Willow, The Unexpected Guest

My husband and I made it home from our winter road trip, and while the weather did everything it could to make the journey memorable—cold and slow—the real story happened inside the library.

It was one of those blizzardy Michigan days where the snow seemed determined to convince everyone that staying home was the better choice. The library itself was calm and quiet, not the bustling event day you sometimes imagine when packing boxes of books and braving winter roads. But here's the thing about libraries: they're never really empty of life.

Even though our event was slow and mostly quiet, the library was hosting a couple of other activities. People drifted in and out, curious about what else was happening. Some wandered over to my table to chat, ask questions, and see what Annie and I were all about. It reminded me that sometimes the best connections aren't planned—they just happen when people cross paths.

And then... there was Willow.

She arrived wearing a winter jacket and a diaper, enthusiastically dragging her mom behind her, clearly eager to say hello to Annie and me. This, apparently, was happening in the middle of a library on a snowy afternoon.

Willow was calm, friendly, and very comfortable being the center of attention. She wandered right up to our table as if she'd been invited, paused to say hello, and then leaned in to sample my tablecloth—because some guests believe everything exists to be tasted at least once.

Of course, Willow is a goat.

A very well-dressed goat. On a leash. Visiting the library. And honestly, she may have been the most confident attendee of the day.

It was unexpected, hilarious, and without question, the highlight of the event.

Driving home through snowy roads, I realized something important. Not every event is about big crowds or busy rooms. Sometimes it's about quiet conversations, shared curiosity, and moments so unexpected they stay with you long after the snow melts. A blizzard may have kept people away, but it also gave me a story I'll be telling for a long time.

After all, not every author can say their book signing was visited by a goat named Willow.

And somehow, that feels exactly right.