Page 18 of So Right
He watched her go and couldn’t stop smiling.
Mick came over to where Luke was seated and leaned on the bar across from him. “Did McDade just agree to go out with you?”
“She’s joining me for a hike on Monday.”
“So that’s a yes. Damn, brother, good job. She keeps to herself mostly. It’s nice to see her do something social.” Mick left to attend to a couple at the other end of the bar.
Luke’s gaze found Kelsey bussing a table. They had so much in common. He couldn’t help but anticipate spending more time with her. On a date. Because that was exactly what it was.
He held up his mug in her direction and thought to himself:introverts unite!
“Turn left here,” Gram said.
Kelsey put on her signal and made the turn.
“It’s just up ahead on the right.” Gram looked up from her phone.
Catching sight of the sign that read “County Historical Society,” Kelsey pulled into the parking lot. “You’re an excellent navigator, Gram.”
“Thank you. I’ve gotten pretty good at using this phone. Malcolm’s taught me all the tricks.”
Kelsey smiled, marveling at how savvy young kids were with electronics. She saw it all the time at the library as kids sat down at the computers. At that moment, her phone pinged. Since she was still driving, she ignored it, but Gram picked it up and looked at the screen.
“Who’s Luke?”
Kelsey parked the car and shut off the engine as her heart picked up a bit of speed. She took the phone from Gram. “Just a friend.”
“Who you have a date with?”
The text read:Can I pick you up at ten thirty instead?
“It’s not a date. We’re going hiking.” It was sort of a date. Wasn’t it? She’d gotten a little thrill when she’d brazenly and rather thoughtlessly blurted that she’d go with him—just like when you agreed to a first date. She hadn’t been on very many of those, but she remembered.
She didn’t evenwantto date. What was shethinking?
Clearly, she hadn’t been. Thinking. He’d walked into the pub last night looking all sexy in dark blue jeans and a dark-green T-shirt that had displayed his rugged, athletic frame to drool-worthy effect.
Gram sent her a skeptical glance as she opened her door. “I don’t care what you call it, it’s a step in the right direction.” She smiled before stepping out of the car.
Kelsey wasn’t sure it was the right direction, but it was astep.
She got out of the car and locked it, then joined Gram in walking to the front door. Once inside, Kelsey smiled. The scent of old paper and curiosity filled her nostrils—the smell of a library. She felt perfectly at home.
“Hi, can I help you?” The question came from a young man behind the front desk.
Kelsey went to the counter. “Yes, we have an appointment with Darryl Gray.”
“You’re looking at maps today.” He smiled at her. “That’ll be fun.”
“I think so.”
The door opened behind Kelsey, and she turned her head to see the other three women enter. They’d offered a ride to Kelsey, but she’d declined since Gram was with her.
“Hello!” Crystal called out. She immediately went to shake Gram’s hand. “You must be Kelsey’s grandma.”
“I am. Please call me Ruby.”
“I’m Crystal.” She let go of Gram and gestured to introduce Alaina and Brooke.
