Heart of Love

by Shanna Hatfield

  Anna’s hair fell in swingy layers mid-way down her back. She looked like she had twice as much hair, not that she didn’t have plenty to start with, but now it was free to wave and bounce at will. She’d received a facial, spent an hour at a make-up counter, and sported a manicure.

  Lisa and Sue made her try on so many clothes, she couldn’t even see straight, but she ended up with a wardrobe that was interchangeable, giving her plenty of options and outfits. She now owned multiple slim skirts, fitted trousers, three church dresses, a dozen blouses, a handful of knit tops, a trench coat, a business suit, and one very pretty cocktail dress that Anna was convinced she’d never wear.

  She also purchased several pairs of shoes. “No flats!” Lisa said, laying down the law. She helped Anna find an assortment of strappy sandals, wedges, and one pair of dress heels she declared would make Jake fall at Anna’s feet, begging her to put him out of his misery.

  Lisa and her mom made her choose sleepwear and robes, even all new undergarments. A few pieces of versatile jewelry, two handbags, bath products, and make-up completed the shopping spree.

  Sue and Lisa both promised to help purge her room of every old and baggy piece of clothing she owned.

  The icing on the cake was the arrival of her new glasses Friday afternoon.

  Anna admitted to herself that she was “sweet on Jake,” as her mother liked to put it. She wanted so much more than just his friendship. If she had any hope of capturing Jake’s interest, she had to step things up in the fashion department.

  However, this change in her life wasn’t for Jake.

  For months, she’d considered changing her wardrobe, updating her hairstyle and getting a new car. With a tendency to save her money rather than spend it, her dislike of shopping, and a lack of motivation, Anna finally worked up the courage to put her thoughts into action. Now that she had, she experienced a mixture of excitement, fear, and satisfaction.

  “Anna, if Jake doesn’t drop his teeth when he sees you, he isn’t half the man I thought he was,” Sam said, as he looked at his only sibling. She was a pretty girl, but her shyness and sensitivity about her hearing made her withdrawn and often unapproachable. Since she’d met Jake, he could see her coming out of her shell. She’d always been relaxed at home, but this was something different altogether. Anna was gaining confidence, getting to know herself, and finding her niche.

  “Oh, he’ll drop his teeth, all right.” Lisa grinned as she leaned against Sam’s arm. “When Jake sees her Monday morning, he won’t know what hit him.”

  Anna blushed and everyone laughed.

  Lisa and Sue spent Sunday afternoon helping Anna sort through all her clothes while giving her lessons on posture and flirting. Lisa spent an hour helping Anna practice the long-legged stride she proclaimed would draw the attention of any man.

  Exhausted as she fell into bed that night, Anna prayed for confidence, hoping she could finally turn Jake’s head.

  Chapter Seven

  After driving into the parking lot at the same time Monday morning, Dave and Jake launched into a friendly banter about their weekend activities as soon as they got out of their vehicles. Halfway across the parking lot, they watched a brand-new Chevy Camaro whip into the parking lot and pull into one of the spaces reserved for library employees.

  Conversation stopped as they stared at the Camaro. One long, tanned leg followed by another slid out of the car and stood on a pair of wedge sandals. A slim, dark pencil skirt led up to a hot-pink summery blouse, hugging hourglass curves. A chunky necklace enhanced the neckline while beautiful golden-brown hair cascaded around the woman’s shoulders in a profusion of finger-tempting waves.

  The owner of the incredible legs and car looked their direction and Jake knew he was a goner. She raised one shapely brow above her sunglasses and smiled before disappearing through the library’s back door.

  “What just happened?” Dave shook his head to clear his thoughts. “I think I may have suffered a sun stroke or something.”

  “No, man.” Jake pointed to the car while his eyes bore into the door where the woman disappeared. “It wasn’t a sun stroke. It was real. Then again, I could be dreaming.”

  “I’m calling dibs,” Dave said as they resumed their walk to their office across the street.

  “Dibs on what?” Jake tipped his head politely to the receptionist as they strolled inside. He removed his hat, picked up a file on his desk, and riffled through papers.

