Books and Beaus

by Marianne Spitzer

  “Mister O’Leary? Leer O’Leary? I didn’t know that handsome, burly Irishman was back in town.”

  Meg smiled and said, “He met the train for a book delivery. He said he’s working for Mister Satterfield at a barn that’s being used until they build the new library. He helped me get my trunk and told them to deliver it here.”

  “The entire town is excited about the new library.”

  Meg leaned a bit closer to the desk and whispered, “Do you know Mister Satterfield? Is he a kind gentleman? I’m here to apply for the librarian’s job, and I’m a bit nervous.”

  Millie shook her hands. “No need. Wes Satterfield and his wife are new to Creede, but they are a wonderful addition. He’s kind, and he won’t frighten you when you apply for the job. I’m certain of that.”

  Meg let out a breath, “That’s good to hear. I plan to see him after I clean up.”

  “Let me show you to your room, and I’ll make sure your trunk is placed in your room as soon as it gets here. The deliveryman at the train station is usually quite prompt.”

  Two hours later, Meg sat at the small table in her room sipping tea and enjoying the last of her bread and soup. Millie was certainly right when she suggested a bath and hot soup. Meg felt stronger and refreshed from the soot and smoke of the train ride.

  Dressed in a clean dark green day dress she wore when she worked at the library back home, Meg thought she would make a good first impression on Mister Satterfield. Meg slipped on her coat and went down to see if Millie was still at the front desk.

  A smiling Millie greeted her again. “You look rested. Did you find everything to your satisfaction?”

  Meg nodded her head several times, “Yes, the bath, soup, and tea were what I needed to feel like myself again. Thank you. Would you be able to tell me how to find Mister Satterfield’s office?”

  Meg had a smile on her face as she strode toward Mountain Avenue. She greeted a few women and men she saw along the street but when she passed Mr. Thistlewaite, she never saw him, nor did she hear him say to himself, “Yes by golly, that young lady will bring more warmth and sunshine into Leer’s life than any day in San Francisco.”

  Meg continued down the boardwalk until she reached Mountain Avenue and turned left to follow Millie’s directions. She saw the large white house at the end of the road and picked up her pace feeling her excitement grow hoping that when she left after speaking with Mr. Satterfield that she would be the new town librarian in Creede, Colorado.

  Bright February sunshine took some of the chill out of the air, but Meg didn’t feel the cold at all as her mind traveled to the possibilities that being the new librarian would bring to her life. She approached the Satterfield home and took a moment to straighten her skirt and pat her hair to make sure she looked her best. Meg knocked on the door, and an attractive woman with honey blonde hair answered saying, “Good morning, may I help you?”

  Meg answered, “My name is Meg Unger, and I was hoping to see Mr. Satterfield please.”

  “He’s not here at the moment, but please come in and warm up. I was going to take his lunch to him in a few minutes, and you can walk with me to the barn where he’s working on the details of our new town library.”

  Meg stepped in, and Delia closed the door behind them.

  “Would you like a cup of tea before we leave? It will help warm you up?”

  “Thank you,” Meg replied. “I would like that.”

  Meg followed Delia into the kitchen and took the offered chair.

  “I’m Delia Satterfield. My husband is Wes Satterfield, and I believe he’s who you wish to speak to.”

  “Oh yes, I need to speak to him,” Meg replied. “Millie at the Hearth and Home told me to try your home first. I would like to apply for the position of town librarian.”

  “That’s wonderful, but I thought Wes said he asked for letters in his advertisement,” Delia said.

  Meg sighed. “He did, and I hope it doesn’t keep me from his consideration. I saw the advertisement and decided to come here in person. If he doesn’t offer me the job, I’ll look elsewhere.”

  Delia set a cup of tea in front of the young woman and saw the sadness in her eyes. She sat across from Meg and asked, “Are you all right, Miss Unger? I don’t wish to pry, but you seem more distressed than one would expect even before applying for employment.”

