“It is pretty country around here. I can’t believe how green it is.”
“Yeah. We haven’t had a problem with drought for the past several years. Not since the year of the fires in Gatlinburg.”
“I remember. Trevor shared your email about it. It sounded terrible.”
“It was, but the community always pulls together to help. Dollywood set up a fund for those affected by the fires. It’s something I love about Ridgeview. People help each other.”
After setting the table, she watched the ease with which Rob folded the omelet and flipped it over. When she tried to make omelets, the insides always dripped out and went in all directions. Maverick raised his nose, inhaling the scent of the cooking food, which made her laugh. “I know, boy, it smells amazing to me, too.” Her mouth watered at the smell of bacon and cooking onions. Her stomach growled.
“Hang on, there, MJ. Yours will be finished in a minute.” He checked the underneath size of the omelet. “Bring me your plate.”
She brought both plates over and laid one on the counter, as she reached out to hand the other to Rob. He plated the omelet and a few slices of bacon and handed it back.
“Eat,” he told her.
She dug in, moaning as the flavors of the mushrooms combined with the onions, tomatoes, and cheese hit her mouth. “This is fabulous. I wish I could cook like this. Oh, my gosh.”
***
Rob finished cooking his omelet and sat down across the table from MJ. The noises she made distracted him and made him wonder what noises she might make in bed. Head out of the gutter, Rob.
He searched his brain for something to talk about. Trevor had shared information about her background and family since he’d known them so long. Rob knew her father had been an over-the-road truck driver, and that he’d died when she was in junior high. Her brother owned an auto repair shop in Ridgeview and had played high school football along with Trevor. Her mother worked at the IGA as a cashier.
“What made you become a librarian?” he finally asked.
She laughed. “I loved reading. I mean, it was the center of my universe. When I was a kid, I’d go to the library every day in the summer. I’d check out six books, which was the maximum, and then I’d go home and read them. The next day I’d go back for six more. I thought working in a library would be the most amazing job. When I was in high school, and other girls were waiting tables or babysitting, I got a job at the Ridgeview Library shelving books. I loved it. Nobody could believe it, because shelving books and reading shelves to make sure they’re in order is the most boring task. Not to me. I loved everything about the library. I probably decided to become a librarian when I was in third grade. Some people outgrow the jobs they think they’ll want to do, but not me. I still totally love it.”
“What do you like best?”
“Reading books to little kids,” she answered immediately. “Children’s Story Hour is fun. I love reading parts with different voices, and most of all, I love sharing reading with little ones.” Her expression was one of total delight.
He’d seen her in action, reading to the kiddos, so he knew it made her come alive. He could imagine her with kids of her own, sharing her excitement about life, and helping them love life as much as she did.
“You’re great with kids. Do you want kids of your own?”
A shadow passed over her face before she answered. “Yes. Definitely. I want a family. Someday.” She looked sad. Shit. The future she’d pictured was different now that Trevor was dead. Her dreams of the future couldn’t come true now.
“I’m sorry, MJ,” he said.
“Why?”
He looked into her eyes. “I know you thought you’d have all that with Trevor.”
Her eyes watered, and she sniffed back a tear. “Well, things don’t always work out the way we think they will. It’s hard to get used to the idea that he’s gone, but there’s nothing I can do except move on. He sent me Maverick.” She paused for a moment, then added quietly, “And he sent me you.”
He reached over the table and grabbed her hand. “Meeting you has been the only good thing about this situation.”
Time seemed to stop as their eyes met and held. He wanted to dive into her soul-filled eyes and take her in his arms, but he didn’t have the right.
Maverick came over and sat down next to MJ, putting his head on her knee. She reached over and petted him, and their moment ended.
She’d lost the love of her life. Maverick would help comfort her. Rob still couldn’t stop wondering about her future dreams. What would they be now? Would she find someone else? Damn it. He wanted to be part of those dreams, part of her life. Could she ever find a place in her life for somebody like him?
Chapter Fourteen
MJ grabbed her purse and her tote bag containing a book about dog training and copies of a few articles she’d found about PTSD in animals. They didn’t exactly fit her situation with Maverick, but it was a place to start. She looked forward to seeing Rob and Maverick. The three of them had settled into a comfortable routine. They’d been living together for over a month. It shocked her how easy it was, even though she’d been used to living alone. She didn’t exactly know what that meant, but it had to be good, right?
Rob promised to make dinner tonight, and