  “The girl, dude.” Dave sat at his desk and turned on his computer. “Whoever she is, I call dibs.”

  “I don’t think so.” Jake muttered darkly, frowning at his friend. For reasons he couldn’t describe or begin to comprehend, the thought of Dave dating her made him want to punch his buddy right in the nose.

  The mystery girl was not going to turn out to be such a mystery, if Jake’s suspicions were correct. The sunglasses, crown of golden-brown hair, and that sweet smile seemed all too familiar, making him think Anna Zimmerman experienced quite a life-changing weekend.

  If the bombshell in the sports car turned out to be his little library mouse, there was much, much more to her than Jake dreamed possible. It was an absolute crime for her to have hidden legs like that all this time.

  “May the best man win,” Dave said with a cheeky grin, throwing out the challenge.

  “That’ll be me and I’ll have a date before the week is out. I’m warning you, Davey, leave her alone.” Jake glared at his friend.

  Dave gave him a puzzled look but refrained from making any further comment.

  Jake leaned back in his chair, recalling the feel of Anna’s silky hair wrapped around his fingers and the way sunlight had played through her tresses the other night. Suddenly remembering the supposed bet with Dave, he lifted his gaze to the desk across from his. “If Anna ever mentions a bet we made regarding her hair, I won.”

  “What bet?” Dave asked, confused.

  Jake gave him a smug grin. “The one I’m making with you right now that Anna has the most amazing hair you’ve ever seen.”

  Unable to concentrate on his work, Jake had to know if the beautiful brunette was really Anna, so he ran over to the library. Once he saw her, he could put his mind at rest.

  She hadn’t mentioned any big plans for the weekend when he last spoke with her. Although it seemed far-fetched to think of Anna getting a makeover and buying a muscle car, it wouldn’t surprise Jake if that’s what she’d done. One thing he’d learned about her was that despite her shy appearance, she was anything but predictable.

  A rush of cool air greeted him as he stepped inside. Jake took a deep breath. The library never failed to smell the same – of old books, leather, and furniture polish. He spied Mrs. Baxter speaking with one of the other matronly librarians. Betty had worked there since he was in grade school.

  Casually sauntering around the first floor, he failed to find Anna anywhere. Impatient to see her, he walked up to the front desk.

  “Hello, Mrs. Baxter,” Jake said politely, removing his hat, and grasping for a reason to be there. “I’d like to look at that book of old irrigation water rights if I may, please?”

  “Certainly, Jake,” Mrs. Baxter said, staring at him over her bifocals. She walked around the desk and went to the room where they kept the special collection of books. After turning the key in the lock, she opened the door and allowed him inside. “You know the rules. Let me know when you’re finished.”

  “Thank you.” Jake nodded to her as he picked out the book he wanted and sat down at the table. Since he was there anyway, he decided to do a little research. He tore strips from a piece of scratch paper and used them to mark a few pages he needed to reference then took the book to Mrs. Baxter.

  “May I please get photocopies of the bookmarked pages?” Jake offered the matronly woman a charming grin.

  “I’m sorry, Jake, but the copy machine is down right at the moment. The repair tech is here, but it could be awhile before it’s back up and running. If you want to pay
in advance, I can have someone run the copies over to you later.”

  “That’d be fine.” Jake placed exact change on the counter. If he had any luck at all, she’d send Anna over with the copies. He turned to leave and then made a dramatic show of looking around. “Say, Mrs. Baxter, do you have a new employee?”

  “Why, no, Jake,” she said, with a smile. “Just us same ol’ girls. Why?”

  “No reason, just curious. Is Anna working today?” He tried to sound like he made casual conversation.

  “As a matter of fact, she is. She’s working on a project in the basement. Did you need to speak with her about something?” Mrs. Baxter eyed him critically.

  “No, ma’am.” Jake tipped his head to the librarian and settled his Stetson back on his head. “Thank you for sending over the copies. I appreciate it.”

