Claws & Crochet

Part 19

ZOEY

The Pine Falls public library has officially made it into my list of top five places to work remotely. I'm not sure anything will beat McConnell's pub where they make sure to give me a table in the corner near an outlet, and they always have a new beer on tap for me to sample.

At least, they did until I realized how drinking effected my medication. Now the staff is just as quick with a Dr. Pepper and a basket of cheese fries.

Maybe a library is a better choice than a pub.

Plus, there's a cute coffee shop just down the block that makes those frothy drinks with delicious syrups added. The only way I can consume coffee is if it's halfway to becoming a milkshake. One more way I'm the black sheep in my family. Or more like they're a herd of black sheep drinking black coffee, and I'm the super fluffy white sheep that's insisting on wearing a pink bow while it sips on a foamy almond joy latte.

I finish off my delicious drink as I put the final touches on a style sheet for my new client. After saving and sending it to the Denver brewery that hired me to design their website, I lean back in my chair, enjoying the sun on my face.

This small-town library has a patio that overlooks a river. The water meanders by at a leisurely pace, splashing against rocks to create the perfect background white noise. My bet is that the crashing of waves was louder during the summer when the banks were swollen with snow melt. But as the temperature drops, so does the water level.

Satisfied with my work for the day, I take one last wistful look at the full Wi-Fi signal before shutting my laptop and sliding it into my bag.

Time to head back to the cellular service wasteland that is my grandmother's cabin.

At least there's electricity and a water heater. Have to be thankful for the small things.

Before I leave, I take the opportunity to pick out some reading material for the evening. Normally, I gravitate toward historical romance, loving the brief trip I get to take into ornate ballrooms from centuries ago. But a particular style of font on one book spine captures my attention.

Similar to what I've seen stitched on the back of a leather jacket.

Minutes later I'm heading to the check out with a motorcycle club romance novel and trying hard not to think about my motivations.

"I've read this one. It's really good." The white woman with vibrant red hair who scans the barcode gives me an approving nod.

"Good to know. I've never read her work before." I hand over my temporary library card. Luckily, I was able to get a card even with being an out-of-towner. Five bucks, and unlimited books? I didn't hesitate.

Still, I miss using my nice, sturdy Denver public library card. Plastic is so much more official.

"You new to town?" She asks, fingering the flimsy card-stock before waving it under the scanner.

"Kind of. I'm just here to clean out my grandmother's house. She passed away in March."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"I didn't know her that well." I didn't know her at all. Guilt pricks at my gut to accompany the thought. "Maybe you did? Her name was Minnie Gunner."

The librarian shakes her head. "I just moved here at the beginning of the summer, so our paths wouldn't have crossed."

You moved here? Why?

The questions flash through my brain, but I'm able to cut them off before they tumble out of my mouth.

"I'm Juliet." The woman offers her name as she hands my book back to me.

"I'm Zoey."

"Well, Zoey. I hope you enjoy your book. I read it years ago but devoured it in one night. Couldn't put it down. Something about a man on a bike . . ." Juliet trails off, her face turning as red as her hair. "Never mind. I did not mean to say that."

Glancing down at the cover of the book where we see a muscular guy dressed in a leather vest, I can't help a grin. Plus, I get the sudden urge to put the librarian at ease. No judgment here.

"I met a member of The Dark Moon Riders the other day. So, I might be in a biker kind of mood. Do you know anyone in the club?"

Juliet shrugs, but her flush starts to fade her mouth tilting into a frown. "Seen them around town. Maybe said a few words to one or two."

The tight tone she uses has my interest bells ringing.

"Is there something wrong with them?"

"Not exactly. It's just . . ." The librarian glances around the empty lobby. "From what I can tell, there's no real consensus on the club."

"What do you mean?" I lean on the counter, sensing that Juliet would rather keep her voice low.

"Some people seem to think they're separate from the town. Like they shouldn't have to follow the same laws we do. And there are others who basically ignore them. But I get the feeling a lot of people are scared of them."

"Scared of them? Why?"

She raises a crimson brow at me. "Loud bikes. Mean faces. Dressed head to toe in leather. Bikers aren't really the happy cuddle type."

I wonder if Juliet has ever met Warner. No way would I ever call his face mean. And he might not be so bad to cuddle with. He certainly was warm when I had my arms wrapped around him on his bike.

I push the teasing thoughts away and focus on the conversation.

"My dad is in a biker club. Up in Denver. They go riding on weekends, and they hold fundraisers for veterans suffering from PTSD." My shoulders shrug. "I guess bikers don't really scare me."

Juliet sits back in her chair, eyes running over me as if I'm something to be studied. She sighs, almost sounding relieved. "Me either." Then she smiles with a soft curve of her lip.

In that moment, I can't help noticing how beautiful she is. Not in a walk-down-the-runway kind of way. Juliet has the type of face that tricks you into thinking it's ordinary. That every bit of it is just fine and nothing more. But the moment she smiles it's as if the light takes notice, chiding itself for not giving her the proper attention moments ago. She's all red and gold, like a phoenix. My mind starts cycling through color palettes that would pair well with her complexion.

I want to crochet her a forest green scarf and hat set. With matching mittens.

I want to invite my brothers out here, herd them into the library, point to Juliet, and demand one of them woo her so she can be a member of our family. That way I can enjoy her smile for the rest of our days.

But knowing the Gunner boys, they'd never leave and then I'd be stuck in the same mess I just escaped from.

Still, I realize something very important.

Juliet is going to be one of my few, cherished friends.

Now I just need to figure out the best course of action to make that happen. If I tell her outright, I might scare her off.

"Would you like to be friends?" My abrupt mouth spits in caution's face. At least I framed it as a question, rather than a demand.

Her smile flickers, and I'm worried it might go out. But then a grin flashes wide, and her gorgeous face threatens to burn my retinas. Reflexively, I reach for my sunglasses, but just keep myself from putting them on.

"Yes."

"Fantastic." I smooth my hands over the front of my T-shirt. "When are you free for our first friend date?"

The fact that Juliet laughs rather than cringes from me is the last bit of proof I need.

She's my kind of person.

Author note: My first goal whenever I move to a new town ... find the library! Thanks for reading 💕