Shelf Awareness: Green Valley Library Book #4 Read online

  “And I think you’re hot. So, we’re even.”

  Holy. Shit. He hadn’t actually said that, had he? He must’ve just been trying to make me feel better about making an ass out of myself. “You don’t have to say that just because I did,” I teasingly said.

  “I wasn’t. I meant it.”

  I found it hard to breathe. Zeke thought I was hot. In my life, it was a rarity for a man I found attractive to find me attractive as well.

  Since we desperately needed a subject change, I said, “Next question.”

  “I see what you’re doing here, but I’ll allow it.”

  I laughed. “What brought you to Green Valley?”

  “Is it that obvious I didn’t grow up here?”

  “Totally. Besides, there’s also the fact after spending time here as a kid, I would’ve remembered you.”

  “You would have?”

  “A six five Native American guy? Yeah, I think I would have noticed that.”

  Zeke laughed. “I wasn’t always tall.”

  Glancing around the restaurant, I said, “I’m pretty sure you’ve always been Native American, and as you can see, there’s not a whole lot of diversity around here.”

  “I get it. There wasn’t where I grew up either.”

  “Oh, did your family live on one of the reservations in Washington?”

  Zeke pursed his lips at me. “Because I’m Native American, you automatically assumed I grew up on a rez?”

  I winced. “Sorry. That was totally insensitive of me, based on both geographic stereotypes and my ridiculous appreciation of Twilight.”

  With a snort, Zeke replied, “I wouldn’t have pegged you as a Twilight fan.”

  “Why not?”

  “You seem too intellectual.”

  “Ah, and now who is stereotyping?”

  “My apologies.”

  “For your information, I happen to enjoy reading romances.”

  “You do?”

  Jerking my chin up, I replied, “I do.”

  Zeke grinned. “That’s very interesting.”

  “Of course, when it comes to writing a book, I much prefer nonfiction.”

  “Wait a minute. You’re interested in writing a book?”

  Damn me and my word vomit. I stabbed my knife into the steak. “Uh, yeah. Not like a novel or anything like that. A nonfiction book.”

  “On what?”

  I couldn’t believe he seemed actually interested. “It’s on the female influence of Native American tribes on Tennessee culture.”

  I prepared myself for a myriad of potential emotions from Zeke. His eyes could roll back in his head from boredom due to the snooze worthiness of my topic. Or he could have been concerned or slightly horrified at the prospect I might be a feminazi due to my interest in the matriarchy of Indian tribes.

  In spite of preparing myself, Zeke’s response took me totally by surprise. “That sounds fascinating.” Leaning forward in his chair, he gave me a beaming smile.

  Waving my hand dismissively, I said, “Seriously, you don’t have to pretend. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.”

  “I’m not pretending.” With an earnest look, he replied, “I genuinely think it sounds interesting.”

  Slowly, I shook my head at him. “You really are a man of mystery, aren’t you?”

  “You think I’m mysterious?”

  I nodded. “No one seems to know anything about you.”

  “I know about me. All you had to do was ask.”

  My cheeks grew warm. “You’re right. I should have.”

  “What have you imagined about me?”

  Furrowing my brows at him, I asked, “You really want to know?”

  “Hell yeah.” Winking, he added, “I’ll compare them to some of the others I’ve heard in town.”

  Leaning forward on the edge of my chair, I said, “The idea you’re on sabbatical is a lie. You’re really running from the law.”

  Zeke laughed. “Damn, I wish that were true. I’m far too boring for anything as cool as evading arrest.”

  “I doubt that.”

  “Trust me. I am.” Dipping his head closer to mine, Zeke said, “I attend the cons.”

  “The cons?”

  “The fan cons.” At what must’ve been my continued look of confusion, Zeke said, “Come on. Surely you know the cons—Comic Con, DragonCon.”

  “Like the celebrity conventions where people dress up?”

  Zeke waggled his brows. “Oh yeah.”

  Since I found myself pretty speechless, I merely replied, “Wow.”

  “I tried to tell you I wasn’t cool.”

  “Wait, I never said you weren’t.”

  “Your expression is very telling.”

  “I’m just surprised, that’s all. You know, it’s not what I was expecting you to say.”

  Zeke crossed his arms over his chest. “You assume some strapping guy like me would spend my extra time at the ball park or arena?”

  “Maybe,” I tentatively replied.

  “It’s okay. I’m used to it.”

  Curiosity got the better of me. “Do you dress up?”

  “Sometimes.”

  Holy mother of God. Zeke Masters was like some sort of odd Clark Kent/Superman combination. If I was really being honest, he was a . . . nerd. “Wow,” I murmured again.

  With a laugh, Zeke replied, “I never imagined I would leave you speechless.”

  “It’s fascinating really. I mean, it definitely adds a different layer to your mysteriousness.”

  “Yes, if you’d known that little tidbit about me, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t have ever thought I might be running from the law.”

  I giggled. “Who knows? You could have gotten into a real sword fight or something and had an assault on your record.”

  Grinning, Zeke replied, “True.” He jerked his chin at me. “What’s another theory?”

  “You’re running away from a broken heart,” I suggested.