  Mrs. Baxter waited until Jake left before she burst into a huge smile. “Betty, I do believe that young man is quite smitten with our Anna. I think she should run those copies over to him as soon as they’re ready.”

  “I think that is a fine idea,” Betty answered with a conspiratorial smile. “A fine idea, indeed.”

  A short while later Anna rushed upstairs to grab a marker from behind the front desk and felt a cool hand on her arm.

  “I need you to deliver this to Jake Chandler, please.” Mrs. Baxter held an envelope out to her.

  Anna gave her a dubious look.

  “The copy machine was down and I assured him someone would deliver them as soon as it was repaired.”

  “But, Mrs. Baxter, are you sure I need to take these over to Jake?” Anna asked, as the woman handed her an envelope with Jake’s name written across the front.

  “Yes, Anna. Please run them over to him. It looked like important information and I’m sure he’d appreciate having it sooner rather than later.” Mrs. Baxter gave Anna a nudge toward the door. “Go on, now. A quick walk in the fresh air will do you a world of good.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Anna said, resigned to making the delivery across the street. Although the thought of seeing Jake and gauging his reaction to her change in appearance was exciting, terror gripped her at the same time.

  What if he made fun of her? Anna didn’t think she could take his teasing right now.

  She wasn’t sure what to think after watching Jake and Dave when she arrived that morning. When they both stared at her, dumbstruck, she didn’t know if their reaction was a good or bad thing. Anna could have talked to them then, but she wasn’t ready to hear their opinions on her car or her outfit if they turned out to be negative.

  Mrs. Baxter and Betty had been smiling non-stop since she arrived, complimenting both her appearance and her car. She even took them for a quick ride before they opened the library doors for the day. If she didn’t know better, the car ride might have been a highlight in Betty’s life.

  Anna waited for a car to pass to cross the street, convinced the papers didn’t need to go to Jake immediately, but she wouldn’t argue with her boss.

  Mrs. Baxter and Betty had perhaps read one too many of the bodice-ripper books hidden in the back section of the library. Anna was sure matchmaking ideas floated through those two conniving gray heads.

  Resolved to carrying out her task, she took a deep breath and started across the street.

  Here goes nothing.

  Mid-morning, Jake bought two cold sodas out of the vending machine and handed one to Dave. After popping the top, Dave took a deep swallow then spewed pop all over his desk. Choking and pointing, he stared out the office window.

  “What are you doing, Davey?” Jake followed Dave's startled glare out the window.

  The dazzling girl who arrived in the Camaro walked across the street toward their office. The breeze stirred her hair and her long stride, moving one hip at a time, set the ruffles down her neckline into a rhythmic bounce. Jake and Dave both stood unmoving, watching each step. Pop ran down Dave's chin and soaked his shirt, although he remained oblivious to the fact.

  As she walked past the mirrored glass window, Jake was glad she couldn't see him riveted to her every move, like a drooling fool.

  The entry door whooshed open and a soft voice said Jake's name. He bolted out of their office so fast, papers flew off Dave's desk and scattered to the floor.

  He skidded to a halt behind Millie's desk and watched the woman start to hand over an envelope with his name written across the front. She turned to him and removed her sunglasses.

  “Mrs. Baxter asked me to run over the copies you needed,” Anna said, with a smile. Although she trembled with fear inside, desperate to know that Jake liked the change in her appearance, she somehow maintained a friendly and calm façade.

  Jake couldn't speak, couldn't move. All he could do was stare into those violet eyes he knew all too well. He saw them at night in his dreams and at all the most inopportune moments.

  “Anna?” he finally managed to croak.

  “Yes?” She laughed and the sound winged its way to his heart.

  “I... um... I... appreciate you bringing this over,” he stuttered. His thoughts raced in a hundred directions and none of them could fully embrace the notion that the girl standing in front of him was his quiet, timid friend.

  “Anytime.” Anna started to leave. Lisa advised her to play it cool, uninterested, and see if that got Jake’s attention. Even though she questioned the wisdom of game playing, she decided to stick with the advice. “See you around.”

