3. Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Ana Maria

T he day has been slow, but Justin is already here. Shouldn't he be preparing for Christmas? We have a Christmas Mixer tonight, and I'm going with my friend Mandy, who just recently arrived in town. Something isn't right with her, but I want her to settle in at my house before I ply her with a million questions.

Justin came in today like it was any other day. He said hello to me and told me he was continuing his work on the children's section of the library. I opened my mouth, but nothing came out, so I just shut it and nodded in agreement.

I don't even know why I bother. Justin never asks the library's board if he can do any repairs or renovations. He just does them. The board doesn't care because he donates the materials and the labor. It's a little unsettling having him here so often, though.

Have I mentioned he's hot? Like really hot? Dark blond hair, almond-colored eyes, and over six feet tall. He's in great shape – I swear I only peeked once – and I've never heard any rumors of him dating anyone in town.

Honestly, that's a red flag. It's been eight years since his wife died. I guess he's devoted to his daughter and his job. Oddly enough, his work at the company he has with his brothers is all behind-the-desk administrative work. I heard his mother say once she was glad he was getting out of the office by helping out at the library.

Justin's daughter and his mother have already been here for the day. The family has instilled a love for books in Daisy and they come in often to drop off books and get new ones. She's so smart, and now that she's eight she's reading middle-grade books, which has opened a whole new world to her.

I've started making lists of recommendations for her, and she's always polite and thanks me for them. As she’s grown older, we talk more and more, and I've come to care for her a lot. If only her father would look at me as more than a librarian.

I guess he already does—I mean if he thought of me as someone he could marry. The library door opens, and someone I don't see every day comes in.

"Hello there, beautiful."

I look up with a polite smile. “Oh, is there anything I can do to help you, Mayor?"

"I was wondering if…"

A strong voice interrupts the mayor mid-sentence.

"I need more materials. I'll be right back, or do you need me to stay?"

Justin eyes the mayor warily and gives me a questioning look. The mayor has a reputation for not being very nice or actually being too nice to the ladies in town. I can handle myself, so I tell him to go. A frown forms on his forehead, and he looks menacingly at the mayor. The mayor doesn't seem to care one way or the other.

Finally left by myself with the mayor I urge him to state his business.

"Do you want me to do something about that Hoffer fellow? I think he's been working here for the last five years. I will check on the records to see if he’s even employed here."

"He doesn't work here. He's a volunteer." I hurry to tell him.

"If you want him gone, I'll take care of that for you."

"That's okay, he's no trouble. What can I do for you?"

"I'm just thinking ahead. You could come up with a raffle or something where some authors donate books and you raise some money for next year's Christmas Fund.

"I'll think about it, but it's not the right time for such things, with only one week until the year ends. I'll keep it in mind, though. Do you need anything else?"

The mayor looks perplexed at my less-than-enthusiastic response. He's used to all the ladies hurrying to do his bidding. That's just not who I am, and I don't want to get the library involved in any of his dirty schemes.

"I'll take care of Hoffer for you." He says before leaving.

Now I have to worry about what he'll do regarding Justin. I like the fact that Justin's always around helping out in the library. It brings me comfort, and he's a big piece of eye candy.

The Christmas Mixer was a bit of a bust. Justin kept looking at me from afar, but he wouldn't leave his brothers’ side. I swear, what are they? Twelve-year-old girls? When we were ready to go, Justin's mother approached me and invited Mandy and me to their Christmas Eve dinner the next night.

We both accepted, and I wondered what that would actually look like. I knew Mandy and Justin's brother Michael had a past, so the dinner should be interesting.

The library closed early on the twenty-fourth, and I went home to get ready for the dinner. I made some arroz con leche to bring to the party.

The moment I arrived on the Hoffer's doorstep, Daisy threw herself at me, hugging me tightly in welcome. Her beautiful smile brightened her face, and I was glad to have such a special little person in my life. Her grandmother came to the door to rescue me and Mandy and we were welcomed with much warmth.

Daisy shows us to the living room and tells us she is going to get refreshments. I look to her grandmother for guidance, but she just nods. I guess this is all part of the guest treatment in the Hoffer household.

The moment Justin came into the room, my skin burst into goosebumps.

Should I confront him about what happened the other day? Why am I still thinking about it? Do I want him to ask me to marry him again? I think I sort of do. He completely ignores me, of course, and starts helping his mother set the food on the table.

The food is delicious, but I'm getting mad at myself because I keep stealing glances at Justin. I just can't help it. He seems to be having an animated conversation with his daughter and mother. The love and warmth that fills this room is irresistible to someone like me who wants a family.

How do I get this? How do I go from a single old maid at twenty-eight to a happy family of three, maybe even four, somehow? I kick myself for being such a dreamer. If I want to marry Justin Hoffer, all I need is to wait for him to propose to me again. Somehow, I have a feeling he'll do it again. Not tonight, though.

I make an executive decision to ignore him for the rest of the evening. Everyone loves the dessert I brought, and I promise to send them the recipe. I sit back with Mandy and Daisy, and we let Daisy tell us all about the latest series she's reading.

Her love for the written word is infectious, and I make sure to ask her pointed questions about the books she's been reading and the ones she has on her Tbr list. Yes, she's eight and already has a to-be-read pile of books.

I notice Justin paying attention to our conversation, but I keep my resolution to put him out of my mind. That makes the rest of my evening more enjoyable than I thought possible.