Maybe everyone else just knew.

Or maybe folks here didn’t think it was important to share. Probably the latter, because no one had told Taylor about the tragedy that took place on Douglas Ranch seventeen years ago. Taylor only found out about the murders by chance, reading through old newspapers and magazines saved in the library’s vault.

Taylor, a history buff, had been the one to discover that back in 1914 Marietta had sponsored a big wedding giveaway to draw attention to the re-opening of the Graff Hotel following the 1912 fire. She’d shared the news with Jane, who then came up with the idea of a one hundred year anniversary wedding giveaway, again highlighting the beautifully restored Graff, and all the merchants in town.

Taylor’s interest in history and Marietta’s 1914 Wedding Giveaway had been a fun surprise, while the discovery of the Douglas home invasion was the opposite.

The horrific crime had sickened Taylor, giving her nightmares for the next few weeks. Worse, the murders had never been solved, and apparently many of the folks in the community thought the crime had to have been someone local…someone who knew the property, the layout of the house, and were familiar to the family, because wouldn’t the Douglas’ dogs have barked up a storm and alerted the family so they would have had a chance to defend themselves?

Taylor wished she’d never read all the newspaper articles and shook away the grim memories as she joined McKenna. “Hi! How are you tonight?”

“I’m good.” McKenna smiled. “Did you see my wild child with Louise?”

“I did. He’s found two little girls to chase which is making him very happy.”

“Sounds about right. And Louise? She’s managing okay?”

“She’s great. She loves kids.”

“She always has. It’s going to be awful when she retires. She’s been part of the library since I was born.”

“She does love her work,” Taylor agreed. “I’m going to miss her, too. She’s a sweetheart and has been so helpful since I arrived.”

“And Margaret? Has she been as helpful?” McKenna asked, even though she had to be aware that Margaret Houghton, the head librarian, did not believe in new-fangled things like computers and the Internet and had resisted adding e-books to the library’s collection.

Taylor grimaced. “Not as helpful, no.”

McKenna laughed. “Didn’t think so.” She hesitated. “Actually, I was hoping I could ask a favor. I need some help tomorrow night.”

“You need a sitter?”

“No. Nothing like that.” McKenna pushed a long dark auburn strand of hair back from her cheek, securing it behind her ear. “I need a dress for the ball, and I hoped you’d go with me to Married in Marietta and give me your opinion. You’ve seen me. I live in jeans and am useless when it comes to formal attire.”

“Of course,” Taylor said quickly, pleased and flattered that McKenna wanted to do something with her. “I’d love to.”

“You’re sure? Dress shopping isn’t fun—”

“I would enjoy it. Honestly.”

“So you have your dress already?”

“I’m not going to the ball, but I’d love to help you find a dress for Friday night.”

“I thought Jane told me you were going.” McKenna frowned, shrugged. “I guess I misunderstood. But if you’re up for going with me tomorrow night, that’s great. I’ve lined up a sitter so maybe we can make it a girls night out? Shopping and dinner, or shopping and then drinks after?”

“Perfect. Sounds fun.”

And it did, Taylor thought, taking a seat on the opposite side of the table, since there were no spots open near McKenna, who was Marietta’s golden girl. People genuinely loved her, and were extremely protective of her, which is what made her relationship with Trey Sheenan, Marietta’s bad boy, all the more intriguing.

But the meeting was about to start and everyone settled down, pulling out their notebooks and pens.

Paige, from Main Street Diner, went through last meeting’s minutes then shared that the Valentine Ball was still shy of its goal with regards to ticket sales, but on the plus side, another twenty had been purchased over the weekend, bringing the expected attendance to 170.

Paige was answering a question about ticket sales when the board room door opened and a tall man in a sheepskin coat and black felt cowboy hat walked in. All conversation died.

He removed his hat, dipped his head.