Chapter Seven
June wasn’t exactly sure what to expect from the book club, but within minutes of arriving with Arlene, she had a glass of bubbly in her hand and was laughing.
Everyone was so friendly and nice, she immediately relaxed.
She’d been in the shop earlier today to find yarn and a pattern.
Ellie had been so patient and helpful, she was looking forward to trying her first project.
It was lovely to see some of the other people she’d met when she’d been here before. Annie and Vivian O’Sullivan who were married to two cousins were there, so was their sister-in-law Riley who was married to their brother, Mitch, as well as Riley’s godmother and aunt, Janice O’Sullivan.
“I’m glad to see you, Riley,” June said. “I would like to meet with you and Mitch at some point. I’m hoping to persuade him to change publishers.”
Smiling, Riley nodded. “It will be great to see you. I know Mitch is looking at other publishers at the moment. The editor he’s worked with up ’til now, is retiring soon.”
They exchanged phone numbers and made a tentative date for the visit.
“So, June, do you have anyone special waiting for you back in Seattle?” Janice asked as they all settled on a chair.
Both Annie, Vivian, and Riley groaned out loud. “Janice, no!” they cried in unison.
Chuckling, Arlene leaned over to June. “Janice is known as the matchmaker in town, so be warned.”
“From what I’ve heard,” Janice said, eyes twinkling, “no matchmaking is necessary in June’s case. I believe there’s already a cowboy knocking on your door.”
“One who was very upset because he thought you had a date tonight,” Willow said with a slow smile. “I wonder why he would think that?”
“I’ve just met the man,” June cried out, covering her burning cheeks. No name was mentioned but she knew everyone was talking about Dylan. “I can’t believe everyone in town is talking about this.”
Janice patted her hand. “There, child. Everyone means well, really. I hear you were quite the hit in the library with the children this morning. My neighbor’s little girl is still talking about the story you told them. You’re writing your own children’s story?”
Relieved talk about something else, June nodded.
“Yes, that’s the plan. I’ve been thinking about it for ages.
It’s part of the reason I’m here. I needed time and quiet to see whether I can actually write a story kids would like.
I’m still working, of course. Fortunately, I can work online, but hopefully I’ll have time to write my story.
The kids actually had some great ideas this morning,” she smiled.
“I’m thinking of adding some of it in the story. ”
“Your story made quite the impression on Dylan,” Willow grinned. “We heard the whole thing during dinner.”
June’s eyes widened. “Really?”
“Really,” Willow chuckled.
Clearing her throat, Ellie picked up her copy of Shirley. “Has everyone been able to get a copy? June, what about you?”
“I got one from the library. Thanks for asking Taylor to help me, Ellie. She had it ready for me to take out. Such a sweet person.”
“She is the best,” Arlene said. “Married to Troy Sheenan, one of the well-known ranchers outside Marietta.”
It took a while before they actually discussed the book because everyone had something positive to say about Taylor Sheenan, but Ellie finally got them back to the topic of Shirley.
“In both Elizabeth Gaskell’s North and South and Charlotte Bronte’s Shirley,” Ellie said, “industrial unrest is at the heart of the novels and in both books the love interest of the heroines in the story is a coldhearted and uncaring mill owner.”
Laura nodded. “But in spite of the dispassionate attitude of the industrialists to their workers, they both get a happy ending. Like all human beings, they are both fully rounded characters, each with their own flaws and strengths.”
Leaning back in her chair, June let the soft sound of her new friends’ voices move around her.
She didn’t really listen to what they were saying, but she loved the feminine atmosphere, the soft voices, the friendly smiles, their enthusiasm while talking about books. These women were her kind of people.
Abby had always been her only real friend.
They’d both learned early on in life not to trust people too easily, but sitting here tonight was like finally finding more people with whom she felt comfortable with.
She and her coworkers would sometimes get a drink after work, but she’d never felt the same connection she had with these women who were basically strangers.
Willow touched June’s arm, bringing her out of her musings. “We’re all very glad to have you here with us as well.”
Taken aback, June stared at Willow. “How … oh, I see. You’re reading my mind.”
“Your happy thoughts,” Willow smiled. “One of the themes in Shirley, I think, is about women’s friendship.
Shirley and Caroline have many scenes and conversations alone, and their relationship exists outside of men.
I think that’s one of the reasons I enjoy this group so much—the friendship, the time with other women. ”
Janice chuckled. “In Shirley, the Old Maids in the village are given a large segment of text as well.”
Arlene laughed. “I haven’t thought of it like that.”
“I especially love the input the two of you have when we discuss a book,” Annie said pointing at Arlene and Janice.
