“Of course you are,” Robin teased.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means you’re from the Midwest so you follow the traditional Midwestern draw.”
“How did you know that?” Jeff asked.
“My grandpa was a baseball fanatic. Since the Cardinals were the westernmost major league team until the Giants and Dodgers moved to the west coast in 1958, it makes sense that your grandfathers were Cardinal fans. Growing up in my Grandpa John’s house meant listening to games together, learning to read box scores, and listening to him discuss every little baseball detail in the news. It makes perfect sense to me.”
“She’s smart and she knows baseball. Lucky me,” Jeff chuckled.
“Yes, lucky you.”
~*~
At one point Robin asked Jeff about Susan Stinson.
“I heard you were dating Susan Stinson. How’s that working for you?”
“I only took her out once. Believe me, it won’t happen again.”
Robin nodded at his response. Since he wasn’t one to badmouth others, he didn’t go into detail about the beautiful model or their lone date. He assumed since she’d grown up with Susan Robin would understand the situation without any further comment from him.
As they worked, she shared with him some of her dreams and goals for the library, including the new heating and air-conditioning system.
“One goal I’d like to accomplish is setting up a program for volunteers to bring books, movies, music, and periodicals to the elderly and disabled patrons who can’t physically get to the library themselves. We have an aging population here, and I’d like to reach out to them to make sure they get the library materials they enjoy.”
“Sounds like a great idea to me. I know where I live they have a Book Mobile filled with library materials which is a large RV that drives around to outlying neighborhoods to serve those citizens.”
Robin stopped working to look at Jeff. “Exactly. Also, I’ve applied for several grants through various agencies so we can get the antiquated heating and air-conditioning system in the building replaced. If I can come up with the money to pay for the equipment, the local contractor will install it for free. We’re almost there.”
“Is that why you’re having the Storybook Fair in June?”
“Yes. If it’s a success, we can have the work done before the heat of summer settles over Bonita Creek.”
“If people have a cool place to go in the summer, they’ll visit the library more often and use your materials and programs even more. Is that the idea?”
“You get this, Jeff. I mean you really get the library’s purpose and how it benefits the community.”
Jeff felt his heart beating a little faster after Robin’s compliment. “I’ve been a library user since I was old enough to ride my bike to see Miss Grayson in our branch library. Sometimes it seemed like she and the books I read were my best friends.”
Robin nodded. “I know what you mean. It was the same for me after my parents died.”
He found Robin to be bright, articulate, and witty. By the end of the workday he’d confirmed in his heart he’d set his sights on the right lady. He didn’t know how he’d manage to leave after his job was finished in Bonita Creek in a few weeks. If he continued pursuing Robin, he was afraid he’d break her heart when he went back to Illinois.
As the day wound down, Robin thanked him for all of his assistance. When the gathering was breaking up, he shook her hand. Then he made his way back to his solitary rental.
~*~
She didn’t need another complication in her life, but Robin found she’d enjoyed Jeff’s company. He was intelligent, thoughtful, and hard-working. He treated her with a respect and kindness like the first time they’d met. His behavior today made her wonder what had happened at that Saturday morning breakfast. She guessed maybe he was just having an off day. He was charming and pleasant today.
Robin was surprised how relieved she was to hear Jeff wasn’t seeing each Susan any longer. It seemed that the relationship ended before it had even begun. He sure is cute when he smiles. Robin headed for home.
Turning on some of her favorite light rock music, she wandered into her kitchen to rustle up some dinner for herself. As she settled down to an omelet, leftover muffins, and a pot of herbal orange spice tea, she relaxed and smiled with memories of the workday replaying in her mind. She spent the rest of the evening with her Sue Grafton book and her grandparents’ bible.
Chapter 16
Sunday morning was bright and warm. Robin ate her breakfast and made up the picnic lunch she’d promised Penny. Excited about their day at the coast, she did some quick housekeeping, showered, and dressed up for church. She loaded the heavy ice chest and her picnic basket with a picnic blanket into the trunk of her car. She added a sun hat, windbreaker jacket, knit shirt, pants, thick socks, and a good pair of walking shoes.
She headed for church in time for the early service at nine o’clock. She liked to sit up toward the front because she found she listened better if she limited the distractions surrounding her in the small historic church. As she settled into her usual spot in the front pew, she heard a rustling sound coming from the pews to her right. Her attention was drawn to the sight of Jeff Clarke settling into the pew directly across from hers.
He smiled broadly at her across the center aisle and raised his hand in greeting. She responded in kind and then turned to face the altar. She didn’t remember seeing him in church any of the other Sundays since he’d arrived in Bonita Creek. Miracles never cease, she thought.
The service began with the organist playing the treasured old hymn, “The Old Rugged Cross.” Throughout the hymn, she felt her gaze and thoughts wandering across the aisle to certain handsome someone. Once, when he caught her eye, Jeff winked at her. She felt her cheeks flush a deep red. She hoped Pastor White hadn’t noticed the wink. This isn’t junior high!
