by Jacie Floyd
Blushing, Myrna stood and tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “Thank you. I do know some people we could call on to join an action committee. I’ll approach a few of them in the next couple of days.”
“I’ve enjoyed meeting with you today. We’ve made good progress. I hope I don’t ruin it with what I’m about to say.”
The woman seemed to shrink in on herself. “What’s that?”
“I’ll be interviewing people shortly for the open positions. I hope you’ll be interested in applying for one of the librarian postings. It would be a shame to let your expertise go to waste, and I want to be able to pay you for your time and knowledge. If you don’t want a permanent full-time job, I’m sure we could work out a way to pay you on a contract or consulting basis. Please think about it and let me know which you’d prefer.”
Myrna’s eyes glossed over with tears, but she held on to her decorum. “Thank you. I’ll think it over and get back to you. Money has been tight for me since the library closed. I’m sure we can work something out.”
“Let me walk out with you. I want to check on some renovations in the children’s library downstairs. Can I get your opinion on something else before you go?”
Most of the drywall on the first floor had been replaced. Liam and a couple of painters were applying primer to the walls in the main reading and reference rooms, but the children’s area in the west wing hadn’t been quite as damaged and was farther along in its renovation.
“It’s wonderful that they were able to salvage this banister” Myrna trailed her hand along the railing as they descended the stairs. “Will you be continuing story hour for the children? That was always my favorite part of the week.”
“Oh, yes. Mine, too. It’s so gratifying to see children who come to the library for story hour turn into readers as soon as they get older.”
“Yes, start the little ones out with Beatrix Potter, move the preschoolers on to Richard Scarry and Dr. Seuss, and before you know it, they’re searching out Beverly Clearly, Judith Viorst, and Shel Silverstein all on their own.” She cast a more approving look around the children’s section. “Primary colors in this area, I see.”
“Yes, colors provide creative inspiration for children of all ages. I’m thinking of looking for a local artist to paint some vivid, imaginative murals in here. Again, I was hoping you could advise me.”
The retired librarian’s eyes shifted from one wall to the other and then down at the floor. “Perhaps you could request an art student from the university.”
“That’s certainly one idea. But I couldn’t help noticing your amazing bag.” Harper gestured at the tote Myrna had draped over her shoulder. The woman clutched it against her chest like she feared someone would try to take it. “The artist has a masterful command of colors and shapes. Is it by a local artist or designer? It doesn’t look like something mass produced.”
Myrna glowed with pride. “It was created by my younger brother, actually. Did you meet Bennie at the festival on the Fourth of July?”
Harper tried to hide her surprise. “Yes, I did. He seemed very devoted to you.”
“He suffers from certain limitations in some areas, but is utterly brilliant in others. Not unusual for someone with autism. His doctors encourage him to paint and express himself in a positive way. His talent is starting to gain a following in certain arts and crafts circles.”
“I can certainly see why.” Harper tapped a finger on her chin. “Would he be interested in working on the murals?”
“Oh, I don’t know. What he comes up with is unpredictable. He might start painting a sunflower in a field, and suddenly its transformed into a zebra riding a spaceship.”
“Whimsical,” Harper commented.
“That’s one way to put it.” Myrna headed for the door. “I’m very proud of his talent and creativity, but for your purposes, an art student might be more reliable.”
“If you’re sure he wouldn’t like to do it…”
“Thank you for suggesting it, but I don’t think that would work out.”
As Myrna reached the outer door, Zach pushed it open from the other side. “Hello, Myrna. How’s it going?”
“A beautiful day, Zach. I can’t complain.”
“It’s hot as blue blazes, Myrna, but whatever you say.”
“I’m just happy the good Lord has blessed me with another day to enjoy the sunshine.” She moved past Zach and then turned to address Harper. “I’ll email you a list of names and ideas in a few days.”
“Thank you. I’ll look forward to it.”
“Do you have a minute, Harper?” Zach held up a thick folder of papers. “There are some urgent issues the council needs to have addressed regarding the renovations to the breakroom.” He waved to Liam up on a ladder and offered pistol-shots with his finger and thumb to two other guys painting in the stairwell.
She checked her watch and pretended reluctance. “I think I do.” She headed to her office in the second-floor alcove. “Come upstairs where we can spread out these urgent issues on my desk.” She tried not to smirk as she said it.
Stepping behind her and ogling her ass as she went, Zach murmured, “My most urgent need is spreading you out on your desk.”
“Hey, that sounds like fun,” Liam said.
“What?” Zach’s head snapped around to view his friend on the ladder. “What are you talking about?”
Liam shrugged. “I heard what you said.”
Harper stopped mid-step and covered her face with her hands. “Oops.”
“How?” Zach asked.
“There are some weird-ass acoustics up here, man. I’ve noticed it several times when people are on the stairs. But this is the first time I’ve overheard anything interesting.” Liam swiped his roller through a paint pan. “You know nothing stays a secret in this town for long.”
“Keep this one to yourself, buddy.” Zach gave Liam a hard stare.
“No one will hear it from me.”
