Chapter 6

6

CHANCE

L ately, it felt like the guys were always too busy to hang out. Xander was forever seeing some new girl. Oliver was busy with Joey. The worst was Eli and Scarlett. I couldn't help but think I'd lost my best friend and my sister when they got together.

Friday night, I stopped by the library near closing time. I wanted to talk to Marigold about a new book for the book club and to make sure she was ready to go tomorrow.

I had a feeling she hadn't ridden her bike in a while, and it might need a tune-up before our ride. She didn't have a brother or a father who could help her with things like that. She could take it to a bike shop, but I'd bet she hadn't even thought about it.

It was another opportunity for me to see her. Even if she couldn't be mine, I enjoyed spending time with her.

I opened the door to allow a mother with three children to walk out.

"Thank you," she said, sounding harried as one of her kids ran out. "Charlie, slow down."

"I'm going to have to give you a speeding ticket if you don't slow down, buddy," I used my cop voice, and the kid stopped immediately.

He turned and tipped his head to the side. "Are you a police officer?"

"I'm the sheriff, but I'm not wearing my uniform tonight. I'm off-duty, but I can still write you a ticket."

"Ugh. Fine," Charlie said.

"I thought I recognized you, Chance. Nice to see you enjoying time off. Thanks for your help. Charlie's go-to speeds are fast or asleep."

I smiled as they walked away, one of the kids asking about getting ice cream at the shop down the street. I couldn't help but wonder if it was odd for people to see me out of my uniform.

There were a few patrons in line at the front counter, checking out before the library closed. The children's desk was empty. I walked up and down the stacks until I found Marigold sitting crisscross on the floor with a book in her lap.

I crouched down next to her. "You heading out soon?"

Marigold startled, placing her hand over her heart. "Chance, what are you doing here?"

"I wanted to take a look at your bike tonight. Did you check your phone?"

Marigold grimaced. "I didn't."

I nodded toward the book. "Are you reading on the job?"

Marigold sighed. "I was supposed to be stocking. Kids are asking about this one. I thought I'd read a few pages and get a feel for it."

"But you couldn't stop?" I asked with a smile.

"You know me so well. I think I'm going to have to take this one home and read it." She pulled a small bookmark out of her pocket and placed it on the page. It was one of those clip ones. I bet she had a billion of those. Then she turned the book over so I could see the spine. "Everything this author writes is so good."

I stood, then offered her my hand.

When she took it, my heart rate picked up. I forced myself to let go when she was standing. "I'm surprised you enjoy children's books."

"If I read them, I know enough to recommend them to others."

"Like you did for me."

"I like to know what I'm talking about when I give recs. Speaking of, I have a few ideas for your next book club meeting."

"You want to talk about it over dinner? I could pick up a pizza on the way to your house."

Marigold smiled. "That sounds great. I'll just grab the books."

She pulled out a stack of four books from behind the counter, and I took them from her, shifting them under one arm. She grabbed her shoulder bag, and we headed out of the library.

Tonight, the other workers were just walking out the front door.

"Leaving early tonight, Marigold?" Nancy asked. She'd retired from teaching a few years ago and worked part-time at the library.

"Yeah, I have plans. Chance wanted to talk about some books I recommended to him." Marigold spoke fast, and her cheeks flushed.

Was she embarrassed to be seen with me? Did they think something was going on between us? I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I usually avoided leading anyone on who lived in town because I had no plans to make anything permanent. But we were technically friends.

Nancy smiled at Marigold. "Good for you, getting out on a Friday night."

"Oh, I don't know if pizza and books is getting out," Marigold said as she locked the door.

"Sounds like the perfect evening to me," Anna added.

"Have a good night, you two," Nancy called after us as we walked toward Marigold's car.

When we were at her car, Marigold turned to face me, and I placed a hand on the door, putting myself close to her. "Do they think something was going on?”

I moved my hand between us, my hand brushing against her sweater.

She sucked in a breath at the touch. "They think I work too much. I spend my evenings alone."

It didn't escape my notice that she didn't answer my question. I'd give her that play because nothing could happen between us.

Marigold looked up at me from under long lashes. On any other woman I'd think she was flirting, but Marigold wasn't like other women. She was more interested in reading and helping others than flirting with me. "I can't remember the last time I saw you out of your uniform."

I looked down at my casual outfit: worn jeans, a long-sleeve white baseball-style shirt with blue sleeves, and sneakers.

She reached up and touched the brim of my hat. "This is a nice touch."

I tapped the worn material. "My high-school ball cap."

"Looks good on you. It's the perfect amount of wear and tear. It's faded. The brim is fraying right here." She tapped the tip of my hat again, and for some reason, a shot of heat when straight through my body.

