Chapter 6 Nora
Nora
Iwas not going to think about Wolf’s chest.
Nope.
Absolutely not.
Thinking about that would be wildly inappropriate, unprofessional, impractical, irresponsible, and probably on the library’s unofficial list of “things you cannot do on work premises.”
So of course, that’s exactly what my brain fixated on the entire time I was trying to run a Friends of the Library board meeting.
“Should we upgrade the children’s section chairs?” Mrs. Peabody asked.
“He has… tattoos,” I murmured under my breath.
The entire board stared at me.
“I mean—chairs! Yes, chairs. Upgrade the chairs.”
“Oh, yes,” Mrs. Peabody said, blinking.
I rubbed my forehead. Focus, Nora. Focus on the chairs. Not Wolf Maddox carrying a beam like it weighed nothing. Not the way his voice did something to my spine. Not the heat that ran through me when—
No.
Nope.
After the meeting ended, I fled to the break room and splashed cold water on my face.
Get a grip.
You are a librarian. Not a hormonal cartoon character.
I took three steady breaths, straightened my blouse, and walked out.
And instantly knew I was doomed.
Because Riley Tate was sitting at one of my reading tables, flipping through a gardening book, like she had never gardened a day in her life.
Riley looked up and flashed a smile. “Nora. Perfect. Sit.”
“I’m working.”
“You were thinking about Wolf,” she said casually.
I slammed the return bin closed. “I absolutely was not.”
“Oh honey.” She propped her chin on her hand. “Everyone saw you nearly combust when he walked toward you shirtless.”
My soul left my body.
“Riley,” I hissed. “Lower your voice!”
She laughed. “Relax. The Magnolia Ladies are the only ones who didn’t see it. And that’s only because they were at water aerobics.”
Before I could come up with a rebuttal, the door chimed.
All three Magnolia Ladies walked in.
Riley grinned. “Perfect timing.”
Agnes spotted me instantly. “Nora Bennett, we need updates.”
I stiffened. “On what?”
June blinked. “On the Rangers.”
I waved both hands. “No, no, no—there’s no update. No news. No story.”
Riley raised her hand. “Actually—”
I lunged and slapped my hand over her mouth.
Riley’s eyes sparkled with wicked joy.
Agnes gasped. “Goodness gracious! Nora!”
I snatched my hand back. “She was going to say something unhelpful.”
Mabel leaned in. “Helpful for you. Not helpful for your blood pressure.”
I hid my face behind a stack of returned books. “Can we please talk about something else?”
“No,” all four women said together.
I was about to melt into the carpet when someone knocked on the library window.
We all turned.
Wolf stood outside.
Holding a toolbox.
And looking like every fantasy I’d sworn never to admit I had.
Agnes sighed dramatically. “Well, that’s it. I’m planning a wedding.”
“No one is planning a wedding,” I sputtered.
Riley propped her boot on a chair. “I’ll be maid of honor.”
“Get out,” I snapped.
She grinned. “Gladly.”
I escaped to the front door, heart pounding, and opened it.
Wolf stood on the step. Up close, he was all heat and muscle and quiet seriousness that made my throat dry.
“Nora,” he said softly. “You got a second?”
“No,” I said.
He blinked. “No?”
I closed my eyes. “Sorry. Yes. I meant yes. I absolutely—yes. What’s happening? What do you need? How can I help? Please ignore everything I just said.”
He stared at me for a very long second.
Then—God help me—he smiled.
Barely.
A ghost of one.
But enough to steal the air from my lungs.
“Something wrong with your door,” he said. “Saw it sticking earlier. Figured I’d take a look.”
“Oh.” I swallowed. “It does stick sometimes.”
He lifted the toolbox slightly. “I can fix it.”
“Right,” I whispered. “Yes. Good. Fixing is good.”
I opened the door wider. He stepped inside, bringing the scent of sawdust, cedar, and mountain air.
The Magnolia Ladies scattered like gossiping pigeons, pretending to browse but absolutely listening.
Wolf crouched at the base of the doorframe. “You don’t have to hover,” he said without looking up.
“I wasn’t hovering.”
“You’re hovering.”
I folded my arms. “You’re in the children’s section. Please watch for puppets. They’re fragile and judgmental.”
He glanced up at me, eyes warm. “I’ll be careful.”
I tried not to melt.
He tested the hinge, tightened screws, and checked alignment. Every quiet movement was deliberate. Focused. Capable.
When he stood, his shoulders nearly brushed mine.
“The frame was loose,” he said. “Should be smooth now.”
I reached for the door, tested it, and—
It swung perfectly.
Effortless.
“Wow,” I breathed. “You really fixed it.”
He looked down at me, expression unreadable. “Told you I would.”
My heart knocked against my ribs.
Then he stepped back, cleared his throat, and handed me a small card.
“If anything else breaks—door, window, lock—call us,” he said. “We’re across the street.”
“Right,” I said. “Across the street.”
“And Nora?” he added.
I looked up.
His voice dipped lower. “You don’t owe anybody anything. Not Riley. Not the ladies. Not us. Don’t let them push you.”
A warmth bloomed low in my chest.
“Okay,” I whispered.
He nodded once and headed for the door.
Before he stepped outside, he paused and added, “Stop avoiding looking at me like I’m dangerous.”
I choked. “I—I wasn’t—!”
“You were,” he murmured. “But just so you know… I see you.”
Then he walked out, calm and controlled, like he hadn’t just set off fireworks under my skin.
The Magnolia Ladies materialized instantly.
Agnes fanned herself. “Nora Bennett. Tell the truth. Are you breathing?”
“No,” I said. “I don’t think I am.”
Riley waltzed back in. “So. When’s the first date?”
“Everyone get out,” I begged.
They did not.
And somewhere across the street, Wolf Maddox paused on the tavern steps—
And looked back.
At me.