  Zeke shook his head. “A romantic idea. But that’s not my story. Although it would kinda fit with me striking out when it comes to love.”

  “You had a falling out with your family, and now you’re scoping out tech opportunities in the backwoods.”

  “That’s not it either, but you’re getting closer.”

  “About the family part or the backwoods tech opportunities.”

  “The family part.”

  I nibbled my lip in thought. “You’re the long lost relative of a Green Valley resident?”

  “Ooh, you’re getting so close. Should I go ahead and put you out of your misery?”

  “Yes, please.”

  Zeke reached into his back pocket and took out his phone. After punching in the numbers of the code, he flipped through a few things before he held it out to me. On the screen was a picture of a smiling couple that looked to be my parents age. Both the man and woman had light brown hair that was streaked with silver and blue eyes that were lined with wrinkles. “These are my parents.” At what must’ve been my confused look, he added, “My adoptive parents.”

  “Oh,” I murmured.

  “I came to Tennessee to meet my birth mother.”

  “She’s from Green Valley?”

  “No. She actually lives in Cherokee, North Carolina.”

  “That’s two hours from here.”

  “Correct.”

  Furrowing my brows at him, I said, “Okay, things aren’t adding up on how you ended up here, Mystery Man.”

  Zeke grinned. “Don’t you have a theory?”

  “Hmm.” Toying with my napkin, I leaned forward in my seat. “Your car broke down either in or out of town, and you called the Winston brothers to fix it. While you were waiting on the repairs, you fell in love with Green Valley and its people and decided just to stay put.

  “That’s a nicer story than the truth.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I came here looking for my birth father.”

  “Oh wow. He was from here
?”

  “That’s what my birth mother thought. He was a biker she met during a club run in Cherokee.”

  “A biker? Like the Wraiths?” I didn’t know much about the MC club that made their home in Green Valley. I suppose I should say the notorious MC club since they were rumored to be one percenters.

  “She didn’t know. Apparently, they only spent the weekend together.” A rueful smile formed on Zeke’s lips. “As the daughter of an elder, it was an act of rebellion that she didn’t realize would have any consequences. Once she found out she was pregnant, my birth father was long gone.”

  “Then she decided to give you up?”

  “Her parents didn’t give her much choice. At the same time, she was seventeen and had scholarships to college.”

  “Where do your adoptive parents come in?”

  “Through an agency. My mom came out and established residency in the weeks before I was born. Then my dad flew out when I was born. My birth mother signed away her rights, and we all went back to Seattle.”

  “I assume they were supportive of you finding her?”

  Zeke nodded. “They always told me they would help me in any way. Thirty years ago, they had no idea something like DNA testing would open up the world to adopted kids.” He grinned. “A little spit and I found my birth mother.”

  “How fascinating,” I remarked.

  “Thankfully, she was open to meeting me as well. She introduced me to my half-brother and half-sister. Now there’s just one piece left, and that’s my birth father.”

  “No leads from Ancestry.com on that one?”

  “Unfortunately, there wasn’t. It was a bit of a surprise since my birth mother thought he had Native American blood in him, and most of them are registered.”

  “How do you even begin to find him?”

  “I’ve been hoping that some of the old microfilm files might reveal something.”

  I couldn’t help thinking those files were like looking for a needle in a haystack, but I didn’t want to discourage him. Then it hit me. “That’s why you’ve been volunteering your time at the library. You wanted unlimited access to the files.”

  He gave me a sheepish look. “Can you think of a better way to try to track down the information?”

  “You could have just gone in and asked to use the machine.”

  “I did. That’s when I found out how lacking the Green Valley Public Library was. Since time was of the essence, I knew I had to shoot for some drastic measures.”

  “A knight in shining armor with ulterior motives,” I mused.

  Chuckling, Zeke replied, “It’s way more honorable than breaking in and going through the files.”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty sure Jackson James would arrest you on the spot.”

  “I’m sure he would.”

  “What happens once you find the information you need?”

  “I try tracking him down. Maybe ambush him with a meeting so he doesn’t have the chance to run again.”

  “I’m not exactly sure a sneak attack is a safe thing to do to a biker.”

  “You’re right. I should probably go for a phone call first to ensure I don’t end up shot or in the hospital with some broken bones,” Zeke replied with a grin.

  “At least you’re prepared for him to not take the news well,” I mused.

  “Since I found out my conception story, I’ve tried not to get my hopes up. I mean, the odds aren’t overwhelming for him to turn out to be some stand-up guy.”

  “You don’t know. Maybe he gave up his wild ways and settled down. He could even have a desk job somewhere.”

  Chuckling, Zeke replied, “No offense, but that sounds kinda like the fairy-tale ending I’ve been trying not to envision.”

  “It could happen.”

  “Maybe. Most likely he’s still a biker out riding the roads and raising hell miles away from here, or he’s six feet under.”

  “Ouch. That’s a grim prospect. You know, the six feet under thing.”

  “There’s a small part of me that’s been preparing for it.”

  “What happens if you don’t find him alive or six feet under?”

  Zeke shrugged. “Then I pack up and go home.”