There was something about standing this close to this woman that I'd never thought of as anything more than a family friend. I was seeing her for the first time and realizing that I was attracted to her. "There's a perfect amount of worn that's good on a baseball hat?" I asked, genuinely curious about how her mind worked.

Marigold nodded. "According to the books I read."

Then she turned, unlocking her door.

I stepped back, holding it open for her. "What are these books you're reading?"

We'd talked about thrillers, but did she prefer romance? From what my sister said there was a wide array of options now, and even she enjoyed one now and again. What did Marigold read, and did she have any particular fantasies?

Her hand landed on my chest; her palm was flat over my now racing heart. "We're talking about thrillers tonight."

"Do you have books in your house? I might have to check them out." I couldn't help but tease her.

If it was possible, her cheeks flamed hotter. "Maybe you're not allowed to come over anymore."

I chuckled. "You want the pizza."

Her lips curved into a smile. "I do actually.”

"I'll pick it up and meet you at your house." I preferred frequenting the local businesses on my off time so I could keep up relations.

"Sounds like a plan." Marigold's hand slipped away as she got into her SUV.

I closed the door and stepped back so she could pull out of the lot. For the first time in what felt like forever, I was looking forward to seeing a woman.

When her taillights disappeared, I got into my truck and headed to the local pizzeria. I ordered a couple of pies, then chatted with the employees until they were ready.

The owner, Marcus, carried my pizzas to me. "Enjoying a night off?"

"I am," I said.

"Good for you," Marcus said as he opened the door for me. "Have a good night."

"You too." What did it say about me that everyone in town noticed when I took time for myself? Maybe I was pushing myself too hard.

I was going to enjoy this evening with Marigold and not worry about what it meant that I was attracted to her. I'd worry about my job and everything else another time.

I parked on the curb in front of Marigold's house, carrying the warm boxes to her porch. It was a small house in town that was well maintained with trimmed bushes.

I didn't think I'd been to Marigold's house since the day we helped her move in, and there were a lot of us carrying boxes and furniture that day.

Tonight was different. It was just me and her. I knocked on the door, determined not to second-guess myself for being alone with Marigold.

When it opened, Marigold had changed into comfortable-looking sweats and a cropped T-shirt that clung to her curves and revealed a sexy sliver of skin. "You came."

"You thought I'd cancel?" I asked her as I stepped inside, and she closed the door behind me.

"More that something would come up."

"I'm not on call tonight." I usually stayed in the loop whether I was working or not, but tonight, I'd made a conscious choice not to check in. If I was needed, they knew how to contact me. "You changed?"

Marigold shrugged as she led the way down the narrow hallway to her kitchen that had been painted a soft yellow. White curtains hung on the lone window, and a slider led to the back patio.

I set the boxes on the counter.

Marigold reached for plates in a cabinet, and her shirt lifted, revealing her toned stomach. I swallowed hard. I shouldn't be thinking about Marigold's bare skin.

I plated the slices while she grabbed a couple of waters.

"Let's eat in the living room."

I grabbed the plates and followed her into the living room where a fire was already crackling in the hearth. Soft music played from the TV, and she sat on the floor by the coffee table.

"You always eat in here?"

"I usually eat in the kitchen, but it's kind of sad when you're eating for one." Then Marigold snapped her mouth shut like she hadn't meant to reveal something that personal.

"I know what you mean." I also came home to an empty house.

We ate our pizza, and when I was full, I leaned back on the couch, stretching my legs out on the rug that covered the wood floors. I tipped my head in the direction of the books she'd brought home and that were now stacked on the table next to our plates. "What do you have for me?"

"I haven't read these, but they all came recommended from one of the patrons who reads everything thriller. He said if you liked the last book, you'll love these."

I picked one up, turning it over to read the back summary.

Marigold moved next to me, so close I could feel a huff of her breath on my skin.

I wished this were a date, and I was contemplating the best way to kiss her for the first time. I could wait until I walked to the door at the end of the night, but there was something enticing about Marigold dressed casually and kneeling on the floor.

I could pull her onto my lap so that she straddled me, running my hands over her hips, then higher to the sides of her breast. Would her breath quicken? Would her skin flush pink?

But this wasn't a date. I was having a difficult time drawing in a breath.

"This one has a little more action." Marigold reached past me, the side of her breast brushing my shoulder as she snagged the next book and held it in front of me. Was she trying to seduce me?

She flipped it so we could both read the summary. I couldn't take in any of the words. Then Marigold started to read it out loud, her voice low and husky. How could she make a thriller summary sound sexy?

We examined the next two books, and I decided to post two of them on our group chat to see what the other guys thought. "Thanks for researching options for me. I appreciate it."

"Of course, " Marigold said, setting them aside.

I was content to sit in her living room, watching the fire.

