Page 66 of Bad Boy for Hire

“Hazel is Mrs. Anderson’s granddaughter,” Lou told May. “She’s running the library now.”

“It’s in my blood.” Hazel shrugged.

“Hazel is also responsible for buying the books that are stocked in the library.” Lou nodded meaningfully. “So we are basically best friends.”

“I couldn’t contain my excitement when she told me the news.” Hazel laughed. “I actually shrieked. In the library! Grandma would have never.”

“I don’t know about that,” May said. “I bet Mrs. Anderson had a hidden wild side when she was your age.”

“What a thought,” Lou said. “You should have Tom dig up her old journals and photos. Do some sleuthing.”

“That’s a good idea.” Hazel’s lips trembled a little. “I miss her.”

“She was a staple in the Cove,” May said. “We all miss her.”

“Thank you.” Hazel dipped her chin.

“I keep telling her she should write a book,” Lou told May while giving Hazel’s arm a shake. “She has a million stories that would be perfect for print.”

A blush stole over Hazel’s cheeks. “I’ve always wanted to write a book, but so far I’ve sufficed by surrounding myself with them.” Then to Lou she said, “Anyway. Are you going to be around? I’m going to help my grandfather with the ‘haunted’ house.”

“Good idea. I was thinking the skeleton could use more tulle.” Lou pointed at the pink frock. “And yes, we’ll be around.”

“Nice to see you both.” Hazel waved and then practically skipped off.

“She’s like a fairy,” May said.

“Adorable, right?”

They wandered over to a booth that sold jewelry next. May was admiring a crystal on a chain when Lou decided to share a surprising tidbit of news.

“Ant tells me Xavier asked him to design a crib.”

“A crib?” The crystal dangling in her hand began to sway. She stilled it with her other hand in case it was trying to tell her something.

“I’m guessing Xavier didn’t mention it?”

No, Xavier definitely had not mentioned a crib. Or a nursery, or anything remotely resembling furniture…for a baby or otherwise.

“He told me there was no reason to make plans yet,” May said. She’d abided by that rule. She was shocked to learn that he’d made one very big plan without her input.

“Maybe he wants to surprise you,” Lou said.

“I don’t like surprises.” May carefully hung the necklace back on the hook and walked away.

Lou doubled her pace to keep up. “I didn’t mean to panic you. I’m not sure he was serious. Griffin was talking about desks, and Brady was talking about wanting chairs for his dock. That could’ve been Xavier’s way of bringing up the pregnancy without saying the word.”

“Lisa thinks I have been replaced with an alien who doesn’t worry or overthink.”

Lou laughed but May didn’t.

“To be honest, I’m beginning to question my own identity.”

Lou tilted her head thoughtfully. “You seem like May to me. Granted, Lisa has known you for longer. Maybe she’s comparing this May to the May she used to know.” She shrugged. “We all experience times when we don’t feel like ourselves. It’s usually right before we shift into someone new.”

As they walked past a few more booths, May considered what Lou said. Lourdes Daniels had shifted from a woman keeping Ant at arm’s length to a woman wearing his engagement ring. That shift had been beautiful to observe.

“So, I’m metamorphosing,” May said. “I’m a caterpillar in the goo stage, rebuilding my entire body. After that, I’ll build wings.”