“I was a military brat,” she explained. “My dad is a Marine and I don’t think he knew what to do with a daughter. It was a weird tug of war between my parents. Everywhere we moved, my mother made sure to hook up with local officers’ wives and plan charity events or galas. That was her thing. I don’t know, maybe the farm fantasy was a way for me to put down roots?”

“Okay, now the ‘whiskey locker’ makes sense,” John said with a smirk. “Outside of going to school in Chicago, I’ve spent my entire life here.”

“That’s where my family eventually ended up after my dad retired. I went to school at the University of Chicago, you?”

“DePaul.”

She nodded. “Do you ever feel like going somewhere else?”

John seemed to think about his answer. “My sister’s trip to Sweden reminded me that I want to visit more of the world.” He stroked his chin and narrowed his gaze on the rabbit demonstration before them. “I guess if the opportunity ever arose, I’d try something new. But for now, I like my job and I like Farmingdale.”

“Did you know that, outside of school, this is the longest I’ve ever spent in one location?”

“Really? How long have you been here?”

Victoria counted the years in her mind. “A little over four years.”

“And we’re just meeting...” he mused. “I can’t imagine walking past you in a grocery store and not seeing you.”

“It may have happened,” she said with a smile. Victoria couldn’t imagine what rock she had lived under before meeting John. He was so large and vibrant that a chance meeting should have taken place much sooner.

“When was the last time you were at the library, before we met?”

She searched her memory. “I don’t know. It’s been a long time.”

“Possibly not since January?”

Her gaze flew to his face. “Yes, probably. Why would you say that?”

John couldn’t hide the mirth in his eyes. “For the Duke’s Convenience was the last thing you checked out. Fines are ten cents per day and ten months of fines adds to about thirty dollars.”

Victoria bit back a grin and crossed her arms. “If I buy the book for eight dollars and gift it to the library, will you take me off the wanted posters?”

“Absolutely not.” His green eyes danced with merriment. “It’s out of print anyway. You managed to steal a very old paperback.”

She opened her mouth to say something sassy but was cut off by the young man. “Did you guys want to pet the rabbit?” Victoria looked around to find they were alone, the group of children having long left in favor of something else.

John had already stepped up to the teenager. “Of course. Do you mind if I hold him?”