Page 74 of Wild Dreams

We sat on the couch and the overstuffed chairs, the fire crackling in the hearth. I wondered if Marigold was the one who'd unlocked the door.

"Who read the book?" Eli asked, and everyone's hand went up except for mine.

"I would think that of anyone, you would have read the book," Xander pointed out.

"I've been busy. It's that time of year."

"Ski season just started for me, so I know what it means to be busy."

Eli gave me a stern, eldest-brother look. "We all have a lot going on, but if we're going to do this book club, we need to do it right."

I folded my arms over my chest. "I'll make more of an effort to read the book next time."

Eli nodded, satisfied.

But there was no way I could talk to Marigold about potential books. That outlet was gone. It would be a long time before things between us ever went back to normal.

I knew I should reach out to her, but every day that passed only made it more difficult.

"Since Chance didn't read the book, I guess I'll lead the discussion." Eli picked up his book and flipped to the back where the questions were listed.

He asked the first question, and I was only half listening because I wasn't familiar with the story. The guys talked, andI wondered where Marigold was, if she was in the children's section waiting for us to be done or if she was at the theater tonight.

The door opened, and a tall blonde entered the room. "Is this the men's book club?"

Xander raised a brow. "Who wants to know?"

I'm Jill. I'm a photographer with the local paper. We heard that there was a men's book club, and I was tasked with finding out if the rumors were true."

19

CHANCE

Xander let her stay and take pictures. She asked him questions about the book we were reading. Xander tended to get sidetracked when a beautiful woman was involved.

By the time we ended our meeting, the library was dark. Nancy, the woman I saw the first day of our meetings, was there to walk us out and lock up behind us. I didn't ask her where Marigold was because I suspected she was at the theater with Scarlett and wanted nothing to do with me.

I couldn't blame her. I was a jerk. And I wasn't ready to talk to her because I didn't have anything else to offer her.

Eli walked with me to my truck. "The girls are working late tonight at the theater. Want to come over to the lodge for a drink?"

"Sure. Why not?" I wasn't scheduled to work, and I hadn't received information about any concerning situations.

We drove to the lodge, and I walked inside with him. At the bar, he ordered us drinks, and we sat on the end so he could see the room.

"I'm planning to take Scarlett on a surprise trip in a few days. Once the play is over. She needs a break."

I nodded, pleased Scarlett had Eli in her life. "She'll love that."

"I asked Oliver to be in charge of the lodge. Can you stop by here and there to make sure everything's okay security wise?" The bartender delivered our drinks, and Eli tipped him.

"Of course."

Eli clicked his bottle against my glass. "I appreciate it."

"Anything for a friend."

Eli shifted slightly so he was facing me. "I'm getting reports that you're being downright surly at work."

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