  Meg drew in a deep breath, and her mind whirled for a moment before deciding to be honest with the kind woman sitting across from her. She looked directly at Delia hoping she’d understand.

  “Missus Satterfield.”

  “Delia, please.”

  “Delia, I am more nervous than you would expect. To be truthful, I was a librarian assistant, but due to the unwanted advances of one of the librarian’s largest supporters and the lies he told about my virtue to the chairman of the library board I was dismissed. It was strongly suggested that I leave town as no one would offer me a job with my reputation in tatters. I saw the advertisement in the paper, packed my things, and came here.”

  Meg sipped her tea with shaking hands and prayed that her honesty wouldn’t cause her to lose the job before she applied.

  Delia nodded trying to find the right words to express her feelings when Meg blurted, “It’s not true, Delia. Not one word of what Martin Smythe said is true. I never, I wouldn’t, I’m not that type of woman. Please believe me. I would never disgrace myself or the library’s reputation.”

  Delia smiled at the nervous young lady. “I do believe you. You looked me in the eye when you explained your story. I know what it is like to deal with difficult, untruthful people. When you speak to my husband, give him your qualifications and ideas. Your personal life background is not part of an interview unless you wish to include it.”

  “Thank you, Delia. I wasn’t sure how to approach the interview. If your husband asks for a reference, I believe I won’t get the job. I doubt anyone from the library would give me a recommendation even though it was their idea that I leave town and find another library position.”

  Delia smiled, “My husband and I make decisions about the library together. If the situation arises and he has concerns, I can explain and help him understand not to question your personal life.”

  Meg dropped her head. “I can’t expect you to do that for me. You don’t know me. I could be the liar in the situation.”

  “Nonsense,” exclaimed Delia. “Don’t ask me why but I believe every word you said, and I think my husband will, too. Now, it’s time I take his lunch and Leer’s to the library. I’m sure they’re getting hungry.”

  “Leer? You mean Mister O’Leary?”

  “Yes, do you know him?” Delia inquired.

  “Not really. I met him at the train station this morning, and he suggested I stay at the Hearth and Home. He arranged for my trunk to be delivered there.”

  Delia smiled, “That sounds like Leer. He’s a helpful person and has become a trusted friend.”

  “Can I help you carry something?” Meg asked as she stood and carried her cup to the sink.

  “I have everything in one basket. If it gets too heavy, we can take turns. The barn is only a half-mile walk.”

  Both young women smiled at each other. Mister Thistlewaite, who had been peeking in the kitchen window unseen, smiled, too before he continued his walk to the barn at the edge of town.

  Chapter 5

  Delia and Meg chatted the entire way to the barn making the walk in the cold seem shorter and enjoyable. Meg was carrying the basket and Delia led her around the side of the barn to a small door. “We use this door rather than the large doors on the front. It keeps much of the cold from entering with us,” Delia explained as she held the door open for Meg.

  Meg entered the barn and was surprised by the large interior that smelled of wood and paint instead of horses and leather. Delia hurried in right behind her and pulled the door closed.

  Wes looked up from his paperwork spread out over a small table near the door. He stood as soon as he
saw his wife and Meg enter.

  “Hello, my love. I hope that’s lunch in the basket and who is your friend?” Wes asked as he reached out and took the basket from Meg.

  “This is Meg Unger, she’s come to talk to you about the librarian position,” Delia said as Meg did her best to smile and show confidence.

  Wes lifted his eyebrows. “I didn’t expect anyone to come in person. My ad asked for letters of qualifications.”

  “I have one, Mister Satterfield,” Meg said as she pulled the letter from her reticule and handed it to Wes. “I was leaving my hometown and thought I would stop in Creede and apply in person.”

  Wes nodded. “All right. I’ll read your letter while I have lunch with my wife. You can see our progress so far while we discuss your letter and qualifications.”

  “Thank you, sir,” Meg said.

  “Leer,” Wes called out to his right-hand man who was on the other side of the barn checking the crate’s contents for the correct copies of books.