Robin found the lesson on The Golden Rule to be interesting, witty and thought-provoking. She set a goal to be more tolerant of others and their feelings, trials, and tribulations. Her grandparents had instilled in her the need to be kind to others, always. Grandma and Grandpa recited the golden rule to her in many situations as she was growing and developing into an independent young woman. Selfishness and inconsideration of others was never allowed in their home. The kindness and patience and teachings of these two loving souls had shaped Robin into the woman she was today. During silent prayer at the service she thanked the Lord for blessing her with her grandparents.
~*~
Robin met Penny at her car and they set off for the coast. It took about an hour on a scenic mountain road to reach the coastal highway, and the two cousins filled the long minutes with enthusiastic conversation. Robin had decided to open up to Penny about Jeff Clarke and the strong feelings she felt toward the newcomer. Her cousin was an excellent listener and confidante, and the women had shared many intimate conversations with each other over the past decade plus. Penny was the only person besides Pastor White who knew exactly what had transpired between Thomas and Robin including the reasons for the break-up of their marriage.
Penny Ralston was an empathetic and compassionate person. The shy woman had stood loyally by Robin’s side through the most difficult times of her life. She’d supported and encouraged Robin through the deaths of her parents and grandparents and more recently, her marriage. Robin knew she would not have survived the treacherous period of depression that had robbed her of her optimistic outlook on life had it not been for Penny’s constant love and encouragement.
After catching up on the essential news in each other’s lives, Penny said, “OK, Robbie. What’s got you all tied up in knots? I’ve patiently waited for you to tell me about what has caused your smile to disappear, but now I’m going to be downright nosy. Spill it, girlfriend.”
Robin sighed deeply and her grip tightened involuntarily on the steering wheel. She’d begin with the easy part of the story and move on to
the more difficult part when she felt more comfortable. “My work news is I’ve been summoned to a meeting of the Bonita Creek City Council on Tuesday evening. I have no idea what this is all about, but I was warned if I didn’t appear at the meeting I’d be fired.”
Penny’s shocked gasp resonated in the car and Robin realized how awful the situation sounded. Her cousin was speechless, and Robin’s heart plummeted.
“What in the world could this all be about? I mean, you couldn’t have done anything terrible. You’re a wonderful librarian, and you run our library like a finely-oiled machine. I wonder what this is all about.”
As the two continued their drive to the coast, she updated Penny on her latest interactions with Jeff at the library’s work day and at the church service this morning. It seemed as if things were taking a positive turn again. Penny giggled lightly when Robin related he’d winked at her during the first hymn.
“It sounds to me as if this guy can be absolutely charming and well-mannered. I wouldn’t worry too much about the Saturday morning fiasco. Maybe he was just having a really bad day. It happens to everyone. At least he wasn’t cruel like Thomas.”
“That’s true,” Robin said.
“You know what? I doubt he’ll behave poorly again. And just think of how many things you have in common. You both love to read, watch movies, and spend time outdoors. His coming to services at Bonita Creek Christian this morning proves he has a relationship with the Lord or is seeking one. I’ll just bet there are other activities you’d enjoy together, too. Give it some time, Robbie. He’ll come around.”
“Remember when I met up with Susan Stinson at the park one day recently and she told me Jeff was her new boyfriend? At the library workday yesterday when I asked him about Susan, he led me to believe they had no relationship at all. He said he’d only taken her out one time.”
“We both know how Susan embellishes the truth sometimes in an effort to make her life sound more glamorous and desirable than everyone else’s. It’s really sad if you think about it. Poor Susan, I wonder if she’ll ever find meaning in her life. I always hope the best for her even though she’s never been kind to any of us. Just talking about her reminds me of Pastor White’s lesson about the Golden Rule this morning.”
The cousins drove in silence the rest of the way. When they arrived, they decided to picnic first and walk around the gardens later. They found a shady spot under a huge cypress tree, and Robin began unpacking the food-laden picnic basket. She’d brought home-baked wheat bread, deviled eggs, fresh fruit salad, three bean salad, home-baked oatmeal raisin cookies, and iced tea.
Penny watched as Robin continued unloading dish after dish from the basket. “Are you working on becoming another Mary Poppins with a magical, bottomless carpet bag?”
They chuckled at the memory of a scene from their favorite childhood movie.
“You look astonished at the volume of everything I unpacked,” Robin said.
The two bowed their heads in prayer. They chatted about other family members and the plans for the Storybook Fair as they ate. After lunch the women returned the basket and blanket to the car and began strolling around the various areas of the garden.
Upon their arrival at the dahlia garden, Robin told Penny the gardens rented out this particular area with its new natural wood gazebo for weddings.
“I can just imagine how beautiful a wedding held here would be during the dahlia blooming season in late June, July, and August each year. They have many different varieties of dahlias growing along the sides and front of the garden area and then the gazebo is up front looking toward the ocean. A wedding here would be breathtaking. Maybe someday I’ll be a guest at a wedding here during the prime blooming time. Penny, promise me when you get married you’ll consider having the ceremony right here when the dahlias are at their absolute peak.”
A shadow of deep melancholy passed over Penny’s eyes. Since Robin was busy looking at the gazebo so she didn’t notice the pain in her cousin’s grim expression.
