wanted to share with anyone.