  Meg’s head turned in the direction Wes was looking and saw Mister O’Leary striding toward them. Oh, my, he’s handsome, Meg thought as she watched him walk closer with each step.

  Leer nearly stopped in his stride when he saw Miss Unger standing with Wes and Delia. His heart picked up its beat, and it had nothing to do with walking. Her beauty still took his breath away. He didn’t expect to see her again so soon, but he was pleased she was here.

  “Leer,” Wes said, “This is Miss Meg Unger. She’s applying for our librarian position. While I read over her qualifications and discuss the situation with Delia, would you show Miss Unger our plans and what we’ve done so far?”

  A broad smile spread across Leer’s face. “Miss Unger and I met this morning, and I’d be happy to show her around. Hello again, Miss Unger. Let’s start with the architect’s plans for the library.”

  At a loss for words when she looked into the blue eyes of the large man, Meg could only smile, nod, and follow Leer across the barn.

  Delia watched as the two walked away from her and said to Wes, “They make a darling couple. Don’t you agree?”

  “Oh, no, you don’t. No matchmaking. Miss Unger just arrived in town, and Leer plans to leave once the library is built. I don’t think that’s conducive for a relationship,” Wes replied as he sat back down at the table. “Now, what did you bring me for lunch?”

  Delia unpacked the lunch as Leer stopped in front of a large drawing tacked to the wall.

  “Let me take your coat before we look at the plans for the library,” Leer suggested.

  Meg smiled at Leer her beautiful face shining with excitement. Leer nearly lost his train of thought as he looked at her face. Her smile reached her eyes which seemed to sparkle with excitement.

  Meg explained, “I love libraries. I have worked at one since I was sixteen as an assistant and I’m looking forward to working here if Mister Satterfield agrees.”

  Leer draped Meg’s coat over a chair and pointed at the architect’s drawing on the wall.

  “You’ll notice that this will be a two-story building. Plans are for books to be on the first floor and the second floor to be used for research, classes, or town meetings.”

  Meg stepped closer to the wall and took a close look at the drawing. “From what I can tell, this library looks larger than the one back home which is very exciting. How many books do you expect to have in the library?”

  “I’m not sure, it all depends on whatever our new librarian suggests. Delia loves to read and has given us a list of her favorite books, books she would like to read, and books others in town have suggested. We have ordered several crates already and will be ordering more as we decide how many books the library will hold. If you become our new librarian, you will have a say in those books.”

  “From the look of the drawing, I would say this building will hold a massive number of books,” Meg said as she ran her finger along the outline on the wall.

  A man’s slight cough broke into her thoughts, and she looked past Leer to see a slightly disheveled man with long stringy black hair pulled back and tied at the nape of his neck.

  “Oh,” Leer said. “Let me introduce you to Percy Beals. He’s our carpenter. He’s building the bookshelves, tables, and chairs we’ll need. Percy, this is Miss Unger. She’s here to apply for the librarian’s position.”

  “How do you do, Miss Unger,” Percy said and bowed slightly.

  “I’m well, thank you, Mister Beals. It’s nice to meet you,” Meg replied.

  Percy straightened and stared into Meg’s eyes. She was beautiful and new in town. He was a carpenter now, and maybe she wouldn’t judge him as only a mine worker as others did before Wes hired him. Yes, Miss Unger would fit into his life. He only needed to persuade her.

  Percy smiled at Meg again, “The pleasure is all mine. I hope to see you again. I need to speak to Leer for a moment about the shelving.”

  Meg nodded, but before she could answer, she heard Wes call her name. Meg excused herself and walked back to the table Wes was using as a desk.

  “Please sit down, Miss Unger,” Wes said and motioned for a chair across the table from him. Delia was sitting on a chair to her right.

  “I see you have worked as an assistant librarian for six years. The letter of recommendation from your immediate superior is a glowing report of your work ethic and knowledge of library procedure and books.”

  Meg, unsure of what was written in the letter in the sealed envelope she’d received from the librarian back home, sighed a breath of relief. “She was always very kind to me. I’m grateful for any kind words she wrote.”