"Did you want to look at the bike now?" Marigold asked me.

"I almost forgot about that." I had no interest in moving to her garage. I enjoyed our proximity. But I followed her to the door to the garage, and she flipped on the overhead light.

Her SUV was the only vehicle inside. The second bay was reserved for trash cans, a lawn mower, leaf blower, and her bike. Everything was neat and tidy. Exactly how I would expect Marigold to keep her things.

Marigold wheeled out the blue mountain bike before engaging the kick stand.

"This is not the one I expected you to have." I saw her with a chrome bike, baby blue, white seat and handle bars, and maybe even a basket. Where did that image come from?

Her forehead wrinkled. "This is the one the guy at the store recommended."

"Where do you prefer to ride?" I crouched down, squeezing the tires which were soft. Then I examined the chain, which was off. It was also a little dirty. It could use some oil.

Marigold sat on a stool nearby. "I ride through the neighborhood and on the scenic trails. I haven't taken it mountain biking."

"That's why the guy should have recommended a hybrid. It's perfect for what you described." I tapped the metal. "But this one probably cost more."

"I was proud that I bought it myself." Then she nodded toward her vehicle. "Just like I was happy with how I haggled the salesman over my SUV."

"There's nothing wrong with this one. It will go everywhere you want it to go, and more." I looked around. "You got an air pump?"

Marigold hopped off the stool and grabbed the pump from a nearby shelf.

"You know how to fill the air in these tires?"

Marigold nodded. "I fill balls at the library for the kids."

We worked together to fill the tires. When we were done, I said, "I have to go out to my car to get the chain oil. Unless you have some?"

Marigold's nose scrunched. "I don't think so."

"You can have this one then."

She pushed the button for the garage door opener. I waited for it to raise completely before I crossed her driveway to the curb where my truck was parked. I reached into the bed to grab the tools and the oil I'd brought when Marigold said, "I don't think I can remember you driving anything but your work vehicle."

I hauled my things back to the garage, wondering if anyone was looking outside to see the man Marigold was spending time with. People could be nosey. "So everyone's been saying lately."

"What do you mean?" Marigold asked as she sat down on the stool again.

I could easily see more evenings like this one where she sat and talked to me while I fixed something or the other. A vision of constructing a crib together popped into my head, causing my heart to race. I wiped the sweat from my brow before I cleaned the chain and lubricated it, then checked for any rust or wear and tear. "It's in good shape."

"It's not super old. I bought it after I moved home. A few years ago maybe, and I never leave it outside."

"Yeah, you wouldn't want to do that around here. It would rust quick. Why don't you take it for a spin right here and check the brakes." I held the bike for her while she grabbed her helmet and buckled the strap under her chin.

"You don't need to wear a helmet just to ride on the sidewalk."

"I wouldn't want to break any laws," Marigold practically purred as she slipped between me and the bike and threw her leg over the frame. When she did that, her ass brushed against my thigh. Everything inside me tightened at the move.

She threw a look over her shoulder at me. "You want me to ride it back and forth?"

"Yeah, that's good." I swallowed over the dryness, wondering when Marigold learned these sexy moves. I didn't think she was doing any of them on purpose. She exuded innocence. A librarian who just wanted a husband and kids. But she was so much more. It made me think she would be more than a little wild in bed. And I was desperate to find out.

If she were my girl, I'd palm that ass and squeeze. The sweats she wore were soft looking and clung to her curves.

She placed her feet on the pedals and pushed off, easily gliding down the driveway and onto the sidewalk. I followed her so I could watch her progress. A small smile played on her face, her hair flying behind her in the breeze.

She skidded to a stop in front of me. "That felt good. I'm looking forward to tomorrow."

"How are the brakes?"

She grinned, and her eyes practically sparkled. "It stopped on a dime."

"That's good." How was I going to survive riding behind her on a trail tomorrow, watching her ass in tight pants?

She got off and wheeled the bike into the garage.

"I think it's good to go for tomorrow. What do you want to do? A scenic trail, mountain biking?" I asked, eager to see her smile again.

"I want to take the one around the lake. It's so relaxing. But if you want to do something more adventurous like mountain biking, we can do that too."

"Let's do the lake trail."

"Yay!" She shimmied her butt.

Was that all it took to make this woman light up? Someone who was tuned into what she wanted to do? I wondered who these guys were that she was dating. I had a feeling they spent the whole date talking about themselves.

I threw a thumb over my shoulder. "I should head out."

We'd eaten, discussed books, and I tuned her bike. There was no reason for me to hang around. And I knew if I did, I'd break all my rules and kiss her. But this wasn't a date, and I'd already pledged my life to my job. There wasn't a room for a sweet woman who wanted a simple life. I couldn't give her that.