4. Chapter 4
Chapter 4
Stella
The moment I step off the stage, my head is spinning. One second, I was standing there, terrified no one would bid on me, and the next, Pete Callahan had outbid every last man in the room.
Pete Callahan. Will my heart ever return to its normal pace? Somehow, I doubt it.
People tend to focus on the fact that Pete’s a recluse. And he is that. But he’s so much more.
He doesn’t come to town often, but when he does, he seems to always make a point to pop into the library. He always flips through the books that are on the cart waiting to be reshelved—and then he reshelves them when I’m not looking. Like he’s trying to spare me the extra work but doesn’t want the credit for it.
I’ve wondered on more than one occasion if he does it because he’s interested in me. But then I always dismiss the thought. After all, he seldom actually talks to me. He certainly never says more than “Hello” or “Have a good day.”
If he was interested, surely, he’d just ask me out on a date? A man as drop-dead gorgeous as him shouldn’t be nervous about asking any woman out. Especially not the mousy librarian who usually has reading glasses perched on the tip of her nose. I’m the least intimidating woman on the planet.
But he just bid $1,000 for a date with me. So, he must be interested. . . right?
Lucy grabs my arm, dragging me toward the back room of the town hall, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Stella, oh my God. Pete Callahan just bought a date with you!”
I press a hand to my chest, trying to catch my breath. "I know. I can’t—I still can’t believe it. What kind of date do you think he’s going to plan?"
Lucy’s grin turns positively wicked. "Something romantic and rugged. Knowing Pete, it'll probably involve a bonfire, the wilderness, and those strong, capable hands of his doing unthinkably wonderful things.”
I feel my cheeks burn with embarrassment. And with desire. “Don’t be ridiculous, Lucy.”
“I’m serious! You’ve got yourself a sexy mountain man version of a Jane Austen hero."
I laugh, shaking my head. "So, Pete Callahan is my Captain Wentworth?”
Lucy gives me a knowing look. "Stranger things have happened. And honey, did you see the ferocity in his face as he bid on you? I feared for the lives of the other men.”
Could it be true? Could Pete want me?
I shake my head. “I think he just cares about the library. He knows we need the money.”
Lucy rolls her eyes. “No way. He spent that money on you . You could have been raising money for the Anti-Tree League or something, and he’d still have bought that date.”
I laugh. “The Anti-Tree League?”
She shrugs. “It could exist. I’m sure there’s tree-hating wackos out there somewhere.”
I swallow hard, heat creeping up my neck. Maybe she’s right. Maybe Pete Callahan isn’t just some brooding, solitary mountain man. Maybe, just maybe, he’s exactly the kind of man I’ve been waiting for.
The charity auction’s organizer bursts into the room. “There you are!”
I blink in confusion. “Do you need me for something else, Stacy?”
She waves a hand dismissively. “No, no. Mr. Callahan will reach out to set up the date with you this week. I’m looking for Lucy.”
Lucy’s forehead scrunches. “Why?”
“One of the participants had a panic attack. She nearly passed out on stage, and now we can’t calm her down enough to go back on. I need you to stand in for her. I’m desperate—please!”
Lucy frowns. “What’s the charity?”
“The Anti-Tree League?” I whisper in Lucy’s ear.
She shushes me, giving her full attention to Stacy.
“The Brassiere Initiative,” Stacy says after a quick glance at her clipboard. Seeing the blank expressions on mine and Lucy’s faces, she adds, “It’s a great charity. They provide bras for women and girls who can’t afford them.”
“I can support that,” Lucy says, standing straight, and sticking out her very ample bosom. “And who knows? Maybe there’s another Captain Whatsit for me, too.”
I laugh. “Captain Wentworth!”
“Whatever you say, Future-Mrs.-Callahan.” And with that, my friend saunters out of the room and onto the stage.