Harper scooted up the stairs and left Zach to deal with his friend. When he followed her inside her office, she shut the door and leaned her back against it, sure he’d lost interest in the purpose of his visit now that their secret affair was out of the bag.
She chewed her thumbnail, waiting for his reaction. “Sorry about that.”
“Not a big deal.” After tossing the folder on her desk, Zach pressed into her, caging her between his arms and legs. “Liam won’t care or tell.”
Leaning forward to kiss her, his mouth covered her lips. His hunger and desire fired hers until she was climbing his body to get closer to him. Looping her arms around his neck, her legs crossed behind his back, her skirt slid up to her thighs, and his hand was in her pants before Zach’s phone beeped.
He groaned and pulled the annoying interruption out of his pocket. When he read the display, he looked incredulous but thumbed to answer. “What, Liam?”
With her head against his shoulder, Harper heard the other man’s low response. “The Mayor and Bert are here.”
“What?”
“Just came in the front door. Thought you might want to know.”
Harper’s feet hit the floor. Zach released her and sank into one of her visitor’s chairs. She zipped around her desk, plucked a sleeping cat off her desk chair, and dropped into the seat with Calliope in her lap.
Of all the weird things currently happening, it was the presence of the cat that Zach found amusing. “You bring Calliope to work with you?”
Taking a deep breath and pressing a hand to her chest, she switched gears from sex kitten to cat-owning librarian. “She doesn’t like being at home all day by herself.”
“That’s why I got you a cat instead of a dog. Cats are not generally social by nature, and kittens sleep a good portion of the time anyway.”
She hugged the cat to her and stroked her fur. “She’s always happy to see me when I get home. And she adds a nice homey touch to the office.
“Do you bring her every day?”
“No. Sometimes I bring her back with me after lunch.”
“And she doesn’t get tromped on by the workers?”
“I keep her in here when there’s anyone else around.”
“It’s probably all right for her to be here.”
“Of course, it is.” The sweet kitten licked her hand. “Why wouldn’t it be all right?”
“Was it all right for you to take a pet to work with you in Chicago?”
“I didn’t have a pet.”
“Did anyone bring a pet to the library with them in Chicago?”
“No, but there were policies against it. Are there policies against it here?”
“We’ll have to check.”
A knock on the door interrupted them. “Come in,” Harper called out, and Zach reached behind him to turn the knob.
“Hey, Mick. Bert.” Zach nodded and shook hands with them.
“Mayor, Bert. So nice to see you today.” Harper stood up to greet them more formally. “Please have a seat.”
Since there were only two visitor’s chairs in Harper’s small space, Zach stood and propped himself against a file cabinet to let the senior councilmen members be seated.
“We wanted to go over bids for the new computers but weren’t expecting to see you here, Zach,” the Mayor said. “That’s handy.”
Both men turned suspicious gazes on Harper and then Zach.
Chapter Eighteen
Zach leaned back, perfectly at ease. “I had a call from Fredricks. The specs for the proposed breakroom had to be changed to allow for new ventilation where the closet was originally planned. If Harper wants a closet in there, it doesn’t allow for as much space for the appliances and counters she picked out. I brought the plans to show her an idea about opening the room up by expanding into the area behind the south wall. I want your input, too, before I call Fredricks back.”
Mick scratched his head and considered the idea. “The back stairs are behind the south wall. You can’t move those.”
Zach reached for his folder and pulled out the floor plan of the area in question. “Right, but some of the space under the stairs can be used for the closet, freeing up more square footage for the breakroom.”
“How much square footage do they need to hang their coats and store their lunches?” Bert asked as all three men bent their heads over the plans. “It looks plenty big enough to me.”
Harper and Zach had discussed all of this the night before in her bed after a vigorous bout of lovemaking that made the topic much more interesting than the current surroundings. But it was just like Zach to come prepared with an excuse for his presence.
That had been a close call. Thank heavens Liam had given them a heads up or they would have been going at it like ferrets when the mayor and councilman knocked on her door. That would have been a difficult activity to disguise.
As it was, they barely had time to slow their heart rates before having to make rational conversation with Mick and Bert. Zach was better at the charade than she was. And he’d been a champion at calming her down with their cat-chat before the other two men entered.
By the time they’d discussed the breakroom remodel and the computer issues that had brought Mick and Bert to the library, Zach received a call from the hospital. The other two town officials got up to walk out with him. “We’ll get out of your hair, too.”
“You’re not having any more trouble with vandals, are you?” the Mayor asked.
The Mayor looked around to see if anyone was listening but dropped his voice nevertheless. “We’ve got an independent accountant going over the books. I’m not saying you were right about some of the shady stuff Whitherford and Nelson had going on with town money, but it’s not looking good for them.”
“I’m sorry I had to be the one to point it out.”
“Not your fault. We’re too trusting sometimes when it comes to the people we know.”
And not trusting enough of people you don’t know, Harper wanted to say but managed to keep her mouth shut. She was amazed they’d admitted that much to her. One step at a time.
