“Matt! It’s good to see you again. Are you settling in okay?”
“With a town like Whitford, how could I not? I almost feel like I was born and raised here.”
Her cheeks flushed with pleasure, and he thought she might have patted his head if he was close enough. “I knew the first time I met you that you’d fit right in here.”
“What are you knitting?”
“A blanket for Liz’s baby.” She held it up, looking it over with a critical eye. “Have you met Liz? She’s Drew Miller’s wife.”
“I met her at the diner, but I didn’t know she was expecting.”
“She might be.” Fran shrugged. “Or she might not be. But it won’t be long. What are you up to today, besides looking handsome in that uniform?”
“I wanted to get a feel for the ATV traffic flow through town, so I’m doing some errands. Once I pay you for the gas, I’ll go wander through town a bit. I might stop in to the barber shop. And I need a library card.”
The woman lit up as if she’d stuck her knitting needle in a light socket. “Really? If you should happen to hear anything about Liz and Drew, I’d love to know about it. I’d even dig up one of the good chew bones I have out back for that Lab of yours.”
“I’ve been warned about you, Fran.”
“I just want an idea of how long I have to knit this blanket,” she said with a straight face.
“I’ll keep an ear out,” he promised as vaguely as possible.
He paid for his gas, then drove the ATV to the municipal lot and parked it. After locking his helmet through the rack, he stuck his ball cap on his head and took a walk.
It was a nice day, and people made a point of waving to him or saying hello. He liked that. Having a good relationship with this community was important professionally, but it was also his home now.
When he got to the barber shop, he stepped inside. It retained that old-fashioned look and smell, and he breathed deeply. This was the way a barber shop was meant to be. A blonde woman with her hair pulled through a Patriots cap looked up from the haircut she was giving when he walked in.
“I’m going to go out on a limb and guess you’re Matt Barnett.”
“Now what gave it away?” he asked, looking down at his uniform.
“I’m Katie.” She set down the trimmer in her hand and grabbed a big brush to clean her customer’s neck and ears. “I’ll be right with you.”
He waited while she took the cape off the older man and made change for him. Matt didn’t need a haircut yet, but there was no harm in stopping in. Not only was she a business owner, but she was the club president’s fiancée.
“Josh has told me a lot about you,” she said when they were alone, and put out her hand. “It’s good to meet you.”
He shook her hand. “I’ve met him a couple of times, and I’ve met your mom and Andy, so I thought I’d stop in and introduce myself.”
“You don’t need a haircut right now, but I hope you’ll come back when you do.” She tilted her head, looking him over. “You did that yourself, didn’t you?”
He laughed, feeling self-conscious even with his hat on. “That bad?”
“No, but it’s a little crooked where you went around your ear and down to your neck. Hard area to do yourself.”
“When it’s time for a trim, I’ll come in and let you fix it for me.”
“Done. So out making the rounds?”
“Yeah. Getting to know people and it’s a nice day for a walk. I’ll probably go over to the library and get some books while I’m here.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “Really?”
“This town is too much.” He shook his head. “There’s no ulterior motive behind getting a library card. And Fran at the general store just offered me a chew bone for my dog if I find out if Liz is pregnant yet. Oh, and have you set a wedding date yet?”
That made her laugh. “Is she still offering five dollars off? I swear, that woman. But she’s harmless, really. Her and my mom are good friends and if she actually got big news before my mom did, she’d give us all hell.”
“Good to know. Be better to save five bucks off my groceries, but I’ll live.” He stepped toward the door. “It was good to meet you, Katie. I’ll see you around.”
“I’m sure you will. My mom will want to feed you whenever she gets the chance.”
He pushed open the door with one hand, but put the other on his stomach. “Please. I’m still working off her meat loaf sandwiches.”
It was a good walk to the library, which was exercise, at least. He was going to have to watch the women in this town, he thought, or he wouldn’t fit in his uniforms soon. Hopefully the extra time on the four-wheeler would help keep the pounds at bay.
There were a few cars in the library parking lot, but it was quiet when he stepped inside. There was a low murmur of voices from the children’s section and he saw somebody working at a computer.