Playing With Fire (Tangled in Texas #2) - Alison Bliss Page 0,19

understanding, most had lived their whole lives there, growing up together, then raising their families alongside one another. As new residents moved in, they were taken under the locals’ wings and treated as one of their own.

I should know. I’d only been the librarian for two weeks, and I’d already been brought more home-baked goods than I could stand to eat. All the older women had formed their own unofficial welcoming party. Such a lovely gesture of the inherent kindness and goodness of the people in Liberty County.

Too bad I’d have to leave it behind in a few months.

Bobbie Jo maneuvered her pickup into a tight space where we both had to squeeze out just to ensure we didn’t hit the truck doors on the vehicles on either side. We met at the tailgate. “Not much room to park,” she said with a laugh. “These things are always so packed.”

“You were lucky your secret admirer over there reserved you a closer spot,” I said, motioning to the guy directing the traffic.

“Fred? Nah, he’s just a friend from school.” She wrinkled her nose. “I can’t bring myself to date a guy I grew up with. It’d be like dating my cousin or something. Gross.”

I laughed and glanced toward the entrance.

Even from the parking area, the loud music vibrated inside my chest and something sinfully sweet permeated the air. My mouth watered. “I’ve never been to anything like this before.”

“Ever?”

I shook my head. “I’m pretty sure my stepfather was allergic to anything fun. I…” I hesitated, not sure if I should say anything more.

Years ago, I’d vaguely mentioned to Bobbie Jo how I’d lost both of my parents in a tragic accident, yet I’d never gone into specifics about my strained relationship with my stepfather. But I didn’t want to hold back too much. She was the first person I’d ever felt close to…and would also be the last.

“I went to the library for hours after school every day just to avoid going home. I never admitted to him that I enjoyed my time at the library because I was afraid he’d put a stop to it.” Her eyes widened, and I realized how it must’ve sounded. “He didn’t abuse me or anything,” I quickly added. “My stepfather was just a lost, lonely man who lived every day of his dull life in a dismal state.”

“God, that’s terrible. He sounds like a miserable guy.” Bobbie Jo paused thoughtfully. “Almost makes me wonder why he let you work at the camp all those years ago. I guess he thought it was all work and no play.”

“Actually, I was eighteen and living on my own by then. He didn’t have a say in what I did.”

“You were living on your own…at eighteen? Jesus, Anna. I didn’t know that. We were roomies and you never said a word.”

I shrugged nonchalantly. “I wasn’t going to burden you with my problems. Besides, it was fine. I was better off on my own. It may have been a little lonely for me at times, but meeting you at camp was one of the best things that ever happened to me. I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Then I remembered that our time together, as well as our friendship, was going to be coming to an end soon and my heart sank. My vision blurred slightly from the building tears threatening to fall.

Apparently, I wasn’t the only one. Bobbie Jo’s glistening eyes shone brightly in the blinking lights. “Now stop that before you make me cry.”

I blinked back the moisture pooling in my eyes and offered her a sincere smile. Bobbie Jo was the only true friend I’d ever really had…even though I’d never shared my secrets with her. She had no clue our friendship would be ending, without warning, in just a few short months when I dropped off the face of the planet and moved to a place no one would ever find me. But it wasn’t like I had a choice in the matter.

She giggled gleefully as she looped her arm through mine and dragged me toward the entrance. “Come on, you’re going to love this.”

We strolled into the fairgrounds as Bobbie Jo explained all about how a chili cook-off worked. The contestants were composed of teams from various local clubs and organizations. They gave themselves fun, clever names and even dressed the part. For example, the ladies of the Genealogy Society were dressed as sexy saloon girls and called themselves the “Red Hot Ladies,” while the men