“Call us if you have any other concerns,” Bert told her.
“Or me,” Zach inserted. “I’ll get back to you about the new breakroom plans, but call me if you need something before then.”
Bert and Mick shuffled their feet and waited him out. They seemed determined not to leave until Zach did.
“Yes, thank you. All of you. You’ve been great throughout this whole process. On Monday, I’m going to start interviewing for some of the positions.”
“Do you want any of the council to sit in? We do have veto or approval power over staffing.”
“Yes, but you may have prior opinions about the people you know, and I want to meet them initially without any preconceived notions. This round is just to weed people out. Before I make any appointments or offer any positions, I’ll run my choices by the council.”
“Sounds good.” Mick gave Zach’s shoulder a gentle shove. “Come on, boy. We don’t want to take up any more of Harper’s time.”
“How’s the truck doing? Have you brought it in for maintenance lately? The left rear tire looked low the last time I saw it.” Bert’s voice floated back to Harper as she stood on the steps and watched them leave.
Zach pounced on Harper as soon as he stepped through the door that night. A SWAT team couldn’t have stopped him. Or the appearance of the entire town council. His tongue was down her throat and his hands under her shirt before she said hello.
“God, I’ve been needing you all day. That aborted encounter at the library nearly killed me. I wanted to throttle Mick and Bert when they came to your office. When you leaned over your desk to look at the plans, I could see down your top to those amazing tits. I wanted to take a bite out of the tender curve of your neck.” He feathered a finger over the spot. “Right here.” Other than a shiver of desire, he noticed she wasn’t participating in the fun.
His hand slipped down between her legs and cupped her. “I hope you’re ready for me, Harper. I can’t wait.”
“Lordy, if she’s not ready, I am.” A throaty voice came to him from the door to the living room.
Whoever it was might just as well have poured a bucket of ice water over Zach’s head. Or Gatorade. Or kerosene to light him on fire. Something—anything to put him out of his misery. He sighed and lifted his head.
One of the most beautiful men he’d ever seen stepped into Harper’s kitchen. Not that he normally thought of men as beautiful, but this one was. Except that he used way too much hair product and maybe went to a tanning salon. His teeth looked artificially white against the tanned skin of his face. But overall, he sported movie-star, over-the-top, metrosexual good looks generally reserved for top models. Hopefully gay because what man could compete against this guy for women?
Zach looked down at Harper, whose eyes beamed up at him with humor, desire, and resignation.
“Sorry about that.” She waved her arm in the other guy’s direction. “Meet Nathan. My best friend from Chicago.”
“The librarian? Really?” Teenage girls probably flocked in to get the latest best sellers and a good look at this paragon. “Did you tell me he was coming?”
“He was a surprise.”
“He certainly was.”
“And you must be Zach.” The tanned and toned vision moved to the refrigerator to fill a glass with ice. “If you have some unfinished business, I could go outside and wait on the porch with the kitten. But it’s stifling hot. I guess I could go take a really long shower. With loud music, if that would help.”
Zach almost took him up on the offer, but this was Harper’s friend and she’d been missing her friends, even though she pretended she didn’t. They must have lots to talk about. “That won’t be necessary. I just stopped in to check on Harper, but I’ll catch up with her later.”
“What were you checking with your tongue down her throat? Her temperature?”
Harper moved out of Zach’s embrace. But when she turn
ed around, he put his hands on her shoulders to keep her in front of him. The condition of his pants could still cause him embarrassment if she moved away. “Nathan! I never gave you a hard time about your guys.”
“You should have. You know I have absolutely no sense when it comes to men. But even I can see this one looks like trouble.”
“Leave Zach alone. I can handle him on my own.”
“So you do want me to wait outside?”
“No! The eggplant parmesan is just about ready. Let’s sit down and eat. Zach will stay, too.”
“No, he won’t.” Zach edged toward the door. “I don’t want to horn in on your reunion. I have to go back to the hospital in a little while anyway. How long are you going to be here, Nathan?”
“Through the weekend, if Harper doesn’t mind.”
Of course, Harper didn’t mind, but Zach nearly turned over the table in frustration. He bent over to give her a quick kiss. “Enjoy the visit with your friend. Text me if you need me.”
He left as quickly as he came in. Twice today he’d been revved up and shot down. He was so horny he couldn’t see straight, but it wasn’t Harper’s fault they hadn’t been able to finish what they started. Groaning in frustration, he returned home prepared to take the longest, coldest shower of his life.
Well, sure. “Text me if you need me,” he’d said. That was the trouble. He liked to be needed. And Harper didn’t like to need anyone. She wanted him so badly her teeth hurt sometimes, but not because she needed him.
In the beginning, she had thought sneaking around was fun. Arranging for trysts at the library after work was done for the day (making love on the rooftop—sublime!). Sneaking into Zach’s office before the staff arrived (making love on an exam table—awkward!). And making use of some of Zach’s old high school make-out hangouts (which had been a missing part of Harper’s youth, since she rarely stayed in one place long enough to be included in the local traditions). But none of that was enough anymore.