  “Yes, my wife informed me of your unfortunate difficulties and your reason for coming to Creede.”

  Meg dropped her head and nodded twice knowing she was about to be dismissed. She could hear Mister Satterfield drum his fingers on the table.

  “Miss Unger, I am a great believer in second chances, and with your list of qualifications and the letter from your superior, I feel confident that offering you the job as our librarian is deserved. Welcome to the Creede Public Library family.”

  Meg’s head snapped up to see a smiling Wes and Delia. “Thank you, sir, you will not be disappointed. I’ll be the best librarian you could ask for. Thank you again.”

  “My first question to you is what books do you recommend we order? I assume Leer has explained what we have so far.”

  “He did,” Meg answered. “I saw a book store in town. The owner most likely has several catalogs of books for sale. I could go through them or write a few book companies and ask for the catalogs. In addition to what has already arrived, we will need a complete section of the classics and books that are educational. History, geography, philosophy, literature to name just a few. We will need reference books and at least one large dictionary and a podium similar to the ones used in church to place it on. I could go on, but that is a good beginning.”

  Wes held up his hands as if in defeat. “That’s why we need you, Miss Unger. All that is now your responsibility. Tobias Redfern owns the local bookstore, and I know he would be willing to help you and perhaps you could acquire the book catalogs.”

  “Yes, sir, I can do that,” a beaming Meg replied.

  “Wonderful,” exclaimed Delia. “Now, I have things to do at home. You’ll come to supper tonight, Meg, won’t you? We’ll celebrate the library moving forward. Wes and Leer will escort you, won’t you, dear?”

  “Of course,” Wes said and kissed Delia on the cheek. “We’ll be there before six.”

  “Thank you, Delia, I would love to come to supper,” Meg added.

  “Then I’ll see you later,” Delia said before she donned her coat and rushed out the door.

  Chapter 6

  Shortly before six o’clock, Wes straightened out the papers on his desk and asked Meg if she were ready to go to supper. Wes waved at Leer and motioned him over. “Leer, it’s dark and getting colder. Would you hitch up the buggy and you can drive us to my home and th
en take Miss Unger home after supper.”

  “Sure thing, Wes,” Leer replied as he hurried out the door.

  “Percy,” Wes called out, “would you lock up and we’ll see you in the morning?”

  “Right after I put away my tools, Wes,” Percy answered.

  Wes nodded and told Meg, “Time to have supper. Tomorrow I’ll ask Leer to introduce you to Mister Redfern at the bookstore and show you around town.”

  “I’d like that, thank you. I look forward to getting to know the people in town and start organizing our book orders,” Meg replied with a broad smile.

  Meg stood and looked around the large barn filled with partially finished shelves, tables, and chairs and could imagine them in the new library filled with books and people. She still found it hard to believe it was so easy to obtain the librarian’s job and was sure Delia had a lot to do with her success. Meg turned to leave and didn’t see Percy staring at her with more than pleasant thoughts on his mind. He had already decided she would be his soon and it didn’t matter if Meg agreed or not.

  Leer helped Meg into the carriage, and she appreciated the ride since the wind had picked up and the chill permeated her warm coat. In just a few moments they pulled up in front of Wes and Delia’s home, and Wes helped her down from the carriage. He escorted her to the door while Leer drove the carriage to the back of the house and into the carriage house to keep the horse from the weather.

  Wes opened the front door and called out, “Delia, we’re here,” as he held the door open for Meg.

  Delia appeared in the hall wiping her hands on a towel. “Welcome back to our home, Meg. Where’s Leer? I made extra knowing how much he likes to eat.”

  “He’s putting the carriage up,” Wes replied. “Do I smell fried chicken?”

  “Yes, and mashed potatoes, pan gravy, green beans, and biscuits.”

  “What, no dessert,” Wes frowned.

  Delia rolled her eyes and looked at Meg. “My husband loves his dessert as does Leer. I made apple pie. That should make them both happy.”