Page 65 of Wild Dreams

"I'm working. How about you?"

"I need to decide on an ending for my play, and then Scarlett wants to meet to go over what I have so far. I have a feeling she's going to want to act it out."

"So you'll be at the theater?"

Marigold nodded. "Most likely."

I sipped my coffee. "I'll drop by to see your progress."

Marigold smiled. "You don't have to do that."

"I want to." I also loved putting that smile on her face.

Marigold tipped her head to the side. "Did you decide on your next book-club book?"

I nodded. "We voted on one."

"Could I take a picture of your group for the library's website?"

"Our group isn't open to the public. The guys want to keep it quiet for now. I guess Xan has a reputation to uphold, and reading books isn't part of his persona."

"That's too bad. I think it would encourage more men and boys to come to the library. You're making it cool."

"Xander wouldn't say that."

Marigold shrugged. "Anything that promotes reading is nice. I think kids would love to see their local sheriff in a book club. Didn't you say you're always concerned about how you're perceived in the community?"

"The book club is just for me and my friends. It's the one thing that isn't up for public consumption." That and my relationship with Marigold, but I wasn't going to say that. It was only a matter of time before people connected the truck outside with me. My only saving grace was that people associated me with work vehicle.

Her gaze filled with respect. "I can understand that."

If I could keep the book club private, could I have Marigold too? Whenever I allowed my imagination to go there, I saw more mornings like this one. Sleeping together, making breakfast, and maybe even shopping for a tree.

"Are you planning to get a tree?"

Marigold shook her head. "I have a fake one. I just need to put it up."

"You should get a real one."

She grimaced. "That would be nice but so much work for one person."

"I can help you," I offered, unsure if I'd have the time. I was usually busier this time of the year. I didn't like making promises I couldn't keep.

"Don't worry about it. I've been taking care of myself for a long time, and I know what I can handle and what I can't. My focus the next few weeks will be on the play if we want to have a performance before Christmas."

"You only have a few weeks to pull it together."

"Scarlett seems to thrive on tight time lines. I'm a planner. But once Scarlett gets an idea in her head, she executes it."

Marigold was slower and more methodical but no less passionate. I loved that I was getting to know her better. "Both ways work."

Marigold smiled. "I think we make a good team because of it."

We finished eating, and both of us lingered over our coffees. I got up to pour more in her mug. "What do you think about me offering my plays to schools? Scarlett thought I should try with the local elementary and middle school."

"I don't see why not." I remembered the forest play she did, and it was adorable. Although that might have been the kids, not so much the writing. I just remembered being entranced with the kids' earnestness. They wanted to do well, and they were having so much fun.

"Do you think they're good enough?"