“I agree,” Rose nodded. “You bring more depth to every discussion.”
“What about another glass of bubbly?” Arlene asked and everyone burst into laughter.
“And they bring the bubbly,” Ellie giggled.
It was nearly ten o’clock before Arlene dropped June off at Ellie’s cottage.
“Thanks, Arlene,” June said as she got out of the car. “I really enjoyed the evening.”
“I’m so glad you came,” Arlene smiled as her phone bleeped. “It’s Willow, let me just quickly check if everything is okay. Willow?” She nodded and uh-huh-ed a few times before she ended the call. “You are still joining us for the shopping trip to Bozeman tomorrow, I hope?”
“Yes, thank you. What time?”
They arranged a time before Arlene left.
Hugging herself, June looked up at the clear night sky where a crescent moon curved delicately among the stars. Oh, this was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Inhaling the crisp night air, she turned around to head for the house. The sound of a nearing truck stopped her movement. Headlights flashed as it pulled into her driveway. Dylan’s, if she wasn’t mistaken.
Heart thudding against her ribs, she waited. The lights and the engine of the truck were switched off and the sound of a door closing softly reached her as Dylan’s tall frame approached her.
“Hi,” she said as he stopped in front of her.
“Hi.” His voice was husky, his eyes glimmered in the streetlights. “I … we’ve been to Grey’s Saloon. I’m on my way home.”
As he spoke, he touched the chain around her neck, his fingers skimming over her skin. The movement was ever so gentle, but she felt it down to her toes.
“Dylan …”
He dropped his hand. “So how was your date?”
She chuckled. “You know I’ve been to the book club.”
“You have no idea how glad I was to hear that. Dinner tomorrow night?”
“I’m only here for a short while …”
“Do you want to go to dinner with me or not?”
“Dylan …”
Turning on his heel, he stomped back to his truck and got in. Seconds later, the engine started, the lights came on.
Her feet were moving before she realized she was running toward him. “Dylan!” she called out.
The engine stopped as she reached his side. Leaning with her hands on the door, she tried to catch her breath. “What time?”
For a moment she thought he was going to ignore her.
“Damn, woman, you’re killing me, you know that?” Growling, he cupped her head and pulled her close. “Kissing you is all I’ve been thinking about.” Warm, hungry lips closed over hers.
With a sigh, she slipped her fingers in his hair. This—the assault on her senses, the ravishing of her lips, the heating of her blood—had been all she’d been thinking about as well. For another moment she sank into the kiss, enjoying the sensation of his stubble against her skin.
Only when breathing became a problem, she lifted her head. Stroking his face one last time, she moved back. “Drive safely.”
His smile buckled her knees, and she quickly put a hand on his truck to steady herself. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“What about Daisy?”
“She’ll be fine for an evening. I can’t wait to see you again.”
He put the truck into reverse and with a last longing look, he moved away. Could she run after him again? Invite him in?
At that moment another car drove by slowly, pouring cold water over her overheated senses. Very bad idea. She could just hear the stories going around by tomorrow.
*
Carson’s truck was parked in front of Dylan’s house as he stopped. As Carson got out of his truck, Dylan unlocked his front door. Doing her happy little dance, Daisy ran toward him. Crouching down, he laughed as he picked up the puppy.
“I’m just checking if you’re okay,” Carson said. “What happened to you?”
“I had a stop to make,” Dylan answered.
“The sexy editor?”
Dylan got up again. “Yeah.”
“I thought she was dating other people?” Carson asked.
“I’m taking her to dinner tomorrow night.”
Carson angled his head. “You’ve never been like this about any woman.”
“Like what?”
“Look at you—suddenly all gooey eyed and smiling.”
“She’s different.”
Frowning, Carson stared at him. “You getting serious about her? You do know she’s going back to Seattle soon?”
“Nobody is getting serious,” Dylan said. “And I know this is temporary, it’s not as if I’m planning on marrying …”
The moment he uttered the word marrying, an image of June in a silky white dress, blue flowers in her hands, ran through his mind.
“You’re falling for her,” Carson said as he turned back to his truck. “You’ve obviously forgotten what marriage looks like on our side of the family.”
Reality finally crashing over him, Dylan stared at his brother’s back as he got into his truck.
Carson was right of course. What the hell did he know about women? About relationships? About how to treat a woman?
Everything inside him wanted to be with June.
Hell, driving away from her tonight took just about all of his self-control.
But whether he wanted to know it or not, he should stay away from her as far as possible.
She deserved a great husband who would give her a home, would give her children, shower her with love.
He couldn’t do that, he didn’t even know what love meant.