“Whatever you say. You can plan the whole thing just the way you want it.” Penny forced a laugh.
They returned to Bonita Creek in the late afternoon and parted ways with a warm hug and promises of getting together again soon. It had been a fabulous Sunday. Each time Robin thought of Jeff’s subtle wink in church she felt a delightful shiver travel down her spine and then back up again. She admitted the wink likely meant nothing, but she dearly hoped it meant something good. The Lord would reveal His plan for her life in good time.
~*~
As he exited the Bonita Creek Christian Fellowship sanctuary after the service, Jeff stopped to shake hands with Pastor White.
“I see you took my advice,” the pastor said quietly.
“Well, I decided to visit the church this morning and see how I liked it. Thanks for your invitation, I really enjoyed the service and your lesson was inspiring.”
The pastor flashed a brilliant smile. “I wasn’t talking about my advice regarding your attending our church, although we’re glad to have you worshipping with our church family. No, I was referring to your taking my advice about getting to know Robin Bennett. I saw you wink at her during the first hymn.” The pastor slapped him on the back conspiratorially and grinned.
Jeff wanted to disappear on the spot. He hadn’t intended for anyone else to see the wink and was instantly worried the pastor thought his behavior blasphemous. “I apologize, Pastor, if I appeared to be flippant during the holy hour. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
“I know what you were thinking, young man. I’ve been happily married to the love of my life for forty-five years now, but I was a young buck like you once upon a time. You won’t find a finer woman anywhere than Robin Bennett. I’ll keep you both in my prayers. Could be the Lord has something wonderful in store for the both of you. Have a great week, and we’ll see you right here next Sunday.”
The man must have the ability to channel right into his congregants’ minds, Jeff thought. Trusting the pastor would keep their conversation about Robin confidential, he decided not to worry so much about the community’s perception he was showing favoritism. Besides, who cared if people discovered he was pursuing Robin? She was a beautiful, well-respected, contributing member of this community and this vibrant church congregation.
Chapter 17
Robin slept soundly throughout the night on Sunday and awakened feeling ready to conquer her immediate challenges. She had plenty on her mind with the City Council meeting the following evening and the Storybook Fair a few days later. She knew she needed to take some quiet time to prepare herself mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for Tuesday night’s meeting. She spent the better part of an hour praying and reflecting on her life. After eating a light breakfast, she stretched and took off on a thirty-minute brisk walk around town. The exercise helped to calm her nerves and gave her time to focus on the tasks at hand.
Monday and Tuesday flowed smoothly at the library. The children and their parents were eagerly anticipating the Storybook Fair and their enthusiasm was contagious. Robin chose not to discuss the city council meeting with anyone mostly because she remained genuinely bewildered by the entire matter.
Surprisingly, she was disciplined enough to hold her worry about the big meeting in abeyance until late Tuesday afternoon. By the time she closed the library and walked home, she was feeling the physical effects of her anxiety. Her neck muscles felt tense and she could feel her blood pressure was slightly elevated as it always was when she was under heavy stress and strain.
In an effort to calm her nerves, Robin audibly recited one of her favorite verses, “The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear?” several times. This gentle reassurance brought her comfort. She ate a light dinner and changed into her most professional-looking suit in preparation for the public meeting.
~*~
When she arrived in the City Council chambers she was astonished to see the seating in the chambers was already filled to capacity.
Many community members were standing around the edges of the room. Jorie and Penny waved to her from their seats in the middle of the room. Robin wondered once again how she would survive in life without these two loyal friends by her side during times of adversity. Many of the townspeople nodded and waved to her as she scanned the room. She was greeted warmly by church members and business people alike. Pastor White hugged her and whispered into her ear quietly, “We’re all praying for you, my dear.”
The city clerk, Sharilyn Phillips, quickly intercepted Robin and directed her to the front row of chairs in the spectator’s section of the chambers. Robin slid into a chair and stared uncomfortably at the front of the room. She was having a difficult time keeping her temper and emotions in check. Robin had appeared many times in front of the town’s city council, but never before had she felt this tense.
~*~
Promptly at seven o’clock, the mayor and the city council members filed into the room and took their assigned seats behind the podium up front. The meeting was called to order and the crowd rose for the Pledge of Allegiance.
At the podium, the city manager, Ben Bauer, began. “Our first call of business tonight regards the status of the Bonita Creek Public Library. We hired an independent consulting firm from back East to perform an unbiased, in-depth investigation and prepare a report regarding the library’s financial health. I’d like to introduce the consultant to you at this time. Representing Brownstein & Associates, I present Mr. Jeffery Clarke.”
As Jeff walked toward the front of the room there was an audible gasp from the audience. So no one else knew about Jeff’s secret mission either. Robin felt as if she was going to be physically ill, and she had difficulty catching her breath. So that’s why the scumbag has been hanging around my cottage and the library since he moved to town. He was snooping on me, gathering information to use against me in front of the entire town. What can he possibly gain from besmirching my name in public? Lord, please calm my raging heart.
Robin's Reward (Bonita Creek Trilogy Book 1) Page 12