  Right. His home, which was in Washington, not Green Valley. He was just passing through. A terrible prospect for a future relationship, but at the same time, a great prospect for a rebound. Well, if and when the time was right for a rebound. With that thought in mind, I asked, “How long do you think you’ll stay?”

  “I asked for the summer.”

  “And your job was okay with you being gone that long?”

  With a wink, Zeke replied, “I work for my dad’s tech company.”

  Feeling sheepish, I replied, “Oh, I see.”

  “I’ve been really fortunate with how my mom and dad have reacted to the whole ‘go across the country to meet my birth parents’ thing.”

  “It sounds like they are supportive.” I smiled at him. “Regardless of what happens with your birth father, it sounds like you’re awfully lucky to have your dad.”

  “Totally. Even though they told me I was adopted from the time I was little, I’ve never felt like I was adopted. Considering how nerdy and dorky I grew up, it’s hard believing we don’t share the same DNA.”

  I laughed. “I would say that was hard to believe, but you did admit to the Cons.”

  “Brace yourself: I was actually on the chess team in high school.”

  My eyes bulged at his statement. “No way.”

  Puffing out his chest rather comically, he replied, “I even went to state.”

  “Oh my.”

  Zeke chuckled. “I bet you thought I played football.”

  “Actually, with your height, I assumed it was basketball, but yeah, I thought you were probably an athlete.”

  “Nope. I don’t have an athletic bone in my body unless you count running from bullies.”

  “Oh no, were you bullied a lot?”

  He snorted. “I was a chess-playing, glasses-wearing, Native American guy named Ezekiel. What do you think?”

  I winced. “I’m sorry.”

  “What about you?”

  “Did I get bullied?”

  “No, I meant were you athletic.”

  “God no.”

  Eyeing me curiously, he asked, “Dancing?”

  “Uncoordinated.”

  “Singing?”

  Cocking my head at him, I countered, “You heard me the other night.”

  “You weren’t bad.”

  “I’m certainly not good.”

  “I would say you might need a little polishing before trying out for American Idol.”

  A laugh burst from my lips. “That is so not happening.”

  “Then what is your talent?”

  “I’m not sure I have one.”

  “I highly doubt that. Considering you were a journalist and you want to write a book, I imagine you’re pretty talented when it comes to writing.”

  “I suppose so.”

  “You suppose? Are there no blue ribbons from the Young Author’s Fair in your past?”

  Damn he was good. “Maybe.”

  “I knew it.”

  “I think it was more about the lack of entries than my resounding talent.”

  “You’re just being modest. I bet you’re going to blow everyone away with your book.”

  As I twisted my napkin in my lap, I couldn’t help thinking how strange it felt to have a man compliment me on my writing. Sure, I’d gotten praise from professors and my bosses. But the realization pained me that I couldn’t remember Grant complimenting me. When we’d first started dating, he always read my articles. As time went on, his reading dissipated before it completely dropped off. I’m pretty sure he couldn’t have told me the subject matter of any of my articles in the last year.

  Giving Zeke a sincere smile, I replied, “Thank you. That means a lot.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  The waitress appeared to clear our p
lates. “Another glass of wine?” she asked.

  “I think if I had another I wouldn’t be able to walk home,” I replied with a laugh.

  “If I hadn’t walked over myself, I would give you a ride,” Zeke said.

  “Thanks, I appreciate it.”

  “Would you care for anything else?” she asked Zeke.

  “I think we’re good.”

  “Okay, I’ll bring the check.”

  Zeke nodded. When we were alone, he smiled at me. “Tonight was a very interesting turn of events.”

  “Yes, it was.”

  “After weeks of eating alone, I have to say it was nice to have someone with me.”

  “Call me shocked that you haven’t been bombarded by dinner invitations.”

  Zeke chuckled. “Why, because I’m hot, as you say?”

  I glowered at him. “No. I was referring to the fact you’re a stranger in a small town in the South. While I’d like to say most people would be friendly because of their raising, most are just nosy and would want to know your business.”

  “That makes sense. It’s true people have been very welcoming and friendly. However, that has not extended into many social engagements. Well, except for the ladies at the library.”

  “You’re welcome to have dinner at my house anytime.” Oh shit. Did I totally sound like I was hot for him by inviting him to eat? Was what I had said the social equivalent of a date? “I mean, I’m sure the girls would love to meet you.”

  “The girls?”

  “Yes, that’s what I call my grandmother, aunt, and godmother.”

  Zeke grinned. “I like it. I’d also like to meet them.”

  “They love company and socializing.” Especially with young, good-looking men who could potentially be a date for me. Shit. Maybe having him over to the house wasn’t a good idea after all.

  The waitress returned with our check, and in spite of my protests, Zeke insisted on paying for my dinner while I paid for Marcus’s. “Now I’ll really have to invite you over to dinner to make up for you paying.”

  With a wink, Zeke said, “Ah, I see my evil plan is working.”

  Laughter bubbled from my lips as I rose out of my seat. After taking my purse, I walked out of The Front Porch feeling considerably lighter than I had when I walked in earlier. When we got outside, I was assaulted by the heat.