  Jake sprang to life and hurried around the desk to the door, holding it open for her. “Let me walk you back to the library.” He kept step with her as she walked down the sidewalk to the corner.

  “It isn't necessary, Jake.” As she settled her sunglasses in place, an impish smile rode her lips. “I think I can cross the street by myself.”

  “I know you can, but I'll walk over with you just the same.”

  Jake wondered if her lips had always been so rosy and ready to be kissed. Had she gotten taller? She seemed to be ten-feet tall today and absolutely, positively ravishing. He had no idea with the right clothes and hairstyle that Anna would morph from attractive into a drop-dead knockout.

  He escorted her to the front of the library and shoved his hands in his pockets to keep from touching her.

  Jake didn't know what had come over him but he was beginning to fear it might be something fatal. He couldn't breathe, couldn't think, his stomach hurt, and his heart pounded — the same thing that happened every time he found himself near Anna.

  “Thanks, Jake.” Anna slid down her sunglasses far enough she could peer at him over the top. “I'll see you later.”

  As she turned to walk up the ramp to the door, Jake caught her hand and electrical currents shot up his arm with a jolt. “Anna, will you have dinner with me tonight? Please? I'd love to hear about your weekend. It was obviously very... interesting.”

  “I don't think so.” Anna blushed as her fears began to overwhelm her resolve to be more outgoing.

  “How about tomorrow?” Jake asked. Desperation would drive him to beg if she turned him down. “I really want to hear all about your new car and your transformation from bookworm to beautiful butterfly. You look amazing.”

  Anna’s cheeks turned red at his compliment, but she nodded her head. “Tomorrow would be great.”

  Jake squeezed her hand. “Tomorrow. I’ll pick you up after work.”

  She turned and walked back into the building in that long-legged stride that gave Jake a great view of her posterior and made heat clench in his gut.

  Swiftly running back across the street, he snatched the envelope from Millie’s desk with a triumphant grin, and returned to his office. Dave mopped soda from his shirt and desk.

  Jake plopped down in his chair and set his feet up on his desk. He leaned back and released a satisfied sigh. “I've got a date.”

  “Of course you do,” Dave glared at him in irritation. “When have you ever missed an opportunity to date a pretty girl, especially one new to the neighborhood
?”

  “This one isn't new.” Jake offered him a big grin, pleased he’d been right about the girl being Anna. “In fact, you could have asked her out yourself on any number of occasions.”

  Dave glared at him. “And just who is this mystery woman. I think I'd remember meeting her before.”

  “It's no mystery woman,” Jake said, looking smug. “It's Anna.”

  “Anna!” Dave's head shot up and he stared at Jake. His friend had pulled plenty of pranks over the years, but this one was too unbelievable for even him to believe. “Right, Jake. And I'm Brad Pitt.” Dave let out a derisive snort. “Even I'm not dumb enough to fall for that. Anna? Now that's funny.”

  “If you don't believe me, go see for yourself.” Jake enjoyed tormenting his friend.

  “Like this?” Dave pointed to his pop-splattered shirt. “No way, man.”

  “Suit yourself, but let's make it perfectly clear and understood that I asked Anna first.”

  Dave laughed, picturing the timid librarian. It was inconceivable to think of her as the glamour girl. “No worries. She's all yours.”

  Jake didn’t see Anna the rest of the day but he could hardly wait to see her tomorrow. Maybe she’d take him for a ride in the Camaro.

  He was ready to admit that he was more than a little infatuated with Miss Anna Zimmerman. If he wanted to be completely honest with himself, it had happened long before she showed up with her new look and cool car.

  Anna pulled the Camaro into their driveway and parked next to Sam’s car. She made it through the first day of her transformation without any major trauma, and Jake said she looked amazing. All her anxiety and suffering was worth it just to see the way he stared at her.

  When she walked inside the house, she found her mom at the stove and her brother setting the table. Sam turned to look at her with an encouraging smile.

  “Well, baby sister, how did day one of operation makeover go?” Sam teased.