a palm across his stubbly chin. “Hey, our coffee’s getting cold and the crowd doesn’t look like it’ll be thinning out anytime soon. Would you be okay with sharing the table?”
Relief and gratitude replaced the disgruntled twist to her lips. “If you’re sure you don’t mind.” She wadded up the napkins and offered her hand. “I’m Brooke Willoughby, your new chamber of commerce communications manager.”
“Wow, that’s a mouthful. Congratulations. I’m Shaun O’Grady, average guy in need of caffeine.” No need to explain further. Besides, he didn’t expect he’d ever have a reason to visit the Juniper Bluff Chamber of Commerce. After a quick handshake, they sat across from each other. “So, you’re off to a business meeting?”
“I’m being officially introduced to the chamber’s board of directors. And I’m a teensy bit edgy, as you can probably tell from my klutziness.” She took a sip from her mug, then uttered a nervous laugh. “You might want to grab a few extra napkins in case I accidentally tip my coffee into your lap.”
“I’ll take my chances.” Offering a grin, Shaun bit into his scone. “I’m wearing half the barnyard on these old jeans anyway, so who’d notice?”
Brooke’s warm brown eyes sparkled with a knowing glint. “You must be a rancher, like just about everybody else in Juniper Bluff.”
“Uh, that would be a no. I’m just staying with my sister’s fiancé on his ranch until I figure out...” He tapped his heel. This wasn’t a subject he particularly wanted to get into with a complete stranger. “I mean, I’m only in town temporarily.”
“Oh, so you’re not from Juniper Bluff. Neither am I. Until very recently, anyway. My mom died last year—”
“I’m so sorry.”
“Thank you.” The slightest tremor crept into Brooke’s tone. “Anyway, my dad and I just moved here from Los Angeles. I had a great job at an advertising firm, but Dad really wanted to have the family close together again, so...” She gave a half-hearted shrug.
“I understand. Family’s important.” Family could also be meddlesome, as in insisting Juniper Bluff was the perfect place for Shaun to recover and regroup after burning out on the mission field. “You have relatives in town?”
“My brother. When he heard about the chamber of commerce position, he said it sounded perfect for me and insisted I apply. Next thing I knew, Dad and I were packed and hitting the road.” Lifting a bite of pastry on her fork, she glanced toward the door. “Tripp was supposed to meet me here this morning, but he texted saying he got tied up at the clinic.”
“He’s a doctor?”
“A veterinarian.”
Shaun nodded as pieces started falling together. “Tripp Willoughby—right. We met when he assisted Dr. Ingram with one of Kent’s cows.”
“Kent’s your brother-in-law?”
“To-be. The wedding’s Thanksgiving weekend.” Shaun figured he could stick around at least that long. And maybe by then he’d have his head on straighter. He’d been praying desperately for direction about where his life was headed, but it seemed like God had gone silent.
“Last time I came to Juniper Bluff was for my brother’s wedding,” Brooke was saying. She looked up as Diana stopped at their table with a coffee carafe. “And here’s my amazing sister-in-law now.”
Arching a brow, Diana topped off their mugs. “Don’t tell me I’m the subject of more town gossip?”
Shaun did a double take. “So you two are related?”
“We were best friends in college and I introduced her to my big brother. Long story.” Brooke gave a meaningful eye roll. “But finally, all these years later, they’re back together and happily married.”
Guess Shaun still had a few local connections to work out. Except for running the occasional errand for Kent or grabbing a quick cup of coffee at Diana’s Donuts, he spent most of his time at the ranch. Keeping a low profile meant less explaining to do, and more time to think and pray.
He took another gulp of coffee before pushing his chair back. “I should get going. Got a pickup-load of supplies Kent’s waiting on. Nice meeting you, Brooke. And thanks for letting me share your table.”
“Actually, I think it was the other way around, but thank you, too.” Her perky smile practically lit up the room, and Shaun almost felt sorry he wouldn’t have a chance to get to know her better.
Which was crazy because clearly they traveled in different circles. More accurately, Shaun was currently caught in a going-nowhere loop, whereas Brooke Willoughby zipped along on the straight and narrow road to success.
Frowning, Brooke watched Shaun amble out of the doughnut shop. In her advertising work she’d had a lot of practice reading people, but he defied her powers of perception.
After offering refills to the customers at the next table, Diana plopped down in the chair Shaun had vacated. “He’s a puzzle, isn’t he?”
Brooke jerked her head around. “Who—the guy who was just here?”
“Don’t pretend you aren’t curious. We all are.” Gripping the edge of the table, Diana leaned forward. “So, what did y’all talk about? Did he reveal any interesting details about himself?”
“I think I did most of the talking—as usual.” Brooke lifted her coffee mug only to decide she’d had enough caffeine already. She set it down with a thunk. “All he basically said was that he hadn’t been in town very long—”
“And he’s staying with his almost-brother-in-law until after the wedding. Yada yada.” Diana crossed her arms and leaned back. “I was hoping for something a little juicier.”
“Digging for new gossip? Girl, you’ve been in the coffee-and-doughnuts business way too long.” Mimicking her sister-in-law’s pose, Brooke smirked and shook her head. “Anyway, I just met the guy. I should be asking you the questions. Who’s his sister? Anyone I’ve met?”
“Erin Dearborn. She’s Wanda Flynn’s partner at the WE Design shop across the square.”
“Oh, of course. Erin’s living in your old house, right?” Brooke tapped both temples in a duh gesture. “I may never get used to how in a small town everybody knows everybody.”
Diana’s expression turned sympathetic. “After living in LA, this has to be a huge change. Think you’ll adjust?”
“I’m sure I will...in time.” She certainly hoped so, since she hadn’t had much choice in the matter. “Anyway, Dad loves it here, and that’s what counts.”
“It was definitely a blessing when the chamber of commerce position opened up. We knew you’d be the perfect candidate.”
“Which reminds me,” Brooke said, collecting her shoulder bag, “I need to review my notes one more time before this meeting. Better get to the office.”
Diana
